Renegade Elves ch2

The female gnome gave Mallow Blacknickel II a very cheeky grin. She beckoned him with her finger.

The gnome was dressed in a low cut lace dress and a pointed pink cap. Her lips were full and sensuous and her features soft and rounded.

"You really need to get up, Mallow," said the gnome.

The accent didn't sound Lantan to Mallow, but then he had lost his own accent, after so much travel in human lands.

"We have to go soon, Mallow," said the female.

"Why must we go?" pleaded Mallow.

Then something horrible happened. The skin of the gnome went black. Her eyes turned red.

Mallow found himself staring into the red eyes of a drow. The drow reached down and dragged him out of bed.

It was Dagestu Baenre, his business partner and eternal creditor.

"Your father didn't build the greatest shoemaking business in the world by sleeping in," said Dagestu. "Poverty comes to those who sleep. Awake thou sluggard!"

"I don't follow your goddess, I don't need to be given a scripture lesson, thank you," said Mallow with a groan.

"We have to get to the ship, Mallow. You are packed. You just need to put on some clothes," said Dagestu, tossing the gnome a tunic and a pair of leggings. Like all of Mallow's clothes, they were brightly coloured, fashionable and very expensive.

"Well do give me some privacy while I take my nightshirt off, Dagestu. A gnome male does not care to be seen in the nude."

"We've travelled together long enough for me to get a fair few glimpses before," said Dagestu with a giggle.

Mallow sighed as he gestured Dagestu toward the door.

"Tell the servants to have me some sausages and fried bread ready, would you, darling Dagestu?"


**


On board the Hound of Tinlanding, Jatariel was teaching Breena a new ritual.

"You sip a little of the seawater and then you hold the seashell to your ear," Jatariel instructed.

"I have to drink seawater?" said Breena, making a face.

"Just a tiny bit," said Jatariel.

"So what exactly does this ritual do?" asked Breena.

"It is a ritual of purification," explained the sun elf. "Once you have performed it, thoughts of the ocean will fill your mind. You will be able to meditate clearly on the ways of Umberlee. This way you can safeguard your mind from the impure and decadent ideals of this Waukeen cleric."

"If I have to do this every time I meet the cleric, I think I'll try and avoid him," said the human girl.

Jatariel silenced Breena with her usual frosty stare.