The Ghost

The rain always seems to chill the bones in the worst ways.

Walking the muddy streets in the snow is never a good idea to do when drunk. But who will stop me? I find an alley way, trying to find some form of shelter to not sleep in the rain.

I walk a few steps and clumsily trip falling face first into a small bank of snow. Exhaling frustratingly I rise to see my reflection in a cracked window to my left.

My black hair is tied in a messy bun but several strands have gone loose and fall to the sides. My patchy facial hair has grown and makes me look older. My eyes have dark shadows underneath and my skin is dirty with grim and mud. I look down to my kimono which is even filthier and a few holes have formed.

While looking down I glance at my empty sheath and the pain fills my gut again and I quickly look away.

"My oh my have the honorable fallen so hard."

My instincts kick in and I stand in a defensive stance towards the end of the alleyway peering into the darkness.

The rain around me suddenly stops and the cold breeze turns warm and refreshing. The snow before me dries away and the cobblestone streets are revealed underneath. A very well dressed elven man walks out. Wearing sleek black pants with a dark blue long sleeve button up covered by a stylized gold embroidered vest. No tie but a silver pocket chain can be seen in his right breast. His hair is long and black and perfect in the light. He walks with power and pride. He shows no hesitation and stands tall at 6'1. His complexion is smooth and more white than average. He has a pointed chin and slightly pointed nose which holds a set of red circular glasses. His eyes strike at you the most. A deep silver with a twinkle of starlight swirling around slowly, they have seen many years and hold even more secrets.

He stops several feet in front of me and looks me up and down slowly, taking in every detail of me. I feel like I am a pet on display and am about to speak when he holds up his hand to stop me.

"You may have questions that I will not answer." He waves his hand and magically a set of silver chairs and a small tea table appears before us. He sits in front of me and motions for me to sit down.

I hesitate but sit and watch as he waves his hand again and a silver slender neck wine bottle and two jeweled wine glasses appear next to it. One floats to the elvish man and he fills it slowly with a deep blue liquid. The same cup floats to me and lands on a small tray before me.

"I know you prefer the human made wines but this dragonborn batch was made nearly 300 years ago. I know you will savor every drop." He drinks from his glass and waits.

I look down and swirl the liquid around the glass then take a sip. The flavor is cold and chills the throat but I finish the glass without realizing and set it down slowly, slightly taken aback from myself.

The Elven man smiles and waves his hand to re-fill my glass and proceeds, "My name is Duncan, you have probably heard of me." He waits and watches as I think for only a moment then remember the Nope gang mentioning his name and I nod.

"Good! Then you know I am an individual who needs things done and rewards them handsomely. I need you to retrieve an item for me, specifically a ring. A ring they call the Devil's Flower. This ring has a lotus flower jewel at the top of it which glows dimly in the dark. On the inside of the band are infernal runes giving the wearer resistance to fire."

I say nothing and just wait for him to continue.

"This ring is in the possession of a greedy and grumpy dwarf named Regram Dekinur. He is currently a guest at the Mayor's estate and is hosting a private meeting between other greedy and grumpy dwarves. I need you to infiltrate, retrieve and return." He sits back and waits for me this time.

I contemplate the lack of information he has given and stare at him waiting for what I want to hear.

He stares back at me for a moment then rolls his eyes "Yes I will give you the location of Gido Hymriato if you bring me the Devils Flower."

The mention of his name makes my blood boil and I clench my fist under my kimono. I finish my glass and stand and walk a few paces then stop to look back, "Where do I meet you?"

He chuckles and stands, dispelling the chairs and tables, "Don't worry." As he turns to walk away into the shadows with his words trailing behind him, "I will find you."

I watch him disappear and feel the rain come down, washing away the warm break. I turn to go back to the streets and head straight to Red Candles Sea to make a deal with a Goblin.

*

The rain continues to pour hard but the boiling blood within me keeps me warm. I head straight to the Red Candles Sea, which is located closer to the docks.

Arriving I see the familiar metal sheds slapped together with rods and wooden beams. Junk and blacksmith tools lay scattered around the perimeter. I head straight to the flapped cloth door and walk inside. The warmth of the forge is a welcome touch as I slowly walk over the wares scattered across the floor.

"Back so soon?" Grunk smiles wide, wiping some black smudge from his goblin forehead. He leans against his table waiting for me to hand it over. I reluctantly pull out the coin purse and toss it on the table.

"Glad that debt has been settled." He snickers at me throwing the coin purse behind him on top of the piles of junk. "How can I help you on this cold rainy night?"

I look around the shop to see anything that I could use for this upcoming job. "Give me a few moments." I walk away from the table and start rummaging around. Grunk chuckles again but leaves me while I search and heads to the back where the other goblins do who knows what.

It takes me the better part of 30 minutes before I find all that I need. Grappling hook, rope, caltrops, ball bearings, a few pitons, a small backpack, large black blanket, and a few ingredients for crafting. I bring it all back to the table as Grunk walks out with three wrapped items which he also lays out beside the pile of wares.

Unwrapping them one at a time, he shows me three weapons available. A short sword of goblin design, its hilt rough and the blade chipped in a few spots. A crude mace with a circular jagged head piece and a small leather covered hilt. The final weapon is of two sickles connected by a rusted chain. The blades have some dry blood and the hilts bound in worn brown cloth which hangs a few inches from the bottom.

I look at him, unimpressed, and Grunk glares back saying, "That's all you're gonna get..." I sigh and hand him another coin purse and stuff the tools in the bag and strap the sickles to my back waist and the mace on my side. I nod to Grunk and he grabs the goblin short sword and tosses it on another pile and waves bye as he walks to the back.

*

Walking back into the rain I spot a shadow to my right watching me. I make no notion I am aware of it and head back to the northern side of town and walk the streets once more. The shadow continues to follow me as I turn from one street corner to another.

Turning one corner and ducking into an alley I wait in the shadows for my follower to get closer. The rain covers any sound of footsteps but after a minute of waiting the shadow slowly moves around the corner. I quickly jump out and grab the person throwing them behind me into the alleyway. I draw my sickles as the figure draws a short sword and hand crossbow. I recognize her and relax my stance as they do the same.

"Shirya, why are you following me? I thought you were with the Nope gang."

The woman stands and sheathes her weapon tilting her hood back to show her features. Her olive tan skin stands out from her black hair which has a white streak across the front. She walks closer to me and leans against the wall. She wears her black leather rogues attire with belts and pouches to hold small wares. More lean than muscular she stares at me with her deep steel eyes watching me carefully and with a little sympathy.

I walk past her and find a bench to sit on and lean my head back to allow the rain to wash over my face, calming me slowly.

"I was with them but they were heading South East to Orr Stag and my business here is not done. Grabbing some late night supplies?" motioning to my backpack.

I lean my head down and wipe my face, staring back at her, "Why is it a concern of yours what I do with my time or money?"

She looks slightly shocked by the response and I realize my attitude came off too strong. "I am sorry. It has been a hard few weeks and a lot has changed."

She looks down to me and walks over sitting beside me on the bench, this time looking up and letting the rain fall on her face. I take a quick moment to look at her and in this moonlight with the rain she looks very...attractive.

"Stop staring," she looks down to me and chuckles, "You aren't my type."

Half smiling and looking back to my bag, "I accepted a contract and I may need your help."

She looks past my shoulders seeing the items I bought and looks me dead in the eyes. "Snatch and grab?"

I look at her back and nod. Her eyebrows raise and she stands up and paces a few feet away. "Duncan..."

I look up and now her arms are crossed and staring at me again with that strong contempt. I nod again slowly, half ashamed.

She slaps her hands to her sides and shakes her head, "You know dealings with him do not end up the way you want. He is a very dangerous, powerful, manipulative and intelligent elf. He is not to be trusted and whatever he has asked you will always have drawbacks in the end."

"I know... but he has information I need. Information that is vital and more than I will ever have.."

She stops pacing and crouches in front of me. "Are you sure about this.. I have a strong feeling I know what he has asked you to do and it is going to be extremely dangerous."

I raise my head and brush some hair out of my face. I look back to her and stand up answering her question. She sighs and stands up and walks a few deeper into the alley, "Then we need more help." She walks over to the right wall and knocks a few times. A moment passes and the wall shifts forward and a hidden door unlocks and she enters leaving it open for me.

I walk forward but stop and look behind me. The Mayors estates lanterns and lights inside can be seen past the rain fall. Black silhouettes stationed along the fence line and my destiny to Gido lies within. I walk out of the rain, closing the door behind me, and stand beside Shirya who is already folding our blueprints of the mansion.

One step closer to you.... old friend.