Serena craned her head around and watched as Werond and Graham exited the kitchen, before turning her attention back to her plate of eggs, glancing around the counter for anything spicy to douse them in. She paid no attention to Cruck’aa, who had settled back down in his barstool, feathers still ruffled, his tirade towards Pavel finally finished, though Serena doubted he had even listened.

Despite how irritating the argument had been, Serena was glad that Cruck’aa felt the need to tell off Pavel, if only so that he missed Jo’s question. Part of Serena was surprised that Jo had even asked, but she did seem keen on what was going on around her. Perhaps Werond was right, perhaps they hadn’t done as good of a job hiding their relationship as she thought.

A wave of anxiety washed over her as Serena shoveled more eggs into her mouth, disappointed at the lack of hot sauce.

If everyone did indeed know about her and Werond, then a tirade from Cruck’aa was on the horizon. Though, if that were the case, Serena would do her best to mimic Pavel. Afterall, why should she listen to whatever Cruck’aa had to say about them? He was irritating enough as it was, and –

“So,” Cruck’aa said, ripping Serena from her thoughts, addressing everyone. “now that we have some privacy…what’s the plan?”

“For what?” Serena signed with one hand.

“For our job, Serena. Did you forget that already?”

Serena rolled her eyes and set her fork down. Case in point. “Is that something we need to talk about right now?”

“Yes.” Cruck’aa said flatly. “We’ve made it to Waterdeep, and our job on the caravan is done. But we can’t just sit idly by and…you know,” Cruck’aa said quietly. “let them do whatever it is they’re going to do.”

Jo rested an elbow on the counter and propped her head up.

“I agree with that. Well, what do we know?” She spoke quietly, low enough for just the three of them to hear. “We know that the original plan for them was to bring Larion’s hordes of gold up to Waterdeep, pass through, then head to the Mere of Dead Men. Why they didn’t plan on going around the city is beyond me.”

“Probably…” Pavel croaked, sipping down a glass of water. “Probably on a tight schedule. I thought of that too; if they went around Waterdeep…then they wouldn’t have to sneak in…but if they have to get to the…Mere as fast as possible…”

“Then going through Waterdeep is the best bet. And, considering they already had a plan set up, I bet they’ve done this trip before.” Jo sat up. “I highly doubt that this would have been the first time that they have used that hole in the wall to get into Waterdeep. In that report you talked about back in…Daggerford, did it have any information on the frequency of these trips?” Pavel shook his head. “Damn, that would have been nice to know. But again, I have to imagine that our caravan wasn’t a one off, and if that’s the case, I bet all the gold in the bank” Cruck’aa snorted. “that the Thieves Guild will know how many times they’ve used that entryway and inn. If we can find that inn and question someone in there –”

“We could learn more about the Cult, and not go into the Mere blind?” Serena interjected.

Jo snapped her fingers and pointed at her.

“Exactly. Even if the Thieves Guild only knows a little bit, any amount of information would be helpful. Larion didn’t know anything useful for us to ask him, and the next best person is buried in a shallow grave on the Trade Way. We need all the information we can get.”

“Can’t say I disagree with you.” Cruck’aa grumbled.

“Well, that’s a first.” Pavel said, ignoring the look shot his way.

“When do go about doing all this?” Serena signed. “Hole in the wall or inn, trying to find either of them could take a while. Should we start looking now?”

Jo shrugged. “That’s the part I’m not sure about, how much time we have. Larion said that they’re hording gold to give to a dragon, and we don’t have a clue as to why.”

“I did, but no one believed me.”

“I believe you Serena. At this point, I don’t want to rule anything out. But even if that’s what their plan is, we still don’t know how much time we have to stop them from doing…whatever it is they’re doing, dragon charity or what.” She shrugged again. “Honestly, it’s just mass theft at this point, and while it points to something else, I can’t see us on a tight time schedule.”

“Better now than later.” Cruck’aa stated.

“And while I agree with that, we just got to Waterdeep. I haven’t gotten a wink of proper rest in months. While I don’t want to put it off, I think we need to rest up for a bit, so we can go at it with everyone feeling at their best. We know what we need to do, and we can tackle it once everyone has rested up.”

Serena nodded, Pavel following her lead; it sounded like a good plan to her.

Cruck’aa, however, narrowed his eyes and began to grumble; before he could speak, Graham briskly walked back into the kitchen, grinning at them. He strode around the island and began to gather up the remnants of their breakfast.

“My apologies.” Graham said. As he spoke, Serena noticed that the left side of his face seemed red. “The conversation with the mistress of the house took longer than I anticipated.”

“That’s fine, but where’s Werond?” Serena asked, looking back to the living room.

“Miss Torohar had an errand to run, which is what I was informing her of. An urgent business matter had popped up and she needed to have addressed it today. She should be back later.”

“Oh.” Serena deflated slightly. “I could have gone with her.”

“Alas, this is a matter that’s rather private, as much as Miss Torohar enjoys your company.” Graham grinned at her. “She contemplated it herself but decided that she had to go alone. Know that she does miss you terribly, and that she looks forward to seeing you again later tonight.”

“A-ah.” Serena signed, heat creeping into her face; beside her, Jo grinned, and poked Serena with her elbow, while Cruck’aa shook his head.

“I do hope that I didn’t miss any riveting conversation. I must say, it’s rather nice to hear someone besides Miss Torohar speak at length, as much as I enjoy her company.”

“Not really.” Jo laughed; Cruck’aa narrowed his eyes at her. “Just discussing what we wanted to do in the city. Some of us have never been in Waterdeep before. Any advice for us?”

Graham paused as he picked up Serena’s tray of unfinished eggs, his face scrunching in thought.

“Actually…there might be something that could interest all of you, what with the nature of your jobs on the caravan. Have any of you heard of the Brightswords Festival?” He grinned as they shook their heads and turned towards the wash basin. “Well, it begins in…oh, a week or so? It’s a rather large festival, very fun for everyone. Parades and such, and after dark, the Griffon Calvary perform mock battles over the city. It’s quite the show. During the day though, a tournament is held at the Field of Triumph, and – well, I suppose those two tournaments going on actually.” Graham dropped the trays into the basin, and turned back around, placing his hands on the counter, and leaning towards them. “The first tournament is mostly for entertainment and is the prelude to the actual festivities. It’s something for the younger crowds to enjoy, though not many know it’s fake. How they don’t know it’s fake, I’ll never know. Regardless, I believe the second tournament might interest you all greatly.”

Next to Serena, Pavel cracked his eyes back open.

“The second one happens the day after the first, and is for those wishing to see blood on the sand. If you enter, you’ll face off against whatever monsters the tournament can produce, or you’ll face up against another person much like yourself. Nothing is off the table, save killing another person, but there will be a healer on standby, of course. Aside from the more violent side of it, the second tournament also has a prize pool of seven thousand gold,” Jo whistled. “and you earn the title of champion, which, I suppose, can go a long way into inching into some outstanding social circles. The glory of it –”

Pavel leapt up from his barstool; the legs of the stool scraped against the wood, causing Serena and Cruck’aa to jump.

“Where do I sign up?” He asked. While his eyes were now opened, he grimaced as though the effort pained him.

“At the Field of Triumph, signs up are still happening, I –”

“You want to join the tournament?” Cruck’aa asked with narrowed eyes. “Why?”

“Because I want to Cruck’aa, nothing more.”

“But we have more than enough money –”

“I’m not doing it for the money.” Pavel raised his voice, cringing as he did.

“Okay!” Jo said, raising her hands. “Okay, let’s not start arguing again. If Pavel wants to join, then let him, nothing wrong with that.”

“But we have –” Cruck’aa began to say.

“Nothing to do right now, I know.” Pavel said. “Graham, where’s that field you mentioned?”

The old man smiled.

“It’s in the Sea Ward, towards the west, I should say. Would you like me to take you there, sir, so you don’t get lost? If you do decide to sign up, I believe you can also register for a spot on the field to train, if you believe you need it.”

“Yes, please!” Pavel said, wobbling out from the island and shoving his barstool in, cringing as the legs squeaked across the floor. “Sorry about the wood.”

“Not a problem, we have a man who comes in and snaps away those imperfections. Well, if you’d like to go, please allow me some time to finish up clearing the kitchen.” Graham looked to everyone else. “Are the rest of you accompanying us?”

“Sure!” Serena stood up and picked up her barstool to scoot it in; though she had no interest in the tournament, the thought of seeing more of the city filled her with a nervous energy, one she wished she could share with Werond, but she supposed that her friends were a close second.

“Ah, may as well.” Jo said, standing up. “Nothing better to do. Cruck’aa, why don’t you come with us?”

“And if I don’t?” The grumpy Aarakocra asked.

“Then you’ll sit alone in Werond’s house and have to talk with her if she gets back before we do. And we all know how well you get along with her.”

Cruck’aa stared at her, eyes narrowed. Jo smiled back.

With a grumble, he stood up and pushed his stool in, ignoring the squeaking. Excitement bubbled in Serena’s chest as Cruck’aa waved his talons at them.

“Fine, fine! Just – let’s get it over with.”

“We should grab our gear.” Pavel said. “If we can, I want to get some exercise in today. Gods know…” He grimaced and rubbed his head. “Gods know I need it.”

“What about your hangover?” Serena asked. Pavel waved a hand.

“This’ll fix it. Now come on, burning daylight.”

Pavel moved over and grabbed Cruck’aa by his shoulders, pulling him towards the living room. Serena grinned as Cruck’aa began to struggle and argue, all in vain, as Jo began to push him along too.

As Serena moved to follow, a sudden thought leapt into her mind; she waited until Jo and Pavel, still pushing Cruck’aa along, passed through the living room, before she stepped back towards the island. Graham had turned back around and began scrubbing the dishes in the basin, oblivious to Serena behind the island. She rapped her knuckles on the counter, causing Graham to turn around with a confused expression.

“Ah,” he said. “yes, the signs. Something you needed?”

Serena raised an eyebrow. “Wait, did Werond tell you how my signs work? I didn’t think she knew.”

“Well, if it’s anything like normal sign language, then it won’t work if I can’t see it, hmm?”

“That’s…uh, yeah. Anyways, I uhm…can I ask you something about Werond?”

It was Graham’s turn to raise an eyebrow.

“I suppose, if you’re curious about something.”

“Well, I had the thought because she left for a business errand, but…what does Werond do for a living?” Serena asked. “She hasn’t told us, and I was just curious…”

“What does Miss Torohar do for a living?” He frowned. “I do hope you excuse me for saying so, but if she hasn’t informed you, then it isn’t my place speak for her.”

“Oh! No, sorry, I wasn’t trying to be rude –”

“And I don’t think you are being rude. For almost everything else, I would be more than happy to fill you in. But something like her job is Miss Torohar’s concern, and if she hasn’t said, then I simply cannot, with good conscious, speak for her on that matter. It isn’t my place to do so. I hope you understand.”

“I, I do.” Serena said, grimacing at the heat that now burned in her ears. “Sorry, forget I asked. Just…curious, I guess.”

“Of course, no harm done ma’am. Please tell the rest of your friends that I will be ready in but a moment.”

“R-right! Sure!” Serena signed, before turning to leave, tips of her ears on fire.

…

Werond wasn’t sure where she was going. She turned left as she walked out of her gate and began down the way they had come last night, weaving her way through the morning crowds.

She paid no heed to the city beginning another day around her, businesses opening their doors, with bakeries and early morning restaurants filling the air with the sweet aroma of baked foods. The gentle murmur of the night crowds lingered in the air, though Werond knew it was only a matter of hours before the city awoke to its typical clamor.

On any other day, a walk through the city was just what Werond needed, the sun on her back, cool breeze washing over her, along with the sights and smells of a barely awake Waterdeep. And yet, today, it did nothing to ease the worry that still filled her chest.

As she approached the first intersection, Werond took another left; she glanced up at the street signs and frowned. Try as she might, she couldn’t help but feel frustration at the names of the streets around her, and as she walked down Warrior’s Way, Werond wished she had the power to change them.

She meandered her way down the sidewalk, taking care to hug the buildings so that she remained out of the way of everyone else. The chatter of the crowds and early morning shoppers filled the air, but they did nothing to drown out her thoughts.

Doubtless by now Serena and everyone else knew of her departure, and despite her hatred at her unexplained absence, Werond needed the time alone. To think.

She had convinced herself, back on the caravan, that she’d have had more time in Waterdeep to relax, to decompress, before her boss sunk his fangs back into her. He’d be busy with other issues, and wouldn’t need Werond immediately, which was her hope. Evidently, she’d been wrong. Graham’s news had rattled Werond to her core, and –

She halted and leaned against the open door of a locksmith shop, the smell of brass and oil wafting out.

“Stop.” Werond whispered to herself. “Stop, you wanted to clear your head, right? Stop thinking about all that. Stop it.”

“Oi! Ma’am!” A shout from within came. “Don’t loiter against the door if you ain’t coming in!”

“Sorry!” Werond said, waving a hand as she pushed off and resumed her walk.

She couldn’t let the anxiety rattle her again, Graham wasn’t here to help her. And it was long overdue for Werond to have mastered those breathing exercises.

Sucking in a deep breath, she stood up straight and walked away from the wall, angling through the crowds as she made her way towards the edge of the sidewalk. She halted amidst a half-orc and elf, all three scanning both sides of the road before they stepped into the now clear street.

Her thoughts drifted back to her sudden departure, causing Werond to cringe. Serena would no doubt want to know where she had been whenever Werond decided to come back and brushing her off with a curt reply of “business” rubbed Werond the wrong way. But what else could she tell her? A simple lie would do, but the thought of pulling the wool further over Serena’s eyes caused Werond to feel anxious. Perhaps, then, something other than a lie was in order. If Werond came back with something for Serena, something for everyone, perhaps she wouldn’t have to lie in the first place. A simple treat from a bakery or restaurant would be more than enough –

Heat flooded into her face as Werond crossed the street, and stepped back onto the sidewalk, and into another crowd.

What was Serena supposed to be, a cat? Would simply giving her something to eat make her forget all of Werond’s wrongs? The very thought of it set her teeth on edge.

There was no reason to lie in the first place. Simply telling Serena that Werond had been on an errand for business, and leaving it at that, would be more than enough. Serena didn’t need to know what she was doing, and while Werond would have rather spent time with her, she needed to –

An arm suddenly slipped through hers.

With a start, Werond glanced down, then up at the person to her right, as she attempted to jerk her arm away, a yell upon her lips.

Her struggles died as she recognized the all too familiar wide brimmed, purple hat and black eye patch. This time, however, the Drow’s skin was the same color as her own, rather than the normal dark shade of purple.

“Werond, my friend!” Her boss said with a smile; abject fear smashed into her like a hammer, Werond’s body beginning to shake. “Oh, it’s been such a long time. Walk with me, we simply must catch up.”

Before she could react, her boss began to pull her further in, moving diagonally through the crowds and towards the buildings.

Fear paralyzed her, constricting her throat, all of her thoughts voiding her mind as a single wave of horror filled the space.

“J-Jarlaxle, wait –” she choked out.

“Oh no,” Jarlaxle said. “don’t make me wait.” He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to turn towards her; as he did, the crowds immediately parted around him. “I’ve been waiting outside your house all morning, and almost missed you leaving! Had to run to catch up. You wouldn’t make me wait any longer, hmm?”

Werond could only stare back with wide eyes, her body frozen in place. Jarlaxle wagged a finger at her, lips pursed, before continuing to pull her along.

“I just need to borrow you for a couple of minutes, nothing more.” He said. “Then you can go right back to whatever it is you do in your pathetic amount of free time.

“W-what –” Werond stammered; while her body moved on its own, Werond turned away and stared down at her feet, refusing to look at the Drow that clung to her arm.

She could hear Jarlaxle’s smile.

“Oh Werond,” He said. “I feel as though, at this point in our relationship, you should know what I want…what I expect from you. It’d be rather ridiculous if you didn’t, but I suppose you are a rather ridiculous person, hmm?”

With a tug, Jarlaxle pulled Werond off the sidewalk and into the mouth of a nearby alley, one that connected Warriors Way to the street on the other side of the wall of buildings. Though the alley was short, a group of rough looking men hung around the middle, blocking any who tried to pass through.

As Jarlaxle walked further in, continuing to pull Werond along, one of the men, older than the others, scars across his face, turned towards them, opening his mouth as if to yell. At the sight of the Drow, however, his mouth snapped shut, and he turned back to the others, ushering them out the other side of the alley.

“Good, finally some privacy.” Jarlaxle said as they left, dropping his arm from Werond’s. Immediately, she pushed herself against the wall of the alley and crossed her arms, still refusing to look at her boss, struggling to control her breathing.

“Now, what was I saying?” Jarlaxle said, standing in front of Werond. “Ah, yes, that’s right. You see dear” Werond bit her lip. “I have a rather important matter that needs attending to, and I thought I’d talk with you first thing in the morning. Now, I have some goods that need to be –”

His hand shot out and grabbed Werond’s chin, pushing it up, and forcing her to stare into his blue eyes. Werond’s heart leapt into her throat as Jarlaxle’s thinly veiled disgust pierced through her, her entire body wanting to curl onto itself.

“Pay attention when I speak to you. Understand?” He said. Werond could only stare.

His grip on her chin tightened, thumbs pressed painfully into her cheeks.

“Understand?” He repeated. Werond nodded once, her neck stiff.

Jarlaxle grinned and dropped his hand.

“Good. Now, what was I saying? Ah yes…I have some goods that need to be moved through the city. Private things, none of your business. But try as I might, I can never find a time to move them, as your damned patrols are making it harder for me to do so. They’re thorough, I’ll give them that. Did you tighten security before you left?”

“Yes.” Werond replied instantly.

“As I thought. Relax the patrols around the North Ward then, and report to me when there will be a hole in the rotations. I need a gap of around…oh…seven minutes or so. Do it across the entire ward for all I care, but for some time –”

“I-I c-can’t just make a h-hole!” Werond blanched. “T-that’s too obvious a –”

Jarlaxle’s eyes narrowed, causing Werond to snap her mouth shut.

She flinched as he reached over and placed his hand against the wall next to her head and leaned in.

“I’ve said this before,” he whispered. “I am the one who makes the orders, and you fulfill them. Or have you forgotten from your little trip? There is no backtalk, no ‘I can’t’, no objections. You do what I say, when I say it.” He jabbed a finger into Werond’s chest. “Else I take out my frustrations on those guests of yours. Which,” he smiled, sending a wave of fear washing over Werond. “I’m surprised you’re even entertaining. When was the last time you had people spend the night?”

Jarlaxle waited for an answer that would never come, Werond’s throat constricting as she forced back the tears that threatened to spill over.

The Drow’s smile dropped.

“No matter. My orders were clear. Fix the patrols, and report to me when you do. Oh, timing. I suppose I didn’t say that.” He cocked his head. “Make the change a week from now. Any day will do, but don’t wait until the week after. I need to oversee everything but I’m much too busy right now. Sounds good?”

Werond nodded.

“Fantastic!” Jarlaxle yelled, causing Werond to flinch again. He straightened up and clapped a hand onto her shoulder, making her jump. “My, how you fidget like an animal. No matter! It’s good to have you back Werond, and I expect to hear from you soon. Welcome home!”

Jarlaxle tipped his hat, winked with his visible eye, turned on his heel, and sauntered out of the alleyway.

Werond remained in place, listening as his footsteps merged with the crowds outside.

After a moment, as the feeling returned to her limbs, she sank down against the wall, balancing on her heels, and buried her face into her hands, finally unleashing the tears that threatened to overwhelm her just moments ago.