I suppose I should tell you a bit about myself. My name is Zaya and I'm a elf. I would never call myself a girly girl. Father made sure I knew how to take care of myself though. My mother died while giving birth, so it was just Father and I for the first 8 years of my life. Being the only child for most of my youth only made father all the more protective. Father taught me many things through out my life. He taught me to love and laugh, but more importantly he taught me to shoot a bow. One autumn morning, I awoke to father gently shaking my foot, whispering my name, "Zaaaayaaa, oh Zaayaaa, time to get up sleepy head," a half smile lit up his face, "the winds to the west, it should be good hunting this morning." It was earlier than usual, a good 2 hours before sunup. Never wanting to disappoint father I got out of the warm, cozy bed. The fire burning low in the hearth, the coals glowing a deep red. We had a light breakfast of eggs and sausages, and washed it all down with a cold cup of milk. After we finished eating, we filled our canteens with fresh cool water from the well, dampened the wash cloth, and quickly washed up. The sun was due up at any second by the time we left the yard. We made our way down the foot path behind our house, each of us carrying our bows, quiver, canteen, rations and knife. Everything we needed for a morning of hunting. Before I was old enough to go hunting, father and I would go for long walks. Some days we would walk to market, not really a long walk, only a few minutes. Father would use his time to look at the traders wares, and make small talk with the other townsfolk. Or other times we would explore nature, my favourite thing to do in all the world. We would walk for hours, father pointing to animal tracks, telling me what they belonged to, or whether it was male or female. He would show me which berries were edible and which were poison if consumed. The first bow I ever made was constructed under the helpful eye of my father. Everyone knows that Yew bows are the best out there, but they cost an arm and a leg. Father had such a bow, a gift from some lord for winning an archery contest. Father said I didn't need a Yew bow to be an expert marksman because any tree that bears a fruit, nut, or wields thorns is a good, dense wood that should, in theory, make a good bow. As such, black locust and hickory are both affordable or easy to find. Mine was made of beautiful black locus, with a dark stain finish.
After our hunt we were walking back home, it was just after lunch and both our tummies were loud and wanting. Father was unusually quiet, most times after an unsuccessful hunt he was quiet, but this morning he was lost deep in thought. "You know I love you right," he said, breaking the long silence, "with all my heart I love you." I look over at my father and he has tears in his eyes. "I know you do, and I love you too." I smile at him, but I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. He tells me that he has been seeing a woman, and is worried what I think. It wasn't long after, that I was introduced to her, a fair elven maiden named Gloriendel. She had fine golden hair, with emerald green eyes. She was truly a beauty to behold. She was also a wonderful person, always friendly and polite. If you ever needed help, she was there without hesitation. It wasn't even 6 months before she had moved into our house. At the 9 month mark, they were getting married. I didn't mind at all, I loved her almost as much as my father. In fact, before they even got married I had already taken to calling her mom. Shortly after my ninth birthday, father and I were out hunting in the morning. On our walk back to our house, a plump quail in each of our game bags already dressed for mother to cook for lunch. Father looked over at me and said, " Zaya I really don't know how to tell you this," wringing his hands together, "you are going to be a big sister." I felt overjoyed at the though of a little sister or brother. The nine months passed by quickly and mother in that time grew ever bigger. The morning finally came when she went into labor. It was late in the day, the sun was already setting in the sky before my new baby sister finally arrived. When I was not helping father with the chores, going to market or hunting, I was helping mother with baby Anaea. Father loved working with swords almost as much as he loved his bow. So father talked to the local blacksmith Gord, who made me my very first sword. It was a small weapon, not even two feet long from the tip of the blade to the end of the hilt, but it taught me the basics. How to hold it, block and parry, and how to be offensive. We would work on our forms for a long while, before we would start our sparing. We would keep practicing until the last rays of sun light winked out, or if Anaea was sleeping.
It wasn't 2 years after the birth of Anaea, that father sat me down and told me that they were having another baby. Anaea was growing like a weed, running around the house with the soft patter of slippered feet. The months drifted past and mother grew larger once again. So large she would have trouble standing and walking. Besides helping mother, I spent most of my time watching my little sister, making sure the toddler didn't get into anything harmful. Or just sitting by the fire, reading her books. Her favourite were always the ones about princesses. Father didn't have time to do much besides helping mother. So a lot of his duties were passed along to me. I would go to market, tend to the garden and even do all the hunting. It never bothered me, because I knew once the baby was born, things would go back to how they were. Before I even knew it the ninth month rolled around, but the new baby still hadn't come. Mother by this time, was so big she couldn't even get out of bed. She looked to be in terrible pain all the time. I remember the night Mallevan was born, it was the biggest storm to hit our village in my entire life. Father called me over to him, and told me mother was going into labor and that I should run along to get the midwife. She was the same wrinkled faced old lady that helped deliver both me and Anaea. A few hours after I returned with Old Mrs Tumis, I had a new baby brother. When Mallevan was born he was 11lbs and 23.5 inches long, it was no wonder mother was so big. Just as I expected, things went back to normal after he was born. It wasn't until after my sixteenth birthday that things started to change. All the things me and father used to do together were now nonexistent. Father would spend most of his time with Mallevan. Not spending much time with me. The separation from my father was gradual, hardly even noticeable at first. When we would go out hunting, I would end up by myself. While father and Mallevan would stick together. Don't get me wrong, he was only 4 years old, he couldn't have been left on his own anyways. Anytime I would ask father to do something, I would always get the same response. "Sorry Sweet-pea, but I already have plans with Mallevan." he always had plans with Mallevan.
One afternoon I was walking down the path that led south from our house, towards the Ole Latonish homestead. It isn't much to see nowadays, but they say that back in the day it was quite lordly. On my walks I always made sure I had my bow, a full quiver and my knife, today was no different. After a few hours of walking down the paths, I decided to venture off and make my own trail. It wasn't long before I spotted a fat little rabbit making its way through the brush. I drew my bow with an ease you only acquire after years of practice, eyes ever on my target and loosed the arrow. The arrow hit its mark just behind the front shoulder. The rabbit died a quick and painless death. I was quick to retrieve my kill, stuffing it gingerly into the leather game bag on my hip. Something else catches my eye, this time it is a pheasant, not ten feet away from where I stood. My hand is still in the game bag clutching the rabbit. I let go immediately, reaching for another arrow. I nock, draw and target in one smooth motion. The arrow again finds its mark, and the pheasant drops to the ground dead. Two kills in a row, I'm feeling ecstatic. I make my way up to my new kill, and quickly shove it in the bag beside the rabbit. Not wanting to go home just yet, I decide to keep going while my luck still was strong. It was just after noon when my tummy started to rumble, so I made my way through the brush back to the path. Before reaching the path my lucky streak continued. I found a bush filled with ripe blackberries. So I sat in the grass and start to eat my fill. I wash it all down with a long drink out of my canteen. After getting up and brushing myself off, I made my way through the brush to the path.
Once I reached the path I noticed that it now ran alongside a short wood fence. A fence I had never seen before. So I decided to cross to the other side. With my luck running as hot as it was, I had no need of going home. After a few hours of venturing on the other side of the fence I came across a small farm. The house wasn't much bigger than my own, except this place had a large barn. The barn was surrounded by the same style fence I had crossed earlier, but inside this fence was cows, and lots of them. I didn't get too near the farm though, not wanting to disturb anybody while they worked. Even though I hadn't even seen anybody all day. A few miles past the farm, I came across to a little forked creek. Between the fork was a spindly little tree. It looked to be evergreen. With a thin scaly brown bark, the leaves were fairly thin and dark green in colour. I recognized it immediately to be a yew tree, the rarest, most sot after wood to make bows. I cautiously jumped across the water to land softly on the other side, only a few feet away from the tree. The trunk of the tree wasn't much bigger around than my thigh was, but as I hacked at it with my hunting knife, the wood chipped and flaked with ease. Before long the tree was down and I proceeded to cut off the limbs. I took some string I had in my pack for making snares, and I tied a slip knot around the trunk. Making sure the rope was tight I made my way back towards the fence I had crossed.
It was just before nightfall when I finally stumbled into the yard, yew tree still dragging behind me. Before I opened the door to the house I noticed that we had company. A small cart pulled by an old looking mule was in front of the porch. I went inside the house to find an unfamiliar face. "That's the girl I saw," the voice was a high pitch whine, "she's the one that was trespassing on my property!" It belonged to a short fellow with balding golden hair and a thick moustache that hid his mouth when he spoke. " Zaya," father said in his stern tone, "where have you been all afternoon?" Unashamed I told them about my day of adventuring and the luck I had. The strangers face blanched when I got to the part about the tree from the fork in the river. "You did what!" the little man bellowed, "that tree was private property, you had no right to cut it down!" I was at a loss for words, not knowing what to do next I looked over at father, he was sitting in his chair. His face had the unmistakable look of disappointment. After being yelled at forever, the man eventually left. I ran outside, just wanting to be alone. It wasn't long before father came out to look for me. He found me sitting beside the old willow near the well. It was the same place he always found me when I was upset. He walked up and sat down beside me in complete silence. The silence went on for what felt like an eternity, before he finally spoke. " Zaya, I know you didn't mean to steal that tree, but I want you to understand. Thieves are the lowest type of people. Taking something that doesn't belong to you is a crime. If you commit a crime you must be punished." It was the first time in my life that I truly felt I'd let my father down. Two months cleaning the mans barn and all the chores around our house was my punishment. The months of extra chores went by fast, so I didn't really complain.
A few months later our village was attacked by a band of Orc raiders. They reaped and pillaged our small woodland community in the dead of night. I remember waking to the screams of neighbours and friends. Father was up, already wearing his leathers, he sheathed his long dirk on his hip. Grabbing his bow and quiver he made for the door. "Father," I called, he just looked over at me with a worried expression on his face, "I can help you, please let me help you." He just looked at me, raised his finger to his lips, gesturing for me to be quiet. " Zaya your place is here with the family, you must be strong." He cracked the door open just a hair and peered out. Turning to mother the last thing he said was, "Keep them safe," and disappeared into the chaos. Mother then came over to the bed where me and the little ones slept. I could tell she was terrified. She kept her face calm, but she couldn't still her shaking hands. In a quiet but commanding way she led us children to the cold storage. It was just a hole in the floor with a lid, we always covered it with a rug. Down the ladder we went, into the dark, damp earth underneath our house. Mother didn't even come down with us. She just told us to stay quiet and stay put no matter what we heard. With that she shut the lid tight. The only light was the crack around the edge of the lid. Which was quickly snuffed out when she put the rug back in place. The air in the small cellar was cool and dry, and it always smelled like potatoes. I huddled with my siblings on the cot Father brought up when company needed a place to sleep. The walls of the storage room we lined with shelves, full of mothers preserves. Mother always made sure it was well stocked, and well sorted. She always had lots of pickles, beets, carrots, jams and honey. The shelves also had an abundance of fathers fruit wine, bottled and corked. Father also had a few jars of clear grain alcohol, but we were never aloud to touch it. We had a few barrels of apples and bags of rice. Some salt and potatoes, our supplies for the cold winter months. A barrel with fresh water and a ladle for drinking.
The silence felt infinite, until there was a commotion upstairs. Heavy foot steps on the wood floor made the world quake. Booming voices in a language I don't understand are right above me. I hear mother, she is begging and pleading with them, bidding them to leave. This doesn't go on long before she is begging and pleading with them to spare her life. They laugh, she screams, then all is quiet. The heavy foot steps are leaving and the silence had returned. I wait a few moments for any sounds, but I hear nothing. I climb the ladder and press my ear to the cellar door. The door feels warm, getting warmer as each second pass. I turn the latch and push up on the lid, but it is held fast. Something was on top of it. I climb back down the ladder and sit back on the cot. A light was visible between the cracks of the floorboards, and I I knew the house was on fire. I could feel the temperature in the cellar begin to rise. So I quickly climbed back up the ladder. This time when I touched the latch, it is too hot and I burn my hand. We are trapped and the house is on fire, we are going to die. We sat in the cellar listening to the house above us, creak and moan. Every so often it would let out a loud popping sound, and my heart would sink. Fearing the floor was going to cave in. I climbed the ladder once every few hours, putting my hand to the latch, testing to see if it was still warm. It wasn't until it was cold to the touch that I tried to open it again. I turned the latch and pushed. The lid opened about half way without much resistance, but couldn't open any more. I worker myself through the narrow opening, the roof of our house had begun to collapse inward, and everything was charred black. I found my way through the destruction to the fresh air outside. Our whole village was destroyed, bodies of the townsfolk were strewn haphazardly in the grass. Nothing except the thin tendrils of smoke moved. I went back inside to get my brother and sister. When I got back to the cellar I noticed what was holding it closed, a body burnt to a crisp. Mother fulfilled fathers wish, she kept us safe.
Alone we wandered from town to town. It was months before we finally reached the city. But nobody ever wanted to hire a dirty little elf, with more than one mouth to feed. Money and food was always tight so I resorted to stealing. At first I stole out of necessity. Food from unattended market stands, or clothes from the line in a random backyard. It was always just enough to keep us warm and fed. The first thing I stole was a large blanket from a clothes line, and as many apples as I could carry from the tree beside it. I used the blanket like a sack and brought my haul back to the kids. I made sure they were comfortable and slipped off to be alone. I just sat in the dirt and cried, not because I was scared, not even for my dead parents, I cried because I had to steal. I could see fathers face, that disappointed look he got. Fathers words were always there in the back of my mind "Thieves are the lowest type of people." I used to tell myself that one day I wouldn't have to steal. I would look at my little brother and sister and tell them times will get better, or it's not stealing if we need it.
That was a long time ago, back when what I did was to keep them alive. Now I do what I have to, to keep me alive. I never asked for any of it, but I did what needed to be done. Those little lessons taught me a great deal. That death is sudden and unexpected, so don't wait around for it. It also taught me a sharp blade is more than just a weapon. I cared for my siblings for almost 10 years, when one day Anaea came up to me, shortly after her sixteenth birthday. She told me that she loved me, but it was time for us to stop stealing. That it was time for us to get real jobs, to show Mallevan how to live a normal life. I tried living a normal life with them, in fact, I made it work for a few years. That was over a hundred years ago. I made sure they were truly safe before I decided to leave them. Anaea was almost 23 and working at a small orphanage. She taught the children math and world history. She always was so smart. Mallevan became a Ranger, charged with keeping the Wood Realm safe. Last I heard he was promoted to Head Ranger. If the stories are to be believed, he can shoot an enemy arrow out of the air, and before it hits the ground. He could put one arrow in each eye. I never doubted that he would be the best, because he never stopped practicing. He always said that he did it for father, so one day he could set things right.
After leaving my siblings I just roamed. From one town to another, or city to city. Wherever the roads would take me. This went on for awhile, but I eventually came to a quaint little city called Yorish. It was in Yorish that I met Fade. A handsome elf, with dark brown hair, which he always cut short. He was around six feet tall and slender, built like a swimmer. He moved along like a curious cat, wading into the throng of people. Eyes always looking for his next mark. The only colours he ever wore were dark. A motley of greys and blacks, varying in shades. One thing he always made sure he had was his dark grey bandana. Made of cotton and sewed together like the sleeve of a shirt. Which he wore to cover his face, from his neck to his nose. With his hood pulled up, the only thing visible was the pale green of his eyes. Fade liked the finest things in life, the only problem was he never paid for anything. If he saw something he wanted, he took it, never once showing any remorse about it. My time spent with Fade taught me things. Most of which I would never have learned any other place. Lessons my father would have greatly disapproved. The first being how to spot. Be it the wealthiest mark in the crowd, the authorities around yourself or the nearest exits. Being aware of your surrounding is the core of a good thief. Next he showed me the correct way to cut a purse. Always come for behind the mark, so they don't see it coming. Shoulder bump and slice, followed by a meagre apology. Never make eye contact, never look back and keep walking. He even showed me how to pick the most stubborn of locks. After months of practice not many locks keep me out. I didn't find Fade, probably couldn't even if I tried. He found me.
I was homeless, living in a lean to shelter just outside the city. It was set up in the forest, not 100 feet from the edge of the tree line. It reminded me a lot of the home that I'd left behind. A moss covered ancient willow, like the one by my old well is what made me stay. That and the fact that a tiny stream ran just to the north. One of the better city markets was also close by, so I didn't have to travel very far to get food. That is how I first met Fade. I came back from getting breakfast one morning. All I managed to get was an overripe peach and a still warm apple tart. I ate the tart on the walk back to camp. I saw him just as I finished the last bite. He was just laying in my bed like he owned it. "This is really where you sleep every night?" His body spastically moving around, to over exaggerated his discomfort. "Blood hell, two nights maybe three max, and I'd never walk again!" All I could think to say was, "It's a good thing you will never have to spend a night than. Now if you could kindly leave, that would be most helpful." Fade gingerly sat up and crossed his legs. "No, what would be most helpful is if I show you how to properly care for yourself." I started to protest, telling him I can survive on my own, but before the words leave my mouth he cuts me off. Getting up off the bed, a curious smile broke his scowl. "Girl, you have potential. You may not have noticed me, but I have noticed you. You've been on my radar for awhile now. In that time I've seen how you operate. You need guidance or before long, the only place you will ever call home is behind sturdy iron bars. I will extend this offer to you once, and only once. Meet me at the bakers shop, tomorrow at sunup. You know the one I'm talking about. The same one you got that wonderful little apple tart from this morning." After he finished talking, he started making his way off towards the city. As he reached the edge of my camp he looked back, "Remember Girl, tomorrow at sunup" and with that he left.
Thoughts of what the strange man had said to me, ran through my head the rest of the day. Stranger dreams plagued me whilst I slept, if you can even call it sleeping. I was laying wide awake well before sunup. So I decided to get up and go to the bakers shop. I figured I wouldn't be in any real danger. There would be enough people around getting shops open and setting out the days wares, for any real crime to go unnoticed. Being this early in the day there was hardly anyone in the streets, which made getting to the bakers shop fast and easy. When I walked up to the still empty tables just in front of the shop, the man was nowhere to be seen. It was still before sunup, so I just figured I was early. The hours rolled by and the sun was well past the horizon before I gave up. Just to make my time worth the wait. I grabbed some food from one of the market stands, to break my fast. It was nothing fancy, just some dried salt beef. As usual I ate on my walk back to camp. When I got back home, I half expected to see that man laying in my bed again, but nothing changed from the time I left. The rest of that day went on as usual, but that night I found myself unable to sleep again. Why hadn't the man showed up? And he said, "I'd been on his radar for awhile" how long is awhile? Another sleepless night passes on, and the sun is set to rise in about an hour.
I'm up and on my way to the market, before I really even know what I'm doing. The stands look much the same as yesterday morning. Mostly bare, expect for the few items shop keepers had already put out for the day. I walk up to the bakers shop, but the tables out front are still empty. Then I realized, yesterday I just stayed outside the shop. I didn't even bother to go inside. I opened the door to the small shop. The front store was noticeably warm and smelled of fresh baking bread. For a brief moment I was 6 years old again, watching father knead the dough for the travel bread we took hunting. But the man behind the counter was not my father, nor was it the green eyed stranger from the other day. "Hullo little lady," the big man chortled, "what can I do yah for?" He seemed an honest person with a big heart. He had dark grey hair with flecks of white throughout. Making a neat horseshoe around his head. His puffy cheeks were lightly covered with flour, as was the bald spot on the top of his head. "Excuse me sir," trying to seem helpless "I was to meet an gentleman here yesterday morning, but he never arrived to my knowledge. He is an elf, of an age with myself. With short dark hair and clever green eyes. I was just wondering if you could help me find him?" The plump man tapped his chin with his flour covered finger. This went on for a long moment, each time his finger made contact, it left a smear of white. "Sorry my dear," he finally went on, "I haven't a clue as to who you are lookin' for. Only elf I know these days is Jesse, but he's only half elf. I'm afraid nothing about that boy is clever tho." Not knowing what else to do, and not having enough coin to purchase anything, I decided to leave.
Upon leaving the shop, I noticed something peculiar. On the roof of the shop across the street I saw a figure. He was dressed in dark colours, and huddled behind the stores sign. Like he was trying not to be noticed. I purposefully marched across the empty street. As I neared the store I called out, "Hey, creep, first you tell me to meet you, then you don't even show up! Now you hide on buildings and creep on me. Get down here right now!" With that the dark stranger took off like an arrow from a bow. "Come back here creep!" I hollered at him, but it did no good, he just kept running. As he reached the end of the building, he leaped to the next. He looked like he was part squirrel. With speed and grace he maneuvered along the rooftops, never so much as breaking pace. I half expected him to run, so I wasn't completely taken off guard.
I started after him only a second later. He had a greater height advantage with me still being on street level. A quick split decision told me I needed to close some distance. Not six paces away was a cart leaned up against the building. Without pause I ran up the deck, onto the carts front wall and pushed myself toward the open window. One hand grabbed the shutter, while the other had hold of the window frame. With the momentum still carrying me upward, I swung my legs up so they were under me. Both feet were firmly planted on the sill, one last jump would put me on the roof. I made it look like child's play. When it fact it was equal parts luck and adrenaline. This cost me a lot of ground. When I finally got onto the roof, it was just in time to see him disappear around a corner. I went into a full sprint to try and make up some time. As I came around the corner, the slightest motion caught my eye. The guy was making his way to the street, never slowing his pace once. He couldn't escape me that easy, I kept on the roof, and followed his movements as best I could. Eventually he turned down a side street, slowing his pace significantly. He must have though he finally lost his tail. I too slowed my pace, and held a bit back. I got to the ally the man turned down and noticed it was a dead end. I smiled knowing he couldn't get away. I quickly made my way down a drainpipe back to cobbled street. The man had nearly gone to the other end of the street, right beside the wall that blocked his exit. "You thought you could get away that easy?" I said with only a slight catch in my breathing. I was walking towards him, while he was just sitting on the ground. When I was halfway down the street, he started to get up to his feet. When he was at full height, I noticed he was significantly shorter than the other man. That wasn't the only thing that proved it wasn't him. This man had eyes the colour of lilacs, and not the pale green I had seen before. "I hoped you'd follow." the slyness in his voice made me sweat. "Answer my questions and things," a knife appeared in each of his hands, "won't have to get messy."
My reflexes kicked in and my hand instantly went to the sheath at my hip. But the knife that I always carried was nowhere to be found. In my rush out of camp this morning I mustn't have taken it with me. "No," I stammered, "this is all just one big misunderstanding!" I was backing away, with my hands out in front. It was the only form of defence I had. Then as if in slow motion a dark figure fell from the sky, landing just behind the attacker. The figure moved with such grace, kicking the back of one of the attackers legs. At the same time grabbing a handful of the mans hair, wrenching his head back. In one smooth motion, the dark man opened the attackers throat, from ear to ear. Letting the lifeless man slump to the ground, in an unkindly manner. He leaned down beside the man, wiped off his dagger on the mans shirt. He then cut the coin purse off he mans belt and tied it to his own. It was then that I noticed the pale green of his eyes. "You, you, you," I stammered, "it's you!" The man looked at me, "Yes, yes it's me, but all that can wait. Getting the fuck outta here cannot tho." He grabbed for my hand, I pulled it away just as fast. "Fucking hell Girl, we have to go," his tone was deathly serious, "if you think he was a bad man, more bad men are coming. Worse men, with nastier knives that this little thing." He tossed one of the dead mans weapons to me. I sheathed it on my hip, but it felt a bit loose, the snap was the only thing that kept it from falling out. "Ok, we can go hide at my camp." He shook his head, "Your camp is compromised. You can never go back there, they will be watching it. If you trust me, just follow wherever I go. I will bring you to safety." Without waiting for a response, he took off running towards the open street. I don't know why I followed him that morning. When every part of me screamed to run the other way.
The first few days, he would go out at first light, and come back before dark. I just stayed in our shabby one bed room. It was the cheapest room, in a decent inn. It was called the 'Rotten Roosters'. I was still hesitant to go outside, the events of the week still weighing heavily on my mind. When he would get back we would talk, but he never really shared much. Three weeks later his crusty shell started to crack. Fade told me it was the Thieves Guild that had sent the man in the ally. He also told me that he was an ex member of the Guild. The only issue with that being, Guild members are for life. If you ever desire to leave the Guild, one of two things happened. The first was you never stole anything ever again. To ensure that never happened, they would cut off both your hands. The second choice was to pay them an astronomical fee each week, plus a commission on anything you stole. When Fade left he chose the third option. Late one evening he just left, slaying the two guards on his way out. After that Fade tried to never stay in one place very long. He figured he would make more money if he went mercenary. Hired by a third party to steal anything that needed to be stole. Sometimes it would be documents or jewels. Other times it was a relic or other personal items. After hearing his story and getting to know the real him, our bond grew. It was just before we would go to sleep at night, that we would talk. Me on the bed, with Fade sleeping with his back to the door. A loaded crossbow in one hand, pointed at the window. It was months before he took me on a job. But after watching all the work he did before, to ensure complete success. It was exciting to be asked to go along. I never actually took anything, it was more about watching Fade work.
One afternoon, I was sitting on my bed, practising picking the most difficult lock we had. Without hearing anything, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. It was Fade, " Zaya," he said in his usual tone, "we have a meeting in one hour. If you are not ready to leave by then, I will go without you." Excitement started to grow inside me. Fade had never asked me to come along to a meeting before. This contractor was a high profile crime boss. Leader of the infamous Fille Kansa Crime Family, named Onk. A ogre from half the world away, with the most unfriendly reputation. Fade tole me when Onk was still a young up and comer, people had taken to calling him "Onk the Ogre". That was until he found out. Anyone caught speaking of it, shared the same fate as the people who originated the term. He slow roasted each of them over a open fire, eating the meat while making the next person watch. Fade informed me of this on the walk over.
It was a seedy tavern on the edge of the slums. Before we are allowed to see Onk, we are asked to removed our weapons. After a quick pat down, we are ushered to the back of the bar. The large ogre sat in the corer booth, beside him on each side sat a scantly clad women. Both ladies were Drow, with skin as black as night and hair an unnatural white. There unusually red eyes matched there full red lips. Fade talked logistics with Onk for the better part of a hour. In that time I just listened, not once speaking a word. We were hired to steal a diamond, but it wasn't just any gem, it was known as the Kingmaker. It was rumoured to be the size of a full grapefruit. Onk claimed he won it in a high-stake game of dice. But when payment was to be made, the man fled with the diamond. Onk caught wind from his contacts that the coward was in Yorish. So he and his armed guard got on the fastest ship money could buy, and made there way to the city. Fades reputation to get things done got the ogres attention. That and he undercut the Guilds fee by over half. Dealing with the amount of money that was changing hands, it worked out to be a significant amount. When all was said and done, Fade had promised to return in three days, Kingmaker in hand. We had to cram a weeks worth of preparation into two day. At least we knew where he was staying. It was a small apartment just above a Dwarven Pub, called the Taper & Quench. It was on the other side of the city.
It was a busy two days before the heist, but it seemed like everything went smoothly. The sun was just dipping below the horizon when we set out. Fade was wearing his usual motley of dark colours. While I was wearing my dark green cloak over my brown leather armour. When we arrived, we climbed to the top of the building across the street. To get a better view of the apartment. It was dark as pitch by this time and the Taper & Quench was starting to fill up. Once it was all clear on the street, Fade loaded his crossbow. The bolt was attached to a long rope. He aimed at the wall beside the apartment window, and fired. The bolt sunk deep into the wood of the wall. The other end of the rope was tied to a brace which I fastened to the roof with the hammer and nails I had brought. He looked back to me while he drew the bandana over his mouth and nose. "You ready?" He whispered, I nodded in agreement. He then attached his zip to the rope and leapt off the building. It didn't take long before he reached the other side of the street. It gave me just enough time to attach my own zip. As soon a his feet were planted firmly on the roof, I was on my way to join him. By the time I got across, Fade had already unlocked the apartment window and was half way inside. I unhooked myself from the zip, pulled my hood down to cover my face, and entered behind him.
It was a small, sparely furnished room. With only a single bed, a desk, a chest and a bookshelf. It didn't take Fade the time of me entering the window, and he already had the chest unlocked. It's contents were scattered across the floor, before I reached the desk. The desk was redwood, and elegantly crafted. Each drawer was locked, and needed a key to open. As I rummaged for my lock picks, Fade casually walked over, leaving the mess on the floor. "Don't bother with picks, the nitwit left the key in the chest. It was right on the bottom. Daft idiot!" Fade unlocked the bottom left cabinet first, but the only thing it contained was a bottle. It was a dark amber liquor, without hesitation Fade put it in his bag. He than proceeded to unlock the right side cabinet. Inside was a antique wooden box, held tight with an unusual looking lock. The sides had marking carved into it. Strange symbols I had never seem before. But it was the top of the box that was most unusual. It had a picture burned into the wood. It looked like an old decaying woman, holding a crown. The gems on the crown were tiny rubies. While the eyes of the lady were obsidian, both looked sharp as a razor. Fade picked up the box and gave it a light shake. With a satisfied smile he said, "Seems to be what we came for." And slipped the box into the bag. I made my way to the window, Fade quickly cross towards the bed. He lifted the back corner of the bed, exposing a fair sized bag of coin. He tossed it nonchalantly into his bag and came to meet me at the window. I went through the window, Fade passed me the bag, and quickly followed. I gave him back the bag once he was back outside. I than started to make my way down off the roof. I dropped over the side, grabbed the sign, it was sturdy. Of course it was, it was made by dwarves. From the sign I dropped to the ground. A practiced tuck and roll and I was back to my feet. Don't ask me how, but Fade was already on the street, bag in his hand, that Cheshire grin on his face.
The grin faded almost immediately. "We have to move now!" It came out in a sharp whisper, almost a hiss. As soon as the words left his lips we were running. We went down the street at a full run. We turned into an ally, than another, and another. Ally after ally, street after street we ran. Suddenly he stopped in a cramped back lane. I slumped to the ground, hoping for time to catch my breath. Fade rummaged through the bag. A few moments later he was holding the strange wooden box. Again he gave it the slightest shake, then held it to his nose. He worked his nose around the box, sniffing as he went. Unsatisfied he started running his fingers over the strange markings, looking to be lost in thought. Mumbling to himself in an barley audible tone, as he paced back and forth. This went on for a few moments, before Fade threw his head back and let out a low chuckle. "What a clever contraption!" His sudden out burst startled me, "Why? What is it?" I stammered. Fade placed two of his fingers on the eyes of the woman. The sharp obsidian eyes pressed into his skin, drawing a small amount of blood. The box let out a low click and the lid popped open. Fade withdrew the diamond from the box, it was the largest gem I have even seen. It was larger than a grapefruit, like the rumours had said. It shined brightly despite being night, a truly flawless gem. Even the moonlight made it a marvel to behold.
Fade walked over to me, "Take this" he said, pushing the Kingmaker into my hand. "I don't have time to explain everything, but I think the lid of that box was poisoned. And it's already taking effect. They are almost upon us" He looked around he ally, then up on the rooftops. "Go now, and you might survive!" I wanted to protest, wanted to tell him I could help. Before I found the words, Fade was turning me around, pushing me away from him. "GO!" It was almost a roar. I ran. When I reached the end of the alley, I looked back towards Fade. It was just in time to see multiple dark figures drop from the rooftops. The sound of steel meeting steel rang loudly down the moonlit alley. I wanted to go back and help him, but before I could muster the courage, I noticed two figures still on the roof. They were both running towards me, the glint of a blade in each of there hands. It was a long night of cat and mouse. Each time I thought I had escaped pursuit, they would appear behind me.
The sun was coming up when I made it out of the city and into the woods. The two men came out of the city about the same time as I entered the forest. I went in a good thirty paces, found a big tree and hid behind it. Periodically I would check where the men were. By the time they got to the tree line, I could see them clearly for the first time. They were both dressed similar to Fade. All dark colours, with there faces covered. I recognized them immediately to be members of the Thieves Guild. The bigger of the two walked up to a tree, near the edge. Leaned into the woods and shouted, "Run girl! Run far and run fast. Just remember you can't run forever. The Guild will find you!" After they left I just sat in the same spot. Numb to everything around me. It was a long time before I moved. But when i did, it was only to reach into my game bag to pulled out the diamond. I sat a stared into its eternal beauty, lost deep inside myself for what seemed an eternity.
Once I gathered myself, I hurriedly made my way to the slums. The bar we had the meeting in wasn't a very far walk from where I was, so I got there soon after. I walked into the bar, but unlike the first time, I didn't wait to be escorted to Onk. I walked right over to him. Both Drow women stood up, and lifted their sheathed katanas. Making sure I knew they were there. I put the Kingmaker on the table. He looked from the diamond, to me, "You're late." Than he picked up the gem and brought it to his eye, for inspection. He looked at it briefly before he passed it to one of the large Orcs standing beside his table. The Orc quickly left out the side door. Without looking at me he said, "That will be all." I firmly planted my feet, and place my hands on my hips. In my most commanding voice I said, "Not until I am paid." The ogre looked over at me, the slightest smile touched the corner of his mouth. "The deal was three days. Last time I checked 4 was not 3. You should be thankful, I am letting you walk out of this room." A burning feeling started to rise inside me. "I'm lucky to be alive. Fade was a good man, and he died getting you that stupid diamond. You wouldn't have even got it, if it wasn't for his quick thinking and his extremely courageous last moments. Now your going to nitpick over a few hours. This is unbelievable!" Onk lifted his finger, like he was pointing to the ceiling. Before I had time to react, a katana was pressed firmly on each side of my throat.
The Drow women stood in complete silence, eyes locked squarely on me. Waiting for me to give them a reason to inflict pain. "You want payment?" It was mostly a growl. "You have to earn it. I don't allow my friends to slight me the way you have today. You now have one of two options. If you complete this assignment for me, you will receive your original payment in full, plus a bonus. This is option number one. Option two, Gorath grabs you by that pretty little neck and drags you into that back room." He pointed at the doors at the other end of the pub. "Where he cuts off your ears, and pulls your tongue out with his bare hands." I could feel my heart pounding my chest, like me it wanted to escape. "Alright" is all I say, it comes out as a pathetic croak. The katanas withdraw from my neck leaving fine cuts, which started to bleed as soon as they leave my skin. "I will contact you in the next two days with further details about our contract. That will be all." With that he waved me off like I was a bothersome fly. Not knowing where to go, I walked around the city. I decided to go back to the 'Rotten Roosters' the first safe house Fade had taken me to. I got the same cramped room we stayed in the first time. I don't remember falling asleep, but it was shortly after I got in the room.
On the second day there was a loud knock on the door, I quietly checked the peephole. On the other side of the door was the Orc from the other day. The one named Gorath, he was Onks second in command. I opened the door and asked him if he would like to come in. He shook his head, declining my invitation. He pushed a sealed letter he was carrying into my hand. Without speaking a word, he turned down the hall and strode away. Hs heavy footfalls rang loudly off the walls. I shut the door behind myself, with my back to the door I slid to the floor. The envelope was sealed with dark red wax, the colour of congealed blood. The image of a severed head was imprinted into the hardened wax. I broke the seal and pulled out the letter. It told me I was to go to the city Naifron, a three day ride to north. Once there I was to locate and gather as much information as I can on two individuals. One, a Drow Princess named Valsharies. Daughter of ##### heir to #######. The other is a living crystal, name unknown. It is six to eight feet tall, and green in colour. They were last seen travelling with a halfling and a adult human. They are known to be well armed, and dangerous. The letter ended with, 'See you soon' signed Onk Fille Kansa. The same severed head marked the bottom of the page. I will leave for Naifron tomorrow, at first light.
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