This is a private role play between CrimsonKnight212 and myself.
The cold sea breeze of dusk made it's brisk way through the streets of Waterdeep; known well for it's trade and political power in the continent. Shadows stretched through the port city's midst, consuming alleyways and shielding any questionable figures and their business from prying eyes. The city itself had a firm grasp on crime, but inevitably the commerce drew a small black market, mostly unnoticed, in the docks district.
As a patrol of guards continued their regular route round the area, they didn't notice the petite, black clothed figure slip by in the darkness. No more than a shadow, she watched them with malevolent eyes as they turned a corner and vanished from sight. She stayed low and listened to the fading rhythmic sound of their armour, before drawing a shallow sigh and slouching back against the building's wall casually, allowing the moonlight to filter down onto a small portion of her hooded form. It wasn't the first time Ardira had watched the guards patrolling this section of the docks, and she was beginning to question their utter idiocy of using the same patrol routes every night.
"Could guards possibly get more idiotic?" She muttered quietly to herself, and she drew out a small sheet of parchment from a pocket beneath her black cape. The young woman had been in the city no more than a week, but already found herself familiar with guard routes and patrols in the area. To most people, the small torn piece of paper was no more than an illegible scrap worth throwing. To a regular of the city's nighttime escapades, however, the scrap was a proposition; an opportunity. A small, blood red insignia glowed faintly under the moon's light, proving the message's legitimacy within the black market located there. Some messily scribbled italics lay beneath it:
'Those looking to fill their pockets with plenty coin;
'100 gold pieces for a beating; there has to be some sort of catch.' She mused, a coy smirk curling onto her fine features. Either way, avoiding detection was something of a talent to the tiefling, so she showed little concern. She needed the coin anyway. Folding the scrap of parchment back into her pocket, she slinked back into the darkness of the alleys and made her way towards the Shrieking Basilisk; a well known pub right on the sea front, infamously 'shut down' several months ago because of the violence of the characters it drew there. It had continued to be a hub for illegal activity since, evading detection from the city guard.
The cold sea breeze of dusk made it's brisk way through the streets of Waterdeep; known well for it's trade and political power in the continent. Shadows stretched through the port city's midst, consuming alleyways and shielding any questionable figures and their business from prying eyes. The city itself had a firm grasp on crime, but inevitably the commerce drew a small black market, mostly unnoticed, in the docks district.
As a patrol of guards continued their regular route round the area, they didn't notice the petite, black clothed figure slip by in the darkness. No more than a shadow, she watched them with malevolent eyes as they turned a corner and vanished from sight. She stayed low and listened to the fading rhythmic sound of their armour, before drawing a shallow sigh and slouching back against the building's wall casually, allowing the moonlight to filter down onto a small portion of her hooded form. It wasn't the first time Ardira had watched the guards patrolling this section of the docks, and she was beginning to question their utter idiocy of using the same patrol routes every night.
"Could guards possibly get more idiotic?" She muttered quietly to herself, and she drew out a small sheet of parchment from a pocket beneath her black cape. The young woman had been in the city no more than a week, but already found herself familiar with guard routes and patrols in the area. To most people, the small torn piece of paper was no more than an illegible scrap worth throwing. To a regular of the city's nighttime escapades, however, the scrap was a proposition; an opportunity. A small, blood red insignia glowed faintly under the moon's light, proving the message's legitimacy within the black market located there. Some messily scribbled italics lay beneath it:
'Those looking to fill their pockets with plenty coin;
'It's come to my attention that a recent client has been dodging their safety taxes. This act of disrespect won't be tolerated.
Those willing to 'encourage' the client to see the error of their ways can expect 100 gold pieces reward, plus whatever you will from their property. The client's punishment is your own choosing.
'Find yourself at the Shrieking Basilisk: 3 hours after the fall of dusk. 2 brisk knocks will see your safe entry.'
Those willing to 'encourage' the client to see the error of their ways can expect 100 gold pieces reward, plus whatever you will from their property. The client's punishment is your own choosing.
'Find yourself at the Shrieking Basilisk: 3 hours after the fall of dusk. 2 brisk knocks will see your safe entry.'
'100 gold pieces for a beating; there has to be some sort of catch.' She mused, a coy smirk curling onto her fine features. Either way, avoiding detection was something of a talent to the tiefling, so she showed little concern. She needed the coin anyway. Folding the scrap of parchment back into her pocket, she slinked back into the darkness of the alleys and made her way towards the Shrieking Basilisk; a well known pub right on the sea front, infamously 'shut down' several months ago because of the violence of the characters it drew there. It had continued to be a hub for illegal activity since, evading detection from the city guard.
On the opposite end of the docks, another dark figure hung in the shadows, her senses on high alert despite the casual way she lay sprawled on the roof of a general store. The shadow of the chimney to her right obscured her face, but her bright blue eyes shone as she stared up at the stars. She took a large bite out of an almost finished apple, the features of her face tight in thought. She tossed the remains of the apple into the satchel that lay open against the chimney.
100 gold pieces, she thought to herself, letting out a breath and resting both hands behind her head. It had been a long time since she'd had anything close to that much in her coin purse. She wasn't normally one to hand out punishments, but for the right price ...
The guards on the street passed the store for the second time. She listened to their footsteps fade into the distance. If she was going to do it, she had to move soon - it had been nearly 3 hours since night began to fall.
Making up her mind, she sat up and slung the satchel over her shoulder. Crouching low, she crept to the edge of the roof and, without hesitation, flung herself off the side, doing a serious of flips and dextrous jumps before landing on the ground with a barely audible thud. Invisible in the shadows, she made her way towards the closed tavern, a small smirk appearing on her lips as she thought of what she might do with the gold.
100 gold pieces, she thought to herself, letting out a breath and resting both hands behind her head. It had been a long time since she'd had anything close to that much in her coin purse. She wasn't normally one to hand out punishments, but for the right price ...
The guards on the street passed the store for the second time. She listened to their footsteps fade into the distance. If she was going to do it, she had to move soon - it had been nearly 3 hours since night began to fall.
Making up her mind, she sat up and slung the satchel over her shoulder. Crouching low, she crept to the edge of the roof and, without hesitation, flung herself off the side, doing a serious of flips and dextrous jumps before landing on the ground with a barely audible thud. Invisible in the shadows, she made her way towards the closed tavern, a small smirk appearing on her lips as she thought of what she might do with the gold.
Ardira took a moment’s hesitation to inspect the derelict front of the tavern from a distance. No movement could be seen surrounding the place, and no sound could be heard but the steady brush of the waves against the pier opposite. A tiny crooked sign in the shape of a basilisk swung in the cold wind, every so often smacking against the boards with a dull thud. The boards, long since treated, were dulled by the sea spray and peeling. It’s windows were entirely boarded up, and the door was barely recognizable from the fact that someone had helped themselves to the trim around the front doors; the outline of where the weathered varnish met the rotting, untreated wood was all too clear. All in all the place looked shoddy.
Pulling her black cape further around herself; her hood up to conceal her face and to combat the bite of the cold wind, she approached the door with haste. She was keen to be done with the formalities of the contract and be gone from the chilling exposure of the sea front. Exposing one black glove from beneath her cloak, she banged twice on the door with the edge of her index finger.
The rusting hinges creaked only slightly, masked by the sounds of the sea and wind. A heavily scarred, bald headed man peered out of the door, frowning down at Ardira’s dainty form with obvious skepticism. “Can I help you with something, girl?” He hissed crudely at her, refusing to open the door further.
“You can help me by getting out of my goddamn way.” She was quick to snap, flashing her ebony eyes up at him as she tossed the scrap of parchment in his face. “Move.”
Dumbfounded by the sudden aggression from such a small form, the man did nothing but stutter and inspect the invitation as she barged her way past him, her cape flicking as she disappeared into the building. After a moment, he muttered a curse to himself and shut the door again, fighting the urge to slam it in his anger.
Inside, Ardira circled the perimeter of the room, her eyes darting around to all possible corners and doors. The only characters she could see was the man, still in a fluster of rage and eyeing her incredulously, by the door, and two other men. One sitting at a crooked table with both feet on an adjacent chair with a bottle of god-knows-what in his hand, and the other sitting behind the bar counter, smoking some questionable substance from a pipe. Unsure where to go from here, she simply rested her back against the wall, keeping her distance from the three men. Eventually, the man with the pipe cleared his throat and did what Ardira could only assume was a piss poor attempt at regaining his posture. He leaned forward on the bar and grabbed a sizable pinch of herbs from the counter before him and looked up at the young woman.
“Grog and spirits’re behind me if ‘nything takes yer fancy.” He rumbled, his rough voice scratching through the silence uncomfortably. “We’ve got a few mins te spare yet.”
Not budging and inch, Ardira simply pulled her hood further down her face, obscuring her face from further scrutiny. The pale skin of her face contrasted greatly against the black tangled mass of hair, untamed by her hood and falling to her shoulders. The man returned to his earlier posture, and continued to smoke from the pipe in silence.
Pulling her black cape further around herself; her hood up to conceal her face and to combat the bite of the cold wind, she approached the door with haste. She was keen to be done with the formalities of the contract and be gone from the chilling exposure of the sea front. Exposing one black glove from beneath her cloak, she banged twice on the door with the edge of her index finger.
The rusting hinges creaked only slightly, masked by the sounds of the sea and wind. A heavily scarred, bald headed man peered out of the door, frowning down at Ardira’s dainty form with obvious skepticism. “Can I help you with something, girl?” He hissed crudely at her, refusing to open the door further.
“You can help me by getting out of my goddamn way.” She was quick to snap, flashing her ebony eyes up at him as she tossed the scrap of parchment in his face. “Move.”
Dumbfounded by the sudden aggression from such a small form, the man did nothing but stutter and inspect the invitation as she barged her way past him, her cape flicking as she disappeared into the building. After a moment, he muttered a curse to himself and shut the door again, fighting the urge to slam it in his anger.
Inside, Ardira circled the perimeter of the room, her eyes darting around to all possible corners and doors. The only characters she could see was the man, still in a fluster of rage and eyeing her incredulously, by the door, and two other men. One sitting at a crooked table with both feet on an adjacent chair with a bottle of god-knows-what in his hand, and the other sitting behind the bar counter, smoking some questionable substance from a pipe. Unsure where to go from here, she simply rested her back against the wall, keeping her distance from the three men. Eventually, the man with the pipe cleared his throat and did what Ardira could only assume was a piss poor attempt at regaining his posture. He leaned forward on the bar and grabbed a sizable pinch of herbs from the counter before him and looked up at the young woman.
“Grog and spirits’re behind me if ‘nything takes yer fancy.” He rumbled, his rough voice scratching through the silence uncomfortably. “We’ve got a few mins te spare yet.”
Not budging and inch, Ardira simply pulled her hood further down her face, obscuring her face from further scrutiny. The pale skin of her face contrasted greatly against the black tangled mass of hair, untamed by her hood and falling to her shoulders. The man returned to his earlier posture, and continued to smoke from the pipe in silence.
The streets were deserted, with the exception of the patrols passing every so often. Narisa moved quickly, pausing only when the sounds of foreign footsteps could be heard. It wasn't long before she was standing in front of the run-down building. She breathed in the sea air deeply as she strode towards the front door, letting her satchel hang loosely at her side. She gave two sharp taps with her back knuckles.
The same bald, rough-looking man answered, his eyes narrowing as they focused on yet another slim, unassuming woman. "What d'ya want?" he snapped.
Narisa smiled in a charming yet mischievous way as she produced her own invitation, placed it in his hand, and then, patting him on the shoulder, squeezed past him into the room without a word. She walked straight to the bar, disregarding the three men and one other woman in the room. She dropped her satchel on the furthest bar stool to the left, hoisted herself onto the counter, and retrieved a bottle of ale from behind it. Crossing her legs and letting them hang over the side, she rested her weight on one hand as she took a swig from the bottle, shaking out her wavy black hair when she swallowed. She set the bottle down next to her, caught the smoking man's eye, and winked.
The same bald, rough-looking man answered, his eyes narrowing as they focused on yet another slim, unassuming woman. "What d'ya want?" he snapped.
Narisa smiled in a charming yet mischievous way as she produced her own invitation, placed it in his hand, and then, patting him on the shoulder, squeezed past him into the room without a word. She walked straight to the bar, disregarding the three men and one other woman in the room. She dropped her satchel on the furthest bar stool to the left, hoisted herself onto the counter, and retrieved a bottle of ale from behind it. Crossing her legs and letting them hang over the side, she rested her weight on one hand as she took a swig from the bottle, shaking out her wavy black hair when she swallowed. She set the bottle down next to her, caught the smoking man's eye, and winked.
Her dark eyes followed the latest addition to the room all the way from the door to the bar, no mark of expression on her face other than her customary scowl. From the way she held her head all that was visible was her frown, here eyes were shielded by her hair so. The young lady was taller than she, and thus far showed a politeness not customary in this line of work.
As the man smoking the pipe coughed and again tried to regain his posture; raising his brows at the new female, Ardira cleared her throat intentionally. The man dropped his wandering gaze over Narisa and turned to Ardira, lowering his pipe in the process. “Aye then, well that be a few mins gone now.”
“Indeed.” Ardira replied bluntly, her sharp edged voice easily expressing her impatience. As the man beckoned for the tiefling and the other man at the crooked table to approach the bar (who up until this moment had found more interest in his alcohol than either of the two women), Ardira made no hesitation in slipping up to the bar in a roundabout fashion, making herself intentionally distant from the rest of the group, but close enough to remain part of the conversation. The fellow with the bottle by this point had emptied it’s contents and slid haphazardly off the chair and right up next to Narisa. As his eyes fell on her, he cast her a drunken grin and a wink.
“Let’s be started as to why you’re all here, then.” The man with the pipe said, tapping what ashen contents were left from his pipe, his tone suddenly serious. “You all received my note by some means, I assume. Blaine, the statements?” The bald man by the door nodded, and held up all three of the party’s parchment pieces as proof of entry as he left his stance by the door and wandered round to the end of the bar closest to the adjoining room’s door.
As the man smoking the pipe coughed and again tried to regain his posture; raising his brows at the new female, Ardira cleared her throat intentionally. The man dropped his wandering gaze over Narisa and turned to Ardira, lowering his pipe in the process. “Aye then, well that be a few mins gone now.”
“Indeed.” Ardira replied bluntly, her sharp edged voice easily expressing her impatience. As the man beckoned for the tiefling and the other man at the crooked table to approach the bar (who up until this moment had found more interest in his alcohol than either of the two women), Ardira made no hesitation in slipping up to the bar in a roundabout fashion, making herself intentionally distant from the rest of the group, but close enough to remain part of the conversation. The fellow with the bottle by this point had emptied it’s contents and slid haphazardly off the chair and right up next to Narisa. As his eyes fell on her, he cast her a drunken grin and a wink.
“Let’s be started as to why you’re all here, then.” The man with the pipe said, tapping what ashen contents were left from his pipe, his tone suddenly serious. “You all received my note by some means, I assume. Blaine, the statements?” The bald man by the door nodded, and held up all three of the party’s parchment pieces as proof of entry as he left his stance by the door and wandered round to the end of the bar closest to the adjoining room’s door.
Narisa uncrossed her legs and sat up a little straighter, but stayed on the counter. She ignored the gaze of the drunk man. Though she still seemed like the most relaxed person in the room, her expression was much more serious, and her eyes were fixed on the man with the pipe in a way that told you she was there for business, not pleasure.
Three of us, she thought wryly, waiting for the man to continue. She found it hard to imagine this was a three person job. Whoever got there first would probably be the one who was paid. The thought was disheartening. She found competition thrilling when it was a race for treasure, but for something such as this, she would have liked to take her time. The drunk man didn't particularly concern her - he wouldn't be getting out of bed the next day - but the woman obviously meant business. Others might have discounted her because of her sex or size, but Narisa knew better. And, from the way the stranger purposely kept herself distant from the rest of the group, Narisa had the feeling that even were teaming up an option, this woman would choose to go off on her own. She seemed efficient, entirely capable, and dangerous.
Three of us, she thought wryly, waiting for the man to continue. She found it hard to imagine this was a three person job. Whoever got there first would probably be the one who was paid. The thought was disheartening. She found competition thrilling when it was a race for treasure, but for something such as this, she would have liked to take her time. The drunk man didn't particularly concern her - he wouldn't be getting out of bed the next day - but the woman obviously meant business. Others might have discounted her because of her sex or size, but Narisa knew better. And, from the way the stranger purposely kept herself distant from the rest of the group, Narisa had the feeling that even were teaming up an option, this woman would choose to go off on her own. She seemed efficient, entirely capable, and dangerous.
“Very well then, go fetch the down-payments.” Blaine nodded, and weaved through the empty bar to the door behind Ardira at the other end of the room. Ardira’s gaze lingered over him, an eyebrow raised at the mention of an advanced payment.
“We’re getting paid in advance for teaching some moron a lesson?” She demanded. “Why? Furthermore, actually... I'm sure we're all wondering just why in hell's name a beating is worth 100 gold?” She placed both her gloved hands on the bar and leaned forward, her eyes piercing the man behind it with an inquiring stare. She no longer attempted to hide her face as her pitch black eyes and dark sclera stood out even in the dim light. The hood of her cape, no longer held down, slipped back just enough as she did so to show the two curved shards that were her horns, just protruding from her tangled mass of hair. They were a sudden identifying feature of her demonic lineage. The drunken man beside Narisa coughed and spluttered, dropping his empty glass on the floor.
“Shit man, she’s a tiefling. She’s a bloody tiefling.” He began to raise his voice an unsteady amount. “I’m not working with a devil worshipper! Screw that!” He spat across the bar in Ardira’s direction, and began to stagger towards the exit of the tavern, muttering something about the gold not being worth it. The man behind the bar ignored Ardira’s scrutiny, suddenly more concerned with the drunken fool wandering towards the exit. He banged his fist on the table and ordered the man to stop where he was.
“No! She’ll stab us all in the back as soon as look at us! Those tiefling creatures aren’t human; they have the blood of devils and demons in them. I treasure my life over gold, ta!” He continued to display a drunken rage, again pausing to spit in Ardira’s direction. Ardira sighed, the all too familiar outrage at her presence not even surprising her.
“You needn't worry about your back - I’ll stab you in the face if you don’t shut up.” She hissed back at him, before turning back to the man behind the counter, his gaze still on the man midway between the bar and the door. About to ask the man to continue, she paused as the quiet clatter of what sounded like metal could be heard from the door behind her; the door that the man named Blaine had entered just moments before.
She turned her head back towards the door, unsure of the sound she just thought she’d heard.
“We’re getting paid in advance for teaching some moron a lesson?” She demanded. “Why? Furthermore, actually... I'm sure we're all wondering just why in hell's name a beating is worth 100 gold?” She placed both her gloved hands on the bar and leaned forward, her eyes piercing the man behind it with an inquiring stare. She no longer attempted to hide her face as her pitch black eyes and dark sclera stood out even in the dim light. The hood of her cape, no longer held down, slipped back just enough as she did so to show the two curved shards that were her horns, just protruding from her tangled mass of hair. They were a sudden identifying feature of her demonic lineage. The drunken man beside Narisa coughed and spluttered, dropping his empty glass on the floor.
“Shit man, she’s a tiefling. She’s a bloody tiefling.” He began to raise his voice an unsteady amount. “I’m not working with a devil worshipper! Screw that!” He spat across the bar in Ardira’s direction, and began to stagger towards the exit of the tavern, muttering something about the gold not being worth it. The man behind the bar ignored Ardira’s scrutiny, suddenly more concerned with the drunken fool wandering towards the exit. He banged his fist on the table and ordered the man to stop where he was.
“No! She’ll stab us all in the back as soon as look at us! Those tiefling creatures aren’t human; they have the blood of devils and demons in them. I treasure my life over gold, ta!” He continued to display a drunken rage, again pausing to spit in Ardira’s direction. Ardira sighed, the all too familiar outrage at her presence not even surprising her.
“You needn't worry about your back - I’ll stab you in the face if you don’t shut up.” She hissed back at him, before turning back to the man behind the counter, his gaze still on the man midway between the bar and the door. About to ask the man to continue, she paused as the quiet clatter of what sounded like metal could be heard from the door behind her; the door that the man named Blaine had entered just moments before.
She turned her head back towards the door, unsure of the sound she just thought she’d heard.
Under normal circumstances, Narisa would have been interested in, maybe even amused by, the interchange between Ardira and the drunk, but as it was she'd just heard enough of the conversation to register the fact that Ardira was a tiefling. Her eyes hadn't left the door Blaine had disappeared behind, her senses on alert. The tiefling had raised her own concerns - the payment arrangements simply didn't make sense. But what bothered her the most wasn't the amount or the fact that an advance was being offered - it was the fact that, had these men truly been planning on paying them in advance, it would have made more sense for Blaine have kept the money on his person, not back in some storeroom.
Something was very, very wrong.
She made a show of lifting her right leg and hugging her knee against her chest, keeping up her relaxed appearance. When the first sounds of clattering metal drifted from the door into the room, her right hand snaked into the top of her boot, grasping the hilt of one of her many hidden daggers.
There was a loud BAM! as the front and side doors burst open at once. Two large guards, followed by Blaine, emerged from the side, swords raised and grins on their faces. Blaine shrank against the back wall, apparently wanting to stay out of whatever was going to happen next. From the front, three members of the nightly patrol clambered into the room. The drunken man whirled around to face them so quickly that he tripped over his own feet, knocked himself out on the corner of a table, and fell with a thud onto the filthy floor.
Drawing the dagger from her boot, Narisa jumped from the counter, her loose black blouse billowing with the quick motion. With her free left hand, she reached under her blouse and withdrew yet another dagger. The boarded up windows made escape impossible without going through the guards. Her eyes darted from one group to the other, sizing them up. It would be easier to take out the pair first.
She made this decision almost instantly and charged towards the space in between them. They both swung their swords towards her, but at the last second she dropped to one knee, kicked the legs of the man to her left out from under him, then spun in place and stabbed the right guard in his side.
Something was very, very wrong.
She made a show of lifting her right leg and hugging her knee against her chest, keeping up her relaxed appearance. When the first sounds of clattering metal drifted from the door into the room, her right hand snaked into the top of her boot, grasping the hilt of one of her many hidden daggers.
There was a loud BAM! as the front and side doors burst open at once. Two large guards, followed by Blaine, emerged from the side, swords raised and grins on their faces. Blaine shrank against the back wall, apparently wanting to stay out of whatever was going to happen next. From the front, three members of the nightly patrol clambered into the room. The drunken man whirled around to face them so quickly that he tripped over his own feet, knocked himself out on the corner of a table, and fell with a thud onto the filthy floor.
Drawing the dagger from her boot, Narisa jumped from the counter, her loose black blouse billowing with the quick motion. With her free left hand, she reached under her blouse and withdrew yet another dagger. The boarded up windows made escape impossible without going through the guards. Her eyes darted from one group to the other, sizing them up. It would be easier to take out the pair first.
She made this decision almost instantly and charged towards the space in between them. They both swung their swords towards her, but at the last second she dropped to one knee, kicked the legs of the man to her left out from under him, then spun in place and stabbed the right guard in his side.
As the guards burst in, Ardira hopped onto the bar counter as Narisa tackled the two guards close by. Her eyes locked onto Blaine in the background as she pulled two small daggers from beneath her cloak, one in each hand. The man behind the counter made to grab her ankle, but swiftly got a kick in the teeth instead. He dropped to the ground unconscious, a tooth rolling across the dusty floorboards in front of him.
The three guards from the door made for the woman, their swords drawn. She flung both daggers at the two flanking guards of the three, one impacting with the unlucky man’s face in the eye socket of his helm. He took a final feeble step before dropping dead. The other dagger just skirted the iron helmet and clattered to the ground; the two remaining guards covering the short distance to the counter where she stood in seconds.
Without hesitation, Ardira slipped from the bar counter and kicked a nearby stool at one of the guards to slow his path, and threw herself after it, dodging the ill placed sweep of his sword and slicing his stomach open through a gap in his armour with her main, now unsheathed dagger. Clutching his belly, the man groaned and dropped to his knees, as the other guard hesitated to regard what had just happened to his two mates.
“Don’t just stand there, grab the bitch!” Blaine roared from the back of the room, now edging towards the main exit onto the street as panic welled inside him. ‘Five guards struggling with two women, what the hell next.’ He thought in disbelief. About to make a break for it, he instead laughed in relief as a second wave of guards; no doubt the same patrol from the harbour, burst through the already open front door.
Catching a glance of at least six additional guards (she didn’t pause to count exactly how many more were filtering in behind them), Ardira cursed her luck and dexterously dodged the remaining guard before her and sprinted towards Narisa, the two guards there she was taking care of and, most importantly, the other remaining door.
The three guards from the door made for the woman, their swords drawn. She flung both daggers at the two flanking guards of the three, one impacting with the unlucky man’s face in the eye socket of his helm. He took a final feeble step before dropping dead. The other dagger just skirted the iron helmet and clattered to the ground; the two remaining guards covering the short distance to the counter where she stood in seconds.
Without hesitation, Ardira slipped from the bar counter and kicked a nearby stool at one of the guards to slow his path, and threw herself after it, dodging the ill placed sweep of his sword and slicing his stomach open through a gap in his armour with her main, now unsheathed dagger. Clutching his belly, the man groaned and dropped to his knees, as the other guard hesitated to regard what had just happened to his two mates.
“Don’t just stand there, grab the bitch!” Blaine roared from the back of the room, now edging towards the main exit onto the street as panic welled inside him. ‘Five guards struggling with two women, what the hell next.’ He thought in disbelief. About to make a break for it, he instead laughed in relief as a second wave of guards; no doubt the same patrol from the harbour, burst through the already open front door.
Catching a glance of at least six additional guards (she didn’t pause to count exactly how many more were filtering in behind them), Ardira cursed her luck and dexterously dodged the remaining guard before her and sprinted towards Narisa, the two guards there she was taking care of and, most importantly, the other remaining door.
Narisa was of the same mind. She jumped back to her feet as the guard she'd stabbed let out a cry, dropped his sword, and fell to the ground, clutching his side. Sweeping the sword up from the ground, she ran the other guard through with it as he scrambled upright, and he immediately slumped to the floor again, sputtering and choking as he coughed up blood.
The remaining guard from the first wave pelted after Ardira in Narisa's direction, followed closely by the second patrol. Narisa snatched up her satchel, then threw the dagger in her right hand towards him, not waiting to see where it landed before spinning on her heel and sprinting towards the open door. She ran into a dark alleyway.
Suddenly her shoulder erupted in pain. She groaned and ducked behind a pile of crates, a second arrow whizzing past her ear. There were at least four guards on either end of the alley, and among the group gathered towards the docks were two archers, who swiftly redrew their bows.
She glanced around. The only possible escape was the roof, but trying to climb up would leave her too exposed to the archers. Not to mention that the arrow stuck in her shoulder would severely limit her usual mobility.
"Damn," she breathed, gritting her teeth against the pain.
But she wasn't about to give up. There was still a chance - she'd gotten out of scrapes like this before. If they get distracted by the tiefling, she thought, maybe I can make it.
The remaining guard from the first wave pelted after Ardira in Narisa's direction, followed closely by the second patrol. Narisa snatched up her satchel, then threw the dagger in her right hand towards him, not waiting to see where it landed before spinning on her heel and sprinting towards the open door. She ran into a dark alleyway.
Suddenly her shoulder erupted in pain. She groaned and ducked behind a pile of crates, a second arrow whizzing past her ear. There were at least four guards on either end of the alley, and among the group gathered towards the docks were two archers, who swiftly redrew their bows.
She glanced around. The only possible escape was the roof, but trying to climb up would leave her too exposed to the archers. Not to mention that the arrow stuck in her shoulder would severely limit her usual mobility.
"Damn," she breathed, gritting her teeth against the pain.
But she wasn't about to give up. There was still a chance - she'd gotten out of scrapes like this before. If they get distracted by the tiefling, she thought, maybe I can make it.
Hearing a definite ‘thump!’ and the sound of outcry behind her, Ardira could only gather that the dagger whistling by her hit it’s mark. Despite her predicament, she couldn’t help but gain some satisfaction from the blow.
Without having time to stop her forward motion through the door into the alley as the assault of arrows took place, however, she dipped last minute into a skid before smacking against the wall on the opposite side, coming up to rest just behind the crates beside Narisa. At the expense of avoiding the arrows, a trickle of blood ran down the side of her face, from where her head had collided with the wall. She glanced briskly at the girl, concerned of assault from every front, but quickly brought her attention back to the guards as the harbour patrol arrived at the door out into the alley next to the two women; Blaine amongst them.
“Shit.” Ardira uttered. She glanced above Narisa and the crate, to the figures beyond, considering an attempt to use the other women as a shield as a possible means of escape, but the likelihood of escaping without defeat from the armed guards was too great. She could but wait, the grip around her blade’s hilt tight as the first of many guards approached the duo from the door, shield and sword at the ready. If she could defeat enough to slip back into the building and out the other door, she might stand a chance.
“Well girls, now you know what playing on the wrong side of the law entails.” The bald man taunted, making his way close to the front of the guards as they emerged. “Should have stayed in the whore houses.” He looked around the other guards, laughing at his own joke, but only a couple chuckled in response. One of the lead guards, the embellishment of the main core of the city guard embroidered along the edge of his cloak, lifted his hand and beckoned to the remaining weapons.
“You’re obviously outnumbered, without chance of escape. Hand the weapons over and let’s not make this any harder for anyone.”
Without having time to stop her forward motion through the door into the alley as the assault of arrows took place, however, she dipped last minute into a skid before smacking against the wall on the opposite side, coming up to rest just behind the crates beside Narisa. At the expense of avoiding the arrows, a trickle of blood ran down the side of her face, from where her head had collided with the wall. She glanced briskly at the girl, concerned of assault from every front, but quickly brought her attention back to the guards as the harbour patrol arrived at the door out into the alley next to the two women; Blaine amongst them.
“Shit.” Ardira uttered. She glanced above Narisa and the crate, to the figures beyond, considering an attempt to use the other women as a shield as a possible means of escape, but the likelihood of escaping without defeat from the armed guards was too great. She could but wait, the grip around her blade’s hilt tight as the first of many guards approached the duo from the door, shield and sword at the ready. If she could defeat enough to slip back into the building and out the other door, she might stand a chance.
“Well girls, now you know what playing on the wrong side of the law entails.” The bald man taunted, making his way close to the front of the guards as they emerged. “Should have stayed in the whore houses.” He looked around the other guards, laughing at his own joke, but only a couple chuckled in response. One of the lead guards, the embellishment of the main core of the city guard embroidered along the edge of his cloak, lifted his hand and beckoned to the remaining weapons.
“You’re obviously outnumbered, without chance of escape. Hand the weapons over and let’s not make this any harder for anyone.”
Narisa snorted, so softly only Ardira could hear. Until she was dead or forcibly taken, she wasn't giving up. But her options were limited. There was a window a few feet to the right, but it appeared to be latched shut. Just behind that, however, was a pile of more crates and barrels, piled just high enough to reach the second story, where a second window lay just barely ajar. But how to get there without getting shot?
She glanced at the tiefling next to her, her thoughts racing.
"You will be caught," the lead guard said in a stern voice after a few moments of silence. "There's no point in drawing this out any longer."
"How's your aim?" she muttered to Ardira in a barely audible whisper.
She glanced at the tiefling next to her, her thoughts racing.
"You will be caught," the lead guard said in a stern voice after a few moments of silence. "There's no point in drawing this out any longer."
"How's your aim?" she muttered to Ardira in a barely audible whisper.
Ardira let her gaze drift to the upper portion of the building, catching a glance of the window that no doubt Narisa had cottoned on to moments before. She cast the woman a sly look, before looking back up at the guard captain.
“Why?” She hissed back quietly, daring not to remove her gaze from the guards for any long length of time. The archers still stood further down the alley, and Ardira could see no surefire means of escape. Any plan was better than none, right enough. The guard began to drum his fingers on the hilt of his weapon, losing patience. They didn’t have much time if they were to attempt anything. “If you have an idea, say it now.”
Blaine, clearly fed of up the stalling tactics, exhaled loudly and cursed under his breath. “By the gods, just kill them now!”
“Blaine, don’t test my patience”, the guard glanced to him. “We’re no murderers; we’re the city guard. If these two are to be arrested, it will be done correctly.”
“Bah! This entire plan was my idea in the first place!” He snapped back at the man, before forcing his way further into the alley towards to two. “I say at the very least they’re unconscious when we take them. I don’t like the look of this one, and I certainly don’t believe for a second that one is as innocent as her little face suggests either.” He motioned to Ardira and Narisa in turn, lifting his sword in hand with the intention of disarming the duo in a crude fashion.
“Why?” She hissed back quietly, daring not to remove her gaze from the guards for any long length of time. The archers still stood further down the alley, and Ardira could see no surefire means of escape. Any plan was better than none, right enough. The guard began to drum his fingers on the hilt of his weapon, losing patience. They didn’t have much time if they were to attempt anything. “If you have an idea, say it now.”
Blaine, clearly fed of up the stalling tactics, exhaled loudly and cursed under his breath. “By the gods, just kill them now!”
“Blaine, don’t test my patience”, the guard glanced to him. “We’re no murderers; we’re the city guard. If these two are to be arrested, it will be done correctly.”
“Bah! This entire plan was my idea in the first place!” He snapped back at the man, before forcing his way further into the alley towards to two. “I say at the very least they’re unconscious when we take them. I don’t like the look of this one, and I certainly don’t believe for a second that one is as innocent as her little face suggests either.” He motioned to Ardira and Narisa in turn, lifting his sword in hand with the intention of disarming the duo in a crude fashion.
Narisa resisted the urge to grab her right shoulder as its throbs of pain increased, looking warily into the alleyway. If they didn't move, now, Blaine would be upon them in seconds.
"Take out the archers," Narisa muttered, her lips barely moving despite how quickly the words were coming out of them. "I'll try to distract them for a minute, take their attention away from you. I'll deal with the rat and the lead guard. Then take out anyone else you can on your way up to the window. Oh, and if you topple the crates and strand me before I get the chance to climb up there," she added, her voice darker and more serious than it had been, "these guards will be the least of your worries."
She knew it was a long shot - probably the longest shot she'd ever taken - especially when she was throwing and fighting solely left-handed, but there wasn't time to dwell on the flaws in the plan. There wasn't even time to wait for the tiefling's response.
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She stopped resisting the pain and cradled her right arm with her left, keeping the dagger securely in her left hand. Letting out a couple soft sobs, she stood and stumbled into the open alleyway.
"I surrender," she said, breathing heavily, which was curious since her voice had been so steady just moments before. "Please, d-don't attack me! I d-don't want t-to die."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some of the guards relax slightly, looks of suppressed pity and concern on their faces. She even saw a tinge of emotion in the lead guard's eye. Blaine, however, didn't seem to be buying it. He continued to advance toward her.
"She's surrendering, Blaine," the lead guard said firmly. "Stand down."
"Then why's she still got that dagger in her hand?" Blaine said, giving his sword a little flourish.
Narisa made a move to raise her left hand as if in surrender, but let out a cry as she released her right arm and immediately grabbed it again. The number of pitying expressions increased. She glanced towards the docks - one of the archers now had his bow trained on her, but the other was still mostly focused on the pile of crates Ardira hid behind.
"Stand down, Blaine!" the guard said again, this time with so much authority that his command was actually obeyed. Blaine reluctantly took a step back, but not far enough to not be a threat.
The guard was eyeing her suspiciously. "Drop the dagger," he said coolly.
"Take out the archers," Narisa muttered, her lips barely moving despite how quickly the words were coming out of them. "I'll try to distract them for a minute, take their attention away from you. I'll deal with the rat and the lead guard. Then take out anyone else you can on your way up to the window. Oh, and if you topple the crates and strand me before I get the chance to climb up there," she added, her voice darker and more serious than it had been, "these guards will be the least of your worries."
She knew it was a long shot - probably the longest shot she'd ever taken - especially when she was throwing and fighting solely left-handed, but there wasn't time to dwell on the flaws in the plan. There wasn't even time to wait for the tiefling's response.
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She stopped resisting the pain and cradled her right arm with her left, keeping the dagger securely in her left hand. Letting out a couple soft sobs, she stood and stumbled into the open alleyway.
"I surrender," she said, breathing heavily, which was curious since her voice had been so steady just moments before. "Please, d-don't attack me! I d-don't want t-to die."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some of the guards relax slightly, looks of suppressed pity and concern on their faces. She even saw a tinge of emotion in the lead guard's eye. Blaine, however, didn't seem to be buying it. He continued to advance toward her.
"She's surrendering, Blaine," the lead guard said firmly. "Stand down."
"Then why's she still got that dagger in her hand?" Blaine said, giving his sword a little flourish.
Narisa made a move to raise her left hand as if in surrender, but let out a cry as she released her right arm and immediately grabbed it again. The number of pitying expressions increased. She glanced towards the docks - one of the archers now had his bow trained on her, but the other was still mostly focused on the pile of crates Ardira hid behind.
"Stand down, Blaine!" the guard said again, this time with so much authority that his command was actually obeyed. Blaine reluctantly took a step back, but not far enough to not be a threat.
The guard was eyeing her suspiciously. "Drop the dagger," he said coolly.
With an incredulous glance in response to the other woman, Ardira casually let her gaze drift to the silhouettes of the distant archers, their forms vague against the quickly dimming light of night.
"Give me an easier job, why don't you." She muttered, and inconspicuously shifted her left foot beneath her so that she balanced on the ball of her foot; the muscles in her leg tensed and ready to pounce at a moment's notice. As Narisa began her charade, Ardira dropped her chin to let her tangled mass of black hair conceal the slight smirk that grew on her face. 'Again the increasing limits of these morons' stupidity astounds me.' She mused, taking note of the slight drop in the guards defenses. Whether it was enough to break through the weakened barrier of guards, however, Ardira didn't know.
But she sure as hell wasn't going to waste the attempt.
As the guard captain’s attention was fully on that of Narisa, the tiefling measured the possibility of escape from sizing up the rest of the troupe. The main body of guards appeared to be in the alleyway beside them, but with the archers being further down the alley she wasn’t certain just how far the group spanned. Still, escaping the immediate area was the first obstacle.
One of the guards in the back who had been watching the tension between his captain and the undercover ‘Blaine’, had rolled his eyes and let his gaze wander the rest of the alley, just in time to see Ardira slyly look around the edge of the crate, where it was obvious the archers’ attentions had slipped, and they were now all looking towards Narisa. His shout of warning had barely reached the others’ ears before the woman had flung herself around the corner and sprinted towards the crates almost midway between the initial group and the unfocused marksmen beyond.
The ensuing chaos would have been impossible to describe, should one not have seen it for themselves. Two of the several archers, in panic, released their trained arrows as the thud of her dagger connected with one, who clutched his side in pain and knocked the other off balance, his second arrow streaking instead towards the mass of guards at the bar's alleyside door.
Before the true onslaught of arrows could begin, the tiefling had already made the distance to the teetering stack of crates underneath the ajar window. With the grace of a cat, she continued her run up the stack of crates and grabbed hold of the window with both hands, launching herself through feet first and opening the window up further in the process. The smack of arrows rebounding against the glass followed her through, and she hit the floor in a roll so quickly that the piercing sting of an arrow in her hip didn't occur to her immediately until she was again on her feet, in the dark and dusty (and seemingly abandoned) apartment room before her.
Moving out of window range, she looked down to observe how deep the arrow had struck. A forced chuckle left her lips as through clenched teeth she ripped the arrow free; it wasn't deep, but the pain was enough to remind her of the precarious position she had just avoided. She took the puncture wound in stride and let it be a nipping reminder of her naivety, and made a mental point to add that man Blaine to her list, if he was still alive.
On that note, although not one to care much for another's well being, Ardira made a small point of checking behind her to see whether Narisa had made the slip to the window as well.
"Give me an easier job, why don't you." She muttered, and inconspicuously shifted her left foot beneath her so that she balanced on the ball of her foot; the muscles in her leg tensed and ready to pounce at a moment's notice. As Narisa began her charade, Ardira dropped her chin to let her tangled mass of black hair conceal the slight smirk that grew on her face. 'Again the increasing limits of these morons' stupidity astounds me.' She mused, taking note of the slight drop in the guards defenses. Whether it was enough to break through the weakened barrier of guards, however, Ardira didn't know.
But she sure as hell wasn't going to waste the attempt.
As the guard captain’s attention was fully on that of Narisa, the tiefling measured the possibility of escape from sizing up the rest of the troupe. The main body of guards appeared to be in the alleyway beside them, but with the archers being further down the alley she wasn’t certain just how far the group spanned. Still, escaping the immediate area was the first obstacle.
One of the guards in the back who had been watching the tension between his captain and the undercover ‘Blaine’, had rolled his eyes and let his gaze wander the rest of the alley, just in time to see Ardira slyly look around the edge of the crate, where it was obvious the archers’ attentions had slipped, and they were now all looking towards Narisa. His shout of warning had barely reached the others’ ears before the woman had flung herself around the corner and sprinted towards the crates almost midway between the initial group and the unfocused marksmen beyond.
The ensuing chaos would have been impossible to describe, should one not have seen it for themselves. Two of the several archers, in panic, released their trained arrows as the thud of her dagger connected with one, who clutched his side in pain and knocked the other off balance, his second arrow streaking instead towards the mass of guards at the bar's alleyside door.
Before the true onslaught of arrows could begin, the tiefling had already made the distance to the teetering stack of crates underneath the ajar window. With the grace of a cat, she continued her run up the stack of crates and grabbed hold of the window with both hands, launching herself through feet first and opening the window up further in the process. The smack of arrows rebounding against the glass followed her through, and she hit the floor in a roll so quickly that the piercing sting of an arrow in her hip didn't occur to her immediately until she was again on her feet, in the dark and dusty (and seemingly abandoned) apartment room before her.
Moving out of window range, she looked down to observe how deep the arrow had struck. A forced chuckle left her lips as through clenched teeth she ripped the arrow free; it wasn't deep, but the pain was enough to remind her of the precarious position she had just avoided. She took the puncture wound in stride and let it be a nipping reminder of her naivety, and made a mental point to add that man Blaine to her list, if he was still alive.
On that note, although not one to care much for another's well being, Ardira made a small point of checking behind her to see whether Narisa had made the slip to the window as well.
With the guard's shout of warning, Narisa's tears immediately ceased. Before Blaine could even comprehend what was happening, she flung her dagger straight at him, and it hit him in the neck. As he fell over, she seized another hidden dagger, this time from her left boot, and tossed it at the lead guard, who had gotten dangerously close in the short amount of time that had passed.
Hoping it would at least slow him, she spun and sprinted towards the crates. She couldn't look back to assess where the arrows were coming from and dodge, so she had to hope she would just be fast enough to outrun them. The crates wobbled precariously as she dashed up them, her steps heavier than normal due to her injury and adrenaline.
She seized the window ledge with her left hand - her right was useless at the moment - and kicked out behind her, listening to the crates topple to the ground. She felt someone grab at her foot, but was able to pull her leg away as she flung herself through the window.
With an "Umph!" she crashed onto the ground on her back. She grit her teeth and scowled, not so much out of pain but out of disgust at the lack of grace with which she landed - it was very unlike her. She scrambled to her feet, moving out of view of the window so as not to get shot by another arrow.
Below, they could hear the guards forcing themselves into the building after them, their shouts and the clanking of their armor echoing up the stairs.
Hoping it would at least slow him, she spun and sprinted towards the crates. She couldn't look back to assess where the arrows were coming from and dodge, so she had to hope she would just be fast enough to outrun them. The crates wobbled precariously as she dashed up them, her steps heavier than normal due to her injury and adrenaline.
She seized the window ledge with her left hand - her right was useless at the moment - and kicked out behind her, listening to the crates topple to the ground. She felt someone grab at her foot, but was able to pull her leg away as she flung herself through the window.
With an "Umph!" she crashed onto the ground on her back. She grit her teeth and scowled, not so much out of pain but out of disgust at the lack of grace with which she landed - it was very unlike her. She scrambled to her feet, moving out of view of the window so as not to get shot by another arrow.
Below, they could hear the guards forcing themselves into the building after them, their shouts and the clanking of their armor echoing up the stairs.
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