[h3]Sometime before Raelyn murdered a man.[/h3]

[hr]

Raelyn walked through the Argonian camp, casually ignoring Argonians begging for food or coin, deftly dodging the odd Argonian who attempted to actually reach for her coin purse, and generally acting like the camp held no walls to her. She couldn't remember the last time she took a wall, border, or law seriously.   She had come there to seek assistance in what she referred to as her "Operation", but hadn't found anyone suited to the task of assault and thievery. She'd played a game of cards and had, in circumstances surprising to even herself,  managed to win in a hand of cards the actual cards themselves. While she would have rather had the gold, the thought of actually taking the card game was so funny to her she let the gold slide. That and the Argonians were in dire straits enough without her taking all their money. Now, owner of an entire deck of cards, which she wasn't quite sure what to do with. She couldn't pawn the deck, as it was worth nothing but her own amusement. She could attempt to gamble her way into  the townsfolks gold, but she'd felt that tricking these poor goat herders and trowel shufflers out of their hard earned coin days before was somewhat mean spirited, if funny. So this left the obvious option: actually play cards with some of the people in the mercenary company and gamble her way into their purses. Or just talk to them, nothing hurt from making a few more allies in this mercenary company. It had saved her life earlier, hadn't it?

There he was, that Khajiit pacifist who she kept confusing her with his damned shapely ass and suggestively agile movements, Do'Karth. She approached him, who didn't seem to be doing anything of importance and seemed to be walking off to do something that was. Not on her watch! In one swift movement, she sidestepped around and appeared directly in front of him, holding five cards between her fingers by slightly bending them. "Do you play cards?" she asked, grinning.

Things happened quickly; one moment, Do'Karth was lamenting the loss of his friend and needing to clear his mind, and the next Raelyn, the bard that had joined the company for reasons he could only guess at was suddenly standing before him, a disarmingly sudden appearance from someone that he had not spoken to before. After the encounter with Leif, Do'Karth was somewhat on edge about people approaching him unwarranted. He blinked slowly at her inquiry, to his recollection, it was something he hadn't been asked since his time in Hammerfell. "Uh... it has been a few years?" he responded tepidly, not exactly sure what to make of the situation or how long it had been. Was there an ulterior motive to the question? Someone didn't survive as a mercenary if the only skill they had was singing, and Raelyn seemed to be a bit too sly for his tastes. "Depends on the game, Do'Karth thinks." he looked around to see if there was anyone else waiting on Raelyn. There wasn't. "Look, now really isn't-" 

Raelyn put up one hand and said over him, "No, no, I understand. After a hard day breaking every bone in Leifs body, I too might also need some time to think about my actions." Though from Leif's reputation, Raelyn could only guess that her thoughts would be something along the lines of how could she do it again. She smoothly re-aligned the cards held in her hand back into a deck she somehow produced out of Do'Karth's sight. This she stuffed into her furred vest. She threw her other hand to her breast, lowering her head obsequiously, "I feel for you, I do, but would silent contemplation really help your loss?" She moved the hand on her breast to a gesture more indicating pointing to herself, "I myself have found that drink, companionship, and a game of chance much better at easing woes than the dim lit corners of an inn!" She paused, then added, "That and I have nothing better to do. Do you?"

"This one was trying to find a weapon vendor." Do'Karth explained, exhaling slowly through his nose, knowing he was in a situation where no wasn't going to be an option. Rubbing the back of his head and looking around for a possible escape but seeing none, he resigned himself. "Fine, a game or two. Where to?" he asked.

Raelyn's grin widened, radiating an uncanny amount of good cheer, "Why, what other place than the Inn?" She gestured to the establishment itself. "If you have anyone else you'd like to drag along, feel free to bring them as well, though I do have another player. Are you familiar with a man named Weasel Strand? She slipped to Do'Karths side in a surprisingly quick movement, put one hand gently to his back, and nudged him along, "Not his maiden name, of course, though I'm sure if you saw him you'd understand why he has the moniker. He tells me he's a fisherman, which seems like a likely sort of work until you consider he's more often near the shore than the port. Men and their mysteries!"

"This one does know anyone who plays cards." Do'Karth shrugged, looking over at the woman when she mentioned a 'Weasel Strand'. People with aliases always had something to hide, it was something he knew full from personal experience. He allowed himself to be gently pushed along, listening to Raelyn explain the details about this Weasel individual, which he decided to take with a grain of salt. Although, he bad could a fisherman be... if he actually was one. Raelyn did an adequate job of shining doubt on even that.

They reached the inn in short order, the establishment reeking of spilled liquors and the body odour of far too many individuals, prompting the Khajiit to wrinkle his overly sensitive snout. It was what found the refuge from the blizzard that saved the Windhelm refugees, albeit with Falmer entanglements, but at least you could fight Falmer. The weather was a less tangible thing to battle. He'd heard stories of how the Dovahkiin was once able to clear the skies with his voice alone; what a marvelous talent that would be! 

Finding an unoccupied table, a rarity in itself, Do'Karth and Raelyn took a seat. "So, where is this Weasel of yours?" the Khajiit inquired, drumming his claws in sequence across the hardwood table. 

Raelyn smiled, "Oh, he always seems to pop up-" and suddenly Weasel was behind her, saying in a voice that was comically shady and reeked of trustworthiness, "When you least expect me, yes." Raelyn had almost jumped out of her seat with surprise.

 He put both hands on the back of her chair, leaning close to her ear, "What made you decide on keeping a house cat?"  He gave Do'Karth a leer. 
 
Raelyn said, "This is the man that broke every bone in Leifs body, or so I've heard." 

Weasel froze and looked to Do'Karth like he had seem him for the first time. He stood up straight then followed  with what he probably thought was a respectful bow but seemed more like he was going to throw his back out. He gave a mockery of a sophisticated accent, which through his slimy growl just sounded ridiculous, "I must apologize for my previous statement." He said in a tone that indicated that not only was he not sorry, but he'd do it again behind Do'Karths back. "If I knew I was speaking to a damned hero, I'd have had the decency of bringing you up to a lion!" He said, with an almost painful lack of sincerity.

Raelyn was happy with this outcome. She had been worried to speak to this man as she suspected he was a liar, which he certainly was, and now having Do'Karth along brought certain assurances. She now knew, if Weasel were to try to hurt her, Do'Karth would maybe not kill him but leave him in such a state that he would wish he were dead. On the side, she suspected Weasel would play bad hands and be generous with his money when they played cards, if only to not piss off Do'Karth. She wasn't entirely sure the man might not betray her and play an actually good hand, which was incompatible with her goal of fleecing people for money. Now that she thought of it, she was certain that Do'Karth would be easy to push into most situations. I mean, she'd barely had to wheedle to get him to come somewhere he clearly didn't want to be. Today was going to be great!

"There is nothing to apologize for." Do'Karth replied dismissively, glancing at Raelyn. Something told the Khajiit that she wanted him here for something more than a game of cards. Had news of his duel spread so quickly? Do'Karth didn't fancy himself as an enforcer for someone he barely knew. Still, it helped to know exactly what he'd unwittingly found himself in. "And how do you two know one another? Is this one amiss in noting that there is a certain tension between you?" 

Weasel snorted and sat down, "She suddenly appeared when me and my fishermen boys were in that Argonian camp. You know, to ask for fishing advice. Cause they're lizards."

Raelyn giggled, "Yes, swamps are a known hot spot for fishing." She smoothly began to divide the deck of cards between the players, in a series of hand movements so effortless and quick it was clear she had dealt cards often. 

Weasel looked at his cards, holding them in front of his face like a fan, "Yeah, then she asks if she could buy some fish. I tell her I already sold all the fish today, but we could bring her along to catch some next time we went to sea."

Tornn was known to Raelyn as a man who was found dead floating by the docks, after having agreed to travel along as a fisherman with Weasel. She suspected foul play, but the man was drowned with no sign of stab wounds or mystical artifice.

She said, flicking the cards towards Do'Karth with alarming speed, "I sadly had to decline the offer, as a proud member of Ashav's illustrious and fine reputed mercenary company, I couldn't give them the time of an entire fishing trip. That and many men find the smell of fish repugnant, so no."

The Khajiit snatched the cards in a deft flick of his own hands, keeping pace with the young woman. "This one has found ships and boats and just the ocean in general to be a terribly inhospitable place. It is rather remarkable that people make a living off of it. Do'Karth has never spoken at length to more than the two Argonians in the company on a rare occasion, so he will have to take you at your word in regards to their fishing prowess." He said, looking at the hand he was dealt. "What game are we playing?" he asked, realizing that the introductions had left little time for rules or format. 

Raelyn grinned, holding her cards, "Mudcrab Sling. It's fairly easy to play. The trick is to lay down the highest hand. Barring that, just lay down card hands until you figure out which ones are highest! There's also a round of betting before this. Usually septims, sometimes personal affects. Like maybe one of your fishes, Weasel!"

Weasel narrowed his eyes, not sure if fishermen just carried around fish. "Yes. Like one of my fish."

Raelyn turned her head, looking at Do'Karth like she was trying to stare through him. "I'm going to bet my hat!" she removed the foppish article from her head.


"Do'Karth is [I]not[/I] betting clothing. This is not going to be one of those games." he said, pulling a pair of coins from a pouch and tossing them carelessly on the table. He wasn't exactly enthused with his hand, but it certainly wasn't the worst.

"It's a hat, not my leggings Do'Karth. Unless Khajiit have a thing for hair?" She leaned in, with curiosity, "Do they?" Raelyn looked at her hand with the same loose smile she kept on pretty much all the time. Internally, she was swearing like a sailor. She was pretty sure she was going to lose her hat. She said, "I'll fold."

Weasel said, following directly after Raelyn, "Fold." His gave one glance to Do'Karth before quickly flicking away.

With a shrug, Do'Karth laid out his cards on the table. Considering it was the only hand left in play, it won by default. "We are covered in hair, so yes; smooth skin is peculiar. You may keep your hat, if you wish. It isn't Do'Karth's style." he said, offering a palm for reshuffling all of the cards. He looked quizzically at Weasel. "You felt your hand wasn't worth playing?" he asked. Something definitely was going on that he was barely picking up on, but what? 

Raelyn retrieved her hat, saying "Very charitable of you! I'll consider it a donation to the arts"  she turned her head to look towards Weasel.

Weasel took this as a significant look and said, "Yeah, had two jester. Can't make anything out of two jester. I owe you a fish, by the way."

Raelyn added another card to the middle of the table, changing what cards could be dealt, and laid down about fifty septims. Weasel in turn, set down about twenty five, less willing to give away any amount even for a higher turnout.

Looking at the pot on the table, Do'Karth set his cards down. "This one cannot play for those stakes. He needs his coin for other purposes... mercenary pay is not all that alluring." he said with an apologetic smile, drumming his fingers once more and looking for a polite way to excuse himself from the situation. He promised Sevine he'd buy her a new axe, and he sure wasn't in a hurry to waste what little earnings he had gambling with strangers. 

Raelyn's smile twitched for but a moment. Her "scam Do'karth out of a large sum of money by pretending to be bad at cards" plan wasn't going as well as she planned today. She blamed Weasel for being incredibly bad at lying.

"Well." she said, "How about I add another say, fifty septims to the pot. That leaves us at one hundred-and twenty five. Then you can bet a favor." She grinned.

The Khajiit glared at her. "Vague and suspicious favours in exchange for a fortnight's worth of pay? How alluring." He replied dryly. "And what would that be, exactly?"

"Generally the idea of a favor is I can ask you for just about anything later, though if specific details make you feel better, how about showing up for the murder investigation for Vurwe Highorin that's going to occur tomorrow? That is, unless you really want to head to whatever battlefield Ashav is going to ask you to kill in."

It wasn't an unreasonable request. If he won the hand, he'd be able to afford a nicer axe. If he didn't, well... he would have to reconsider putting in for a transfer to another assignment. He'd have to talk to Sevine about having her request not heading out to sea again on account of her injuries. "That is not unreasonable. Do'Karth does not wish to become a thug or indebted into something that goes against his morals, you understand." Picking up his cards once more, laid face down as to not reveal the hand until the others were played, he said, "This one accepts."

Raelyn laughed, "Don't worry, I'm a very moral woman." She laid her cards down in the open.

Weasel looked to her and did the same. His hand was actually awful, only able to win in the most lenient of circumstances

[I]Should have went with your gut, Do'Karth.[/I] the Khajiit thought, setting his cards down face-up. Raelyn's hand was one of the most uncommon and valuable in Mudcrab Sling, and as such only two other hands could have feasibly beat it, neither of which were residing immediately before Do'Karth, his cards staring back at him mockingly. "Unfortunate." He'd remarked, tossing his hands up in mock surrender. "This one owes you that favour, he supposes. He trusts it will not be a malicious one."

Raelyn slapped her palm on the the table in a merry fashion, "Oh, nothing malicious has ever occurred from some circumstance of fate leaving someone in the middle of something they hadn't expected. There's the Hero of Kvatch, disappeared into some part of Oblivion I believe, The Nevarine, supposedly who is sending all those Kamals after us, and the Dovahkin who..." Raelyn paused. "Well,  as far as I'm aware, they were all benevolent and lived long and fulfilling lives. So much so, two of them convinced armies to fight for them in battle! I don't know what the Hero of Kvatch does. Plays dice with Sanguine, maybe."

The claws continued to rap upon the tabletop. "Do'Karth does not see how his situation compares to legendary figures. The Gods obviously had some hand in their success, they don't meddle in the affairs of your typical person. If that were the case, this one could solve this Kamal crisis with the flick of his staff and send them all back to Akavir and have a giant statue erected in his honour. Likewise, they won't prevent you from trying to call in a favour that is... less than reputable. Do'Karth understands the Gods. You, less so." 

Raelyn waved her hand dismissively, "Think of it as a mystery! Even I don't know what will happen. That's the fun part!" She tipped her chair back, arms behind her head, her feet against the table the only thing keeping her upright, "Maybe you can bring Sevine along, convince her to show you her mysteries. I heard solving a murder often leads to that sort of thing!" She pushed her chair back into rest position, then leaned forward, "And, well, maybe you'll learn more about me."

That prompted a bashful response as the Khajiit looked away, embarrassed.  "This one wouldn't know. And what would Do'Karth possibly need to know about you? He barely knows you, and so far it hasn't lead to any curiosity. If this one were to peel the onion that is you, he does not think he'll like what he finds."

Raelyn smiled wryly, "You wouldn't find anything too important! Anyway, I enjoy my privacy." Though her enjoyment of privacy often didn't extend outside of a bedchamber. "You know, I'm sure we'll get along splendidly."

Weasel chimed in, "I'm still here you kno-" Raelyn leaned towards him and put a finger to his lips. "Shhhh, later."

Raelyn continued, gesturing to the cards on the table, "In either case, the cards have been dealt and fate smiles on both of us, I think!" Though that would be hard to tell, death tended to beam his tombstone teeth where he wasn't wanted.

"We shall see, Do'Karth supposes." he replied non-noncommittally. Normally, he was quite keen on giving people the benefit of the doubt and to overlook their peculiarities, but something about the entire past fifteen or twenty minutes gave the Khajiit a sense of foreboding usually reserved for sailing. Setting his cards down, he stood from the table. "Thank you for the game, but this one has errands he needs to run still before the vendors close up the shop." Looking to Weasel, he glanced back at Raelyn. "Will you two be fine in one another's company?"

Raelyn nodded, "Oh yes, Weasel and I will be getting along great." She looked to Weasel in a significant manner while pulling the gold towards herself, "I'm sure with what we've earned today, we could have quite an evening, couldn't we?"

Weasel looked from Raelyn, to Do'Karth, then back to Raelyn who was now giving him a look that suggested he said yes. He grunted in affirmation. 

It was good enough for the Khajiit; if Weasel lived up to his name sake and tried anything in a crowded tavern, there were more than enough people to put him in his place, and Do'Karth suspected that Raelyn was the kind of woman who came more than prepared for any situation. He had a sinking feeling the evening's events went exactly as she planned them, which sat rather uneasily with him. "Well, allow this one to wish you both a pleasant evening. Until we meet again." he said, slightly bowing before turning and heading towards the door, to freedom. He wasn't entirely sure what he was leaving behind, but the idea of cards no longer held an appeal. If anything, it gave him something more than the war to worry about. Between Leif, that new Khajiit, and now Raelyn, tonight was not going according to plan. With a sigh, Do'Karth refastened his budi and headed towards the makeshift market in hopes of finally finding that damned axe. Suddenly, such a simple task seemed almost as daunting as fighting the Kamal. With a soured mood, Do'Karth pressed forward, not daring make eye contact with anyone else, lest they too have something else in store for him.