Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 9 - Before Dawn

A lone figure watched as Rash emerged from the alleyway and walked the streets of Dalaran back to his inn. They were the only witness to the massacre that befell the attackers whom attempted to remove Rash from this mortal coil. The figure wore knee high red boots - black around the foot itself and on the inner thigh - topped with a red and black crested kneepad, in the shape of a triangular heater shield bordered with a dull gold. The crest itself was of two golden crescents back-to-back with a golden sword piercing the bottom. Around the ankles, were equally ornate gold embroidery that complimented a similar belt. Her white blouse was simpler by comparison. Frilled and flaring at the wrists and punctuated with lithe black leather gloves; its high collar was tied with a red, gold-bordered cloth that hung to just above her breasts. A red wide brimmed hat with a gold brocade and a plumed feather on one side and a patch of white fur on the other, bent low at the front with white hair spilling out underneath adorned her head, hiding her face somewhat. She had worked hard to follow the man this far and was absolutely dumbfounded to see him survive the assault on his life just moments ago.

The woman had used a myriad of names in her life, yet here in the heart of the Kirin Tor she simply went by Fox. A smile touched her lips. Yes a perfect name for one who could be as sly as she needed to be. Fox moved from the wall she was leaning against and felt the warm sun on her back as she followed her target. Her features would draw most men to take notice of her, but today she didn’t want the attention. Today her gate was purposeful and quick. Rash was being given a wide berth as he strode forward, and Fox couldn’t blame the people around him. The snarl on his face gave even her a start when she saw him. It was all to the better, if everyone’s attention was on him, then she would go fairly unnoticed. After a few minutes, Fox noticed Rash had finally come to his inn. As he turned to his right to enter the inn, she turned left. Fox found herself in a wine and cheese shop. A friendly man in his middle years walked up to her.

“Hello there! My name is Lucian Trias, is there anything I can -” He stopped mid-sentence, his mouth hanging open slightly. “You’re a -” A sidelong stare and wave of her hand cut him off.

“I know what I am, but not many do, and I’d like to keep it that way. If you don’t mind.”

“A-ah, yes, yes, of course,” stammered Lucian, bowing shortly and apologetically. “How can I help you ma’am?”

Fox put on her shyest smile and removed her hat, holding it with both hands behind her back. She even allowed herself to blush a bit. “Why yes actually. I was wondering, for an extra coin could you deliver a bottle of wine for me to the inn across the street?”

“To the Legerdemain? Of course! We have a fair selection here, is there something particular you’re looking for?” The man gestured to a wine rack behind him.

“Yes, I’d like a nice red, something a little sweet. If you could deliver that as soon as possible that would be great.” Fox kept the smile on her face, and as the man removed a bottle from the rack, she produced a small letter from her belt pouch. “And if you would be so kind as to deliver this as well, I would be much obliged.”

Lucian glanced down at the name on the letter in his hands and tied it around the bottle with a small white thread. “I’m sure Mr. Rash Vandren will be very pleased with this wine. I will deliver it myself momentarily.”

Fox thanked the man, paid him plus a little extra and left the store smiling to herself. That letter would certainly set the wheels turning in Rash’s head. All that was left now was for him to make his decision. And for that Fox had to be ready. For if she was not, she would certainly die just like those men in the alleyway.

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