29th of Fall, 518 A.V.
To most, the layout of Stumble Alley is a confusing collection of streets and alleys, making it difficult to navigate. Kynier’s familiarity with the area had grown substantially during the past few seasons. The Majestic was well hidden within the district and had taken Kynier sometime to get a lay of the land to be able to find it. A few times even he could still get lost, but that was mostly when his focus was placed heavily on something else and he was in a rush. Today though, he was getting rather frustrated with trying to find a place within the district.
The place had no name, which was part of the point. In his hand was a slip of parchment with vague directions on where he needed to go. The note had been left behind at the last dead drop and indicated where the next collection of dead drops would be located. It was not next to any truly distinguishable buildings or landmarks which was what made finding its location difficult. And it was only as the end of the second bell that he spent searching, did he find the location indicated on the note. At least, what looked like the location.
It was just like any other place within Stumble Alley, or even most of the city. Littered with garbage that appeared to have been there for multiple seasons. It gave off an odious stench. There was also rubble in the form of broken bricks, broken boards, and stones scattered and piled about. Kynier gave the note one last review. It said that the dead drop was under the triangular brick. Kynier set the note in his pocket and started searching. After he climbed over the rubble a couple of steps, he managed to find a crate that had some splintered planks hiding it from view. On top of the crate was a broken brick in the rough shape of a triangle. The brick itself was too small to conceal anything, so Kynier removed the wooden planks and lifted the lid of the crate.
Nothing was inside. As he stared at the inside for a moment an uneasy feeling crawled up his spine. His focused changed from what his eyes to could see to the other senses, including his intuitive ones. Rain lightly pattered on the wood and stone and made the odious garbage wet and odious. While he felt like he was alone in the alley, Kynier was certain that he wasn’t. He set the lid down and leaned the splintered wood back over the crate. Looking down both ends of the alley, he quietly drew both of his short swords.
Warily, he stalked his way down to the other end of the alley, giving an occasion glance over his shoulder at the direction that he just came from. When approached in the end of the alley, Kynier positioned himself to be up against one of the buildings. He wasn’t truly up against it, there were a few inches of space between his back and the wall to avoid making any scrapping sounds to give his position away. Kynier’s senses told him that there was something around the corner. He saw no movement and heard none either, but he was still sure that someone was there.
Taking a steadying breath, Kynier held both short swords up to the same shoulder in preparation. With a step he went out of the alley then pivoted and swung both blades at the place he was sure someone was standing. And someone was. A man of lean muscles dressed in leather leapt back from his position in wide-eyed surprise. The cold iron blades bounded off the stone surface of the building but Kynier kept moving in the man’s direction. “Sebastian,” he snarled as he continued to walk towards the man. Sebastian drew a single dagger but did not hold it up menacingly towards the spy. “What’re you doing here?”
The Daggerhand Brother’s grey eyes were still widened slightly from adrenaline, but the rest of his features were as calm as ever. “I’ve been sent to get you actually,” he stated casually like he was commenting on the weather. Kynier stopped his advance and stared at the man. Sebastian stood a little straighter but did not let his guard down completely. Kynier had never seen the man in battle and did not know how foolish it may be to engage him in combat. Without sudden movements, Kynier sheathed his weapons while keeping an eye on the Daggerhand. The other man also stowed his weapon and a moment of silent tension passed between them.
“Follow me,” Sabastian said like a command than a suggestion. “She wants to see you.” The Daggerhand turned and led the way, exposing his back to Kynier. It was very tempting to see if he could drive a blade into that opening, but his problems weren’t truly with the man before him. So, Kynier followed behind as Sebastian took them deeper into the maze of Stumble Alley. Kynier’s mind rattled at discovering what the meaning behind all of this was. Why not just leave another note behind for whatever task they wanted him to do?
After ten chimes of walking, Sebastian stopped at the door to a building that had no eye-catching qualities. It was not broken down and did not have any shattered windows either. For a building in Stumble Alley, that meant it was in decent condition. Sebastian tilted his head at the door to indicate that Kynier should go in first. The spy scowled at the other man before grasping the handle and opening the door to step inside. The interior was well furnished and illuminated with candles. An unusual scent filled the room that had a hint of lavender to it. There was a table in the middle of the room, and a woman that was lying across its surface.
The way she laid across the tables length towards the door provided a very suggestive view to those coming inside. The dark-haired woman was on her back and arched her back while tilting her head back to peer at them upside down. Kynier crossed half the distance between the door and the table, noting the woman’s smile towards him. While his eyes did once glimpse the deliberate display of cleavage, they locked onto the Svefran blue eyes of the woman and did not waver. Kynier held no smile and had maintained the scowl that he had given Sebastian outside. His hard look did not appear to affect the woman’s demeanor. “What do you want, Ashara?”
NaNo Post: 1,101
The place had no name, which was part of the point. In his hand was a slip of parchment with vague directions on where he needed to go. The note had been left behind at the last dead drop and indicated where the next collection of dead drops would be located. It was not next to any truly distinguishable buildings or landmarks which was what made finding its location difficult. And it was only as the end of the second bell that he spent searching, did he find the location indicated on the note. At least, what looked like the location.
It was just like any other place within Stumble Alley, or even most of the city. Littered with garbage that appeared to have been there for multiple seasons. It gave off an odious stench. There was also rubble in the form of broken bricks, broken boards, and stones scattered and piled about. Kynier gave the note one last review. It said that the dead drop was under the triangular brick. Kynier set the note in his pocket and started searching. After he climbed over the rubble a couple of steps, he managed to find a crate that had some splintered planks hiding it from view. On top of the crate was a broken brick in the rough shape of a triangle. The brick itself was too small to conceal anything, so Kynier removed the wooden planks and lifted the lid of the crate.
Nothing was inside. As he stared at the inside for a moment an uneasy feeling crawled up his spine. His focused changed from what his eyes to could see to the other senses, including his intuitive ones. Rain lightly pattered on the wood and stone and made the odious garbage wet and odious. While he felt like he was alone in the alley, Kynier was certain that he wasn’t. He set the lid down and leaned the splintered wood back over the crate. Looking down both ends of the alley, he quietly drew both of his short swords.
Warily, he stalked his way down to the other end of the alley, giving an occasion glance over his shoulder at the direction that he just came from. When approached in the end of the alley, Kynier positioned himself to be up against one of the buildings. He wasn’t truly up against it, there were a few inches of space between his back and the wall to avoid making any scrapping sounds to give his position away. Kynier’s senses told him that there was something around the corner. He saw no movement and heard none either, but he was still sure that someone was there.
Taking a steadying breath, Kynier held both short swords up to the same shoulder in preparation. With a step he went out of the alley then pivoted and swung both blades at the place he was sure someone was standing. And someone was. A man of lean muscles dressed in leather leapt back from his position in wide-eyed surprise. The cold iron blades bounded off the stone surface of the building but Kynier kept moving in the man’s direction. “Sebastian,” he snarled as he continued to walk towards the man. Sebastian drew a single dagger but did not hold it up menacingly towards the spy. “What’re you doing here?”
The Daggerhand Brother’s grey eyes were still widened slightly from adrenaline, but the rest of his features were as calm as ever. “I’ve been sent to get you actually,” he stated casually like he was commenting on the weather. Kynier stopped his advance and stared at the man. Sebastian stood a little straighter but did not let his guard down completely. Kynier had never seen the man in battle and did not know how foolish it may be to engage him in combat. Without sudden movements, Kynier sheathed his weapons while keeping an eye on the Daggerhand. The other man also stowed his weapon and a moment of silent tension passed between them.
“Follow me,” Sabastian said like a command than a suggestion. “She wants to see you.” The Daggerhand turned and led the way, exposing his back to Kynier. It was very tempting to see if he could drive a blade into that opening, but his problems weren’t truly with the man before him. So, Kynier followed behind as Sebastian took them deeper into the maze of Stumble Alley. Kynier’s mind rattled at discovering what the meaning behind all of this was. Why not just leave another note behind for whatever task they wanted him to do?
After ten chimes of walking, Sebastian stopped at the door to a building that had no eye-catching qualities. It was not broken down and did not have any shattered windows either. For a building in Stumble Alley, that meant it was in decent condition. Sebastian tilted his head at the door to indicate that Kynier should go in first. The spy scowled at the other man before grasping the handle and opening the door to step inside. The interior was well furnished and illuminated with candles. An unusual scent filled the room that had a hint of lavender to it. There was a table in the middle of the room, and a woman that was lying across its surface.
The way she laid across the tables length towards the door provided a very suggestive view to those coming inside. The dark-haired woman was on her back and arched her back while tilting her head back to peer at them upside down. Kynier crossed half the distance between the door and the table, noting the woman’s smile towards him. While his eyes did once glimpse the deliberate display of cleavage, they locked onto the Svefran blue eyes of the woman and did not waver. Kynier held no smile and had maintained the scowl that he had given Sebastian outside. His hard look did not appear to affect the woman’s demeanor. “What do you want, Ashara?”
NaNo Post: 1,101
Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!
