It was there that throbbing in her head, the pounding grew only slightly dimmer over time. The memories of how she had gotten such a pain... well that was a good question. It would be the last time Athel played with the venom spiked liquor. Rubbing at her eyes, with fingers touching at the arch of her nose, inhaling the noxious fumes of cheap liquor, sex and all other sorts of debauchery.

Each step sounded a moan, scream or grunt of men and women giving to their carnal desires. Something Athel couldn't wrap her hands around, yes true she had those [i]thoughts[/i] from time to time but they lead to nothing. A pint would fix anything, so the desire never really struck her. Though it was amusing how much the bet had gone up since The Bloody Hand had come into town. She'd let them have their fun trying and let the pot grow higher, but was appreciating the boom in business they'd brought with them, or rather their cocks. 

"To take the edge off?" A voice sounded, then a hand with a silver engraved flask. Stolen obviously

"Your timing is impeccable as always. Thanks Sarel." Athel took the flask, with hesitation. Emptying a large part of the flask to her stomach. Musing a small cough afterwards.

"The Bloody Hand is still looking to meet with you and Delphi mistress."Feeling almost magically better, she knew it wasn't a good thing but to ease the pain it was work it. Sarel the only man she actually trusted with more power, perhaps it was because he was a eunuch. These mercenaries certainly notorious, but what was the reason behind wanting a meeting. Business was business, but perhaps a visit was in order to make sure her terms were settled even though it had been some time since they came to Antioch.

"Our friend came to pay us yet?" Athel wanted to know since the previous nights successful operation. 

"Yea, he's waiting for us at the Orchid."He pointed at the establishment. "Expressing gratitude for his increase in business. I'm just hoping he'll actually pay the rest of our bounty." Sarel didn't like the deal but business was business and he knew Athel would get her payment one way or another. Ending in either blood of gold. Either would suffice.

Stepping threw the double doors, she felt at home. Though it was money that was calling, catching the Spice Lord Ural on the second tier. Something was a bit off with his fish mongering look, tossing the barkeeps a small bag from her thigh. "Buy a couple of rounds, its too quite in here. Next round is on me!" She yelled out, followed closely by cheers all around. Cheers and music played louder as Athel and Sarl went to meet Ural. 

"Satisfied?" She asked, sitting down across from him

"Very much, coin well spent." Shifting a bag toward her, the jingle delighted her but it didn't sound like enough.

"Shorting me? Really now." Giving Sarel a nod, looking back at Ural. "I carry out your request to have your rival what ever his name is in front of the city guard no less and now your shorting me. Grab him." Sarel despite not technically being a man, did possess the speed and strength of one. One hand over the spicer's mouth the other holding the merchants right hand out.

"Obviously you haven't heard what happens if you pull this stunt. Now next time I will take your balls you try to short me." Taking the tables mutton knife and in an instant had smashed it against Ural's ring finger. Giving no prior indication of taking his finger off. Though the giant ruby on his ring finger would be sufficient for the rest of his payment. "Now get out my sight worm." 

Watching him scurry about his finger still squirting out blood. The hit wasn't official sanctioned, but with the current state of affairs Athel over went protocol knowing that an encroaching army was more priority that spice lords duking it out.

Next however was something that they hadn't expect. Waiting for a small supper plate to be brought an ear curdling scream was heard in the distance. Athel and Sarel looked at each other then the window outside. The Blooming Orchid was silent as the grave as more screams of torture came pouring over the city.

"Dammit, they could have the sense to wait until I'm myself. No one fucks my city except for me!" Exhaling an prolonged sigh, the mayhem she was used to just not on a scale so vast. Rushing downstairs and out of the tavern to gain a more collected insight to what was going on. Though having collided into one of the guild couriers. 

"I'll handle it my way. Favors or not." Quickly turning to Sarel. "Mobilize our people, this place is home after all. Groups of three, no less. Anyone who can bag one of this pricks will have their weight in riches. But don't approach them stuipedly. We aren't guards." Shocked at such a statement since money rare slipped out of Athel's pockets except for alcohol.

Sarel nodded and had proceeded with haste. Looking outside Athel had to admit she was a bit shocked, the fires, death and mayhem were overflowing. Followed by two of her assassins already inside the tavern. The three drifting into shadows, moving quick and fluid like the so many shadows coursing threw the city.

Finding one such of these attackers, they seemed a bit careless. Throwing one part of her storm blade at the culprit, pining him to an adjacent stone wall. The other part of her blade sung as it cut threw the night air, pinning both shoulders now. Blood oozing from the wounds. Could she take this one alive? Yea, but as the first and in bad mood because of the attack he wasn't going to live.

"You decided to agitate me to early." She spoke in whispers. Holding out her hand, in which a dagger from her group appeared. One motion was all that was needed as she stuck it at the attackers throat. "While your dying listen. If you wanted to die, I have no problem obliging you. But next time, DO IT LATER AT NIGHT!" Removing the blade, letting him gush out blood before returning the daggers and taking her blades back

"Now lets hunt these bastards." She said looking back her partners with a smile, feeling slightly relieved.