Chapter 2 - Fiona
Lukas gave the two sisters--that's what he assumed--time for their emotional reunion even though he desperately wanted to discuss what just happened. To his dismay, after making sure her younger sister was fine, Fiona immediately began looting. Lukas mainly let her take charge, they shared another health potion, bringing them both back to a palatable health. Fiona pocketed most of the other stuff, including a considerable amount of coins. She did let Lukas have first dibs on the fallen adventurer's weapon though.
Lukas picked up the scimitar and examined it.
<<<
Scimitar
Uncommon
Flashing Speed: +10 boost to agility when used against dual weapons
>>>
Lukas snorted, able to appreciate the irony only after he had narrowly escaped an early demise. The sword was a direct counter to his fighting style. Even with the forced shift in fighting style, there was no doubt the scimitar was better than his training blades, so he mounted it on his back. He glanced at Fiona as she finished rummaging through the packs, his eyes lingering a little too long on her curvy ass. Realizing he needed to take the initiative, he called out to the younger redhead, who still looked a little shocked. "Are you ok?"
She stole a peek at Fiona before responding. "My heart is still beating like crazy, but I'm alright. I'm Alanna, by the way. This is my sister Fiona."
"I can introduce myself," Fiona said, joining the conversation as she strode over. "I'm sorry you got caught up in this mess of ours."
"I was grateful to be nearby and jump in when I could," interrupted Lukas, "Please don't feel guilty about my involvement. It looks like I will live to see another day, plus it's not like you asked to be mauled by a group of thugs."
Fiona blushed slightly and looked down.
"Well... It was kind of planned," Alanna blurted out.
Fiona shot her a death stare, "It was NOT!"
Lukas pursed his lips, feeling anger starting to simmer in his blood. He hadn't even fathomed that meeting the bandits was intentional, but as he thought deeper, it did seem feasible. They were out in the middle of nowhere, the chase must have started nearby, and Fiona did come to the rescue quickly after Alanna had been caught.
Lukas tried to control his tone. "Did I just kill those men so that you could make some coin?"
Fiona looked at him guiltily. "Let me explain, please."
Lukas glared at her.
Fiona took a deep breath recognizing she could not avoid the conversation. "The group roamed into town a couple of days ago, extorting supplies from other travelers and just being all around douchebags. They ended up in the bar swindling money from poor lads who were too drunk to make a fuss. The breaking point came when they killed the barkeeper as he tried to boot them out. They left town in a hurry with some of the town's hard-earned wealth. The local enforcement felt that they didn't have the strength to pursue them--we are pretty far out here." Fiona paused, trying to gauge Lukas' reaction.
Lukas remained stoic, with a slight frown across his inscrutable face.
Fiona's lips twitched under the pressure. "So I hatched a plan with my sister. We followed them out to their camp. Alanna is really fast, especially in the forest. I thought she could dart in, take something on the edge of the camp and then run off into the trees. They would chase her, creating a diversion allowing me to clean up anybody who was left behind and loot the rest of the camp."
"You used your younger sister as bait?!" Lukas exclaimed almost immediately.
"I promise she is fast! Sometimes even I can't keep up. I didn't expect them to get close. I would never be able to live with myself if..." The fierce assassin that Lukas had just witnessed slay several men was on the verge of tears.
"I'm not as stealthy as her. I think they saw me coming." Alanna added, trying to support her sister.
"There's no excuse," Fiona admitted. "It was an obvious misjudgment on my part."
Lukas' scowl softened. He appreciated the humble side of the fiery warrior.
"I could have taken them though, I appreciate you stepping in, but I could have gotten Alanna out."
So much for the humble side.
"Fiona, they had an Adventurer with them!" Alanna exclaimed.
Fiona faltered. "That was very unexpected. That should have never happened. What a stink on the reputation of Adventuring. Why would he even choose to be involved... How was I supposed to know..." Fiona paused, then looked straight at Lukas and then quietly, but firmly said: "Thank you."
Lukas finally smiled, then jested at Fiona in an attempt to break the tense aura, "So you plan on returning the proceeds of our little adventure back to their rightful owners?"
Fiona's mouth opened and then closed, her freckled cheeks reddening with a blush. "Maybe some of it, but if you get so drunk that you get swindled out of your money, returning that money might negate a valuable life lesson."
Lukas laughed, having no intention of playing the role of an over-righteous saint.
And just like that they began the journey back to town, chattering away as if they were out on a picnic in a flowery meadow rather than leaving behind a mass of slain bandits.
***
Cassian strolled into the bar in the town of Tarot. In the background, cleanup was still in progress from a brawl that happened a day ago. The place was still packed as the crowd seemed cheerful and relaxed despite whatever incident had occurred. A pair of instruments could be heard over the bustle. A few patrons were rapidly leveling through various states of drunkenness while others chowed down on plates of food. He scanned the room knowing there would be an obvious sign if he had reached his objective.
There. A flash of dark red hair in the corner. Stunned, Cassain looked at her companion seated directly across the table from her. A tall, young Deviant engaged easily in conversation with the redhead, his eyes enraptured with her beauty. The older Scribe also noticed a twinkle in her eye as she shared a mug of beer with him.
Cassian was pleasantly relieved with how much simpler his task had become. The tall boy stood up and started searching for an innkeeper so he could inquire about obtaining lodging. His eyes darted across the crowd as he walked away from the table. Cassian took the opportunity and made his way through the crowd until he reached her table.
She looked up as he approached and smiled when she recognized him. "Hey Cassian," she said pleasantly, "what brings you back to Tarot?"
"You mean seeing one of my favorite Adventurers is not reason enough?" He did one last quick check of the crowd before he settled down into the seat Lukas had previously occupied.
"I think your list of favorite Adventurers is too broad and too long to consider that a compliment." Fiona chuckled with the Scribe.
Cassian knew time was ticking, "I see you've met the young Mr. Lukas."
Fiona did a double take. "I did indeed. Cassian, what is going on?"
"Oh, Fiona. Just humor an old man for a wee bit. I have known you for a few years, I can sense how much you value team members that you can entrust your life with and build relationships with. One of your greatest strengths is the charisma you bring to the team dynamic."
"That is NOT my greatest strength. Just a couple of weeks ago, you told me I need to not rely on myself so much. Surely you haven't already forgotten my Scribing?"
"And look how far you've come." Cassian beamed, throwing his hands in the air.
Fiona blinked a few times before smiling. She couldn't help being amused by her elderly mentor.
"Let's get a little more serious now. Do you find Lukas to be trustworthy?"
"Cassian, I just met him today." She frowned as Cassian cocked his head to the side and gave her a look. "Fine. I suppose I find him easier to trust than others. Is that what you wanted?"
Cassian nodded, "That's a good start. Do you find him attractive?"
Fiona snorted out the sip of beer she had just taken.
"Cassian, are you trying to hook us up?" Fiona was now leaning slightly across the table and staring Cassian down, though still fighting back a smile.
Cassian chuckled, avoiding the accusation. Straight to the point then.