The lamp-lit streets flickered as the cool air blew through the city of Balzarsa.
The stillness of the night helped her think as she made her way; Annabella hadn't expected them to return so soon.
The breeze felt like a caress over her shapely body; the cold made her shiver as it coursed through her silky fur. Her Vulpine ears twitched as she listened to her surroundings; she only heard the wind and the lanterns swinging on their posts. 'Nothing but the wind', she thought, Flicking her tail, she moved on.
As she padded barefoot through the quiet streets, she wondered if they had succeeded or if something went wrong and one or two friends would not be there.
John...john smith? No, that's not it; what was his name? she tried to think, recalling the rogue's name that never used the same name. Technically, he'd never told her his real name, despite being with him for more than two years. "What did he call himself recently?" She spoke to herself.
Edwards? No, I think it was, Rickard! Yes, that's it!
She stopped briefly and headed towards the empty market square to get her bearings again.
"ah, gone the wrong way again!" she huffed as she quickly jaunted.
The square was vacant of stalls generally seen during the day; an immaculate and embellished fountain was in the centre of the court. Crystal clean water spouted from the top and down carved depictions of curvaceous angels.
she wondered if that was how they looked or was a product of a sex-depraved artist. Were angels real? Magic is real, so why not? But with these outlandishly lewd bodies? She chuckled to herself. Annabella had a shapely figure but compared to these stone statues, she would not even be in the same league.
She drew closer to the fount and sat on the edge, rippling the water with her fingers.
The water seems to glow in the night, a hue of blue light illuminates the fountain.
Perhaps the spring intersects with a font of mana underground? she thought.
Cupping her hands, she drew water to her muzzle and drank.
The refreshing taste slaked her thirst, and she could detect a slight hint of mana on her tongue, like a prickling of citrus but not the flavour.
"Given up on the inn?" Annabella tensed up and turned her head sharply towards the voice.
A black-clocked figure stood before her. A vulpine muzzle poked out from the hood; Their attire was blackened leather, and She noticed they made no sound as he walked toward her.
Dangling on their hip was a fine rapier sword and two daggers in his hands, cleaning both with a cloth. Blood was on them. Putting away his blades, his hands slowly raised to his hood, pulling it back.
It was Rickard. "young, eye-catching lady like yourself shouldn't be out at this time of night." "someone might have the wrong impression about you, and you do have a certain air of that kind of thing", he added with a licentious tone.
She relaxed. "If you have forgotten, I am a capable mage. unless you want a demonstration?". she opened a palm towards Rickard that crackled with arcs of magical energy. A tiny shock cantrip would not harm him but would erode that lecherous tone from him.
Smiling, He raised his hands in a surrendering gesture. "I mean no insult of your skill in the arcane," he cooly said. "but your observation of your surroundings needs work", he pointed behind him.
Two prone bodies lay motionless in the darkness. Grasping on crude wooden clubs. "they have been following you since you left your fancy wizard dormitory."
She gasped, quickly got to her feet and cautiously padded towards the bodies. On closer inspection, she could see they were thuggish dog men. The back of their skulls had diamond-shaped punctures; it must have been a quick kill. How did she not hear them approach or Rickard killing them, for that matter?
"Who are they?"
"No idea, but what I gathered eavesdropping on their conversation, they were out for some fun of the wrong kind. Would not have ended well for the second party." The rogue said as he rummaged through their pockets for clues. He found coins, which he promptly pocketed, a scrap of folded paper, and a strange thick cigar with a purple band.
Rickard unfolded the paper, "keep an eye on college. Look for a vixen with a short blue gold trim coat and a big hat. Bring back alive but not in one piece. Blow smoke into her face, do not inhale!"
"do not inhale, huh?" he said, looking over the cigar.
"Someone has a keen interest in you. any idea who?"
Annabella shook her head.
"Hmm, let's deal with it later; for now, let us head to the inn; the others are waiting." He drew her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "let me escort you."