"He said I was the one destined to save him from darkness. But I've already failed once. what makes them believe I won't fail again?"
------------------
In his hand, he carried a lantern unlike any she'd ever seen. The flame within
burned blue rather than orange, casting eerie shadows that seemed to move
independently of the light source. The sight of it made her skin crawl, though
she couldn't say why.
He moved through the common room with quiet grace, his presence causing
conversations to falter and die as patrons turned to stare. There was something
otherworldly about him, something that made Nisheena question whether he
was entirely human. His features were too perfect, too sharp, as if carved from
marble by a master sculptor.
He approached the bar with a smile that was both charming and unsettling,
setting his strange lantern on the floor beside him as he took a seat
.
"Hello, lady," he said, his voice carrying a faint accent she couldn't place.
"Evening," Nisheena replied, her instincts screaming warnings even as she
maintained her professional demeanor.
"What brings you to Nabu's Corner?"
The stranger's smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed just a shade too
white.
"Just a weary traveler in need of refreshment. This town seems.... lively."
Around the room, conversations had resumed, but Nisheena could feel eyes
upon them. The stranger's appearance was drawing attention she didn't need,
especially not tonight.
"Come on," she said with practiced impatience. "What do you want?"
"Anything that makes thirst go away," he replied easily.
She poured him a measure of her cheapest ale and set it before him, then
waited. In her experience, men who looked like this one. mysterious, well dressed, carrying strange artifacts. didn't come to frontier towns just for
drinks. They wanted information, and they usually had gold to pay for it.
Sure enough, after taking a sip of his ale, the stranger leaned forward with that
same unsettling smile.
"Where can I meet the burgomaster of this lovely town?"
"He's dead," Nisheena said flatly.
The stranger didn't even blink. "Pretty sad. Well, who's the new burgomaster then?"
"This town has no burgomaster right now. Won't until the two families end
their stupid war and put someone in the position."
"I see." He took another sip of ale, seemingly unbothered by the news. The
blue flame in his lantern flickered, casting dancing shadows across his pale
features.
"Why do you need to meet the burgomaster?" Nisheena asked, her curiosity
overriding her caution. "This town has enough outsiders already. We don't
need more at the moment."
The stranger's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of what might have been
embarrassment crossing his features.
"I apologize if my appearance makes people uncomfortable. It's ...an occupational hazard."
"What occupation is that?"
"The previous burgomaster asked for me regarding an important matter," he
said, smoothly avoiding her question.
"But unfortunately, he is dead now, and I don't know what to do."
Nisheena's mind raced. Belshaz, the burgomaster had been found dead in his chambers just days ago, and now this mysterious figure claimed to have business with him? The
timing was too convenient to be coincidence.
"What important matter?" she pressed.
The stranger's smile returned, but this time it seemed forced.
"So you said this town has enough outsiders already. Who are you talking about? This town isn't rich enough to interest thieves."
He was changing the subject, deflecting her question with one of his own. But two could play that game.
"We had a king's blessed warrior come through today," she said, watching his
reaction carefully. "Killed four men right outside my door."
The effect was immediate and dramatic. The stranger's smile vanished
completely, his teal eyes hardening to chips of ice. The friendly facade dropped
away, revealing something cold and predatory beneath.
"Where is the king's blessed right now?" he asked, his voice losing all trace of
warmth.
Nisheena felt a chill run down her spine. The change in him was so complete,
so sudden, that it left no doubt. this man knew the wanderer. And judging by
his reaction, their history wasn't friendly. Before she could answer, the stranger stood abruptly, his movement so fluid it seemed almost inhuman.
"I'll be leaving for now. Sorry for the inconvenience."
He picked up his lantern and moved toward the door with the same quiet
grace that had marked his entrance. Nisheena watched him go, her mind
churning with questions and possibilities.