Drusilia Naïlo: The Making of a Watchman
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Drusilia Nailo
First Post
Dru walked down the main street of the kesir, watching the sun set over the city. This was to be the second night of her coming of age party. Papa had gone on ahead to get things ready, and told her to be at the Unity Courtyard at sunset. There was to be a feast of some kind, and Dru thought that he may have hired a bard, but she wasn't sure about that.
She was dressed far more casually than she had been last night... Papa had told her that it would be acceptable to wear trousers and a tunic, as long as they were nice. This meant that she could at least wear her weapons, which was a tremendous relief.
She was almost to the courtyard, when she heard a sound in an alleyway. Freezing, she listened, and then frowned. Someone was trying very hard to be quiet, and was not succeeding. She could hear them shifting around, waiting. Waiting for what? Her? She frowned. Papa would be annoyed with her if she was late for the festivities, but this needed looking into. Slowly, she pulled out her rapier, wishing that she'd been able to talk Papa into getting it enchanted for her.
And as if on cue, a streak of silver that was a throwing knife flew from the alleyway. Only her quick reflexes saved her, as she ducked low, letting the weapon fly over her head and crash harmlessly into the brick building behind her.
"Coward!" She scowled at the alleyway, and decided to charge. No sense in letting him stay behind cover while she had to dodge his blades, however clumsily they were thrown. She ran towards the alley, rapier held out in front of her. "Die, you stupid scum," she growled, before even seeing her opponent.
There were two of them, both humans. One looked surprised and even fearful at her charge, the other only leered. She took an instant dislike to him and ran her rapier through his midsection. She felt the blade bite into flesh, and quickly withdrew it, watching him turn into a red fountain.
Surprisingly, the wound wasn't a mortal one. He snarled in rage and pain, and pulled his own blade on her. He came in, slashing at her once, then again! The first one missed, but the second one struck her in the arm. She felt it spasm, and then go numb, and her rapier fell to the ground with a clatter.
The other she could hear sneaking up behind her. She whirled around, pulling one of her daggers, and used it to parry the blow that he was about to make with his sword.
The wounded one slashed wildly at her, missing badly. His eyes were starting to get cloudy, and she knew that if untreated, he would die. Good, she thought savagely. She whirled on him, and ran him through again. He dropped to the ground, gurgling.
"Nooooo!" The other man sounded horrified and turned on Dru. "You killed my friend, you elven b*tch!" He stabbed at her with the dagger with such speed that she was unable to react beyond staring at him. The dagger sank into the flesh right above her right hip, and she was suddenly in terrible pain.
Gasping, she took a step towards him, determined that he was not going to win. He would at least not get to witness her death, if it came. She stabbed him once, in the stomach. When he sank to the ground, she yanked her blade out of him, and then slashed his throat.
Looking down at the corpses in disgust, she sighed. "My clothes are all bloody now," she said, trying to forget about the pain in her side. She tried to remember Papa's lessons. Oh yes, always check the bodies. She bent over the first one, and started going through his cloak. A vial of something. Dared she hope? She pulled it out, and saw that it was the same familiar color as most of the curing potions that she had drunk in the past. Cautiously, she uncorked it, and sniffed it. It smelled the same. Hoping fervently that it wasn't poison, she tipped the vial back, and drank it down... and was immediately rewarded by the worst of her wound healing itself.
She quickly searched the other bodies, and took their swords and daggers. Carefully, she stepped out of the alleyway, looking both ways. And the street came alive. Doors to darkened shops opened, and elves poured out onto the street. They were all looking at her, and smiling, and applauding. And, there was Papa, stepping out of the shadows. He too was applauding, and walked up to her.
"Papa, what is going on," she whispered frantically, trying hard not to blush, and wondering if anyone had seen her kill the two men. He gently turned her so that she could face the crowd. "Is there any doubt that my daughter is a warrior?"
There was faint chuckling all around, and one of Papa's men drug the two bodies out of the alleyway. The bodies were left sprawled in the center of the street for all to see.
At Dru's stunned expression, Papa smiled, and explained. "I decided that tonight, we would celebrate your warrior prowess, but of course, to do that, you needed to prove that you did indeed possess such prowess. You just did that."
Dru looked back at the bodies, and to Papa again. "You- how did you know that they were going to attack me?"
"I hired them to."
Dru felt the blood drain from her face. He hired these men to attack her? She looked back to the bodies again, and felt like she was going to be sick. But she started to become aware that the kesir was getting quiet. Everyone was waiting for her to respond in some way. She turned to face the crowd once more, and grinned, causing them to break into applause.
"Come, let's go to the feast!" Papa put his arm around Dru's shoulder, looking proud. Father and daughter led the procession to the courtyard. Dru looked back at the two bodies, lying forlornly in the street. She felt sick again, and had no idea of how she was going to be able to eat.
She was dressed far more casually than she had been last night... Papa had told her that it would be acceptable to wear trousers and a tunic, as long as they were nice. This meant that she could at least wear her weapons, which was a tremendous relief.
She was almost to the courtyard, when she heard a sound in an alleyway. Freezing, she listened, and then frowned. Someone was trying very hard to be quiet, and was not succeeding. She could hear them shifting around, waiting. Waiting for what? Her? She frowned. Papa would be annoyed with her if she was late for the festivities, but this needed looking into. Slowly, she pulled out her rapier, wishing that she'd been able to talk Papa into getting it enchanted for her.
And as if on cue, a streak of silver that was a throwing knife flew from the alleyway. Only her quick reflexes saved her, as she ducked low, letting the weapon fly over her head and crash harmlessly into the brick building behind her.
"Coward!" She scowled at the alleyway, and decided to charge. No sense in letting him stay behind cover while she had to dodge his blades, however clumsily they were thrown. She ran towards the alley, rapier held out in front of her. "Die, you stupid scum," she growled, before even seeing her opponent.
There were two of them, both humans. One looked surprised and even fearful at her charge, the other only leered. She took an instant dislike to him and ran her rapier through his midsection. She felt the blade bite into flesh, and quickly withdrew it, watching him turn into a red fountain.
Surprisingly, the wound wasn't a mortal one. He snarled in rage and pain, and pulled his own blade on her. He came in, slashing at her once, then again! The first one missed, but the second one struck her in the arm. She felt it spasm, and then go numb, and her rapier fell to the ground with a clatter.
The other she could hear sneaking up behind her. She whirled around, pulling one of her daggers, and used it to parry the blow that he was about to make with his sword.
The wounded one slashed wildly at her, missing badly. His eyes were starting to get cloudy, and she knew that if untreated, he would die. Good, she thought savagely. She whirled on him, and ran him through again. He dropped to the ground, gurgling.
"Nooooo!" The other man sounded horrified and turned on Dru. "You killed my friend, you elven b*tch!" He stabbed at her with the dagger with such speed that she was unable to react beyond staring at him. The dagger sank into the flesh right above her right hip, and she was suddenly in terrible pain.
Gasping, she took a step towards him, determined that he was not going to win. He would at least not get to witness her death, if it came. She stabbed him once, in the stomach. When he sank to the ground, she yanked her blade out of him, and then slashed his throat.
Looking down at the corpses in disgust, she sighed. "My clothes are all bloody now," she said, trying to forget about the pain in her side. She tried to remember Papa's lessons. Oh yes, always check the bodies. She bent over the first one, and started going through his cloak. A vial of something. Dared she hope? She pulled it out, and saw that it was the same familiar color as most of the curing potions that she had drunk in the past. Cautiously, she uncorked it, and sniffed it. It smelled the same. Hoping fervently that it wasn't poison, she tipped the vial back, and drank it down... and was immediately rewarded by the worst of her wound healing itself.
She quickly searched the other bodies, and took their swords and daggers. Carefully, she stepped out of the alleyway, looking both ways. And the street came alive. Doors to darkened shops opened, and elves poured out onto the street. They were all looking at her, and smiling, and applauding. And, there was Papa, stepping out of the shadows. He too was applauding, and walked up to her.
"Papa, what is going on," she whispered frantically, trying hard not to blush, and wondering if anyone had seen her kill the two men. He gently turned her so that she could face the crowd. "Is there any doubt that my daughter is a warrior?"
There was faint chuckling all around, and one of Papa's men drug the two bodies out of the alleyway. The bodies were left sprawled in the center of the street for all to see.
At Dru's stunned expression, Papa smiled, and explained. "I decided that tonight, we would celebrate your warrior prowess, but of course, to do that, you needed to prove that you did indeed possess such prowess. You just did that."
Dru looked back at the bodies, and to Papa again. "You- how did you know that they were going to attack me?"
"I hired them to."
Dru felt the blood drain from her face. He hired these men to attack her? She looked back to the bodies again, and felt like she was going to be sick. But she started to become aware that the kesir was getting quiet. Everyone was waiting for her to respond in some way. She turned to face the crowd once more, and grinned, causing them to break into applause.
"Come, let's go to the feast!" Papa put his arm around Dru's shoulder, looking proud. Father and daughter led the procession to the courtyard. Dru looked back at the two bodies, lying forlornly in the street. She felt sick again, and had no idea of how she was going to be able to eat.
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Drusilia Nailo
First Post
Well, I decided against posting another full update, but I couldn't resist tacking on this little teaser. 
Two elves and a half elf sat at a table, in the back of a darkened tavern. The man, a perfect picture of elven beauty, toyed with his long, blond hair. One of the women, the half elf, leaned forward anxiously, studying him. "Are you certain that this is a good idea, Andaryn? What if her father gets angry?"
Andaryn shrugged. "It matters not, Carala," he said lazily, taking a sip of his wine. "I have angered more than one young girl's father, so I doubt that one more is going to hurt me."
The third figure, a dark skinned elf, looked up. She smiled thinly. "Andaryn. I do not recommend doing this. Not this time. Her father is a criminal."
He rolled his eyes, looking over at her. "You too, Verlia? You've never had a problem with me playing the game before."
"Your intended victims were never the daughter of a city's most notorious crimelord, either," she responded archly.
"Perhaps you're just jealous," he said angrily. "Like any silly young girl could ever take your place."
Verlia sighed, but put her hands up. "Very well, Andaryn. You'll do just as you wish, just like you always do. So tell me. What's your plan this time? How do you plan to get the magic harp though this girl?"
"Woman," Andaryn corrected. "They're celebrating her coming of age."
Verlia's eyes narrowed. "You were just calling her a girl..." With a frown, she shook her head. "Alright, I'm listening..."
"He's already hired me to sing tonight. It's the second night of the party, and he wants songs of valor and bravery. Apparently he's choosing to recognize her as a warrior."
Carala frowned. "Maybe it isn't her father you need to be worried about..."
Andaryn frowned at her, but continued. "I've asked around, and apparently she has him wrapped around her little finger. So, I seduce her, and she'll talk him into giving me the money. I buy the harp, we leave Freeport, never to set foot in it again."
There was silence, broken finally by Verlia sighing again. "It sounds simple enough," she said, grudgingly. "Gods know there isn't a maiden alive that can resist you. But Andaryn, be careful. This Tensin Naïlo couldn't have risen to his position in this city if he wasn't ruthless." She hesitated, and then asked, "What is the poor girl- woman's name?"
Andaryn smiled wolfishly. "Drusilia Naïlo."
Two elves and a half elf sat at a table, in the back of a darkened tavern. The man, a perfect picture of elven beauty, toyed with his long, blond hair. One of the women, the half elf, leaned forward anxiously, studying him. "Are you certain that this is a good idea, Andaryn? What if her father gets angry?"
Andaryn shrugged. "It matters not, Carala," he said lazily, taking a sip of his wine. "I have angered more than one young girl's father, so I doubt that one more is going to hurt me."
The third figure, a dark skinned elf, looked up. She smiled thinly. "Andaryn. I do not recommend doing this. Not this time. Her father is a criminal."
He rolled his eyes, looking over at her. "You too, Verlia? You've never had a problem with me playing the game before."
"Your intended victims were never the daughter of a city's most notorious crimelord, either," she responded archly.
"Perhaps you're just jealous," he said angrily. "Like any silly young girl could ever take your place."
Verlia sighed, but put her hands up. "Very well, Andaryn. You'll do just as you wish, just like you always do. So tell me. What's your plan this time? How do you plan to get the magic harp though this girl?"
"Woman," Andaryn corrected. "They're celebrating her coming of age."
Verlia's eyes narrowed. "You were just calling her a girl..." With a frown, she shook her head. "Alright, I'm listening..."
"He's already hired me to sing tonight. It's the second night of the party, and he wants songs of valor and bravery. Apparently he's choosing to recognize her as a warrior."
Carala frowned. "Maybe it isn't her father you need to be worried about..."
Andaryn frowned at her, but continued. "I've asked around, and apparently she has him wrapped around her little finger. So, I seduce her, and she'll talk him into giving me the money. I buy the harp, we leave Freeport, never to set foot in it again."
There was silence, broken finally by Verlia sighing again. "It sounds simple enough," she said, grudgingly. "Gods know there isn't a maiden alive that can resist you. But Andaryn, be careful. This Tensin Naïlo couldn't have risen to his position in this city if he wasn't ruthless." She hesitated, and then asked, "What is the poor girl- woman's name?"
Andaryn smiled wolfishly. "Drusilia Naïlo."
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
Andaryn sat up on the platform, lazily strumming his harp. He watched the crowd through half-lidded eyes. Elves, not a human or even a human blooded in sight. These Freeport elves were really very prejudiced... He fought down a wave of anger. They don't know, Andaryn, he chided himself. They think you're one of them. And you are. You are. He turned his gaze to Drusilia Naïlo, and began to sing a song about a beautiful warrior princess. She was pretty, after all...
Dru sat beside her father, and tried to act like she was having a good time. A full plate of food rested on the table in front of her, which she picked at now and again. Much more desirable was the glass of fine elven wine. Already the servants had come to top off her glass five or six times. Kennic was giving her worried glances, and finally leaned over, whispering to her, "Drusilia, you haven't touched your food. Don't you like it?" He squeezed her arm, and Dru could tell that he knew exactly what was troubling her.
She grimaced. "I'm just a little tired, Kennic," she lied, mostly for Papa's benefit. "I'll be alright."
Kennic nodded, and sat back in his chair.
That gorgeous bard was singing again, and looking right at her. Dru felt herself blushing from her neck on up. She knew that he'd been paid to single her out with his songs, but she couldn't help but to feel flattered. Looking right at him, and meeting his eyes, she smiled, and was rewarded with his momentary look of surprise, and then a slow smile in return.
Got you! Andaryn grinned to himself. Verlia was wrong, this girl was just flesh and blood like any other girl. And she's mine, even if she doesn't know it yet. He turned, and saw her father standing up, gesturing at Andaryn to stop playing the music. Andaryn obliged with a smile, and leaned back to see what the man would say.
Papa rose to his feet, standing so that he had one hand on her shoulder, and was facing the crowd. "Last night," he said, "I acknowledged my daughter as a woman, and gave her a gift accordingly. And so I will do again tonight." He turned, and gestured at the edge of the crowd. Two elves came out carrying a suit of finely made studded leather armor.
Dru felt herself grinning. It was beautiful armor, and was still easy enough for her to move in without making a lot of noise and giving away her position. It was beautiful enough that she even found herself forgiving Papa for what he had done earlier tonight.
Papa took the armor, and laid it out on the table. "This was made specifically for you, Daughter," he said with a smile. "It will fit no one else."
Andaryn watched as the crowd cheered and applauded. All of that for a suit of leather armor? He thought of the armor that was given to his brother at his coming of age. Mithril. Now that was something worth cheering about... But what would someone from Freeport know about value anyway?
Just then, the other elven man who was with Drusilia stood to his feet. When the crowd fell silent again, the man spoke. "Many of you know that I was Drusilia's sword instructor when she was growing up. She has made good use of the lessons and the beginner's sword that I gave her, as most of you well know."
Drusilia grinned, and bowed at the applause.
The man continued speaking. "However, a young woman has no need for a child's sword. Drusilia," he turned to her with a smile. "I am proud of you, and am proud to present to you an adult's sword." He reached under the table, and pulled out a sheathed rapier. "Take it, and use it well."
Drusilia pulled the rapier from its sheath, and Andaryn could see that the workmanship was exquisitely elven. She turned to the elf, and said, in a choked voice, "Thank you Kennic." And then she turned to her father. "Thank you, Papa. I don't know what to say to either of you. I'm stunned."
Andaryn began to strum the harp again, and people eventually began eating and drinking again. He watched the little family trio carefully, hoping that Tensin Naïlo would leave his daughter alone, even for a few minutes. He never did. With a sigh, Andaryn thought, Another night, then. Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night she will be mine.
Dru sat beside her father, and tried to act like she was having a good time. A full plate of food rested on the table in front of her, which she picked at now and again. Much more desirable was the glass of fine elven wine. Already the servants had come to top off her glass five or six times. Kennic was giving her worried glances, and finally leaned over, whispering to her, "Drusilia, you haven't touched your food. Don't you like it?" He squeezed her arm, and Dru could tell that he knew exactly what was troubling her.
She grimaced. "I'm just a little tired, Kennic," she lied, mostly for Papa's benefit. "I'll be alright."
Kennic nodded, and sat back in his chair.
That gorgeous bard was singing again, and looking right at her. Dru felt herself blushing from her neck on up. She knew that he'd been paid to single her out with his songs, but she couldn't help but to feel flattered. Looking right at him, and meeting his eyes, she smiled, and was rewarded with his momentary look of surprise, and then a slow smile in return.
Got you! Andaryn grinned to himself. Verlia was wrong, this girl was just flesh and blood like any other girl. And she's mine, even if she doesn't know it yet. He turned, and saw her father standing up, gesturing at Andaryn to stop playing the music. Andaryn obliged with a smile, and leaned back to see what the man would say.
Papa rose to his feet, standing so that he had one hand on her shoulder, and was facing the crowd. "Last night," he said, "I acknowledged my daughter as a woman, and gave her a gift accordingly. And so I will do again tonight." He turned, and gestured at the edge of the crowd. Two elves came out carrying a suit of finely made studded leather armor.
Dru felt herself grinning. It was beautiful armor, and was still easy enough for her to move in without making a lot of noise and giving away her position. It was beautiful enough that she even found herself forgiving Papa for what he had done earlier tonight.
Papa took the armor, and laid it out on the table. "This was made specifically for you, Daughter," he said with a smile. "It will fit no one else."
Andaryn watched as the crowd cheered and applauded. All of that for a suit of leather armor? He thought of the armor that was given to his brother at his coming of age. Mithril. Now that was something worth cheering about... But what would someone from Freeport know about value anyway?
Just then, the other elven man who was with Drusilia stood to his feet. When the crowd fell silent again, the man spoke. "Many of you know that I was Drusilia's sword instructor when she was growing up. She has made good use of the lessons and the beginner's sword that I gave her, as most of you well know."
Drusilia grinned, and bowed at the applause.
The man continued speaking. "However, a young woman has no need for a child's sword. Drusilia," he turned to her with a smile. "I am proud of you, and am proud to present to you an adult's sword." He reached under the table, and pulled out a sheathed rapier. "Take it, and use it well."
Drusilia pulled the rapier from its sheath, and Andaryn could see that the workmanship was exquisitely elven. She turned to the elf, and said, in a choked voice, "Thank you Kennic." And then she turned to her father. "Thank you, Papa. I don't know what to say to either of you. I'm stunned."
Andaryn began to strum the harp again, and people eventually began eating and drinking again. He watched the little family trio carefully, hoping that Tensin Naïlo would leave his daughter alone, even for a few minutes. He never did. With a sigh, Andaryn thought, Another night, then. Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night she will be mine.
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
Dru stretched out, catlike, on the bed, and then curled up beside Andaryn. "I'm glad that the entire coming of age celebration is over," she mused, tiredly. "As much as I loved all of the gifts that people brought me last night." She was referring to the final night of the party, when everybody who was invited brought her a gift. Since everyone knew whose daughter she was, she had a huge collection of daggers now, many of them exquisitely made. She also had jewelry, hair combs, clothing, even more practical things that she would probably never use, such as cookware and sewing supplies.
Andaryn smiled, and draped an arm lazily over her bare shoulder. "I hate to say it, but I'm glad too. My voice is going hoarse from performing."
"I can see where you'd want a break."
"I feel very guilty," said Andaryn, clearing his throat, "That I cannot afford to get you a gift for your party."
Dru waved him away. "Nonsense," she said. "You don't have to give me any presents. Gods know, I got enough of them already."
He sighed. "I still feel bad, though. Your father paid me generously, but most of that is going to go for living expenses, and possibly reprovisioning myself. I don't have much left over for luxuries." He grinned, then. "I know where there's a litter of kittens... I could fetch you one of those."
"No!"
The violence of Dru's reply seemed to startle him, and he said, "Oh," in a small voice.
Fearing that she'd wounded the bard, Dru leaned in, kissing him on the tip of his ear. "I appreciate the thought, but I don't want a pet."
He smiled, mollifed. "Do you just not like cats?"
Dru shuddered. "I don't want any pets at all."
Andaryn raised an eyebrow, and then put his hands up defensively. "Alright, alright, you don't have to have a pet. Far be it from me to force a kitten on someone."
Dru laughed, but felt embarrassed. "There's a reason," she said. "Do you want to hear a story?"
"I'm a bard, of course I want to hear a story," he said, propping his head up under two pillows.
Dru nodded. "When I was very young, not more than fifty years of age, my bodyguard, Kennic, took me down to the beach to play. It had been a long, hot summer, and I had been shut up in the house for most of it, since Papa was afraid that I would become a war casualty."
Andaryn frowned. "How terrible," he said. "But, I interrupted your story. Go on."
"We had been playing in the water for quite awhile, when I saw something moving, far up the beach. It was an animal of some kind, I knew that much. So, I ran up the beach to see what it was. It was a cat. It was the ugliest, most beaten up and scroungey tomcat I had ever seen. He only had one eye..."
And Dru could remember that day clearly. The cat had rubbed up against her legs, and she had instantly fallen in love with him. "I want to name him Fluffy," she told Kennic, with a hopeful smile.
"Fluffy," he said, grimacing down at the cat. "I have no idea of what your father- oh, what the h*ll. Let's take him."
Dru grinned, and picked up the cat awkwardly. He was heavy.
Kennic chuckled. "Perhaps you'd better let me carry him," he said. "He's almost as big as you are."
Dru scowled, and refused to cooperate. With a sigh, Kennic lifted Dru up, and carried her while she carried Fluffy.
"Papa agreed more readily to it than I thought he would," she told Andaryn. "He said that I had to take extremely good care of him, which meant giving him a bite of every food that I ate, before I ate it."
Andaryn's eyes narrowed, but he shook his head. "Why would he say that?"
Dru gave a crooked, rueful smile. "I found out, about six months later. Fluffy was always willing to eat anything that I gave him, as long as it was food. He wasn't very discriminating, and was always eating as if he thought it was going to be his last meal. We were all gathered together at the table in the compound, me, my father, Kennic, and some of the enforcers. The cook brought out the dinner, and we all started to get ready to eat. I cut off a piece of the shark steak, and gave it to Fluffy." Dru sighed, then. "Fluffy immediately started choking, and then fell over, dead."
Andaryn stared at her. "Poison?"
Dru nodded. "Papa took one look at the dead cat, and launched a throwing dagger into the cook's throat. At the same time, Kennic tackled me to the ground, and the enforcers went in and started killing the kitchen staff. And then it was all over."
There was an uncomfortable silence, and Andaryn said, "I can see where you might not want a kitten."
Dru grinned. "Poor Fluffy. I remember him fondly, but I've decided that I am not the type of person to have a pet."
He nodded, stroking her hair. "I'm not either. I'm gone too often, off adventuring."
"Maybe I should go with you," said Dru. "It could be fun."
Andaryn smiled, but then shook his head. "I could not take you away from your father. "It's clear that he loves you so."
"Does that mean that you're going to leave me?"
There was another silence, and Andaryn sighed. "I don't want to. Maybe I should set myself up in Freeport... I could play at the local taverns, and make some money for myself, I'm sure."
Dru sat up, nodding eagerly. "I'm sure you could. There are lots of taverns here."
Andaryn looked thoughtful, and said, "Only- no, no. I don't want to bother you with the details. I'll work it all out myself."
"No," said Dru. "I want to help you. Tell me."
"Well," he said, "The reason that I came to Freeport is that I'd heard that there was a magical harp for sale here. It makes your music special," he said, sounding wistful. "It makes it speak to people, even more than it would have without the enchantment. You can see why that would appeal to a bard."
Dru nodded. "Yes, I can. So what's the problem?"
He looked at her, and then laughed. "So asks the woman whose father could probably buy most of the city. I can't afford it, Dru. It's going to be about 3000 gold, and that's money that I just don't have. I was going to go out adventuring for it, but," he bit his lower lip, and then smiled. "Now I have a reason to stay in Freeport."
Dru stared at him. "You'd give all that up for me?"
Andaryn nodded. "Yes, I would, my love. All that and then some."
Dru thought for a moment. "There might be a way for you to get the harp," she said.
He looked at her eagerly. "Oh?"
"Yes... my father could loan you the money."
Andaryn's face fell. "I doubt that he would loan it to me. He doesn't trust adventurers."
"I could talk him into it."
"Would you do that for me?"
"Yes."
Andaryn gathered her into his arms. "I would pay him back, every copper of it," he said. "And that harp will make me enough money that he'll be willing to consider me a son-in-law. I promise."
Andaryn smiled, and draped an arm lazily over her bare shoulder. "I hate to say it, but I'm glad too. My voice is going hoarse from performing."
"I can see where you'd want a break."
"I feel very guilty," said Andaryn, clearing his throat, "That I cannot afford to get you a gift for your party."
Dru waved him away. "Nonsense," she said. "You don't have to give me any presents. Gods know, I got enough of them already."
He sighed. "I still feel bad, though. Your father paid me generously, but most of that is going to go for living expenses, and possibly reprovisioning myself. I don't have much left over for luxuries." He grinned, then. "I know where there's a litter of kittens... I could fetch you one of those."
"No!"
The violence of Dru's reply seemed to startle him, and he said, "Oh," in a small voice.
Fearing that she'd wounded the bard, Dru leaned in, kissing him on the tip of his ear. "I appreciate the thought, but I don't want a pet."
He smiled, mollifed. "Do you just not like cats?"
Dru shuddered. "I don't want any pets at all."
Andaryn raised an eyebrow, and then put his hands up defensively. "Alright, alright, you don't have to have a pet. Far be it from me to force a kitten on someone."
Dru laughed, but felt embarrassed. "There's a reason," she said. "Do you want to hear a story?"
"I'm a bard, of course I want to hear a story," he said, propping his head up under two pillows.
Dru nodded. "When I was very young, not more than fifty years of age, my bodyguard, Kennic, took me down to the beach to play. It had been a long, hot summer, and I had been shut up in the house for most of it, since Papa was afraid that I would become a war casualty."
Andaryn frowned. "How terrible," he said. "But, I interrupted your story. Go on."
"We had been playing in the water for quite awhile, when I saw something moving, far up the beach. It was an animal of some kind, I knew that much. So, I ran up the beach to see what it was. It was a cat. It was the ugliest, most beaten up and scroungey tomcat I had ever seen. He only had one eye..."
And Dru could remember that day clearly. The cat had rubbed up against her legs, and she had instantly fallen in love with him. "I want to name him Fluffy," she told Kennic, with a hopeful smile.
"Fluffy," he said, grimacing down at the cat. "I have no idea of what your father- oh, what the h*ll. Let's take him."
Dru grinned, and picked up the cat awkwardly. He was heavy.
Kennic chuckled. "Perhaps you'd better let me carry him," he said. "He's almost as big as you are."
Dru scowled, and refused to cooperate. With a sigh, Kennic lifted Dru up, and carried her while she carried Fluffy.
"Papa agreed more readily to it than I thought he would," she told Andaryn. "He said that I had to take extremely good care of him, which meant giving him a bite of every food that I ate, before I ate it."
Andaryn's eyes narrowed, but he shook his head. "Why would he say that?"
Dru gave a crooked, rueful smile. "I found out, about six months later. Fluffy was always willing to eat anything that I gave him, as long as it was food. He wasn't very discriminating, and was always eating as if he thought it was going to be his last meal. We were all gathered together at the table in the compound, me, my father, Kennic, and some of the enforcers. The cook brought out the dinner, and we all started to get ready to eat. I cut off a piece of the shark steak, and gave it to Fluffy." Dru sighed, then. "Fluffy immediately started choking, and then fell over, dead."
Andaryn stared at her. "Poison?"
Dru nodded. "Papa took one look at the dead cat, and launched a throwing dagger into the cook's throat. At the same time, Kennic tackled me to the ground, and the enforcers went in and started killing the kitchen staff. And then it was all over."
There was an uncomfortable silence, and Andaryn said, "I can see where you might not want a kitten."
Dru grinned. "Poor Fluffy. I remember him fondly, but I've decided that I am not the type of person to have a pet."
He nodded, stroking her hair. "I'm not either. I'm gone too often, off adventuring."
"Maybe I should go with you," said Dru. "It could be fun."
Andaryn smiled, but then shook his head. "I could not take you away from your father. "It's clear that he loves you so."
"Does that mean that you're going to leave me?"
There was another silence, and Andaryn sighed. "I don't want to. Maybe I should set myself up in Freeport... I could play at the local taverns, and make some money for myself, I'm sure."
Dru sat up, nodding eagerly. "I'm sure you could. There are lots of taverns here."
Andaryn looked thoughtful, and said, "Only- no, no. I don't want to bother you with the details. I'll work it all out myself."
"No," said Dru. "I want to help you. Tell me."
"Well," he said, "The reason that I came to Freeport is that I'd heard that there was a magical harp for sale here. It makes your music special," he said, sounding wistful. "It makes it speak to people, even more than it would have without the enchantment. You can see why that would appeal to a bard."
Dru nodded. "Yes, I can. So what's the problem?"
He looked at her, and then laughed. "So asks the woman whose father could probably buy most of the city. I can't afford it, Dru. It's going to be about 3000 gold, and that's money that I just don't have. I was going to go out adventuring for it, but," he bit his lower lip, and then smiled. "Now I have a reason to stay in Freeport."
Dru stared at him. "You'd give all that up for me?"
Andaryn nodded. "Yes, I would, my love. All that and then some."
Dru thought for a moment. "There might be a way for you to get the harp," she said.
He looked at her eagerly. "Oh?"
"Yes... my father could loan you the money."
Andaryn's face fell. "I doubt that he would loan it to me. He doesn't trust adventurers."
"I could talk him into it."
"Would you do that for me?"
"Yes."
Andaryn gathered her into his arms. "I would pay him back, every copper of it," he said. "And that harp will make me enough money that he'll be willing to consider me a son-in-law. I promise."
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
"I told you that he wanted something," said Papa, when she finally worked up enough courage to approach him with Andaryn's proposition. And he had, as soon as he realized that Dru was seeing the bard.
"Papa, it isn't like that," said Dru impatiently. "He loves me, and wants to stay in Freeport to be with me."
He gave her a look filled with eloquent silence, that showed her exactly what he thought of that, which was not much.
"He does!"
"And you, Drusilia, are going to believe a bard when he says that he loves a woman? Bards have silver tongues; that's how they make their money. It doesn't mean that you have to fall in love with one."
"Papa," Dru sighed, "I don't know how I'm going to make you trust him."
He sat there in silent thought for some time. Finally, he said, "What I will do, then, is this. I am so certain that I'm right, that I will give your lover the loan for his harp. At least then I will be rid of him."
"Papa, he'll be so pleased!" Dru was suddenly unsure of whether or not she was pleased, though. Papa had planted seeds of doubt in her mind. What if he did leave her? She didn't want to lose him...
Papa watched her, his eyes glittering as if he could read her mind. "Perhaps you would rather I did not give him the loan, so you could keep him around longer."
"Papa, he's not going to take off after you give him the money."
"Mmm. And what are you going to give me as surety of that? Are you going to pay the debt when... if he runs?"
"I... couldn't do that." He wasn't going to make her pay off the loan, was he?
"Yes, I thought not. But still, you ask me to trust him. Still, I will give your bard the loan, as I said, if only to get rid of him."
Dru nodded, suddenly anxious.
Papa sighed, and rose to his feet. "Alright, but remember that I did this at your request. Go get your bard, and bring him to me."
"Papa, it isn't like that," said Dru impatiently. "He loves me, and wants to stay in Freeport to be with me."
He gave her a look filled with eloquent silence, that showed her exactly what he thought of that, which was not much.
"He does!"
"And you, Drusilia, are going to believe a bard when he says that he loves a woman? Bards have silver tongues; that's how they make their money. It doesn't mean that you have to fall in love with one."
"Papa," Dru sighed, "I don't know how I'm going to make you trust him."
He sat there in silent thought for some time. Finally, he said, "What I will do, then, is this. I am so certain that I'm right, that I will give your lover the loan for his harp. At least then I will be rid of him."
"Papa, he'll be so pleased!" Dru was suddenly unsure of whether or not she was pleased, though. Papa had planted seeds of doubt in her mind. What if he did leave her? She didn't want to lose him...
Papa watched her, his eyes glittering as if he could read her mind. "Perhaps you would rather I did not give him the loan, so you could keep him around longer."
"Papa, he's not going to take off after you give him the money."
"Mmm. And what are you going to give me as surety of that? Are you going to pay the debt when... if he runs?"
"I... couldn't do that." He wasn't going to make her pay off the loan, was he?
"Yes, I thought not. But still, you ask me to trust him. Still, I will give your bard the loan, as I said, if only to get rid of him."
Dru nodded, suddenly anxious.
Papa sighed, and rose to his feet. "Alright, but remember that I did this at your request. Go get your bard, and bring him to me."
Drusilia Nailo
First Post
"What do you mean, he's not here?" Dru glared at the tavern keeper, fingering the hilt of her sword.
The man looked nervous, and ready to drop behind the bar if she got too violent. "I'm telling you, Miss Naïlo," he said, "Mr. Andaryn checked out this morning, with that ladyfriend of his, and took all their stuff with them."
Dru's eyes narrowed at him. "Ladyfriend?"
He swallowed, nodding. "Some elf," he said.
"Did they mention where they were going?"
The tavern keeper shrugged, looking truly frightened now. "They said something about getting passage on a ship."
"I see," said Dru, although she didn't truly. She felt as if the tavern keeper had punched her in the stomach. Her head was reeling, and it almost felt as if the floor was tilting upward.
"I'm sorry, Miss Naïlo," the human murmured. "For what it's worth, I think that he did you wrong."
Dru nodded, curtly, turning away before he could see her tears. She had to get out of there.
Her gaze locked with Kennic's, and the older elf nodded at her in understanding. He took her elbow, and led her through the crowded tavern, and out onto the street. When the other guards started to follow them, Kennic shook his head silently at them, gesturing them back inside the building.
"Come with me, child," he said quietly.
Dru obeyed woodenly, letting him take her where he would.
It wasn't until they arrived at a small shop in the Old City that she took in her surroundings. It was nowhere that she'd ever been before. "Come on up," he said, starting to move up a wooden staircase on the outside of the building. "I have a small place that I keep upstairs, for when I can't get back to the kesir."
It was a very small apartment, with a narrow bed, chamber pot, and nothing else in it. Kennic locked the door behind him, and then pulled Dru into his arms. "Cry," he said.
Dru stiffened, starting to pull back.
Kennic sighed. "You're entitled to your tears, Drusilia. Get it out of your system now, because it will hurt your father to see you like that."
At the mention of Papa, Dru let out a harsh sob. "He's the one who paid Andaryn to go away," she said, "So he should be willing to watch me cry because of him."
Kennic tightened his hold on her, not saying anything.
His concern finally broke through her stubbornness, and she began to cry in earnest on his shoulder. "It's not fair, Kennic. No one is ever going to love me or hate me on my own merit. It's always about Papa!"
He stroked her hair. "I doubt that very much, Drusilia," he said earnestly. "You'll acquire your own admirers, and likely your own rivals, as you get older."
She sniffled. "I'm already an adult, Kennic," she reminded him.
He chuckled. "So you are. But trust me, it will come."
She felt tears burning the insides of her eyelids, but wiped them away before they could trail down her cheek. "I thought that he loved me," she said in a small voice. "He could have gotten me into bed without saying that he loved me, so why did he have to lie?"
Kennic was still for a moment, and then said, his voice tight, "Some men have learned that the way to manipulate a young woman is through her emotions. Those that lack honor use that ability like a weapon, to get what they want. In Andaryn's case, it was that harp."
"So he thought that if he'd merely been bedding me, I wouldn't have convinced Papa to give him the loan," Dru said bitterly.
Kennic winced at the baldness of the statement coming from his young charge, but said, gently, "Would you have?"
"Yes! No..." She began weeping again, sagging into his arms.
He gently stroked her hair, murmuring softly, "You'll forget him with time, child. You're not the first nor the last person to have a broken heart."
Knowing that she wasn't unique didn't make Dru feel any better. In fact, it made her angrier. How dare that filthy adventuring scum use her like that! "I want him dead," she said.
"Ah, Drusilia," said Kennic with a sad smile. "I believe that you are growing more and more like your Papa every day. Yet... I do not believe that Tensin will kill him."
Dru straightened, pushing herself off of the older elf. "Then I will," she snarled. "I hate the b*****d, and I hope that when I kill him, someone resurrects him so that I can kill him again."
Kennic laughed, much to Dru's annoyance. He sobered, catching her glare. "Sorry. That struck me as funnier than you meant, I'm sure. I didn't mean that Tensin would let him off completely, Drusilia. Some things, and you must remember this, are worse than death. Death brings peace, and finality."
Dru thought about that, and then wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been crying like a child," she said, straightening her shoulders. She still felt broken, and knew that she'd cry once in her own room tonight, but didn't want him to know that.
The look of pity that he flashed her showed that her bravado didn't work, but he was too noble to say anything about it. "Very well. Shall we return home?" He held out his arm.
She took it, nodding silently.
Kennic took Dru through the front door of the house, after checking the main room for any signs of intruders. Satisfied, he locked the door behind him. "Get some rest, child," he said kindly. "Put the bard out of your mind. "Did I hear the tavern keeper say that he got on a ship for somewhere?"
Dru nodded. "Although I don't know where to."
"Alright," said Kennic, nodding.
Dru walked down the hall, and was almost to her bedroom when she heard Papa's voice come out of the darkened study, that she'd thought was empty. "Drusilia."
She stopped, looking into the room. "Yes, Papa?"
"Come in here."
She moved into the dark room, her elven eyes not having any difficulty adjusting to the low light. He was sitting back in the corner, and it looked like he had been there for quite some time. "Papa," she said, looking around the room, "You're sitting in the dark."
"Yes."
When he didn't elaborate, Dru sighed, and pulled up a chair. Papa got around to saying what he wanted to say in his own time. She sat, waiting.
"Was I right?"
The silence hung heavy between the two of them, before Dru nodded, almost imperceptibly. She didn't trust her voice to speak right now, because she knew that to do so would make her cry again.
Papa didn't say anything for some time. When he spoke, his voice was tinged with regret. "I take no joy in being right, Daughter."
"How did you know?" Dru's voice came out in a choked whisper that didn't do much to disguise the tears.
Papa's hand flashed out, quick as lightning, and wiped the moisture from under her eye before it could trickle down her cheek. "I've learned how to read people," he said. "It is a skill that you will require in time, but you should in the meantime learn to trust my judgement."
Dru looked at her lap, glumly. "I will not allow anyone to ever do that to me again," she said.
Most people, she was sure, would have hastened to reassure her that she'd love again, and that it was only natural for a young woman to fall in love with a young man. Papa didn't. He nodded. "Good," he said. "You'll be better for it."
Dru returned the nod, swallowing. "Papa... I think I'm going to retire for the evening. I have a lot to think about."
He closed his eyes, lips thinning. "Do that," he said. "Tomorrow, we'll do something to take your mind off of him." After a brief hesitation, he added, "He was not worthy of you, Drusilia."
Dru smiled fleetingly, even if he couldn't see it, and then left for the sanctuary of her bedroom. She hadn't lied to him; she had a lot to think about.
She heard Kennic and Papa's voices murmuring for awhile, heard some other people come into the house, and then Papa and Kennic left. She knew without a doubt that Andaryn was in trouble. She couldn't find it in her heart to care. I hope that they leave you begging for death, she thought, with a certain grim sense of satisfaction. Holding that thought to herself closely, she closed her eyes, and found enough peace within herself to slip into trance.
The man looked nervous, and ready to drop behind the bar if she got too violent. "I'm telling you, Miss Naïlo," he said, "Mr. Andaryn checked out this morning, with that ladyfriend of his, and took all their stuff with them."
Dru's eyes narrowed at him. "Ladyfriend?"
He swallowed, nodding. "Some elf," he said.
"Did they mention where they were going?"
The tavern keeper shrugged, looking truly frightened now. "They said something about getting passage on a ship."
"I see," said Dru, although she didn't truly. She felt as if the tavern keeper had punched her in the stomach. Her head was reeling, and it almost felt as if the floor was tilting upward.
"I'm sorry, Miss Naïlo," the human murmured. "For what it's worth, I think that he did you wrong."
Dru nodded, curtly, turning away before he could see her tears. She had to get out of there.
Her gaze locked with Kennic's, and the older elf nodded at her in understanding. He took her elbow, and led her through the crowded tavern, and out onto the street. When the other guards started to follow them, Kennic shook his head silently at them, gesturing them back inside the building.
"Come with me, child," he said quietly.
Dru obeyed woodenly, letting him take her where he would.
It wasn't until they arrived at a small shop in the Old City that she took in her surroundings. It was nowhere that she'd ever been before. "Come on up," he said, starting to move up a wooden staircase on the outside of the building. "I have a small place that I keep upstairs, for when I can't get back to the kesir."
It was a very small apartment, with a narrow bed, chamber pot, and nothing else in it. Kennic locked the door behind him, and then pulled Dru into his arms. "Cry," he said.
Dru stiffened, starting to pull back.
Kennic sighed. "You're entitled to your tears, Drusilia. Get it out of your system now, because it will hurt your father to see you like that."
At the mention of Papa, Dru let out a harsh sob. "He's the one who paid Andaryn to go away," she said, "So he should be willing to watch me cry because of him."
Kennic tightened his hold on her, not saying anything.
His concern finally broke through her stubbornness, and she began to cry in earnest on his shoulder. "It's not fair, Kennic. No one is ever going to love me or hate me on my own merit. It's always about Papa!"
He stroked her hair. "I doubt that very much, Drusilia," he said earnestly. "You'll acquire your own admirers, and likely your own rivals, as you get older."
She sniffled. "I'm already an adult, Kennic," she reminded him.
He chuckled. "So you are. But trust me, it will come."
She felt tears burning the insides of her eyelids, but wiped them away before they could trail down her cheek. "I thought that he loved me," she said in a small voice. "He could have gotten me into bed without saying that he loved me, so why did he have to lie?"
Kennic was still for a moment, and then said, his voice tight, "Some men have learned that the way to manipulate a young woman is through her emotions. Those that lack honor use that ability like a weapon, to get what they want. In Andaryn's case, it was that harp."
"So he thought that if he'd merely been bedding me, I wouldn't have convinced Papa to give him the loan," Dru said bitterly.
Kennic winced at the baldness of the statement coming from his young charge, but said, gently, "Would you have?"
"Yes! No..." She began weeping again, sagging into his arms.
He gently stroked her hair, murmuring softly, "You'll forget him with time, child. You're not the first nor the last person to have a broken heart."
Knowing that she wasn't unique didn't make Dru feel any better. In fact, it made her angrier. How dare that filthy adventuring scum use her like that! "I want him dead," she said.
"Ah, Drusilia," said Kennic with a sad smile. "I believe that you are growing more and more like your Papa every day. Yet... I do not believe that Tensin will kill him."
Dru straightened, pushing herself off of the older elf. "Then I will," she snarled. "I hate the b*****d, and I hope that when I kill him, someone resurrects him so that I can kill him again."
Kennic laughed, much to Dru's annoyance. He sobered, catching her glare. "Sorry. That struck me as funnier than you meant, I'm sure. I didn't mean that Tensin would let him off completely, Drusilia. Some things, and you must remember this, are worse than death. Death brings peace, and finality."
Dru thought about that, and then wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been crying like a child," she said, straightening her shoulders. She still felt broken, and knew that she'd cry once in her own room tonight, but didn't want him to know that.
The look of pity that he flashed her showed that her bravado didn't work, but he was too noble to say anything about it. "Very well. Shall we return home?" He held out his arm.
She took it, nodding silently.
Kennic took Dru through the front door of the house, after checking the main room for any signs of intruders. Satisfied, he locked the door behind him. "Get some rest, child," he said kindly. "Put the bard out of your mind. "Did I hear the tavern keeper say that he got on a ship for somewhere?"
Dru nodded. "Although I don't know where to."
"Alright," said Kennic, nodding.
Dru walked down the hall, and was almost to her bedroom when she heard Papa's voice come out of the darkened study, that she'd thought was empty. "Drusilia."
She stopped, looking into the room. "Yes, Papa?"
"Come in here."
She moved into the dark room, her elven eyes not having any difficulty adjusting to the low light. He was sitting back in the corner, and it looked like he had been there for quite some time. "Papa," she said, looking around the room, "You're sitting in the dark."
"Yes."
When he didn't elaborate, Dru sighed, and pulled up a chair. Papa got around to saying what he wanted to say in his own time. She sat, waiting.
"Was I right?"
The silence hung heavy between the two of them, before Dru nodded, almost imperceptibly. She didn't trust her voice to speak right now, because she knew that to do so would make her cry again.
Papa didn't say anything for some time. When he spoke, his voice was tinged with regret. "I take no joy in being right, Daughter."
"How did you know?" Dru's voice came out in a choked whisper that didn't do much to disguise the tears.
Papa's hand flashed out, quick as lightning, and wiped the moisture from under her eye before it could trickle down her cheek. "I've learned how to read people," he said. "It is a skill that you will require in time, but you should in the meantime learn to trust my judgement."
Dru looked at her lap, glumly. "I will not allow anyone to ever do that to me again," she said.
Most people, she was sure, would have hastened to reassure her that she'd love again, and that it was only natural for a young woman to fall in love with a young man. Papa didn't. He nodded. "Good," he said. "You'll be better for it."
Dru returned the nod, swallowing. "Papa... I think I'm going to retire for the evening. I have a lot to think about."
He closed his eyes, lips thinning. "Do that," he said. "Tomorrow, we'll do something to take your mind off of him." After a brief hesitation, he added, "He was not worthy of you, Drusilia."
Dru smiled fleetingly, even if he couldn't see it, and then left for the sanctuary of her bedroom. She hadn't lied to him; she had a lot to think about.
She heard Kennic and Papa's voices murmuring for awhile, heard some other people come into the house, and then Papa and Kennic left. She knew without a doubt that Andaryn was in trouble. She couldn't find it in her heart to care. I hope that they leave you begging for death, she thought, with a certain grim sense of satisfaction. Holding that thought to herself closely, she closed her eyes, and found enough peace within herself to slip into trance.
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