Cyttia looked stunning in her light green walking dress. Erinnia wore the light brown skirt that had brought her luck in the blue rooms of Faranzer. Cara wore a similar outfit. Nigel, Dael, Eyerthrein, Cade, Big Jon, and Kyrsstina dressed normally. Vanni, Eomore, Lyana Rikmon, and Boomer were warriors and wore armor and weaponry. Vanni, Eomore, and Boomer wore chain mail, while Lyana preferred leather armor. Boomer switched to a short sword. Vanni held Exeter, but one of Exeter’s strong points was her simplicity. Eomore was highly skilled with the rapier he carried. Lyana carried a long sword. The simple appearance of Roscoe and Knarra’s Robes of Sagain belied their complexity.
Rancide was a large town. Erinnia, Cara, Cyttia, Knarra, Lyana, and Kyrsstina received many offers of companionship as they walked along. The group followed the advice of Otho McNeil and searched for the establishment of Morck Bhroades.
“We are attracting a lot of attention,” Nigel said.
“It’s Cyttia! There’s nobody like her here,” Eyerthrein said.
“That’s right! Cyttia! She’s the answer. Cyttia, can you dance?” Nigel said.
“What are you talking about Nigel?’ the young Draith asked.
“The taverns are always looking for dancers. You will keep attention from the rest of our group. You can hire on as a dancer,” Nigel added.
“I can’t dance, Nigel,” Cyttia protested.
“Sure you can,” Dael injected. “Your movements are artistic. Just practice your flips and kicks. You are beautiful!”
Nigel said, “Then it’s settled. I see the sign of Bhroades’s establishment ahead. Cyttia and I will go in and proposition the innkeeper.”
Cyttia protested, “Nigel! I’m not going to…unless it’s with my life-mate!”
“That’s not what I meant! Your father would squash me if I even considered…it’s pretend. We want to create a diversion while the others try to learn something of the Dark Elves. I have greatest respect for you, my princess,” Nigel responded.
“Oh! OK,” Cyttia agreed. “If all I have to do is work out. But if one of these grimy weasels touches me, I’ll slap him into tomorrow!”
“You guys try to gather information that will lead us to the Dark Elves. We’ll attract their attention.” Nigel said as he took Cyttia by the hand and started toward the Dead End Inn.
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