II: Watch Me Go to the Watch
Though being awake already, Adele still spent some time in bed, slipping her hands under the pillow and keeping her eyes closed. She really enjoyed the feeling of safety, brought by domestic comfort, coziness of a soft bed and a faint warm smell of some cooking from the tavern's kitchen.
Enjoyed too much, maybe.
With a deep sigh, she finally made herself crawl out of bed, get dressed and go to the main room. Neeshka, her half-demon companion, was already sitting at the table, eating something quite eagerly. Noticing Adele, she tried to swallow down mouthful of food to greet her, but failed and had to settle on simply waving her hand cheerfully. Then again, Neeshka did everything cheerfully – and that's what Adele liked about her most of all. At times she even came pretty close to promising herself to save every last thief she ever came across – seeing how fortunate it turned out to be.
"Hey there, good morning," Duncan smiled from his place near the counter. "You go and have some breakfast too. They've cooked something of an omelet in the kitchen."
"Not sure it is an omelet," Neeshka added, "but seems alright."
"Don't care what it is, as long as it's food," Adele took a seat near her friend, placing her elbows on the table.
Neeshka gulped back another slice of what looked like an omelet and, while chewing, raised her finger to demand attention. Adele silently arched her brow at her, holding a chuckle, and the tiefling reached for her belt, taking a small leather bag from it, which she dropped on the table with a triumphant air. Falling, the bag let out an eloquent metallic clink.
"…You are kidding," Adele muttered, staring at the purse.
"Nope," Neeshka grinned, her tail coiling up in pleased twines. "Two thousand golden coins, as shiny as the day they were born."
"Someone actually bought all that rubbish we've collected on the way?"
"From me – sure. I've told you I know money and how to get them. Even your yesterday's new friend put his nose low enough to buy some."
Adele snorted quietly at mention of Sand, a rather snobbish elven wizard who had tried to scry the silver shards the previous day.
"So, what are we up to next?" the tiefling swept the purse down on her knees and grinned again, always ready. For anything.
"Honestly? No idea. I need to get to the Blacklake District, and that suddenly turned out to be quite a challenge. And it is my only option in this whole shards mess so far," she tangled her fingers in her hair, idly rubbing the back of her head. "Guess I'll visit the Watch today, try to figure out if Cormick can help me. Maybe I could get a temporary permission for visit or something – after all, I need only to meet that sage. May even agree to go there under escort. Wouldn't they appreciate my position?"
It was Neeshka's turn to snort: "Yeah, you've never dealt with Neverwinter Watch, that's for sure."
"Still, I'll give it a try."
"Want me to go with you?"
"Do you?" Adele blinked at her, having presumed that the thief would hardly be thrilled with the idea of being nearby any buildings containing Watchmen inside.
Neeshka shrugged. "To show you directions and all that. Would be a nice change, me leading the way, not just tailing after you." Seeing Adele's grin, she rolled her eyes, but couldn't hold a return snicker. "No, I didn't mean a pun."
"I'll be fine. After all, Neverwinter is hardly larger than the Mere - so I won't get lost."
"Well then, best of luck! What else can I tell?" the tiefling turned round on the chair and rose to her feet. "It isn't… ah… oh."
Adele looked back to see already familiar large wolf, who was standing in Neeshka's way. It seemed as if he was just passing by, but the swaying of tiefling's tail caught his attention, and now he was studying Neeshka with kind of a hungry interest.
"Hey, shoo!" Neeshka commanded in a most firm way possible, but her voice quavered treacherously.
The wolf didn't move, but regarded her with a long disdainful glare, as if was offended by being treated like a dog. The tiefling gulped.
"Neesh, don't look him in the eyes," Adele stated cautiously.
She giggled nervously in respond: "Easy to say, you know. Who was that smart to let a beast like that into the city?"
"Speaking of yourself, eh, demon?" a cold voice drawled from the remote shadowed corner of the room.
Adele was startled to see Bishop there, for she hadn't even noticed him before. The ranger sprawled about in the chair, watching the tiefling with dry amusement, with one hand twiddling a dagger languidly.
"What did you say?" Neeshka bristled.
"Bet you heard me," the ranger answered.
The dagger turned over in his fingers, then again, again…
The wolf suddenly crouched and growled, slowly baring his fangs.
"That's enough, Bishop!" Duncan moved forward from the counter. "Take him away."
"He's his own wolf, you know. Go ahead and try to yourself."
Well, aren't we an ass…
Duncan ground his teeth, frowning at the ranger. Bishop smirked and got up from the chair, sheathing his dagger.
"Drop it, Karnwyr. It'll cause you indigestion," the wolf sniffed in a way that reminded a suppressed chuckle and made his way towards his master. Bishop patted the nape of the wolf's neck and shoved him slightly to the door, following the animal himself. "Let's go and find you something more edible. It's not that hard."
"I heard that!" Neeshka snapped at his back.
"Don't," Adele placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's not worth it."
Again without even turning or looking at them Bishop snapped his fingers, as if making a point of something, and left the tavern.
Neeshka spun around on her heels, staring at Duncan indignantly: "And what was that?"
"That?" the half-elf grunted. "That was Bishop."
"Oh yeah? Is he one of local clerics or something?"
Adele chuckled, kind of pleased that her friend had the same reaction to the ranger's name.
"Well, that's what he calls himself," Duncan answered. "Local smuggler. Lives here, at my place."
…Not exactly a lawful type, are you, Uncle?
Neeshka scratched her pointed ear and shrugged: "Seems some shit of a customer to have around, no?"
"…It's a long story…" Duncan glumly tapped the counter with his fingers, as if thinking whether to tell the story or not – and apparently decided not to, shaking his head. "Nevermind."
"An' here comes the dwarf!" exclaimed Khelgar, stepping into the room from the corridor, adjusting his gloves. "Good mornin' ta ya all."
"Yeah, there you are," the tiefling folded her arms. "Not when we need you!"
"An' what's the matter? S'meone attacked?"
"Exactly! Attacked me."
"Pfft, you," Khelgar snorted. "No surprise there, ya ain't nothin' but trouble. Who bothered, anyway?"
"No, it's nothing," Adele waved her hand dismissively, having no desire to encourage the dwarf for yet another fight. "Just a small… mess."
"Ah, what, had a mess without me? Bah!" Khelgar pulled at his beard. "Not fair there, lass."
Adele smiled sweetly: "I'm not the one to become a Tyr's monk, am I? What would I know about fairness?"
Khelgar grinned, poking a finger to her ribs: "Laughin' at ol' crazy dwarf, eh? Now I'll just go and visit those guys – then we'll see who's gonna laugh!"
"You're going… now?"
"Sooner the better! Goin' right into the Temple an' tellin' them they ain't gonna find another monk like me!"
Neeshka chortled: "Can't argue with that!" she turned to Adele and tapped her shoulder. "Good luck with the Watch again. I'll sneak around the city a little, see what I can find out."
Adele nodded, smiling slightly at the tiefling's enthusiasm. For now there was nothing to 'find out', but wasn't it a nice excuse for Neeshka to wander around Neverwinter? It was her home, after all. Home she's been away from for quite some time...
"Just be careful," she added after the tiefling.
"I was born careful!" Neeshka exclaimed, drawing up the hood of her cloak to cover her horns.
"Oh sure," Khelgar muttered into his beard, following her with his eyes as she left.
"Where's Elanee, by the way?" Adele looked up at Duncan. "Have you seen her today?"
"Elven lass? She came out for a little, then returned to her room. Said she had a headache in the city," Duncan sighed. "Where have you gathered all these guys, I wonder."
"No matter where, there aren't any left," she smiled at Khelgar. "Well, I'll be off then…"
It was a strange experience – returning to the Flagon with a City Watch cloak on. The mere looks on the faces of passers-by changed swiftly the moment they fell on her outfit. The guard near the pier – the one she had been asking for directions upon their arrival in Neverwinter – noticed her, blinked in surprise, but saluted mechanically. That made Adele smile, but she saluted in return nonetheless and made her way to the tavern, feeling his puzzled gaze at her back. Still smiling, she crossed the Flagon's terrace and entered.
Neeshka choked over, spitting out ale she was drinking back to the mug.
"Well, I'll be blessed!" she blurted out, regarding Adele with huge eyes. "Never thought 'going to the Watch' actually meant 'joining the Watch'!"
"Guess, it is now," Adele shook her head. "That is the only chance to get into that thrice-damned Blacklake District. Prove my worth and get it as a reward. As if I want to settle there or something."
The tiefling grinned: "I didn't expect to get any friends from the Watch, that's for sure."
"Bah, I'd be glad ta have more friends from there," Khelgar grumbled, "as long as ones like ya a' around."
"Khelgar, watch your tongue, until it fell out to the floor and got stepped on!" Neeshka retorted.
"You just look at that," Duncan smiled almost proudly at Adele. "Two days in the city, and she is already a member of the Watch. That's worth of a celebration."
Adele groaned: "No, please, don't do that to me. I've got to go on patrol in two hours, I can't be drunk."
Khelgar laughed: "Then ya not drinkin'! Fill the glasses, Duncan!"
"…Sweet."
Neeshka ran up to her: "Can I come with you? I know I'll never get another chance to go patrolling!"
"I don't mind a company, as long as you don't get mixed up into something."
"Me? Why would I?" the tiefling clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, that's too cool! I mean, you never know how's your life gonna turn!" she suddenly stopped, looking at Adele suspiciously. "You're not going to make me hand you over somebody, are you."
Adele couldn't help but laugh: "No. I'm definitely not going to wander about the Docks looking for criminals. Were I that eager, I should have arrested that cleric-guy for smuggling," Duncan frowned at that uncomfortably, and the woman grinned. "So, until I don't bump into them on the street, the rascals of Neverwinter are safe, I guess."
"Oh, good," Neeshka turned to the counter. "Duncan, I'll have a drink too!"
"You spongers," the half-elf groused. "Fetch them some, Sal…"
It was getting dark when Adele was slowly making her way down the Docks. The wind, blowing from the gulf, seeped under her jerkin, making her shiver sometimes – but that was the only discomfort she faced so far. Neeshka seemed quite joyous, keeping step with Adele and looking around restlessly. Her cloak, protecting her from any glances too curious of her planar heritage, shifted slightly behind her, as her tail danced in rhythm with her anxiety.
"And are we going to make raids on some dens or something?" she inquired in a low voice. "To be honest, I was always kinda interested how it feels, to be on the other side."
"We'll have to eventually, I'm sure," Adele replied, keeping her eyes on a bunch of drunken sailors, obviously not locals.
"Hey, look, real Neverwinter patrol!" one of them exclaimed merrily.
"Where?" Neeshka stopped with a start.
"He means us," Adele smiled.
"Oh… Damn, need to get used to that."
"Have a fine shift!" the sailor shouted, waving a bottle. "Drop in later, we'll buy you a drink!"
Adele nodded evasively, moving on with Neeshka laughing quietly by her side: "What is it you are doing with men? I can't put my finger on it, really."
"Nothing, just tend to get into their field of vision when they are drunk."
The street led them to the pier, turning to the right, and they intended to follow – when suddenly Adele caught a sight of the familiar sergeant, surrounded by a gang of extremely suspicious characters. They couldn't have looked more suspicious even if they were carrying pikes with severed heads on them.
"We are not asking you to do something, sergeant," one of them purred unctuously. "No, you are exactly not to do anything – and for an amount of gold you won't be able to earn in a month."
"Seems like too big of a sum for such a trifle," the guard retorted, eyeing the men warily. "Why is that?"
"Because we respect you, sergeant. You do a great job here and get paid so miserably."
"Uh-oh," Neeshka flinched. "Guess, we've "bumped into" someone finally."
"Yeah, just my luck," Adele licked her lips, advancing the group. "Who are these people, sergeant?"
"That's what I'd like to know myself," he answered, still staring at the band morosely.
"Oh, we're nothing but humble travelers from Luskan," the leader smiled thinly. "Just arrived at your beautiful city, got stunned by the outstanding work of the City Watch…"
"…and decided to bribe it, huh?" Adele arched an eyebrow. "Nice and thoughtful of you."
The sergeant snorted inadvertently. The Luskan narrowed his eyes at them, then shook his head reproachfully: "It's very… unfortunate, really, that you've interpreted it that way. Very unfortunate," he turned to his companions. "Kill them and dispose of the bodies. Turned out to be not the way we've planned it, but still good to skin some of Neverwinter dregs…"
"Oh, that's great," Neeshka breathed out, stepping back and unsheathing her blades.
Luskans also drew out their weapons, when suddenly a known loud shout came from behind:
"Hey, some scums 're attacking our patrols!"
An ale mug flew right over Adele's shoulder, crashing into the head of one of attackers, and the next instant the Luskans were toppled over by the same drunken sailors Adele and Neeshka had encountered earlier. A few minutes – and the sea-folk were already kicking lifeless bodies, until Adele and the sergeant dragged them off.
"Thanks for the help, gentlemen," Adele soothed them. "Now why don't you find yourself some quiet place to have a drink and celebrate?"
"Always ready to help the Watch," one of the sailors grinned, " 'specially when one of them is such a beauty. Whatcha doing after the shift?"
"I'm busy, I'm afraid. But thanks for the offer anyway, I'll keep it in mind."
"Always welcome!" the sailor tried to salute, but swayed, and his fellows had to catch him and drag up the street, all roaring with laughter.
"Nice job-start," Neeshka pointed out, squatting down near the corpses.
"Bloody Luskans," the sergeant scowled. "Never tired of crawling into here, rats…" he looked up at Adele. "I'll report this… incident. Appreciate the help."
"Just doing my job," the woman shrugged, still smiling lightly.
"Have a quiet shift."
"…Hope to."
Still muttering something angrily, the sergeant proceeded to the headquarters. Adele followed him with a turn of head, then looked back at the bodies.
Not two days here, and already someone's dead. Dammit… Why am I never any good at keeping myself out of such crap?
She sighed, then blinked at Neeshka, who was busy emptying the pockets of Luskans.
"And what exactly are you doing, I wonder?"
"Ah, just checking. Maybe they happened to have some intervention-schedules on them or something…"
"Neesh…"
"Oh, no, there's nothing," she got up, shrugging with a look of innocent disappointment on her face. "Well, no harm in hoping, right?"
"You've just put a coin-purse to your hip-pocket."
"Huh? Did I? Oh, by force of habit, I guess…" she smiled sweetly. "Come on, Del, they are Luskans. Besides, they are dead. Not like they'll need their money… ever."
Adele sighed helplessly, looking at her and realizing what feelings parents must have, watching their children grow up not as well-behaved as was expected. She wanted to say something, when suddenly the dark sky got lightened by a blaze of fire, followed by some distant shouts.
…Are you kidding me?
"Seems to be near the Flagon," Neeshka said, puzzlement and worry equally colouring her voice.
"…Is it me or have all the trouble been waiting for Adele Farlong to join the Watch before decided to start happening?" she groaned, marching towards her uncle's tavern, followed by laughing Neeshka…
