“Not very good with time, are you?” Nessa smirked at Allen’s question. She knew it was more a problem of where and not when. She pulled her hair up and tied it off with an elastic band. It didn’t dawn on her till afterwards that he might ask questions about how she did it. Magic existed here, so she was less worried about answering.
“I’m not the one who decided to meet this early in the morning. If you ask to meet at sunrise, you can expect me not to be punctual.” She moved over to the table and sat down across from him.
“You could have just stayed here. It’s not as shabby as some places.” Nessa knew better. Allen owned the establishment. She looked around at the heavily worn wooden furniture and sandy floors. The beds were likely compacted completely from usel, but she wasn’t going to test her theory.
Eyes of the other patrons met hers, and they turned away. Their interest in the conversation was lost as they weren’t going to challenge the owner either. The two other tables now focused on the food and drink in front of them. Nessa talked lightly to not rouse anyone.
“I just arrived in town. Here for the goods and I’m on my way.”
“Aye, I have what you need. Word is that this is a little more valuable than what we first dealed on.” Allen smiled.
“I would say it is. I propose I give you more.” She pulled out a satchel full of coins as silently as she could and spilled out some into the palm of her hand. They were stamped with familiar symbols to Allen. His smile dropped as he saw the gold and silver.
“Now, now. Do you really think that size bag can hold the bounty I’m expecting for this?”
“I would hope so. Allen, you have been my friend for more than a few moon celebrations now. The hope is that we will still be friends during the next one.” She remembered the day they had met. It wasn’t by chance, as he was a great lead to get her what she needed. It was this moment that it all had led up to. It annoyed her that he was willing to betray friends so easily.
“Now, you aren’t threatening me. Especially in my establishment.”
“You take that as a threat?” She put the coins on the table and pulled her left hand closer to her. Allen’s face changed from one of rage to confusion.
“Well, it sounded.” The table interrupted him as it knocked into his chest and toppled over on him. The patrons stood up with their weapons in hand. The blades did little to intimidate Nessa.
“I’m sure he hired you to keep the jewel safe, but he’s in no position to negotiate any further. I will be taking the jewel and leaving that money there. Divide it up as you like, I don’t care.” Nessa looked at the four men’s faces and saw no aggression. “Well then.”
She reached down to Allen, who was regaining his breath. She sent a spark of electricity to him through her fingertips. He convulsed and passed out to her delight. The exchange was going much better than she had planned. She let her senses go for a moment and identified the jewel in his front pocket. The placement was a spot of arrogance.
Nessa reached down and grabbed it.
“Well, Allen, it was a pleasure. Yours mostly, but I do thank you for this. Until the next time we meet.” Nessa vanished without the slightest bit of a gust as the men walked toward their bounty.