Chapter 1 Cronemoor

Lila slowly walked over the cobblestone streets of Cronemoor, her tiny hand reaching into the pocket of her hide every so often. She squeezed her little body between the crowds of shoppers and townspeople. They passed by her with nervous glances, tightly holding onto their belongings, and pulling their young closer. She didn't blame them. Her bright blue eyes darted around, searching for a sewer grate, or the back of an alley.

"No." She stopped herself as she began to caress something in her pocket.

Following the directions one of the guards gave her at the dock, she continued on towards the middle of the city, scouting for a large building. It was a large city, larger than what she was used to, not to mention having never even stepped foot before now, she wasn't sure if she had gotten lost. Just as she started to worry, she noticed the big stone building with the words The Gray Candle etched upon it's only door. To the right, was a smaller, less pleasing to the eyes, wooden shack.

After second guessing herself, she breathed a huge sigh of relief, and wandered into Ren's Inn. She ran her hands through her thin, brown hair. It was damp to the touch. She hadn't even realized she was sweating. Wiping her forehead, she gave a quick scout around the dim bar.

To her left in the far back, a group of men around her age, talked excitedly over what looked to be a betting game. Lila smiled to herself as they cussed insults at one another. Another table, in the middle of the bar, closest to the barkeep, a group of older colleagues were discussing over their scrolls and ancient books. The bartender, an older man, kept glancing at Lila, the same glances she had received while walking through the town. Nervous by his stares, and being in a new place, she tucked her right hand in her pocket again. Once the tips of her fingers touched the hand carved statue, a smile came to her face and she was calm again.

She then noticed the tall, built woman at the back of the room. Alone, and immersed in a glass of some dark liquid, Lila couldn't help but think how stunning she was. Her red, brownish hair was long and wavy, sections of it pulled into braids. Her eyes shined like emerald jewels, her body perfectly curved in every inch. Even her master would have taken up to making a move on this woman, and he rarely associated with human females in that sense, Lila thought to herself.

"You there! Young lady, what have you got in your pocket?" A man's voice yelled out at Lila. The bartender had been watching her every move since she walked in. Dressed in raggedy garments, holes in her shoes, with a bow slung on her back and two short swords at her side, the bartender was suspicious.

"Who have you been stealing from?" The man said a bit louder, putting down the glass he had been dry wiping and walking over to her. Everyone in the room halted their activities, and stared intensely at the scene before them. Cronemoor wasn't known for thieves, and any sort of gossip would be interesting for the common folk.

"N-nothing," Lila stuttered in reply. She had been accused of stealing before, and while she had in the past, she was offered free room and board in exchange for her skills on a mission. She had reluctantly accepted, living with the memories of her home were too painful. With all eyes on her, her heart began beating faster. She didn't know anyone here. Tears quickly formed in the corners of her eyes. Like a habit she was unaware of, her right hand began going to her pocket again. Once her fingers touched the statue her emotions subsided a bit.

"Empty your pockets, now!" The bartender demanded, pointing his fingers on one of the tables he owned. Twitching nervously, with her hand still in her pocket, Lila's bottom lip began to quiver.

"Oh, for Reorx's sake!" The lone woman in the far back screamed, pushing up from her chair, almost spilling her drink.

"Give it here," she said, as she walked over to Lila's side. Lila was astonished, she'd never seen a woman move so quick.

"B-but," Lila exclaimed, as this woman, who was obviously much bigger than her, grabbed onto her and reached into her right pocket. Lila trembled from her touch, unsure of what she should do. She wished she was back home with her mentor. Even wished her mentor was still alive.

"There you go barkeep, Sir," the woman said, gesturing to him after picking up all of Lila's pocket contents with one hand, and placing them on the table. A glossed paper photograph of someone folded up, a small wooden hand carved mouse, and a few copper coins landed on the table. Lila's heart was beating fast, she hated confrontation, hated being the center of a spectacle.

Content, the bartender nodded, huffed and walked back to what he was doing. The other occupants, seeing nothing interesting to gaze upon had also returned to their previous engagements.

"I see you two have met." A woman's gentle voice was heard from the entrance.