Starless Portent

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[127] Nymaya: Starless Portent
Fri Mar 5 02:38:06 2010
To: RP New_Thalos All ( Crelius Anastormia ) Imm Necrucifer
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The Ishtar Harbor was a bustling mass of business and activity, even at the ungodly hour she found herself prowling its dirty, sandy paths.

Night was heavy on the world and clouds scudded past the moons and obscured the stars, making the alleys all the more opaque. She was struck by the scent of fish and brine, spice and alcohol. A unique mix that easily assailed the senses as she tread by on cat's feet, deftly dodging the various drunken sailors and avid merchants that littered the area.

The sound of the moored ships creaking and groaning softly at their berths was a constant in the background along with the gentle slap and rush of the river. It was almost soothing, could have been moreso if the faint disturbance of movement behind her were not a clear indication that she was being followed.

She did not recognize the cadence of whatever stalked behind but she knew with little doubt. Brief pauses, detours as she stopped to engage the odd guard in conversation. It did not rid her of her shadow. She found it curious if disquieting. She had been hunted before but this did not appear to be similar.

It was not overconfidence that left her feeling rather interested but caution took over when she found herself in a far more vacant section of the harbor, a place that hosted empty stalls, tents and a single decrepit tavern. The disreputable often had the most interesting rumors.

The alleys she found here were even more ominous than the ones in the main bulk of the harbor's market, if only for their depth of silence. It was easy to get lost amongst them. She wasn't worried about that as she paused to scan the way behind her, though the faint shifting of shadows and the low hanging mist drew her attention sharply. Down an alley directly across from where she stood.

The flash of steel glimmered briefly as she paused long enough to check the curved daggers along her forearms and then she let curiosity and instinct guide her into the close alley.

She was ready for the slender figure that darted at her when she reached the intersection at the back of the warehouses. Her left hand shot out to grasp and violently twist the wrist holding the dagger headed for her throat even as she pulled the form from its hiding spot. Wide, murderous green eyes met hers as her dagger snapped forward in her grasp to press into the pale throat.

There was only a moment to spare during which, she took immediate stock of her opponent. A thief, well armed but wearing little more than black rags and a few pieces of ragged leather armor. The half elven creature was pitiful but carried the scent of blood on his clothing. A sloppy killer.

She was almost disappointed but that faded away only moments later as a sudden jarring impact struck the half elf in her grasp from behind, spurring the youth onto the blade she held at his throat. The green eyes opened wider, as did his mouth, which began to fill with arterial blood. She let go of the half elf as he reached up to cover the wound, her gaze following not it but the shadows around.

cont.