Fantasy Dragon's Revenge

[ANONASAI]

Altus didn't have time to make himself clear again. Another one was about to join the trouble. As always, he asked what this was all about. "Aren't I supposed to be the one asking that question?" he said with a smile. He then eyed the Lady Svana and carefully tracked her gaze. She was looking at the blacksmith. It seemed that the blacksmith is really some sort of an escort of Lady Svana.


Altus stared at the blacksmith and started explaining, "You have no business around here, mate. You should run along now if you want her safe..." Altus deepened her just to simply intimidate and make everything understood. Nobody must know about this.


He confronted the couple again, "Go...NOW..." his voice rose significantly as he tried to shake them away.

 

[Kyero]

Slifer cleaned up the blood as quickly as possible and made sure to burn the bloody towels in the bathtub. She made sure the fires wouldn't spread before making sure that she looked decent. She washed blood off of her hands and cleaned her hair up a bit before sitting down in her chair and waiting for Stanus to come back. If he didn't come back soon, she'd have to leave him behind and continue with Altus alone. It wasn't a terrible prospect, but it wasn't one she was looking forward to either.

 

[Kain]

The noble huffed. "It seems that you are more out of place here than I." Darius said, cocking his head sideways, looking quite calm. "By the ways that you address the lady, it seems like you are no less than a common thug. However, this one does not want to talk to you. That is a fact." With a slow movement of the hand, he slightly pushed Svana behind him and stared down into the hard brown eyes of the man in front of him...The best guess Darius could make is that he was somehow connected to the blood dripping from the ceiling, since he had no reason to threaten a person suddenly like that.... His lips twitched."Taking a intimidating tone...Enjoy tormenting innocent civilians, mate?" Sarcasm tinted his words.

 

[ANONASAI]

The blacksmith's words were true. To be honest, Altus is a little lost right now with the sudden move of events. Blacksmiths would normally pick up fights, boasting their muscular body. But no, the man talked this out and just left with those words. He just had to make sure they won't come back. "I believe you are right with me being out of place. But please believe me too that I know what I am doing." he stopped and stared again at Lady Svana and gave a nod for nothing. "I'm just keeping you safe m'lady...I'm sorry if I had to do this to you..." he said.


Altus looked back at the wise blacksmith to congratulate him of what he's done. The blacksmith seemed to know what he's doing. At least some nobles are smart enough to pick the right escorts. "You did the right thing...I like that. If you started laying fists on me, this could all go to a big mess. Keep that girl safe. And be careful with that sharp tongue..." he said as he glanced away and stared at the blood. If he won't be acting soon, the blood would then stain the floor. He has to move while it is fresh. And he cannot just leave it alone and find a towel.


And luck smiled at him. A maiden of the inn came out of the kitchen and towards the blood. He waited for her to pass...


And as the woman passed by, Altus quickly swiped his wild but silent hand into the maiden's pouch and took her towel. Finally, he finished it off and the blood was no more...

 

[roboblu]

The thief's attempts to scare Darius away failed miserably; the blacksmith moved her aside with a strong hand and then stepped forward, his impressive stature towering over the thief's more slight figure. Svana peered over her companion's shoulder and was quietly pleased by the look of surprise on the thief's scarred face. Either he hadn't expected Darius to counter so quickly, or had expected more violence- in any case, Svana was glad. Surprise didn't seem like a good thing, especially in a high-tension situation like this.


But in the next moment, the thief surprised her by apologizing! The little lady stared at him in astonishment, tugging up her cap in order to see him more clearly. What a strange criminal, she thought, as she watched him clean up the blood with a towel. Having likely just killed a man, this thief had already threatened her and then apologized for it, and was now mopping up the wall with the delicacy of a handmaiden!


After a moment's hesitation, Svana touched Darius's arm, gave him a nervous look, and moved past him to approach the thief. "Listen," she began, in a hushed undertone. "We need to get out of this city as much as you likely need to." The noblewoman paused, unsure of how to phrase what she wanted to say. And besides, this was crazy, this was insane- how had she come to associate with murderers and thieves? Regardless, the lady pressed on. "You know a way out." It was not a question; he was a thief, and if he had been so fervently chased by guards earlier, then she was guessing he was a good one. "Please, can you get us out of this- this city?"

 

[ANONASAI]

Altus was surprised as Lady Svana spoke to him. She wanted to get out of the city. Although, it wasn't an offering. Surely, a noble could pay him a few coins. Deals like these are hard to find. "You're not asking for a free ride...from a thief are you?" he asked with a slight chuckle. "Don't worry, it's only for a few coins."


Altus leaned back on a wooden foundation of the inn and looked at her. "As long as you keep quiet with this, I'll offer you maybe a discount?" He glanced at the blacksmith again and back at the girl. "And as long as your lover won't be bothering me..."

 

[Kain]

Darius was surprised. Her soft hand touched his arm, probably to move him aside. He arched his eye brows as he observed Lady Svana, proposing her plan.


Honestly, he hadn't believed that Svana was so straightforward as to ask an thief and a would-be assassin for help. He dragged a nearby chair towards him and sat, leaning on his fist. A few coins? He had chills, because their prices would certainly reach high levels. When the thief said discount, however, Darius relaxed. He stayed silent at the proposition that he was Svana's lover, giving him a glare. "I am not her lover, thief. Though I will protect her if a person tries to harass her." Or if you try to threaten me again.

 

[roboblu]

"I don't have much on me," the little lady admitted, fingering the strap of her bag. It was true; she hadn't thought to bring a large sum on her walk this morning. It was only this morning? Svana thought, deeply horrified. Only this morning she had watched her father die ... But it was useless to think about that now, when her own life was likely in danger. Her attention snapped back to the present, where she found the thief's attempts to exhort her highly displeasing. "However, as you may recall, you did take my handkerchief this morning after I helped you with the guardsmen. It should be worth a couple of Fil." Her words were polite, but her meaning was firm; she would not pay any more than absolutely necessary. Though Svana was a demure young woman, trained in the ways of etiquette and was perhaps a bit naive, she knew how to negotiate. Her father, after all, had been a diplomat.


Darius was quick to correct the thief's mistake about their relationship, which almost made the lady smile. Lovers. The source of most scandal in the upper-class was undoubtedly the great ... appetite ... of men in power, appetites that could not be satisfied by pretty little highborn wives. Svana herself would one day be married to a great and powerful man for the sole purpose of having his heirs; she would not be adored, nor cherished or valued beyond her childbearing abilities. Her husband's mistresses would snicker and whisper as they passed her in the courtyard; there would be no love, and no respect. Svana had discovered this truth in her late teens, when suitor after suitor had rejected her, and the glamour of marriage had slowly faded away.


She stood facing the thief with her hands folded neatly at the base of her stomach, waiting for a response.

 

[ANONASAI]

When Lady Svana tried to make him recall of the event where she helped him, Altus also remembered that was the time the revolution started. Maybe she can be useful... Altus thought. Her father did die. Altus tilted his head away from the couple, trying to hide his questions from them.


Then he stared at Lady Svana with a more straight and serious face, "Who do you fight for in this revolution?" he asked. "And maybe we can make an agreement..."


He then glanced at the blacksmith, "How can you protect her if you can't protect yourself?" The question was strong and direct. He has never been in this situation before: Talking to two useless persons at the same time...

 

[Kain]

He watched Svana putting in her arguments. Hmh. Not bad. For someone who just saw her father murdered in front of her eyes, she could still hold a strong front. Not like some other noble at his hometown, who would immediately break down and cry for guards. Darius smirked.


While the lady was arranging a deal with the thief, the blacksmith observed his immediate area, to see if anything had changed. After a moment, he realized that nothing had, albeit two or three patrons being considerably more drunk than ever. With that note in mind, he spent another instant analyzing this thug in front of him.


Dark hair, brown eyes. Seems cocky, or strong, if he thinks he has the capability to intimidate him. The latter is less desirable, but it is, most often, the answer.


Hearing the thief's words, he almost laughed. "Now, how did you come across that assumption?" Darius said, turning his head towards the man. Something sparkled within his eyes. "I oft hear that I am as defenceless as a lamb."

 

[ANONASAI]

Altus was again correct, this blacksmith would often argue to people he doesn't like. He was not defenseless as a lamb, though. Lambs know when to run...the blacksmith didn't. "A lamb knows when to run and where, mate. But it seems like you don't..." He chuckled. "You're not defenseless, you're just like a creature that would look for a fight and not learn from it..."


He looked at Lady Svana, "Be quick..."

 

[roboblu]

Who did she fight for? The question was perplexing; Svana had not, until now, realized she was fighting for anybody. After listening to the thief bicker with Darius, she spoke up. "I fight for the people, because they don't deserve what they have now, nor the lies they're being fed." The little lady fiddled with the end of her sleeve. So many restrictions were set in place by the noblemen against the common men; so many were suffering for the sake of the elite. Many of her father's negotiations had revolved around raising global standards of living among the lower-and-middle-classes, and he had taught Svana at an early age to respect all people regardless of socioeconomic status.


But if justice meant murder, then Svana didn't want that, either.


"What I'm fighting for is social justice, but these revolutionaries aren't going to achieve it through violence and sensationalism. I don't know what they're trying to achieve, but I don't want to be a part of it." The woman's voice betrayed her exhaustion. She glanced at the thief in apprehension, only just realizing that if he was a revolutionary, she had just lost herself a ticket out of the city.

 

[Kain]

"A lamb knows where to run? Even when they are dumb enough to get caught in a nook and cranny?" His light accent must've seemed underneath his tongue, but now.... His face still didn't show a hint of emotion, but his aggravation was clear as day. "They run at the mere sight of fear and think incoherently. Lambs are driven in a corner; I am not." This bloody thug irritated him, twisting calling him weak. It reminded him of the days when he truly was feeble and couldn't do anything to protect himself. He swore on Talos that he wouldn't let anyone disrespect of the sort again; Not by a mere thug, he wouldn't.


He then clamped down his next words and listened to the Lady, whose knowledge of politics were much more refined than his. Of course, it's been 6 years since he had left his town. He didn't have a great interest in those affairs, but it still involved him to an certain extent. Darius rose, carefully eyeing the assassin with wary eyes, watching his next move.

 

[Kyero]

Slifer heard the commotion happening below her, and left the room. She was still wearing her semi-transparent night gown, and let her hair down as she walked lazily down the stairs and purposefully yawned at the base of the stairs and turned the corner and walked onto the scene. Altus was talking... Well, arguing with a couple other people.


Slifer yawned loudly, covering her mouth with her left hand while stretching her right hand above her head, bringing up the skirt of the gown dangerously close to showing her undergarments before letting it back down.


"My, my. You certainly are a loud bunch aren't you?" She asked softly.


She looked about, taking in the features of those present, finally with her eyes landing on Altus.


"Altus, dear... Would you mind keeping the volume down. I'm trying to get some sleep given that it's so late at night. I'm sure others staying here are thinking the same thing. And could I please ask the two of you to extend the same courtesy?" She asked, rubbing one of her eyes before looking at them endearingly.

 

[ANONASAI]

Altus was about to give both of them his reply, until Slifer came down and tried to catch the attention. Luck was on his side again. But this did not stop the couple from talking to Altus. Maybe Slifer could help?


He slid unseen from the couple while distracted, and started a cover statement before telling her what was really happening, "My apologies, Slifer, but I'm just trying to help these young lovers over here. Please, go to sleep. I promise we won't bother you again..." Altus said with a smile as he slowly walked towards Slifer and converse in a very quiet tone. "Slifer, they know about the blood. I thought I asked you to clean it?" He said silently just a few meters away from the couple. They will never hear what he's saying. "If you're going to ask me to get rid of them, I don't really have to swipe their throats..." He said again.


Altus glanced back at the couple to check if they were somehow eavesdropping. Of course, Altus' quick scan would make it more suspicious, but it was for the best.

 

[roboblu]

Before the thief could respond, a scantily-clad woman came sauntering down the stairs, her long, vivid red hair swinging lazily back and forth as she did so. Svana stared, mouth closed but just barely, at this new and strange woman before her. The red lady was probably the most beautiful creature Svana had ever seen in her life, with clear skin, bright eyes, and altogether perfect features. Her lean yet voluptuous body was only half-concealed by a wispy nightgown, stirring a sense of shameful self-consciousness within Svana that she hadn't felt since, oh, about age sixteen. The woman purred a request at the thief, who was quick to pull her aside and whisper loudly in her ear; My, thought the lady, What strange company this thief keeps! For a moment Svana was too distracted by the woman's perfection to eavesdrop, her mind a whirlwind of womanly thoughts. Gods, in this old coat I look like a rat when compared to her, the lady thought, and somehow this horrified her, even after all of the events of the day. Svana had been raised to compare and compete, dressed to perfection by her lady mother and attendants; only now was her present condition starting to clash with that previous, noble standard.


Realizing how petty she was being, the lady returned her attention to the thief and his woman. He seemed very eager to please her- too eager, perhaps, to realize how loudly he was whispering. Svana heard something about blood, and cutting throats- and at this she gave Darius an uneasy glance. Maybe ... maybe she had not been wise in striking a deal with the thief.

 

[Kain]

When the beautiful lady came into his view, he felt his fists loosen up, and his expression softening. Quickly, he held the questions back from his mouth and took a quick and rapid breath. Indeed, she was very attractive, but he didn't want to let his eyes wander around. A small crimson blush covered his face momentarily before he cleared his throat, trying to diminish the blood rushing into his cheeks. As far as Darius was concerned, wearing a thin veil around your body wasn't......good...to wear in public (especially in a inn full of sailors). He felt like putting a coat on her, just to avoid that annoying problem. The noble knew that some men would be aggressive if they saw her dressed that way.


At any rate, he didn't think that she need't no protecting. Even though she seemed to be promiscuous, when he observed more closely, he could see the muscles coiling around her arms. The woman wasn't scared at all either. He wouldn't be surprised if there was a knife hidden in that piece of cloth.


Watching the two of them whispering to each other carefully, a sudden realization hit him. If the thief is working with her... then she might be involved in the murder upstairs. That made his blood run cold.


He nudged Svana with his hand, urgently, avoiding eye contact with that red headed beauty.

 

[Kyero]

Slifer pouted at Altus, puffing her cheeks.


She looked at the others with a pleasant smile and walked around Altus. She moved forward and bowed to the nobleman before her. Given her bust and the low cut of her gown, as well as his height, she knew he got quite a view of her cleavage. It wasn't exactly intentional, but she didn't mind all the same. She then turned and did the same for the girl, though since she wasn't as tall the cleavage wasn't as visible.


"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you. I do apologize if my friend was rude in any way," she said, again with a bow though this time apologetic rather than in greeting.


She smiled at them both.


"So, I do believe an introduction is in order-"


She was cut off by the sensation of a rather large and burly man putting his hand on her backside. She let out a small squeak at the feeling, pausing and giving him a cold glare over her shoulder. The man was drunk, and didn't seem to notice her look. Still, it was a nuisance.


"Hey there pretty lady... *Hic*... You wanna have a good time?" He asked.


Slifer's eyes narrowed, though her expression soon turned to a sly smile.


"Well, now that you mention it, I have been a bit tense lately," she said in a sweet and sultry voice.


She turned towards him, placing a hand on his chest and moving her left foot in between his legs. She tilted her head to one side, and in an instant the man was on the floor on his back. He stared at the ceiling and blinked a few times as Slifer gently set his head down on the floor and pressed her index and middle fingers against a point on his neck and he slowly lost consciousness. She shook her fingers and gave a huff through her nose before turning towards the others again.


"I do apologize about that. My name is Slifer, and I am the resident martial arts master of the capitol city of Tyaznarak. My friend here is one of my students, though I have yet to truly teach him anything. He has a rather strange sense of humor, so you'll forgive him if he comes off as suspicious or otherwise... shall we say unsavory. He has fantasies of being a master martial artist with stealth being his favorite subject. I'm afraid he lets his imagination and ambitions get the better of him sometimes, and he tries to live the life he wants in the future."


She took a moment to look at him, giving Altus a smile as she gave him a jerk or her head towards the stairs. It was an indication she wanted him upstairs and away from these two. She looked back to the two before her, smiling pleasantly.


"We have been traveling for a long time now in an attempt to discover the truth behind a great mystery that's been haunting me for quite some time. We're both very tired. I do hope you'll forgive me for cutting this conversation here, but I have not slept properly in nearly three days."


She took a moment to breath, bowing to them as she turned towards the stairs. She stopped on the third step, looking back to them.


"It was a pleasure to meet you, and I wish you both a pleasant evening," she said with a bow of her head.

 

[ANONASAI]

Altus tried to hide his wide smile that almost turned to a laugh as he saw the drunkard fall to his back. He was very wrong about Slifer, she really knew how to handle herself. She was quick and loud, causing much attention. Drunkards wouldn't really mind.


Altus felt insulted a little by Slifer's words about him being her student. Though it was not entirely true, it could change the way the couple would look at Altus. Slifer then ordered Altus to head upstairs to wait for her. While having the free time to think, he first asked himself what was Slifer trying to achieve? She was somehow befriending the couple after all that happened. Was it really her intention to do that? Or was Slifer expecting something else? He did not know.


He was surprised Slifer would just leave the couple like that. Just a few introductions, and then a good bye? This could end up badly with the couple free and clear of sight. Slifer went upstairs towards Altus. He confronted her with his arms folded and his eyes straight and cold covering his sight with Slifer's face. He stared at her, waiting for a response of what just happened and how she was going to handle this.

 

[roboblu]

The woman bowed deeply to Darius, who made a strange sound in the back of his throat; Svana supposed he was trying to cough or speak up, but when she glanced up at her companion she saw a deep red smear around his nose and cheeks. In spite of the situation, the noblewoman felt tempted to laugh. Apparently stone-faced Darius DID have a few weaknesses, one of which being attractive women in flimsy nightgowns. Svana turned her attention back to the red-haired siren, who was in the middle of a deep and gracious bow. Even though Svana was a good five or six inches shorter than the other woman, it was impossible not to notice her extraordinary cleavage; the noblewoman politely looked away and only returned her gaze when it was appropriate to do so. Women of the court often used similar tactics to manipulate politicians, and Svana was unmoved ... Instead, she decided to watch this lady carefully.


Before the woman could introduce herself, a drunk interrupted her with a crude, ungentlemanly gesture that made Svana cringe. In one swift motion, the man was on the ground, with the woman standing coolly -and dangerously- over him. Svana froze and stared at this strange lady with mixed bewilderment and suspicion in her silver eyes: who was this intense, flame-haired, beautiful creature? Why was she traveling with the thief? And what did she have planned for them?


Introducing herself as Slifer, the woman then provided an explanation for the thief's behavior and quickly excused the two, leaving Svana staring after them in confusion. One thing was clear: Slifer had lied, or at least withheld part of the truth. Although today had been a rollercoaster of emotions, the noblewoman could still recognize dishonesty, even in a mysterious woman like Slifer. She turned to Darius. "Well," she spoke hesitantly, lost for words. Clearly it was unwise to trust the thief and his otherworldly "teacher," but Svana found herself deeply interested in the unusual pair. Should she and Darius stay the night at the inn, or leave quickly? If they fled, Svana did not know where they would go: the gates to the city were probably still heavily guarded, and it was getting late. Exhaustion weighed down her limbs and eyelids, calling for a bed or at least a comfortable floor.


She wanted to stay. What was the point of running, anyways? Maybe she and Darius could avoid the thief if they were careful, but Slifer ... Somehow Svana knew that they would not be able to outrun Slifer if she decided to pursue them. Confused and tired, the noblewoman waited for her companion to decide their best course of action. She only hoped that he would not leave her behind.

 

[Kyero]

Slifer walked up the stairs and saw Altus glaring at her, trying to look intimidating. She smirked at him, and as she walked by she leaned forward and whispered in his ear.


"What's wrong? Didn't enjoy my performance?"


She continued past him, walking up to the top of the stairs and turning towards the room from before. She knew the blood was already an issue, so the best thing to do was a quick switch. She looked to one of the rooms nearby and saw that the door was open. It was room 4, and theirs was room 2. She went into the room and quickly gathered all of her and Altus' extra belongings and moved them into room 4 before double checking that nothing of theirs was in room 2. When she was satisfied, she nodded and locked the door from the inside, setting the key down on a desk and closing the door on her way out. She jiggled the handle to make sure it was locked, and it was.


She smiled to Altus, and beckoned him over. When he walked up to her, she whispered very softly and quietly into his ear.


"I don't suppose your skills could be used to acquire the key to room 4 could it? It is our new room after all. If we can't hide the blood or body, better to make sure it doesn't look like it belongs to us."


With that, she walked into room to with a slight and somewhat provocative saunter with a little extra sway in her hips as she closed the door behind her. Even without the key, nobody would guess that it wasn't their room if she quickly made it look like they'd been there for a while. Mess up the bed, hang the clothing real fast, and move a few other basic items to make it seem used. With luck, Altus would be able to acquire the key and make it back without incurring any further investigation by the couple.

 

[ANONASAI]

Altus left with no reply but a smirk at Slifer. She was full of surprises. Very brilliant, very slippery, and very tough. He was beginning to admire her skills. And it was time to show his. He thought the couple would already be gone or occupied somehow,but they were still standing around. It was impossible for Altus to head for the keys without being seen by the couple. It was an open space. The only cluster of drunkards were luckily just near him. The others were just sitting and laughing. The gathered men could be used to shield Altus from their eyes. The only problem he had to face was how he could move them towards the keys. They were drunk, even offering them a few coins would not do anything. These men were dancing wobbly, they were attracted to the music. Somehow and with luck, if Altus could entertain with some moves of his own, he can get them to follow him.


So it started, he pretended to wobble but not dance. Not later he started clapping his hands to the beat of the song. It took him another second to realize they don't understand what Altus was doing at all. He needed to teach them. Drunk, Altus tried to pull the arms of a drunkard and slowly taught him to clap. Fortunately the drunkard was satisfied, spreading his teaching to the others. Now, all the drunkards are clapping. It was going perfectly. Next was to march, he fitted himself into the middle of the cluster resulting to be unseen in any direction. Stomping his feet loudly, the others followed. He realized how powerful you are against an army of drunk men. Altus started moving towards the direction of the Inn Keeper. And at the moment that they were very close to the couple, he released the drunkards with just a simple move that would make them stay there in front of the couple. These men were big, tall, and very wide. It was clear that the couple wouldn't notice Altus. He worried that Lady Svana could have a chance to take a glimpse at him, she was very short and small.


Altus walked out of the cluster still acting drunk and stole a bottle of wine from a table. He rushed towards the sweeping key holder. She was sweeping the floor with her body significantly bent, giving Altus a better chance to steal the keys. He could wobbly bump the key holder and take the keys but since all the keys were compiled into one key ring, it would cause a jingling noise and attract the key holder. He needed something to cover that noise and that was the bottle's job. He recklessly bashed the bottle to the ground as he bumped the key holder and synchronized the jingle with the bottle's smash.


Altus walked away undetected and with a wide smile. His hand gripping tightly to the key ring not allowing it to jingle.


He walked into their new room and gave Slifer the keys.

 

[Kyero]

Slifer took the keys from Altus and gave him a nod.


"Well done, now the real work begins. I hope you'll excuse me, Altus, but I have an award winning performance to put on."


Slifer walked out into the hallway and turned towards room 2. She knocked semi loudly on the door, enough for people below to just barely hear it. She knocked again, and called out to a theoretical someone in the room.


"Hello? Sir? Could you please discard your trash? It's beginning to smell in the hallways and it's quite bothersome!" She called out loud.


She knew that if she called continuously someone would come up to "help" her with this issue. The innkeepers specifically could not ignore a customer being inconvenienced. They'd be along shortly. With luck, the nobleman below would be up as well to help out a beautiful woman in distress.


"Sir?... Hello?" She called again, knocking a few more times.


She could hear footsteps coming up the stairs, and she smiled to herself before putting on her concerned face again.


"Sir?" She asked, knocking again.


The innkeeper was first up the stairs to see her.


"Pardon madam, but is something wrong?"


She turned to the innkeeper.


"Yes, sir. I can smell something rancid from this room. It's quite bothersome."


The innkeeper nodded, politely asking her to step aside. The whole time, Slifer played the innocent and concerned patron moving about nervously and looking past the innkeeper's shoulder. Given she was still in her night gown, the innkeeper was mildly distracted by the sight of her breasts showing through it. Thankfully she was wearing a bra, or things would have been really interesting. The innkeeper knocked on the door asking the man to open it, but it wouldn't open. So, after a few more attempts, he brought out a spare key and unlocked the door. As soon as it opened, the sight of blood was immediate.


Slifer began her performance. She shrieked at the top of her lungs and fainted. Out cold. 100% real. Fainted.


Slifer had learned of a method of purposefully blocking blood flow to her brain by flexing certain muscle groups which resulted in a knock out after any sudden and intense shock to the system. She had been performing the technique since the moment the innkeeper asked her to step aside, and timed it perfectly to her scream which resulted in her fainting. The innkeeper began to panic at that point as well as some of the others who'd shown up. He wasn't sure whether to help the woman who fell or address the pool of blood. Slifer's breasts were quite full, and given her fall and her current attire they were just about ready to... well, bust. Slifer's night gown had fallen around her legs, and part of her undergarments were now showing as well. But since she was out, she had no control over that.


If this performance didn't prove Slifer's innocence regarding the blood in the eyes of everyone there except for Altus, then nothing would.

 

[ANONASAI]

Altus was again amazed by Slifer's brilliant tactics and graceful act. At this moment Altus began wondering why Slifer would require an escort with her journey if she could truly handle everything. The attractive and beautiful performer finally ended her show with more than just a bow. He was expecting Slifer would get up again and he was worried what the drunk men would do to her now she is in this state. The others believe she really fainted. Altus believed she was still acting.


A man tried to touch the lady with his hand. And the direction of the hand wasn't in a good spot. He quickly kicked off the man's hand and gave him a glare as he slowly placed his arms under Slifer's body. He slowly carried her back to room 4. Now that Slifer was very close to him while on this kind of clothing, the distractions and temptations played with him again. He wouldn't let that happen. He thought to himself how long Slifer was going to wear this?


He walked towards room 4 and shut it with a gentle push from his right foot and continued tendering to Slifer. He laid her on a bed and covered her body with a blanket. Just to avoid the distraction. For a few seconds, Altus examined Slifer. She can wake up now since the act is done. "Slifer..." he said with a quiet tone. "Slifer..." now on a straight one. "SLIFER..." the tone was not so loud but it was enough for an actress to hear it. Somehow frustrated, he walked quickly towards her and crashed his hands to her shoulders, shaking her. Nothing. It was hard to believe that she was not acting. And in this case he had to.


Altus took a chair and sat down looking at Slifer. There was nothing Altus could do. For no reason, he just watched at her. As if his mind was empty. Altus realized this and tried to search for something in his puzzled thoughts. One thought flew over him with a soft whisper, "Now's your chance...". Chance to what? Sleep with her?


He kept examining the whole area and even his deserted mind trying to find what he was looking. His paranoia kept hitting him hardly until he'd come to scan Slifer again one last time. And this was it...images of dragons were captured in his mind. He recalled he wanted to know what this journey was all about. And since Slifer is asleep, he can search for clues in her belongings.


Carelessly, he took the run. He took a long view of Slifer's pack while sitting beside her...

 

[roboblu]

Svana was about to say something more to Darius when the thief returned downstairs, and judging by his swaying steps and jovial mannerisms, he was thoroughly drunk. No, but he can't be, the lady thought distractedly, keeping her gaze locked on the meandering thief. It's barely been ten minutes! Confused, the noblewoman watched as the strange man struck up a dance with some of the resting drunkards, twirling and clapping to the music; but why? And where was his red-headed companion?


Suddenly the crowd of big, sweaty men careened toward them, dancing badly and singing loudly. Svana slipped between the men like water through a pile of stones, fighting for a glimpse of the thief; and there, she saw him- in one swift motion, the thief had dropped a bottle of wine and snatched an old maid's keys from her pocket! Svana stared in disbelief, though she was careful not to let the thief see her. What could he want keys for ... what did they have planned?


The noblewoman was brought out of her suspicions by a roaring drunkard, who literally swept her off of her feet in his vigor for the dance. The dirty, smelly man was attempting to waltz, but couldn't seem to control his legs on account of his constant, booming laughter. Giving the man a nasty look, Svana wriggled out of his grasp and landed -surprisingly- on her feet, immediately darting through the crowd in an attempt to find the thief once more. Why was she so interested in him and his woman? Svana did not know, but she still wanted his help out of the city, murderer or not. And, at the moment, it felt as if he had cheated her- which was unacceptable.


A loud shriek echoed from upstairs, and interested patrons began moving to investigate. Svana guessed that someone had found the source of the blood; being interested herself, the lady allowed the crowd to carry her up the stairs and into the hall, where Slifer was sprawled out on the floor. The door to room two was wide open, allowing a wide and generous view of the bloody scene within. Some patrons strained forward and others leaned back, unwilling to meddle in such dangerous affairs, but Svana was a member of the former group. She looked around for a view of the thief, guessing that he was nearby, and found her suspicions correct; there he was, hulking over the unconscious red-haired woman and swatting off any wandering hands.


Svana glanced to the side ... Another door was wide open.


Room four.


Somehow it was obvious to her that this was the thief's and the siren's room. Without thinking, Svana slipped through the open door (blissfully unnoticed) and took a good look around. There was a variety of personal items strewn across the room, but to the lady's silver eyes the scene seemed unnatural, perhaps too haphazard. Out of the corner of her eye Svana noticed something curious poking out of a bag, but before she could investigate, the sounds of someone approaching grew near. Panicked, the lady ducked into a nearby closet and wriggled behind a spare piece of furniture ... Huddled in the small, dark space, Svana wondered what had possessed her to enter the room. In her youth she had often been hired by politicians to sneak around the castle and spy on various lords and ladies, but she knew her present situation was just a hair more dire. One noise and she would be discovered: and so the lady kept silent.