Meeting Miss Nessah

“Jonas, I tell you,” said Shellah as they hurried from the Swordsmen’s Guild to the Briar and Rose Inn, where their potential client was staying. “This one might be weird. I knew you were in town and since your last gig went sideways…”

“Shel,” he interrupted. “My daughter just showed up with her five hungry babies, and no sign of her no-good husband. I need the money and… I need to get out of that house.” He walked even more quickly. “I don’t even need to know any details, I just need to get out and let the guild know where to drop some funds every once in a while.”

“Oh, Great Goddess,” swore Shellah. “That sounds like hell. I never wanted any, myself.”

“I thought we were done with babies, done!” he huffed. “This inn is around the corner, right? It’s not often we’re in the swankier side of town.”

Shellah laughed, which eased her anxiety a little. “We’ve both been to Corom City and Larinium. In comparison, The Briar and Rose is a roadside wayside.”

“True.”

The street wound into a neighborhood that was a little brighter, cleaner and better smelling than much of Northport. The inn was a broad-faced, whitewashed building with new thatch and neat shrubbery along its front wall. Torond Greensman awaited by the double doors at the entry as the second watch bell rang through the city.

“Good morning, Miss Skyfast. I am glad to see you were not delayed,” Torond bowed in greeting.

“Mr. Greensman, this is Jonas Ricer, a fellow licensed Swordsman. He has much experience and great references from the merchant guilds.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Greensman,” said Jonas, extending his hand. Torond shook it.

“Ricer, that’s a Larin name, is it not?” asked Torond.

“Yeah, my great-grandda’s family originally came from there, before the wars. We’ve been settled in Corum for a few generations now. My father was in the king’s service, as was I.”

Torond nodded. “Excellent. Let’s meet my mistress, she’s inside awaiting us in her sitting rooms, and we can continue introductions there.”

Shellah and Jonas followed Torond into the inn. He briefly whispered to the innkeeper to bring up refreshments. They went up softly carpeted steps to a sunny sitting room, where a lavishly gowned woman waited, backlit by the midmorning sun. Her full silk skirts rustled as she turned on her divan to receive them.

“Miss Nessah, here are Stellah Skyfast and Jonas Ricer, the swordsmen I’ve engaged for your service.” Torond sat down and gestured they do the same.

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“Hello,” said Nessah. “I am Nessah Nafissar, of Corom City.” Shellah noted Nessah was a bit younger than herself, though in an ageless way that made it hard to determine how much younger, and how much artifice was involved in that illusion. There was no gray in her dark hair and her pale skin was unlined, without marks. Her rich red gown cast a glow on her face which further added to her appearance of youth. Her voice, however, was rich and confident, and she wore a peculiar resinous perfume, scented with other herbs Shellah couldn’t quite place.

The innkeeper arrived with a knock on the door, bearing a tray of tea, rolls, and fruit. Torond took it and placed it by Nessah, who delicately took an apple. She polished it on her napkin. Shellah was struck by the similarity of a painting she once saw in Corum City, of an enchantress bearing a poisoned apple. That was the scent, the perfume of the city’s alchemists and sorcerers, and their exotic collections of rare incense.

“Ma’am, Mr. Greensman says you wish to travel to the Shielings?” Shellah asked, suddenly wishing she felt a little more kindly towards her knitting and little room at Cooper’s.

“Yes,” Nessah replied, without further clarification as to why.

“We’d like to depart this week,” added Torond. “Ordinarily, I would chaperone and support Miss Nessah’s travels, but I have an errand for our mutual employer back in Corum City that cannot wait. Of course we would pay handsomely for her safety and comfort when abroad, particularly in these dangerous times.”

“We will need to secure passage to Dun Darlow, which should not be impossible,” said Jonas. “But we’ll need to see who’s willing to sail with the Reavers in the waters. That might be expensive?” Torond waved as if that would not be an issue.

“And Mr. Greensman said last night you’d need to visit elsewhere in the Shielings?” asked Shellah. “Also on the main island?”

Nessah’s face creased slightly with annoyance. “My business there will depend upon what I learn from my contact in Dun Darlow. I’d rather not speculate until I know more details. And outside of the general route and travel requirements, would you need to know more?”

“We would just need to know risks and anything necessary to ensure your safety, Ma’am. Your privacy of course is of utmost importance, and we would travel with the greatest discretion,” reassured Jonas.

“We will require the standard guild retainer, paid up front to the guild office, and that all guild standards be met, including a signed contract for scope of work,” clarified Shellah. “I just want to be clear that we will not defend contraband or perform other illegal activities, per the guild standards of the kingdoms.” Jonas gave her a questioning side glance.

“Of course,” confirmed Torond, with a nod to his lady. “Though our errand is a private matter, we will be doing nothing outside of the rule of law here in Corom. I will attend to any guild paperwork and fees with you both later today, and we can discuss schedules as well.” He rose to usher them out the door. Nessah remained seated on her couch, face unreadable. The door closed between them.

Shellah made a show of walking towards the stairs, then put her finger to her lips, and pointed at the door. They waited for a moment to listen.

“Really, Torond? This is who you found? Two old merchant guardsmen? It’s remarkable they don’t audibly creak as they move about,” they heard Nessah say.

“They’re the only two swordsmen in town at the moment who can travel immediately. And the woman is a native Shieling. That will help you over there, with your… errand, once you’ve spoken to...” They couldn’t make out the name Torond said. “Her references checked out. Strong, known to be shrewd, highly regarded. I’m sure his will as well.”

“She asked a lot of questions,” said Nessah.

“If everything goes to plan, there will be nothing to question,” said Torond. They heard a floorboard scrape as he must have moved closer to the door. Shellah and Jonas retreated down the thickly carpeted stairs.