Writing Sample: "Interlude" |
Nataline`s split riding skirt swished in counterpoint to the rhythm of her boots as she moved across the floor of her room at The Pious Pirate Inn, segregating her belongings into those useful for the Baldurso job and those that should be stored for later.
A slim, short man with dirty blond hair leaned back in the solitary chair in the room, his dark brown eyes monitoring Nat's progress. A thin coating of fuzz covered his jawline and chin: Devin Boyle may have been an amazing thief but the ability to grow a beard still eluded him, although he stubbornly kept trying. "Must be good if you won't give me the details."
Nat’s gaze remained focused on the task at hand. She paused while setting an oil cloak aside for storage, letting it hover above the pile. "Do you think it will rain in the next day or so?"
The man shrugged as he retrieved a knife from a sheath along his thigh. He started cleaning his nails with the tip as he smirked as he observed, "She changes the subject." Still cleaning his nails, he tipped his chair back to balance it on the two back legs, his eyes on Nataline as he monitored his task out of the corner of his eye. "Now I'm really curious." Devin was a long-time accomplice and trusted friend - or at least he had earned as much trust as Nat ever gave others. He was a master thief, especially when it came to getting out of tight spots. Literally. The man could fold himself into all sorts of odd shapes and sizes.
Nat rolled her eyes and dropped the cloak onto the pile. "You're always curious. That's why we’re friends."
Devin smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. "That and because you're still curious." Nearly as long as they had known each other, Nat and Devin had teased one another about sleeping together. Both of them knew it was a bad idea, but the teasing snuffed out any sparks of attraction or curiosity that might be waiting to be flamed into dangerous trouble.
So he showed no surprise or offense when Nat scoffed in response. Instead of answering Devin’s question, she retrieved a pouch from her bag and tossed it to Devin. He caught it in one hand while still balancing the chair. Show off, Nat thought with affection as she returned to gathering the last few things. “Send half to Hillcrest, the rest to the guild. I’m not sure how long this job will take, and that should cover us for at least a month.” The money for Hillcrest would go toward her son. She trusted that the Quinns would take care of her son, Daniel, and she knew for a fact that Devin could be trusted to get it there - because she verified every payment. The Quinns might not approve of Nataline’s “lifestyle” and use it as an excuse to minimize contact with her son, but they had no problem accepting her money. Of course, they believed her to be a tutor in the magical arts. Would learning of her true profession be enough to make them refuse coin?
She doubted it.
Devin nodded and tucked the pouch away. “Any restrictions on our activity here?” Devin might play at being a scoundrel, but he focused on business first. As impressive as his skill might be, that quality is what made Nataline recruit him as a travel companion and partner. Daring thieves were a copper per dozen. One who knew when to be daring and when to plan? Well, that was a find indeed.
“Just the usual new city rules. No large ripples,” she answered. “There should be plenty of opportunities to score in a port city without making enemies. And stay away from the Baldurso guards and grounds. If I need you later, we don’t want anyone recognizing you.”
Devin nodded as Nataline headed for the door. This was all elementary stuff, but it didn’t hurt to be clear. “You mean, no stable fire?” he joked, chuckling under his breath as he referenced an extreme measure they had to employ to exit one town years back.
Nat chuckled and shook her head. “Only if you really need a motivated horse,” she quipped back. Dropped the bag by the door, she added, “I’ll be back for this within the hour. Don’t be here, in case someone tags along.”
Devin saluted her with his knife before she moved downstairs and nodded to the innkeeper on her way out the door.
A slim, short man with dirty blond hair leaned back in the solitary chair in the room, his dark brown eyes monitoring Nat's progress. A thin coating of fuzz covered his jawline and chin: Devin Boyle may have been an amazing thief but the ability to grow a beard still eluded him, although he stubbornly kept trying. "Must be good if you won't give me the details."
Nat’s gaze remained focused on the task at hand. She paused while setting an oil cloak aside for storage, letting it hover above the pile. "Do you think it will rain in the next day or so?"
The man shrugged as he retrieved a knife from a sheath along his thigh. He started cleaning his nails with the tip as he smirked as he observed, "She changes the subject." Still cleaning his nails, he tipped his chair back to balance it on the two back legs, his eyes on Nataline as he monitored his task out of the corner of his eye. "Now I'm really curious." Devin was a long-time accomplice and trusted friend - or at least he had earned as much trust as Nat ever gave others. He was a master thief, especially when it came to getting out of tight spots. Literally. The man could fold himself into all sorts of odd shapes and sizes.
Nat rolled her eyes and dropped the cloak onto the pile. "You're always curious. That's why we’re friends."
Devin smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. "That and because you're still curious." Nearly as long as they had known each other, Nat and Devin had teased one another about sleeping together. Both of them knew it was a bad idea, but the teasing snuffed out any sparks of attraction or curiosity that might be waiting to be flamed into dangerous trouble.
So he showed no surprise or offense when Nat scoffed in response. Instead of answering Devin’s question, she retrieved a pouch from her bag and tossed it to Devin. He caught it in one hand while still balancing the chair. Show off, Nat thought with affection as she returned to gathering the last few things. “Send half to Hillcrest, the rest to the guild. I’m not sure how long this job will take, and that should cover us for at least a month.” The money for Hillcrest would go toward her son. She trusted that the Quinns would take care of her son, Daniel, and she knew for a fact that Devin could be trusted to get it there - because she verified every payment. The Quinns might not approve of Nataline’s “lifestyle” and use it as an excuse to minimize contact with her son, but they had no problem accepting her money. Of course, they believed her to be a tutor in the magical arts. Would learning of her true profession be enough to make them refuse coin?
She doubted it.
Devin nodded and tucked the pouch away. “Any restrictions on our activity here?” Devin might play at being a scoundrel, but he focused on business first. As impressive as his skill might be, that quality is what made Nataline recruit him as a travel companion and partner. Daring thieves were a copper per dozen. One who knew when to be daring and when to plan? Well, that was a find indeed.
“Just the usual new city rules. No large ripples,” she answered. “There should be plenty of opportunities to score in a port city without making enemies. And stay away from the Baldurso guards and grounds. If I need you later, we don’t want anyone recognizing you.”
Devin nodded as Nataline headed for the door. This was all elementary stuff, but it didn’t hurt to be clear. “You mean, no stable fire?” he joked, chuckling under his breath as he referenced an extreme measure they had to employ to exit one town years back.
Nat chuckled and shook her head. “Only if you really need a motivated horse,” she quipped back. Dropped the bag by the door, she added, “I’ll be back for this within the hour. Don’t be here, in case someone tags along.”
Devin saluted her with his knife before she moved downstairs and nodded to the innkeeper on her way out the door.