“My mother was elven, my father was a human. For a long time I was a friend to the elves and I even lived among them for a short time. Your sister Neeshka’s father is elven though she knows it not. When I became pregnant I had planned to stay permanently but your mother came to me wearing tears and desperation. I was one of the few non-elves she had encountered and we had become fast friends. She claimed I was the only one she could trust.” Maudette held a hand out and put her fingers on Rose’s. “She gave you to me and implored that I leave with a departing caravan. She seemed so afraid for you that I agreed without hesitation. She said that your life was in danger and gave me a contact she knew in Rahkshas. Amazingly enough it was Pasha Mara’shanalar.”
“Him?” Rose said incredulously.
“It’s almost unbelievable, I know.” Maudette shook her head and frowned. “He is a lecherous man but underneath his desires he has no love for the sorcerer lords. We could not tell you about any of this for fear of you being discovered and I could not protect you from his advances so you could look the part.”
“What about Neeshka?” Rose asked almost angrily. “How could you let him do that to both of us?”
“I did what I did to protect us from the ones looking for you; but apparently you walked right into the arms of one of them without knowing it. Your mother never told me that Leonidus was the one whom she feared.” Maudette sighed. “The pasha is growing old and feeble, his mind is going and he forgets things frequently. I fear my time in this plush house is almost over.”
“Regardless I need a favor my matron.” Rose was already working through the plan in her mind; she had to make a move before Nina was harmed and she had no time to debate the merits of what Maudette had done.
~~~~
The streets had grown dark faster than she had expected as the sun dipped low in the sky. Rose had her sword belted on openly and she walked with an air of someone either brave or foolish, neither of which were far separated from one another. She had taken directions from one of the guards standing at the base of the stairwell between the higher profile district and the lower ward. Now she navigated the streets swiftly, she did not want to be out in the open if she could help it. Having opted to keep her traveling clothes on she did not stand out among the natives of the city too much.
Her destination was rather easy to find from the light pouring out of the windows along with loud conversation and various other bodily noises. Snickering to herself she stepped into the door. Few eyes bothered to find her and with a quick sweep she did not spy her quarry. Rose opted to sit at a table in the corner and had her hood up hiding most of her face. When she asked the serving girl for something non-alcoholic the girl laughed at her and brought back a sweet-smelling liquid that had a slight nutty taste to it. Rose sipped it sparingly as she waited, hoping that the sweet concoction would quell the roiling sensation in the pit of her stomach.
It was intriguing to watch the interactions between the different peoples in the tavern. To her left sat a table full of dwarves; one of which was taller and a little broader than the rest. She wondered if, like Liostro, he had some human ancestry in him. The other tables had a smattering of humans, Halflings and even one elf that had come in for a drink and a meal and had subsequently left just as quickly as he had entered.
The dull roar of the crowd slowly decreased as people began to filter out and Rose thought she had been stood up by Northmund. Just as she was about to leave he walked through the door followed by a host of other guardsmen who looked to be off duty as well. The captain wore a dark tunic that was clearly the garb of a common soldier, every one of them had a brand sewn into the left side of the chest depicting Rahknand’s sigil. It was a dragon eating another dragon, both against the background of a ziggurat.
She motioned him over with a smile and he sat down eagerly. “Good evening captain, I thought you had stood me up.”
“I could not stand up a woman as pretty as you.” He replied nervously.
“You act as if I am going to bite you, calm down; we’re just two people sharing a drink and conversation.” Rose almost laughed but she figured it would demean him. “I’m sure you’ve faced more dangerous creatures than a simple woman.”
“Simple? Few travelers who can survive alone in the wilds are simple.” It was clear he was trying to relax.
Rose ordered him ale and another of the non-alcoholic drinks for herself. “That may be true but some of us just survive on dumb luck. Have a drink, unwind a bit; you’re making me nervous now.”
They both shared a laugh. As the night wore on Rose slowly brought in more and more drinks to loosen the guard’s tongue. She learned that his first name was Lyvan. Most of his comrades had filtered out back into the ward. Her probing questions had been directed at him and his exploits, his likes and dislikes, and then she had slowly shifted more toward his job. “I heard there was a big delivery for the palace to come through the gates recently.”
“Oh aye there have been several with the worst being the mercenaries you were asking about, the ones that came in before you. They had an elf-girl with them; and between you and me such dealings have an ill air about them, unsavory, I’d bet my weight in sand. The poor girl was half-drugged and obviously being held against her will but who am I to question the throne? Honestly the coming celebration has me nervous.”
His voice was slurred just a little as he spoke and he definitely looked drunk, Rose had him right where she wanted him finally. “Why is that?”
“I heard tell that Rahknand himself is going to be at the celebration. No one has seen him in generations besides his vassals and the occasional woman we take into the castle for his enjoyment.” Lyvan leaned in closer to her. “The girls are never seen again.”
“Really now?” Rose replied with a mock-horrified look on her face. “That’s terrible!”
“It puts food on the table and ale in my mug.” He shrugged and leaned back in his chair. “Who am I to question?”
“True but what do you think will happen to the elf?” Rose queried inquisitively. “The same as the others?”
“I’d wager.”
Internally Rose was ready to explode; she had to find Nina before this odd celebration Lyvan was talking about. “I wonder where they took her.”
“Oh they went straight to the palace. Most mercenaries have to wait a few days to get their business taken care of. They eat and drink and sleep on the peoples’ money, Rahknand treats those who do his bidding well.” The guard tried to stand and immediately toppled backward onto the floor, laughing hard. “I’m alright, just dizzy is all.”
Rose was thankful when one of the guards that had escorted her when she arrived came and picked up the drunken captain even though he was eyeing her suspiciously. “He doesn’t usually drink like this.”
“Does he usually have such pretty company?” She giggled a little more for his benefit and when he seemed satisfied she helped the both of them toward the door. “He was nervous; I think he tried to loosen up too much.”
“Can you tell him I’ll be in the city a few more days if he wants to get together again? No drinking next time.” She had lied openly and felt bad for it but there had been no other way to get her information. Once she had paid the substantial bill she walked out of the tavern heading for the pasha’s home so she could get some rest. Her mind was heavy with the information she had gained and the problems she faced.
She was tired, there was no denying it and that was most likely why she had not seen the group of men who had closed off the street she currently occupied. When she turned around she found another two men and a woman striding out of the mouth of a nearby alley. Facing the three males she eyed them warily and put her hand on her blade. The leader, if she had estimated them right, smiled. His teeth were rotten and almost black and she could swear the smell of his fetid breath had reached her even at his current distance. His hair was stringy as if he had never bathed in his life and his sickly-looking brown eyes had a dull sheen to the
m. They were all dressed in rags and poorly tailored clothing and each held a different weapon. The leader held two daggers that were curved slightly downward.
“Good evening miss.” The leader hissed almost hungrily. “We run the tolls on this street; let’s have your coin quiet-like. I’d hate to have to leave your body in a gutter.”
“I was not aware this was a toll road so if it’s all the same to you I’ll just turn back and take another route.” Rose replied in the sweetest tone she could muster. As a precaution, because she knew this would end badly, she drew her black-bladed sword and swept her gaze from the three behind her to the three in front. All of them were advancing slowly with their weapons out. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“It’s too late to turn back now and you’ll have no trouble if you just pay the fine.” He replied and spread his arms wide; his gnarl-toothed grin still dominated his pock-marked face. He held out his hand toward her and flexed his fingers, making a come-hither gesture while still holding his dagger. “Come now traveler, surely you have some coin to spare.”
“I tire of this game.” Rose felt something inside of her snap. It was just too much all at once. With Nina being held captive and the inability to help creeping up on her compiled with no sleep her temper was not hard come by. She knew she couldn’t use magic or she would attract too much attention.
Holding her sword close to her body she charged forward causing the six of them to pause. From their startled looks it was clear not many people acted aggressively when faced with their demands for a toll. Her sword went low and she brought it up at an angle, spinning her body around and slicing the leader across his chest sending him sprawling backward and his daggers clattering to the ground. The next man in line, a large brute with greyish skin and the look of half-orc blood, raised his two-handed maul up to block but her superior weapon cleaved through the haft of the weapon and caught the man on his chin. When he clutched the open wound on the bottom of his jaw Rose kicked him in the groin and sent him backward. Her ears picked up the approach of another of the thugs from behind and she spun and dropped to one knee barely dodging a slice that would have taken her in the midsection. The man behind her brought his mace downward toward her head and she rolled to her left on the cracked earth of the street, coming up to her feet.
The four of them were in front of her now and the blood dripping from her blade mixed with the sand beneath her feet and clumped in small lumps. It was her turn to wait for them to act. They eyed her while spreading out, still thinking they had the advantage. Putting one foot in front of the other and pirouetting she sliced her blade downward like a corkscrew several times, catching the mace-wielding human’s weapon and cleaving the head off of the haft. As it clattered to the floor she flipped her body backward and flung her feet up, coming back to a crouching position. The woman, who had a spear-like weapon leveled at her, charged forward and Rose tightened the muscles of her legs. She rolled off to the side and sliced the woman’s leg open, causing her to sprawl face forward and cry out in pain.
Rose refocused herself long enough to catch a dagger to the head and roll with the blow. It carved a deep line into her face and pierced the inside of her cheek. Blood trickled out of the wound even as it began sealing itself. Rose glared at the man and swung her sword recklessly, the swing missed him but forced him backward a few steps to get out of the way. The other man standing, who had a squat blade with a basket hilt, closed in on her flank and swept his blade across her ribs. The blow did not pierce her thick clothing or break the skin but bruised her quite well. She danced backward on her feet and dodged two more swings before bringing one leg up in a kick that almost put her knee to her chest. The sweeping blow caught the man under the chin and sent him backward. As she brought her leg down she followed through with a sideways cut of her sword and caught the other aggressor swinging his dagger. A large gash appeared on his arm and he dropped the weapon.
Rose was left standing on the street with the lot of them moaning and groaning clutching wounds and broken weapons with their eyes burning in malice. The man with the sword whom she had kicked in the chin had regained his footing but seeing that he was standing alone he stood several paces from her looking around at his companions. “You picked the wrong night and the wrong street.”
“Understatement.” The leader croaked in pain as he clutched his shirt across the wound on his chest.
“At least I made sure only to disable you as opposed to killing you.” An idea suddenly hit her and she could not help but smile. Rose pulled a silvery disc out of the pouch she kept tucked between her breasts, a trick she had learned from Avreel, and flipped it to the leader. “You want some coin? That little guy has twenty-nine more friends if you do a little job for me.”
Warily the leader looked at the valuable sliver of metal and tucked it into a shirt pocket she hadn’t noticed before. “Depends, what do you have in mind?”
Rose pulled another coin from her hidden pouch and toyed with it across her fingers, making sure to keep all of them in sight. “All I need you to do is create a distraction for me.”
“For coin like that I’d set fire to the palace.” The ugly man said with his customary disgusting smile. “Jacoby’s the name and this be my band of merry idiots.”
~~~~
Rose was back in the Pasha’s home and though it was strange she felt good at least about being off the street. With him gone she could move about the house freely and she had even gone back into the harem to see a few of the girls. She had learned that Neeshka was staying in another part of the palace now as the ‘adopted daughter’ of the pasha since his marriage to Maudette.
Morning light poured through the windows as she walked through the hallways that had once been her prison. A part of her longed for the simple life back but freedom was a powerful drug. At Maudette’s behest they met for breakfast.
“Our house has been invited to the coming royal celebration. It is being held in the courtyard of the palace.” Maudette ate a piece of sliced fruit as she continued while wiping her fingers off daintily. “The pasha promised Lord Rahknand that we will bring our finest dancer with us to entertain him.”
“When is the celebration?” Rose asked as she attempted not to look at the plate of food in front of her. Her nerves were working overtime, she was much too afraid of the coming battle to eat. “Why didn’t you mention this before?”
“I didn’t know if the pasha had responded to the invitation so I did not want to get your hopes up. Now that I know for sure I can get you into the palace grounds at least, but from there you’re on your own. The pasha is sympathetic to the cause but he does not want to lose his standing with the city.” Maudette rolled her eyes and sighed. “All of this work and he refuses to back us up more than just a little.”
“Was everything you did, including what happened to your daughter, worth this?” Rose asked her quietly, not wanting to look up at her adopted mother after the probing and forthright question.
“I would do it all over if I knew it would have kept you safe.” Maudette said in reply keeping her tone even and seemingly unhurt by the question. “What happened to us, what we suffered through before your departure, is nothing compared to what you endured afterward. Ask yourself if the life we had was so bad.”
“It was not bad in most aspects but now that I know freedom I would not trade it for anything.” Rose looked back up at Maudette and found the older woman smiling. “What is it?”
“From what I knew of your mother you have inherited her fire.” The raven-haired woman took a long sip of water and set the cup down. “You have changed so much since leaving.”
“As you said, I went through a lot.” Rose shrugged a little and went back to the problem at hand. “How soon can I get into the palace?”
“The preparation for tomorrow begins tonight. We can leave for the palace as the sun dips low so anything you need to do before then should be done quickly.” The woman replied to her question then tightened her lips fo
r a moment in thought. “I wish I could do more.”
“You’ve done enough; I will claim my actions as my own. You deserve a rest after all you’ve been through.” Rose stood up and left the table, looking over her shoulder before leaving the room. “I’ll be back soon; I have some business to attend to before we go through with this madness.”
~~~~
Having known the role of servant most of her life Rose knew how to act and walk as she followed the grand procession that was attached to Pasha Maudette. The house guard was decked out in expensive and loudly colored ceremonial gear and useless pretty weapons. The servants that carried Maudette were the strongest of the house and Rose stood among a few of the other girls from the harem who were trained to dance as she was.
The wall of the palace was twice the size of the wall that protected the city and there were four guards below with large double-bladed weapons and eight above with long bows strapped across their shoulders. Each of the guards was flanked by a seneschal of sorts that was checking in and making note of the people coming in to the palace gates. Behind them stood the palace grounds which consisted of a series of hedges, plant life and statues depicting the sorcerer lord and various other persons she did not recognize. As they approached the gate she spied a familiar face, the woman who had been with the brigands who had accosted her. With a slight nod to the woman Rose continued onward. The distraction had been timed perfectly. Five of the six thieves came strolling out of the palace garden wearing grins and chatting to each other. They were dressed in better clothing than they had been when Rose had laid them low but that wasn’t saying much. As they approached the guards and men scribing noisily at the gate a great commotion erupted.
The guards seized the men and pulled them aside, demanding their names and asking them how they had entered the palace grounds. Rose smiled and slipped alongside the gawking members of the royal processions touching a small portion of the magic she had stored for the day. As she attempted to make herself invisible she felt a presence, strong and menacing bearing down upon her and squelching the spell before she could finish it.
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