"Wait a second!"
"What do you mean...Iksana?"
The dwarf regards me, his face betraying his puzzled and amused expression.
"Ye' don't know?" He asks, amusement growing by the second.
My hands reach for the bridge of my nose, I rub at it, to soothe my frustration.
"Would I be asking if I did?"
His eyes twinkles,
"I figure ye' wouldn't?" He remarks, half stating half asking, unsure with himself.
" Y'ere can never know with ye' types, " he continues, letting a scoff of disbelief.
"Now lets talk business!" He presses.
"No! Not until you tell me everything about my race!" I assert, not budging the slightest.
Heck! I would be stupid to let a chance of uncovering my roots slip up.
It was the first time I'd ever heard the name Iksana.
That should tell you how hard it was to stumble into such great info.
Information I've been desperately seeking.
"There isn't much to say," he sighs.
"I was but a fledgling when I met the first member of your race."
He looks up, regarding my focused attention.
"I've never seen one again," he pauses, scanning my figure,
"Not until now."
"Well?" I look down, expectantly, for the catch.
"What do ye' mean 'well'... I've told ye' all I know" he snaps, air quoting and apparently irritated
"Free of charge at that."
He mutters the last part under his breath, his teeth clenched.
"Satisfied?" He matter of factly questions.
"Of course not!"
"I'm the wrong guy to ask such questions." He snorts,
"Ye' kin pretty much keep to themselves-" He comments, shaking his head,
"Everything known about ye' bunch is through rumour mostly...hardly reliable."
A weary breath slips from me, frustrated.
And here I thought I had found a source of substantial info!
I'll have to look into the matter- personally.
"Tell me about this deal you were hollering about." I grind out, my voice flat yet still betraying a hint of interest.
"Well," the dwarf shrugs, playing it off as if insignificant
"Call it a repossession mission." He starts
"The're 'e bunch of weapons I need reclaimed."
"I'm listening."
He proceeds to narrate how a duo of humans took his weapons, without paying!
All his reports to the garrison goes unanswered.
It had been months now since the incident, and quite frankly, he was getting frustrated.
Until I showed, that is.
"Just reposession, got it." I respond
"Could you..erhm...silence them for good?"
My eyes widen, taken aback with the insinuation.
"That is bound to kick up some fuss," I say, thoughtful, "Not to mention, not worth the trouble."
"Ye" know how priceless those daggers are?" He quips, not pleased with my response.
"I can decide they are not for sale!" He sneers,
My eyes flare, rising with displeasure,
"They are for sale of course, " he quickly cuts in.
"Okay, let me see what I can do."
I say picking up the daggers,
"What ye' think you're doing?!"
Puzzled, I look back...
"Wouldn't I need better weapons if I am to succeed? Reclaiming your weapons?"
"Nice try kid! I haven't even told you who 'ere looking for!"
He complains
"Ye want to rob me blind?"
I would do no such thing, I have principles!
Now, I realise how it must have looked.
Relenting, I hand him back the daggers, almost reluctant to part with them.
"Here's who ye're looking for-"
He proceeds to give a vivid description of who my supposed targets are.
It would be a miracle to miss them, with how detailed he was.
We shake hands, sealing the deal.
I come to know of his name, Shardu.
"I'll make sheaths for these." He says
"Just make sure to bring my weapons!"
I give a nod of affirmation, heading out.
I know you are questioning my decisions right now.
Why would I subject myself to such risk?
For one, for the beauties back there!
Also, I wouldn't be around long enough for the shit to reach me.
But thinking of it now, the little shits might go squeal to the authorities the moment I let them go.
And I couldn't kill them either, too much of a hassle.
Furthermore, I need to keep a favourable acquaintance with Shardu- he's the kind of guy worth keeping around.
A sigh escapes, exasperated.
I guess I'll have to scare the living daylights out of them.
To avoid the squeals and also them bothering Shardu in the future.
Before all this, I need to find them first.
Time for good 'ol skulking, and stalking of course- the good kind. Don't get it twisted!
Just after I've taken my dinner, I can't fight on an empty stomach after all
~Stomach grumbles~
Speak of the devil!
~~
Within elegant Tulip tavern, Rain sits, eagerly eyeing an assortment of mouth watering dishes before him.
Everything in his core screamed at him, to tear everything in front of him apart.
Use the fastest means possible to get them in his mouth.
He fights so hard to reign in the ravenous beast within- bearing in mind the location, a semblance of decorum has to be maintained.
Lest he be 'escorted' out of the pristine establishment.
This was a place of refined tastes, no untoward behaviour would be tolerated- not if he wants to keep frequenting this fine joint.
With subtle glances, he looks around- emulating his neighbouring tables.
He gently picks up his fork, piercing the steak before him and skillfully runs the table knife- cutting off a piece.
A slow, and refined motion later, the piece lands into his maw.
He chews, a moan of pleasure escaping before he could reign it in.
He proceeds to the next dish, then another until the table clears- the staff really went far and beyond catering for such a meal.
No wonder it was so expensive!
Rain gently pats his full belly- a man of refined tastes, content with the meals.
Renting a room here was the best decision he'd made- though it bit hard into his meagre wealth.
With that out of the way, he slips out- the mission awaits.
Someone's about to have a very bad evening.
(smirks)