Private Tales A Deadly Game

[Aeyliea]

The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale light across the city. Everything stood in stark shadow or light, the dividing line between as sharp as the edge of a knife. Or a sword, as they case may be. Some parts of the city remained lively at this time of night, but this was not one of them. The better class of people tended to avoid being out when the stars shone in the heavens, leaving this time to the thieves and muggers.

The woman moving through the streets invited no muggers or thieves. The sinuous way she moved was enticing, deliberately so - there might have been people watching, after all - but the manner in which she carried herself, beyond hat, was alert. The blade on her back gleamed in the moonlight, a deadly instrument with a certain degree of gravitas, one that spoke the language of the criminal quite well: leave me alone, or we will meet up intimately.

She didn't move alone, of course. Another trailed just behind her, a man wearing light chain and with a short sword at his hip. He moved with a certain grace as well, that of a trained fighter.

Both of them were on a mission. Certain...transgressions had yet to be paid for, properly. Their prey was particularly elusive, which is not unsurprising considering the line of work the bastard was in. Criminals, especially ones at the heads of such powerful criminal families, had need to hide themselves. From enemies, from the authorities, and from people like them. There was a bounty on this man's head, but this was personal, the money a secondary consideration.

The Inner City seemed a strange place to find a den of thieves of any stripe, but it was precisely where the upper crust of the great criminal houses could be found. They pretended at being nobility or wealthy merchants, but all of their power, influence, and wealth was gained through less than honest means.

Aeyliea rounded a well cobbled street corner, and stopped. The third building down on the west side of the street, starkly illuminated by the moon, was their destination. The windows of the two-story structure were dark, the white stone brilliantly illuminated by the natural light outside. A shopfront, purportedly selling gems, although Aeyliea had information that indicated that there was a fair bit more that went on within its walls.

Gesturing sharply to her companion, she made for a narrow path between that building and the one to the south of it. A back door would be the best way in.

 

[Vahki]

Minerals. Gems. Natural resources. The islands inhabited by the Tahk, and their portion of Nagai, were rich in them - perhaps richer than they really knew, especially as they learned more about their lands, and the arts of prospecting. Pearls were plentiful, too. Vahki was looking for a very specific gem, though. One cut from a larger gem, and that a naval officer in the back of Vahki’s mind was caught in. One stolen from the corpse of a seated Nuert-I butchered by someone with the skill to kill a master magician with an Am’thet gem, and one that was known for their competency in using said Am’thet gem specifically for their primary art - aethermancy. Vahki had, uh, we’ll say “checked” most of the other jewelers, gem stores, and whatever else he could find selling gems in Alliria - except for the one he was about to break into and pore over, now. If he didn’t find it here, that meant that either the intel was wrong and the murdering, traitorous thief didn’t come anywhere near Alliria, or the thief wasn’t interested in stealing the gem and wanted it for themselves.

Vahki really just wanted to be in bed, or at least doing something fun. He was moving a bit more sluggishly than usual, but Alliria was perfect for the red serpent’s son. It wasn’t too cold at any point - even in the dead of winter, much less at night. It rarely snowed, and the heat was plentiful enough that Vahki never had to bundle up. He could have bundled up tonight, kept himself from being this sluggish, but he had decided to just veil himself from sight, and do his best to avoid people. He wasn’t expecting any trouble, and was, by now, already inside of the store. He was just surveilling for now. Some interesting gems, but most were rather bland. He wandered up to one that looked similar, but upon more than a cursory glance the invisible man was left disappointed. He looked around. Maybe they had something in the store room, but where was that? He looked around.

It was a bit of a stretch to hope to find one of the 7 pieces of the Am’thet gem here. A national treasure, it was often dispersed throughout the Nuert-I to be wielded by the seated council or champions of their choosing. The gems were even better at allowing the use of Aethermancy than Vahki’s Blood Gems. It left him a bit envious. The magic stored in them was so… pure, and if it wasn’t it was filtered. That meant that a minimal amount of magic energy could be used in a ratio that was smaller than that Vahki’s blood gems had to bleed to allow him to perform a certain spell. Generally, as a user of aethermancy became more experienced, their magic would be more unique. Vahki’s use was middling in skill level - but could be more creative than not. He really started to shine with his illusion magic, and could fuel bigger, better illusions with the energy stored in his Blood Gems - red as the stars that are so important to the Tahk.

He wasn’t sure what would happen if he was unable to retrieve the Am’thet gem in the short future. Would that specific Nuert-I seat have to be given another special item? Then there was the broader consequences of a traitor escaping with it, and, furthermore, with this piece of the Am’thet gem lost how was the Nuert-I and monarchy supposed to easily control the wielder of the Voidstone? The grounds of the Tahk were rich in magic. Soaked in it, even. No one was sure why, and many didn’t remember, but often times when they came across a new island they would find the results of that magic. A bounty of life and stone, rich, plentiful, and necessary to protect. Perhaps that was why Vahki cared for the reach so. It was a bounty of life as well. That and the food here was delicious. He’d have to bring back some of the dishes to Nagai, and the other isles.

Vahki smiled, and then approached a door as it was opened. He stepped in, humming softly - not that anyone would hear it, though - and beginning to go through the store room carefully, quietly. Maybe it was here. Why would they keep it in public view? Even the dumbest mundane could feel the energy coming off of an Am’thet gem. Plus, it… it pleaded with someone to give it sustenance. Thankfully, none of them were corrupted enough to drive someone mad with those pleas. They were more like gentle prods, anyway - like meowing from a “hungry” cat that knows you’ll feed ‘em.

Aeyliea

 

[Am'Thet]

A lone Naga woman sat alone in the night, roasting fish over a roaring campfire. Whilst the crickets chirped around her, she munched happily on some fish, picking away the flesh from the bones. Besides the women sat her trusty spear, ready to be used against anyone and anything who dared to come near. Within her little campsite outside the city of Alliria, she counted the stars shining overhead, doing her best to recall the names of each and every one.

She was here for a reason. Earlier, the Crown Prince himself ordered her to meet him outside the city of Alliria, refusing to explain why she was needed. Whatever the reason may be, it was obviously pretty important. After all, he told her to come alone and to not tell anyone about her orders.

Hopefully he'll come soon, Am'Thet pondered, taking another bite from the fish. It was at this moment, she heard rustling from the undergrowth, directly across from her. Dropping her half-eaten fish, she grabbed her spear and began to gingerly approach the source. Only a few inches away, the undergrowth rustled again, more violently this time. Without hesitation, she plunged her spear into the bush, striking something immediately. A small squeak soon followed, followed by more squeaks of agony. Pulling her spear out of the brush, she saw a small rabbit impaled on the tip of her spear, slowly bleeding out.

Aeyliea

 

[Aeyliea]

There wasn't much in the way of refuse in the alley, which was a relief to her. This part of the city was, more or les, clean. Especially by way of comparison to the slums or The Shallows, which was where her company headquarters was located. The pair of them moved unconcernedly down the way, unti lthey found what they were looking for: a door leading out into the alley. Aeyliea reached to touch the latch, thought better of it, and stood back while her companion stepped forward. He laid a hand upon the latch, and for a long moment nothing happened as he stood there, concentrating on the metal, the greasy feel of magic in the air.

An audible click, and he turned to her, a grin on his face, pushing the door inward.

Within, all was in relative darkness. It was amusing to think that a place of ill repute, such as this, would actually shutter their doors at night and cease their operations. In all truth, there was probably plenty of activity going on somewhere inside, just not in the shop front.

Or wait...

Aeyliea held up a hand, signing for silence and to wait. She strained her ears, and could hear something from within the otherwise silent building. Footsteps? Up front?

That didn't make any sense. The front had been dark, the door locked, when they passed by on the street. Unless there were some sentries on guard for the merchandise or - more likely - the safe house, or whatever this place was. She listened hard for a moment longer, but heard nothing. Still, caution was a watch word for the day, and as she stepped forward toward the shop front, she motioned for her companion to remain behind.

A noise to the left caught her attention before she'd made it that far forward. Something dropping on a shelf or a box, is what it sounded like. There was a door on the left, slightly ajar, and it was to this she went towards. A shape, through the doorway. She reached down, and plucked the heavy bladed knife at her waist free, and advanced. This was not going according to plan already, and it might already be time to retreat.

 

[Vahki]

Vahki looked down at his feet, and the things he was tinkering with, and gave a soft frown before looking up at the door. The scent of someone nearing by was easy to perceive for a Naga. Scent was their strongest asset, after all. He drifted to the back of the storeroom, contemplating turning into a child for a moment. Yeah, that’d help, if they saw through his illusion, but maybe being Vahki was enough. Vahki quieted his sound, waiting for the people there to leave. The sound of them edging closer didn’t stop.

He looked at the mess he had made. If they thought that someone was robbing the place, maybe it’d scare them off. An invisible assailant? Most people would be scared shitless. Invisible thieves didn’t pop up every day, right? Much less invisible magick thieves. It didn’t look like anything had been taken, though - someone was looking for something, that much was clear. Vahki squinted. Yeah, he’d just stay here.

The need to concoct an explanation of some sort was in the forefront of his mind. How about the truth? That always worked. He’d just say that he was looking for a magical artifact that had been stolen from his family. Changing his face a little would help. He wouldn’t be recognizable. A slight shift. His hair color changed, and his skin tone darkened. His facial features were adjusted. Smoother. Less easily recognized. He let himself look younger, too - 16. Young enough to think his “lie” was a good idea to handle by himself in this way, old enough to be worried about his family’s… stuff. He adjusted his clothes, too. A bit poorer looking. He reached into the corner, and smeared some dirt over his left cheek, and a bit elsewhere. A little dirtier, too.

”That gem will be the most valuable thing his family owns. My name will be… Silas.”

This place was supposed to be abandoned, though. He’d probably have to end up fighting. This was supposed to be easy.

Aeyliea Am'Thet

 

[Aeyliea]

The door to the storeroom was ajar. The mercenary advanced slowly, cautiously, completely aware of the kind of people she was dealing with. They had the brass balls to attack her people at her own ground in broad daylight, and had succeeded in killing one of her own, brutalizing one under her care, and making deep scars on her most trusted mercenary.

They had a great deal of power, even if it was all fear and money that secured it for them. That and a willingness to use the most brutal method to achieve what they wanted, even if that meant killing children and people not even loosely involved.

She pushed the door open, u sure what she would find but knowing whatever it was, her reflexes were set to use lethal force st the first sign if trouble.