Chapter 1: Misleading Introduction

"If we're going to do this, we're going to do it by my rules, plain and simple."

Clavidicus the Bold looked back at the deceptively thin looking woman as she spoke. She was lacing her black leather boots up to her knees with a fluid movement that Clavidicus found rather impressive. He couldn't help but remember his first impressions when he was first introduced to her by a mutual acquaintance, Lord Lester Brightbill. His initial thought was how frail and timid she looked and acted at the time. He was unsure then if being hired help traveling with her was a good idea. Quickly his opinions were changing about her. She at least acted like she knew what she was doing and any hint of a previous timid demeanor had completely vanished by now.

He took the opportunity to speak up. "I have to admit this job seemed like it was going to be a lot more difficult Lady.."

She interrupted him before he could finish. "Hold, as long as we travel together, please address me as Nadia. When you first met me, I was behaving as someone of my standing should but this is a different situation and should be treated as such. It should be more apparent now in comparison, I'm out of my element in those sorts of events."

Clavidicus smiled. "Forgive me, I shall not be so quick to misjudge you Nadia. When we first met, and it was suggested that I come along on your trip to Windy Tree. I wasn't sure I wanted the job when first offered. I could detect something different about you though and something seemed familiar to me somehow."

Smirking, Nadia stood up and punched Clavidicus in the shoulder playfully. "Don't worry about it big guy, everyone makes mistakes from time to time, except for me of course. I grow on people the longer they stay around me, it can be hard to get rid of me then."

"If I might be so bold as to say, the whole lifestyle you come from is quite wasteful and decedant. They throw parties for any reason they can think of, events with rare foods and entertainment that costs piles and piles of gold coins. Such money would be much better spent on weapons and mercenaries. Things are not all happy and bright outside the walls of Talisman, people need help."

She chuckled. "It's all those nobles have ever known, and they can't look past their own pointless lives. If it doesn't affect them, it's not happening. I've always had a desire to see further then just what Talisman has to offer. We were first introduced at the party last night. I still clung to you closely to hear every story I could about your journeys and adventures. Every time someone with interesting stories to tell comes into Talisman, I make it a habit to have them over to my family's estate. Adventurers are easily coaxed into elaborating on their experiences over a lavish meal and drinks."

"I have to admit, I was a little surprised by your interest in my tales, especially since you're a member of the noble community. I thought maybe the details of how I disposed of the bodies of my enemies would disgust you. You seemed instead fascinated with every bloody detail. That makes you come off as a bit creepy actually."

Nadia laughed in response to his comment which only helped to disturb Clavidicus even more. "I may live in that community but I don't belong there." She finished straightening her outfit out and walked over to pick up her dagger. She slid it into a semi-concealed thigh sheath. Noticing Clavidicus staring at her as she did this, she spoke. "What outfit is complete without concealed weapons?"

Clavidicus grinned. "The longer I hang around you, the more I like your unique style. You're certainly something else Nadia, I'm sure this job will most likely be filled with even more surprises. Although uncertainty isn't really my thing, I'd like to see how things unfold."

"Now you're talking, lets head out. The walk isn't going to start itself and we have a good amount of distance to cover to get to Windy Tree." Nadia motioned towards the door and walked out. Clavidicus quickly grabbed up all his things and followed her out. With Nadia along, he was pretty sure this wasn't going to be a dull trip. Was he ready for what may lay ahead? He certainly hoped so.