The Grey and Black Wars

[EHawkins]

Dahlia, The Good Shepherd

Varo Taras sat in his rich merchant’s bedroom bought at first by years of honest, hard work, but more and more by conniving and backstabbing lately. He sipped his wine and remembered when his days were more simple, when he hadn’t had to resort to such tactics simply to survive.

His half-elf ears twitched slightly at a faint noise, but didn’t bother to turn around.

“I’ve made many enemies.” he said softly to the shadow behind him. “Who sent you? Laras? Old Fen, perhaps?”

“No.” Dahlia said, as she came out of the shadows. “None of those.”

“Will you tell me who placed the contract? Allow me that, at least, before I die.”

Dahlia was thoughtful for a moment. Usually those things were strictly confidential between assassin and client, but the old man was tired. He was tired of the game of cut-throat merchants, and the backstabbing. He wasn’t going to fight her…

“It was your son, Corin Taras.” Dahlia said.

“Of course.” Varo murmured. “Of course…”

It made sense to him now: Varo had insisted that Corin was not ready to take over the business. In fact, the boy had no real business sense at all, despite his best effort to guide him.

“Let Corin run it into the ground, then.” Varo chuckled darkly. “Let him inherit all the enemies I’ve made along the way as well.”

For the first time, he looked up at the somber young woman beside him. He gathered he’d be dead by now, but she only stood there, listening intently.

“Well!” Varo snapped suddenly. “Get on with it! Slit my throat or strangle me, woman—whatever it is you’re going to do!”

Dahlia coolly plucked the wine glass from the table.

“Those are far too vulgar.” She said, as she absently ran a leather gloved finger around the rim of the glass. “I have something else in mind… something swift and painless.”

“Can I at least finish my wine?”

“Of course.” Dahlia said softly as she handed him the glass.

There was a thin sheen of something on its rim, but Varo paid it no mind as he finished the last of his wine. His vision started to blur and the wine glass slipped out of his hand. It shattered on the floor and Dahlia caught him when he pitch forward.

“Easy.” She said, as she helped him to his bed and laid him down.

Dahlia made him comfortable, and Varo looked up at her with heavily lidded eyes.

“You play the good shepherd” the old merchant slurred sleepily. “Don’t you? You’re too kind for an assassin, don’t you think?”

“Ssh…” Dahlia said. “It’ll be over soon.”

She gently brushed dark brown hair away from Varo’s brow as his eyes slipped shut. His chest stopped rising, and his face took on the pale pallor of peaceful death. There was no pulse that she could feel in his wrist through her thin gloves.

“May you go softly into the arms of your gods.” Dahlia murmured as she swept Varo’s eyes closed. “May they wrap you in the love and peace you never knew with your son…”

Dahlia rose from Varo’s side and extinguished the lamps as softly as she’d extinguished Varo’s life. She left through the window as quietly as she’d come. The Good Shepherd had returned to Water Deep and she wondered if there were still any temples to Avara around. She needed to leave an offering for the dead…

 

[rengadeirishman]

"no need lass." Tirinath said, sheathing his sword. "I do not like to see men hit women." he said. He walked back to his table, relit his pipe, and returned to his liquor.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Beautiful Selene giggled, it showed how young she really was. "You are right he may be loyal to only me but that is because I was the only one that cared and taught him," she said with a smile. Of course her mind was on the man that was downstairs as well and she was curious if the young wench, placed here a month in advance, for completely different reason, was doing her job.

She leaned in closer...

"No one knew we were coming here... it was a spur of the moment move and I'm sure the only reason Val found us was because of the grapes..." She teased light-heartedly.

 

[Angelus]

Jon gave her a serious look before he burst out laughing. He wanted to tell her that it was not his fault they had been found but he knew that it was. He was the one that had been almost caught by the guards, jumped into the grape cart and given them a trail to follow. It was not an easy trail to follow but it had been a trail. When they got here he finds out that the tavern, their hiding spot is a place for assassins and he walked in here without even realizing it, his luck was bad this day.

"I know. I can't blame anyone else for this but me. I was the one who led them here although I have no intention of going down there to meet them face to face."

He lay his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes, "I am sorry if I offended Val. I know that he is just trying to look out for you and he thinks that I am bad news but what brother wouldn't look out for his sister. I don't think you are related but he sees you as one."

As he sank deeper into the pillow Jon let out a sigh of contentment. It looked as if he could finally relax for a second or two.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Tirinath

Bastard She thought that to herself as she wiped her face, she may have been an innocent serving wench now but she would take care of those guards later. She cleaned up the grapes and figured that it was time to start working it.

She moved to the bartender and whispered to him for a moment before going out on her break now that Marion was off of her break. She could smell the sex in the little backroom so she intead went to sit out front.

"Tove wanted to thank you," the bartender said.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Dahlia, The Good Shepard

The night would be clear and for the good shepard no Temple to Avara would be found nearby. Most of the temples had been rededicated to other Gods or Goddesses due to the fact that Avara was seen as weak. This was a city of live or die and step on every miserable wretch you have to to survive.

This place was not a place for Avara.

With a large house that overlooked the sea, a clean calming breeze filtered in. It was a rare delight for any that lived in the hell hole named Waterdeep. But as the zephyr made it's way through the large city it took on the dingy smell that often had people's noses scrunched up in distaste. What caused the foul smell? Well, a mixture of many things that people knew about... and didn't know about. Death seemed to be the ever present stench.

The slums was the finally resting place for the breeze as it died and it was there that the only temple still dedicated to Avara stood. Many of the poor innocent woman and their children prayed for a better life but it would take a miracle.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Marcus

And as he left there was a pair of young eyes on him. A boy, age unknown old enough to know he wanted a woman, but young enough to have never had one, watched as the man left. The way he held himself while he was there with the crowd told young Caspian that there was more money in that purse than he had ever laid eyes on.

Maybe...

Maybe he would follow this man to see what would happen.... It was worth a shot afterall... It couldn't hurt right?

 

[rengadeirishman]

Tirinath nodded then a thought came to mind. he rose from the table and signaled the bartender to save it for him. he took his pipe and bottle of brandy and went out front. "You should stand up for yourself, young one. It will bring you no end of trouble if you dont." he said to the human girl.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Tirinath

She jumped when he spoke. Damn elves they always knew how to sneak up on you. She looked back at him and stared. "I know... but it's hard to stand up for yourself when you're so small..." She said as she got up and walked over to him she showed him the slight bruise on her face.

"What's to stop that from happening again?" She asked frustratedly. "Or worse? We're not all strong... we can't all stand up for ourselves..." She said trying not to cry.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Jon and Selene

She smiled as he sighed like that and she was quick to run her slender fingers through his hair. Selene didn't know what he had taken or how her employer had known it was going to happen or where to find Jon once it had but she was silently glad that she had indeed found him before he had been made into a brilliant and handsome corpse.

"Sleep now Jon... The morning will bring a new day," she promised hopefully...

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Learn to fight. to kill if need be." Tirinath said, inspecting the bruise. he reached to the bandolier on his chest and found the what he wanted. He unhooked a large curved dagger in its sheath and handed it to the girl. he placed it one hand and put her other hand over it. "use it, aim for the heart or throat to make sure you get your kill." He then turned and reentered the bar.

 

[Angelus]

As he slept Jon kept dreaming about the day before, about all that had happened. The one thing he could not get past though was how the guards had been there as soon as he had left the building. It was almost as if they had known that he was going to be there. But if they had been told beforehand who had told them and why?

He knew that he wouldn't find the answers quickly but some part of him knew that all he had to do was reach out and find them just there.

He opened his eyes slowly, wanting nothing more than to stay in this bed with Selene but he remembered where he was and why he could not stay here much longer. As slowly and quietly as he could he slid out of the bed and went to where his clothing lay, putting them then the belt that held his daggers on. He threw his cloak over himself and looked at Selene who was still asleep in the bed.

He knew that he should stay but he had already gotten her into trouble and didn't want to get her into any more. He moved slowly to the window, wishing that he didn't have to do this but if the assassins went after him then she would be safe. At least he hoped that would be the case. He looked out the window again, judging the distance from the small ledge just below him to the top of the building across from him. He knew that with everything he was carrying he would just make it.

Jon then turned to look at Selene and wondered what in the nine hells he was doing. She had saved his life just for him to disappear into the night and more than likely put her in danger just to save himself. He knew that if she was killed because of him he would most likely make an enemy for himself in Val who would hunt him down. Jon shook his head and walked away from the window to the nearest chair. As soon as he sat down on it he pulled out one of his daggers, twirled it around from one hand to the other. He looked at Selene, sadness on his face.

"I know this is my fault. I have put you in danger and I am sorry," he said to the sleeping form of Selene, "but I will try and fix it for us."

He got up and took a deep breath then walked towards the door.

 

[Khadgar]

Markus headed down to the waterfront once again, but not to the docks where the assination had taken place, rather he walked down to a secluded area, a small wood that led to a rocky beach. leaning against one of the trees he listened to the sound of the water lapping up against the shores and watched the stars appear. it was night and one by one the twinkling in the sky lit up with the chadeleir of the night sky. Marcus enjoyed relaxing down here, just listening to the night, and he needed to unwind a little before heading back to home and sleep the night away.

 

[Kirano_kun]

K'ahl Silvaris

K'ahl walked briskly into the dimly lit tavern, barely halting as he kicked the door open. Not something he did because he was particularly angry with the door, rather he just didn't want to touch it. He took a moment to size up the place and immediately decided that he did not like it. He slowly pulled away his scarf as he made his way to the counter.

"I'm looking for someone." K'ahl spoke in a harsh undertone to the barkeeper, making abundantly present his quarrel with the establishment. "An elf by the name of Tirinath."

"I've a lot of customers, outsider. Refresh my memory."

K'ahl sighed to himself and muttered a curse as he produced a leather pouch from his belt from which he drew a single gold coin. "Tirinath." he repeated as he snapped the coin down on the table. "I hate humans..."

The bartender pointed to an empty table and just as K'ahl was about to protest, in walks his elf from the back door. "There's a face I haven't seen in awhile." he said as he headed toward the rickety oak table where his old friend now sat, a slight smile appearing on his uncovered face. "Room for two?" he asked with a grin.

OOC: does Tirinath have a last name? or perhaps Tirinath is the last name. It is customary for my character to refer to people by family titles as opposed to individual ones so this information would be apreciated. Thanks.

 

[EHawkins]

Dahlia, The Good Shepherd

The moon hung high in the clear sky, frosty and unblinking as Dahlia wrapped her dark blue, almost black, cloak around her. Indeed, the zephyr brought the stench of death as she ventured deeper into the slums. It was the stench of something that should have died long ago, but still clawed at some semblance of life. Water Deep had changed much since the Shepherds had been shunned by their brothers and sisters of the Assassin’s Guild.

How low Avara has fallen in this wretched city… Dahlia thought as she quietly entered into the ill kept temple.

Smokey oil lamps sputtered and cast long shadows of women and children who huddled together as they prayed. Dahlia walked amongst the ragged poor and settled in amongst them. A few curious eyes darted up to look at her and then away, as she started her own prayers to Avara, He Who was Merciful, He Who Was the Opener of the Way…

“Though men are naught but shadows and dust” Dahlia murmured, “let your peace be upon us, Avara. Let us know mercy and let the dead rest in your merciful hands.”

She offered up a little wine that she’d bought along the ways, similar to what Varro had been drinking when she had poisoned him. Dahlia bowed low to the worn visage of Avara and allowed a moment of silence for the life she’d taken this evening.

Though I am an anathema to life, may your merciful hand always guide my blade, and my poisons be swift…

After a moment, Dahlia looked up to the image of Avara, and wondered why she even bothered to come back to this city at all. The only reason she’d gotten a contract at all was because the Guild Steward knew and respected her. He’d slipped it to her on the sly…

You know why. She told herself. You came back for him, for Talon…

The thief had weighed heavily on her mind since she had left. She swore that she wouldn’t come back here, not even for him, but she regretted not saying goodbye after the schism between the Shepherds and the rest of the Assassin’s guild. She couldn’t stay away…

Dahlia shook her head. Like the rest of Water Deep, he’d probably changed, and he was probably bitter. She went to get up when she felt a small tug on her cloak.

“Shadows and dust, Lady?” a small, grubby child said as she looked up to Dahlia.

The assassin gently stroked the child’s hair, took a silver piece from her purse, beneath her cloak, and pressed it into the small, dirty hand.

“Shadows and dust.” Dahlia said softly. “That’s all we are in the end of all things, which is why we must show compassion for others in all we do.”

She gently closed the child’s hand over the silver and quietly left Avara’s temple. She had to find a place to stay for the night.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Marcus

Caspian was not so old that he wouldn't resort to snatch and run because honestly... that man would probably kill him if he tried anything else... had there been a busy street this would have been so much easier but it wasn't crowded and it was going to be difficult.

The young lad ran at full speed, his hand reaching out to steal that fat purse. His fingers had it and he was off. And then suddenly stopped as the purse was attached to something... or someone.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Jon and Selene

Selene had run her fingers through his hair to help him sleep but she herself was having a hard time sleeping. There was so much more to this than she knew and there was the thought of leaving him here but she didn't want to and had her own strange feeling that she should stay and watch his back for more than just the offered purse.

She was exhausted, maybe that was why she didn't get up when he was going to sneak out... maybe that was why when he spoke she didn't answer... and maybe... just maybe that was why when he left the room she didn't follow him.

She let out a very soft sigh as she dozed back into sleep... if he got into too much trouble she should be able to hear him.

 

[rengadeirishman]

OOC:Tirinath Ta'aladrin.

Tirinath looked up and saw the familiar face. "K'ahl? is it really you? its been years." he said

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Dahlia, The Good Shepard

“Shadows and dust, Lady?” a small, grubby child said as she looked up to Dahlia.

The assassin gently stroked the child’s hair, took a silver piece from her purse, beneath her cloak, and pressed it into the small, dirty hand.

“Shadows and dust.” Dahlia said softly. “That’s all we are in the end of all things, which is why we must show compassion for others in all we do.”

She gently closed the child’s hand over the silver and quietly left Avara’s temple. She had to find a place to stay for the night.

Talon had never been a man to be bitter, he was a live and let live kind of a guy. He was a theif and figured that things happened for a reason. But that was not the case with Dahlia.

"Good to know you haven't joined the shadows and dust...." He said as he looked at her from the door. Sadly enough he was one of the few protectors of these people in the temple. They had no where else to go and they needed someone to care for them... It was easy to see that most of them were orphaned children.

They would grow up to be theives if he was around long enough to see to it.

What was once a carefree young man had been replaced by a hardened older man. Not that he was old, thirty years was a long time, in his mind, to have walked the earth. The human man let his hair fall half in his face as his scruffy unshaven face stared at the beauty before him. He was still in shape and while he was a darker tan, either from the dirt or the sun, he was still in great shape... a beautiful body in top condition.

"What brings you back, shepard?" He asked.

 

[Khadgar]

Marcus Ambesticot

Markus had fallen asleep, the lapping of the waves against shore lulling him into slumber unexpectedly. he had been dreaming of a night only weeks ago, bent over a table, warming a cup of ale with his hands. He had been approached by a mysterious figure, but before the dream got that far he suddenly woke.

he didn't wake to the sound of padding feet approching him, or to those same feet breaking into a run. He didn't wake when a hand brushed his clothing either, no he woke when he suddenly was jerked foreward from the tree and face foreward into the rough sand.

"argh, what was that?!" Markus pulled his face from the sand and looked up, seeing a boy who had his feet taken out form under him. With one hand Markus put his purse back wihtin his clothing, coiling the chain. With the other he closed his fist around the boys ankle and dragged him close.

"just what do you think you're doing kid?"

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Marcus

Caspian gasped as the hand on his ankle pulled him back. Oh shit oh shit oh shit his mind said over and over again as he tried to think of something to do. When he was finally dragged back, he was forced to stare up into the eyes of the man he had just tried to rob. He knew, as far as a boy his age could fathom, that he was going to die.

"I'm sorry..." He said quickly... "But not for trying to steal your purse... I'm sorry for this!" He grabbed a handful of dirt and while most of it missed due to his letting go too late, some hit and he was up a running again...

Oh gods be kind... maybe he was just imagining those feet following him...

 

[Khadgar]

Markus Abesticot

Markus gasped and grabbed at his eyes as the dirt flew into them. Gasping might have been a bad choice too as he suddenly was wracked with a coughing fit. Comming to his feet and picking up a few of the rocks from the beach he shook his head and ran after the kid. Not for the purse, it hadn't been stolen, but some things people needed to account for, like blindness.

Through his blurry vision he saw the kid running and when he was not rubbing the sand from his eyes with his right hand, he arched back and snapped his arm foreward throing mostly poorly aimed stones at the chids direction.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Markus gasped and grabbed at his eyes as the dirt flew into them. Gasping might have been a bad choice too as he suddenly was wracked with a coughing fit. Comming to his feet and picking up a few of the rocks from the beach he shook his head and ran after the kid. Not for the purse, it hadn't been stolen, but some things people needed to account for, like blindness.

Through his blurry vision he saw the kid running and when he was not rubbing the sand from his eyes with his right hand, he arched back and snapped his arm foreward throing mostly poorly aimed stones at the chids direction.

When something small, that was very hard, struck the back of his arm, Caspian was forced to look back at the man that was chasing him. He had unknowingly slowed down a little but he started to speed back up when he saw how close the other was getting. The other man mostly missed but it was one well aimed one that hit the back of his head. He winced as he grabbed his head and lost his footing in the weight shift.

He went down to his knees.

Caspian wondered if the sand would work again...

He doubted it.

"I'm sorry!" But this time he didn't even try to get away.

 

[Khadgar]

Markus stopped running, now reaching the kid. leaning over he grabbed the boy by the shirt and hauled him to his feet, holding both his arms in his hands. Markus had been about to strike the lad, but now seeing him up close he realized just how young he was.

Breathing in for a few seconds he calmed himself. "Who are you, Where are you supposed to be, what did you think you needed my money for, and just how young ARE you?"

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"Caspian Mortis..." He answered, "I'm supposed to be in the slums... I needed the money for food... and... I'm not as young as you think..." He said looking irritated at the man that thought he was so much better than himself.

"Can I go?" He asked wriggling a little against the grip. He could have lashed out, tried to kick a knee but there was a good chance that he wasn't going to be able to reach the other's legs and that would lead to more trouble. "Just let me go I promise I won't throw sand again," he grumbled.

He would have said that his folks would be looking for him but.... yeah... best not to lie about that too.