VIII: Long Time to See

"Hey, you've returned!" Duncan welcomed them cheerfully, coming out from behind the counter, but tarried, looking wonderingly at Casavir: "Good day."

The paladin bowed his head respectfully: "As to you, sir."

Duncan shot a questioning look at Adele: "Well, seems I should prepare one more room?"

The woman smiled a bit guilty: "So it seems."

"If it is uncomfortable to you," Casavir said, "then I-"

"Nah, don't even think of it, lad," Khelgar waved his hand. "Feel yerself at home! All included!"

"I really don't think that is appropriate," the paladin objected. "I was the one to offer my help and so I am the one to bear the expenses concerned with me."

Duncan smiled broadly: "Now this fellow I like! Eh…" he glanced at Adele, sighed and patently melted, moving his gaze back to the paladin. "Alright, friend. Seeing as how I don't take money from the dwarf… so my hand won't lift to take any from you, that's for sure. You pay me by helping my niece out, and we are even."

"I shall do what I can," Casavir nodded.

"And so be it then. I…" his eyes darted to something behind Adele's back, then lowered, widened, while his brows shot upwards.

Adele turned back just in time to see Grobnar, who drew one of the chairs to the wall, climbed on it and was now busy with viewing curiously a trophy hog's head above him.

"My, this is so enthralling!" he exclaimed. "Have you seen those tusks?! Look, one of them is turned to the side a little. I thought it just seemed to be from the distance – but no, look, it really is! He must have slept on his left side often. My, nature never ceases to make me wonder!" the gnome tried to glance behind the hog's head, but his forehead met the wall. "Oh, and where is the rest of him?"

"Who is that?" Duncan blinked.

"It's Grobnar," Adele explained. "He's… well, yes. He is weird, but still… not that we could dump him all alone in the mountains, right? By the way, he's a bard. Not that I ever heard him playing…"

"Oh, indeed!" Grobnar cried, jumping off the chair. "Such a terrible overlook on my part, miss Adele! I tender an apology!" with that he fetched a small lute out of his bag and pinched the strings, looking up into the ceiling. "Hmm, wonder what will be appropriate in this situation… You know, I have at least three melodies in my mind. All of them are priceless in their own way, but the second one is… Oh, no, no, I'm so terribly wrong! Four melodies! Even five! The fifth one, if I recall correctly, I composed when I saw two completely unique butterflies! They were flittering from flower to flower, and by such an interesting trajectory, that immediately reminded me of-"

"That's it!!!" Qara snapped, striking her staff on the floor. "I'm so fed up with it! I'm going to the bath, and you all can burn in Nine Hells! And this small fry first of all!"

The girl stormed out of the room, past Grobnar rattling about something to Elanee, who was again unfortunate to get into his field of vision.

"…Yeah…" Adele looked at Duncan. "He's fine… You just need to learn to ignore him. And, by the way, he's smart about different mechanisms."

"He is?" Duncan glanced at the gnome. "Well, the water-pump in the kitchen gives us trouble…"

"Really?!" Grobnar gushed. "My, that is delightful! Can I have a look?"

"Be my guest…" the half-elf gestured towards the door leading to the kitchen, and Grobnar immediately rushed there. "And what is delightful about that?"

"That we won't be hearing him for the next hour," Neeshka answered with relief.

"You just keep an eye on him," Adele warned her uncle. "The chances are the same that he will repair the pump, break it completely, mine it or turn it into a hydro-press that will blossom with daises when in good moods."

"Tell me honestly," Duncan looked at her, "is there some special place you know where you find all these strange subjects?"

The woman laughed: "Guess, I just have some aura-problems – attract everything unusual. Anyway, as long as Qara usurped the bathroom first," she adjusted her dusty cloak and looked at the others, "you all make yourself comfortable, have rest, and I'll take time to go to the Watch and make sure the emissary made it here without problems."

Duncan sighed and shook his head, looking at Casavir standing closest to him: "There she is, always running somewhere, doing something… How am I supposed to look after her?"

The paladin smiled a little: "Believe me, you have nothing to worry about. Your niece is more than capable of defending both herself and others."

"Why, thanks," Adele smiled shortly in return.

Casavir shrugged: "No need for gratitude – it is simple truth."

Duncan arched his brow slightly, looking at him, then shifted his gaze to Adele, then back to the paladin and smirked so meaningly, that Adele almost felt like throwing a nearby chair at her uncle. But she restrained herself and instead just nodded at parting and left the "Flagon".

The day was surprisingly warm and sunny for Neverwinter, but it only made the woman feel herself even more tired and dirty after the journey. Rock dust seemed to have formed sediment inside her throat, not to mention clothes and especially boots, which were a really sorry sight.

Maneuvering between the sauntering citizens, she made her way to the Merchant Quarter and headed towards the Watch headquarters…


…to return to the Docks in half an hour in order to deal with the Luskan ship and some assumed spies onboard.

No rest for the girl in this city…

It wasn't hard to detect the "Sea Ghost" - if for no other reason than a bunch of watchmen observing its discharge. In return they were watched carefully by an armed to the teeth guard from the pier. The sailors were unloading cargo from the hold under observation of a tall scrawny man in long dark-blue robe, decorated with golden runes and arcane symbols.

"Lieutenant," the familiar sergeant saluted Adele and nodded grimly on the robed figure on the deck. "Things are bad, I'm afraid. They've got someone from the Brotherhood with them. As if we didn't have enough problems around without a damned Luskan wizard. Bred so much, it's surprising all their Hosttowers hadn't collapsed into Underdark from the overweight yet."

"Doing anything suspicious?" Adele wondered, also watching the disembarkation.

"If you ask me, their mere snoots are enough for a jail."

"…Let's get things straight first."

She took her step towards the pier, holding her hand close to the scabbard, but not touching her weapon – the moment you grab the weapon you show the enemy that you are afraid of him.

"You get away from the ship!" the guard barked, meeting her half-way. "We have a free access to the city."

Adele nodded at the ship: "Is she the "Sea Ghost"?"

"Yeah, and what?"

"Luskan boat, right?"

"Luskan, Luskan. If you think the troubles with Ruathym are going to keep our tradeships away, you're wrong. The Watch may shove off. Go catch stray dogs or whatever you are doing."

"Some other visit purposes, apart from trade?"

"We, Luskans, travel where we want and when we want. We wanted to land in your filth-hole – we did. So what?"

Adele shrugged: "Just have a feeling that you have not come for sightseeing."

The guard spat between his teeth: "Saw all your sights the last time, when we burned the whole city to the ground. Was enough for me, thanks. And enough of you, Watch hounds. So off you go, girl, until you got yourself cut accidentally."

Adele didn't answer, skimming over the ship, when her gaze met with that of the wizard on the deck. He was eyeballing the woman fixedly, as if trying to remember if he encountered her in the past, then suddenly smiled wryly and leaned over the hand-rail, shouting at the guard:

"Deal with her!"

Crap…

The Luskan unsheathed his blade with lightning speed, and Adele almost missed the blow, but managed to dodge and felt the sword sliding by her side – and the next instant the guard was already attacked in turn by one of the watchmen. The sailors, noticing the fight, immediately left the cargo, and it turned out that every last of them was armed as heavily as the already dead guard.

Adele eluded one more strike and glided aside, keeping her gaze fixed on the wizard. Judging by the way his lips started to move, he was not going to ignore the battle himself. Plunging her rapier into the stomach of another Luskan, Adele pulled out a dagger tucked in his belt and charged towards the ship, swinging her arm while running, and threw the knife at the wizard. It sank into his chest, soaking the robes with blood, the wizard wobbled and doubled over. Adele never looked at him, taking time to fly up the ladder, and as she did she kicked him in the side, troppling him on the deck, and put her blade to his throat.

"Stay," she hissed.

The wizard laughed quietly, letting some blood streak down his chin.

"…If you believe that slaughtering us will somehow protect your precious city, then you are sadly mistaken," he croaked and uttered a gurgling sound that was supposed to be a sigh. "A pity, really… I was glad that my prey came to me by herself…"

Adele tilted her head: "I was your prey? Well, nice to meet you too, in that case."

"You crossed the path of a wrong man, girl… Black Garius has grown impatient with you. You will see that… many… many times…"

"What in the Hells does Luskan want from me?"

The mage grinned again, though his face was white as sheet from the bloodloss, and he was obviously having hard time keeping his eyes opened:

"Luskan?" he whispered. "You think that my master and Luskan are one and the same? No… it is a sleight of hands, you see… where the left one does not see what the right is doing... and the Four Hosttowers do not yet see what the Master of the Fifth plots…"

"…What?" she gave him one more kick. "Don't pretend bard, scum, and answer plainly!"

The wizard didn't answer. He was dead.

Adele lowered her blade slowly and looked around, her absent gaze flicking along the deck and the pier, where the watchmen managed to bring down all of the attackers and were now busy attending the wounds. The woman didn't pay much attention to that.

Garius… Again Garius… Master of the Fifth Tower… What the Hells? There are only Four Towers in Luskan, don't tell me otherwise!

Dammit, somebody tell me already what is this huge pile of shit I've stepped into?


…She couldn't sleep. Again.

So instead she just lay on the bed in her room, killing time by scrutinizing the blasted silver shards, trying to unite them, put together – but all she got were some unpredictable flashes of blue sparks that made her fingertips tingle. Stifling an irritated desire to hurl the silver junk far into the corner of the room, Adele put them back into her bag and sat up, gulping the last drops from the wine bottle she had took secretly from the bar in the evening.

The wine brought neither comfort nor sleep, so the woman got up, straightened her tunic, pulled on the breeches, slipped her bare feet into the boots and went into the corridor, tousling her loose hair habitually. Her head was empty and buzzed a bit from the wine – but it was ways better than constant thoughts about Luskans, Garius, githyanki, silver swords and walking dead.

It was the dead of night already, and Adele could hear an echo of the ado in the second dining-room, which was a customary gathering-place for many of the patrons and guests after sunset. But as she was advancing the end of the corridor, Adele realized to her relief that the room with the fireplace was quiet and empty.

She smiled at the thought of burying herself in her beloved couch, placing her legs on the fender and – maybe – getting some relax at last. Duncan probably had to stick with the customers, Sal had a day off, so… nothing but blissful undisturbed solitude.

She pushed the door and entered the room…

…only to find out that evil fate had prepared her the worst company possible.

Her first wish was to turn around and leave, but Adele figured it would look stupid. Besides Bishop, who was occupying his usual place in the dark corner of the counter, didn't pay any attention to her, so Adele just slipped silently towards the couch hoping to stay out of that attention further. Wincing a bit as she found the wolf also in his spot near the fire, she sat on the sofa, curling her legs under her, and stared at the flames. The crackling of the wood mixed with muffled voices from the next room was almost appeasing – but Adele couldn't relax completely, as her eyes were willy-nilly falling on the lying wolf. And every time she looked at him, the animal, feeling her gaze, rewarded her with a return grim look of his hooded orange eyes. Despite the fact that he was simply lying with his muzzle on his forepaws, something in his false-relaxed pose told that the wolf was ready in an eyewink to pounce on anybody he may regard as threat.

Letting out a silent sigh, Adele leaned against the back of the couch and - for want of anything better to do – cast a sidelong look at the wolf's master, luckily the ranger sat with his back to her. He was slowly sipping some swill, not giving any clue if he was aware of anyone's presence at all. Looking at him, Adele once more became certain that it was true they said – the animal and his master are always alike. Well, in this certain case it was more Bishop who resembled a wolf, not the other way round. Such a big hungry wolf, lean, tough, and sinewy…

…Adele suddenly felt her insides twirl into a warm trembling knot and fall to the lower region of her body that was instantly filled by a wave of heated blood – and the woman inwardly cursed the idea of getting drunk, which had seemed so wonderful in the evening.

Yeah, body, that's great. Get mixed up with some bastard in my cups – for the sake of completeness of such a day, huh?

Taking her breath, she tousled her hair again for the distraction and shot one last glance at the ranger. But that glance lingered on him, when she understood that his resemblance to a wolf went beyond mere appearance. Just like his animal, Bishop only seemed relaxed and calm. His free arm was leaned on the counter with its elbow, yet the fingers were lowered to his longsword, almost – but not quite – touching its hilt. Just as suddenly Adele realized the reason he always occupied the same place at the counter – because on the wall in front of it was an old dull mirror, which reflected almost all of the room behind the ranger, and more importantly - the entrance to the tavern. So he had a possibility to observe the whole place and was obviously ready to repulse any danger.

So there is danger… Seems the guy has problems. Or – more likely – he is the one who usually causes them, so doesn't want to take the risk…

The train of her thoughts reached an abrupt end when she came to the last – and the worst – conclusion: that Adele Farlong in all her glory was as well reflected in the mirror.

Blood rushed to her face, but before she could restrain herself she looked up at the reflection – and her glance clashed with cold derisive stare of his amber eyes, which were clearly fixed on her for a long time already.

Bishop quirked up a scar-splitted eyebrow:

"What, has it been that long since you've seen a real man?"

She felt like she was showered with ice-cold water. Sudden anger that rose inside of her – anger at herself for her own stupidity, anger at him for not leaving that stupidity unnoticed – even sobered her up a little.

"Oh yes, for ages and ages already," she drawled. "Really, got so desperate that almost thought you to be one. But if you happen to know any, send them my way, alright?"

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly in a crooked smirk:

"Cocky, aren't we? Sorry, babe, no one I know would get interested."

"…So you are saying," she clarified in a feigned thoughtful tone, "that none of the riffraff you apparently know is a match for me?" the woman smiled sweetly. "You know, I do believe you."

"Yeah, it so happened that none of them screw boards."

"Oh, that's good – can get splinters in painful places otherwise."

The ranger chuckled hoarsely: "Well now, maybe you are not completely hopeless," his gaze swept appraisingly over her reflection. "And you are passable… at least in the firelight."

"…Uh-huh… And was that a compliment or an insult?"

"What do you think – seeing how I jumped on you turning over tables and chairs in the way."

"Ah, don't hint, don't hint, I've got that – it was sarcasm."

"Now you're learning good. A few more years of practice and you might really pass for a bitch."

"And why would I want to?"

"Don't know. But you are trying so hard, so I decided to encourage you a bit."

"The best indication that I've done nothing to be proud of."

"Pride is a deadly sin they say."

"Bishop knows better, I guess."

"Always."

"Bet you have a lot of friends," she smiled again. "It's probably from them you are made to hide here."

Amber eyes narrowed a bit: "Careful there, little princess."

Adele felt her smile become gloating – and realized it was actually long since she was that angry: "What, a blow below the belt, ranger?"

"For that you'd've been dead already."

"Suggest trying harder?"

"Nah, I'm not in the mood today. When I am, I'll give you a whistle," he bottomed his mug and smirked, looking back at her reflection. "So stick around."

"Ah, I'd love to," she sighed, rising to her feet and heading past him to the corridor. "But, unfortunately, it's already twenty minutes since I'm bored."

"Fine," Bishop nodded, following her with his eyes. "Me too, so it's about time."

"Time for wh-?"

She wasn't able to finish her question as his arm snaked around her waist, and he got up, jerking the woman to him, almost crashing her against his chest with strength that drove air away from her lungs. Instinctively she tried to slap him, but he caught her hand effortlessly, pressing her wrist to his shoulder.

"So," his wry smirk somehow sharpened. "Your room or mine?"

Adele stamped his boot, fiercely driving her heel into his foot, making him hiss and using his instant distraction to break loose from his grip, and recoiled, drawling through clenched teeth:

"You want a slut, ranger, you go to the brothel."

Before he could answer, she left the room in quick steps, doing her best not to run and actually expecting him to follow. Yet he didn't – and Adele could swear that she heard his chuckle as she left…