Legends of Belariath
Shadow Tigress
A Night Prowl for an Orb
“ Very well. I shall recover your trinket… “ Her voice resonated within the wizards dome like room filled with old dusty tomes, numerous tables adorned with Phylacteries and countless other objects of obscure nature as her cold jade eyes watched over her client, an old wizard with dirty grayish hair yet adorned of a beautiful robe bearing many symbols and runes along it’s length. “ Good, good… “ The old man’s voice sounded as if he was pleased in the matter, his eyes were filled with wisdom yet tainted by insanity. He slowly grasped his staff with both hands, an old piece of oak as far as she cared, nodding many times to himself. “Yes, very good… very good… “ Shadow seemed to grow impatient as she watched the old man closely, one of her paws always on the hilt of her blade as was her habit, under her dirty black cloak awaiting his last instructions pertaining to the item itself.
“ Yes… It is a simple orb. “ He licked his lips in a disgusting manner which Shadow ignored, simply listening to his rough voice as he continued “ An orb which you can see within it a maelstrom of pink and bluish hues, dancing madly… “ He snickered softly as if he already possessed it within his grasp. “ It is within the possession of Maler Humburg Of Greycoast. I am sure the old bastard… keeps it with him at all times. “ He paused to catch his breath for a moment as if deciding something in an instant then continued. “ I don’t care, how you acquire it. Just bring it to me. And you shall be rewarded as we previously discussed. “ The old man seemed exhausted to speak so much as she simply stayed in front of him nodding in approval. “ You shall have it soon enough. “ Those were her last words as she turned and walked up to the window leading outside, the high winds at this altitude making her cloak open easily, as she simply leapt off the wizards tower and off into the darkness of the night.
A few nights later Shadow was atop one of the towns many guard towers sitting silently upon it’s roof watching the inhabitants going about their daily lives. The town of Greycoast was true to its name, being upon the coast it was mainly a port town for boats to unload their good, legal or otherwise. Many smugglers lived in these part despite the large garrison stationed here. The town itself was of decent size but mainly stretched out along the shore. “ Decent bribes… “ She though… focusing her attention on the lonesome tower near the eastern part of the city. High above the other buildings the tower of the mage was a splendid view as the sun was setting in the horizon.
Shadow waited until the sun was replaced by moonlight a grin coming across her face as she readied herself. Jumping off to a lower building carefully, leaping swiftly and silently from rooftop to rooftop heading for the tower. Guards roamed the streets at night making sure nobody was trying to make off with any goods. They were of little concern to her as she reached the vicinity of the tower, she glanced down to see the few guards posted at the entrance of the tower deciding up would be much more entertaining.
Cracking her neck and stretching wide she took a few steps back making sure her gear was well attached to her body. She then proceeded at leaping towards the tower bringing out all her claws out of her four members, free falling slightly a story hitting the tower roughly her legs bending slightly as she moves her legs and arms up and down anchoring herself to the building with all her claws. She growled lowly as if to signify her approval kind of grinning at nobody looking up at the sky. She then proceeded upwards clawing her way towards the top rather quickly. Taking a peak downwards as she reached a safe distance, noticing the marks she is making upon the walls of the tower, then upwards seeing she is reaching a row of windows. Thrusting her claws thru the walls of the tower pulling herself upwards, her claws starting to ache as she finally reaches the row of windows. Perking up her head to look inside carefully.
Crawling thru the windows opening she enters the tower, its cold marble floors sending her an odd feeling as she looks about swiftly. The corridor she is in being completely dark but her vision allowing her to see a few doors. “ Heh… That was almost too… “ A soft clicking sound is heard as she looks down having stepping upon a switch leaping backwards with a flip a lance impaling right across the room into the wall where she happened to be standing moments before. The lance Crushing the side of the wall in a loud resonating sound “ hrmm … easy… right… “ Her eyes wander across the marble floor then at the walls noting a few more triggers making sure to avoid them as she moves forward silently believing someone must have heard the disturbance.
Shadow silently walked around the inner working of the tower watching closely for traps and magical disturbances. Reaching finally the spiral staircase cracking her paws grinning wide, she hurried upwards to the last floor.
A smile came upon her face as she noticed only two doors upon reaching the final floor. She glanced from side to side, strong smells of sulfur exhumed from one of the doors thinking that would be his laboratory switching her attention to the other door. She slowly approached the door placing one foot in front of the other her vision being the only thing allowing her seeing as it was nearly pitch black. Her paw remained upon the hilt of her blade as her other paw extended towards the handle of the metallic door gently grasping it at first. Then stops moving glancing at the other door for a brief moment trying to listen for any noises. Although some voices can be heard it comes out distorted due to the doors metallic nature. She sighs and unsheathes her katana swiftly keeping it at the ready. She simply turns the cold handle pushing the door inwards with lightning speed stepping inside the room.
Glancing across the room quickly, blade in paw, only to notice the mage and some dryad in bed huffing and puffing in a sweating intercourse. The dryad atop the mage’s sword humping madly letting out squeals of pleasure as she leant backwards pleasure turning to fear as she noticed Shadow Approaching them. The dryad screamed and moved herself back forward falling beside the mage who seemed to be confused at her actions. “ Caught you at a bad moment? “ She grinned evilly her paw already glowing brightly with mystical energies infused in it, her blade pointing towards the mages appendage.
Maler seemed to be quite caught by surprise, only managing to stutter in disbelief. “ I… uh.. what.. the..urrr.. “ She moved closer carefully as the dryad suddenly leapt off the mage side towards what seemed to be her belongings. Shadow lost no time in acting not wishing to take any risks unleashing the mystical energies charged up within her paw unleashing a bolt of pure energy slamming into the side of the dryad sending her flying back against the wall in a loud scream of pain. Her slender body, beautiful in every sense of the word, slumped to the ground loudly.
She swiftly returned her attention to Maler who seemed to be still trying to grasp with what was happening. “ The Orb. Now. “ She simply said coldly. “ The… the Orb? “ He seemed confused a first but then realized what this was about. “ No… NO! You shall not have it! “ Attempting to raise himself out of the bed Shadow simply leapt upon the fine bed and thrust her feet down upon his neck slamming his body back against it. He whined in pain, fear and anger setting upon his eyes from having been caught so helplessly. “ One last time. The ORB NOW! “ Her voice was loud and growling loudly demanding what she had come here for. “ Urgh, i.. will not let you, get away… with this… “ She seemed unconcerned with his words and simply stated. “ Then perhaps you should take it upon the one who hired me foolish mage. “ She smiled down at him with an evil look. His reply came as no surprise. “ A name… and it is yours… “ His sweating intensified knowing all too well she could refuse. “ A man named Kerth Ulyir Now. The Orb or your life. Right NOW “ She growled out pushing the tip of her blade against his stomach. Her foot was now resting upon his chest as her uttered a word of magic, a part of the wall shifting and opening. “ In..in there… “ She smiled grinning wide as her sharp fangs showed simply lowering herself to him smacking him hard with the hilt of her blade sending him into unconsciousness “ What a fool… “
Turning to face the opening she enters and notices the flashing Orb feeling it’s power within the room grinning in satisfaction. Noting other various trinkets she fills her bags carefully making sure to not take anything overly valuable. Finally grasping the Orb within her paw feeling it’s raw power coursing thru her shaking her head and swiftly putting it away running out of the room and out of the tower as fast as possible. Wanting to get rid of the item in question as soon as possible knowing it to be a dangerous relic. Slipping out of the Tower from the window she came in, leaping out thru it down towards the city and into the night.
A few nights later she had returned to the Old tower of her client once again. The old man seemed quite excited beads of sweat running down his forehead as he licked his lips in anticipation of gaining the Orb. “ You have it? Hand it to me! What you wished for is upon the table. Now give it! “ Snatching the Orb out of her pouch and tossing it into the old man’s palms, grasping it tightly gazing within its splendor. “ YES! My precious Orb. You may go. Yes… finally .. “ His voice trailing off as he slowly reaches for old tomes placing the Orb within a pedestal. She simply gathered what was promised to her and walked out of the tower in silence.
As she silently made her way into the forest she consulted a small parchment indicating a few other interested clients. Putting the parchment away she disappeared into the forest without trace. Darkness engulfing her within it’s embrace as in the distance day was about to break.