[center][h3][img]https://i.imgur.com/FDpnPx3.png[/img]
[color=4393cb][i]Galinai Fineog[/i][/color][/h3]
[hr][/center]
	Had Galinai assumed courier work to be mellow and trivial, he would have been an utter fool. This thought alone occupied his mind as his and his pursuer's footsteps cut the dead silence of the Gray District's dense maze of alleys. Thin, decrepit houses of plain rock and lithified sand formed the walls of these nondescript backstreets in which the random thug now gave chase to the half-elf messenger. Gal's cloak concealed not only his face, but also the weapons holstered on his tunic's belt which a slender hand now searched for along his waist. He whipped around the corner, his fingers finally touching cold metal. Withdrawing the metal with a firm hand, Galinai quickly flattened against the wall and pointed the handle at the ground. His other hand reached into his satchel to make contact with a leaf of parchment.

	The other ruffian's footfalls neared the corner, and Galinai lowered himself into a stance, prepared to pounce in an instant. Gal's thumb triggered the handle mechanism and unsheathed the blade hidden inside, glinting in the chartreuse flicker of a lantern. He closed the satchel, and he trained his eyes on the wall's edge, where the chaser would emerge. Heavy steps drew ever nearer, their pace not wavering the slightest, and Gal leaped in front of the pursuer, baring his knife. He pointed the tip at the delinquent.

	[color=4393cb]"What 'ave ye?"[/color] Galinai demanded, jerking the switchblade.

	Galinai's eyes stole a short glance at his satchel. He had a message to deliver. The other man remained silent and jerked his arm, a knife sliding from his sleeve into his waiting hand.

	Gal undid the clasp of his cloak, and it easily slid off his shoulders to a heap on the ground. He angled his body and lowered into a defensive stance.

	The other man took his chance and lunged at Gal, swiping at the half-elf's face. The knife grazed across Gal's cheek, and in this window Gal reacted by snapping a kick into the other man's gut. The man stumbled backwards and Galinai touched a finger to his cheek. He saw red on his hands when he looked at them.

	The man rushed the youth again, this time with a set of thrusting motions. Gal stepped aside and walked back on his heels, angling his body to evade. Then, he caught hold of the man's wrist with one hand and tugged. In close range, Gal landed a few knees into the guy's stomach. Galinai stabbed into the man's side and kicked him, creating distance between them.

	The man coughed, a hand instinctively going to his side. Backing away slowly, he aimed his blade at the half-elf threateningly. His hand trembling on its grip. Gal stared back, unamused, his brow set forward in annoyance.

	The pursuer bolted in the opposite direction, and Galinai gave no chase.

	Donning his cloak once more, Galinai sauntered his way along and spotted a white bird on the stone.

[center][color=4393cb][b]* * *[/b][/color][/center]
	Galinai arrived at his destination, an unnumbered doorway in a back alley. A broken lantern, its light snuffed out, perched above the door. He knocked in the manner he was told. The instant he finished rapping on the door, it abruptly swung open to reveal a slimming Human girl no older than twenty-five, with deep blue eyes and dirty blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. He rustled through his satchel and quickly handed her the letter without a word.

	Her thumb traced over the wax seal, and she flipped it over to scan the other side. Satisfied, she nodded and looked up at Galinai. "Wait there." The woman disappeared into the abode, closing the door behind her, and Gal stood in the dark silence for what felt like ages. The doorway muffled the raucous discussion occurring at the meeting inside, between some thirty-something voices.

	The attendant reemerged, opening the door and tossing a small sack of stones into Galinai's waiting hands. "Thank ye," she said, passing him another letter, a different wax seal on its envelope. She glanced him up and down and retreated into the house again, this time for just a second.

	Gal put the stones and the letter into his satchel as the woman was returning with a wet rag.

	"C'mere," she said, grabbing his chin and pulling him closer. She turned his face to the side and wiped the blood from his cheeks. He closed his eyes while she dabbed the grime from his skin and added pressure to the wound. "Rough out there, innit?"

	[color=4393cb]"Verily, ma'am."[/color] Galinai replied. She released his jaw, and he stepped back. [color=4393cb]"Thank ye, ma'am."[/color]

	"Hand off that letter before the night's done." She took another good look at him. "I hear you folk are havin' yerselves another meetin', so it should be easy. Take care o' yerself, boy."

	He nodded, bowing in respect. [color=4393cb]"Yes, ma'am."[/color] The young woman waved him goodbye, receding into the residence where the group continued its meeting, no doubt up to their own business on this end. The door closed with a click, and their words became again indistinct chatter.

	Galinai descended the steps and an old elfen song caught on his mind. He would hum its long lost tune as he ventured towards the Nest. It had been a great while since the Dusthawks last assembled; Gal sensed something precipitous in that occasion. The night left Gal a ghost, drifting in the alleys while thoughts of what lay ahead rested on his mind.