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City of Rescert, Rroan

The sun was setting as the lizard approached the city. She had sighted the high walls that lined Rescert two hours ago, and was slightly relieved at the promise of one night away from the cold desert nights she usually had. With the sun to her back, the city walls seemed to glow ever brighter as she neared the east entrance. Tahlis was not deceived, however, and knew that the city streets would be dark within the hour. The lizard held no love for cities, but right now she was haggard and was willing to sleep anywhere but on the coarse ground.

Tahlis had left the cave well into the night, and had rested just as the sun was beginning to rise. It was a fool's choice to rest into mid-day out in the desert heat, to say nothing of wayward predators, and she had begun the remainder of her journey only to arrive back by evening. She was eager to get back into a normal sleeping routine.

To the lizard's annoyance the tavern she had made arrangements with was on the western side of the city. She crossed a square near the center of the city as the sun zigzagged between buildings behind her, falling toward the eastern wall. Only a few people remained in the plaza at this hour, and despite her usual aversion to locals, the lizard was disconcerted to find it without it's masses and mercantile. She figured she could save time and trudge through whatever maze of buildings lie ahead, eager to arrive at the tavern.

Why make so many buildings? she thought. _Is it really beyond such people to pave a straight line in the ground?_On the walls around her, the tan stone that had shone brightly minutes ago turned a chalky sapphire. Tahlis was truly unused to cities such as these, and found it troubling how fast light faded compared to other towns she had spent time in. A few times the lizard had to backtrack when she came upon high walls or simply lifted herself over others. After a while she doubted she could find her way back to the square and resolved to head west, hoping to come upon a decently sized street.

Landing at the foot of another wall, she was surprised to come upon a yard that finally connected to a street. Passing through, she stole a glance at the sky, and was reminded of that time in Sopulch, before any of this happened. Again, the high buildings hid the stars from her view. Again, she was exhausted. And again, she still thought such a thing was careless. Tahlis sighed, readjusted her pack, then marched into the street.

With good fortune, it was one she recognized. If her memory served her, the tavern she was searching for was a few blocks north and a couple streets over. It was already dark, her recent run through the city's alleyways must have wasted more time than she intended. The lizard spotted a few residents still up and about, and reluctant to be near anyone at the moment, she decided it best to cut across a couple streets and then head north.

She continued to cross the street and entered another yard, again met with another wall to jump over. She took notice of the sky once more; the view was the same as before. In the calm night air she heard footsteps approaching her from behind, fast. Before she could fully turn around, though, a sharp pain struck the back of her head. The yard spun around as the ground jolted up to meet her.

"Eh, come on honey, don't you know that looking up makes ya lose perspective?" taunted a voice.

She could feel herself being lifted up as someone removed her pack. In response, she spun to her feet and let her anger lose. Mercifully, it helped her ignore the sting of the pain, and she moved to grapple the nearest aggressor. She saw not one but three figures, two clearly canine, both wearing toothy grins, and the other a mouse. She vaguely noticed they all held blunt weapons, which relieved her slightly. In a flash of movement, she grabbed the arm of the mouse who had removed her pack. Flames danced down her shoulders, illuminating the alleyway around them. Tahlis' eyes flared a chilling indigo, then focused her magical ability on the mouse, who abruptly squealed in pain and tossed the pack behind him. Her condition affected her too much it seemed, as she couldn't stop the pain from bridging over to her as well. Both veered backwards, the mouse sliding to the ground against a wall.

Undeterred by her show of power, the remaining two coyotes moved in on the retreating lizard. More desperately, she launched forward again, dodged a coyote's bludgeon, and aimed for his neck. Immediately his cottony garb started to singe, and he backpedaled to avoid the same fate that befell his murine friend. Tahlis persevered, though, desperate to exact a counter blow. The fur on the coyote's chest was starting to burn as she dug her claw into his throat, feeding on her anger to keep herself conscious. Pain bolted through her victim again, and he let out a yowl.

"Tarig!" cried the other coyote. Despite the singed fur and shock of her spell, the fallen coyote managed to shove her back. He groped his chest and made a quick glance over to his cohort.

"Let's just knock her out, get the pack and go!"

The other coyote nodded and moved in to finish the job. Tahlis was drained, the pain from the first strike was starting to overcome her. She tried again to summon forth her power, but doubted she could focus the spell as well as she had before. She attempted to shield herself for what was to come. The coyote's bludgeon arced in front of her, there was a flash of color, and everything went black.

~;~;~;~;~;`~

As dark and deserted as the neighborhood seemed, one would be hesitant to travel it's length in the middle of the night. It appeared that there were no shops open, no vendors at their stalls, nor a single creature, save one, out and about. To most, the moon-lit thoroughfare would draw no interest, especially at this time of night.

Not so, for Les Enumm. In fact his outlook regarding this particular night stroll was nothing but positive. During the day there would have been crowds of people spread across the whole city, with the air a flow with mercantile and business. Only at night, it seemed, could he satisfy his desire to see the city. He was not averse to company; quite the contrary, many would consider him to be light hearted despite his dark colors. The ferret often considered his midnight coat of fur a stark contrast to his own personality. Despite his fair attitude, one would be inclined to think him otherwise, once they understood his condition. For Les Enumm was an oddity indeed. As he would often explain, "Most ferrets of my kind are known for sleeping plenty ... but with me, it's like I was born half awake! Just seems to stay that way."

An hypersomniac since birth, Les would quickly appreciate the time he had when he was awake. He received about fourteen hours of sleep on average, per day. Any less and it would take a toll on his health. So, at a little past midnight, on this darkened street in Rescert, Les took in the sights. Sometimes the ferret wondered if he was the only creature around who really appreciated how things looked at night, with the myriad of dark hues and mellow blues that ran the street's length. It was at this time of night that he felt privileged, perhaps even gifted with some night-vision or sense that others lacked, though he never was one to boast.

He continued his walk around the west quarter, admiring the familiar architecture despite being in a large city. The ferret knew he was far from home, now closer to the sea to the north than the mountains to the south. Tan stone reflected the moonlight as he exited a residential area. All the way, he could hear his own footsteps on the sandy ground. Another part he enjoyed about the night was the utter silence. Hardly a noise was heard whenever he went on his nocturnal ventures.

Tonight, though, was an exception to the rule. The ferret strolled ever closer to one of the many time-worn alleys that zig-zagged through this part of the city. He had taken notice of the commonplace street side gardens that pockmarked this side of Rescert. His ears distinctly heard a dull thud, a body hitting stone perhaps, and he stopped to listen. A bright light erupted from the corner, out into the street. As soon as he saw it, it was gone.

"What the ... " he mumbled. Hesitantly, the ferret swiveled his ears and focused on the alley ahead of him. Next he heard shuffling noises, followed by what must have been a howl. His brain told him to run, but his curiosity guiled him to inch forward. He was nevertheless hesitant; cities such as these tended to draw anything from thieves to mages and he knew he was less than prepared to defend against such aggressors.

As he made his way to a cross-section of pathways, he turned to his right and found a trio of people, one collapsed against a wall. The wounded one was a mouse, the other two canines, both with their backs turned to something. It didn't take much to see there had been a fight. Quickly, so as not to be spotted, Les propped his musteline body against the wall, thankful his dark fur had some advantages. Once more, he glanced around the corner to see one canine raise what looked like a club and strike something. He heard another dull thud, and saw a figure slump to the ground behind them.

Les instinctively exposed his claws, yet remained glued to the spot, unable to summon the nerve to confront the two canines. Fear bit into him as he watched the two coyotes loot their victim and turn to face him. Swiftly he stepped back onto the street, still against the wall, and listened. He could hear the two walk to the mouse, heft him up, and make their way out of the alley.

The ferret saw them exit and turn south, one coyote had draped the mouse around his shoulder, whereas the other seemed to be nursing a wound on his chest. Thankful that his dark coat had saved him from detection, he quickly darted into the garden alley. His heart was still racing wildly as he approached the now unconscious figure.

Even with the darkness of the passage, his dark eyes could make out the leathery skin, copper scales, and reptilian tail that denoted her as a lizard. Looking at her, he briefly reflected how uncommon it was to find a lizard in a city such as this. He knew that her and those like her held some disdain toward settlements, more reactionary in their own manner than most. He also knew that never before had he experienced such an encounter like this, having always spent his waking hours under the stars, when hardly a person was about.

He shook off his musing and focused on what to do next. The lizardess was hurt and needed help. He bent down to pick her up, but drew back once he saw the wounds. Blood was congealing around the side of her skull. She must have put up quite a fight; he admired, _that howl must have been the coyote's._He placed a jittery claw on her cheek, the other rapped around her head, and turned her neck to see that there was a second wound on the back. Slightly blushing, he falteringly inspected her body for more injuries, but found none. Les ventured a guess that the trio's aim was simply to render her unconscious and get away with her belongings.

Now that Les knew the extent of her wounds, he quickly decided to get her to the nearest tavern, where she could rest and he could call a healer. He almost wanted to call for help, but he worried that her wounds might become worse, and every minute counted. Carefully, he took her up in his arms, resting her head on his folded cloak for protection. With a smooth stride, he followed the road north and over, to a tavern.

~;~;~;~;~;`~

For the next four days, Les slept little. It was something he was unaccustomed to, to say the least. In his waking hours he spent half his time stressing over the event in the alley, the other half working off the price for the two rooms he had to rent at the tavern. Even at that, the tavern keeper still gave him a discount upon mention of Les' stay at a rivaling establishment.

"You were going to stay at _Omldra's_place?" he had exclaimed. "That skinflint would have charged you twice over just for the trouble of finding a healer! Wait 'till she hears about this, though. Next time you pass through," he jabbed Les in the ribs for emphasis, "make sure to let her know what ol' Varold did for ya." Les just chuckled nervously at the zealous fox.

By stretching his normal schedule, Les spent the mornings cleaning the myriad rooms in the back of the tavern. When he finished, he would sleep late into the day, waking to either brood further or wait by the lizard's bed, guilty and reprehensible for his inaction. The ferret hadn't even carried the lizard all the way to the tavern. A couple blocks away, a guard had realized his peril and relieved him of his burden, escorting him to Varold's. He also gave an account of the three thugs he encountered that night, and the guard gave him his word they would be on the look-out.

Les had never been strong, not by muscle nor temperament. He had shielded his eyes when the healer had arrived and began treating her. She had suffered two blows to the head and would stay asleep for a week, the healer had said. Les had aided the lupine healer in applying a medicated press, at least. If she was to recover faster, the gashes would need to close soon. Les and Varold promised to care for her until she awoke. And while he waited, Les had time to reflect on the confrontation in the alley.

Hidden from the coyotes' view, he could have prevented the lizard from being hurt. Yet he had cold feet, rooted to the spot by his fear. He was active with the time he spent awake, but it had always been a solitary experience. He was nonetheless affable when it came to others, despite his late schedule, comparing. I bared my claws, though, he reflected, so why didn't I use them Les couldn't find an answer. Surely, you fought better than I ever could have, in the same situation,_he admitted. He felt the cloak at his back, then, which still had the lizard's blood stain on it. Barely noticeable after a wash, but he would still see it each time he put it on. _A tribute to my cowardice.

On the fourth evening, Les had woken up and replaced the lizard's head bandage. While he waited, he tried to stop brooding by gazing out the window. It wasn't much of a view. Both their rooms overlooked a side alley below them, with another tan-stoned building with a set of rooms across the way. Varold walked in then, and quietly shut the door behind him.

He gestured to the lizard, "Doctor said a week, right?"

Les remained at the window for a moment, sighed, then walked back to the other side of the bed to answer. "Yeah," he responded.

The gray fox raised his eyebrow. "You okay? You seem more ... sleepy than usual." Varold had found out about Les' disorder the morning after he arrived. Only after the fox practically kicked him out of bed did the ferret wake enough to explain his condition.

"I'm just a little pressured, is all. I've got my reasons to head north, and the longer I stay here the farther away she, er, it feels."

If Varold noticed the ferret's slip of the tongue, he didn't show it. "Well, you've paid for your own room so far, if she wakes she'll just have to pay me instead.

Les just shook his head during the whole sentence. "I could never do that to her, Varold. She was mugged, she obviously doesn't have any money, and she's injured! What kind of guy would I be to just leave her like that?" He gave another sigh. "Even though I want to get back on the road, it would be wrong to go now, not while she's like this."

The fox scratched his chin and nodded at the ferret's words. "It's good to see young folks take responsibility for things like this nowadays. I've met my fair share of characters that would leave that girl here in a heartbeat, if anything for the cost."

Les chimed in, "Speaking of which ... it's only fair that I work off what the healer charged, along with these rooms."

"Kid, you're acting like you mugged the poor lizard. You're not responsible for what happened. But I got a business to run, so you're still responsible for the rooms."

"Right, right. But I still think I could have done something. I'm not exactly the type to launch into a fight."

Varold laughed. "I believe it! That's the kind of man I want for my daughter, there. Doesn't run headfirst into things. Save me some grief and marry her."

Les gaped for a second, then just shook his head to himself. "No can do, sir. I had other plans. Plus," he added sardonically, "I doubt you want a hypersomniac as an in-law!"

Varold plunged into more laughter. Quickly Les reminded him of the sleeping lizard in their midst, and he calmed down. "Yes, boy. No worries, just joshing you. Although, I'm sure more than anything that you know how to use a bed!" Again he burst into a fit of laughter.

"Sir!" Les protested, his face flushing all the more.

Out of the corner of his eye, the ferret saw a blanket on the bed stir. A low groan escaped the lizard's lips. Both Les and Varold gave each other a look and then rushed to the bed side.

The lizard's eyes were glossy as they flitted open, then finally held their gaze to the ceiling. Les was somewhat surprised to find them amber in color. It occurred to him he had never seen her with her eyes open before. She tried to lift her head to get a better view of the room, but hastily lied back down when a familiar pain arced through her. She squinted her eyes and audibly cringed.

Varold stepped forward to try and speak with her, while Les stayed back. "Sorry, missy. Healer's orders. I'd not move around for another couple days at-"

"Where am I?" she asked in a gravelly rasp.

"My lady, you're at the best tavern this side of Meynt street." he boasted. More earnestly, "You were brought in here a few days back. You were mugged by some lowlifes, as the story goes."

The lizard let out a another hollow groan. "After my pack."

The tavern keeper nodded. "We're afraid they got away with it. No worries, though, you're in good paws."

She managed to pivot her head slightly to look at the room, still trying to get a focus. "How did I get here?"

Varold glanced at Les with an amused grin, stepped back, and then pushed the ferret forward. "This gentleman carried you all the way here, of course." Les nearly tripped over the bed at Varold's shove, stopped short, and managed a smile.

"Well, I didn't really-"

"You!" the lizard blurted. Les resisted stepping back. The lizard's orange gaze burned into him, an almost fearful look on her face. "What happened? Why are you here?"

Les bent forward, his claws up, trying to placate her outburst. "Ca- calm down! It's okay, now. I don't think we've met ..."

With a spry motion, the lizard spun to grab Les' arm, hoisting her legs over the edge of the bed, her tail pulling away the sheet. "Don't you remember?" she exclaimed. "The graveyard and the corpses? The sandstorm?"

Les blathered something incoherent, as he realized the lizardess was oblivious to the fact that she was hardly clothed. All she was wearing were long linen underclothes that stopped above her knees, leaving little to the imagination. His face crimson, he attempted to pull away and at least avert his eyes, but the lizard held his arm in a death grip. "Please," he managed, "you shouldn't be sitting up. I-"

"What happened!?" she asked again, "how did you know me? What about your kiss, and that red stone you had?"

"My what?" he blurted.

"She's gonna pop..." warned the tavern keeper.

"Why ..." the lizard murmured. Les could tell she was getting lightheaded. "did you ..." she continued. She finally relinquished her grip on Les, and he took her by the shoulders and tried to lie her back down, quickly pulling the sheet back over her body. As abruptly as her outburst started, the lizard's verbal tirade ended.

Varold came around and helped Les get her back into bed, equally as dumbfounded as the ferret. As the lizard fell again into slumber, he turned to Les. "That make any sense to you?"

The ferret vehemently shook his head. "No, it must have been something caused by the concussion. Maybe part of a dream?"

"It's giving me my own headache, I know that much," the fox claimed, rubbing his temples. He chuckled slightly, which brought a questioning look to the ferret again. "Boy, I hope to never attain you're effect on women!"

"She was just out of sorts."

"And what was that about a kiss, huh?" He jabbed Les again for emphasis.

He blushed, as that inadvertently drew his thoughts to what the lizard had been wearing. "Like, like I said," he stammered. "she was out of sorts." He glanced back at her. "I'll stay up as usual in case she wakes up again."

"Now I know you're fond of sleeping, kid, but try to save that stuff until after she's recovered!"

"You dirty old man..."

The fox looked offended. "I'm not old, I'm thirty-seven!"

~;~;~;~;~;`~

"Curse that girl!" Halvar raged. He had tracked Tahlis back to Rescert and decided to follow her next move. Luck was with him, for she had apparently been the victim of a mugging and gave him ample time to discover where she was lodged. It addled him slightly to think of what it must have taken to overpower a magician, though. Or were they were so vulnerable after all? A club to the skull surely spelled trouble for anyone, magician or not.

After hearing of her attack, Halvar thought it would be an ideal opportunity to glean what little he could from her mind while it was weak. After using his power to make the innkeeper in this tavern quite uncomfortable, he managed to acquire the room across the alley from the recovering lizardess. To his dismay, however, her mind was closed off while she slept. The vaguest emotion was difficult to pull from her mind. His chance came, though, when she woke up.

Without concern for her state of mind, he jumped at the chance to discover anything she had kept hidden. And hidden, indeed! Though he couldn't hear the words being spoken across the alley, the horned lizard could tell something had truly rattled Tahlis' thoughts. Greedy for answers, Halvar battered her thoughts, as he read her fear, surprise, and other more ephemeral emotions in her wakened state. It was a battle all it's own, and he only hoped the injured lizard remained unaware of his presence.

It was too brief, though. His desire for what she kept hidden was too much, it seemed, and she fell unconscious a mere minute after waking. He had also let his power carelessly wash over to the others in the room, too, but quickly receded once he felt the lizard's mind taper into blackness. Nonetheless, he had learned much. Something about the ferret had shocked her, who was blatantly incredulous as to the reason. Aside from that, there was naught for Halvar to be excited about, disregarding the vulpine's liveliness and the ferret's inhibition.

The lizard squelched his frustration and snickered to himself. I was right, wasn't I? he pondered. There was more to the story concerning the necromancer after all. Why so important, Tahlis? What do you know that I don't? If you're like me, the only thing to be uncertain about is magic, so why do your emotions go for a loop when you see this ferret? He is no magician, surely.

Exhausted himself, Halvar concluded that he had learned enough information for one day. Like all magicians, focusing his power was most of the job, but to use it as he did, as Tahlis in her own right, was draining. Perhaps it took less to overpower a magician than he thought. But Halvar didn't bother himself with such thoughts.

Languidly he got into bed for some much needed rest. He would find the secrets she protected, and he would do it without her even knowing. He idly wondered if he would share the secret with the group, or of he could simply use it for his own benefit. Either way, Halvar thought, magic was magic. He deserved this more than anyone, especially after all those wasted months wandering the continent, to find something here, in his own home of Rroan. Damn anyone who got in his way.