Disclaimer:
This fanfic is based off the Neverwinter Nights community module by the name of "A Dance with Rogues" created by Valine. I fell in love with this story and felt compelled to write something that compliments it. This story is rated Mature (NC-17) for explicit content and graphic violence. All characters except Shiloh, Bastian, Rhys, Nicca, Narev and Essex are property of Valine.
The Hideout
Shiloh climbed back down the ladder and looked to her left and right. She wondered if she should go back the way she came. But then she noted a door to her right and headed to it. It was locked as well, but she tried the key that Stan had given her and was surprised when it opened. Now she was getting somewhere. Having a key helped, but she knew that wouldn't always be the case. She had to practice her skill in picking locks if she wanted to get better at it.
She slipped through the door and closed it behind her, leaving the rat infested room behind her. She noted she was standing on another wooden bridge that led to another stone landing. She quickly crossed the bridge and came face to face with a bow wielding female with an arrow nocked pointing directly at her. She stopped short and put her hands up. Oops, she'd obviously stumbled onto someplace she shouldn't have. She noticed another female with a bow and a swordsman guarding a wrought iron gate. Hmm.....that piqued her interest greatly. She took a few more steps forward. Perhaps this was where she'd find one of her teachers that Master Nathan had told her to look up. Or then again as one of the archers approached her, maybe not.
"Hey there! Stop!" The female with a deep voice growled. Shiloh blinked at her, but stopped dead in her tracks.
The other female bounded over to them. "Kasha, leave her be. That's Shiloh."
The dark haired one, Kasha by name, lowered her bow. "Ah. Alrighty then."
Shiloh breathed out a sigh of relief and smiled at the lighter haired female wearing brown leather armor. "Who are you and how do you know me?"
"Gina's the name and Alfons told us you'd stop by sooner or later, yup."
Shiloh nodded. Alfons, hrm. "And what is this place?"
Kasha laughed. "Heh. This is the hideout of Betancuria's thieves' guild."
"Oh!" Shiloh gasped and looked around surreptitiously.
Gina joined Kasha in laughing mirthfully. "Alfons is already waiting for you! Go ahead." She winked at her before resuming her guard duty, allowing Shiloh to pass.
She approached the guard at the door, who promptly opened it for her. She smiled at him shyly and made her way up the stairs into the hideout of the thieves' guild. As she walked in, she glanced around curiously. Loud raucous music assaulted her ears immediately and she took note of the different people milling around.
Then a young woman, perhaps two or three years older than Shiloh, clad in some really scanty clothes, grinned widely when she spotted Shiloh and quickly approached her. She beamed at Shiloh, her smile lighting up her whole face. Immediately Shiloh felt at ease. "Hi there! I'm Tarleth. Nice to meet you, Shiloh."
Shiloh returned the smile. "How do you know my name?"
"Master Nathan said you'd be around sooner or later, so we were warned." Tarleth winked at Shiloh rather conspiratorially and laughed.
"Nice to meet you then, Tarleth." Shiloh joined her laughing.
"But you'd better be careful around Alfons today. Something went wrong last night, and he's been cussing ever since. Almost bit my head off when I said hi earlier."
Shiloh gulped. "What happened? And what can you tell me about this place?"
"It's our base of operations so to say. Alfons runs the show. You've met him yet?"
"No, I haven't, but Master Nathan told me to look Alfons up for a lesson."
"He's not so bad. Maybe a little ill-tempered from time to time. Don't take it personal if he tries to bite your head off. It's just his way to speak his mind freely." Tarleth advised.
"I see," she nodded, wondering what she'd gotten herself into.
"This little hideout is our current base of operations. It's a good place to rest and relax. If you don't mind sleeping with snoring scoundrels, that is!" Tarleth grinned again.
"Uh, sleeping with snoring scoundrels?" Shiloh cocked an eyebrow at her as visions of that scoundrel Vico filled her head.
"Heh don't worry, nobody will try to get under your skirts. The boys have been told that Master Nathan wishes they keep their fingers off you." Tarleth smiled.
"Yeah, I know. It's made it difficult to have any fun," Shiloh snorted, a cross look on her face.
"Well, maybe Pett will. I've never seen him turn down an offer." Tarleth winked at her. "Also, we run a little, uh, shop. The prices are lousy but the guild buys just about anything without asking questions."
"Pett, huh? That's good to know."
"There's also Mando and Jacia. You can talk to them about an occasional job. And Jacia sells a few special goods. Poisoning stuff and the like."
Shiloh frowned glumly. "Master Nathan said I have to pass my lessons first."
"Yes I know. Still it might be worth talking to them. Nothing bad about earning a few extra coins, right?"
"I might talk to them later then."
"Oh and one more thing, a word of advice. Be careful when you try to break into a locked house. The Dhorn patrols usually kill thieves on sight."
Shiloh nodded. "I'll remember that. Thank you."
"Well, see you around," Tarleth bade her before she resumed what she had been doing before Shiloh had walked through the door. She walked a few steps and poked her head through a doorway and took notice of a man whose thick beard covered most of his face and a woman who was wearing black leather from head to toe conversing quietly. She hoped the man was Alfons. She approached him confidently and smiled as she caught his eye. "Greetings."
