Sabine Ch. 1

Chapter 1

I’VE ALWAYS WELCOMED THE DARK, but the darkness that shrouded me sent shivers down my spine. The town was pitch black and so silent you could almost hear the scurrying of an army of ants by a nearby tree as it gently swayed in the breeze. The only source of light is that of a few stars on a moonless night. The early winter winds blew out what was left of the oil lamp post that littered the long narrow path leading into Levinguard Cavern. The smell of Tristan’s spicy grilled trout lingered thru the dark veil welcomingly.
The rough wooden tavern was marked by a raven with a snake clinched in its mouth in striking position with fangs protruding hanging over the wooden door. Visible by only two torches I pulled the cloak around my shoulders. The cavern walls was covered in memorabilia of the war. “Sabine, old friend.” said Tristan in his normal husky voice. “What can I get you this late evening, I overheard the herald and his men were after you and Aya… again. That can only mean good news. What did you manage to take this time?” He asked chuckling.
“It only took them two days to realize it was missing, I doubt they even know it was me.” I answered with a grin.
I reach into my pocket and threw him a neatly wrapped cloth parcel embedded with the crest of herald Bennadict himself. The young wood elf opened the package under the counter out of view of the bar and pulled out a gem roughly the size of a chicken egg. The jewel shined rippling rainbows like a milky white oil spill. He turned the opal over admiring examining it in his hand. “Where did you snag this one?” leaning closer to avoid extra ears that may have been listening.
“Straight out of the Bennadict’s private keep.” I answered scanning the room as I spoke.
“You know they are going to be a little edgy but it’s a fine piece, a fine piece indeed. I’ll make sure they get the package as usual. Your pay will be in the same spot as usual.” I knew the exact location, considering it’s where I spend most of my time when I’m not on the prowl for golden opportunity.
“Apparently there’s no rest for a master thief of your skill in these rough times… especially with the war picking up after these last few years. You don’t need me to remind you of that. Especially after what happened in Feral’s Den... I see you still have her fang around your neck. ” he said pointing at my chest.
I grabbed the necklace and tensed up remembering the agony of the she wolf ripping into my shoulder. I was scouting the area after I overheard some of the herald’s men talking about treasure’s of the Fallen deep inside the cave like structure. If it wasn’t for my sisters blade at my side I would have surely of perished myself. All in all I managed to walk away with a talisman that I keep on my person at all times.
Tristan slammed two cups down and poured me a pint of his homemade mead snapping me back to the present. “On the house for another job well done.” he said while lifting his own cup for a quick toast. I never could resist Levinguard’s famous mead. Sweet with a sneaky bite, that warms your insides. The tattered bar was usually packed, but tonight there was only a few occupants. I slowly scanned around the room when I spotted a familiar face a few tables over.
“Blast you! In all my year’s I still can’t get any peace with out someone sneaking up on me. Do you know who I…” he stopped mid sentence when he realized who was towering above him. His sudden outburst turned to a cheerful roar of laughter. The blonde bearded dwarf nudged me in the ribs reaching only because of the tall stool he had been sitting on. “You owe me a drink, considering you made me waste a perfectly good pint sneaking up on me lass. What’s the Queen of the Dark doing out shouldn’t you be in hiding with that fool Bennadict prowling the area.”
“What can I say Takral? I’m good at what I do with my occupation and all.” I said with a wink as I flicked him a gold coin.
“Are all halflings as audacious, and imprudent as you? Your natural beauty only goes so far you know?” he said while eyeing the coin. “You’ve been to the northern region again haven’t you?”
How he got all that from a coin didn’t surprise me considering most dwarven have a natural eye to detail. I was there while on a personal vendetta on the look out for the person that murdered my sister. With no leads to go on I played it by ear. Even though she was several years younger than me, we was both almost identical. The only difference was her ebony hair, that ran down the length of her spine, while mine was a platinum blonde that stopping just past my shoulders.
Takral eyed my sisters Elven blade that was attached to my hip. “I’m so sorry to hear what was to come of poor Elena. When I find out who’s responsible, my axe will become acquainted with there head. If I hear anything you will be the first to know.”
I gave a subtle nod, as he turned back to the bar. “Hey Tristan, how about another pint lad? Oh Sabine before I forget, that sly pickpocket of yours left this for you, it never ceases to amaze me that she knows right were you are to be. Tell her I'd be expecting my ring back also.” He slid me a letter from Aya across the bar, it had a red seal of a dragon enclosing the envelope.
“I’ll read it once I get back to the light house. And no more wasting good mead.” I said playfully punching him on the shoulder.
“It was good seeing you again Sabine, be careful out here things have changed allot since the war. You ever need me you know where to find me.” He said with a worried nod as I headed toward the door.
Outside the wind was calm, but I still pulled the cloak over my head not for warmth but to conceal myself in the darkness as I made my way toward the narrow alley. I still had only a few hours before daybreak. As I made my way thru the alley I stopped when I heard voices.
“I swore I saw someone cut thru here.”
“I just think you knocked back one to many.” Another voice chuckled.
“Either way I’m going to check it out, didn’t you hear how much that halfling’s bounty was.”
They started inching down the alley with there only source of light being the torches, swords in hand.
I ducked quickly in a broken groove in the wall shielding myself with my cloak barley in time before they patrolled past.
“I don’t see anything Lucas… shouldn’t we get back to our post before lord Bennadict has our head?” he said worriedly. Couldn’t blame him Bennadict was known for his impatience, and even more his temper.
“I guess your right… it must have been a homeless guy or something. Beside I’m not getting my pay docked… again. Besides that thief is probably long gone. ” Lucas said grimly.
I could smell the musk of sweat and after as they went past my hiding spot. I quickly made it down the alley avoiding any glass bottles or left over soup cans that could alert any more guards of my position. They’ve been on high alert ever since the prized jewel was stolen right from under there noses. The only reason that the guards even know I exist is because of that rat Eli. That night will haunt me for the rest of my life. I still felt as if I had eyes still watching me from the very darkness that I felt comfortable with. Where as I never had a real home the darkness was to be my comfort place. I couldn’t risk going to the hide out on the off chance. I could already hear the excited songs of the morning birds and knowing the streets would soon be filled with a crowd I quickly made myself toward the town square.
Within the hour the streets was filled with people of all statures and races. I stayed hidden in plain sight blending in with the people as they moved like an intricate river. I targeted a wealthy looking man distracted by a beautiful elven woman. Within one easy pass I had reached into his jacket pocket and swiftly withdrew the contents into that of my own cloak. By the weight of the coin pouch it felt more than enough to get my sisters blade the proper care it needed, and I knew just the blacksmith for the job.

Author's Note

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