"Just two silvers apiece, I assure you they're the best fruit this side of Westriver!" the merchant said unctuously. He was so interested in the potential customers he failed to notice the hooded and cloaked figure that passed by his stand as two of the apples sitting on the counter seemed to disappear into thin air.
After crossing a few streets and entering an alleyway, Merse pulled back the hood and tossed the apples in her hand to a scraggly urchin sitting on a nearby crate.
"What's the score, Drin?" she asked, as the impish youngster rubbed one of the apples on his grimy shirt and took a bite.
"Looks like there's a few comin' in, the usual, mercs and monster hunters," Drin started nonchalantly. Merse frowned slightly, disappointed. After taking another bite, Drin grinned at her obvious irritation.
"The crew gets equal shares, right?" he queried, as Merse stared at his sudden change of subject. Obviously already aware of the answer, Drin continued, "then I want on the crew this time." Merse's eyes narrowed.
"You're still a brat, why would they take you?" Merse snapped.
"'Cause I gots a better eye than the lot of you put together," Drin grinned. Merse glowered, then nodded.
"I'll let 'em know, but what they do with you is up to them. Now, whaddaya got?" Merse growled, knowing that Drin was obviously holding back something good until she agreed.
Drin gave the empty alleyway a quick look, then leaned in, "Word is one hunter party greased the guards to get a covered wagon inside the gates. No clue as to what's in it, but they looked pretty twitchy, must be worth a pretty penny."
Merse smirked at the self-satisfied Drin, then headed off to the Hog's Wallow, a popular tavern amongst the adventuring crowd. While Merse wasn't a particularly big-buxomed wench, her quick hand had made her invaluable to her employer, as she was able to extract payment from even the most unwilling customers, although often the customers didn't realize that they had made good. Although it was a steady job, Merse was more interested in the information available from the tipsy patrons. It also happened to be an excellent way to slip a sleeping potion or two into an unwitting subject's food.
Locating the troupe Drin had mentioned was quite simple, as the Hog's Wallow naturally drew in all visitors to the town. After slipping a slow-acting sleeping concoction into their food, Merse finished cleaning up the tavern and watched the group stumble out the door at closing time. As she locked up, a shady figure paused next to her.
"It's the group of six hunters," Merse whispered. "Drin said they got a wagon, must be worth the pickings. Oh...and Drin wants in." The figure grimaced, then nodded. "Lie low after, I'll let you know when it's clear."
The figure melted into the shadows, and Merse headed out though the night gate of the city to her shack outside the walls. While it was risky not staying in the city, there was much more privacy there, especially when ill deeds were underway. Finally reaching her abode, Merse tossed her belongings inside, started a small fire in the hearth, and grabbed a bucket to fetch water for the night while the setting moon still gave off a dull glow. Returning to the door, she was about to step in when a slight movement caught her eye. Merse reached for a dagger she had hidden on her, but paused when the small shadow came close enough for her to recognize it.
"Drin! What the..." Merse's hiss trailed off as Drin barreled into her, shoving her into the cabin. Not missing a beat, Drin turned and barred the door, panting heavily.
"Drin?" Merse said insistenty. As though only just realizing her presence, Drin turned to Merse with a vacant look in his eye.
"I told 'em it wasn't normal, an archmage guarding a trophy wagon, but they didn't listen. I told 'em..." Drin muttered. It was only at that moment, in the dull red glow from the fire, did Merse realize Drin was covered in blood. Her stunned stare was only broken by a rattling against the outside wall of the shack.
"It followed me!" Drin screeched. "I told 'em, I told 'em...!" Before Merse could react, the door of the shack caved in, taking Drin with it. It was only then she got her first glimpse of the creature that had hunted a terrified Drin.