Chapter 29

Pandemonium ensued wherever 'Leaf led the chasing Red-tails. Commoners and merchants alike pushed to get out of the way of the pointy-eared devil, calling on Eho to protect them from its life-draining evil and to bless the valiant men risking their lives chasing it down. She knew she couldn't keep the chase up indefinitely. She was at less than her best following the unprepared transformation as it was. But if her intelligence was correct, she wouldn't have to.

Rounding a corner, she saw one of the city's wells just ahead of her. Pushing several humans to the ground, she leapt at it, catching the bucket. Down they went!

The Red-tails hurried up, scarcely noticing the men and women crawling away. A splash echoed in the darkness of the well below. The guards quickly manned the winch, hauling the bucket back up. A drowned elf in the well would spoil this water for weeks or months. But the bucket flew up, empty of all but water. The guards made warding signs against the foul elven magics the would-be assassin must have used to escape. They did not relish the idea of reporting in now.

Falling Leaf silently let her breath out when the shadows moved away from the top of the well. Crystal Water had finished her task after all. She could rest in this little alcove here, five feet above the water. The crawlway extended off into the dark; when she had recovered, it should lead to a discreet exit. Falling Leaf thought carefully about her next move. She could try to track down Cael and the others, or she could try and take out her target first. Her instincts told her to accomplish her duty first. How easy would it be to sneak back into Shariz once this was done? Would she even get another chance at Khadijah?

But... Cael and his friends were onto something bigger. And Shadow Hunters were valued for their ability to operate autonomously and make these kind of judgement calls. The Ehosians had somehow been withering the Great Forest. The blight would eventually reach the southern reaches, where her people lived, and then it would be all over. Unless she helped them stop it now.

Resolved to action, she slowly drug her body through the dark, narrow tunnel. As it turned upwards, she squeezed into a standing position and paused. Rashiqa, I call you.

Please don't hurt me! The Ehosian voice echoed from the back of her mind.

I will not hurt you, fool woman. I have a job for you. You will climb out of this hole...

Oh, do not leave me in a hole! Rashiqa wailed.

I cannot climb out of it myself, fool. I will climb as high as I may, but you will have to push out the exit. You are not so frail as you try to make me think you are. Then you will find these people... She thought images of the group at her. And you will tell them you come from me. Stay with them and aid them.

She could feel the persona's wheels start turning. 'Leaf sighed inwardly. She had made Rashiqa scheming for her own uses, but the courtesan needed more "steering" than most or else she'd get lost in her own avaricious plots. Bracing herself against the narrow chimney, 'Leaf inched up until she was just below the exit.

Now for the hard part... You chose this path, she reminds herself. Walk it. Focusing, calming, she calls in the Power and lets it release Rashiqa.

Her features bulged and filled, green eyes turning dark. Her pale skin swiftly darkened, and her brown hair grew and turned charcoal-black. Her clothing changed from 'Leaf's sturdy travelling clothes to silky robes. Her figure grew taller and rounder - much, much rounder. Rashiqa found the chimney very confining.

She wanted to scream out for help, but refrained. That would reveal the hiding hole, and that would be bad, if for no other reason that it would make the elven sorceress who held her in thrall very, very angry. Grunting delicately, she pushes her way up, finding herself under a pile of empty crates in a back alley. The building, if the smell was any indication, was the Outlander establishment. Of course. The Resistance generally stayed clear of it; no sense in endangering a good ally.

How am I to find them, elf?

I will help you. Try that way first. And away they went.

Somewhere else in the mindscape, Krissa Gallowglass grumbled that she wasn't done having fun in the body yet.

Rashiqa had a hard time finding them. Falling Leaf had suggested that Cael would lead them to the less savory parts of the city, where the guards and questions are fewer. The elf had also suggested most of the questions Rashiqa had asked.

But it was my kiss that made that last man talk, the courtesan maintained proudly.

Whatever, 'Leaf agreed wearily. When she had the time to develop a new persona, a new Ehosian was right at the top of the list, Taint be damned. A quiet, humble, chaste Ehosian.

She/They eventually traced the group to Fatima's. "I am looking for an Outland man..."

Fatima sneers. "He didn't want any of my girls, trollop. No freelancing."

She pushes a gem 'Leaf provided across the table towards the corpulent woman. "I am looking for an Outland man..."

"Third room on the right."

Rashiqa sashays down the hall and knocked gently on the third door on the right. "Gentlemen? Oh, gentlemen, do let me in?" she calls softly.

Go on to Chapter 30: Dae Faroth (Falling Leaf explains what, exactly, she is).
Return to Table of Contents.