Lost in Realm
10
Everyone in Luskan had heard of the Fried Rat. It was a restaurant and quite possibly the most famous legend in the City of Sails. Founded by two ship hands who apparently developed a liking of rat meat while at sea, the restaurant served rodent meat and nothing else. And for a short while, it was surprisingly popular among a certain group of sailors. Who didn't try anything strange when one was stuck at sea? Then on one of those cloudless nights, without warning or any sign, the place was mysteriously burned down. Some said it was the grease they used to deep fry the food caught fire, but some said it was those who hated the cuisine had enough and decided to sabotage it. There was no such a thing as contents insurance in this realm, so the two unfortunate men went broke. The last time anyone heard anything about them was they were back at sea again. And, as far as anyone knew, the premises was a charcoal ruin.
Nhilva had doubts what Jhalnin said was the truth. It would be too easy if the safehouse those culprits were talking about was hidden in the plain sight, right in this half crumbling building, hiding in the shadows of a dark alley. No, logically, it was entirely possible that the most dangerous place is the safest place on earth. What she had a problem with was if this Drow male who had once held two generations of priestesses, one of them a matron mother, in his grasp, could be trusted. She had done it once, trusting him, that is. It was a long time ago, she was young and naïve.
Her original host's life was bloody complicated.
The torched ruin of the Fried Rat was in sight, erected in the shadows, looking somewhat eerie. The three figures they followed walked past the derelict building and approached the one next to it. From where they were standing, these individuals stopped at the stone steps leading to the door, touched something on the wall. A strange, metallic sound echoed in the dim alley.
Nhilva frowned.
Then she watched them vanish.
"What the…." She took one step out of her hiding spot, and after checking her surroundings once more, she began to approach the spot.
There was nothing there.
"They used magic, m'dear," Jhalnin drawled. He was a few steps behind.
"And a few minutes ago, you said it was inside the Fried Rat," the Drow female snorted.
"The Fried Rat did have a basement," said the dark elf rogue nonchalantly, shrugging.
Trying hard not to roll her eyes before realizing she could actually do that, Nhilva started to inspect the wall near them. The three mysterious people did touch the wall somewhere, she recalled. There was nothing but a dimly lit lamp, so she touched and twisted the lamp.
Nothing happened.
She reached for the candle inside, snuffling out the flame and took the wax stick out.
Nothing.
Jhalnin also joined in the search. Taking out a small dagger from his boot, he began to tap each stone tile at the base of each warehouse building with the handle. At the third one, a familiar metallic sound clinked in their ears. They both looked down and found the spot they were checking earlier now had no pavement. Peering in from the edge, the Drow female saw there was a wooden ladder descending into the darkness.
There was a chance this contraption might close at any moment; time was of the essence here, so without much hesitation, she climbed down. The Drow male followed. Seconds later, the trap door overhead closed.
Nhilva glanced about her, her red eyes glittering in the shadows. Drow had no problem seeing things in the dark, as long as it wasn't magical darkness. She hazarded they were still about half way down. There were still a few meters to go.
"Think we might be in the sewers, m'dear?" Jhalnin's voice came from above a couple of minutes later.
"Wine cellar."
"Huh?!"
"The air is dry, we are at the wine cellars. Call yourself a Drow?" Nhilva snorted, and grinned smugly when she heard him grumble and curse in several languages.
They reached the bottom and realized it was a small alcove. Stepping out, they found they were inside a small room with large wooden barrels lined up one side. The Drow female chuckled and gave the other Drow a small quirk of her silvery brow.
Jhalnin's expression looked positively colourful.
Nhilva returned her attention to the task at hand. Stretching her senses, she heard faint noises coming from the other side of the cellar. The voice grew louder as she crossed the room. It was practically echoing when she located a wooden door.
"Can we eat him yet? I am starving!"
"Until we got, you jit!"
"But I am hungry!"
"Well, try telling the boss. He's bloody upstairs!"
"Ratfolk," whispered both Nhilva and Jhalnin in unison upon hearing the voices.