Shadows of Norrath, Part II: DMZ (Downtown Medieval Zone)

By C. Mage

In other circumstances, the plan would have been well-executed. The three men were spaced wide apart to make sure that all three could not have been caught by an area-effect attack. All were expert cutpurses, proficient in skullduggery and waylaying the ignorant. Their armor and weapons were suited to the task of slitting throats without disturbing anymore more than ten feet away. However, they had made a significant mistake in assuming their mark was little more than a tired warrior, unarmed and unaware.

Stephen was by no means unaware.

To the untrained ear, the three men were quite silent. To Sleeper, they might as well have screamed at the top of their lungs and charged forward, splashing through the surf. He gauged them as he moved towards the water's edge as it lapped against the sand. He might've assumed they were the normal thugs if it wasn't for the fact that they had decided to hang out at the waterfront near the docks. That marked them as either waiting for him or in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Either way, they wanted to gut him like a trout.

Stephen had other plans for what to do that morning.

He moved to a lurching gait, then stopped, as if gathering his breath. On cue, the men quickened their paces and the leader leaped for him, planning the tried-and-true method of yanking his head back, exposing the throat, then slicing, hard and fast. The target's body suddenly shifted forward, changing where his weight was placed, then barely seeing a boot come out of the water and ramming itself into his pelvis. The thug dropped in pain as his intestines were relocated momentarily, leaving the other two to attack. Stephen spun his legs around and moved to his feet in one fluid motion, facing his attackers. The leader lay in the surf, quietly drowning, and the other two men attacked, not even bothering to check to see if their leader was alive or not. Stephen had to respect their attention to their work; no talking, no taunting and no hesitation. Problem is, that meant pulling off the kid gloves.

Stephen baited the opponent on his left, then feinted and reached out for the man on his right, grabbing his sword arm by the wrist. He twisted and pulled, feeling the wrist buckle under his grip, then swinging him into the brigand on his left. The left found his sword embedded in the torso of his associate, pushing the body aside just in time to feel a vise-like grip clamped around his throat. Robbed of air, all he could do was gurgle as Stephen lifted him up. "Alright, buster. You have ten seconds to tall me who you're working for." The thug reached for his boot dagger and Stephen paralyzed his right arm from the shoulder on down with a precise finger strike to a nerve cluster. He squeezed harder. "Six seconds. Don't black out."

The thug tried to speak and managed a strangled yelp. Stephen took that as a sign that the would-be murderer had seen the light of Reason and released him. The thug looked up and gasped, "Not working…for anyone…just wanted…your gold…"

"Drek, did you ever run out of luck. I don't have any gold on me. Flat broke, nothing but the clothes on my back. What brings you to the docks this early in the morning?"

"Just drinking…didn't expect anyone here…"

Stephen looked at him. "You can't lie worth a damn. The truth, and maybe you'll live to see the sun rise."

"I can't…all you can do is kill me." He backed up a few steps, then looked up, a wild gleam in his eye as he drew a dagger. Stephen watched as the man quickly drew the blade across his own neck, nearly cutting down to his spine in his fervor, then dropped, turning the morning tide red. In the beginning of his career, Stephen would've jumped back and swore loudly at the sheer violence at that act.

Stephen simply walked past the bodies and moved up towards the warehouse on the docks. I don't know what sort of time system this world runs on…but I'm willing to bet that this has to be the local equivalent of a Monday morning. Nothing good ever seems to happen to me on Mondays.

Captain Harus drank his ale and looked out the window at the approaching dawn. Seven months he'd been waiting. The pilgrims to Neriak were long overdue and he was beginning to lose hope, even though he knew Lylly well enough to find it hard to believe that anything would be able to kill her. Even so, he liked those missionaries, even though they were Tier'Dal.

And one would be hard-pressed to find anyone that would look favorably upon any of the Dark Elves.

Harus had been around for a long time, and despite his rumored half-elf heritage, gray hairs were starting to pepper his black hair and beard. Of course, he'd be more likely to attribute those to the hassles of trying to keep order in Freeport than to old age, since he still felt as hale and hearty as he did when he first came to the desert port. Freeport stood on the edge of two barren worlds: desert on one side, ocean on the other. Apart from the Commonlands, the land around Freeport was inhospitable to the unwary or unprepared. However, dying of the heat in the Desert of Ro was considered preferable to the "hospitality" of the Dark Elves that dominated Nektulos Forest and Neriak. If it wasn't for the vigilance of the soldiers and the formidable walls and defenses of Freeport, the city would've become Tier'Dal territory ages ago.

The docks were starting to wake up as sailors and dockworkers rose from their beds and hammocks. He turned towards the door and that's when his day no longer rated as normal.

The man coming through the door was tall, massive, dressed in clothes he'd never seen before. The smell of the sea came from him and Harus wondered if a sea troll had risen from the depths. The figure stopped as he entered, looking around. Harus realized that the being was a human, or something close to it. "Well, stranger…you look like someone tossed you overboard, although you don't look like someone easy to throw. Something I can help you with?" The other men working at the shipping company looked up, preparing for an assault as their hands moved to their weapons.

"You Captain Harus?"

"You know of me? Should I be reassured or threatened?"

"Let's just say we have friends in common."

Harus nodded calmly. "Lead on, stranger." The dark man turned and left. Harus followed, turning to Mann, the proprietor. "It's okay. I'll be right back to finish my ale, so don't let anyone drink it." He smiled.

"Maroca!" Harus smiled as he embraced her, holding her close, then looking around at the others. "It's good to see you all. I was afraid the worst had happened."

"For many of us, it has, but the goddess has preserved us." Maroca looked up at Stephen. "She sent us a champion."

"Then I am in your debt, stranger." Harus held out his hand. "Captain Jerrold Harus of the Freeport Militia, at your service."

Stephen shook the hand. "Stephen, at yours."

"If there is anything any of us can do to reward you for what you've done, simply name it and it's done."

Lylly looked over at the two men, picking at her fingernails and shaking her head. Here it comes…

"Actually, all I want right now is a good, hot meal, a warm bed and some time to get my bearings. I am…new around here and I have no clue what's going on."

Harus nodded. "Of course. I think you all could do with some rest. The beach is no place to recuperate. Come along, I've got a cart where everyone can hide until we get to the temple." He looked up at Stephen. "You may want to hide as well. Best not to attract too much attention."

Spidrus laughed. "I had no idea they made carts that size."

Jeffren looked over at Lylly. "Coming?"

"Might as well. I could use the rest, and the rest of my gear is still at the temple. I also want to be paid for my troubles."

Harus frowned. "After all that, all you can think about is money."

"Especially after all that. You have no idea what I sacrificed keeping your friends alive. I had to suffer the clumsy and painful advances of our jailors, all to make sure these people lived long enough to escape, and I expect to be paid generously for being ridden like a horse for months." Lylly sheathed her dagger. "So let's pretend to be friends for just a few days longer, you pay me what I require, I pack up my things and I leave. Simple, yes?"

"Very well, Lylly," Harus said with a sigh. "Let's not waste any more time, then. The cart is over here."

"Perfect." Lylly strode past them and walked outside.

Harus turned to Stephen, his expression apologetic. "I apologize for Lylly."

"That's okay. She's probably not over the loss in her family."

"Loss?"

"Yeah. A house fell on her sister."

"Really? I never knew that…"

Mental note: jokes made with references to THE WIZARD OF OZ don't work here. "Never mind, just a poor attempt at humor on my part."

Harus smiled. "A worthy effort, though I think you had better stick to doing what you clearly do best." He led Stephen and the others under cover of the docks to a horse-driven cart with a large leather cover. "Here we are. Stephen, you'd better lie on the bottom. You might crush the others."

"Thanks." He climbed in, trying not to let the others know how exhausted he was. As he lay on his back and the others climbed on, he found Lylly glaring at him suspiciously as she lay next to him.

"Try anything suspicious and I'll break whatever appendage comes close to me."

"Trust me, lady, if I tried anything suspicious in this thing, I'd break my back." He looked at her as the leather cover was pulled over them. "Why do you hate me so much? You've been riding me ever since I first saw you and I haven't done a thing to you or any of the others."

"Because if there's one thing I've learned, the ones who impose the most rules on their behavior are the ones most likely to break them. No one is that nice, noble or generous. Everyone has ulterior motives. Everyone. The gods created the races of Norrath and play with their fates as it pleases them. You think anyone else is different?"

"Must be hard to make a lot of friends with that kind of attitude."

"Friends…is that what you want, Stephen? To be my 'friend'?" She smiled and leaned closer. "Why don't you just come right out and say it, 'noble warrior'? You want me and you want me to share your bed, yield to you in every way, suckle you…"

"Lady, I don't know what you're smoking, but don't blow it my way." Stephen turned away. "Honestly, I don't know whether to dislike you or feel sorry for you if that's all you think I'm interested in."

"Then dislike me. I neither want nor need your pity, or anyone else's." She turned her head away from Stephen, aware that the eyes of the others were glaring at her. So what? Let them stay in denial of the truth. Men have only wanted one thing from me, and so far, not one of them has ever proven themselves more than disappointing. This one is no exception. Lylly found that she was repeating that, trying to reassure her mind, put aside the efforts that Stephen made as someone craftier than normal. As the wagon bumped along, she tried to put the matter out of her mind, but deep within her mind, a rebellious thought remained.

Hope.

Stephen whistled as he walked inside the temple devoted to Erollisi Marr. "Wow." He stepped over the threshold and gazed upon the stonework and wooden construction, marveling at its elegance and ethereal décor. The temple was made of ornate stone, smooth and glassy to the touch. While not as grand as many of the structures Stephen had seen in his own world, the temple was nonetheless a dedication to the handiwork of humans and elves. The most exotic was a statue of the goddess, arms raised as if to embrace the world. "It's beautiful."

"Glad you approve." Geidos walked next to Stephen, looking up at the statue. "This place never ceases to calm me when I am troubled. It's a shame I can't stay here forever."

Stephen turned to Geidos. "What do you mean?"

"After we recover from our ordeal, we must leave to guide others towards the proper path, provide service to those in need. We will return, and leave once more." Geidos patted Stephen on the back. "It is my hope that our paths will cross once more, and often. I must go to my village and rejoin my wife and children now. If our paths do not meet again, know well that I will remember the dark paladin for the rest of my days." Geidos bowed. "May the Goddess protect you."

As Stephen watched him leave, he sighed. He'd never been a religious person, but he was hoping that there was still a God looking out for him. Either that, or a lot of luck. He watched as the others solemnly went to their apartments to change, rest and eat, until only Lylly and Sapra remained. Stephen walked over to them and sighed. "So, where can I rest?"

"A room is being prepared for you. If you wish to put your clothes aside to be washed, we will gladly do so. You should find some robes that will suffice until your clothes are clean. Also, the baths are down that hallway towards the rear. There are two, one for the males and one for the females. Try not to get them mixed up."

"Thanks…but I think I'll wait until everyone's done, if that's alright," said politely.

Lylly chuckled. "Aw, isn't that cute. He's shy."

"As you wish, Stephen. Follow me." Sapra led Stephen away from the main temple down a hallway to the right. As he followed, Stephen marveled at the surroundings, the clean air, the faint smell of flowers in the halls, the light filtering through the windows. Now that he was no longer in Neriak, the world seemed a great deal less forbidding. Sapra stopped at a wooden door and opened it, revealing a sturdy bed with a simple desk and chair. The sheets were a clean white, and although the furnishings were plain, they were smoothly polished and of superior workmanship. "Here is your room. Please let one of the acolytes know if there is anything else you need."

"Thanks…uhm…well, I hope to see you around."

"I would like that." She bowed and left.

Stephen walked into the room and closed the door, taking a deep breath. "My new digs," he murmured to himself, then took off his clothes and tossed them into a basket by the door. He looked at himself in the mirror on the wall, looking himself over. Lost that artificial look…mostly. I still look like a human, but I don't look like I have any body fat at all. Will I actually be able to retain it? Maybe it'll make me look more human. More normal.

Stephen had to chuckle a little at that. "More normal..." he said in a thoughtful tone. "May have to get used to that."

Lylly was fully immersed in a hot bath, the water steaming, and yet she could not fully relax. Her mind kept moving towards Stephen, and to say the least, he vexed her greatly. He was a human, a barbarian-sized human, but Stephen didn't have the smell of a barbarian. And she was an expert on how barbarians smelled, having been forced to endure it on more than one occasion. He smelled human, although he had other scents on him, ones both pleasant and irritating. Smells from his own world, perhaps, if such can be believed about him. She unbound her braid and let her hair flow around her as she immersed her head to help clear her mind of distractions. When she rose and opened her eyes again, the distraction remained: Stephen.

Lylly was always proud of her ability to sniff out a person's weaknesses, find what buttons to push, figure out what made people tick. Her evaluations were always biased towards thinking the worst of people, and she couldn't remember being disappointed. The missionaries were as honorable as they came, but Lylly attributed that to being misguided about the world around them. But then, she didn't help them for charity. She was hired to be a guide, not a penitent. Even so, she didn't expect to see one of her old rivals pulling reconaissance duty in Neriak. Tessai was also working with others, a surprise Lylly discovered only after he and her group were surrounded. Lylly knew that Tessai was responsible for making sure that the jailor for the prisoners was a despicable pervert, even by the standards of the Tier'Dal. For months, the jailor had offered them the choice on whether to be his concubines, or just to have one of them service him. Lylly had volunteered only because she knew that she wouldn't be paid as much if she lost any of the missionaries. Besides, I'm not exactly a virgin, and I've done worse to survive.

Then Stephen came along.

Every predictable response Lylly expected from the human never occurred. Every expectation came up disappointed. He acted like no male she'd met before. Everyone wanted something out of her, what made him different? Maybe he isn't attracted to Tier'Dal...no, that can't be it. The Dark Elves are the subject of ribald tales and fantasies of men all over Norrath. It's well known that Tier'Dal slaves fetch the highest prices. Perhaps he's not capable of performing in bed...hmph. Lylly, why are you even questioning this? In a few days, he'll be gone, you'll be paid and you can kiss this group of fools farewell. He's not worth wasting your mind on.

She splashed the water in irritation, then set her eyes upon the door. Lylly grinned. "I'll expose that brute yet. After all, what's life without a challenge? I'll show them that he's just as debased as the rest." Saisfied with her choice of actions and the opportunity to vindicate her suspicions, her mind set about ways to prove that Stephen was no champion.

And when it came to underhanded deeds, few performed them with as much style and pleasure as Lylly.

When Stephen looked up from the scrolls, the sun had passed in the sky well towards noon. He yawned and stretched. Normally he'd have been well and truly unconscious, but if there was one thing he hated, it was the thought of going to bed while still dirty. Daunted by clean sheets, he had decided to wait until the others had finished their baths before starting his. Once he'd washed, only then could he really sleep without feeling like a Seattle squatter.

An acolyte had already picked up his clothes, leaving behind a towel that looked more like a dishrag compared to his size. In addition to the towel, the acolyte had left bathing oils and a small block of something that Stephen hoped was soap. He sniffed the bathing oils hesitantly, then sighed. What I wouldn't give right now for a good anti-perspirant. He picked up the pots and flasks and opened his door, scanning the hall for any onlookers. Finding the hallway empty, he moved with considerable speed to the bath chambers and knocked. "Hello? Anyone in there?" he said loudly, then hushed, the loud noise seeming awkward in the small hallway. No answer came and Stephen quickly moved inside, grateful to find a lock on the door. Once the door was secured, he breathed a sigh of relief and put the bathing accoutrements down, shedding his robe and moving into the water.

He couldn't help but sigh audibly at the feel of the hot water around him. The first hot bath in days...he could scarcely believe it. Plus, without the usual cybermods dulling his sense of touch, he really felt the heat fill his body and he settled his back against the side of the bath. As he draped his arms over the sides of the bath, he closed his eyes in utter ecstacy. Okay, that's it, I am going to spend the rest of the month in here. I don't care if I prune up until I look like the biggest raisin on the planet, no force on this world is going to get me out of this pool.

That's when he heard the door start to open.

Stephen didn't think he could dive out of a pool faster than he could dive in, but in a flash, he was on the side and putting his robe on. "Hey, could I have a little privacy?"

The door opened completely and he found himself looking at Yllen, dressed in a simple shift and tunic, slippers on her feet. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were in here."

"This is the men's bathing chambers, who were you expecting to see!" Stephen felt more than a little taken aback.

"Is something wrong? You seem a bit uncomfortable." She smiled as she walked closer, leaning against the side of the tub.

"Well, where I come from, I take my showers and baths by myself."

"Really? As you can see, it is the custom for more than one to bathe at a time. It saves on water."

"Yeah? Last time I checked, the women's bathing chambers were for women only...and the same went for the men."

"If you don't mind my saying so, Stephen, we are in a temple devoted to a goddess of love. Many tend to overlook some activities if they are within the scope of the goddess' domain."

"Uh HUH. Which brings us to why you're here."

Yllen smiled, moving closer and sitting on the steps leading up to the platform level with the rim of the pools. "I was hoping you and I might be able to spend some time together."

UH oh. Stephen put his towel ove his lap, as if it would provide him with some protection. "I'm flattered, really, but it's been a long night and I'm sure you're tired."

"Then perhaps you could take me to your bed, warm you as you sleep?" She sidled a few inches closer.

"Uhm, I don't know about you, but I feel a bit awkward about that. Isn't that what Lylly sort of accused me of when we met? I'd rather not justify those kinds of words. I'm not the type to try to make anyone a slave."

Yllen moved closer, looking into Stephen's eyes. "A man like you, Stephen...there are women in this world who would freely and gladly submit to you, beg you to make them your slave..."

Stephen moved back a few feet. "Now just hold on a sec! Look, I'm not that kind of guy. I don't go around demanding that kind of..."

"Oh, it's not something to be ashamed of, not here. There are many who love each other enough to submit in that fashion, look for someone to love them...protect them, nurture them." Yllen had moved forward until she was a few inches away, her breahless lips puckered slightly as she neared closer to him.

Stephen moved to the side three more feet, finding out too late that he only had two feet left on the platform. He yelled as he fell back, twisting in the air to right himself so he didn't land on his back. As he did so, the robes flared and Yllen suddenly got an all-too-candid look at him. Her eyes went wide and all sorts of thoughts came to her mind, then she realized that Stephen had fallen to the floor next to the pool. She moved over to him and watched as he got up from his prone position on the floor, rubbing his backside. "Are you alright?"

"Just bruised my pride. Look, I've done bathing. Yllen...look, I've been through a lot, and yes, I think it would be something to have you next to me as I slept, but...I don't think it would be right by either of us. We barely know each other and I would rather have your respect right about now, okay?"

Yllen took a deep breath, then nodded. "I understand. Perhaps when we are both ready." She smiled and walked towards the door, closing it behind her. She walked down the hall and turned into the temple proper, where Lylly was waiting for her.

"Well? Are you warming his bed tonight?"

Yllen smiled. "He has declined my company in favor of my respect."

Lylly blinked. "You're kidding me."

"Not in the least." Yllen told Lylly about their conversation. "Say what you will, but he is no pervert. In fact, he strikes me as more of a paladin than I first thought."

"Or maybe he just isn't able to perform, unable to feel arousal at th sight of a woman," Lylly said with a snort.

Yllen blushed and said knowingly, "That I HIGHLY doubt. Sleep well, Lylly. I'm going to the females' bath once more...this time, for a cold bath." She turned and walked down the other hallway as Lylly looked on in muted astonishment.

Lylly looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a lot better. Her drab rags were now replaced by leather armor, a sleeveless one-piece garment made for her alone, fitted for protection as well as seduction. The sides were laced up, with her thighs bare, high cut hips and low-cut bodice to match. She wore matching boots, thigh high and flaring slightly halfway up the thighs. Her weapons of choice, a pair of razor-sharp daggers, sat on the belt around her waist, hung just loosely enough to let one side slide lower than the other, but tight enough to make sure drawing her weapons wouldn't slow one fraction of a second. Finally, twin boiled leather bracers sat snugly on her forearms, colored the same hue of red as the rest of her armor. Her hair was tied back in her preferred style, a long, rope-like braid woven down her back. Her cloak lay on the bed, as did her pack and belt pouches. In addition to the two long, curved daggers on her hips, she also had two smaller daggers, five throwing daggers, eight throwing spikes, a ten-foot long steel wire, a three foot-long weighted chain and assorted lockpicks, all concealed within her armor or within her hair.

Lylly smiled. It felt nice to be clothed properly once again.

A knock at her door darkened her expression and she walked over to the door, unlocking it and opening it. Outside was a pilgrim of Erollisi Marr, but not one she'd seen before. "What do you want?"

"My name is Taya, and I wish to discuss a deal."

"A deal? And what do I get in return? A discount at the Healer's Guild? What could you possibly offer me that I would want?" She pushed the door shut.

"How about ten thousand pieces of gold?"

The door opened again and a skeptical Lylly looked back into the hall. "What are you proposing?"

"Not something I would talk about outside in the hall."

Lylly nodded. "Come in."

The pilgrim came in, pulling back her cowl to reveal a young, pretty human maiden. However innocent she may have appeared, however, her tone was that of a jaded professional. "The terms are simple. I want you to assist the stranger in whatever he wants to learn, act as his guide, but use the time to find out more information about him and report to us what you have learned."

"And who is 'us'?" Lylly asked, sitting down in a chair.

"I would prefer not to say. Plus, it would be safer for you not to know." She smiled. "Suffice it to say that it would be in our best interests to know of his whereabouts as well as his capabilities."

"Act as his guide and companion. It'll cost extra if I am forced to become his bedmate to ensure our association with each other."

"You are being paid thousands in gold. Do not attempt to pad the cost. I doubt severely that you know of any skills in bed that would be worth that much more."

"If I am forced to share his bed, it will be an extra thousand."

"You are not that good, Lylly." Taya stood up and turned towards the door.

"Oh, I am that good. I know techniques that would reduce you to an ecstacy-drunk little ball on the floor just by describing them to you. Once I seduce him, no force on this world will ever enable him to get away from me. Plus, he already knows me and trusts me. No one else will offer to help him that he won't suspect. Face it, woman...you need me."

Taya stopped at the door. "You have a very high opinion of your skills."

"It's not bragging if one can back it up. A thousand gold, up front, and I'll stay with him as long as I have to, and get you every small detail you want. Do we have a deal?"

Taya considered. "Deal." She tossed a medium-sized pouch of gold over her shoulder. "I'll be back later to instruct you in the methods you must use to contact and inform us. The rest will be available should you prove competent in your task, and the remainder upon completion of your assignment."

"Plus expenses." Lylly smiled.

Taya nodded. "Done."

"I'm sorry you have to leave so soon, Stephen. We will miss you." Yllen clasped Stephen's offered hand and squeezed it.

"Actually, I think you just miss having someone around who can cut timber like I can. Think you've got enough for firewood?" Stephen shouldered his pack and walked out of his room, ducking as he walked through the hallway.

"Truly, but I must admit, I was enthralled by your stories of your world. I only wish I had more time to learn of it."

"Well, I might be back this way someday. I'll save the rest for when I get back."

As they walked out into the courtyard, Yllen sighed. "Your presence will be missed. There is something about you that makes others feel safe, even when you're not seen. Safety is not a feeling one experiences often in this world. There always seems to be some threat, some danger lurking over the horizon or around the next bend, waiting for the unwary. This world is not a safe place, Stephen."

Stephen stopped at the gates and lookd down at Yllen. "It just got a little bit safer."

Yllen looked up at Stephen for a few moments longer, then jumped up and grasped him around his neck, pulling herself up and kissing him softly. Stephen reflexively put his arms around her to support her and Yllen moaned softly. She held on for a time, then released his neck and dropped down.

Stephen blushed deep crimson. "Uh..."

Yllen giggled. "I would have regretted it for the rest of my life if I hadn't done that. Fare thee well, Sir Stephen, and return to us soon." She backed away a few steps, curtsied, and turned back towards the temple. As she walked away, Yllen noted that othrs had seen what had happened and she smiled broadly. Fortune favors the bold, she reminded herself.

Stephen watched her go, then shook his head and walked out of the temple gates. Priestesses are scary creatures. He hoped that not everyone was as affectionate as Yllen; he had no wish to have a band of trolls show up and try to plant any lips on him. He wasn't sure what would kill him first: their breath, or the embarassment.

Walking through Freeport proper gave him some time to think. Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly time enough to decide. He'd been trying to learn more about Norrath ever since he'd arrived, and he'd discovered much, but he was still very much out of his element. He was accustomed to large cities, Stuffer Shacks, dance clubs with speakers loud enough to sterilize small animals and endanger human-sized creatures. He missed heavy weaponry, his motorcycle and at that particular moment, he was startin to wonder what he was going to do if he got a headache.

"Do people in your world often stand around in the middle of the street with blank looks on their faces?"

Stephen turned to his right to see a cloaked and cowled figure wearing red leather armor and thigh-high boots, hiding in the shadows of an alley. Speaking of headaches... he mused, walking over to her and standing just outside the alley. "Don't you have something better to do with your time?"

"Not at the moment. Come on in, Stephen. I won't bite...hard."

Stephen moved into the alley and looked down at her. "Spill it. What do you want?"

"Well, I have been thinking. And I felt that I needed to apologize. You have been nothing but cordial, polite and well-mannered, for a human, and I may have been premature in my consideration of you."

"'May'?"

"Very well, I was mistaken about you. Are you happy?"

"Thrilled."

"If I recall correctly, you need a guide to help keep you out of trouble, and it just so happens that I don't need to be anywhere for a time. If you don't mind the stigma of being in the company of a Tier'Dal, of course." Lylly smiled under her hood.

"And what do you get out of it?" Stephen asked suspiciously.

"I have the feeling that excitement is going to follow you around like a chained slave, and I hate to be bored."

"Chained...where do you get this stuff?"

"You'll be surprised about how things work around here. But better to be a little surprised, than be very surprised, correct?"

Stephen sighed. As much as he disliked the idea of hearing Lylly's acid sarcasm on a regular basis, he needed to stay out of the pitfalls a native would avoid. "Very well, Lylly. But don't try anything funny and I want to know what's going on around me before trouble happens, not during or after, got it?"

"Agreed. So, Stephen...where do you want to go?"

"Someplace civilized, with people who would be tolerant of those not like them. Somplace where they know magic wouldn't hurt."

Lylly smiled. "I know just the place. The city of Qeynos might hold the information you seek."

"Then let's go."

"We'll need to pick up plenty of water and rations for the journey. We will be crossing hostile territory, and there are not many places to rest."

"Alright. I think I've got the money for it. Where do we get the supplies?"

"Outfitters place in the Commonlands, a short walk from here."

Stephen nodded. "Then let's go."

As Stephen walked towards the west gate, Lylly walked at his side, smiling. This is going to be easier than I thought. I'll just steer him away from serious trouble, and by the time his downfall arrives, I'll be both far away and rich. And maybe I'll find out why he's so important to certain individuals and make that work for me.

With that, the two headed out the gates and into the wilderness, crossing into the East Commonlands. As they did so, neither of them knew that Erollisi Marr was watching them both.

With a smile.

TO BE CONTINUED...