Chapter 3: City Watch: Yuck
Nimbrethil sighed as their little group entered the Flagon and grabbed a table near the fire. She sat down and closed her eyes for a bit, opening them when a mug clacked to the table in front of her. Her uncle had come over with ale for everyone and reaching for her drink she slipped it slowly. She wasn't one for guzzling like the dwarf and the tiefling who were soon asking for refills. She had actually become fond of those two and their bantering, sometimes even laughing quietly at what they said. She looked around to find the spoiled brat Qara watching them and pouting. She had stopped a fight between her and two academy students to keep the inn from burning down, and then had told Duncan that he should just send the girl packing. But her uncle had different ideas and now she was cleaning tables at the inn to make amends.
"What's got you so quiet Nimbrethil?" Neeshka looked over at the elf sitting with her back to the fire. She always sits so she can see around her, the girl thought, almost like she was expecting danger to jump out of the woodwork at any moment.
"The visit we had with Brelaina has made me wonder just what we've gotten ourselves into." Nimbrethil took another sip of ale. "I have to wonder how long it's going to take for me to "earn" that woman's trust."
"Hey lass maybe it will just be that you have to help clean up the docks and then we'll get access to Blacklake," Khelgar flashed her a grin.
"We've only been in the city two weeks and already I'm beginning to feel like an animal trapped in a cage," the young elf grumbled thinking over events of the last couple of weeks. That first day they had set out to explore the city they had been ambushed twice by thugs hunting a bounty on Neeshka. Usually she wouldn't have been caught off guard by it, but the city disturbed her so much that she found it hard to focus her skills. Then they had had to go settle up with this Leldon character to get him off their backs and afterwards they had taken Khelgar to see the priests of Tyr. It had almost been amusing to watch the dwarf bluster about not being prejudiced and then telling the priest to shove off. She had to wonder how he was going to be able to accomplish the tasks set before him as he was stubborn to the point of obstinancy.
They had managed to pick up some nice items and gold by going into the Tomb of Betrayers to rescue a priest and with the things they got from looting Leldon's hideout they had a nice tidy sum to buy supplies. They had all needed some new armor and boots, so they had gotten that taken care of straight away. Afterwards she had gone to visit Cormick only to find that the only way to get to see Aldanon was to join the city watch. So they had done some odd jobs for him and then today when thugs burned the watch post they had to go see this Captain Brelaina for new orders. When the woman had told her she wanted to promote her to Lieutenant, Nimbrethil had hesitated for so long that Cormick had actually coughed to get her attention. The warning in the man's eyes clearly told her that this was the only way, so she had accepted the post.
"I know that being here chafes at you as it does me," Elanee spoke to her in elvish. "We do what we must to achieve our goals."
"I know we have to, but it just seems to me like I'm being drawn into some kind of game that I don't know the rules to," Nimbrethil replied in elvish.
"You know it's not really nice of you two to sit with us and then talk in elvish to each other," Neeshka complained, not liking how the druid seemed to be trying to come between her and Nim all the time. She had never had a real friend before meeting the wood elf and had been unhappy at the way those two seemed to bond together.
"Sorry Neeshka," Nimbrethil sighed again. The tiefling and the druid had seemed to take a dislike to each other and that had only gotten worse after the business with Leldon's thugs. Hopefully that was the last they had seen of the man and maybe her two companions could soon settle their differences. It was hard enough being the one to have to make decisions without also being the one to keep the peace. She had spent more time in the woods than in the village and she lacked the understanding of other races to be able to avoid upsetting them.
"So lass, when are we going to the Back Alley?" Khelgar asked finishing off his third ale and calling for another.
"Keep your voice down," Nimbrethil hissed causing the dwarf to sputter a little. "We don't want anyone to overhear and possibly tip them off. The shipment isn't coming through until tonight so we have about four hours until we leave. If you're not sober when we go I'll leave you behind so lay off the ale." She warned him and saw him nod as she stood up.
"I'm going to my room for awhile and try to relax a bit," she told them and headed out back. She saw the ranger watching her again and wondered what his deal was. All she'd gotten from Duncan was that he was a hunter and a smuggler, but that he was bad news and to stay away from him. Slipping into her room she quickly changed into some darker leathers and then slipped out the window. There was a small stretch of woods not far outside the Docks gates and she really wanted some time alone to try to regain her sense of peace. As she passed through the gates she didn't see the shadow following her.
Bishop had gone outside the inn to get some fresh air when he saw a figure drop out of a window and recognized it as the little elf. On impluse he decided to follow her to see what she was up to. He wasn't sure why she intrigued him but she did, maybe because she seemed as uncomfortable in the city as he did. He followed her out of the city and saw she was heading towards the wooded area, and then froze when he heard the cry of a bird overhead. He watched as a falcon flew down and landed on her outstretched arm. He was impressed for this must be her animal companion and that said something about her nature. Falcons were very dangerous birds of prey, capable of striking with lethal speed and strength, and they rarely chose to become companions to rangers or druids. It was very difficult to earn the loyalty of such a creature for they were highly independant.
He started following her again as she moved off into the woods, being careful to make no sound that even an elf would hear. He had a feeling that if she knew he was there then he'd have an arrow in him faster than he could say his name. He was barely able to keep her in sight as she moved through the woods and he found he was enjoying himself for the first time since coming to this blasted city. He thought he knew where she was going and about twenty minutes later he saw the small pond. Stopping behind a tree he watched as the falcon went to perch on a branch above her and realized the bird was a lookout, but for what? Then as he watched he saw her undoing the straps on her leathers and his breath caught as he saw she was preparing to take a swim. He watched her remove her boots and then her undershirt and leggings, trying hard not to gasp as he saw her naked body revealed. She had firm full breasts, shapely hips and long slim legs and he felt himself responding to her. When she dove into the water he struggled to get control of himself, surprised at how quickly she roused him. He knew that if he tried to approach the water that the falcon would probably tear into him and she would be immediately aware that he had spied on her and he couldn't have that. The bird suddenly screeched and he saw it looking in his direction and decided it would be best if he left. If she ever found out he had followed her, then she might not come out here again and that would spoil his fun.
Nimbrethil caught the warning from Thorondor of a presence in the woods and stopped swimming, waiting to see if someone tried to approach. When nothing more came from her companion she resumed her swim. Thorondor had scouted the whole area for her and had found this delightful spot. This was the first chance she had gotten to come out here and intended to stay as long as possible. She had a feeling that if they spent much more time in the city then she would be coming out here more often. Out here it was quiet and peaceful, surrounded only by the call of birds and the whisper of winds in the trees. Thorondor was more than capable of making any strangers sorry if they tried to come too close so she felt perfectly safe here. After swimming for a while longer she asked her companion if the coast was clear and when he confirmed that it was she got out and walked to her clothes and started dressing. She felt more relaxed than she had in days and decided to bring Elanee with her next time. She knew the druid felt the same as her and knew she'd enjoy this spot too.
Heading back to the city she found herself laughing as the falcom dove and swirled through the air in a beautiful display of power and grace. He always did this little dance for her at parting. As she watched, he suddenly started circling and she stopped where she was. He had spotted his dinner and she didn't want to spoil it for him. He suddenly dove straight down and snatched a rabbit from the tall grass bringing his beak down hard on its neck. She knew that the animal had probably already been dead from the force of the claws hitting it, but the bird always made sure. "Vanya sulie (Fair winds) my friend," she watched as the bird disappeared. Once back in the city she slipped around the back of the inn and quickly climbed through the window into her room. Stretching out on the bed she thought about the upcoming task. They would have to be careful moving through the area as it sounded like one of the worst sections of the city. They would probably have to fight all kinds of thugs before reaching the shipment. Since it was almost time to go, she got up and changed into her new armor then headed for the common room to get the rest of the group.