Narratives

It was one of those typical engagements. Meet the figure in the cloak at the dark, corner table of someplace or another tavern. There to discuss payment for a job involving something better not mentioned in the light of day.

How completely, and utterly boring.

"Fellows? We got another one of those annoying offers." The lithe blond elf let the note slip from her fingers to the floor of the inn and went over to the open window to breathe something that resembled fresh air.

The others gave it a momentary glance, then ignored it and returned to their conversations and food, while listening to the inn's resident bard strike up another tune.

"Hey Smirnas, you ought to pay more attention to this guy, he can sing!" The commentor was a young halfling woman, with a very broad grin on her face.

"Are you implying that I cannot?" came the flippant reply from the sharply dressed half-elf lounging at the head of the table.

"Yes!" came the laughing reply from the rest of the table, including the elven woman by the window.

"Hrmp. I ought to accept this job for all of us just to pay you all back for that remark." Picking up the note he threatened the table at large by waving it about. But Smirnas' face was also smiling, and the group soon returned to their individual conversations. None noticed as the half-elf slipped the note into his pocket - none save the elven woman who watched him from the corner of her eyes.

* * *

Much later that evening, the half elf slipped out of the now quiet inn and strolled down the street in the direction of the tavern referenced by the note. He bore a grin on his face, one of good-natured mischief. If he noticed the quiet shadow tailing him from the roof tops, he gave no sign.

"What does the blasted boy think he is up to? He probably is going to take the stupid job, just to play a trick on all of us." The elf's thoughts were like daggers as she leapt gracefully and silently from roof to roof; sometimes including a twist or a flip, just to slow her movement and keep her behind the one she was following.

Sure enough, the half elf ducked into the tavern in question, and the elven woman uttered a curse as she gracefully lowered herself to the ground. Flipping up her hood, she also entered the tavern and moved to be able to listen to the conversation just barely getting started at that oh-so-obvious dark corner table.

"The note reached you I see." This came from the cloaked figure seated across from her companion.

"Sure thing. The others ignored it just like I said they would. So, you need my extraordinary presence at another performance."

"Yes, we do. And this isn't going to be your normal stint with the funny red nose and big shoes. We need you to woo someone and keep her busy."

"Big shoes and a red nose," thought the elven woman, "what is Smirnas doing? He join a circus or something?" She left the building while the pair continued their discussion - including details the elf really didn't care about or want to hear. Besides, her turn on guard would be over soon, and she needed to get back to wake the next in line - although they had been in the comforts of a reasonable town for several weeks now, their adventuring training never seemed to fade or slack. They still posted guards, still kept to a watch schedule, still took their weapons and armor with them everywhere. Funny how things like that turn out to be useful...

* * *

The next morning, the group broke up. The halfling lass going north towards Ratik, the nicely dressed pair going south toward Rel Mord, and the half elf Smirnas heading west towards the Duchy of Urnst.

"Where are you off to, Sara?" came the halfling's question just before she donned her pack and strode off through the door.

"I'll probably stick around here for a while, find Teannon and see how much better than me she's become. Then maybe I'll meet up with Smirnas in Leukish in a few weeks." The half elf's grin was broad and lecherous, and everyone there groaned before setting off on their separate journeys.

The lie was easy. Far easier than she had ever expected. Order wasn't everything. There was no loss of her skills with the lie - if anything the freedom of a little chaos made certain things easier. Teannon would never understand, but their views had been differing for a long while now.

Still, even with the lie, Sara did stay around town for a while. Exactly four hours after the group had gone their separate ways. Then she too grabbed up her pack and headed west - to catch up with the trail of Smirnas and whatever he was up to.

* * *

"So we are going to to Nellix, are we Smirnas?" Sara thought as she followed discretely behind her friend. "He's setting a good pace for himself. Good thing my legs are longer than his."

At this a small smile crept across the woman's lips, remembering some crude remark that the half elf had made all those months ago.

The pair continued their journey through the heart of the Duchy, finally reaching the outskirts of Nellix and then veering off to arrive, rather unexpectedly, at Sudrand Gallini's Traveling Circus.

"Well I'll be damned. He really is going to a circus."

* * *

Sara followed Smirnas as he navigated the circus paths, and eventually entered a small, unassuming tent. Her ears pricked up as she heard his voice speaking with someone who sounded very similar to the cloaked figure from the tavern.

"I have time for one performance, don't I Barresh?"

"Smirnas, I swear, you are the only person I know who actually likes being a clown. Fine, one performance. We don't need you until this evening - but you better not be late."

Her elven eyes widening with the effort not to burst out laughing, Sara quickly ducked into another closed-up tent as Barresh emerged from the dressing tent. A tent, which was unfortunately occupied - nay, doubly occupied.

"What is the meaning of this!" The man had the air of authority - despite his lack of pants. The scantily dressed equestrian with him quickly donned her feathered hat and ducked out, adjusting her skirts as she scampered off.

Sara just kept walking through the tent. She was not concerned with his undressed state, and in fact calmly looked him up and down before focusing on his face. "And you are?"

"I would be the owner of this circus! Hey, get back here you wench." Grabbing up his trousers, he chased after Sara's retreating form.

She could have lost him easily. She was far more nimble than he was. He might have known the layout of the tents better than her, but he was still struggling to get dressed, and she was still laughing over both the 'oops' she had committed, and her new knowledge of Smirnas' 'dark secret.' In effect the chase was even. But Sara had a good lead, and would have made it away except for one little thing.

The acrobats.

They were practicing prior to their afternoon performance. Tumbling, bouncing, weaving - their skills were easily the equal of hers, and in many cases possibly better. She was caught up short at the sight of one particularly impressive manuever - not as showy as the others, but far more difficult to execute. So enraptured by their movements was she, that she completely forgot about the man following her. At least until he grabbed her arm to haul her around.

She reacted without thinking.

The Swan Takes a Drink was followed by Exuberant Joy.

Sara bent, twisted and then grabbed his outstretched arm.

The Young Girl Dances followed by Tossing Out the Water.

She spun and used her momemtun to throw him.

The Leap Through the Rushes followed by Catches the Calf.

Jumping after his falling form, her chain flashed out and wrapped around his legs.

All was still for a moment. The acrobats stopped tumbling, the hucksters were silent. Narrowed eyes turned to look at the elven woman, who was just realizing the extent of her mistake. None moved. None spoke. The tension grew towards the breaking point. Sara scanned for an escape route.

* * *

"HA HA HA HA!" The man's laughter caught everyone by surprise. It echoed throughout the gathered throng. Even the elven woman lowered her guard just a fraction to glance back in his direction.

Sudrand - for it was indeed the owner of the circus - Sudrand's face was red, tears rolled down his cheeks, his arms were doubled up over his middle as he tried to stop the laughter. Finally, after nearly a minute of uncontrolled guffaws, he managed to calm enough to motion for Sara to unbind his legs. She flicked her wrist and her chain snapped back into her hand.

"Now THAT, is the way to get an interview!" Sudrand slowly climbed to his feet, a huge smile on his face. "Olidammara be praised! Can you do that sort of thing all the time?"

Not knowing how to respond, Sara simply shrugged - her relief at not having to fight her way out was apparent, but so was her confusion at this turn of events.

"Hey, you have any problem with crowds? Mind being out in front of people?" Sudrand looked her up and down.

"N-no," came her hesitant reply, "I-I u-used to be a dancer, once." She finished the thought in her head, "when I was a child."

He slowly reached out to touch her hair - stopping long enough to request permission with a glance back to her face. Sara nodded her acquiesence, and Sudrand began to examine her more closely, muttering to himself as he did so.

"Good features, needs some heavy eye makeup, hair color's a bit weak," he snapped his fingers, "red, that should do it, help with the mouth too. Good legs, needs a short skirt, not much up top, probably go with a scoop front. Chain's a good touch, maybe make it a bit more exotic, like a ribbon, or a golden rope."

He stopped then and turned back to her. "You're hired. Anyone that quick is someone I want." He held out his hand and the crowd watched the newcomer.

Sara was stunned. All her life she wanted nothing but to dance. She didn't care about the performance per say - never cared about pleasing the crowd. But she also didn't care if they watched. Dancing, tumbling, jumping. They were her life. For all her friendly jabs at Teannon's fighting style being less effective than hers, she didn't really care. The movements themselves were all that mattered.

Tenatively, she shook his hand.