The Inn of the Singing Rose

Ashandra storms quickly back to her shelter. No vendors at the docks attempt to call her attention, no captain attempts to bargain. Those in the docks familiar with the actions of the mad sea-elf know she has a taste for blood this night, and each seeks to assure it will not by theirs she finds.

She slams the door behind her nearly hard enough to rip it from the hinges. "Iris I know you are still here." she shouts, much to the amazement of her neighbors who have never heard the woman raise her voice in all the time she had been near.

Ashandra shutters each of the windows tightly and extinguishes any lights within the house before continuing. "I may not have my spells anymore, but I can still smell the blood on you."

Hearing no response for a long moment Ashandra speaks more quietly. "Please, this is something I can't do without you... I need you."

Slowly whispers fill the room, a hundred little voices slowly coalescing into one finally forming surprisingly melodic and beautiful laughter. The sound however is bitter and resentful. "Ah, now you realize how much you need me. And just a few days ago, you were ready to cast me aside. Abandon me to the state where you found me. After all I have done for you..."

"We both know you only aid me because you gain from it." Ashandra responds quietly as she sits down in the very center of her small dwelling.

"You may not feel the sting of the words of others Ashandra, one of the many mercies I grant you, but it does not stop your words from wounding me." the disembodied voice pouts mockingly. A pool of blood forms along the ceiling and begins dripping down to the floor around Ashandra forming a perfect circle around her.

"No more wounded than you leave me." Ashandra says while staring at the pool of blood edging its way ever closer to her. "But this conversation gets us nowhere. Let us speak of more interesting things, namely what I want, and what you will exact from me to get it."

The pool of blood suddenly sprays into the air, forming a red mist that leaves a thin layer of gore on Ashandra's skin. It leaves her dress spotless however, seeming to care for the fabric more than the wearer. The mist then solidifies into the form of a woman, not too unlike Ashandra, though her flesh is unmarred and without blemish, her eyes are brighter and more vibrant, and no gills adorn her graceful neck. "You always did know how to get my attention." the newly formed woman coos into Ashandra's ear from behind.

"The Marquis has claimed Arina as a traitor and is holding her here. I need her set free."

"And you wish yourself put in her place. I swear girl, you must like being at the mercy of men." Iris goads. "You know as well as I do what will happen if you are caged again. Even more so by yet another gith. I may not be able to save you from yourself this time. The things you children do to get off these days never ce..."

Ashandra cuts Iris off in mid sentence by clawing entirely through her neck in one well practiced swipe. She squeezes hard on the bit of larynx still trapped between her fingers instinctively. Iris stares at her in surprise, and gargles an incomprehensible string of words likely consisting of obscenities.

"I know well the risks, and I know well what you do in your time. Do not dare speak to me in such a way." Ashandra says unemotionally.

Slowly Iris's neck regains its form, starting from the inside, until she can speak again. "All these years and that is what it took to get a response from you?" Iris grins. "You must already be cracking."

Ashandra sensed the topic drifting away from her yet again and began trying to steer it back to her plans. "I have several plans for tomorrow, we must act swiftly before the gith can do anything to Arina. She is more valuable an asset then anticipated, and I can not let her life be forfeit because I wish to expose an enemy in this town."

"Very well," Iris yawns gloomily already bored with the prospect of a night of planning. "if you can tell me why I should do this for you."

"Because if you do not, I will go without your aid. we both know I can not solve anything without violence," Ashandra says raising an index finger indicating a list to come. "I will be dealing with numerous armed men who are well trained by a dwarf," she continues, raising another finger "If it comes to a fight, I will be killed. If I die, you my friend, will not find another like me for at least a century, and you will go back to languishing in your purgatory until then."

"Fine, you make your point. If I do this though, I expect payment. I expect 4 more days. The entire week of the new moon."

"You fall far behind on the paperwork as is. Three trade caravans come through this town each week, connecting to at least five ships. I can not give up that much time."

"Than your friend can rot, and I can hold you in this room until she dances the hangman's jig." Irina states flatly.

"Fine. But you must find someone to handle the paperwork."

"Done." Iris beams as she takes Ashandra's hand into her own in an overly exaggerated shake. "I suppose Warik will need to hear of this then?"

"Yes. Also I need you to do this for me. I am nowhere near as good of a liar as you."

"You mean I get a free ride? I am in." Iris says as she giggles and sets herself down cross legged in front of Ashandra.

The rest of their conversation goes on in silence as each stares into the eyes of the other, punctuated only by an occasional giggle from Iris.