Eh, still haven't gotten to the decision point...
That night the trio gathered around a shabby little table in a room of "The Eagle's Barrel" Inn near Firimar. The air outside was clear, and a bright moon threw a pool of silvery light on the floor near the table. It didn't do much to the room's illumination, as well as an oil lamp, standing on a the table. The corners of the room were in deep gloom. But the shadows were convenient for Vig, whose face looked quite formidable, with dark spots in the valleys of his gaunt face, as he was doing his best to fish the directions out of Will.
- So, - he spoke, illustrating his words with hand gestures, - we go north two miles, then west four miles, then we go south ten miles, then we come to forest. You sure you know signs to get through him?
Will groaned.
- It, first of all, - he corrected. Then answered in a dull voice. - Yes, I said I've got the memory of a cat for this sort of thing.
- And what if we get separated, and lost? - Amlemth asked, pausing at gnawing a fine chicken leg that he managed to procure from the landlord, while the other two satisfied their hunger with bread and beer, apparently due to his immediately recognisable amicable character.
- Well, then... - Will started with a humorous glint to his eyes, but bit his tongue, and said instead. - We won't. It's a sparse forest.
Amlemth scratched his head, then said:
- Isn't it the Hedgewick grove, near a ford across the Bayanna river?
- No, - said Will quickly. - They are in completely opposite directions.
- Hrmpf, - said Vig disappointedly and swallowed the rest of his bread loaf.
Quite soon his companions finished their meals, too, and sat, sipping their drinks, in silence. Only soft wailing of the wind, and creaking of the building could be heard. The hour was late, but no one hurried to get in their beds, all for their own reasons. Soon, however, Vig discovered that he was helplessly slipping into the dream realm - shame, for all his experience as a sentry. He carefully searched the surroundings for what could cause him to lose vigilance.
- Do not do that, - he said to Will, noticing that the halfling was absent-mindedly thumping some rhythm on the desk with his fingers. To the performer's credit, the rhythm was perfect, and so, quite hypnotic.
- What? - said Will, looking first at Vig, then at his fingers. He threw up his hands. - Well! First you pester me with your questions for the better half of the evening, then you tell me to stop my fingers from doing what they were born to do! Outrage! I wonder what you'd say, if I played and sang?
Vig goggled about in alarm, as the halfling reached for his mandola.
- Oh! - exclaimed Amlemth. - Please, do! I love music.
He propped his chin on his hand and looked at Will, who sat on a bed with a grin, his hands just above the strings of his instrument.
Finally, Vig shrugged, and the song started.
"My lady, my lady, lady Nesh of Romistra,
You had a graceful walk and a tender skin,
Now your skin is cold and your limbs are stiff;
In your still eyes reflected are stars.
"My lady, my lady, what have we done?
A forbidden love we have grown.
We have tended to it from dusk 'till dawn.
It is day and the love is gone.
"My lady, my lady, I will go with the wind;
I have come with you from the south.
We bathed at the Eranthion's mouth,
I took off you your clothes thin.
"My lady, I brought to you flowers fresh,
From the cliffs of Sanádsákrith,
I shared with you a cup of honey sweet
That I hunted for in the woods of Cŕkrash.
"My lady, my lady, what have we done?
The passion blunted our minds.
Your husband, caught in a fury blind,
Did our love outrun.
"My lady, my lady, lady Nesh of Romistra,
You had a graceful walk and a tender skin,
Now your skin is cold and your limbs are stiff;
In your still eyes reflected are stars."
While Will was singing, a slight drizzle started outside, and the last chord of the song, that Will let to ring out, grew quiet and blended with the tapping of rain drops on the roof, so that the music and the sounds of the nature appeared to seamlessly continue each other. The charm hung in the air, and no one dared to speak, lest it breaks. The halfling sat grave, his eyes to the floor. On Amlemth cheek a tear traced a wet course, and he blinked often, staring into the distance, where his imagination dwelt. Vig was grave and frowning.
Finally, Will put away his mandola and rose to his feet. He moved towards the window, to let in some fresh air; the chill of the rain would be quite appropriate for the moment. He gripped the handle and slid the frame to the side.
A rumble of wood on wood followed, and quickly a dark shape fell from above the window, grabbed on the sill and flew into the room, past Will, who staggered backwards in surprise. Immediately alert, Vig grabbed his axe, that was set against the wall at his arm's reach, and brought it down hard on the intruder. The creature, though, was faster than him and evaded the blade with agility. He lifted the axe with difficulty, as it was stuck in the floor a bit, and brought it up above his head. But he wasn't allowed to strike again, as the creature flashed at him with its large brown eyes, then slapped him on the cheek with its clawed hand. The warrior was so bemused that he dropped his hands and the weapon. The creature rose to its feet, and turned out to be a miniature woman with a blunt rodent head. The kobold spoke:
- Do you try to kill every girl you meet, barbarian?
Vig didn't answer. Will came to his senses first.
- Well, well, a kobold thief, - he sneered.
The stranger turned around and, before he could react, slapped him on the cheek, too.
- I didn't come to steal anything, - the kobold said.
- So you were just idly hanging around our window? - Will asked, covering his hurt spot with a hand.
The kobold looked around at the men and said:
- I just overheard you talking about Romistra...
- Come on, - interrupted her Will, - through the window and in the rain?
The kobold lifted her muzzle offendedly.
- I am a highly esteemed stealth assassin and adventurer, plus my senses are naturally keen, due to my heritage.
- Still... - started the halfling. But here Amlemth, who until now looked a bit shy, keeping his eyes on the claws of the stranger, came in:
- Let's not fight over hereditary differences! - he looked at Will strictly. - And you, William, should know how to treat a lady.
Will sulked and turned his eyes away.
Amlemth smiled at the kobold.
- What is your name, lady?
The kobold smiled in return.
- Fithgnliru. Friends call me Nliru. Although I don't have many friends.
- Oh, - sighed Amlemth tenderly.
- Yes, as I've said, my speciality is stealth, and it doesn't mix well with friendship.
- But you're so c... - started Amlemth, but decided to pass the subject, - so courageous. People should look up to you.
- It's not that easy, when you're a kobold, - said Fithgnliru with a frown.
Vig, who listened to the conversation with interest, spoke in a manner serious and business-like.
- So, what do you want?
When the kobold turned to him, he explained.
- We need professional adventurers, if you are looking for it.
The kobold assumed an expression of dignity, then said:
- Yes, I'd like to go with you, as I currently don't have a job.
- How much do you want? - asked Vig.
The kobold hesitated, pulling at her lip. Then she quickly pointed at Will. - How much are you paying him?
- Twenty percent, - said Vig.
- Good, - said Fithgnliru.
Vig nodded.
- All right.
After a moment's more hesitation, the kobold turned to the man again.
- And can I sleep here tonight? - she almost begged. - I don't need a bed.
- Uh, - muttered Will, confused by the sudden changes.
- Yes, - said Vig, and went to shut the window, as he had had enough chill for now.
- Welcome to the team, - Amlemth said to Fithgnliru. She smiled modestly, then walked to a corner of the room and curled on the floor.
Vig sat on his bed and started taking off his boots. Amlemth followed his example. Only Will was still worried. He came closer to Vig and whispered:
- So, am I still on my salary?
Vig yawned and said:
- Yes.
- Well, that's all I need to know, - Will paused, - but I'd watch my belongings closely tonight, if I were you.
Vig looked at him with an impenetrable face, and said quietly:
- I always do.
Then he lay down. Will frowned at the shape of the kobold once more and went towards his bed.
Ah, almost forgot. I've got a couple of questions to ask you, guys. First, British or American English? I don't have a preference on this point, but my spell-checker keeps raging at me, as I keep writing some words British way and others - American. I am spoiled by the Mid-Atlantic way I've been taught English at my University.
Second... I think, I've forgotten the very second I was thinking about, I'll ask it later, but now a small question: would you like me to call the kobold by the full name, or by the short, as I have spelt it?
A-ha, remembered my second question: should I put the whole text (up to the last update) in the OP? And how to do it? I'm not sure that the character limit permits, although I've never hit it. And also, it seems, that now it is only a little circle that is interested in this thread, and I thought that it's because the story is in small chunks throughout the pages? Or I shouldn't worry? What do you say?
And last, but not least
Looks pretty interesting so far. Also, really good portraits! You're pretty talented 
Thanks!
Author
Topic: Othor II. RP? (Read 11311 times)