[Val'keth]

Things had been quiet for a while in Montfort, and Val'keth had spent the past evenings enjoying herself at the Pandemonica. It was a rough place, full of the lowlife that inhabited the town. Nevertheless, the attractive dark-skinned elf found the club a valuable source of information, and she was interested in one person in particular. For a while, she had been collecting the odd snippet that was starting to make further investigation of The House of December an interesting proposition.

This evening, she decided, it was time to pay a little visit to Mr. December. Not necessarily to him in person, but to his shop, and the workers within. She had relieved someone recently of his jeweled dagger as well as his life, and since her funds were starting to run a little low, Val'keth decided it would be an ideal opportunity to look around his business.

And so, here she was, making her way down the streets of Montfort. It was raining, and the sky overcast and gloomy. Few people were still out with dusk approaching, most having hurried home to dry out in front of their fires. Val'keth paused in front of the imposing brick building, taking in the expanse of glass window the shop front boasted. Row after row of gems and jewelry was displayed behind the plate glass, and the shop was large, two stories high. A small plaque by the side of the door proclaimed it to be the place she had been looking for, so she stepped up to the door and pushed it gently open.

The room inside was exquisitely furnished, complementing the high quality merchandise that The House of December carried. All sorts of items were arranged in display cases, and Val'keth turned slowly, taking them all in one by one. Such riches would demand serious security, yet it was discreetly hidden if present. Or magical in nature, she thought. She stepped to the counter, feeling the thick carpet cushioning her boots, and gently withdrew the dagger and its sheath. Her slim fingers caressed the intricate carving and mounts of the gems, and she sighed. It would be a shame to part with it, but the dagger was more ornamental than functional, and useless in combat to her.

Not seeing anyone around, Val'keth was tempted to lean over the counter, but she thought better of it. Detecting magical wardings had never been her strong point, and there was no sense in making them suspicious of her yet. She instead rapped hard on a small brass bell on the counter.

TING!

TING! TING!

Rather enjoying the sound, she rang it a few more times for good luck.

TING! TING! TING!

TING!

[December]

The shop's proprietor appeared in the doorway that separated the bulk of the store from the back room. He was a tall, hulk of a man with perfectly white hair, and his eyes the color of a cool winter sky. Though his white hair and pale skin spoke of great age, the mere energy of his presence was that of a man in his prime.

"One ring of the bell is usually sufficient," he said. His voice was a deep, resonant bass.

He paused in the doorway. With no more than a glance and a smile, December took in every detail about his visitor... from her clothing, to her stance, to the expression on her face. He studied her, analyzed her, and came to the required conclusions within the span of just a few seconds. It was obvious she was here to do business and that she was unaccustomed to the surroundings. It was also obvious that she was hiding something... probably a great many things.

He stepped behind the counter and smiled again at his guest.

"I am December. What can I do for you?"

---

[Zade]

Zade sighed and shook her head. She and December had spent most of the day stacking and unpacking heavy boxes of supplies in the back room. By all rights she should have been tired, but she was BORED more than anything else. Still... she considered herself lucky. The store was going to be redecorated soon, and she thanked every god she knew of that HER involvement ended with sorting the materials as they arrived. The work reeked of legitimacy, and that could be bad for her reputation. And her sanity.

She had just sat down for a break when she heard December speaking in the other room.

'What can I do for you'? she thought. Damn...

That was the verbal signal for 'suspicious customer.' Zade got up and straightened her form-fitting black leather outfit. It was *supposed* to be armor, and even though it was thick enough in a few places to serve that purpose, the upper portion left so much of her 'feminine charms' exposed that its value in combat was debatable. Of course, cleavage-distracted males very seldom posed enough of a threat for that to be a concern.

Zade checked her weapons... the steel throwing-stars and the large dagger on her belt, and the four smaller daggers concealed elsewhere on her body. Her whip was coiled on a table in the corner. December wouldn't allow her to wear it in the store... something about frightening the customers. Like who would be frightened by a 6'2" woman wearing black leather and carrying a bullwhip?

Zade slipped her metal bracers onto her arms and stepped into the main room. Her job was to be seen, especially when there were suspicious customers about. She was supposed to be both welcoming and menacing at the same time. Usually she failed miserably at the first and ended up overcompensating with the second.

She gave a nod to the customer, and then leaned back against a far wall... well away from the counter. She watched and tried not to look bored. She failed miserably at that, too.

[Val'keth]

She smiled back at the man who had stepped into the room, surprised at the lack of colour to his face - and hair, for that matter. She shivered as a chill wound around her, cold fingers caressing the back of her neck. The rumours she had heard confirmed his next words as he introduced himself.

"I have an item here that you might be interested in," she said, placing the dagger on the counter. It sparkled gently in the light, the gems casting small flecks of rainbow glints around the room. Then, Val'keth looked up curiously at the woman who moved to lean against the wall.

Her eyes roved up and down, taking in the provocative clothing and the easy stance of a warrior. So there was mundane as well as magical protection for The House of December, she thought. And judging from the look on the woman's face, life could do with a bit of spicing up.

"So, are you interested?" Val'keth said, leaning forward toward December and ignoring the biting cold that seemed to be filling the room.

"It is truly beautiful workmanship, you must agree... and perhaps a fitting gift for your - lady friend over there?"

[December]

December raised an eyebrow and then glanced briefly at Zade.

"Zade is responsible for security in the store," he said. "My patrons always know that when they enter the House of December, they can conduct their affairs in peace and safety. Now... about this dagger..."

December reached down below the counter and donned a pair of white gloves. Then he held the dagger gently in his hands... as if it were a tiny child... and examined it. He turned it over and around, and studied it from every conceivable angle. Then he retrieved a jeweler's eyepiece, fixed it over his left eye, and repeated the examination exactly as before.

"Hmmm...." he said. He thought for a moment, then turned to Zade.

"These jewels appear genuine, but I would like your opinion."

"eh?" said Zade.

"On the knife. The craftsmanship."

[Zade]

THIS is new... she thought.

Zade stepped forward and took the knife in her hand. She felt the weight and then tested balance with a few quick wrist and hand maneuvers. Then she frowned and handed it back to December.

"S'okay," she said. "Craftsmanship's not great, but it's got a decent edge. It's a show piece... not for kill--...uhhh... not for actual use."

While standing near the counter, Zade took the opportunity to get a second look at the dagger's owner. She stood with more strength and balance than an ordinary person would. She was poised... yet relaxed. Ready to move on an instant's notice... yet hiding that readiness beneath a layer of calm.

"Nice blade," she said to the woman. "Where'd you get it."

[Val'keth]

She watched, noting the woman's - Zade's - poise and expertise with the dagger. Just as she was studying December's security, so she saw the woman studying her. To be expected, Val'keth mused, in such a place. A half-smile drifted across her face as she suddenly wondered if The House of December's popularity came from the opportunity the merchants had to gawp over an attractive figure encased in the tight leather outfit.

"That doesn't concern you. However, as you rightly say, it is worth more as an ornament hanging at some nobleman's side than serious use. I have little use for such frivolous toys."

Val'keth glanced at the array of sharpened steel in Zade's belt, and turned back to December, regarding him with just a raised eyebrow.

[December]

December gave a courteous smile.

"Perhaps I can relieve you of that 'frivolous toy' and exchange it for something more useful... say... 400 gold perhaps?"

[Val'keth]

Though she knew the dagger could fetch a price in excess of December's offer, she wasn't in the mood to haggle. She needed the money, and it was a reasonable price. She'd also accomplished what she'd intended - finding out what sort of protection measures December had in place.

"Four hundred? It is yours."

Val'keth raked one slender hand back through her shimmering white hair, still intrigued by Decembers own pale form, and glanced over at Zade. Poor woman looked absolutely bored to death leaning against the wall. Val'keth gazed at her with pity in her eyes, she was obviously not a free agent - or perhaps the money December paid was lucrative enough to make up for the endless routine.

[December]

"Very well then... excuse me while I retrieve the funds."

December disappeared into the back room.

[Zade]

As soon as her employer had left the room, Zade approached the customer and scowled down at her.

"December's too much of a professional to say this... so it's up to me. This is a legitimate store... NOT a place to fence your stolen goods. When he brings you your money, take it and get out. Don't

ever let me see you in this store... or anywhere else... again."

Zade stepped closer, getting within one foot of the woman.

"Do I make myself clear?"

Zade's fingers twitched, and her lip curled up slightly in an expectant sneer.

[Val'keth]

"Stolen? How DARE you insinuate I am no more than a common thief. Who are YOU to tell me what I can and cannot do!"

Val'keth's eyes flashed dangerously, and she leaned toward Zade, staring into her eyes.

"YOU had better remember that the profit from this transaction will pay YOUR wages."

[Zade]

Zade stifled a sarcastic chuckle. The woman obviously didn't know what December... and his employees... did in their 'spare time.'

"'The profit from this transaction' could probably buy and sell someone like you a hundred times, but trust me... December and I will BOTH do just fine without that pig-sticker of yours. He's doing YOU a favor... take the money and go."

[Val-keth]

Val'keth longed to slit this woman from throat to belly, but decided against it in the close confines of the shop. She also had an almost overwhelming desire to punch the smirk off Zade's face.

"DECEMBER!!! DECEMBER!!!" she shouted, resting one hand on her sword.

"Learn some manners fast, scum, lest you find others take more offense than me..." she whispered to Zade, smiling sweetly at her and turning back to the counter.

She was expecting a lunge after that, and all her senses tingled in anticipation as she waited for the minute sounds that would herald such a move.

[Zade]

"Scum? A gutter-wench like YOU has the nerve to come in here and call ME scum!?" Zade leaned in even closer, but at that moment, December returned from the back room carrying a tray of carefully counted gold.

"Consider yourself lucky," whispered Zade. She backed away, but didn't take her eyes off of the woman.

December looked at Zade and then at his customer.

"I am sorry," he said. "Was someone just calling my name?"

[Val'keth]

"Yes. Your - your THING over there is doing its best to lose you trade. I suggest you teach it more civil ways before I return," Val'keth snarled at him.

"That, I take it, is my gold. Pleasure doing business with YOU, I'll be sure to come back if I have anything else that might be of interest."

Val'keth scooped the gold into a pouch and stuffed it down the front of her shirt, then turned and made her way out of the shop. She sighed as the door closed behind her, and she looked up at the night sky.

[Zade]

"Plenty of room left in that shirt for some more gold!" Zade called after the woman. That earned her a stern look from December.

"What?" she said. "It's true."

"Perhaps you should be a bit more accommodating," December suggested. His tone clearly indicated that the true meaning of his statement began immediately AFTER the word 'should.'

"You know that blade is stolen," said Zade. She locked the door behind their unpleasant visitor. "And probably really easy to identify."

"Indeed," replied December. "And for that reason, it will never be displayed or sold in my store."

"They why'd you buy it?"

December smiled.

"Should there be a need to rid myself of a legitimate jeweler, this blade will somehow find its way into their inventory. Then... the authorities will receive an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen."

"That's a cheap trick, December."

"Ahhh... often it is the cheap tricks that yield the best results."

"True."

"I take it you had a conversation with our patron?"

"Uh-huh. Street trash won't be back in here again."

"Pity," said December. "She had excellent merchandise."

"Its almost dark... you need me for anything else or can I go now?"

"Go. I shall remain here," said December. "Theesa will arrive shortly."

"Here? What are you two going to do in... never mind."

"We will discuss her ideas for remodeling, of course."

Zade cringed.

"Problem?"

"No. Not at all."

She wandered into the back room, retrieved her black leather whip and left the store. She paused long enough to hear December lock the door behind her, and then started across town. The sun was just setting... and the PanDemonica would soon be open for business.

[To Be Continued]