Girls gone Wild in the Merchant Quarter

Usual disclaimers: Most of the characters in this chapter belong to Bioware, Obsidian, Hasbro, and a whole lot of other people and not me, with the exception of a bear-lovin' ranger.

Dee stormed over to her friends and threw herself in a chair, muttering under her breath.

Neeshka looked over to where she had come from, at the auburn haired sullen man seated against the wall, and asked, "What's wrong? What did he say?"

"Hells if I know, Neesh!," Dee growled. "Crazy bastard over there!" She gestured with a thumb in Bishop's direction. "I see him givin' me the eye the whole time I'm talkin' to my uncle, and I thought, I should go over and smack him one for the way he's lookin' at me..."

Neeshka squealed and interrupted, "Ooh I saw, I thought of asking if he needed help putting his tongue back in his mouth."

Khelgar added, "Aye, I saw it too, and I was about to go teach him some manners, but this is yer uncle's place, so I didn't want to start a fight our first eve here."

Dee patted his shoulder. "Aye, and I thank you for that, Khel. Anyway, but then I was thinkin' he looks to be another ranger, so I might as well go chat him up and find out the lay of the land. Who knows, he might be able to help us out." She grabbed a mug and quaffed deeply then nearly choked. "Harvest mead?" She took another drink, more slowly this time, enjoying the way it warmed her all the way down. "Anyway, I'm decidin' not to be too forward, so I decided to ask him what his wolf is called, you know, casual conversation, and he gives me this evil look like I just spit in his face and calls me a whore!"

Khelgar jumped up and glared at the ranger. "He didn't!"

Dee shook her head and replied, "His exact words were 'If I wanted a wench, I'd pay for one.'

"Why I'll teach that whelp some manners, lass!," he bellowed, cracking his knuckles for emphasis.

Dee reached over again put a hand on his shoulder. "Stay, friend. I can handle a scoundrel like him without destroyin' my uncle's tavern."

Elanee answered thoughtfully, "It's not quite the same thing as calling you...that, but it was still very, very rude. And it's strange because clearly from the way you kept looking at each other there was some mutual attraction, so his hostility is puzzling. What did you do?"

Dee snorted, ignoring Elanee's accurate observation. "Told him he'd never been with a woman he hadn't had to pay to put up with him."

Neeshka giggled and pushed a bowl of stew over to Dee. "Good one! So the barkeep says we can all stay."

Dee took a big bite and chewed and swallowed quickly and nodded at Neeshka. "Aye, my uncle said we're welcome as long as we're here. I don't feel right takin' his hospitality tho' because we may be here a while." She gave Elanee apologetic smile. "Sorry, but there's nothin' I can do. I have to speak to some sage in the Blacklake district, but it's closed off because of a murder of a Lord or somethin."

Neeshka gasped. "They closed off the whole district? Must've someone big."

Dee nodded as she finished chewing another bite of stew. "Aye, that mage I was talkin' to, goes by Sand..."

"Sand?" Neeshka interrupted ,"What kind of name is that?"

Elanee rolled her eyes and answered, "No doubt it's a corruption of his Elven name."

Dee swallowed another mouthful of food and continued. "Anyway, Sand said even folks who live there can't go home! Uncle says if we want to get in there, we should consider joinin' the Watch or..." she leaned closer to Neeshka. "He said there's this thug named Caleb who might be able to get us in the back way."

Neeshka's eyes widened. "Caleb? 'Thug' is the right word. He's really not someone you want to mess around with unless you have to. I can try some of my contacts, it would be a lot safer, I think."

Dee sighed and finished her stew. "You think? You're not sure? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to talk to him, and we have to see Cormick at the Watch office to get that reward anyway. Maybe he can help us out too."

Neeshka wrinkled her nose and replied "I hate the thought of marching into the Watch, even if we are getting a reward. I'm always afraid they won't let me out."

Dee grimaced at her bowl now that she had satisfied her initial hunger and was actually tasting what she was eating. "Maybe I can help out with the cookin' while I'm here." She finished her mead, sopped the last bits of stew with a piece of bread, and considered getting another mead.

Elanee nodded as she picked at her own bowl. I'd be willing to help too, as long as we have to be here."

Khelgar added, "I suppose I could help out with the heavy liftin' like kegs and such, and maybe yer uncle is needin' a bouncer too, at least until I start training at the Temple."

Dee smiled. "That's good of both of you." She glanced at Neeshka, who had a look of utter disgust at the thought of work. "Anyway, we should get to bed so we can get an early start. I'm takin' a bath first though. Uncle says they have hot runnin' water, even at this hour!"

Neeshka shrugged and answered, "Yeah, it's because some mage put fire elementals in part of the city water supply. A bath sounds good!"

Elanee sighed happily, "Yes, after all that time on the ship, a bath would be delightful."

Khelgar chuckled. "I might as well join you."

The women turned to him in unison, mouths open. "Well not join you," he said, blushing profusely, "but in the men's bath. Be good to get that ship stink out of my beard."

Neeshka giggled. "You'll probably wash bits of your last six months' meals out of your beard. And then what will the bugs eat?"

Dee sighed and grabbed the used bowls and carried them to the kitchen as the bickering began again. She glanced at the scoundrel, who glowered back then stood and stalked out of the tavern with his wolf.

To Dee taking a hot bath at this hour without having to heat and haul gallons of water was a thing of wonder. Neeshka quickly stripped, drew a bucket of water and poured it over herself and reached over to the shelf for the soap. Dee shrugged at Elanee and pulled off her clothes.

Elanee sniffed the soap and wrinkled her nose. "I suggest we get some better soap while we're shopping tomorrow."

Dee chuckled as she doused herself with water and lathered her hair. Neeshka crept up behind her and dumped a bucket of cold water over her. Dee shrieked, jumped up, and chased the squealing tiefling with her own bucket. Elanee sighed and tried to avoid the water fight, muttering "Enough, children." As the small tubs seemed to be in use judging from the sounds coming from the privacy curtains separating them, they jumped in the large communal tub for a long soak.

Dee sighed happily, leaned back, and said "I could get used to this."

And so the next morning, Dee awoke and greeted the Morninglord's first rosy light as it began to stretch across the sky, slipped out of bed, looked around somewhat guiltily, and sneaked to the bath again. She could just imagine her father's disapproving frown, but right now, as she slipped under the water up to her chin, she really didn't care. "I really could get used to this," she murmurred. She stayed in as long as she thought was decent and snuck back to her room to dress, glad that she hadn't run into any of her companions. She decided against wearing her studded leathers. Too much work to get out of them if she wanted to try something on. Besides, she was going to have her friends with her, not to mention an angry badger and a large brown bear. She reached over and scratched his head. "I should send you back, but I want to keep you with me for a little while longer. l'll get you some fresh fish for breakfast." Cillian gave her a bearish grin and followed her to the door.

So after a quick trip to the dock to let Cillian devour a couple of fish, she stopped in at Sand's shop. He pursed his lips after he opened the door and looked at them coolly and said, "Well...Duncan's niece...and her bear. Just so you know, if he breaks anything, you've bought it."

Dee grinned sheepishly and said, "Sorry, but he's usually really well behaved, unless you're an orc or a githyanki. I just wanted to see if you're interested in a few things I've picked up on the way here." She put an assortment of weapons and other items they'd "liberated" on the counter. He seemed to offer fair prices as they negotiated, so she took out her pouch of gems and also carefully unwrapped the bundle of claws, stingers, and teeth she'd collected along their way. "My foster father told me how a mage can add enchantments to weapons and armor using these things," she said, watching the moon elf's eyes.

He arched a delicate eyebrow and replied, "My, you've really been quite a busy girl. I won't ask where you found these things, but you are quite correct, and not only weapons and armor, but cloaks, boots, belts, and gloves as well," he said smoothly as he wrinkled his nose at the smell of a ghast claw he had picked up with forceps. "Quite a bit of undead debris here. What have you been up to, little girl, hmmm?"

She shrugged and replied, "Seems to be a lot of undead everywhere we go. And strange shadow priests controllin' them too."

"Shadow priests?," he asked, arching an eyebrow again.

She shrugged. "Yeah, seems to be some new cult. I was planning to tell the priests at the Temple of Tyr about it."

He sniffed, "Well, dear girl, nearly everything can be enchanted, for a price. There is, however, a matter of payment for the work required in distilling these into a usable form, of course."

"Of course, it's only fair," she answered, leaning closer to watch him. "We've found some gems too." He seemed trustworthy, so she poured the bag out on the counter.

He pushed through the pile with a delicate finger. "Quite a bit of obsidian, that's good for minor enchantments, and flawed diamonds, that goes a bit further, though also useful for enchantments against undead and holy weapons. They're quite common stones...oh, but you have a ruby, which is used to add fire enchantments, two blue diamonds, they're quite rare, and quite a few fire opals. These pale green stones aren't good for much...give them to your tiefling companion to give her something to play with...generally, look for deeper colored gems next time you loot...I mean liberate a cemetery or ruins," he said with a bemused smile.

She chuckled and sorted out the pale green ones. "It wasn't like that. We were on a rescue mission. Twice."

"Of course you were, dear girl." he answered. He paused his perusal and picked up a small pale blue opaque stone with an iridescent center. She watched him, leaning down and said, "You see something you like?" He pondered whether she was flirting to try to get a better price.

He held the gem up to look more closely then rolled it around in the palm of his hand. He was silent for several minutes, contemplating the beauty of the stone. Finally he smiled at her and said "I'll take this one as well as use of whatever essences I need from what I can distill from these...bits for my payment."

She grinned at him. "Must be a special gem. I didn't just step off the short cart, you know," she said lightly, reaching to take the stone from him.

He snatched the stone back. "It's called a beljuril, and if you find another of these, guard it closely. It's very rare and a component in the most powerful enchantments. Now then, was there anything else you see that you want here?," he asked with an amused smile, pausing to gage her reaction. However, the earnestness in her eyes told him she really hadn't been flirting. "Pity," he thought. "She isn't bad for a human, though I have socks older than her." He folded his hands and said "I should imagine you'll want healing potions, and I have a wide selection of other potions, as well as some healer's kits and some herbal compounds-the usual analgesics and prophylactics."

She considered the words. "Analgesics? That's for pain, right? Umm, prophylactics?"

"Yes," he replied. "Protective compounds used, for example, to fight disease, or infection, or to keep you from regretting a pleasant evening nine months later."

She blushed and said, "I don't have any call for that, and if Neesh does, she can buy her own." She put everything in her pack but hesitated at the gems. "Keep these for me. I trust you and it's easier to leave them here with you than trying to hide them."

She decided to spare Neeshka the agony of going to the Watch office. Cormick looked harried as he scanned a handful of reports but he smiled to see her and gave her a big hug. "You made it, lass. Little Dierdre. I still can't believe how you've grown. I remember when Lorne used to get in trouble for pulling your braids. I've got that reward I promised you set aside here." But wasn't so happy to see her bear. "Oh, and you should probably keep your friend muzzled. You're liable if he mauls anyone." He took her aside to his office where they could talk privately about Galen and the things she had seen since she saw him at Fort Locke.

"So anyway," she said as she put the pouch with the shards away, "I really need to get into the Blacklake district. Is there any way you can give me a pass? And if you knew how to contact some Harper agents, I think they really need to investigate these shadow priests."

He shook his head sadly. "No, Blacklake is out of the question until this murderer is caught. But if you signed on with the Watch, you could be allowed in once you prove yourself to Captain Brelaina. It shouldn't take long at all. You've had militia training, so you're a step above most of the new recruits, and the criminal element has had a free hand here for too long."

She answered glumly, "The thing is, I'm thinkin' of doin' some traveling as soon as I get rid of these shards. I was even thinkin' I could sign on as a merchant's guard heading south, maybe with Galen. I really hadn't planned to stay here very long. I will consider it though."

He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "I understand, lass. Don't worry, you'll have lots of time to see the world. Now tell me more about these shadow priests."

She and Cillian and returned to the tavern. Fortunately, he and his wolf were no where to be seen. She looked twice to be sure. "Why should I even care? Good, I have no wish to ever see him again," she muttered. As she suspected, Khelgar had already found breakfast, and she raised an eyebrow to see Elanee already at work in the kitchen. Khelgar appeared to be on his fourth plate of the daily special: bacon, fried fish, eggs, and beans. She chuckled and thought "I really am gonna have to help out here just to pay for Khel's food and drink.' Duncan was hustling between serving food to the customers, deftly carrying half a dozen plates at a time balanced along his arm, and running behind the bar to fetch drinks from Sal. He stopped by their table to set a plate down in front of Dee and clear away Khelgar's empties.

Dee thanked him and said, "Uncle, I was thinkin' we could help out around here to pay for our room and board. I see Elanee's already helpin' in the kitchen. Khelgar said he'll help out too, and I guess I could cook, or help with laundry or cleanin' rooms, whatever you need."

Duncan thought about while he ran back to the kitchen to get another armload of plates and said, "I suppose I could use help with waiting tables, lass. As you can see, we get quite a few dock workers and sailors in the mornin'. There's an apron in the storeroom you can use." Dee hoped it was cleaner than the one her uncle was wearing.

Sal leaned over the bar and said, "I've been tellin' ya we need to get a barmaid or two in here to give the joint some class. You should get yerself a more girly shirt and some silk leggings though, lass. You'll get better tips that way."

Duncan shot him a whithering glare and growled, "That's my niece yer talkin' about!."

Sal shrugged and replied, "Hey, I'm just sayin', the lass should use her assets."

Dee chuckled and tried a bite of the fish and decided Elanee had already greatly improved the food.

She had eaten and had seconds, Khelgar had finally finished sevenths, sitting back and releasing a ponderous belch, and she had taken over clearing tables and serving drinks until most of the breakfast crowd had gone before Neeshka finally made an appearance in the common room, yawning and stretching.

"Mornin' fiendling!" Khelgar roared. "'Bout time you got down here."

"I was about to send a search party after you, Neesh," Dee teased as she served drinks.

Neeshka rolled her eyes and answered, "I'm used to doing my best work at night. Besides, it's early. A lot of the merchants are just opening. Now let's get that reward so we can make you look a little less like a yokel."

Dee stuck her tongue out and set a plate and a mug in front of her. "Already done. Here's your share." Dee handed them each a pouch of coins.

Neeshka took a drink and spit it out. "Ewww, tea?"

Khelgar chuckled. "Aye, that's the tree hugger's doin' but tea's for sick folk."

Dee cleared Neeshka's plate then hung up her apron and came back to the table just as Elanee finished in the kitchen and joined them. "Neesh and I'll be back presently."

"What's going on? Neeshka asked.

Dee took her arm and whispered as they slipped out of the tavern, "Let's go at least talk to that Caleb person. From what Cormick said, I don't think bein' with the Watch is gonna get me into Blacklake anytime soon."

Dee clenched her fists so tightly she would have drawn blood if she didn't keep her nails short, but her face was a mask of calm as they stalked away from the alley. Neeshka had a firm hand on her arm sensing her anger as she led Dee away from the alley where they found Caleb and his gang. Finally, Dee could stand it no more. "Break his arms? Gods, thug is too nice a word for that creep! I should have have cut him down!," Dee growled, hands shooting to her swords.

"And his gang would've cut you down," Neeshka replied. "You probably wouldn't have to literally break that merchant's arms, just intimidate him."

Dee spat, "Intimidate someone into handin' over his hard-earned money to that bastard just to make my life easier? Besides, Cillian and I could've taken care of that lot. I'd just as soon tear Caleb's arms off! Hells! Gods! What was I even thinkin'?," she raged. Cillian growled as if he thought mauling the thug was a good idea too. "Neesh, there's no way I could work with that bastard! Gods! I just want to pound him senseless!" She slugged her fist into her palm for emphasis and turned around.

Neeshka grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Calm down," Neeshka hissed, glancing around to see if anyone was listening. "I warned you he was a thug, and not one to have as an enemy. Truth be told, I'm glad I don't have to work with him anyway. I just think you should let me try some of my contacts before you do anything drastic like joining the Watch. Let's go back and get Khelgar and Elanee and get on with this."

Khelgar grumbled as they walked away from the Temple of Tyr. "He didn't say you couldn't join the order, Khel. You just have to face their trials," Dee said gently. "It makes sense that they don't train anyone who walks in the door."

"Aye, but those trials! How am I gonna even figure out what they mean?" Khelgar roared.

Elanee, who had been following behind, said thoughtfully, "It might help if you offered prayers to Tyr and let him guide you."

Dee nodded and added, "Yeah, that's a good idea, and he never said you couldn't go to the temple every day and watch the monks train. So maybe that's what you should do until you pass the trials."

Neeshka giggled and said, "Nice way to twist his words, Dee. You should be a lawyer."

Khelgar said glumly, "Maybe so. Well I'm not in much of a mood to look at female whatnots, so I'll meet ye at the tavern."

Khelgar waddled off, and Neeshka rolled her eyes and said, "Finally! I really didn't want him standing there tapping his foot and spoiling our fun anyway! And speaking of shopping, there's a shop right up the street here which has things in your size. She caters to customers with special needs."

"Special needs? I ain't that big," Dee said with a huff.

"Yeah, but you're not exactly petite either," Neeshka replied matter-of-factly. "She even carries clothes with tail holes. And she has a few male clients who work at the Mask."

"My size? Men?" Dee asked.

"Yes, well men who cross-dress," Neeshka replied.

"Cross-dress?," Dee asked, looking thoroughly puzzled.

Neeshka answered, "Dress in women's clothes. I guess you didn't have any of that in West Harbor."

"Oh," Dee said with a grin. "Um no, not that I know of anyway."

Elanee looked longingly at the green expanse of the city park and said, "I don't really need anything other than some new boots. I'll meet you at the park when you're finished." With hardly a backward glance, she and her badger ran off.

Dee chuckled and said, "Cill, go with them and keep them out of trouble." She watched as the bear caught up with the druid.

Neeshka led Dee to a shop, pushed open the door, and pulled Dee inside. They were approached by a dainty Gold Elf who who greeted them with a cold stare and an arched eyebrow as if she was deciding whether she would need to use the magics that protected her shop. Neeshka patted her coin pouch and opened it to show they were serious customers; that seemed to alleviate her concerns somewhat, though she still had a pinched expression as if she smelled something bad.

She pointed a long, delicate finger. "The tiefling section is to your left. I'm assuming you're mainly interested in dark clothing?" she asked, with a hint of disdain.

"Actually, yes, but we're really looking for something to fit my friend here. Something a bit more feminine?" Neeshka asked hopefully.

"Something a bit less...rustic too, I should imagine," the elf sniffed. She glided over to Dee and walked around her twice without saying a word, then stood looking at her with a finger pressed against her lips. Finally, she said, "I'm assuming from the swords you're not in the market for gowns... How tall are you? Just over six feet?" she asked, as she motioned Dee to a chair.

"A bit over, yes," Dee replied as she sat.

The elf said with a grimace, "Goodness, You have the shoulders of a blacksmith! You certainly need something to distract from those. You are well proportioned for your size though. Overall, however, I'd say your legs are your best feature, apart from your hair. It's so lovely I don't know why you let it languish in that sloppy braid. You should wear it coiled on top of your head like a crown or loose around your shoulders. " She nodded as if confirming it to herself then stretched up and unbraided her hair. Dee shot Neeshka a pleading look. "You will want some silk trewes for sure. Let's see, some undergarments too... these should fit you. Black lace, I'm guessing? Warrior women always seem to want to wear something delicate under their armor. These are the new Waterdhavian cut. Oh, and you simply must have this season's bodice. They're cut lower now, under the breast, which should serve to distract from your shoulders." She handed Dee a pile of garments to try on. "I'm assuming black for you as well? The dressing room is behind that curtain."

Dee smiled sweetly and replied, mimicking the elf, "Oh, black is just so overdone this season, don't you agree? Do you have anything in pink?"

They bought more than either of them intended, though in the end nothing in pink, and Neeshka had insisted Dee wear something new as they left the shop, whispering to the merchant, "Can you take her old things and burn them?"

Dee picked up a few trinkets for her friends back in West Harbor, banishing the thought that she probably wouldn't be able to deliver them any time soon from her mind. She found a jig for making bowstrings for Daeghun at a nearby weapons shop. Dee suffered through the indignity of a "free make-over" at another shop where she was praised for her high cheekbones but her eyebrows were compared to two woolly caterpillars, and she restrained herself admirably when she was asked if they'd ever heard of tweezers in the swamp. She stared at herself when they brought her a mirror muttering, "I don't even recognize myself!" She bought a variety of kohl sticks, ointments and rouges anyway and hoped she could remember what to do with them all.

They collected Elanee, poked around in other shops, bought boots for Sand to enchant, takeaway fish and chips from a street vendor, caramel apples from another, pretzels from yet another, and looked at the diversions of the city. Dee strained on her toes at the gate leading to Blacklake trying to get a view of Castle Never, ignoring the scowling Watchman. "Is that it?," she asked pointing excitedly.

"No, that's just the Academy, " Neeshka answered, pointing with her tail. "It's behind it, but all you can see is that one tower. You can see the theatre from here though, oh, and that's the temple of Lathander. Too bad we can't visit and make a donation," Neeshka said slyly. Dee made a mental note to never take Neeshka into a temple if she could help it.

They went inside the Moonstone Mask and asked to speak with Ophala. They were directed to a tired looking dark haired half-elven woman massaging her temples at a table near the bar, who gave them and their animals a quick once-over and said crisply, "Auditions for specialty performers are tomorrow. Come back then."

Dee looked at Neeshka then Elanee and mouthed the words "specialty performers?" She gasped in horror and put a hand over her mouth as the realization of what Ophala said sunk in. "Why she thinks we're...see what comes of wearin' all this paint?" she hissed, scowling at Neeshka.

Neeshka hissed back "With the animals, she probably thinks we're entertainers."

Dee strode over to her and said, "Umm, we're not here to audition, m'am." "I really need your help to get into Blacklake. 'Tis quite urgent that I talk to Aldanon the sage."

Ophala raised a chiseled eyebrow at Dee. "Really. Melia, bring the ladies here some drinks and some water for their animals. I do hope they're housebroken? Please sit down and tell me what's so urgent."

Dee, beginning to feel for bards repeating the same story over and over again, took a deep breath and did, sparing no detail. "And so that's why I 'tis urgent I see this Aldanon, to find out what these shards are and how I can get rid of them, not that I'd wish Githyanki attacks on whoever ends up with them. And then we need to find out what's poisoning the Mere. And who's behind the shadow priests plaguing every cemetery and crypt from here to the Mere." Dee leaned in close and said softly, "My gut tells me this is somethin' big, and I'm just one person. And even with my friends, we're only four people. It's way too much for me to take on. I was thinkin' that you might know how to get in touch with some Harper agents."

Ophala sat back, sipped her wine, and said, "My, that certainly was a tale. Unfortunately, no one is allowed to enter the Blacklake district. The Watch at the gate can't be bribed for love or money, and believe me, many of my patrons have tried. I have citizens who can't go home who have been forced to share what rooms I can spare from my regular business. Your best bet if you must speak to him is to join the Watch, my dear." She whispered, "However, I will make inquiries as to putting you in contact with the Harpers too."

They took their leave of Ophala and walked tiredly back to the Flagon. Dee was exhausted, her new boots pinched, and her stomach was rumbling dangerously from something she had eaten. She had seen robberies and purse-cutting practiced indiscriminately, and other thugs like Caleb bullying people in the streets. "Neesh isn't going to like this, but I need to join the Watch, and from the looks of things, the Watch needs us too," she thought. "But that's a problem for tomorrow."