"Let's get out of here." Talia asked her brother earnestly. "There's nothing for us here, no prospects. Nothing beyond working in the tavern for the rest of our lives."
"Okay. Where do you want to go?" Quinn answered lazily.
"Just like that? I thought you'd need more convincing."
"Sister-mine, you're the one that was always hesitant about leaving. Worrying about money, and leaving mother alone. What changed? Why are you so eager to leave?"
Talia flushed, not wanting her brother to know how their mother had forced her to become a whore.
"I'm just tired of being known as the daughter of the town whore. I want to go somewhere no one knows us, where we can find honest work."
"We could become adventurers!" Quinn suggested with enthusiasm.
"Oh, be serious Quinn. We can't become adventurers. We'd get killed by the first goblin we met. Neither of us knows how to handle a sword, or even a bow."
"Maybe a wizard will come through town and teach us some of his magic! I've always fancied myself throwing fireballs."
Talia grinned at her brother. "Well you've always fancied yourself yes, but I doubt you have the patience to study magic. Maybe if it got you laid at the end of it."
Quinn winked. "You don't think being a powerful wizard would get me laid?"
"Oh Quinn, you don't need to be a wizard to have ladies throw themselves at your feet." Talia stood up. "I have some money saved, not much but enough to get us started. Enough to get to Silverymoon, find a place to stay while we find work. It won't take me long to pack what I need. I can leave as soon as you're ready."
Quinn grinned. "Give me a day to collect my things and say my goodbyes. Let's leave at first light tomorrow."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Talia's heart was light as she practically skipped throughout the town. Tomorrow she was starting a new life with her beloved brother! No more whoring. Once they reached the city, they would be able to find work, she was sure of it. They'd both been helping out at the tavern for years, and if there was no work in a tavern then they could work as domestic servants. Or perhaps they could find an apprenticeship! There would be so many opportunities once they got away from their small town. Her thoughts were so engrossed in making plans for the future that she didn't notice that she was surrounded by a group of young men, until she almost walked into one.
Startled, Talia looked up at him. "Oh, I am so sorry! I didn't see you there." It was Gilas, son Vidaf, the town's jeweller. He was a few years older than Talia, and she knew him since she was a child. His mother was one of the most vehemently outspoken against the town's children being 'polluted' by associating with the children of a whore. That her husband was one of Mia's regular customers no doubt played a part in her vitriol. Gilas was very much cast in his mother's mould, and had bullied the twins relentlessly, even beating them on occasion. A few years ago he had been sent to another town to learn a trade from his mother's family, and Talia had been pleased to see the back of him. She hadn't heard he had returned.
Talia stepped to the side to allow Gilas to pass her, but instead he stepped closer to her, looking down on her with an odd expression. Looking to her right she saw his best friend, Sige, closing in.
"Talia Silvers" Gilas spoke in a low, rough voice. "Daughter of the town whore. Not just daughter of anymore. Word has it you've joined your mother's occupation. Been seen entertaining travellers. Been seen luring innocent men away from their marriage bed."
