Chapter 12 – A Broken Assumption
The patrons of the Black Gryphon were their usual raucous selves. Boisterous singing filled the bar, with the usual lyrics of a well-known ballad, while a scuffle broke out between two beings, soon to be ejected by the approaching bouncers. Others were shouting to be heard, and plenty of alcohol was being consumed. The mix of beings in the inn was always eclectic, from the wealthy business owners to the fancily dressed nobles who left the inner sanctum to drink at the establishment and the lowly workers from the poorer areas of the city.
SJ approached the bar, weaving through the crowd, her hood still covering her face. She wasn't anonymous in the bar, having frequented it often, but she didn't like standing out if she could help it, and her hair always gave her away.
"I'll have a honey wine," SJ called to the bartender. She had seen them on several occasions, and they nodded politely before turning to fill her order.
SJ glanced sideways at the steps that led up to the offices where she knew the chief resided in the daytime. The large troll stood as the initial stumbling block for any wishing to go up there. She had only been up there once before, when she was acting as Jay's promoter for the cage fight to free Lurtew. That was a long time back now, but with Fas owning or renting, SJ wasn't sure which, accommodation in the inn she visited whenever she was in Asterfal.
The barperson placed the glass in front of her, and SJ paid for her drink.
"It's lively earlier today?" SJ asked.
"Yeah. Several fights on the cards today," the man indicated to the blackboard at the end of the bar.
SJ just nodded as she turned and read the names of the fighters. She had only seen glimpses of cage fights after her initial experience, but they were a regular occurrence, and she didn't recognise any of the names of those taking part. She lifted her glass and turned to look for a space to sit. She had checked her map and knew that Fas was in his quarters, but needed Dutch courage before she went to see him. She still wasn't sure what to say to him.
As SJ turned, a tall gnoll bumped into her, making her spill her honey wine. The gnoll didn't even react to what he had done as he had his back to her, talking to a woman as they approached the bar.
"Pardon you," SJ said loudly enough to be heard over the din.
The gnoll turned mid-conversation with the woman and then looked down to where SJ stood holding the remains of her wine. The wine that had spilt down her dress was already beginning to dry.
The gnoll didn't even acknowledge her as he turned back away and spoke to the woman again.
"I said, 'Pardon you'," SJ repeated as she now stood her ground in front of the gnoll's path.
Again, the gnoll turned and looked at her. "Get out of my way, fae," the gnoll snarled.
SJ had received plenty of abuse about her race since her arrival on Amathera, but it still didn't lessen the effect it had on her as her temper instantly rose. "You just spilt my drink. Don't you think it's polite to at least apologise?" SJ snapped in response.
The gnoll reached forward with his arm and pushed SJ to the side out of his way. "I said, 'Get out of my way'."
The gnoll was strong; she felt that as he shoved her. She stumbled and spilt the remaining honey wine as she bumped into a dwarf to the side of her. The gnoll again ignored her, continued his conversation, and stepped to the bar.
"Sorry," SJ said to the dwarf, who was now scowling at her.
"Maybe you need to drink less, love," the dwarf said as he looked at her.
"I wish I had drunk anything yet. Could you hold this, please?" SJ handed the empty glass to the now perplexed dwarf as she turned back to the gnoll.
"What are you doing?" Dave's voice rang out in a tone that was somewhat concerned.
'Getting the apology I deserve,' SJ thought as she kicked her foot forcefully into the rear of the gnoll's knee.
It was obvious the gnoll hadn't expected any form of retaliation for his actions as his knee buckled and cracked into the bar, making him almost lose his balance.
"Argh," the gnoll cried as his knee cracked off the bars' side. Snarling, he spun around.
"You again," its teeth bared. The woman accompanying the gnoll smirked as she looked at SJ. Her diminutive figure compared to the gnoll looked ridiculous in comparison. She was only five feet five; the gnoll was well over six feet tall and broad-shouldered.
"Did your mother not teach you any manners when you spill someone's drink?" SJ asked, she held her hands at her sides, ready for any sudden retaliation from the gnoll.
"To those who deserve an apology, I do," the gnoll replied. "Now, I suggest you leave before you get hurt."
"I suggest you apologise then, and I will leave."
A few of the surrounding patrons had witnessed the start of the altercation and now stood watching with anticipation. The Black Gryphon was always lively after all, and bar fights were as present in the main area as the cages many days.
"Ignore her," the woman accompanying the gnoll said.
The gnoll waved his hand dismissively and turned back from her.
'I've had enough of this,' SJ thought as she triggered her advanced identification on the gnoll.
Larpin Knollsik
Level: 34
Class: Brawler
Hit points: 312 of 312
Mana points: 0
Armour Class: 42
Strength: 52
Dexterity: 43
Attacks: Grapple, Punch
Special: Rapid Jab, Choker
Weaknesses: Nil
Larpin was no weakling and had no weaknesses; his class of a brawler made SJ glance towards the blackboard again. There, in highlighted chalk, was the fighter's name; apparently, he was due to fight in the main event that evening. The woman at his side scoffed as she turned away from her, collecting her glass of wine from the bar.
His level may be higher, but levels meant little to SJ with her advanced abilities and stats. She balled her fist and drove it into the area where the gnoll's kidneys were.
This time, she got a reaction. Larpin let out a cry of pain and then turned, his fists clenched, and immediately swung at her. SJ's initiative and height advantage were on her side in the closed space of the bar and crowd, and she ducked from his swing as his fist met with the unfortunate head of the dwarf who had been holding her empty glass, watching the escalation unfold.
The dwarf flew backwards, and SJ felt a pang of guilt as she ducked and brought her other fist up into the midriff of Larpin. His stomach was like iron, and her fist bounced from her strike, hardly impacting him.
'Damn,' SJ thought.
"He's strong, you saw that before you started this," Dave tutted.
'He might be, but he has no right to ignore me.'
"I know, but did you have to make a scene?"
SJ didn't care at the moment; it was the distraction she needed and an outlet for her anger and frustration.
Larpin snarled as he swung his fist down towards her. SJ lifted her arm in a defensive block, parrying the strike. The impact hurt, and she felt the bruise immediately, but she held her ground. Several beings had started to push back, leaving them some room. SJ took advantage, stepping back and then kicking out again at the gnoll's knee. Her martial arts kata remained at level 10; she hardly had to train to maintain it once she had reached that level, and her moves were so fluid and fast that Larpin was taken by surprise as her foot struck perfectly.
Larpin's leg was pushed back, causing him to lean forward as SJ took advantage of his unbalanced position and punched upwards at his jaw. He tried to react, bringing his arm around in defence, but was too slow as her fist struck firmly. Larpin groaned from the strike, but apart from that sound, it had little effect on him. That was when the hands grabbed her. The size gave them away instantly. The bouncers had reached them.
"It's over," one of the trolls said as SJ glanced up, seeing the towering form of the troll behind her.
'What am I doing?' SJ thought, realising the predicament she had just got herself into.
"Being a fool by all accounts," Dave replied warmly.
Larpin's fists were clenched, and SJ wasn't sure if he was about to take advantage of her now, being held still by the troll in her now-prone position. The woman lifted her hand and placed it on Larpin's arm to restrain him.
"Maybe if you think you are brave enough, you would like to step into the cage with my client?" the woman said. Her voice was nasal and filled with spite.
SJ narrowed her eyes as she responded. "All I asked for was an apology for spilling my drink. If your client has no manners, then maybe you should teach him some, or find a fighter worth your time."
"Worth my time, you say?" the woman laughed. "You do know who you picked to argue with, don't you? Larpin is the ranking champion of the southern league."
"Really!" SJ was shocked at the discovery. "If he's the ranking champion, then I think the cages have lost their touch."
That was enough to trigger Larpin, who punched out towards her. Thankfully, the troll had expected it, and one of its massive hands moved from her shoulder and caught his fist.
"I said it's over," the troll repeated.
Larpin snarled at the troll as he pulled his fist back, and the troll then turned SJ away.
SJ allowed the troll to lead her towards the entrance.
"Why am I being escorted out?" she asked, looking at the troll.
"I can't exactly kick one of the main fighters out now, can I?" the troll smiled, showing its broken teeth.
SJ let her shoulders slump. "I promise not to cause another scene. I am actually here to visit one of the residents."
"I know who you're here to visit, and you can go around the back."
SJ was a little taken aback by his comment. Was she that well-known in the inn? She supposed she did frequent it whenever she was in Asterfal and had promoted Jay that one time, but still, she wasn't that frequent a visitor. Then she realised that her hood had fallen during the scuffle, revealing her hair. If there was one thing that always gave her away, it was her hair colour, the brilliant silvery white with its undertones of green.
Resigned, she allowed the troll to eject her. He watched with a broken-toothed smile as she walked to the side alley that led to the rear portion of the building, where the private residents lived. There was a garden and a set of steps that led up to the first-floor apartments, and SJ made her way before slowly climbing them. The door was always locked, so she knocked, awaiting a response. After several moments, a key was turned, and the door was pushed open, revealing the security guard. He was a retired cage fighter, and Fas had told her all about his history in the cage. He had been given a lifetime pass to remain in the inn after securing successive championship bouts over his time fighting. Now, although he was an old man, his thinning grey hair surrounded an ancient and wrinkled face.
"Hello again, nice to see you back," Grenshaw smiled on seeing SJ.
"Hi, Grenshaw. I know he's in."
Grenshaw just nodded, stepping aside, allowing SJ inside, before closing and locking the door again behind her. The corridor ran towards the front of the building, where the inn itself was located, but above the caged area were several large private residences where Fas lived. She walked down the brightly lit corridor until she reached his door, then gathered herself and, taking a deep, slow breath, knocked on the door.
"You took your time coming up here," a voice called from inside as the door was opened, and the face of a young man greeted her.
"Hello, SJ," the man said with a fond smile. Previously, Fas had always had a girl who had run errands for him around the city, but with her taking up a position in the mages' academy, Fas had now moved Benji over to replace her.
"Hi Benji. How's the training going?" SJ asked, returning his smile.
"Well, I am hoping that I can take the entrance exam for the city watch soon."
"That's good to hear," SJ said, stepping into Fas's apartment.
Fas was sitting on one of the large sofas, a book in his hand, reading. SJ joined him on the other sofa, and he finished reading the page before inserting a bookmark and closing it, placing it on the table.
"Drink?" Fas asked.
"Please, my honey wine was spilt downstairs," SJ moaned.
Fas raised an eyebrow and nodded towards Benji, who immediately disappeared out of the room to go and collect one.
"I assume you spoke to Navina; you were there a while," Fas said. Fas was able to see SJ's position on his map, a lingering connection from the Asterfal gang investigation.
"Yes. I did," SJ replied, the knot that had disappeared from her stomach returning with the uncertainty of the situation.
"Well, I assume the quest is of interest?"
"Yes and no," SJ replied honestly. "The reward is exceptional, but the quest itself is what concerns me."
"Oh, what have you been asked to do?"
SJ still didn't know if she could tell Fas what it involved.
"I'm not sure I can say."
Fas shrugged and nodded his head. "Fair enough, I won't push you if you don't wish to discuss it."
SJ sat in silence, and Fas picked up his book again, turning back to where he was up to. The silence was uncomfortable, and it didn't take SJ long to crack.
"I have to assassinate the chief."
Fas looked up over the book and met her gaze before slowly closing the book again and placing it back down.
"By chief, I assume you mean the chief here?" Fas asked.
SJ just nodded slowly; she felt like a child under his watchful gaze.
"I see. That is a little close to home."
"Your home, yes," SJ agreed.
"And how do you plan to undertake this task?" Fas asked. His mannerisms didn't change, nor did his facial expression; it maintained the calm and placid outlook he almost always maintained. He was, as usual, in his elven form. A soft smile creased his lips.
"I have no idea... Aren't you a little concerned?" SJ blurted.
"Concerned about what?" Fas asked, genuinely confused.
"That I have been asked to kill a, you know..."
"I know what?" Fas was even more confused.
"A previous partner of yours," SJ gabbled.
Fas stared with his eyes widening slightly, and then he laughed.
SJ frowned, now confused herself. "Doesn't it anger you?"
Fas caught his breath from laughing before he replied. "I think Navina has led you along a hunter's trail. I have never had a personal relationship with the chief."
"What? But she said..." SJ thought back about the words Navina had used. 'Or did she?' SJ thought.
"That's what I had concluded," Dave agreed.
"I have a relationship with the chief, yes, but not that kind of relationship. We have at times been business partners. I have on occasion completed tasks on her behalf and have also invested in various projects over the years. I suppose you could say we have a working relationship, nothing more."
SJ sat for a moment, relief flooding her. "Thank the gods," letting out a deep breath. "I had assumed you had been in an actual relationship."
Again, Fas chuckled. "No. Never, not that she isn't a good-looking dark elf, it's just her temperament; she isn't my type."
"And what is your type then?" SJ asked.
Fas met her eyes. "Someone kind and caring and not ruthless. I have enough ruthlessness and violence in my life without being tied in a relationship with someone who thrives on it."
SJ could feel her pulse quicken at his words.
"Steady now," Dave said. "Don't you dare get any thoughts!"
'I'm not,' SJ hissed in her mind.
"Liar, liar, your dress is on fire," Dave rejoiced with juvenile enjoyment.
'I also live a ruthless life,' SJ retorted.
"No. You are an assassin by class, but you are one of the kindest and caring beings I have ever known," Dave replied, the comment striking SJ, and she felt her cheeks heating up.
"Are you okay?" Fas asked, concerned. "You look a little hot."
SJ spluttered a response. "It's probably the adrenaline from the confrontation with Larpin."
"What confrontation?"
"Erm, I got into a minor disagreement in the bar, and well, I was ejected."
Fas rolled his eyes. "I wondered why you came around the back, rather than through the bar. Larpin, Larpin. Isn't he the regional champion?"
"Yes," SJ replied, feeling ashamed now, especially after completely getting the wrong end of the conversation from Navina.
Benji entered the room and placed a large glass of honey wine in front of SJ.
"Thanks," SJ said, immediately picking it up and taking a large gulp.
"If you need me, I will be in my room," Benjo said as he excused himself.
"Thanks, Benji," Fas replied. As the door closed, Fas's smile faded, his expression shifting into the calm, focused mask of her mentor and guardian. "Going back to my original question," he said, his voice low and serious. "How do you plan on completing this task?"
