Snippet #2707444

Scalon Nixshaed
~ Twilight ~
The moon was high above the world when the dark shape finally moved. Scalon's arms extended out from under his head, pushing down on the hard tiles of the roof on which he lay, his back arching upwards. The stars were beautiful tonight. Small pinpricks of light that slowly came into view against the dark blue of the twilight sky, growing brighter as the sky blackened. In the vicious world of Northeld, the sky was a thing of rare beauty. There were times when he would lay out all night, just enjoying the peace but tonight he had other things on his mind. A man had died last night. His body found this morning floating face-down on the northern bank of the Kavon river - the river that separated the two districts of Korrigan - a small wound in his chest, angled upwards towards his heart. The man had been a wealthy merchant who imported exotic spices from the Amundra Sands. At least that had been what the authorities thought. What they didn't know was that the man had also traded in dangerous substances that altered the mind and robbed the body of its senses. It was this side business that had cost the man his life. Another merchant wished to gain a monopoly on this trade and so Scalon had been hired to help achieve that goal. So a man had died and Scalon's purse was heavy about his waist.

With the ease of practise, Scalon stepped from the roof, dropping the short distance to land silently on a small balcony. From there he entered the small apartment, careful to shut and lock the door behind him. Though he kept all his valuables well hidden, Scalon had participated in enough break-ins to know a determined and experienced thief could find anything given enough time and just a small amount of luck. A locked door is a small barrier, but it is a barrier nonetheless, and could mean the difference between being robbed or being passed by.

Long strides hurried Scalon towards his destination. The Summerhome Inn was a place where he could drink in peace and listen to the latest gossip of the world. Drunken voices sounded around the next corner and Scalon paused, instinctively sidestepping into the shadows as a group of young men staggered past. Though the Five Kings had managed to erradicate most gang violence, even they could not prevent the random muggings, murders and robbery that happened. And when confronted by a group of drunken young men, it is always better to err on the side of caution. His hand resting on the hilt of his long dagger, Scalon waited until they had past before slipping around the corner and into view of the Summerhome Inn. A small grin lifted the corners of his mouth. It was this constant danger that had made Scalon fall in love with his birthplace. The freedom to do as one wished, to answer to no one. To Live