The sun had fallen behind a few clouds in the sky as colors spewed about the once blank canvas. A hazy orange, a stabbing violet, quickening blue, and diluted red all coming together as if reveling in the presence of hastening night. This was the time for a thief.
But working was far from Xerxes' mind right now. All he could think of was the events of that afternoon to this following evening. It was like it was all a dream, their meeting, his aid. But in the end, Xerc knew, it all had to fade away eventually but some startling awakening...Though he knew he still was sleeping.
He walked with his dog beside him down the now sleeping streets of Arca; only a few passers-by had crossed his path but most of them seemed to have nothing to hide. All civilians, he suspected, no harm coming from them. He passed a few closed up homes, some with lights in their window ways, and others were stores ready for closing. His boots thudded tenderly on the cobblestone, Lethenia silently padding beside him. His pale face couldn't keep his grin at bay and he let loose. He stopped his treading and paused at the mouth of a dark alley, feeling the growing pressure in his bladder.
"Lethenia, wait here, " he whispered to her gently watching her comply his request. He continued further into the darkness and stopped at the dead end where he relieved himself. He breathed a sigh of relief and, when he finished, he strapped up.
All of a sudden, as Xerc began to walk back, he felt a weight drop upon his shoulders. He stumbled to the ground groaning from the surprise when the back of his shirt was lifted and his body was pinned to the wall. "What the-" before he could muster the rest of his words, a fist of adequate strength plummeted into his stomach.
The sounds within the darkness of the alley alarmed Lethenia forthwith. She plunged into the alley to her master's aid.
"You're three days overdue, Xerc! Where's my money?" Demanded the voice of the assailant. His oversized features were shadowed but Xerc instantly recognized the voice to be of Dirsk Mayhremen.
"Dirsk? Dirsk! I-"
The barking of Lethenia interrupted his answer. Her fangs coming head-on but was kicked to the side by the expeditious swipe of Dirsk's leg. The yelp vocalized by Lethenia caused Xerxes to cry out her name. Dirsk struck out at him as he ordered, "Call off your dog, Xerc!" noticing she was coming back to her feet ready to strike again, this time with flawless precision.
Xerc obeyed, "Lethenia, down girl." The dog backed down slowly, growling like an angered dragon. "It's okay, girl. I'll be alright, " he murmered then he turned to Dirsk.
The man's tight grip on his collar told him that he may be there for a while, when his thoughts were torn by the age-ridden voice, "You're not going to be alright if you don't pay me what you owe me. Now I'm going to ask you one more time: Where's my money?"
"Dirsk, I-I forgot."
"Forgot? Ha! An elf never forgets. I was born at night but not last night. Now try again." He slammed him hard against the wall, nearly knocking the breath out of him.
"Listen, I really did. Something came up."
"Wrong answer!" Dirsk's hard knuckles came crashing into Xerc's face, a drop of blood coming from his nose. "Now, I want my money, Xerc. I don't care if you have to plunder or murder to get it, but I need my gold from you."
"Look, I may cheat, steal, and lie, but I would never murder or plunder! You, of all people, should know me better than that!"
"I don't care, just get me my funds. And if you don't, I'll find someway or another to get it, even if it means destroying everything in your life...including yourself..."
Xerc's eyes grew wide with fear, barely finding the strength to answer, "Fine...I'll get you your money."
A conniving grin grew wide on Dirk's rough face as he told him in return, "Good answer. You have till the end of the week" With that his now empty hands flew ever-strong blows to Xerc's body and face. Even as he fell to the ground, Dirsk continued to rain hell upon him, but in a quick flash of final adrenaline, Xerc blew him back with a raging gust of wind. Dirsk flew back and landed unconscious on his face.
Hurridly, Xerxes climbed to his feet, cradling his bruised arm, Lethenia following closely behind him as he ran all the way back to the Wyvern's Tail Inn. Zigzagging through enigmatic shortcuts, he finally made it back to the building in one piece. As he stepped towards the entrance, he stopped, knowing he didn't want any questions about the state of his face. Deciding to go around back, he briskly stalked the corner, spotting his open window. Despite his pain, he picked up Lethenia and leaped to the pane, easily climbing in. Xerc closed it quickly and breathed heavily in the darkness.
Slumping down on his bed, he removed his sweat-soaked shirt and worn boots. He laid there in the dark, a swarm of trepidation coming over him, and only able to utter in a distilling whisper, "Aye, I fear I entered a perilous game of cat and mouse..."
