“They took things of much greater value to me than just some gold. I’m a purveyor of fine wines and spirits,” Lureene explained in a tone that turned decidedly bitter as she continued, “and those worthless thugs relieved me of some of my finest bottles.... not that they’d know the difference between Sembia’s finest and their own rot-gut!” “The worst part,” she bemoaned bitterly, “is that they claim to be protecting the roads from the drow and bandits, all the while being the biggest gang of thieves themselves. If I could have hired guards they wouldn’t have dared to even stop me... but any low-life I could afford would have probable done worse to me than even the Red Plumes intended. Most likely cutting my throat and making off with everything before I even reached the Moonsea Ride. If I had just gotten as far as the Halfaxe Trail I would have been safe... the Grey Riders keep those thugs at bay.” “At least you escaped with your “dignity” intact,” Toran observed. Considering the state he had found Yrlissa in, he was sure the Red Plumes had similar intentions toward the beautiful merchant, and that she must have done some very impressive negotiating to get away unscathed... if she truly had! “They weren’t the first to try and include my “dignity” in the terms of a deal,” she lamented, the somber look in her eyes speaking volumes, “and they did try to take their “tax” from me in that way. But I only offer those “goods” when the spirit moves me. So I convinced them to partake of my stock before they got very far in what they meant to do to me, and, of course, they over-indulged themselves. I was able to stall them until they all passed out drunk, but they had already taken the gold and a dozen bottles of my finest. However, I was able to slip away with my “dignity” unsoiled... at least for the most part.” “I’m sorry I could only get the gold back for you, but you can take solace in knowing that, at least those six, will not be harassing anyone else” he professed, feeling even less regret that he had taken their lives than he had previously. “Still things could have gone far worse if you hadn’t been able to get them that drunk.” “Believe me... I understand what could have happened,” she admitted meekly. The way she turned her eyes away, as if shamed by the memory, told him that she may not have gotten away as wholly unscathed as she wanted him to believe. But then she looked back to him with a coy smirk turning her lips as she added; “I’ve been talking my way out of similar situations since I was little more than a girl... and I’ve gotten fairly good at it when I need to be... or want to be.” “And just when would you not want to be?” he taunted, hoping he was not misinterpreting her inference. “Like I said before... only when the spirit moves me,” she purred seductively, with a grin that reminded him of a predatory cat toying with a captured mouse and a capricious glint in emerald eyes. “Like when I want to reward a handsome stranger for returning my hard earned gold... and avenging my “dignity”.” “Oh no... Here we go again,” Styx moaned telepathically from his perch on the bar. He was always amazed at how, regardless of where they went or why they were there, Toran always seemed to end up tangled in the humanoids’ strange mating ritual. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Additional Credits: From DAZ3d.com * Victoria 4.2 by DAZ * Helen by DAZ Originals & Val3dart * Mystic Hallow by LaurieS * Sojourner V4 by Mada & Thorne