Vos’iin was searching for more stress relief. Most of the townspeople out this late were seedy, worthless folk, or prostitutes…Equally worthless in his eyes. The ones he passed were uninteresting. Distracted by his own thoughts, he nearly tripped on a raised stone before quickly catching himself on a nearby stall. As he righted himself, he heard a lighthearted argument, and turned his head to see a man named “One-Eyed” Marty and some woman he had never seen before.
Except, she was not a just a woman, but a fair-skinned elf, and she was playfully bantering with the tavern owner over some proposed compensation. Marty held one of his many “prized” hens in his arms.
“Really, I don’t need anything, and it was my pleasure! She’s a wild one.” The female elf chuckled, with slender, lightly painted fingernails held to her pale pink lips. She turned slightly, giving Vos’iin the perfect view. Her skin was divine. Freckles dotted her nose with a small number splattered beneath stunning green eyes. Even from here he could see that there were flecks of gold glittering within her irises.
She was everything he despised about surface elves. As such, he found his desire had reached its peak.
He could destroy her.
He could break her, and make her his.
“Ya chased her and everythin’, girlie, I gotta at least get ya somethin’ to drink.” Marty insisted. “I know you elves got them refined tastes an’ all, but I know I got somethin’ good in there!”
“Okay, okay! I’ll try whatever you have on tap. Nothing too fancy, please?” The elven woman batted her eyes, causing Vos’iin to bite his lip.
He could not believe how perfect she was. Humble too, which was so unlike her ilk. He had to draw blood from his own lip to restrain himself. Now was not the time. There was so much more to learn about this elf.
The two in front of him continued their banter while Marty led her inside. As they were still open, Vos’iin followed them inside to sit at the furthest corner he could find. Before long the elven woman had a mug of mead and Marty was still chatting her up.
Vos’iin could murder the man. No one would be allowed to talk to this elf other than him. Still, he knew restraint. He could wait. Observe.
On her side, Veleria continued her conversation with the tavern keeper. He was a genuine joy, and some of his mannerisms reminded her of Caed when the sorcerer slipped into his country accent.
She missed him. The past week had been pretty rough, though her feet no longer hurt like they did when she was mortal. She could also walk for several days without needing any rests; as such, she did not buy a horse and merely jogged or walked to Lindow instead.
It had been rather scenic, in fact. Before all of this had happened she would never have dreamed of making such journeys on her own. Caellach had found it rather interesting, too. Exhilarating, even. He had only seen a small portion of the world when he walked this realm.
“Anyway,” Veleria sipped at her mead, “I’m looking for work. Know of anything?”
Marty rubbed the back of his neck and said, “well, I hate to say this, but a lotta folk went missing recently. I know there’s been talk that we might have to start changin’ rules or somethin’, makin’ curfews for the kiddos an’ all.”
Veleria frowned her displeasure of this news. While not technically what she was looking for, if Cromwell was certain Adrian was in this town then it might point her towards the one holding him.
“Has anyone seen the culprit?” She asked.
“No, not yet…I heard rumors they were catchin’ folk at night.” He shook his head. “It’s why I was so adamant ya didn’t go after ol’ Winnifred ‘cuz I didn’t want a pretty little thing like you to get hurt.” Saying this, he leaned in with a whisper. “S’why I wanted ya to come in, too, girlie. I hear no one was taken from inside.”
“Well, that was very kind of you.” Veleria said, leaning back in her seat. She tapped her fingers beside the tankard. “Sounds dangerous, but this is what I’m looking for.”
Marty asked if she wanted a refill, but Veleria declined. He started to clean the mug.
“Well, if ya decide to try, just know my place is open for safety! Ya know, if ya get in a lil’ over yer head.” Marty smiled wide, so Veleria grinned back. He went around the corner to start his nighttime routine. As he did so, and once he was well and gone for a time, Vos’iin joined Veleria at the counter. He kept several seats between them.
She ignored the individual at first. While running through some planning in her head, the stranger beside her coughed, and Veleria glanced in his direction. His face was heavily obscured. She couldn’t see any distinct features beyond his unnaturally dark hood.
“I’m looking for this killer too,” said Vos’iin. She was immediately taken aback by how familiar his voice was. So familiar, in fact, that it scared her. She couldn’t place it at all. Was she misplacing him due to the sudden influx of people she now knew? Maybe his wasn’t actually familiar at all. “If you’re interested I could pool my knowledge with yours.”
“That would be helpful.” Veleria said, however suspicious she was. “Could we meet up tomorrow? If the night is their hour, then I would rather not risk getting caught out until I have a more solid understanding of their motive.”
“Sure,” Vos’iin offered a slight nod. “Out by the water wheel? That place is plenty quiet but still has many passersby.”
“Sounds good to me.” Veleria said, then Marty returned and the stranger was out the door.
She never got his name.