Several weeks after Corvus and Vos’iin learned of his departure, Adrian found himself in the poorly named town of Hogsfeet, a decreped place only a week out from Lindow. Traveling alone was normal for him, and yet he could not help but wish Veleria was still with him.
He had numerous introspections when he realized that his choice of escort had changed since he met the woman. Black hair graced his bed more than once, as did hazel eyes, plus smaller breasts than he was known to enjoy. He had even bought gifts for her. Ribbons of various colors, and a modest dress although Adrian doubted she would wear it. Imagining her in it was enough for him.
Since his departure he had regressed somewhat, but only insofar as his drinking, now less problematic with the Dark Stranger having left temporarily. There was less to block out. As such, he was only one drink down when he left Hogsfeet the next morning. It was unconventional, the path he was taking, but as he was alone and without Veleria he felt it easier to take lesser trekked roads. Such routes were normal for his guild mates.
They were also exactly what Corvus expected from him.
Once the man crossed a specifically marked tree, the mage gave Vos’iin the signal by having their feline familiar jump off his shoulder. She came out of the foliage to greet their target, and Adrian paused momentarily to inspect the curious creature.
In one swift movement he had his hand crossbow loaded and aimed in front of him. That was no cat. At the first sign of movement he shot, missing Vos’iin by a hair. The elf rushed towards his side, although Adrian was quick to toss his weapon and draw his sword. Blades clashed, Adrian kicked his assailant away, and Vos’iin changed his stance.
“What the hell is a dark elf doing out here?” Adrian hissed, noting Vos’iin’s lack of reaction. The elf was locked onto him.
This was only going to end one way.
Adrian’s armor took multiple nicks and scratches as he and Vos’iin traded blows. The dark scaled armor that his opponent wore was tough, and his blades struggled to do little more than slide off of it. Adrian grit his teeth when his sword caught on the underside of one of the scales. Usually this would be endgame for his opponent…Yet he found the material below the scale work just as sturdy. He was caught off guard when Vos’iin gripped Adrian’s sword by the steel and pulled the man forward.
Adrian was unable to let go in time. His assailant used his one free hand to grab the back of Adrian’s head and drive his nose straight into his knee. Awkward from the momentary snag, he was unable to stop himself from colliding with the guard. Blood leaked out from his nose and he tried to regain some control over the situation, until Vos’iin kicked him down and stomped on his hand, forcing him to release his sword.
Vos’iin grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled him up, wrapped an arm around his neck and choked Adrian out until the man briefly lost consciousness. It was just long enough to enable the elf to restrain his hands behind his back.
“I certainly hope you didn’t break his nose,” said Corvus as they rounded a tree. “Moving and setting cartilage like that is a pain.”
Adrian made a sound following his gasping, so Vos’iin shoved his face into the ground.
“Doesn’t matter,” mumbled Vos’iin. “Help me get him on the horse.”
They did, and at some point during their return journey, Corvus caught a glimpse of a strange raven with unnaturally blue eyes tailing them. They aimed two fingers towards the creature and blasted it into oblivion.
It was good that Cromwell had seen them. If they were lucky, then Veleria would come.
Days later, and under the cover of night, they returned with Adrian in tow. It would have been easier to transport a body, but that was not in the cards, so Corvus drugged the man instead. Before long they had him tied to a bed in one of the rooms, with Vos’iin stationed just inside should he somehow finagle his way out in a drug-induced stupor.
The annoying part was his nose was, in fact, broken. Corvus mended it with their magic, though they had to gag Adrian to stop him from making too much noise during the process. There were no painkillers on tap.
Eventually he was no longer in pain nor under the influence of any strange concoctions. For this, Vos’iin left the room to allow Corvus a moment with their previous employer.
It took Adrian several long minutes to finally place the person before him.
“Alessa, what the fuck?” He looked genuinely dumbfounded. “Did I not pay you enough?“
“Ha!” Corvus slapped their leg. “Oh, honey, no, you did pay me. Pretty well actually, but no. I just enjoy working for Alk’Hath a hell of a lot more.”
Adrian stared at them while realization dawned on him.
“Also,” the mage raised a finger, “nowadays I go by Corvus.”
“Fuck off,” Adrian spat. “The hell does that crazy bitch want with me?”
“She wants nothing to do with you, Adrian.” Corvus leaned back in their chair. “Like she would care about a man. No no, this is about that Veleria girl you got caught skirting.”
Just the mention of her name got Adrian riled up. He strained against his bonds, which only landed him with Vos’iin’s fist across his face. The elf had come back inside moments before, annoyed, and shot Corvus a nasty look.
“As if she would give a shit about me,” Adrian coughed. He could taste iron in his mouth. “Made a big mistake thinking that—“
Vos’iin clocked him again. Corvus frowned, snapping their fingers a few times which made Vos’iin stop with a growl.
“Control yourself, unless you want Alk’Hath to drop you like the rabid dog you are.” They allowed the elf to stare daggers at them. Following a stalemate between them, Adrian coughed a little blood that spattered across his chin. “If he starts shouting again just gag him. We need more food with three mouths to feed.” Corvus stood up, offering Adrian a dark look as they did so. “If you’ll excuse me.”