| ** Disclaimer- I do not own the rights to any characters (except Shalandri), the game itself, or anything besides Shalandri mentioned, for the matter. Meetings by Enigma The Copper Coronet was unusually crowded tonight, packed to the beams with more creatures than the regular rats, whores and drunkards. Several shady figures lurked in the corners, watching the customers pass with little interest, either waiting for their ale or their comrades to arrive. The inn's bartender scowled at any who dared spare him a glance, and the bouncers were more than earning their pay, tossing out more red-cheeked loud-mouthed patrons than they had in a month's time. But such was to be expected during the summer season, and with the visiting circus and the fresh rumors of a guild war brewing amongst the Shadow Thieves. (Which, if you asked the average citizen, would say that it was not unexpected, coming from those slick-fingered ruffians…) They all seemed to favor the Coronet, but that was most likely due to the fact that it had rooted its self deep into the slums of the city Athkatla, whose size was nothing to be sneezed at. It was, after all, the capital of Amn. Regardless, it was still an eyesore compared to the city's several other inns, even if the fare was cheaper than anything they offered. It made Anomen wonder why he was there in the first place. He had turned down that flustered noble girl's request for help, (for lack of numbers she needed to assist her, poor thing)… but he was seriously reconsidering, due to immense boredom and the fact that his armor was chafing dreadfully at the sides. Anomen shifted his weight to his other foot and sighed. Aside from the girl and a grumpy dwarf on the far side of the room (whom he had taken an immediate disliking to), there were no others of the adventurer's ilk present. He needed every chance he could get to prove himself to the Order, but so far his luck had run rather shallow. How was he to prove himself worthy of knighthood standing about like this? He had expected to find courageous swordsmen and daring mercenaries lining up in need of an extra hand…not gamblers and prostitutes. He hooked his mace and started towards the door, fully intending to head back to The Radiant Heart building and getting a good night's rest. But before he reached it, it swung open with a mighty CLANG, causing everyone in the inn to look up from what they were doing. A massive hulk of a man stood in the doorway, bald, tattooed, and nearly two heads taller than Anomen was. He carried a two handed sword with ease as well as a large quiver slung over his back- a formidable man if Anomen had ever seen one. The giant wasn't smiling, he looked rather worn and tired, but he courteously stepped into the Coronet, and held the door open for his companions, which had been completely hidden from Anomen's view because of his massive size. Anomen counted three more people that entered after the giant; a scowling half-elf woman with a quarterstaff, a tan skinned man (was he Kara-Turan?) with a roguish look about him, and a petite blonde elf girl that nearly disappeared under her orange sorceress's robes. They were all equally battered and weary from a recently fought battle, or so it appeared to him. What timing! They're exactly the sort I've been searching for! Perhaps they'd allow me to travel with them. The motley group had stopped by the door, and it looked to Anomen that they were waiting for someone. He heard a shuffling sound accompanied by a choice number of colourful words (a wounded party member, perhaps?), and the half elf reached out her arm to assist a woman- and time seemed to stop as she appeared in the door. She was…was… Finer than any Calimshite silk my father ever dealt in…he observed. She was pure elf, as short as the sorceress, but she bore armor and a sword with pride and the air of experience. This was no flimsy noble girl. The blue-gray splint mail was a shade darker than her eyes, whose deep color rivaled that of the very Sea of Swords. Or perhaps star sapphires… Her hair was a deep brown and flowed in waves down her back, and it rippled as she sat down at a nearby table. Even though limping, Anomen could see that she moved with a liquid grace, much like a cat. She sat like one too, appearing relaxed and indifferent, but was really alert- and would probably be quite dangerous if provoked. She leaned forward and rested her head in her hands, and he could just barely see the curves of her chest under her armor… Ordinary, yet she is a rose among weeds, even for an elf. All of a sudden she looked up, right at him, and quizzically arched an eyebrow, almost like she knew he was… Anomen felt the heat rising to his cheeks and looked for somewhere, anywhere, to avert his gaze to. She caught you staring, you ignorant fool! Now what are you going to do? She'll never let a gawker like you travel with her! You're worse than…wait - she's coming this way! By the gods, try not to look stupid! She shuffled gingerly past him putting her weight on her good foot, heading in the direction of the bar, completely ignoring Anomen, to his relief. Maybe she hadn't noticed his stare after all- "OH!" Suddenly, the elf girl caught her bad foot on a crack in the floor boards, and tumbled forward. Anomen reacted swiftly and grabbed her arm, which kept her from falling. Letting off a few more curses, she stood up again, but his hand, acting on its own accord, refused to let go immediately. Still in his grasp, the lady turned to face him and did not try to release her arm, but stared at Anomen, directly into his eyes. He was taken aback by the force of her gaze, it seemed like the steel-blue pools he longed to lose himself in were probing his thoughts, striping his soul to the core inch by inch, judging him by what they saw there. His knees felt like buckling and his spine shivered, never had he experienced such an eerie feeling! He stepped back and regained his composure, finally removing his hand, and she broke her stare, which made the odd sensation subside. What in the blazes would give someone a stare like that? Never mind, this is your chance! Say something! "Fair lady, what brings you to…" * * * "…This cesspool of corruption? He was noble born, this much Shalandri knew about him. When her party had arrived, his new (and obviously expensive) armor was the first thing she had noticed about him- it made him stick out from the locals like a bruise. She thought him a bit handsome, and was ready to smack him upside the head for gawking at her, just like all the other men in this city, but she then realized that his stare, although, annoying, was unintentional…or so she hoped for his sake. She had a rather nasty back-hander. Shalandri wanted to talk to him, to ask him about Athkatla. He could know something about the Cowled Wizards…or where they keep their captives. He could help her…if he was trustworthy. After much thinking (and staring- she was highly amused by the fact that her stare made him so uncomfortable) she was ready to ask for his aid… but he had shocked her by being the first to speak! She carefully considered her reaction. "I merely wish to rest here a while, and partake of the pleasures within." He considered her for a moment longer. "I shall let that pass. Tell me true, be you a force of good or evil?" She pressed her lips together in an effort to fight the laughter that was building inside her. Yes, he was definitely noble born - one could not mistake that kind of accent. "I am a force of righteousness" He smiled at her and relaxed his shoulders, he had been standing very rigidly, and proudly continued, "Perchance I have found worthy companions then! I seek to be knighted in the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart, and I must prove my worth, first. Have you need of a strong arm, my lady?" The Order? She had never heard of it, but assumed that it must be something like the Flaming Fist of Baldur's Gate. But that really didn't matter. She was glad that he had offered his aid. Shalandri disliked asking people for help, it made her feel almost…weak. Not that she was proud, it was just that the feeling made her think of Gorion's death, when she had watched - unable to do anything. She never wanted to feel that way again, but with Imoen missing, she felt weak all over again, much like one would feel if their sword arm had been cut off. She did need help immensely, but that didn't make the asking any easier. And as for his help… She drew her sword carefully and gave him a typical mercenaries' salute. Sheathing the blade again, she told him, "I would be infinitely pleased to have you join me, but first I must in all honour tell you that I intend to rescue a dear friend being held hostage by the Cowled Wizards, and there may be significant risk." Shalandri sent a quick prayer to the gods that he wouldn't back out. No one she and her companions had talked to so far had relished the idea of crossing the Wizards. "Truly? It sounds like a worthy cause to pursue." WHAT? He's either to dense to know what were up against, or he's a lunatic...but if this lunatic is willing to help, then so be it. "Then I'm infinitely pleased to have you join me…uh…" "Anomen, fair lady, my name is Anomen," He said, bowing slightly at the waist, "and whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?" "Shalandri, of Candlekeep. I'm honored to have you join me, Anomen. Follow me, and I'll introduce you to my friends, we'll be staying here for the night." "Excellent! Adventure and honour await us both! Although by excellent, I certainly wasn't referring to the accommodations here, milady. I don't suppose we could find somewhere more, ah…tasteful?" Shalandri couldn't help but laugh at his disgusted expression. He was definitely highborn. "I'll see what I can do, Anomen, I'll see what I can do." * * * Thoroughly pleased at his accomplishment, Anomen gladly followed Shalandri to the table she had indicated was hers. Adventure and a beautiful swordswoman- perhaps his luck was changing after all. |