Dornar: Trailing the Suspect
Nathaniel waited for a break in the food traffic, moving from the alley to its adjacent partner using tight spaces and back streets to avoid eyes as much as he could. The heavy satchel at his side bounced as he jogged. Weighted like he was trying to transport bricks. Periodically checking over his shoulder when he knew the path in front was clear. Eyes flicking to any space someone could be in, even checking the rooftops above him for any movement. He’d gotten word from a reliable source that a Justicar Mage was after him for the whole magic shop debacle. The money hadn’t been worth it. He wasn’t able to spend any of it, at least not on anything big like he’d planned. Everyone in any sort of justice work, bounty hunters included were out for him, or so he’d convinced himself. First he’d managed to get off for that whole book thing, then that weird white haired woman just offered him that small fortune just to take a couple of items to a shop of a rival. Had he known it was going to send that horned lady skyhigh he’d have not taken the work. Smash and grab is one thing, but he wasn’t a murderer.
Dornar stopped mid-step putting his arm out to stop Lanabelle, pulling her back and out of view of the alley way. He stood calmly waiting, Lanabelle sucked in a small breath and nearly vanished from sight, if you looked close you could see her shaped against the building, shifting like crystal clear water but for all intents and purposes she was invisible. Dornar took a drag and blew the smoke away from Lanabelle. After about thirty seconds Lanabelle let the breath out in a huff, flickering back into view.
“What’s he doing?” She asked, catching her breath.
“You don’t have to do that.” Dornar said. “And he’s checking a map.”
“You said he can’t see us.” Lanabelle said, “So I made it so he can’t see me.”
“Figure of speech.” Dornar said, leaning just enough to get a view of Nathaniel Cross. “Besides, he could get bit by a snake and only realize it when he’s dead.” Dornar said.
“He can’t really be that oblivious?” Lanabelle asked, in her slow way.
Dornar shrugged, “He broke into a wizard’s tower and stole a grimoire with some of the most powerful magics, second only to that of the ancient demon’s magic. I think he’s that oblivious. The real question is who’s paying him to do all this?” he asked, before scribbling down some notes and tucking the book away. “Someone provided him the means to get into that tower, someone provided him the means to try and blow up that girl and her shop. He’s working for someone, the question is who?”
“They’d need connections.” Lanabelle said, “To get access to the tower like that.”
“Let alone know where the door even was.” Dornar said, “Anyone can knock down a door if they hit it hard enough, its knowing where that door is that’s the tricky part…He’s moving again, stay close.” Dornar said sliding from the wall and into the alley, taking a drag long enough to finish his cigarette he blew the smoke into a cloud, flicking his wrist the smoke warped and turned into a little sparrow that zoomed off in the direction of Nathaniel. Dornar blinked twice and one eye turned the same color as the smoke, he stumbled a few steps before correcting, having split his vision to his familiar. “I think he got himself lost.” Dornar said.
Nathaniel had spent more time looking at the city map than he’d wanted to, just standing there he’d felt exposed like he was glowing bright green and flashing. But he didn’t see anyone. It would be so much easier if this bag wasn’t so heavy, and worse he didn’t even know what was inside. Paid half upfront, no questions asked, if the seal was broken…well the man had made it clear if the seal was broken that it’d be best to start running, and don’t stop. Not nearly as scary as that huge elf…or that woman but he was sure the threats were credible, or he knew better that to find out. Sure did want a peek though, know what was important enough and heavy enough to warrant personal delivery and not paying some courier. And hoped someone wasn’t have a laugh making him carry a big rock around, and put the thought in his head that it was something valuable.
Dornar and Lanabelle stopped, Dornar now focused fully on his sparrow’s eyes. Nathaniel had walked into what looked like some old park, forgotten by time, cracked and overgrown, sides of buildings whose doors were somewhere on the main street faced the courtyard giving the whole thing a caged in feeling. Dornar watched as Nathaniel wandered around the courtyard several times. Making a confused circle, stopping now and then to turn in place in a small circle, and walked a circuit or two again, looking more and more confused by the moment. Confusion turned to frustration. Eventually he stopped and pulled out a piece of paper, then turned it over in frustration when he realized it was upside down, making another small in place circle as he read it. Folding the paper and shoving it in his pocket he looked at the empty fountain, and at the statue topping it following where it pointed to a blank wall. Nathaniel walked to the wall, looking even more confused before knocking on the bricks. A section of the grout work began to glow, as a doorway appeared, an old man poking his head out, looking to see if they were alone, then looked at the bag Nathaniel held. Shoving a sack into Nathaniel’s chest, and ripping the bag from his shoulders, before checking the contents. Pulling out a large crystal ball, that was shaped more like an egg. “Good…” the old man said. “Now go away, I have things to do.” and the brick work slammed shut like I a wooden door.
Nathaniel flipped the door that bird, upset he risked his neck for a crystal ball, and the roughness of the old man.
Dornar relayed what he’d seen to Lanabelle who looked nearly as confused as Nathaniel had been. “A wizard tower…here?” she looked around. “How?”
“Just more and more questions.” Dornar said, “Least, we can ask some questions here.”
“You want to just go up, knock and…” Lanabelle started.
“Ask questions. Yes.” Dornar said, waiting till Nathaniel was out of view and earshot before he started walking towards the door, Lanabelle hurrying to catch up.