Taris watched Aera while she told him how the salve worked. It was hard not to honestly, and now that he wasn’t in any pain, he became very aware that they were alone in her room. From the look in her eyes he thought she had too. As her eyes rounded slightly, she turned back towards the window and looked out over the city. Taris could see she was tense, like something was bothering her. He was about to stand when she turned around and leaned back. She apologized for the way her husband was acting today. The assassin opened his mouth to say it wasn’t her fault, but snapped it shut at her next words.

"Sometimes I wonder if he would be a better man if I had never married him, or even left him, now."

Her eyes snapped to his after the words spilled out, and Taris immediately knew her mouth had outrun her mind. Now he did stand, and her cheeks flamed. Quickly the Shadow Elf crossed to the door and peeked his head out into the hall making sure nobody was nearby and had overheard. His ears twitched just slightly, listening intently for a moment. Finally satisfied, he turned around to Aera and nodded. “It’s safe, I don’t think anyone heard that,” he said. “Just, let’s not let something that big slip again…” Taris’ face lit in a small smile.

But inside his heart thudded against his ribs. Did she truly want to be free of the man? Old thoughts flared and crashed against new ones in his head. She was even more beautiful than Layne, who had wrapped him so easily around her finger. Now here he was, more than a hundred years later, and this new woman he barely knew was constantly on the edges of his thoughts. Perhaps if he told her the truth about Kentaro’s whoring… No, he wouldn’t stoop that low, the man would be exposed soon anyway, if Taris had his way. He shook his head just slightly to clear his head. “Perhaps we had best return to the field, Your Highness. It would not do to have such base rumors swirling around that you had a strange Shadow Elf from a far off land with you, alone in your chambers.”

Aera nodded, “You are right, but I suspect the rumors will circulate anyhow, if they aren’t already. This city is… poisoned against our kind.” Taris retrieved his clothes, pulling his pants back on with an amused glance in Aera’s direction, and clasping the cloak around his neck. Together the two made their way back down to the outside and Taris bowed to kiss her hand. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I think I should return to my flat and get some more clothes. I hope to see you again at the banquet.” She gave him a smile, and they parted. Taris watched her leave for a moment, and ducked into the shadow between tents, emerging moments later in a nearby safe-house.

He disrobed quickly, between his blood and the salve, his clothes were done for. The assassin marveled at the jar of salve in his hands, already most of the cracks had sealed, and would disappear by the banquet. Rubbing the stuff into his skin a little better, the elf selected another set of clothing, this time a lighter grey for the tunic with black pants and cloak. Someone would die tonight, he’d decided, one of the dukes. Before he left he uncovered his mirror and called his master.

“A report so soon?” the hooded man inquired.

“Just an update, and a question. The princess is starting to trust me, and I’ve secured both her and the Spymaster as alibis for the duration of the contract, I believe. But there may be a snag. What do you know of an Enlor`Lei? He seems to be very knowledgeable about the goings on, and he knows Princess Aera.”

The guild master sat for a moment, as if thinking. He finally replied, “He’s den leader of the thieves in the city, also goes by the name of Envy. You said you knew the girl, how is it you don’t know him?”

Taris thought back, “I was insurance to make sure the contract succeeded, not part of the main job. I never went into the tunnels. Aera’s group were being chased by the target’s guards, I stepped in to help. Saw her a few times after that for the rest of the contract, but never this guy.”

The guild master nodded. “We’ve been on good terms with the den of late, you may be able to garner his assistance should you need it. Tread carefully though, he is dangerous and skilled. Continue the contract.” With those last words he was gone, the mirror just a mirror once more. Taris pulled the hood of his new cloak up, and Shadow Walked back to the tourney grounds.