The Diplomatic Rescue Job

Well that was a hell of a dream visit from Deslyna and I was now looking at Angelika in a new light, she definitely exuded raw sensuality on top of just being extremely attractive. The dream now faded into the mists of the mind I was getting up and getting ready to head out for the day. The embarrassment of Angelika finding me like that helping to sharpen my mind and concentrate on getting out to meet the rest of the company.

I was well aware of the butchery that Angelika mentioned, it was on the other side of town and quite the trek to get over there. Getting out to the front doors of the inn that Angelika, Delarissa and I had been staying at I met up with Del who looked a little worse for wear after her evening of drinking Elven wine.

"Good morning Del, you really do not look good at all."

"No, not really. It has been quite some time since I have indulged in the wine of my homeland and it appears that it had more of an effect on me than I remembered. I don't even know how I got back up to my room last night."

It would seem that she didn't remember kissing me last night so I thought that I would keep that from her so that she didn't feel embarrassed about it in her state of inebriation.

"Yes, you did look a little out of it last night as well and I wanted to make sure you got somewhere comfortable."

"Wow, a religious man and a gentleman", Del yawns in an attempt to wake herself up and we walk through the bustling streets of Bracklewhyte towards our destination.

The sun has made its presence known lighting the city in all its splendour, the high towers of the wizard's academy, the brightly coloured palisades of the royal residences, almost no part of the city escaped this wonder. Those areas that escaped the brightness were not worth visiting at all and I avoided them as much as I could. The butchery that we were headed to was in the trader's district of town, an area that I had spent some time in, spending my hard earned gold on the few comforts that I had allowed myself.

I spent an insignificant part of our journey just looking at Delarissa, the grace that she held herself with and the way that the sun danced on her fiery locks. I was also curious as to the nature of her tattoo but would wait for another time before bringing up anything so personal again.

Before I knew it we had arrived and the others were waiting for us. Gwen had started to trust me as a skilled conversationalist and I had learnt a lot from her about using that natural talent in negotiations. A "give and take" she had described it simply to me, to take what you need, you need to be able to give a little too.

"Well it took you too long enough didn't it? Busy with something were you?", Angelika just smiles waiting for a reaction.

"I am a little hungover so I'm going to let that one slide Ang", croaked Del with all the energy of a wounded mare.

"We were just enjoying the sights and sounds of the city, it really is a lovely day don't you think Gwen?"

"Well as lovely as it is, we have work to do. Maybe you should sit out here for now Delarissa and drink this", Gwen pulls out a small canteen and hands it to Del who nods in appreciation before taking a seat. Yevelda also stays outside while Gwen, Angelika and I head inside, she’s not really the chatty type after all.

Gwen leads us through the butchery and up a set of stairs at the back, someone who seemingly looks in charge nods to Gwen who returns the gesture. The office we find at the top of the stairs is surprisingly a lot more luxurious than I imagined would be the case at a butchery shop. That is until I saw who it was sitting behind the rather large desk. Allistair Penshore, Master of the Bracklewhyte Merchant’s Guild and patriarch of the Penshore noble family of the city. He was well respected both in higher society circles but also for being a benevolent benefactor for the workers of the city. His assistant lead us to the few chairs that had been setup for the meeting, Angelika instead chose to lean against the wall surveying the office and keeping an eye on the door.

“Welcome, welcome Gwendolyn dear”, Allistair takes Gwen’s hand and leaning down, gently kisses it as a sign of greeting. The look on Gwen’s face is priceless, as if Allistair’s actions were sincere but a waste of time. Before his head came back up she did however manage to put a smile on her face to thank him for the “kind” gesture. Angelika looked on a suppressed a giggle at the scene using a small dagger to clean her fingernails.

“So Allistair, what brought you to summon us here today?”

“I have heard so much about you, you seem to be doing quite well for yourselves what with your heroic deeds and all. Can I trust you? What I am about to tell you must remain in our confidence.”

“I guess our reputation precedes us but please do go on, whatever it is you have to say must be important enough to summon The Crimson Company and not to use the city’s own soldiers. What do you need us for?”

“Anyway, a dignitary of the city is missing. Our Emissary to the council of orcish tribes is overdue to return by more than a week. She was sent on an important diplomatic mission and was returning with vital information for the city’s safety.”

“Interesting...Was she sent out alone?”

“No, she should have her entourage with her along with a contingent of guards.”

“And when was the last you heard from her?”

“We received this raven message a few days before she was due back”, Allistair hands a rolled up note to Gwen who shares the contents with me.

Allistair Penshore – Meeting has gone well with the orcish tribal council, have good news to report in person when I arrive back to the city. Please care for Lyn before I arrive.- - - - - -

“Who is this Lyn that she speaks of?”

With a laugh Allistar explains that Lyn is the name of the raven that delivered the message.

“Finally, who is this emissary that has gone missing, someone high ranking I should think for such an undertaking?”

“Well yes, yes it is. She is my daughter Lady Gabrielle Penshore so as you can see I am quite attached to finding her as quickly as possible.”

I notice Gwen’s face change slightly when she hears this name as if she knows her from somewhere. I did not know much about her life before she set up the company but I can tell that she not only knows Lord Allistair but also his daughter as well.

The rest of the meeting goes by quickly while we get all the information that we need in order to set out and find what has happened with the diplomatic mission. Allistair thanks us for our willingness to help him and we make our exit back through the butchery floor down stairs. As soon as we are out of earshot of Allistair, Angelika pipes up, her curiosity having got the better of her.

“So, I noticed your reaction to the name Gabrielle back there. Is she someone that you know? Anything we should know about her?”

“She’s an old friend, from before I joined the service and that’s all you need to know.”

“An old friend? How did you get to be friends with someone from that part of town?”

“I said that that was all you needed to know, now leave it at that. We have a trip to prepare for.”

Angelika glanced over at me and I just shrugged, I knew probably less about Gwen than she did. When we exited the building again I could see that Del was either resting her eyes or had dozed off from being dead tired. Yevelda meanwhile stood tall, looking imposing as ever and looking to Gwen for guidance.

“Get ready guys, we’re out to rescue a princess!”, Angelika animatedly announced to the others with glee. This proclamation got Yevelda’s attention and woke Del from her morning daze.

“Princess? What princess?”