by Justin Wayne
***
As he made his way through the winding alleys of Delvin, Blaine pulled his cloak tighter about him and shivered. Snow fell from his shoulders as he turned an abrupt corner into the shadows.
Another figure stepped through the twist slowly then paused.
Blaine tackled the figure and slammed him against the wall, knife held to his throat. That usual sneer was etched on his face as he looked into the eyes of his associate, then faded as he realized they weren’t wide with fear and stared back unflinchingly.
“You’re getting slow.” he hissed and slid the knife back into its sheath.
The man only smiled and looked down. Blaine followed his line of sight and stiffened as he found a knife pressed against his stomach. They backed away a pace and eyed each other with a newfound respect.
The man crossed his arms and leaned against the wall behind him. “I take it the meeting went according to plan?” he stated with a sense of authority that made Blaine frown.
“Perhaps.” the dark elf replied, rubbing his thumb and index finger together. A heavy pouch of gold landed in his palm with a satisfying clinking. “That’s more like it. Yes, it went off without a hitch. The Warrior chief and his son will follow me with their lieutenants to back up you and your men.”
The man shook his head. “Oh, that’s not the entire plan anymore. But that is exactly what I needed from you, Blaine. Your instructions are in the usual safe. You may go.”
The bounty hunter turned away and began to leave when a murmur caught his ear. “What was that?” he hissed and spun around to face him.
The voice repeated it then. “I said you may go while I still allow it.” And with that the man vanished in a clap of thunder, leaving Blaine standing alone in the freezing dark.
