The Seventh Sin: Part 2 – The Indecipherable ScrollVikki led them back to her home in the southwest corner of the Merchant District of Freeport. They waited while Vikki went to collect her friend.
“Are you sure she really saw Ilmarė?” asked Vlad.
Sebastian shrugged. “My compatriots in The Shield have yet to find her. We’ve run out of options.”
Beldin grunted. “I believe her,” he said. “I’m more concerned that this plan will work.”
“It’ll work,” said Vlad. They were all dressed in their finest attire. “We’re just gentlemen taking their ladies out for a walk.”
“Finn arranged for passage,” said Beldin. He tugged at the frilled collar around his neck. “We just have to get her there.”
Vikki returned with her friend. She was slender, pale, and beautiful. Both women were dressed in ball gowns.
“How do you do.” Vlad bowed. “I am Vlad Martell. This is Sebastian Arnyal and Beldin Soulforge. Would you do us the honor of allowing us to escort you to you…destination?”
Vikki tittered. Her friend was not nearly as amused.
“I am Arilee Stormcrest,” she said nervously. “Can we go now?”
“Certainly.” Vlad offered Arilee his arm. Vikki took Sebastian’s. Beldin walked ahead of them.
They walked for a while, wending their way through the streets.
“Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m leaving Freeport?” Arilee had relaxed a bit.
“Nope,” said Vlad. “Your business is your own. I’m much more concerned for my friend. It’s not like her to disappear like that; she can take care of herself.”
Arilee took in Vlad with lowered lids. “This friend…she is your lady?”
Vlad guffawed. “No,” he said with a smile. “Just a friend. She’s not fond of humans.”
“That’s why we get along,” muttered Beldin.
“Oh.” Arilee smiled shyly.
“Well, well, well, look what we 'ave 'ere!”
Price’s voice rang out from the Freeport fog. He shined his bull’s-eye lantern at Vlad’s face. “Blimey! Look who i' is! Fancy bumpin' in'er yew on a night like dis. What yew all up to?”
Vlad felt Airlee’s grip on his arm tighten. He squeezed her hand back.
“Good to see you, Price. We’re just taking a walk to dinner at The Last Resort.”
“Is that so?” Four of the Sea Lord’s Guard accompanied Price. “Too bad abaaaht that place, what wiv da bombings an' all. They could use da business.”
“Aye,” said Vlad.
Price peered over Vlad’s shoulder. “Hello Sebastian. Thanks ter you, I got me a promoshun. I am sergean' now. You can stop a bomb at da Caaahrts any time!”
Sebastian smiled painfully. Price could be dreadfully crass.
Price shined his lantern back at Vlad. “If yew see da bi' ov elf fluff, let 'er know I'm movin' up in da world, right?”
“I will,” said Vlad. “Well, we should be off.”
“Ov caaahrse, ov caaahrse,” said Price. “See yew later then.”
They began to walk slowly, carefully away from the guardsmen.
“Hold it!” shouted Price.
They all froze.
“I nearly forgot ter tell yew! I just arrested yaaahr friend Kham.”
Beldin let out an exasperated sigh.
“He's bein' arraigned in da local caaahrts, but i' doesn't look good fer 'im. Have a nice night!”
Arilee peered over Vlad’s shoulder at the receding lamps of the guardsmen. “I thought for sure they’d recognize me!”
Vlad shrugged. “I imagine they’re looking for a desperate woman on the run, not a lady out on the town with her man.”
Arilee blushed, but Vlad couldn’t see it.
“Besides,” said Sebastian. “Price only cares about Price.”
“We’re here,” said Beldin.
The docks practically jumped up on them, such was the fog in Freeport that night. An undir woman sat in the boat, covered in a cloak.
“Hello Beldin,” said the woman. “I’ll be booking passage for your lady friend. Finn asked me to tell you that you two are now even.”
Beldin nodded. “I expect nothing less.”
The dwarf handed Arilee a bag full of her belongings.
“And now I will repay my debt to you,” said Arilee. “I saw your elf friend grabbed by a man near the Marquis Moon in the Old City. I didn’t get a good look at him, since I was worried about my…own situation at the time.”
Vlad took the note from her. “Thank you.”
Arilee got on her tiptoes to kiss Vlad on the cheek. “No, thank you,” she whispered, just for him. Then she got into the boat.
Vlad was still staring after the boat as it departed into the mists.
Beldin tugged on his arm. “Let’s go.”
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