Author?s Notes: This chapter is a bit on the long-ish side but it sets up things for the future. I also feel the need to mention that at this point Aneele is a 30+ epic level munchkin of sheer epicness. Don?t hold it against her I?ve also played around with invocations. I had to.
Note #2: Still no beta.--- * * * ---
01.
Employed
Pressing her lips into a thin line, Aneele tightened a black leather glove around the wrist of her bony arm as she approached the great gates. Neverwinter always had a rather negative attitude towards necromancers and undead in general, and the recent war didn?t help matters. Not that she was either of those things but it would do her no good to flaunt her wound here.
She had to squeeze in between carts, loaded wagons, shouting, bartering merchants, caravan leaders, and tired dust covered soldiers who would give her dismissing looks once they?ve noticed her eye-patch and thin constitution. There were no doubt prettier things to look upon in any of the local taverns. Such looks did not bother her as much as she expected them to, making her feel unsure more like it; instead she turned her attention to finding a way through to the gates.
She could not say that she had ever been a frequent visitor to this city ? except when her job brought her here ? but she could not recall it ever being this crowded. Neverwinter was considered to be a jewel of the North. A chipped jewel of the North now ? there was no telling if it would ever regain the stature it possessed once, Aneele mused, looking over the walls where steady stream of merchants was coming out and in, always showing a scroll with a seal she couldn?t see from this distance.
Coming back to it was much like coming here the first time. Many things looked new and there were much more people around. Aneele remembered being in awe with the city?s size, and she was also seasick and ill but no bard would tell you that. This time around, her sentiments were somewhat similar and she was not planning to stay here for long. Only as much time as it took her to gather the local gossip and to see how Duncan was doing. She promised herself that she wasn?t going to go out of her way to find out what had happened with others.
That was the plan.
Except, she was barred off from entering the city.
Aneele blinked very slowly, with an expression of dumb confusion and not believing a word of what she had just been said.
?How much,? she repeated quietly, ?for entering the city??
?Two hundred gold, stranger. You can either pay or get lost and not keep the line clogged,? the soldier briskly snapped, gesturing with his weapon at the people without the pass behind her.
Blinking once more she turned to glance wide-eyed at the line, which was indeed long, and which she really was holding up. The elf swallowed. Now, this was not a homecoming as she had expected it. Not that she considered Neverwinter a home to begin with or anything, it was just not expected.
From what she gathered in her short time at the gates from the guards and merchants, the city was completely closed off and under martial law, allowing entrance only to those with interest in joining the merchant cartel. And even then, the fee was steep. She just didn?t realize how steep they were talking about.
Curtsey of Mephasm she was very nearly broke, leaving her with only a small bag of gold to spare. A little she had planned for her to last at least for a while. Aneele could feel muscle in her jaw twitch. Worse, she could hear her stomach complain ? and the crowd behind her toss more than one inappropriate word but she liked to think she was a woman enough to ignore such crude insults. How long has it been since her last decent five course meal? Back in Mulsantir. And a day spent in marching since then at least.
She chewed on her lip contemplating on ways to avoid any unnecessary expenses. She knew that hags had the ability to command people but she doubted she would be up to such a task even if the eye had healed completely. In the end, the elf caved in and paid the stupidly expensive entrance fee, much to relief of crowd behind her. She?d be lucky if she had something remaining for dinner. She really should have taken her cut from Mulsantir.
The consequences of hastily made decisions. How she knew them well.
--- * * * ---
Approximately four or five ?Move along citizen,? and twenty-seven and a half minutes of unsuccessful attempts to find a way to get to Docks later, Aneele was sitting in an inn that was not her intended destination, and rubbed her forehead ? as much as she could, since it was still covered with bandages.
Due to martial law, her choice, as a paying foreigner, of districts to visit was limited to one only. The Blacklake District. The nobles? district - this was the furthest away she could possibly get from the Docks.
Aneele felt like punching something.
How many months had she spent trying to prove herself trustworthy enough to be granted entrance, and now anyone with a couple of hundred of gold coins to spare could enter. Oh, life just wasn?t fair when it came to her. But she knew that already, didn?t she?
As the things turned out, her only option of places to stay was the Wailing Wench Inn.
Whoever thought of that name needed to be skewered.
So Aneele went in, feeling very much like she did during Mulsantir?s festival ? one small elf and plenty of big humans ? well, the Rashemi were bigger, didn?t wear silk, and would most likely congratulate each other based on who killed the bigger troll instead of who snagged a better deal ? but other than that the scene was pretty much the same.
The evening was approaching and tavern was slowly changing customers, never really getting emptier. Aneele did manage to find a table, one near the edge of the wall. Ironically, it reminded her lot of the one Bishop used to occupy frequently at the Sunken Flagon.
She managed a cold, satisfied smile.
That bastard was probably roaming the country as a zombie, or a ghost. She had no experience with resurrection spells but she didn?t think it was possible to resurrect a two months old corpse. Then again she was no priest so she wouldn?t know for certain.
She took off her coat and placed it on the bench next to herself. On her belt were a row of magical pouches, the Silver Sword and Myrkul?s Wrath were still hidden in one of them. She didn?t think she would encounter any danger that would require her overpowering weapons. She was skilled enough with her invocations now and she had confidence in her abilities. One of few things she had confidence in these days. And no, she was not going to think back on what happened yesterday or even where she was yesterday.
Had Duncan find a replacement for Sal, she wondered randomly, remembering Duncan?s woes when his barkeeper disappeared on him. Aneele managed to smile a little remembering uncle?s resigned face when Sal told him he was going to open his own tavern, in Crossroad Keep no less. And she was the one who gave him permission, no less. Ah, those were some interesting times.
There were several tavern girls gliding skillfully through the crowd serving customers. Sometimes avoiding grabby hands and sometimes walking straight into them. Of course, tavern wenches and healthy men confident in their manhood could not go without one another. Indeed, taverns everywhere wouldn?t be the same without these intimate relationships.
Aneele ordered some wine and a healthy meal big enough for three grown men. It was not something a small elf would usually order and the freckled girl told her as much with just a look, but Aneele didn?t care. She was still recovering and she was hungry. Rabidly so.
Efficiency shown at its best, it didn?t take long for the serving girl to bring her order. The wine here was strong and of good quality, and the meat, potatoes and eggs were fresh and hot and juicy. But that was to be expected when the inn?s customers were merchants eager to spend their gold celebrating a good deal.
Nibbling on her large meal she listened to any gossip or broken conversations her ears might catch.
?Aye, Banites. Just off New Leaf. Jonas was sure he saw one wearing a mark-?
?Hrmph, they?d had to be damn stupid to show it off around.?
?You never know with those bastards-?
?I heard there were some shadow worshipers further south. Still holding a candle to that King o? Shadows-?
Fun times all around, she thought.
But nothing was more talked about than the new trading company of mysterious origin from Sammarach, now with headquarters in Crossroad Keep. They?ve made the Forgotten Lords very wealthy apparently. And not a word about the Knight-Captain. Official attitude was that she was missing in action but most people believed that she was dead and gone, Nasher just refused to make it public yet.
Which explained why no one came looking for her.
She swallowed some wine.
And furthermore, it appeared that someone from the new mercantile company was offered a spot in the Nine. Her spot. Now, there was one thing she won?t complain about even if it did sting a little to be replaced so easily. That made her wonder if Kana was still the one running the Keep in her absence.
Possibly. How many others were foolish enough to manage that rundown place?
Deep in thoughts as she was her hand still managed to snap around the wrist of an unsuspecting appendage coming relentlessly close to her pouches. Aneele?s bony fingered curled around the wrist with equally bone-crushing strength. So much so in fact, that the thief turned victim cried out in pain struggling to get some freedom.
Aneele glanced up before returning her gaze to her meal. Then her head snapped back up. She found herself speechless.
?What?! You?ve never seen horns on a person before??
Too many times to count, the elf thought absently.
?How many others have you robbed before the evening had started?? Aneele blurted out instead of answering her.
?None! Not that it?s any of your business!? High pitched and very off-putting voice was followed by another painful yelp as Aneele tightened her hold. Bone cracked.
?It is when you?re putting your fingers into my purse,? she whispered quietly.
The thief desperately tried to free herself now. The pain had to be excruciating.
?I didn?t-? she tried to negate again but that only caused another wave of pain. ?Fine! I did try but you caught me,? she spat out. ?You don?t have to take my hand off!?
?Some would,? Aneele murmured but removed her hand and curled it on the table before her and paid no heed to the tiefling behind her. Someone she used to call friend. The freckled tiefling muttered and cursed as she rushed through the crowd and disappeared out the door, gathering a vial with crystal clear liquid from her belt and gulping it down in one go.
Aneele felt a cold shiver run through her.
Neeshka hadn?t recognized her.
The elf couldn?t have cared less.
It felt oddly liberating.
--- * * * ---
Stepping out in the evening air, Aneele took a deep breath. Dinner was good, not stale and her stomach was settled for now. The only thing now was that she was really out of money. Her last gold coin went straight for paying that delicious dinner. She didn?t have enough for lodgings even.
The travesty of being poor when she had left sacks and sacks of gold back in Mulsantir? Again, not thinking about that. She had a few more essences in stock but no other ingredients to make something out of them. With the inflow of all kinds of goods in the city she doubted she?d be able to sell it anyway.
Aneele fingered her gloved bony hand. Any way she looked at it, she was broke. Perhaps she could find a band of robbers and rob them after they?re done robbing some caravan. Gods knew the roads were thick with wagons, and those chasing wagons. Alternatively she thought about finding a job but she?d prefer to leave that kind decision until after she?d left Sword Coast.
Then something caught her attention. A scent she had not sensed in while. A scent of ale, cleaning rags and home. Looking around wide-eyed, she almost missed the sight of Duncan walking into the temple of Waukeen. Aneele couldn?t believe her luck. Of all the days she couldn?t get into any other district, he leaves the Docks. Immediately she followed him into the building.
He was dressed in fresh clothes, a highly unusual sight, and carried a big bag over his shoulder. Donations for the church? Aneele highly doubted that. The temple itself was filled with hushed voices, from low chanting to muffled business deals being sealed all around her. This truly was a center of economy.
Carefully she followed Duncan between small clusters of petitioners until she saw him stop by one of the goddess? statues. Next, she nearly tripped when she saw who else was standing there waiting for him.
It was Daeghun.
In his full traveling gear.
Aneele?s bony fingers nearly dug clear into the stone of a pillar behind which she was hiding. She had not expected to see him so soon. In fact, she had not planned to see him at all.
She tried not to stare, and sat calmly in one of the available benches as if nothing earth shattering had just happened. Her eye kept leaving the goddess? statue and went to the scene before her. She could not hear them and she couldn?t allow herself to get any closer since Daeghun?s superior senses would pick her presence up immediately.
They looked like they were arguing. Duncan brought out a wrapped package and shook his head which Daeghun took and placed it in his backpack. He had a sword and dagger strapped at his belt and, bow and quiver slung over his shoulder. She had seen him dressed like that many times in the past, and each time it meant he would be away for at least a week. Daeghun loved his hunting trips.
The question was, what he could be hunting that made him come all the way to the city? Daeghun hated cities. He wouldn?t come to one when the entrance was free let alone when he had to pay for entering.
They spoke for a few moments more before leaving the temple, together.
Slightly dazed, Aneele didn?t follow them this time. She wondered what all this meant. Things have changed drastically since her last being here, as if years have passed and not months. All the knowledge she had gathered was in times of war ? she didn?t really know how city in peace and recovery looked like.
She sighed. Duncan was fine and dandy, Neeshka still had her hand in people?s purses and Daeghun was roaming the land. As far as she was concerned things were normal for them. Today she had learned more than she had hoped, and more than she wanted to. She could continue now with her treck to Crossroad Keep.
She?ll just have to make a small stop to rob the bandits first. Despite many tales, traveling was not a cheap business and she would not be getting any large meals for free. She could sleep outside. It wouldn?t be any different from her nights spent in Rashemen, and it would certainly be warmer, especially with the summer approaching.
Getting up from the bench Aneele, pondered her plans concerning south and robbing the robbers to get some gold. Of course if Daeghun was out there doing the same thing then perhaps she should rethink that particular course. Then again Daeghun doing community service was about as likely as Sand hiding a heart of gold in that acidic pot he called his chest. In any case, that meant that she was camping under the stars tonight. Alone. She was likely to fall asleep and fall prey to some nightmare or another, leaving her completely exposed for any kind of attack. Aneele crossed her arms across her chest and sighed. It was all such a bother.
Stopping at what she perceived as a relatively empty corridor she started to rummage through her magic bag in search of Jerro?s notes. She couldn?t consider herself an expert summoner ? not even a beginner really ? but there had to be something here that even she could summon to serve as a guard for a few hours.
So preoccupied was she that she didn?t even register the sounds of rushed footsteps or voices accompanying them. It was her body, after many months of doing nothing but anticipating enemies? moves, which reacted on reflex alone as she instinctively dropped the papers she was holding and created large sticky webs to halt the progress of whoever was on the collision course with her. It was only after the momentary silence shattered by an amused giggle and a string of curses in a language unfamiliar to her that Aneele even realized that she had turned a good portion of the hallway into a heaven on Faerun for spiders.
?Oh my?? she whispered wide-eyed.
?What is the meaning of this?!? Immediately a red dressed priest, who reminded her very much of late brother Merring and not for any of the good reasons, rushed over from the other side of the temple to her and her captive prey. A prey which consisted of three or four persons, all not happy with their situation. ?You elf,? he pointed at her, ?are you responsible for this??
?I- My apologies. It was a reflex,? she muttered before undoing her spell letting the group of four drop soundly, metal and leather scraping the floor. She decided, for the lack of better description, to call them three creatures and a woman because she was not seeing anyone normally colored among the group of males, all grays, reds and blackish. Perhaps it would be better if she didn?t stare. It was not like her company were any less colorful.
Not thinking about that now, she gritted her teeth.
?Reflex?? The priest repeated as if understanding what she meant. ?The war had left mark on all of us but that does not mean I will sanction the destruction of these halls.?
What was she supposed to say to that? ?Don?t commit sacrilege by damaging the temple? when she had already trashed the city of the dead? Then again she did just attack someone without realizing it. It was really an embarrassing situation.
Destruction my ass, Aneele thought, nearly pouting. All she did was summon a few cobwebs. Not even big ones. Just real sticky.
?I will endeavor not to-? she looked around for her notes only to find them in the hands of the half-drow ? because dusky color of his skin and his build could mark him as nothing else ? who was looking over them with curious expression and a twinkle in his eyes. She snatched the papers from his hands and sent a one-eyed glare of warning in his direction for a good measure. After a moment of confusion, a glare he matched equally. ?-attack everything on sight,? she finished.
The priest looked at her sternly, not looking all too pleased with her answer but nodded finally. Perhaps he?d preferred if she?d not attack anything at all ? or at least not his petitioners. He nodded at the group.
?You are unhurt I hope?? The familiar tone of his voice made Aneele think that either he was well acquainted with them or that they?re at least regular visitors.
The elf glanced over the recently entangled group; two men dressed in soft leather, a woman - half-elf as far as she could tell ? wearing plated armor with a pink sheen, and a fire genasi ? she remembered meeting some in Skien, pompous lot they were ? who was wearing something she could only describe as a colorful circus tent made of silk.
?Only Mezarat?s pride, Eramus,? the woman chuckled, reaching over and grabbing the tall grayish-green man?s chin ? what was he anyway? Half-orc? ?You know how he gets when something startles him.?
?Hardly that,? the man, Mezarat, pushed her hand roughly of his face but the girl didn?t even seem to notice it and continued to grin in a wicked manner. Like she had just discovered a good joke that would last for a while.
?Well then,? the priest nodded, ?if nothing is broken you?ll have to excuse me. I have petitioners to hear out.? He gathered his robes, in what Aneele thought to be a funny way, and turned on his heal and stalked away from them.
The elf felt very much uncomfortable as she busied herself with sorting out her notes back in the book.
And away from prying eyes, she added silently. Was she to apologize? She didn?t fell particularly apologetic. They were the ones who startled her in the first place.
?I should thank you for this surprise stranger,? the woman moved forward until she practically glided into Aneele?s very personally personal space. ?Mezarat loosing his cool is like a leprechaun loosing his gold. Willingly,? she added conspiratorially. ?It was a neat trick.?
?It would make sense that you would enjoy getting all tied up, Iris,? Mezarat said smoothly straightening the sleeves of his white shirt, brushing off some remaining cobwebs.
Which didn?t exist because she had dispelled them. Aneele?s jaw tightened.
?But useful.? A fire genasi pushed past between the smiling woman and his perpetually frowning comrade wearing a shining smile.
The elf tried not to use tern ?blinding? although it was difficult since she wondered how he managed not to burn things around him, clothes included. ?This spell you?ve cast,? still smiling, he inclined his head to the side where Mezarat stood, ?It has quite the strength to it, do you not agree??
Aneele didn?t think so. It wouldn?t be able to hold even the smallest of critters from the Shadow plane. High standards? Just realistic.
?Actually?? Mezarat started rubbing his chin, his catlike eyes clouding in thought.
Aneele did not like the sound of that ?Actually.? It promised too many things that reminded her of inevitability of the Old Owl Well, and she remembered how that one ended.
?Are you up for hire, stranger?? He asked suddenly.
?Pardon?? Aneele managed. Well, she was in need of gold but?
?We are with the Forgotten Lords Company and we have a little task to take care of, one concerning some very active worshipers of Shar.?
Aneele blinked once more.
Forgotten Lords? No wait? She just had the renowned mercenaries, of the even more renowned merchant company, stuck in her webs? Weren?t they supposed to be high-in-demand for their capabilities? Like, not getting caught in random webs popping out in random places.
?And?? She asked, baffled.
?Sharrans are ? how should I put it? ? quick on their feet. We could use someone to keep them in one place. Interested??
Keep them still?
Oh, she knew what he meant. Monks of the Dark Moon were known to rip out your jugular before you can say ?shadow.? She just wasn?t sure if she wanted to end on little black list of other gods by messing with their clergy. She had dealt with two deities already and she couldn?t call it a ?positive? experience.
She needed gold but she wasn?t that desperate yet.
?No, thank you,? the elf shook her head before turning her back on them.
?The Forgotten Lords make sure their employees are well paid.?
Tempting. But no.
?I have little desire to spend time in hunting down any kind of worshipers,? Aneele said in a forceful tone, signaling, finality of her decision. Before she could leave this strange group?s presence, or notice strange glances passing between them, she heard the calm voice of Mezarat.
?Hmm, I?m afraid I?ll have to mention Eramus about the break after all.?
Aneele frowned thoughtfully, ?What break??
?The one your ill-conceived spellcasting caused of course,? he said sounding for all the world mournful as he gestured at the very large and probably very expensive too, decorative vase now lying in many tiny pieces on the carpeted floor.
?Oh dear, how did that happen?? Iris raised her hand to her lips.
?Eramus is not going to be pleased,? the genasi said, quietly shaking his head.
?Not even in jest. Why last time, do you recall what happened?? Iris asked nearly whispering. The circus tent man, as Aneele imaginatively dubbed him, nodded solemnly. The half-drow just shook his head.
Aneele was flabbergasted, ?I didn?t-? Of course she didn?t! Those webs were sticky. They held things together, not broke them to pieces! Besides, she didn?t hear anything break! Breaking something as big as that would have to be loud! She didn?t-
?Of course, we could generously offer to pay for it, unless you carry close to five hundred gold coins with you.?
Aneele couldn?t believe her pointy ears. Did he just pressure her into joining in?
?It is a good opportunity,? he said grinning a grin of utter manipulation and death wish.
Why yes, yes he did.
Of all the childish things? Oh, where?s the spirit-eater when you need it? But she?d give him credit that he?d managed to pull that stunt in less than a minute.
?Is that how you sell all of your goods?? Aneele asked, deadpan. ?Put a knife to their throat and ?politely? persuade them to buy at the highest cost possible.?
Mezarat treated her with a tight-lipped smile, ?Oh, they want all I can sell, I assure you. We always come through with our deals.?
What was she supposed to say to that? It was not as if she was bathing in gold so she could toss one big ?No? to his face before summoning something with many maws and just as many tentacles to eat him ? which she couldn?t anyway.
She who had once led an assault on Kelemvor?s Gray City was now hired as a fodder by a group of pretentious low-level adventurers. Aneele pinched the bridge of her nose.
Oh, dear Lady of Murder?And just in case no one recalled, she hated dungeon crawling.
--- * * * ---
Edited by Orthodoxia, 07 October 2009 - 08:57 AM.