Interlude - A Night at the Blade & Stars (Aliyah 7)
Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 9:49 pm
Interlude – A Night at the Blade & Stars (Aliyah 7)
Author’s Note: The following all occurred IC in the Blade & Stars one night, with no DMs. This is just good old fashioned tavern-RP as we say in ALFA. Nevertheless, it was one of the funniest nights I have ever had in ALFA – I do not think I have laughed this hard while playing in ALFA ever. Other people’s reactions may vary of course, and I am not sure the humor will translate into writing so well, but read on and decide for yourself.
My thanks to the crew, Duncan (Rain), kiyoti (Ali’Hussein), and Aitana (Nisha), as well as gonz0 (Horatio) and Muse (Tha’is). The conversation related below is more accurate than previous stories because gonz0 was kind enough to send me a log. My thanks. Some of the conversation has been edited to fix typos, and to put conversation in an order that makes sense, given that because of the delay in typing, several parallel conversations can develop between the same people, which would not make sense if read strictly chronologically. Also, to keep this to a novella rather than a novel, parts of the conversations have been edited out entirely.
And yes, for you SNL fans out there, you should probably crank up Haddaway’s “What is Love?” as you read through “A Night at the Blade & Stars”
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A Night at the Blade & Stars.
“So, you and Nisha?” Ali’Hussein asked Aliyah. They were sitting on stools at the end of the bar in the Blade & Stars tavern in Baldur’s Gate. “How is that?”
Aliyah could not help but smile. “It … is … awesome.” She laughed. It was pretty awesome. Nisha was gorgeous and talented and sexy and … well … awesome. Ali tried to wheedle details out of Aliyah but she resisted. “Nisha does not kiss and tell” She said. “So I can’t tell you that.”
Rain joined them later, and there was some animated discussion about a stool which carried over from a drunken argument a few nights before. All in all it was a typical dull night at the Blade & Stars. The three Calishites spoke in a mix of Alzhedo and Common, blending the two back and forth in their dialogue.
Ali’Hussein wanted to make some coin running mail down the road, but Rain seemed agitated, and mostly wanted to drink. Aliyah was comfortable sitting in the dry, almost cozy bar, a bottle of Evershimmer in hand, rather than walking through the rain-soaked night on some muddy excuse of a road carrying the illiterate scribbles of savages.
Then they entered. An unlikely pair; a rugged looking man with long blond hair accompanied by a dark-haired, dark-skinned woman of fantastic beauty. For a second, Aliyah thought it was Nisha, but the clothes were all wrong. Still, the woman and the man both looked very familiar. Then it hit her.
“Hey!” Aliyah got excited when she remembered the woman. “Its like Sharess has smiled on us tonight. Thats the dancer from Greengrass.” She said with a nod towards the dusky bard. “The one who .. you know .. won the contest thing.”
The blond man, Horatio, looked to the dark-haired woman he entered with, Tha’is. “Ah, you won. I knew you would. On your worst day I think you are better than most.”
Ali’Hussein smiled and looked over at Horatio and Tha’is. “Well if it isn’t my favorite funny peasant! And he is with the very same lady that won.” Horatio just laughed at Ali’s comment.
“Funny? Oh, is that the guy?” She vaguely remembered a tavern in the Moonshaes where they had met some farmer who took an interest in them. Rain introduced Ali’Hussein in his usual manner, and later they called the guy a “funny peasant.” Rain, Ali’Hussein and Aliyah had laughed about that until their sides ached. Aliyah could not remember any details of the night though. “I was kind of drunk.”
“Kind of.” Rain added.
“Whatever.” Aliyah said with a playful roll of her eyes. “Like you don't drink your share of rum?”
“Did I say that?” Rain asked. Aliyah just smiled in reply. She liked it when Rain joined in the banter.
As the Calishites talked amongst themselves, Tha’is made her way across the tavern and prepared to dance. Horatio, carrying his lute, walked over to the Calishites.
“Well hello there travelers.” He said. “I see you have returned.”
“Yeah,” Aliyah said with a nod. “We needed more mud. Silverymoon ran out.” The weather and the mud were not Horatio’s fault, but that did not stop Aliyah from teasing Horatio about it.
Horatio ignored the comment. “Well then, I should introduce, as you have already guessed, the winner of the festival competition for her dance. Miss Tha’is. Your Highness, and entourage, I’m sure you will enjoy.”
Your Highness? And entourage? Aliyah had to grin.
Off to the side of the stage, Horatio began to play his flute. In front of the stage, Tha’is uncurled her body, stretching herself complete out, from toes to arms. Her grace and beauty were positively angelic.
A drunk dwarf approached Aliyah and tried to make time with her. She scowled at him, but he did not take the hint. He pulled a hammer out of his belt and started prattling on about what an expert he was in his trade. Aliyah could not have cared less. As her limited patience slipped away, she moved her right hand to the small of her back and gripped the hilt of her killing knife. Ali’Hussein, his view blocked by the dwarf, hopped off the stool and gave the drunk a look that Aliyah had only seen on the hin’s face in combat. Normally, Ali’Hussein was all smiles, happiness and quick witted banter, but underneath that was a feral beast and for just a second, Ali’Hussein let the dwarf see the face of that beast. The dwarf walked away without another word.
Tha’is was dancing now, the tempo picking up slowly. Aliyah recognized the style; Tha’is was doing a dance similar to those done in Calimshan. It was entrancing. Unfortunately, the drunk dwarf returned, his courage bolstered by more ale, determined to impress Aliyah with tales of his craftsmanship.
Aliyah limited patience had run out. I’ll cut his throat, she decided, and when they arrest me, I’ll say he tried to hit me with his stupid hammer and rape me. Ali will back up my story, and no one will be able to say otherwise because they’re all watching Tha’is.
All the anger drained out of Aliyah’s face. She smiled warmly at the dwarf, ignoring his sour breath and grubby, roaming hands. “Hey,” she said in a seductive purr, “check out the dancer.” She nodded towards Tha’is. The inebriated dwarf turned and watched the dark, graceful beauty twirling by the stage. With the dwarf momentarily distracted, Aliyah reached around to the small of her back and drew out the foot-and-half long blade of her killing-knife. The dwarf neither saw nor heard his doom approaching.
Feral hunter that he was, Ali’Hussein was not as oblivious as the dwarf. He quickly put his hand over Aliyah’s hand before she could cut raise the blade and cut the dwarf’s throat. Aliyah shot Ali’Husein an angry glance, but the hin just shook his head with a grin. Aliyah frowned, nodding at the dwarf in frustration, gesturing with the naked blade.
Ali’Hussein shook his head again, then nodded towards the stage. “Relax, enjoy the show.” He said quietly in Alzhedo.
Aliyah sheathed the blade. “Your lucky day.” She said to the dwarf with a fake smile. The drunk had no idea how close he had come to parting this world. Ignorance is bliss. Aliyah thought.
Up at the stage, Horatio was picking up the pace with his lute, while Tha’is twirled faster and faster, her pink gossamer skirts rising and exposing what little of her dark flesh that had been concealed. With simple flick of her hand Tha’is signaled Horatio to stop the music, and as he played the last note, Tha’is dropped, returning to the same position she had started in.
Aliyah was quite literally stunned. She forgot all about the dwarf she was going to murder just a minute earlier. Tha’is was a goddess in pink-silk, and her dance could make Sultans and Pashas fall to their knees like beggars. Horatio’s lute playing was not all that impressive – a practiced amateur really. But Tha’is dance was something you only hear about in stories. Simply put, it was the most amazing, sensuous and beautiful dance Aliyah had ever seen.
She did not the have words to adequately praise Tha’is, so she decided to lambast Horatio instead. “She's hot,” Aliyah said after the music stopped, “but someone should cut the musician's throat and spare us.”
Ali’Hussein agreed. “It is hard to be funny and a talented musician I am thinking.”
“He should go back to farming beans or whatever it was.” Aliyah suggested. “But hey, he brought her here, so how bad can he be?”
“Perhaps he was attempting to be funny.” Ali offered, rubbing his chin. “Hmm, very clever.”
“Oh, like, he was playing ironically?” Aliyah asked.
As Ali and Aliyah shared more laughs about Horatio and his lute, Tha’is returned to the bar, lifted her glass, and offered a wordless toast to the crowd before bowing her head.
“That was awfully good lass,” Rain said to Tha’is, “like the dancers back home. But you don’t sound like a Calishite. Not Amnian either.”
“No sir,” Tha’is replied, “my accent is northern Luskan. Was my home before I landed here.”
“Luskan?” Rain asked. “I heard that place was the ghetto of the north.”
“You have heard correct sir.”
“I am called Rain, not sir.” Tha’is introduced herself and Horatio, while Rain introduced Aliyah. “This is Aliyah, of Calimport.”
Aliyah did a mock curtsy, with a grin on her face and a bottle in her hand.
“I remember her from Greengrass.” Tha’is said with a smile. “You must forgive my horrible performance.”
She remembers me? Aliyah flattered almost to the point of embarrassment. Why would she remember me? I was just a dirty little rat in the crowd. “Horrible? It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. Until tonight.”
Ali’Hussein stepped up and allowed Rain to make an introduction. “This is His Highness,” Rain said to Tha’is, “Ali Hussein of Almraiven. The Lord of the Gutter and the Prince of all Cats.”
With the introductions made, small talk ensued. Aliyah, however, was entirely distracted by Tha’is, with her black silky hair, her perfect skin, and seductive curves. Aliyah sighed wistfully at the great beauty. On the stool next to her, Ali’Hussein looked up Aliyah and breathed a similar sigh. Aliyah could not tell if Ali’Hussein was actually attracted to her, like she was to Tha’is, or if he was mocking her attraction. It did not matter; she did not mind a little attention or a little mocking.
A question popped into Aliyah’s mind and before she could think about whether it was prudent or polite to ask, she had already walked over to Tha’is and asked it.
“So, are you f*cking this guy?” Aliyah asked Tha’is, gesturing to Horatio.
Ali’Hussein laughed so hard, Evershimmer came spurting out his nose.
Even Rain was amused. “Damn, that is actually funny when you are not doing it to me.” The genasi warrior smiled, and drank more wine, watching the fun.
Tha’is had just picked up her gold for the dance and was negotiating further performances when Aliyah asked her question. The dancer spun around, her dark face flushing crimson with embarrassment.
“I’m just curious,” Aliyah continued. “He doesn’t seem like your type.”
“I .. me?” Tha’is stammered.
“Yeah, you.” Aliyah replied. “I mean, you are so damn gorgeous and talented, and he’s … he’s a nice guy, but you know, a funny little peasant.”
Down the bar Ali’Hussein was wiping his face clean with the back of his hand. “This is going to be good my friend.”
Rain looked over to Ali. “Still not as funny as the time I cut that guy’s foot off when he was running down that hill.”
Ali was already laughing again. “The look on his face as he took that next step. Priceless!”
“I know!” Rain said with a big smile. “He went tumbling over and splashed all that blood right in that ladies face. Bam!” The big genasi and the little hin were laughing hard.
“It was a good time, I will admit.” Ali said with grin.
Tha’is meanwhile denied having any lovers, and Horatio similarly denied having had sex with Tha’is.
“So,” she said to Horatio. “You haven’t f*cked her?” It was kind of hard to believe. Unless … Aliyah looked down at Horatio’s crotch. “Eunuch?”
Tha’is cheeks darkened instantly. Horatio protested he had only restrained himself through a colossal feat of willpower. Colossal! Aliyah said she was interested in seeing something ‘colossal’ to which Horatio implied an offer to show her.
“Don’t unsheathe anything, Horatio.” Aliyah said with a laugh.
Tha’is looked like a trapped kitten trying make an escape. “Maybe I should, um, freshen up.”
“Oh no, I am just joking.” Aliyah said, trying to calm her down. “Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I know I'm a little loud, but I am pretty harmless.”
The beautiful dancer smiled. “T-thank you milady.”
“If this is too embarrassing I will back off.” Aliyah reassured her. Yeah right. Aliyah thought with a stifled giggle. “Just one last question.”
Ali’Hussein shook his head and muttered. “Here it comes.”
“Do you like girls?” Aliyah asked.
Tha’is just stared back at Aliyah, eye wide, mouth agape, and frozen in shock.
“Oh, well, by that look, I am guessing that would be a ‘no.’” Aliyah said. “Well, I get that. No problem.” She offered Tha’is a simple smile to let her know it was alright.
“Why not get you an outfit like this one to match, and dance.” Horatio asked Aliyah. “We can see if you inspire my friend here?”
“ Me?” Aliyah asked in disbelief, looking at the pink dancer’s silks that Tha’is was wearing. Barely. “An outfit like that?” Ridiculous. Aliyah thought. Me in a dancer’s silks? Yeah, right.
“Can you dance milady?” Tha’is asked Aliyah.
Aliyah shook her head. “I only know one dance, and neither of you want to see it.” The only dance I know is the one we do with death. The one where you carry a knife in your hand and when the music ends, either you or your partner is dead. And by the hells, I don’t even know that dance all that well.
The talk of dancing, however, had brought Tha’is back to life. “I would love to see a new dance.”
“No.” Aliyah said with a shake of her head. Well, it could happen. She thought. Someone might pay us to kill Tha’is. Or Tha’is might do something to earn our wrath. Then Aliyah would show her the dance. Aliyah did not want to kill Tha’is - she wanted to have her - but you never knew what the future held in store. “Someday maybe.” Aliyah said. “If things go terribly wrong.”
Tha’is was oblivious to Aliyah’s meaning. “Are you shy of your skills?” The dancer asked. “I could teach you.”
“I'd pay to see that.” Horatio muttered. Rain started to say something himself, but shrugged it off.
It was Aliyah’s turn to be embarrassed. She felt her face flush. “I ..” she stammered. “I’m just a gutter rat …”
“No no,” Horatio interjected. “Far more than that.”
“I was when I started as well milady.” Tha’is smiled, and that smile was brighter to Aliyah than any star in the sky. How did this girl get so damn beautiful? Between Thai’s and Nisha, Aliyah felt like she was treading in the heavens among goddesses; or perhaps more accurately, as the ugly duckling among swans.
“She’s a lady of the gutter if you will!” Ali added helpfully. “Nobility of the sewers.”
“Well,” Rain said to Ali, “if you want me to introduce her that way, you’re going to have to marry her.”
Gee, thanks for the embellishment guys. Aliyah thought. She pointed to Tha’is. “This one is like a goddess, come down from …” she paused, thinking, “wherever the fuck goddesses live.”
Horatio offered a more complimentary title. “Princess of... swords I think.”
Aliyah had to laugh, while Rain shook his head. “He obviously does not get it.” The genasi observed.
Tha’is walked to Aliyah, her eyes focused and determined now, and pressed a single finger to Aliyah’s lips, shutting her up instantly. The dancer slipped a hand into Aliyah’s and then pulled Aliyah towards the stage. Aliyah could do nothing but follow, as the stunningly beautiful bard led her on.
And that was when Nisha walked through the tavern’s door.
“Oh man,” Ali’Hussein said to Rain, grinning uncontrollably. “This couldn’t get any better!”
Aliyah saw Nisha enter and was immediately panicked. She smiled at Nisha, looking rather helpless as Tha’is was now in her element and it was Aliyah who was out of hers. “This is … awkward.” Aliyah muttered to no one in particular.
Tha’is signaled for the music to begin. “The secret of dance is in your hips milady. Watch mine.” Tha’is began to gyrate her hips, slowly, but in perfect rhythm.
“I don’t know what is weirder.” Aliyah mused. “That you are trying to teach me to dance, or that you called me ‘milady.’”
“Listen to the music, and nothing else.” Tha’is instructed. Aliyah closed her eyes and tried to feel the beat. Tha’is took hold of Aliyah’s hands and placed them on her own hips. “Feel how I move and move the same way. Don’t think about it just let your body move.”
“Don’t think about it?” Aliyah asked incredulously. “You put my hands on your hips. How do I not think about it?” It was ALL she could think about.
Despite Aliyah’s protests, the dance lesson continued. At the bar, Nisha made her greetings and poured herself a glass of Evershimmer. She watched Tha’is and Aliyah dancing for a moment before asking the obvious question. “Whose idea was this?”
“It was not mine!” Aliyah replied from the dance floor.
“For some reason, I doubt that.”
“It wasn't, it . was .. oh hells.” Aliyah gave up. There was no way Nisha was going to believe her, and even if she did, it wouldn’t change the fact that Aliyah was up on the dance floor, with her hands upon the nearly naked hips of an incredibly beautiful dancer.
“If it will make you feel better you can blame it on me.” Ali’Hussein said with a smile. “Just look at the two of them.”
“Yes, I can see them quite well.” Nisha said, clearly not amused.
I am in such trouble. Aliyah thought. And for once, it is not my fault! Well, mostly not my fault. Or … well … somewhat not my fault? Ah fuck it. Fine, its my fault. Never should have opened my big mouth.
“Tha'is dear,” Horatio called out, “she needs the outfit or it will never work.”
“Ooh, whats the ‘outfit’?” Ali’Hussein was clearly enjoying himself way too much.
“Its what I am going to bury Horatio in.” Aliyah growled.
Horatio laughed. Back at the bar, he introduced himself to Nisha while everyone talked amongst themselves. On the dance floor, Tha’is had stepped back to let Aliyah dance on her own.
Nisha was smiling a little now, watching Aliyah. “I will have to put all your good lessons to use later when I have you naked.” Nisha called out. Aliyah missed a step, laughing, and blew Nisha a kiss.
A minute later the music came to a close and the lesson was over. Aliyah was genuinely grateful to Tha’is; it was a nice gesture. They walked back to the bar and Aliyah kissed Nisha. It will be alright. Aliyah thought. Just some fun.
Nisha whispered in Aliyah’s ear. “Very sexy.”
“I will happily dance for you in private.” Aliyah whispered back, smiling.
“Like I said,” Horatio interrupted, “you need the outfit; it helps. I already offered to pay for it, besides, like I said, it would do well for my drawing.”
“ Drawing?” Nisha asked.
“Look, I am flattered and all, but .. wait, what?” Aliyah was confused. “Drawing? What drawing?”
Horatio opened up his sketch book and showed the girls his drawings.
“Oh my goddess.” Aliyah exclaimed. “You actually do have talent. Ditch that lute.”
Nisha and Ali were laughing. “And he is funny!” Ali added.
“I only started playing the lute to cheer up Tha'is last year.” Horatio explained. “It is not my thing really.”
“Clearly,” Aliyah agreed, “But you can draw!” They talked about the drawings and about talent for awhile. Aliyah wanted anonymity in life, but there was something about the drawings that attracted her. What was Aliyah’s fate after all? She would almost certainly be dead soon; throat cut in a gutter, strangled in bed, cleaved in a dingy cave. The details hardly mattered, and when she was dead what would be left behind? Nothing. And that had been fine for her … until now. Suddenly Aliyah wanted a drawing of herself. A drawing that might survive her death and let at least a few folks remember her. The drawing had to be of the real Aliyah though. Not Aliyah dressed up like some harem girl so Horatio or some other guy could get his rocks off. No, the drawing had to be of who she was. Not who someone else wanted her to be. Otherwise, what was the point?
Aliyah looked to Horatio, serious for the first time in the night. “We can do another drawing if you want.” She said. “On two conditions. First, you draw me as I am. The way I am. Not some other way. Not dressed like a dancer like Thai's. That’s who she is, not me. So, are you good with my first condition? You draw me as I am?”
“Certainly Aliyah,” Horatio answered, “but you sure I can't tempt you into a nice dress? I was not actually suggesting to buy you a dancing outfit, at least not till the second date. Something without a sword belt perhaps?”
“We'll see.” Aliyah muttered. This guy is hopeless. Aliyah thought. Still, he has real talent. “Now, the second condition.”
“Yes of course, what is it?”
“That outfit you wanted to buy me? Like the one Thai's is wearing?” Aliyah said sternly. “My second condition is that while drawing me, YOU wear the outfit.”
Ali and Nisha broke out laughing, and even Rain had to smile. A heated discussion started regarding whether Horatio would fit into a dancer’s silks, and Nisha assured him that he would.
As the conversation wound down, Aliyah decided she’d had enough. Enough wine, enough dancing, enough laughing, enough … everything. Except maybe enough Nisha. She could use more of that.
“I need to go.” Aliyah said to Nisha. “I am drunk, I am tired, and I have to recover from the humiliation of actually dancing.”
“I will meet you in bed soon.” Nisha replied with a warm smile.
“I will be dreaming of it.” Aliyah said, giving her a kiss.
But when dawn’s light came, Aliyah awoke alone. Nisha had not come to bed. And she never would again.
Author’s Note: The following all occurred IC in the Blade & Stars one night, with no DMs. This is just good old fashioned tavern-RP as we say in ALFA. Nevertheless, it was one of the funniest nights I have ever had in ALFA – I do not think I have laughed this hard while playing in ALFA ever. Other people’s reactions may vary of course, and I am not sure the humor will translate into writing so well, but read on and decide for yourself.
My thanks to the crew, Duncan (Rain), kiyoti (Ali’Hussein), and Aitana (Nisha), as well as gonz0 (Horatio) and Muse (Tha’is). The conversation related below is more accurate than previous stories because gonz0 was kind enough to send me a log. My thanks. Some of the conversation has been edited to fix typos, and to put conversation in an order that makes sense, given that because of the delay in typing, several parallel conversations can develop between the same people, which would not make sense if read strictly chronologically. Also, to keep this to a novella rather than a novel, parts of the conversations have been edited out entirely.
And yes, for you SNL fans out there, you should probably crank up Haddaway’s “What is Love?” as you read through “A Night at the Blade & Stars”
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A Night at the Blade & Stars.
“So, you and Nisha?” Ali’Hussein asked Aliyah. They were sitting on stools at the end of the bar in the Blade & Stars tavern in Baldur’s Gate. “How is that?”
Aliyah could not help but smile. “It … is … awesome.” She laughed. It was pretty awesome. Nisha was gorgeous and talented and sexy and … well … awesome. Ali tried to wheedle details out of Aliyah but she resisted. “Nisha does not kiss and tell” She said. “So I can’t tell you that.”
Rain joined them later, and there was some animated discussion about a stool which carried over from a drunken argument a few nights before. All in all it was a typical dull night at the Blade & Stars. The three Calishites spoke in a mix of Alzhedo and Common, blending the two back and forth in their dialogue.
Ali’Hussein wanted to make some coin running mail down the road, but Rain seemed agitated, and mostly wanted to drink. Aliyah was comfortable sitting in the dry, almost cozy bar, a bottle of Evershimmer in hand, rather than walking through the rain-soaked night on some muddy excuse of a road carrying the illiterate scribbles of savages.
Then they entered. An unlikely pair; a rugged looking man with long blond hair accompanied by a dark-haired, dark-skinned woman of fantastic beauty. For a second, Aliyah thought it was Nisha, but the clothes were all wrong. Still, the woman and the man both looked very familiar. Then it hit her.
“Hey!” Aliyah got excited when she remembered the woman. “Its like Sharess has smiled on us tonight. Thats the dancer from Greengrass.” She said with a nod towards the dusky bard. “The one who .. you know .. won the contest thing.”
The blond man, Horatio, looked to the dark-haired woman he entered with, Tha’is. “Ah, you won. I knew you would. On your worst day I think you are better than most.”
Ali’Hussein smiled and looked over at Horatio and Tha’is. “Well if it isn’t my favorite funny peasant! And he is with the very same lady that won.” Horatio just laughed at Ali’s comment.
“Funny? Oh, is that the guy?” She vaguely remembered a tavern in the Moonshaes where they had met some farmer who took an interest in them. Rain introduced Ali’Hussein in his usual manner, and later they called the guy a “funny peasant.” Rain, Ali’Hussein and Aliyah had laughed about that until their sides ached. Aliyah could not remember any details of the night though. “I was kind of drunk.”
“Kind of.” Rain added.
“Whatever.” Aliyah said with a playful roll of her eyes. “Like you don't drink your share of rum?”
“Did I say that?” Rain asked. Aliyah just smiled in reply. She liked it when Rain joined in the banter.
As the Calishites talked amongst themselves, Tha’is made her way across the tavern and prepared to dance. Horatio, carrying his lute, walked over to the Calishites.
“Well hello there travelers.” He said. “I see you have returned.”
“Yeah,” Aliyah said with a nod. “We needed more mud. Silverymoon ran out.” The weather and the mud were not Horatio’s fault, but that did not stop Aliyah from teasing Horatio about it.
Horatio ignored the comment. “Well then, I should introduce, as you have already guessed, the winner of the festival competition for her dance. Miss Tha’is. Your Highness, and entourage, I’m sure you will enjoy.”
Your Highness? And entourage? Aliyah had to grin.
Off to the side of the stage, Horatio began to play his flute. In front of the stage, Tha’is uncurled her body, stretching herself complete out, from toes to arms. Her grace and beauty were positively angelic.
A drunk dwarf approached Aliyah and tried to make time with her. She scowled at him, but he did not take the hint. He pulled a hammer out of his belt and started prattling on about what an expert he was in his trade. Aliyah could not have cared less. As her limited patience slipped away, she moved her right hand to the small of her back and gripped the hilt of her killing knife. Ali’Hussein, his view blocked by the dwarf, hopped off the stool and gave the drunk a look that Aliyah had only seen on the hin’s face in combat. Normally, Ali’Hussein was all smiles, happiness and quick witted banter, but underneath that was a feral beast and for just a second, Ali’Hussein let the dwarf see the face of that beast. The dwarf walked away without another word.
Tha’is was dancing now, the tempo picking up slowly. Aliyah recognized the style; Tha’is was doing a dance similar to those done in Calimshan. It was entrancing. Unfortunately, the drunk dwarf returned, his courage bolstered by more ale, determined to impress Aliyah with tales of his craftsmanship.
Aliyah limited patience had run out. I’ll cut his throat, she decided, and when they arrest me, I’ll say he tried to hit me with his stupid hammer and rape me. Ali will back up my story, and no one will be able to say otherwise because they’re all watching Tha’is.
All the anger drained out of Aliyah’s face. She smiled warmly at the dwarf, ignoring his sour breath and grubby, roaming hands. “Hey,” she said in a seductive purr, “check out the dancer.” She nodded towards Tha’is. The inebriated dwarf turned and watched the dark, graceful beauty twirling by the stage. With the dwarf momentarily distracted, Aliyah reached around to the small of her back and drew out the foot-and-half long blade of her killing-knife. The dwarf neither saw nor heard his doom approaching.
Feral hunter that he was, Ali’Hussein was not as oblivious as the dwarf. He quickly put his hand over Aliyah’s hand before she could cut raise the blade and cut the dwarf’s throat. Aliyah shot Ali’Husein an angry glance, but the hin just shook his head with a grin. Aliyah frowned, nodding at the dwarf in frustration, gesturing with the naked blade.
Ali’Hussein shook his head again, then nodded towards the stage. “Relax, enjoy the show.” He said quietly in Alzhedo.
Aliyah sheathed the blade. “Your lucky day.” She said to the dwarf with a fake smile. The drunk had no idea how close he had come to parting this world. Ignorance is bliss. Aliyah thought.
Up at the stage, Horatio was picking up the pace with his lute, while Tha’is twirled faster and faster, her pink gossamer skirts rising and exposing what little of her dark flesh that had been concealed. With simple flick of her hand Tha’is signaled Horatio to stop the music, and as he played the last note, Tha’is dropped, returning to the same position she had started in.
Aliyah was quite literally stunned. She forgot all about the dwarf she was going to murder just a minute earlier. Tha’is was a goddess in pink-silk, and her dance could make Sultans and Pashas fall to their knees like beggars. Horatio’s lute playing was not all that impressive – a practiced amateur really. But Tha’is dance was something you only hear about in stories. Simply put, it was the most amazing, sensuous and beautiful dance Aliyah had ever seen.
She did not the have words to adequately praise Tha’is, so she decided to lambast Horatio instead. “She's hot,” Aliyah said after the music stopped, “but someone should cut the musician's throat and spare us.”
Ali’Hussein agreed. “It is hard to be funny and a talented musician I am thinking.”
“He should go back to farming beans or whatever it was.” Aliyah suggested. “But hey, he brought her here, so how bad can he be?”
“Perhaps he was attempting to be funny.” Ali offered, rubbing his chin. “Hmm, very clever.”
“Oh, like, he was playing ironically?” Aliyah asked.
As Ali and Aliyah shared more laughs about Horatio and his lute, Tha’is returned to the bar, lifted her glass, and offered a wordless toast to the crowd before bowing her head.
“That was awfully good lass,” Rain said to Tha’is, “like the dancers back home. But you don’t sound like a Calishite. Not Amnian either.”
“No sir,” Tha’is replied, “my accent is northern Luskan. Was my home before I landed here.”
“Luskan?” Rain asked. “I heard that place was the ghetto of the north.”
“You have heard correct sir.”
“I am called Rain, not sir.” Tha’is introduced herself and Horatio, while Rain introduced Aliyah. “This is Aliyah, of Calimport.”
Aliyah did a mock curtsy, with a grin on her face and a bottle in her hand.
“I remember her from Greengrass.” Tha’is said with a smile. “You must forgive my horrible performance.”
She remembers me? Aliyah flattered almost to the point of embarrassment. Why would she remember me? I was just a dirty little rat in the crowd. “Horrible? It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. Until tonight.”
Ali’Hussein stepped up and allowed Rain to make an introduction. “This is His Highness,” Rain said to Tha’is, “Ali Hussein of Almraiven. The Lord of the Gutter and the Prince of all Cats.”
With the introductions made, small talk ensued. Aliyah, however, was entirely distracted by Tha’is, with her black silky hair, her perfect skin, and seductive curves. Aliyah sighed wistfully at the great beauty. On the stool next to her, Ali’Hussein looked up Aliyah and breathed a similar sigh. Aliyah could not tell if Ali’Hussein was actually attracted to her, like she was to Tha’is, or if he was mocking her attraction. It did not matter; she did not mind a little attention or a little mocking.
A question popped into Aliyah’s mind and before she could think about whether it was prudent or polite to ask, she had already walked over to Tha’is and asked it.
“So, are you f*cking this guy?” Aliyah asked Tha’is, gesturing to Horatio.
Ali’Hussein laughed so hard, Evershimmer came spurting out his nose.
Even Rain was amused. “Damn, that is actually funny when you are not doing it to me.” The genasi warrior smiled, and drank more wine, watching the fun.
Tha’is had just picked up her gold for the dance and was negotiating further performances when Aliyah asked her question. The dancer spun around, her dark face flushing crimson with embarrassment.
“I’m just curious,” Aliyah continued. “He doesn’t seem like your type.”
“I .. me?” Tha’is stammered.
“Yeah, you.” Aliyah replied. “I mean, you are so damn gorgeous and talented, and he’s … he’s a nice guy, but you know, a funny little peasant.”
Down the bar Ali’Hussein was wiping his face clean with the back of his hand. “This is going to be good my friend.”
Rain looked over to Ali. “Still not as funny as the time I cut that guy’s foot off when he was running down that hill.”
Ali was already laughing again. “The look on his face as he took that next step. Priceless!”
“I know!” Rain said with a big smile. “He went tumbling over and splashed all that blood right in that ladies face. Bam!” The big genasi and the little hin were laughing hard.
“It was a good time, I will admit.” Ali said with grin.
Tha’is meanwhile denied having any lovers, and Horatio similarly denied having had sex with Tha’is.
“So,” she said to Horatio. “You haven’t f*cked her?” It was kind of hard to believe. Unless … Aliyah looked down at Horatio’s crotch. “Eunuch?”
Tha’is cheeks darkened instantly. Horatio protested he had only restrained himself through a colossal feat of willpower. Colossal! Aliyah said she was interested in seeing something ‘colossal’ to which Horatio implied an offer to show her.
“Don’t unsheathe anything, Horatio.” Aliyah said with a laugh.
Tha’is looked like a trapped kitten trying make an escape. “Maybe I should, um, freshen up.”
“Oh no, I am just joking.” Aliyah said, trying to calm her down. “Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I know I'm a little loud, but I am pretty harmless.”
The beautiful dancer smiled. “T-thank you milady.”
“If this is too embarrassing I will back off.” Aliyah reassured her. Yeah right. Aliyah thought with a stifled giggle. “Just one last question.”
Ali’Hussein shook his head and muttered. “Here it comes.”
“Do you like girls?” Aliyah asked.
Tha’is just stared back at Aliyah, eye wide, mouth agape, and frozen in shock.
“Oh, well, by that look, I am guessing that would be a ‘no.’” Aliyah said. “Well, I get that. No problem.” She offered Tha’is a simple smile to let her know it was alright.
“Why not get you an outfit like this one to match, and dance.” Horatio asked Aliyah. “We can see if you inspire my friend here?”
“ Me?” Aliyah asked in disbelief, looking at the pink dancer’s silks that Tha’is was wearing. Barely. “An outfit like that?” Ridiculous. Aliyah thought. Me in a dancer’s silks? Yeah, right.
“Can you dance milady?” Tha’is asked Aliyah.
Aliyah shook her head. “I only know one dance, and neither of you want to see it.” The only dance I know is the one we do with death. The one where you carry a knife in your hand and when the music ends, either you or your partner is dead. And by the hells, I don’t even know that dance all that well.
The talk of dancing, however, had brought Tha’is back to life. “I would love to see a new dance.”
“No.” Aliyah said with a shake of her head. Well, it could happen. She thought. Someone might pay us to kill Tha’is. Or Tha’is might do something to earn our wrath. Then Aliyah would show her the dance. Aliyah did not want to kill Tha’is - she wanted to have her - but you never knew what the future held in store. “Someday maybe.” Aliyah said. “If things go terribly wrong.”
Tha’is was oblivious to Aliyah’s meaning. “Are you shy of your skills?” The dancer asked. “I could teach you.”
“I'd pay to see that.” Horatio muttered. Rain started to say something himself, but shrugged it off.
It was Aliyah’s turn to be embarrassed. She felt her face flush. “I ..” she stammered. “I’m just a gutter rat …”
“No no,” Horatio interjected. “Far more than that.”
“I was when I started as well milady.” Tha’is smiled, and that smile was brighter to Aliyah than any star in the sky. How did this girl get so damn beautiful? Between Thai’s and Nisha, Aliyah felt like she was treading in the heavens among goddesses; or perhaps more accurately, as the ugly duckling among swans.
“She’s a lady of the gutter if you will!” Ali added helpfully. “Nobility of the sewers.”
“Well,” Rain said to Ali, “if you want me to introduce her that way, you’re going to have to marry her.”
Gee, thanks for the embellishment guys. Aliyah thought. She pointed to Tha’is. “This one is like a goddess, come down from …” she paused, thinking, “wherever the fuck goddesses live.”
Horatio offered a more complimentary title. “Princess of... swords I think.”
Aliyah had to laugh, while Rain shook his head. “He obviously does not get it.” The genasi observed.
Tha’is walked to Aliyah, her eyes focused and determined now, and pressed a single finger to Aliyah’s lips, shutting her up instantly. The dancer slipped a hand into Aliyah’s and then pulled Aliyah towards the stage. Aliyah could do nothing but follow, as the stunningly beautiful bard led her on.
And that was when Nisha walked through the tavern’s door.
“Oh man,” Ali’Hussein said to Rain, grinning uncontrollably. “This couldn’t get any better!”
Aliyah saw Nisha enter and was immediately panicked. She smiled at Nisha, looking rather helpless as Tha’is was now in her element and it was Aliyah who was out of hers. “This is … awkward.” Aliyah muttered to no one in particular.
Tha’is signaled for the music to begin. “The secret of dance is in your hips milady. Watch mine.” Tha’is began to gyrate her hips, slowly, but in perfect rhythm.
“I don’t know what is weirder.” Aliyah mused. “That you are trying to teach me to dance, or that you called me ‘milady.’”
“Listen to the music, and nothing else.” Tha’is instructed. Aliyah closed her eyes and tried to feel the beat. Tha’is took hold of Aliyah’s hands and placed them on her own hips. “Feel how I move and move the same way. Don’t think about it just let your body move.”
“Don’t think about it?” Aliyah asked incredulously. “You put my hands on your hips. How do I not think about it?” It was ALL she could think about.
Despite Aliyah’s protests, the dance lesson continued. At the bar, Nisha made her greetings and poured herself a glass of Evershimmer. She watched Tha’is and Aliyah dancing for a moment before asking the obvious question. “Whose idea was this?”
“It was not mine!” Aliyah replied from the dance floor.
“For some reason, I doubt that.”
“It wasn't, it . was .. oh hells.” Aliyah gave up. There was no way Nisha was going to believe her, and even if she did, it wouldn’t change the fact that Aliyah was up on the dance floor, with her hands upon the nearly naked hips of an incredibly beautiful dancer.
“If it will make you feel better you can blame it on me.” Ali’Hussein said with a smile. “Just look at the two of them.”
“Yes, I can see them quite well.” Nisha said, clearly not amused.
I am in such trouble. Aliyah thought. And for once, it is not my fault! Well, mostly not my fault. Or … well … somewhat not my fault? Ah fuck it. Fine, its my fault. Never should have opened my big mouth.
“Tha'is dear,” Horatio called out, “she needs the outfit or it will never work.”
“Ooh, whats the ‘outfit’?” Ali’Hussein was clearly enjoying himself way too much.
“Its what I am going to bury Horatio in.” Aliyah growled.
Horatio laughed. Back at the bar, he introduced himself to Nisha while everyone talked amongst themselves. On the dance floor, Tha’is had stepped back to let Aliyah dance on her own.
Nisha was smiling a little now, watching Aliyah. “I will have to put all your good lessons to use later when I have you naked.” Nisha called out. Aliyah missed a step, laughing, and blew Nisha a kiss.
A minute later the music came to a close and the lesson was over. Aliyah was genuinely grateful to Tha’is; it was a nice gesture. They walked back to the bar and Aliyah kissed Nisha. It will be alright. Aliyah thought. Just some fun.
Nisha whispered in Aliyah’s ear. “Very sexy.”
“I will happily dance for you in private.” Aliyah whispered back, smiling.
“Like I said,” Horatio interrupted, “you need the outfit; it helps. I already offered to pay for it, besides, like I said, it would do well for my drawing.”
“ Drawing?” Nisha asked.
“Look, I am flattered and all, but .. wait, what?” Aliyah was confused. “Drawing? What drawing?”
Horatio opened up his sketch book and showed the girls his drawings.
“Oh my goddess.” Aliyah exclaimed. “You actually do have talent. Ditch that lute.”
Nisha and Ali were laughing. “And he is funny!” Ali added.
“I only started playing the lute to cheer up Tha'is last year.” Horatio explained. “It is not my thing really.”
“Clearly,” Aliyah agreed, “But you can draw!” They talked about the drawings and about talent for awhile. Aliyah wanted anonymity in life, but there was something about the drawings that attracted her. What was Aliyah’s fate after all? She would almost certainly be dead soon; throat cut in a gutter, strangled in bed, cleaved in a dingy cave. The details hardly mattered, and when she was dead what would be left behind? Nothing. And that had been fine for her … until now. Suddenly Aliyah wanted a drawing of herself. A drawing that might survive her death and let at least a few folks remember her. The drawing had to be of the real Aliyah though. Not Aliyah dressed up like some harem girl so Horatio or some other guy could get his rocks off. No, the drawing had to be of who she was. Not who someone else wanted her to be. Otherwise, what was the point?
Aliyah looked to Horatio, serious for the first time in the night. “We can do another drawing if you want.” She said. “On two conditions. First, you draw me as I am. The way I am. Not some other way. Not dressed like a dancer like Thai's. That’s who she is, not me. So, are you good with my first condition? You draw me as I am?”
“Certainly Aliyah,” Horatio answered, “but you sure I can't tempt you into a nice dress? I was not actually suggesting to buy you a dancing outfit, at least not till the second date. Something without a sword belt perhaps?”
“We'll see.” Aliyah muttered. This guy is hopeless. Aliyah thought. Still, he has real talent. “Now, the second condition.”
“Yes of course, what is it?”
“That outfit you wanted to buy me? Like the one Thai's is wearing?” Aliyah said sternly. “My second condition is that while drawing me, YOU wear the outfit.”
Ali and Nisha broke out laughing, and even Rain had to smile. A heated discussion started regarding whether Horatio would fit into a dancer’s silks, and Nisha assured him that he would.
As the conversation wound down, Aliyah decided she’d had enough. Enough wine, enough dancing, enough laughing, enough … everything. Except maybe enough Nisha. She could use more of that.
“I need to go.” Aliyah said to Nisha. “I am drunk, I am tired, and I have to recover from the humiliation of actually dancing.”
“I will meet you in bed soon.” Nisha replied with a warm smile.
“I will be dreaming of it.” Aliyah said, giving her a kiss.
But when dawn’s light came, Aliyah awoke alone. Nisha had not come to bed. And she never would again.
for the ending.
