I'l Fana Kelbé (The White Hart) Contract: 'Retaking a Memory'

[Dáire]

“I have no doubt of that Miss Frost,“ He grinned at her, she’d caught on to his avoidance of the subject, even through the wine. Impressive. "And may she allow you the same little Lassë! And I will count myself lucky in that case! For I doubt your lover would care to share you.” He winked and watched her leave, settling back into his own bed, the slight hum of voices caught his ears, but his mind was already sinking, and none of it registered any meaning.

***

Morning came, fast and hard. Dáire wandered around the White Hart like a bear with a head ache, well he did have a thumping head ache; so a very grumpy elf with a head ache. By late morning he still hadn't seen nor head from Jack, which was not improving situations at all. He hadn't been lying to the man, he did hate having to wash blood out of his clothing, but it was looking unavoidable at this point. Later that afternoon he would meet some of his contacts, particularly a currently employed maid of the Dirge home, who should have procured him maps by then. He wondered how the others were getting along in their tasks, were they proving just as troublesome as his had been? Sitting down for an early meal, Dáire set about planning the order of his days activities.

[Katarya Frost]

Katarya stepped down the last step and into the main tavern, though it was closed, and although there were just a few of the Almá going about the place, cleaning and readying the bar for opening in a few short hours, everything seemed way too light. Kat looked a little less composed than she normally did; the braid she had done had made her headache worse, and so she had simply tied it at her neck in a loose tail. It certainly gave her a less severe look. She also had opted for a loose shirt, rather than her stiff, neck high blouses she usually wore. Today was all about comfort.

Spying Dáire, she made her way over and took a seat, too grumpy to even ask, first. "I hope you don't feel as wretched as I do!" She said, by way of greeting. She could curse Elven wine and all who made it. "Whose idea was it to drink so much the day before we start preparing for this whole thing? If it was mine ... you can slap me."

Raya came and placed Dáire's food before him, her eyes darting to Katarya. The young Almá girl was not hostile towards Kat, but it was clear she was one of the Elves who wasn't 'quite sure' about the witch. "You look terrible," she said. "I'll have them cook you up something to help." Then without another word, she turned on her heel and left.

"Hmm ... thank you?" Kat said, as the girl retreated. She sighed. "So I look as bad as I feel ... great to know." She rubbed her head and helped herself to Dáire's water, giving him an apologetic smile, before setting it back down. "So ... today is the first day we really get into it. And it's tough to feel excited or enthused when you feel like you have a dragon living inside your head! I have charms to make, enchantments and spells to perform ... Even Nyx seemed tired before she took off this morning." Kat sat back; her stomach gurgled a little, as she thought about the delicious food that came from the kitchen. "On the actual night, I won't be able to keep Nyx with me, when I go masquerading as a servant. Nyx could be a good help to you, if you need it. She is a good little scout; she's helped me and Artemis out a fair few times. It's up to you."

Soon, food was set in front of her, and she tucked in and was silent as she enjoyed the savoury food.

[Ksenia]

The walk over to the elf tavern had been thankfully uneventful. Artemis had wrapped the vest around the bundle of documents and shoved them into the satchel he wore across his chest. She was carrying the letter; it would be easier than having to rummage around in his bag to hand it to her.

He hadn’t spoken much, except to give directions as they walked along the streets. Ksenia figured he was probably mulling over whatever disagreement he’d had with Katarya, and knew she didn’t have anything supportive to add to that situation. The wind chilled the points of her ears; the elven braid, though it felt beautiful, didn't keep her ears warm.

A few blocks away from the tavern, Artemis stopped and leaned against the wall of a nearby store. “Walk in, and speak to the elf woman who feels like Cook if he were an elf woman . She’ll get you sorted.” He paused. “If they don’t throw you out on your ears, come get me.”

Ksenia shot him a withering look before walking on. She stopped just before the door and channeled her best Mam posture. Shoulders back, spine straight, and chin upright. Entering the tavern, she scanned the room until she saw an imposing elf woman behind the bar.

[Elára Vëa]

"Not another drop." Elára told the pouting bard. "I'll not having you slur out a song when it is time for you to take the stage. Leave me be, now. I am very busy today."

Raen sighed as he put the empty cup on the bar. "Yes, Quimellë," he said, obediently. He turned to leave, lute in hand, when the silver haired bard saw Ksenia step into the tavern. He hadn't seen her before, and he gave her a wide smile and wink as he moved off towards the stage to practice.

Elára glanced up from behind the bar; a large book set in front of her. She was a severe looking woman; her hair arranged in long, heavy braids, and her tattoos were sharp things, rather than the beautiful decorative ones of most others. She fixed her dark eyes on Ksenia. "What is it, peredhel? If you are looking for work, I only have a small number of contracts available." She had spoken in the common tongue, rather than Elvish. Some peredhel knew the language, while others did not.

[Ksenia]

A silver-haired elf holding a lute gave her a flirty smile as he moved away from the bar. Ksenia ignored it. She was here on business, and besides, flirtatious men could be dangerous men. Particularly if spoken to, when they found out she didn’t think they were Cecilia’s gift to womankind.


The elf woman spoke to her, calling her peredhel. The word sounded familiar. Probably one of the elves she’d met while traveling with her mother had used it, although it wasn’t just that one word. She wondered what it meant.

“I’m not searching for work today, my lady,” Ksenia responded. She didn’t know what words elves used to address each other, so she stuck to the human ones she did. This woman obviously was near the top of the hierarchy. “I bring a letter from my employer.” She held the letter out to the woman and dropped a curtsey.

[Elára Vëa]

Elára took the letter with a raised brow, looking down for a moment, then up to Ksenia. "Your employer will need someone to vouch for him, and then for me to accept it; we do not appreciate salquë trouble causers.". She turned to one of the girls, speaking in Elvish. "Bring me Almá Katarya. And tell her not to keep me waiting." Then she turned back to the book, carrying on with her writing.

[Katarya Frost]

When Raya said she had been summoned by Elára, and that a peredhel was waiting downstairs, Kat had been very confused as to who it might be, so when she saw Ksenia, her hair braided up in the Elven style, and finally seeing her pointed ears, the witch was taken quite by surprise. "Ksenia ... I had no idea you were half-Elven!"

"She came with a letter, to request that the Human who caused trouble be allowed back on the premises due to a contract arrangement." Elára had not looked up when she had spoken, but then she did, with narrowed eyes. "I find myself intrigued as to what business this might be, Almá ..." She handed Kat the letter. "The bloody thumb print was a particularly interesting touch."

Damn, damn, damn' Kat's heart sunk; she and Dáire would be right in the pit if Elára was to find out that the two had involved people outside of the Hart in the contract. "Just personal business, Quimellë. Just clearing the air from the trouble that was caused, is all, so he's doing me a favour." By Ny'tha! I just lied to her! "he has a penchant for the dramatic ... hence the shouting and the blood. I will vouch for him, and for Ksenia here," she said. The next bit was even harder to say. "And accept full responsibility for their actions under this roof."

Elára nodded. "Then he may enter as your guest, welcome to visit only when you are also here." the severe woman glanced at Ksenia. "You, however, are welcome here whenever you like. We do not discriminate against peredhel in the Hart."

Kat gave the elder a smile and motioned for Ksenia to follow her, moving to a quiet booth as far from the bar as possible, with a last (hopefully, innocent-looking) smile to Elára, she turned to the seamstress. "Has Artemis lost his mind?! She whispered in exasperation. "If anyone finds out Dáire and I involved outsiders, it could mean serious trouble for everyone! And blood? Really?!" She said, then rubbed her brow. "When is he coming? She asked, nervously.

If he didn't behave, she would be in for it ... and Dáire too, if the truth was revealed. Had she still been just a Lassë, Elára would have no doubt demanded to know what the contract was. Thank Ny'tha for Kat's promotion.

[Ksenia]

The woman had denied the letter. Ksenia wasn’t sure what to do; who would vouch for her or Artemis? She knew no one here but Katarya, and maybe her tall, muscular elf friend from yesterday. What was his name? “Dar-way”?

She heard the woman say Katarya’s name, and the jitters she had felt from the moment she entered had dropped straight into her stomach. Katarya wasn’t one of her favorite people, and it had been clear the feeling was mutual. If Katarya was asked to vouch for her, she wouldn’t be surprised if the witch didn’t kick her out herself.

Ksenia waited nervously, but tried not to let her face betray her. The woman wasn’t even looking at her, writing studiously in her book. This whole situation looked as likely to catch fire as a moldy haystack after harvest.

Katarya appeared; she spoke to the woman, explaining away Artemis’s behavior as merely a taste for the dramatic (she wasn’t completely wrong, thought Ksenia) and vouching for them. The woman replied to Katarya, allowing Artemis to come in only when escorted, and then spoke to Ksenia directly. Apparently her pointy ears were good for something; the lady said she could come into the Hart whenever she wanted.

Katarya took her to a far corner and started to whisper. The sibilant tone of her voice did exactly nothing to soften her tone. Ksenia frowned. “He needed to reach you, and he said he caused a ruckus last night and wouldn't be welcome.” Ksenia tried not to glare at the witch. “As for “involving outsiders,” you’re the one who involved him - and by extension, me - in this whole thing. He’s outside, waiting for me to come get him before he walked in and sailed out with a boot in his ass, as he put it.” Ksenia spread her hands in what she hoped was a placating gesture. “Should I go fetch him?”

[Katarya Frost]

"Sure, bring him in." She said, then: "And for the record; I invited him to be part of this contract; I didn't involve him against his will ... but bring him in, and tell him to look ... humble! Let's not stir the pot when the chiefs are around."

Kat waved a hand to Raya who was cleaning a table. The Elf girl came over. "<Yes?>" She enquired in Elvish.

"<Could you please let Dáire know that we have guests and to join us?>" Katarya asked.

The Elf tutted. "<We're both Almá; I don't follow orders.>"

"<Mercin?>" {Please?} She said.

Raya rolled her eyes "<Very well>" And made her way off to fetch the ranger.

As Katarya waited for Ksenia and Artemis, she felt so nervous, wishing that this meeting was taking place anywhere but here. Hopefully, Dáire wouldn't be too long, as his rank might add some assurance to the whole thing. Also; she and Artemis had not ended their last interaction on the best note; but she couldn't be anything but be professional while they were in full view of the tavern's curious eyes. She considered asking for a private room, but thought that might seem too suspicious.

Maybe she should just have some wine, instead. Instead, she waited, listening to Raen tune his lute and hum some song or other.

[Ksenia]

Ksenia raised her eyebrows at Katarya’s insistence she hadn’t gotten Artemis into this mess “against his will” - the message from the bird’s leg that she’d read had certainly sounded like a command. She bit her tongue though, and left to go find Artemis. Before she passed through the tavern’s door, she glanced over to the bar. Catching the imposing woman’s eye, she bobbed a quick curtsey before heading outside.

Artemis was in the spot she’d left him, outside the shop. He raised his eyebrows as she approached. “You’re allowed to come in as long as Katarya’s escorting you. She told me to tell you to ‘look humble’. I’d bow to that elf woman, if I were you.” As they began moving, she glanced at him. “Apparently Katarya doesn’t like you signing in blood. She told the lady that you have-” she cleared her throat and tried to mimic Katarya’s voice - “a taste for the dramatic.” Ksenia snorted.

Opening the door to the tavern first, Ksenia nodded respectfully to the elf woman behind the bar, and headed to Katarya’s table. She trusted Artemis would follow behind her.