Dhusa began to laugh it was a cold laugh one that was completely mirthless. She slung her spear back onto her back this half elf, Kaneda, he was funny 'fate' he had said. She turned away from him the smoke that lingered at the edges of the tavern walls having been dispersed by his wind came creeping slowly back towards her. She emptied the first tankard of Thundervast and began on the second before she spoke.
"You, talk of fate Kaneda what if she was worth more to me than she was to you? What if our crossing paths was not to become comrades or some star crossed Duo. What if I am to be your end or you mine?"
She raised an eyebrow, she'd seen cards like the one he'd shown before they showed glimpses of things. They showed you deaths, births, wars. Cards like his were dangerous and not to be trifled with, as fumbling with the weave well that was frowned upon. The Gods have taboos even unto their own kind and the great weave was one of them. Only the privileged and blessed were allowed vision of it's patterns and design.
"You wave a card like that around and the Gods themselves might strike you down."
She took another long drag on her pipe the Whisper sinking her further into calm. He face became more unreadable as the smoke and shadows gathered playfully around her ankles. She seemed to stare off into space for a time the world having seemed to stop for a second. She finally turned back to the half elf staring him deep in the eyes as he tried to act casual.
"My name is Dhusa Jan'ipa of Clan Ja. You mentioned she is worth more to you alive than she is dead. I happen to agree."
She paused for a second thinking about what she was going to say.
"You have a very dangerous kind of magic on you hands there half elf. I am not one to pry in terms of how you gained access to it nor am I one to try and twist the Grand Weave. I do know one thing though, this girl isn't just any old thief or murderer. She has some talent for the arcane, and that mark on her hand well,"
She trailed off
"Let's just say you may have a problem much bigger than her on your hands if you take her away mister bounty hunter."
She finished her second Tankard looking over at his untouched ale and grabbing it she began to sip on that as well. She began to hum a small tune under her breath as she puffed on her Pipe and continued to drink his ale.
"Barkeep, don't worry about anything for the night you're shut down the rest of the evening and until further notice. I am going to need this place for a while."
Before he could protest four clones of Dhusa materialized from the smoke and began ushering the of patrons out. She unhooked a bag of coin from her hip and shuffled through it for a second, slapping down three platinum pieces on the counter she continued.
"I'll need that barrel of Thundervast for the night as well."
He stuttered a bit but his eyes were determined and set.
"Hector, Hector Helmsbow." He said proudly puffing his chest out a bit.
"Well, Hector this woman this man has brought into your fine establishment unbeknownst to him has connections in some rather unsightly corners of this city and Efros."
She looked at him pointedly.
"I am in need of your humble establishment for no more than a few nights. That is all and we will be on our way."
This time she stood up the clones coming around the bar and grabbing the tankard began pouring regular ale into her cup.
"I am sure your wife would love to have you home Hector. I really don't want to have to pull rank or try and scare you into this please, I promise you I will undo any mess this one here makes or myself."
She nodded at Kaneda. and slapped down another two platinum pieces.
"I do hope that covers this coming weeks expenses and more?"
Hector smiled scooping up the coin he walked to the back briskly coming out with a large barrel of Thundervast He set it on the counter behind the bar and slapped a key in front of Dhusa.
"Thank you kindly Ma'am.
No one has stayed in the rooms for some time so only two of them is fully furnished and functional."Hector eyed Kaneda and the red head.
"I want my tavern back in one piece!" with that final display he walked out the door locking behind him.
The Tavern was deathly quiet as Dhusa kept drinking the smoke clones having vanished. She finished another tankard this time she let out a sigh.
"If you believe that there card holds weight. You believe me to be apart of your weave then you are going to have to do me a favor, Half-Elf." She puffed a cloud of smoke shaping it into what vaguely looked like a mountain range. "I am going to need you to trust me. You want her alive, fine. I want her information, which I promise you is far more rewarding than just the money you would get from her contract. If I know even a bit about her and her people."
She spit as she spoke the name.
"The Flock, has power in this corner of the world that is far more viable than a measly bounty."
She paused and eye balled the Red head whose eye kept darting back and forth nervously drool seeping from the rag in her mouth. Dhusa, wanted those ties better to make friends in ever place possible than enemies now was not the time. She had been given a task and she would see it through, no matter the cost. Sometimes that meant walking into the murky waters.
