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[Temptation Waits]

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The night grew late and the courtyard was only illuminated by the fire in the middle. The men gathered around with ales in hand. The music was jovial and she kept in time with it carefully watching those around her. For about an hour now she danced and swayed picking up bits and pieces of conversation when she would move close to groups gathered in different areas. There were three men of interest though, all close together dressed rather richly compared to everyone else there. Those were who she needed to get close to. Applause filled the night air as the music stopped, the players taking a break. She bowed gracefully and went to the side to get a drink.


"Wine!", she stated. The bartender smiled and handed her a goblet. As she went to pay for it, he waved his hand. She looked at him curiously.

"The three gentleman insisted whatever ye wish be on them." He explained.

"Who?", she asked. The bartender pointed the men out that she took interest in from earlier. She smirked flirtatiously and leaned a bit closer. "Can you tell me their names so I may thank them for the gracious hospitality?"

He nodded and told her quietly that they were the three men who claimed to run things there, the man in the center more heavyset then the rest and balding was named Conrad. To his right was a wiry fellow with salt and pepper hair dressed the plainest of the three except for a jeweled wolf of gold used to hold his cloak in place. He was referred to as Malikai. The last of the three, was of strong and muscular build with reddish brown hair and a neat beard. His eyes appeared as cold as ice and he was draped in rich furs. The bartender called him Hendrick. She gave the bartender some gold coins for the information and made her way across the courtyard to the three men.

She smiled sweetly and pulled up a foot stool. "I am told I should be thanking the three of you for my refreshment this eve." She had to keep her skin from crawling as she felt all of them rove her with their eyes.

Conrad replied, "Yes we were happy to pay for your food and drink. It is not often we get such a lovely lady here of such...talents." He grinned at her. "Why do you hide your face beneath a veil as such.

Temptation regarded him very carefully and made a note to herself that the others were watching her every move. "Tis the gypsy way my lord.", she leaned in a little and downed the rest of her wine. In the background the band was beginning to tune up again. She readied herself to stand again.

"You are going to dance again? Conrad asked her. She nodded "yes" and stood. Her skirt swished gently as she made her way to the center and she posed to begin another dance. The music started up again and she began to move again making sure to keep her attention on the three men. She would sway near them seductively to dram in their attention even leaving her scarf around the neck of Hendrick. For another hour this went on and again the music stopped. She bowed again trying to catch her breath and noticed Conrad waving her back to them.


She seemed to glide across the floor and sat back on the stool. A waitress brought her more wine and she took it thanking her. "It seems I am back again, but I feel that shall be my last dance for the night."

Conrad and the other men seemed displeased by her statement. "My lady perhaps we can arrange a private session?" He dangled a large purse of gold before her with an evil grin.

"It may be arranged." she spoke plainly as she motioned for the waitress to fill their glasses again. She watched the men and they all seemed to be getting their fill of wine. Soon they would not know which end was up. "I am curious, I have journeyed from Papua and heard of Lycan about?" She asked with wide eyes to feign fear.

Hendrick looked at her taking a deep swig of his wine and spoke in a deep voice, "Aye there be a lycan but you are safe as long as you stay in the city walls at night."

She shuddered a little, "Does not anyone try and rid the place of the thing?"

He looked at her and paused before answering, "Few have and do hunt it."

She nodded trying not to push and carefully scanned the area for the Archon, but he could not be seen. The patrons were beginning to leave and she knew she would be alone with the three men. She took note of what was in reach a chair some empty bottles on a near by table and a knife and plate as well. She looked back at the men and listened as they spoke on and on about how wealthy they were. Conrad began to yawn and Hendrick seemed to slump in his chair, but not a word from Malikai. It seemed now she could start podding a bit more with her questions.

"I hear you three run things around here."

Conrad smiled at her and spoke, "Yes we do, but it can be a lonely life." He leered at her and she gently brushed his hand away from her thigh.

"A lady could get comfortable here. It seems your coffers are full and there is plenty to go around."

She felt Hendrick's eyes on her, and realized they were all that was left in the courtyard. "That's an interesting observation my lady." His tone was stern.

"I was making an observation from your finery. I have not seen suck clothes in a long time.", she responded coyly.

Malikai shot up and grabbed her arm yanking her from her seat and her goblet crashed to the floor. She stared at his cold gray eyes. "You ask a lit of questions gypsy.", he spat out. She looked around then back at him and tried to grab for a nearby bottle. The other men seem to stand trying to get him to release her.

From the shadows the Archon pounced on them. She shock of his attack caused Malikai to let her go roughly and she grabbed the bottle crashing it on top of his head. Hendrick scurried away before either of them could get a drop on him and she turned to fined the Archon with a blade to Conrad's neck daring him to move...
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"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead."
Benjamin Franklin

[Temptation Waits]

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