Trying to live up to his own hype of being such a great guy, Jeremy greeted both Rowan and Soran with a smile. He swallowed down a double serving of eggs while listening to what the elf said to Alex then decided to add his own two cents to the conversation.
"Old lady, Latisha seemed pretty cool although a bit on the eccentric side, but most mages I've met are over top in the mental department. And, supposedly she's a friend of Queen Kazabet from Neromba. Kazabet's a necromancer with an army of undead at her disposal yet she didn't pose any threat to us. In fact, she treated us quite well, unlike her jerk of a husband."
Soran drained his java mug before meeting Alex's eyes. "Don't know if this means much, but I didn't get any bad feelings about Latisha. I sensed she has a good heart, but then again, I'm not sure just how accurate my instincts are yet."
He smiled when he saw some of the worry leave Alex's eyes. "Traveling in groups is a lot safer, so why don't you wait on your decision until we reach Annib? Then if you really want to return to Bizmar, you can hop a ride with a merchant caravan headed that way." Since Soran knew next to nothing about magic spells, he had no idea that Alex might have the ability to teleport himself back home easily.
When Cas asked to speak with him in private, he refilled his mug before following his friend to a secluded area. A wave of shock ran through Soran once Cas announced his intention of breaking up with Eremis after they finished this mission. His shock intensified when he heard that the healer had hinted at killing himself if Cas ever left him.
"What am I sposed to do?"
Soran stared at his blood brother, unable to give him an answer. After awhile, he shook his head and shrugged. It wasn't right for Cas to stay with Eremis only out of fear of what might happen to him if he left. Yet, if the healer did end up committing suicide, Cas might feel forever guilty about it.
"Damn, that's a tough call, Cas," he finally said. "I honestly don't know what to tell you." He stared off into the distance as he took a few sips of java. "I have a feeling Eremis is a lot stronger than he thinks he is though. Cripes, he probably wanted to kill himself a half dozen times while he was whoring for drug money yet something always stopped him. Maybe deep down, he values life too much, that's why he became a healer."
"Hope so!" Cas quipped.
Soran started to say more but slammed his mouth shut when he saw Eremis heading their way. Judging by the wide smile on his face, he had no idea of Cas' disenchantment with their relationship. "Um, you might wanna think about slowly starting to prepare him for the inevitable," he whispered.
He shared a good morning with the healer then watched him pull Cas into his arms for a kiss. Sighing, he rushed off to finish his breakfast then joined the others in readying the horses. Jeremy decided to ride with Kato this time since he wasn't sure if Alex intended to continue all the way to Annib, or turn his horse around at some point and head home. He hoped the youth would stay on because he looked forward to continuing his archery lessons, but knew he had no control over Alex's final decision. Rowan mentioned something about the possibility of purchasing a couple of horses in the city as they watched Cas mount up behind Eremis.
Darlanta handed Rowan a small basket containing fruit, cheese, and nuts for the group to share when they stopped for lunch. "You'll be passing through the Adder Woods on your way to Dara. If you happen to meet the centaur tribe that lives there, speak my name to Silvamane, their leader. He will then know you can be trusted and offer you shelter."
They bid their farewells to the druidess after promising they'd try to visit her again on their way back to Bizmar. Soran would have liked to hear Rowan sing to him again but Jeremy ruined that idea when he began screeching out the words to one of his Metallica songs. At that moment, Soran wished he knew how to cast spells because if he did, he'd toss one at Jeremy that would silence him.
Soran glared at the spiked haired youth. "How about shutting the rake up, or at least quieting down a little? You're announcing our presence to any monsters or thieves that might be lurking around up ahead."
It looked like Jeremy was about to flip him the finger but ran his hand through his orange tipped hair instead. "Valid point, Soran. I'll tone it down."
Soran gave the otherworldly youth an incredulous look. Why the hell was he acting so nice all of a sudden? He glanced at Rowan and shrugged before turning his attention back to the road they'd been following since leaving Darlanta's forest.
Around noon they stopped for lunch near a stream. Everyone ate quickly since they were all anxious to reach Annib. According to the map they'd get there at dusk if nothing impeded their progress. Soran looked forward to exploring another city where, hopefully, a lot of rich people resided. He needed to practice picking a few pockets before he lost his touch. Swiping a little cash from those who had more money than they knew what to do with was always a fun activity.
They paused only to relieve themselves and for a brief chats with travelers headed east from as far west at Mavant. The sun was low on the horizon when they reached the high walls surrounding the city of Annib. After a guard at the gate warned them they'd be flogged and imprisoned if they started trouble in the city, he gave them directions to a few inns.
"We lock the gates at midnight so if you're wandering around outside at that time, don't expect to gain entrance into the city until sunrise. The gates are only opened earlier upon special orders from the major."
When Eremis spotted an Apothecary Shop amidst a number or other businesses surrounding an enormous public fountain, he suggested they stable their horses at the first inn they came to so they could do a bit of shopping before the stores closed for the evening.
Jeremy pointed to a three story stone structure ahead with an attached stable. A double sided wooden plague that hung over the oaken main door read, The Cracked Goblet. The otherworldly youth grinned when he noticed a number of scantily clad women standing outside a two story building just down the street from the inn. It was nice to know he wouldn't have far to walk later to reach the nearest bordello. He dismounted first then rushed into the inn and paid for rooms for everyone, informing the tender they'd be back for supper after they did some shopping. If he kept up his nice act, Soran might come to trust him by the time they got back to Bizmar. That would make it a lot easier to get him away from Rowan and into the clutches of Belald!
Once the horses were stabled they made their way back to the shopping district. Quite a few guards patrolled the area, but that didn't stop a number of unscrupulous looking people from parading around. Although several small groups of youths stood on nearby corners, they made no move to start any trouble...yet.
As they passed the elaborate 10 foot tall bronze fountain, Soran thought he saw the last rays of the sun glint off something in the water. Eremis was rushing everyone toward the Apothecary shop but Soran walked over to the fountain. He saw what looked like a ruby brooch nearly hidden amongst the fancy stones lining the bottom of the water. Since something that noteworthy was impossible to ignore, he bent down and retrieved the item. As he dried the brooch off in his shirt he met the eyes of a burly guard who stood no more than ten feet away from him.
"He's got the brooch stolen from Talem's Jewelry Shop last night!" the guard cried. "Grab that murdering thief."
Soran gulped then broke into a run when he saw at least a dozen heavily armed guards running toward him. He thought about trying to explain how he found the brooch in the fountain but had a feeling they wouldn't believe his story. After shoving the jewelry into his pocket he flew down the streets as fast as his legs could carry him. He had no idea that the guards weren't the only ones pursuing him at the moment.
Several people were interested in obtaining the brooch since it was worth a small fortune. One particular beady eyed man scowled deeply while watching the events taking place. Riley had no choice but to ditch the brooch yesterday evening when he attracted the attention of 2 city guards upon exiting Talem's Jewelry Shop, especially since he just finished killing Talem's son who'd walked in on him unexpectedly. The damned youth had no business returning to the shop long after it closed up for the night!
Riley shrugged off his fear of being hung for murder and turned his thoughts to his present predicament. If he didn't deliver the brooch to the thieves' guild tonight, they'd think he was holding out on them and would then beat his ass to a bloody pulp. Why'd he have to go and brag about his theft after getting drunk at the Rusty Nail before passing out last night? He'd offered the thieves' the less valuable items he'd stolen earlier that day but the greedy guildmaster, Lazareth Wynne, tossed everything back in his face, saying he wouldn't be satisfied until the brooch was in his hands!
Riley ran across the street and gained the attention of Mortin, leader of the Blood Suckers Gang. He knew they'd been trying to earn a place for themselves within the thieves' guild but Lazareth already had enough thugs on his payroll. It didn't take long for Riley to convince them that he'd be able to get them membership in the guild IF they retrieved that brooch for him before midnight. He lifted an ale flask to his lips as he watched the Blood Suckers run off after the blonde youth who'd been foolish enough to stick his hand in the water of the fountain.
*******
Jeremy watched with interest as one of the guards retrieved a stack of parchment and ink from one of the shops and began making quick sketches of Soran. Who'd have thought such a brutish looking man would have artistic ability? He smiled when the words, Thief and Murderer, were scrawled above Soran's image along with a reward of 1000 gold coins before the sketches were tacked up on buildings and handed out to anyone passing by. Maybe I'll be rid of that bastard a lot sooner than I thought!
*******
When Soran thought his lungs would burst he ducked into a dark alley and hid behind a large garbage crate while trying to catch his breath. Upon seeing a door directly across from him, he pulled his cap out of a pocket, and pulled it down low over his head. After making sure the coast was clear, he tested the door, somewhat relieved to find it unlocked. When he heard music and loud laughter he got the feeling he was about to enter a tavern.
He took a deep breath and wiped sweat from his face before opening the door and stepping into what was perhaps the seediest place imaginable. Through the dimly lit, smoke filled room he saw naked women dancing on a stage in one corner. A number of elderly drunks sat at a long bar muttering curses and accusing the bartender of watering down their drinks. The unmistakable smell of opium pipes filled the air, and cockroaches were plentiful.
Soran slid onto a stool at the darkest corner of the bar and ordered a glass of wine. He needed time to think of what he was going to do next. If the guards here in Annib were anything like the ones in Bizmar they wouldn't listen to a word he had to say simply because they'd have it in their puny brains that they'd caught him red handed with the stolen goods in his hand. In order to clear himself, he'd have to find the real culprit who'd swiped the brooch and supposedly killed someone in the process. That was easier said than done, especially in a city he knew nothing about. Maybe it'd be best to try to sneak out of Annib as soon as possible even though he'd have to live the rest of his life being wanted for murder.
When a dirty little street urchin asked if he could shine his boots for a copper piece, Soran shook his head then grabbed the boy's shoulder before he could walk away. "What's the name of this place?"
"Swine's Tavern."
How appropriate, Soran thought. He asked the tender for a paper and quill then scribbled out a message. I'm hideing at Swien's Tavryn but I have no idea wer it's locatted. I'll sit tite untile we can think of whot to do nxt.
Obviously, Soran needed a lot more practice with spelling but he wasn't thinking about that right now. "I'm gonna pay you a gold coin to take this message to..." He had to stop and think for a minute. "To the Cracked Goblet and place it in the hands of one of my friends." Slowly, he named off his companions. "Can you remember that?"
The kid repeated the names then smiled from ear to ear when Soran handed him the gold piece. He ran out the front door but stopped to ask someone directions to the Cracked Goblet since he wasn't familiar with that tavern.
