Ailis clutched at the neck of her travel cloak as she hopped off the carriage. The young woman's fresh face and bloomed figure would only attract unwanted attention, hence the need to conceal herself; especially in the free city Revela, where all sorts of unsavory characters made their livings. A place where monsters walked amongst humans. Anyone and anything were welcome to do business here, and that is exactly why Ailis is here. She knew though, that the opportunities were fraught with dangers, and she was prepared. She was afraid. She was excited.
After Ailis paid her fare and respect to the merchant, she turned to the bustling crowd of the flea market. She passed by a couple of brutish orcs browsing through several wicked looking blades hanging on display under a small tent. One of the pig faced creatures reared his ugly head and Ailis avoided eye contact. No need to get into a fight so soon, she thought. Though it was the first time she saw orcs in person, her studies taught her that these savage race were easily provoked. Even with just a curios look. And her near innocent appeal would only tempt those rapacious monsters more.
Ailis quickly turned a corner around a vending booth. Grease and broiling flesh assaulted her senses.
A green skinned hag that attended a cauldron asked her, "Yer looking lost lassie, need sumthin' to fill yer belly while ye try to get yer noggin straight? Just two silvers can get ye filled up nice…And then some. Heehehee! Here, have a taste. Ye'll be beggin' fer more."
Ailis wrinkled her small nose and said, "No thank you, but maybe you can tell me where I can find an elf called Firfel Gyssethym?"
"Ah! Now that's a familiar name. I hear lots 'er women drop their britches for him. Maybe ye are one? Lots of vengeful husbands are seeking his head too, so he has to be elusive. Now, where could the little devil be, hmmm…"
Ailis got the cue and handed over five gold coins. She needed to find her old lover; he was her only trustworthy source in this alien city.
"Heh heh hee. Very nice my sweet, but like I said, 'he's very elusive and yer not the only one looking to ride that stallion."
She dropped a dozen more gold pieces into the witch's sickly hand. Ailis wasn't familiar with bribery, but if she had to give up all the money to find Firfel, so be it. He would have to compensate for her lost.
"Ah! Now that's much better. Gold reveal secret pathways, and yer beginnin' to get the gist of a trade city. Now, as for that wild elf, he lives in the Temple of the Goddess of Magic and Death. It is located in the Graveyard District, but ye won't find him there. The lad really gets around; he's usually with some random merchant's wife somewhere or out killing something. So, my best bet would be fer ye to start asking around in the Spiral Decent. It is a tavern just further down the road, ye can't miss it. He's often seen there."
The ugly crone's dirty remarks on the elf's sexual exploits were really grating on Ailis, but nonetheless she thanked the old harpy and went her way. She knew how polygamous Firfel was, but she didn't appreciate it being rubbed in her face by a stranger. After passing through a swarm of buyers and sellers the young woman realized that her money pouch was missing. Great, just great, she thought. And she had no idea who stole it, until there was a commotion.
Obviously she wasn't the only victim of the pickpocket. The culprit she saw was a little green goblin who was being lifted off the ground by a triple horned ogre of massive size and muscle. Ailis felt really bad for the creature getting caught despite witnessing her pouch being confiscated by the ogre. Her fear was relieved when the goblin was dropped, but then it assaulted her in ten folds when the vile giant stomped on the goblin's head. There was a squashy sound accompanied by a heavy thump and the dirt ground was splattered with thick blood and brain pieces.
The only scream she heard was from her mouth. Multitudes of eyes were fixed on her immediately like she was the only strange one around. No one else seemed severely affected by the carnage; they just avoided the scene, and went about their affairs. The apathy astounded her, those dangerous stares alarmed her, and the vision of cruel death provoked her. Her screams fell into arcane incantations, the ether gathered around her palm in swirling dust of light, and she unleashed a bolt of lightning.
It raced across the air and burnt through the ogre. His bulk was sent crashing into a tent, taking it down with him. More energy surged within Ailis and like her anger, it want to be released. Those eyes, those monsters. They fled at her display of power, or at least most of them did. Four menacing creatures approached her; a giant snake with arms holding two swords, a centaur with a spear, and the couple of orcs from before.
"I knew she was fresh meat when I first saw her. So the cunt thinks she's tough eh? Let's see how tough she is," one of the orc spoke. Though the voice was guttural, it was clearly spoken for a monster.
Ailis felt cocky from the exhilaration, but she doubt she could take them all. Regardless, she began to prepare another spell. Before a word was formed, a dark figure stepped up besides her. He was fully suited in black armor that looked like it was from the far eastern continent, and his head was hidden behind a visored helmet. Ailis was not sure of the stranger's intent, but it wasn't until she heard his melodious voice did she smile.
"Hey, what the fuck do you assholes think you're doing? This chick can make you all en flambé with a snap of a finger. Such idiots! Haha. I love you guys, but I can't resist a fight when I see one. Bring it on!" Firfel unhooked his spear.
"Dammit Firfel, why do you always like to butt into our business?!" The half-man, half-horse yelled. The centaur looked furious.
"You know me buddy; I just can't keep my hands to myself."
"Lookiess Firfels, wees nots knows zee girl vas yours. Tis vas sa mistakes, it von't happen agains. Yous knows us, wees never touchs yours stuffs. Lets go guys," said the yuanti. The serpent creature shut the centaur up with a threatening glare and they all turned and quickly lost themselves in the crowd.
"Damn, I thought I was going to get a little exercise, but oh well," said Firfel. He turned to Ailis and gestured her to follow him. The couple got a good distance away from the flea market before he spoke again, "What the fuck are you doing here? You should know better than to pick a fight with those guys, they would rape you."
"I wouldn't let them touch me; I knew what I was doing. Beside, you're the one who told me to look you up after I reached my third tier of spells. So here I am."
"Yeah, but I didn't actually expect you to come…"
"What?! I left my school, my family, my friends and my home so I could be with you, and this is how you welcome me?"
"No, no. That's not what I…Bah! Forget it, but seriously why are you here? I know you don't miss me that much. Last time we were together, you were pretty happy I was leaving."
"That's because I was mad at you. What did you expect after I caught you in bed with my mom?"
"I expected you to join us. Hey, stop that! You're going to hurt yourself, this armor is strong. "
"Idiot!" Ailis rubbed her bruised fist.
"So, really. Why are you here?"
"Well, after I developed my lightning bolt spell, I was offered a place among the court mages. Good pay, huge resources, famous associates, but I declined. You know I can't stand that type of people and regulations. I remember what you told me about this city of sin. The only reason I progressed so far and so fast was so I could get started here. I have ambitions Firfel, I'm going to get far in this place."
"Heh, shit. Yeah, what are you now, twenty-two?"
"Twenty, it's been two years since we last seen each other. I was eighteen when you left, what's with you?"
"Oh yeah, haha. You know us elves, years pass by like seasons. So you don't like the upper crust socialites, you think these people are any better?"
"No, of course not. But, I'd feel more enriching dealing with them. Like when I blasted that ogre out of spite, it felt good. This city would allow me to be more radical."
"Heh, in that case then I think you found your right place. But let's not get ahead of yourself, you still got a lot to learn. Here we are, lets fill our appetites first."
The couple entered the Spiral Decent, inside were a variety of monstrosities. Apart from the regular goblins, orcs and trolls were other abominations Ailis could not be bothered to identify. They were drunk, rowdy and foul. There were a couple of curvy nude women dancing provocatively with one another on stage, accompanied by sensual music from a savage minstrel.
"Hey assholes, I'm back," Firfel said after he took off his helmet.
He still had that otherworldly good looks and impish grin that Ailis loved so much. He looked like some sinister prince that stepped out of an ancient portrait. She missed his beautiful face, but most of the patrons gave him an annoying grunt.
"Don't worry, they still love me. That's just how they show it. Hey Belthar, give me a mug of Naga Frost. What do you want Ailis, something to eat?"
"No, can't stomach any substance after witnessing the gore. I'll have what you have I guess."
"You sure? It's really strong stuff. Want something lighter? Here, come sit next to me."
A gangly half-orc that looked only a few years younger than Ailis slid the drink to Firfel. The bartender asked, "What the fuck Firfel, don't you usually like your women drunk?"
"Belthar meet Ailis, Ailis meet Belthar. Don't worry; he's just bitter because he caught me fucking his mommy. Hey, see, you two have something in common."
"Fuck you Firfel. That's ancient history as far as I'm concerned, but you see Ailis, our friend Firfel here likes to gloat over the dead."
"Shit! She's dead? When? What happen?"
"Yeah, a couple days ago she accidentally teleported herself into the side of a mountain."
"Damn, there goes a nice piece of ass."
"Ahem! Fellas, I would like my drink now."
"Oh, sorry Ailis, what was it you want?" asked Belthar.
"The same thing he has." Ailis pulled down her hood and shook out her light brown tumble of hair after having felt more comfortable in the surrounding.
"Damn babe, I forgot how hot you were. Here, let me have a better look at how much you've grown." Firfel turned her to him and took her cloak off. "What? You're still all dressed up in your school outfit, but damn have your tits grown. Let me check that ass."
Ailis slapped his groping hands and said, "Stop that, we're in public you idiot!"
