Innocence

[Nadea]

The day was typical. Nadea woke up in her usual way; summoning Biztik to her side and ordering him around until all of her daily duties were done. After that, Nadea would typically head to the Brill Inn for a glass of wine and some relaxing before she had to rush off and destroy something. Sometimes she would head over to the Rest Inn Peace tavern, but as of late, she found it hard to go there. Gorthok’s death had hit her harder than she ever thought imaginable. Every time she went back to the R.I.P, everyone always asked if she was alright. She didn’t want to hear it this morning. Besides, she was still angry at Vilmah…and convinced that she was the reason for Gorthok’s death. Whether or not that was the real truth…well, Nadea just didn’t care.

Nadea stepped outside and called forth her Dreadsteed. “Ante refir, Benthadoom az ril tiros!” She spoke in a harsh Demonic tone for her mount to come forth. Once summoned, Nadea rode off and into Brill.

Once she arrived, Nadea hopped off her Dreadsteed and dismissed it. She then walked slowly into the Brill Inn and nudged Biztik ahead of her.

“One wine for my master, please!” Biztik spoke to the innkeeper.

“Here ya go, little one!” The innkeeper handed Bistik the goblet of wine and smiled. Biztik bounced over to Nadea and handed it to her.

“Kiel gul, Biztik,” Nadea grinned wickedly. “Now, stay here and keep an eye out for suspicious beings.” Biztik grinned and bounced, conjuring up a ball of fire in his hands. He then assumed position in front of Nadea, prepared, should anyone try to start trouble with his master.

Down the stairs came a young warlock. Her robes were tattered and torn. Her cape was not more than a small piece of worn cloth. In her hand lay a dull dagger. Closely behind her came her imp, looking slightly frightened.

Noticing the couple walk down the stairs, Biztik turned suddenly. “Raka adare daz laz!” he exclaimed, looking straight into the other imp’s eyes. The young warlock jumped, and looked at Biztik.

“Oh…I’m so sorry! If you want, Garqua and I can go elsewhere..” The warlock said aloud to Nadea, who just then noticed the pair at the foot of the stairs.

[Nadea]

“Biztik, heel!” Nadea said to her imp. Biztik grumbled to himself and sat down next to his master. Nadea took a sip of her wine and looked at the warlock.

“Pathetic,” she said to herself as she examined the pair. “Come forward, young one,” Nadea motioned for the warlock to sit next to her. “What do they call you?”

“Me? I am…I mean, they call me—“

”Bah, nevermind. Names aren’t important.” Nadea interrupted. The young warlock nodded and looked down at her imp. Garqua was busy examining Biztik, who kept the conjured fireball in hand, waiting for Garqua to attack. Nadea rolled her eyes and continued to sip her wine.

“Pardon me, miss-err…” The warlock paused.

“Just call me Baroness,” Nadea responded in a prude tone.

“Uhhh…right. Baroness. Anyway… I saw you speak to your imp as you came into the inn…how did you do that? Was that…demonic?”

Nadea grumbled. “You wouldn’t understand. Demonic is something you acquire once you have mastered the art of dark magic and summoning. Something not many people will ever achieve. Something-” Nadea looked around cautiously and put a hand on her horns. “That you couldn’t even imagine understanding without growing a pair of horns. Which is also…something that you couldn’t possibly achieve without greatness and power of my magnitude.”

The young warlock looked at Nadea with wide eyes, and then peered down at her own ensemble. “I can’t even afford a decent robe. All I can do is train and hope for the best.” She smiled softly at Nadea. “But I sure do hope I can be as big and powerful as you someday, Baroness. You seem to be the one who runs things around here. Maybe you can teach me a few things.”

Nadea cackled softly and began to dig around in her pockets. “Here kid, buy yourself a new robe, and perhaps a wand too. You’ll need one of those.” She tossed the warlock a gold and smiled.

The young warlock stood up and went into a deep bow. “Oh thank you, Baroness! You truly are great and powerful!” She called for her imp and happily hopped over to the door. “I hope I see you around some more, Baroness! Maybe you can teach me to be as great as you!”

Biztik mumbled to himself as Garqua pounced over to his master. He dismissed the fireball in his hand and wandered over to Nadea as the two young ones made their exit. “Perky one, isn’t she master?”

But Nadea did not hear her imp speak to her.

’I was like that once…’ She thought to herself. ‘So innocent…as if nothing could ever touch her.’ Nadea put a hand to her horns once more and slowly stood up. She downed the rest of her wine and set the glass down on the table.

“Biztik! Lets go, we have things to do!” She barked at her imp. Then she started for the door, pausing at the entrance for a moment before leaving the Inn. She sighed heavy and continued out the door. Perhaps today was a bad day to venture to the Brill Inn.

Nadea called forth her Dreadsteed and rode away.

[Ellsbeth]

((More more Madea! It seemed like a good start and aww... Nadea will pull through.))