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  Felina held up a finger, indicating he should wait. She stepped through a gap in the curtain at the back of her booth, then reappeared holding a bamboo cage. Dome-shaped and about two feet tall, it looked like the type of cage one would find a parrot sleeping in. It appeared to be empty.

  “This be a galago.” Felina purred at him. “She would be a perfect companion for a dark elf, yes. One who maybe sneaks’s about in the dark a bit?” she smiled again. Noting the confused look on Mace’s face, she glanced from him to the cage. “Ah! I sees. Or rather, you don’t sees!” her cat-laugh sounded almost as if she were coughing up a hairball. “One moments! One moments. She be shy.”

  Felina set the cage on the table, and whispered to it. She made small, entreating sounds like one would make to encourage a baby to look at them, or speak. After a moment, she pulled a small bit of fruit from her bag and stuck it between the bars of the cage.

  A small creature appeared. It was adorably cute. About a foot tall, it seemed to be part monkey, part raccoon, part koala bear, and part squirrel. Covered mostly in silver fur, it had a long prehensile tail that was gripping one of the cage bars. Its face sported a black fur mask much like a raccoon’s, and two small ears at the top of its head that rotated back and forth constantly. The little creature was sitting up on its hind legs, holding the fruit in its front paws, which had a thumb and four tiny fingers, each with a claw on the end. It sat like a squirrel, nibbling on the fruit.

  Mace immediately had the urge to hold it. “It is very cute.” He said. “But I have no need of a pet.”

  Felina took a deep breath, causing her armor to creak a bit under the strain. Mace found himself wondering if it would hold. “Ah, but she is useful. A natural thief she is. Can be trained. Get into places a dark elf might not fit, yes.”

  The catwoman produced a bit of shiny metal from her pouch, and flicked it toward the cage. Without even looking away from her fruit, the critter shot a tiny hand through the bars and caught the ‘shiny’, then quickly made it disappear into a pouch at her belly. She then calmly continued to nibble at the fruit.

  Mace grinned at the little thief. “You’re right. She’s a natural. And… she can turn invisible?”

  Felina nodded. “Yes. Natural ability. Hides her from predators in the jungle. Quite tasty, she is. So must be clever and fast to survive.”

  “Not too clever, I think. If she’s in this cage.” Mace observed. He was enchanted by the little monkey-squirrel thing. Galago, Felina had called it. Trying to talk himself out of buying her.

  “Ah, yes. This one was captured as an infant. Her mother was killed. I raised her.” Felina answered. “But she is of age now. Must bind to another, or become feral. I can not bind. So I must find good home.” Felina sounded regretful. Mace wondered how much of it was an act.

  “And you thought a dark elf would provide a good home?” Mace gave the catwoman a reproachful look.

  “Drow are dangerous. Only a fool attack. Only bigger fool tries to steal from dark elfs’s. She be safe with you. And you likes her, yes. I can sees. You protects her, feeds her. Teach her. She make good friend for you. Protects you back.”

  Mace shook his head. He was actually thinking about it! This little lady was just so cute! “Well, how much?” he found himself asking.

  Felina immediately pushed closer to him. Her breasts now pressed against his shoulder, she practically whispered in his ear. “You promise to takes good care of her, I gives to you for…one gold.”

  Mace was having trouble concentrating. He found himself nodding, and handing a gold coin to Felina. She purred happily, dropping the coin into her leather bikini top. Mace wondered how there was possibly any room for it in there.

  Next thing he knew, Felina was handing him the cage. She seemed to be tearing up a bit, wiping at her eyes with the fur on the back of her paw. “I will misses you, little one. This dark elf, he will care for you.” she whispered before turning and retreating once again behind her curtain.

  Mace stood there a moment, holding the cage and looking down at the critter inside. She had finished her fruit, and was looking up at him with large, surprisingly blue eyes. “Well. Hello there little one.” He smiled. “I guess you’re with me, now.”

  The little galago waved a hand at him in greeting. She looked sad. Probably at leaving Felina. Mace had the urge to take her out of the cage and hug her. Fearing that she’d instantly run off, he resisted that urge. Instead, he said “Are you hungry? I know you like fruit. Let’s get you back to the inn and I’ll find something for you to eat.”

  Moving quickly, he made his way back to the central column and up to the elevator to the inn. He stopped at the bar and purchased an assortment of fruit. Remembering how squirrel-like the little creature had seemed, he bought some nuts as well. And then some jerky, just in case. She had the sharp teeth and claws of a predator, but those might be defensive in nature.

  Back in his room, he set the cage on the table. After checking to make sure the door was closed and locked, he sat down and rested his head on his hands. Looking eye to eye with the little creature, he said “What am I going to call you. Do you have a name?”

  The little squirrel-raccoon shook its head. Mace’s eyes grew wide. “You can understand me!” he gasped in surprise. The creature nodded its head.

  “You are just… AWESOME!” he smiled at her. “Okay. If I open this cage, you promise not to run off?” he asked. She nodded her head and looked hopeful.

  Unlatching the cage door, he opened it up and sat back. She gracefully stepped thru the door, then sat on her haunches looking up at him.

  “I suppose you’re still hungry.” He removed a piece of a bala-fruit, which was similar to a plum, a few nuts, and a piece of jerky from the bag he’d purchased downstairs. He set each one on the table in front of her. “Okay… which do you like best? Are there any you can’t eat?”

  She looked at each of the items in turn, her tiny nose sniffing and ears twitching. But she made no move toward any of them. When she looked back up toward him, he asked “You don’t like any of-”

  His question was cut short as her tail reached out and batted his face, tickling his nose a bit before withdrawing just as quickly. He was rubbing at his nose when he noticed that all three bits of food had disappeared. The little creature just sat there, looking innocently up at him.

  “Thief is right! You distracted me and swiped them all! You little minx, you!” he chuckled. His eyes widened. “Minx! That’s a perfect name for you. How bout it. Do you want to be called Minx?”

  In answer, she leapt up on his shoulder, wrapping her long tail around his neck. She head-butted his cheek once before settling on his shoulder and beginning to purr. The sensation was oddly soothing.

  “I guess that’s a yes” he mumbled. “Minx it is. My name is Mace. I think we’re going to be good friends.” Her only reply was to tickle his ear a bit with the tip of her tail.

  “Well, miss Minx. I need to go downstairs soon, and meet Krieger for dinner. Would you like to come along? Or stay up here and sleep in your cage?”

  Her tail tightened around his neck. “Well, I guess that means you want to tag along. Do you promise not to run off someplace?”

  The little creature raised her head and stared into his eyes. Mace found himself captivated. Her big blue eyes seemed to engulf him. The two of them stared at each other, until it seemed he could tell what she was thinking. He had a sense of… belonging. Then a clear thought came through to him. “Mine!”

  “Was that you, Minx? Did you just… what was that? Felina said you needed to bond. Did you just bond with me?”

  Minx gave him a look that suggested he might be lacking in intelligence.

  “Right. Stupid question. So. We’re bonded. And you can… read my mind? Or I can read yours. This is a little freaky.”

  Minx did not respond, other than to put her head back down on his shoulder and resume purring.

  “Good enough. I suppose every good Sorcerer needs a f
amiliar. Mine just happens to be the cutest!” he grinned as the volume of her purring increased at the compliment.

  “Well let’s see. You can turn invisible, and that’s pretty cool. You’re obviously quick with your hands. And you make a good neck-warmer. Any other skills I should know about?”

  Minx looked thoughtful for a moment, then looked into his eyes again. He got a distinct impression. “Hand”.

  Somehow from that one word, he got the notion that she wanted him to hold up his hand. He did so, bringing his hand up in front of her. She grabbed one of his fingers in her tiny paws, then nipped it with her sharp teeth. Just barely breaking the skin. A small drop of blood appeared. She released the finger and settled back down.

  “Hey! You bit me! What kind of skill is that?” he objected. She just gave him her ‘stupid question’ look again. He went to wipe the blood from his fingertip, and there was no sensation. His finger was numb. He poked at it with another finger, then thumped it on the table a few times. He wiggled it. There was full range of motion, so it wasn’t paralyzed. Just really, really numb.

  “Huh. Interesting. So your bite has a numbing effect.” Mace said, as the feeling began to spread into the rest of his hand. “A really serious numbing effect! How far is this going to spread? And how long will it last?” he began to worry a bit.

  The effect continued to spread, numbing his arm, then his face. His tongue felt dead and lips heavy. “Thid idn’t fuddy!” he tried to scold his little koala-squirrel-monkey galago monster. He rose and went to sit on the bed as a precaution, in case the rest of his body went numb as well. Poking himself in the face with his unaffected hand, he felt almost nothing. “By fade id dub!” he gave Minx a dirty look. She sat there on his shoulder, eyes closed, seemingly oblivious.

  He picked up the end of her tail where it rested on his neck, tempted to bite her back. As if sensing his intent, she opened one eye. The end of her tail twitched. Mace decided it would be petty to hurt the little familiar. But he was going to get payback! Oh, yes.

  A few minutes passed, and the feeling began to return to his hand. Gradually, the sensation returned to his arm, then his face. He gave Minx a look, saying “You couldn’t have just TOLD me what you could do? I am not amused.”

  Again, Minx didn’t seem much concerned. Realizing he wasn’t going to win an argument with a creature that wouldn’t even participate, he dropped it. “It’s time to meet Krieger. Do us both a favor and don’t bite him. He’d cut you into taco meat.”

  Mace left his room, heading down to the tavern to meet Krieger. He found the Swordmaster already at a table with a drink in hand. Taking a seat across from him, Mace said “Master Krieger, meet Minx. She just sort of adopted me.”

  Krieger eyed the familiar on Mace’s shoulder, his face not showing any particular expression. Minx, for her part, gave a friendly wave of one tiny hand. At this, Krieger smiled. “She’s cute. What is she?”

  Mace shrugged, unsettling Minx a bit. “I’m not sure. The catwoman who sold her to me said she was a galago. From some jungle somewhere. I don’t know much else about her. Except that she’s an excellent little thief.” Mace grinned at Krieger.

  “Ha! Well that should come in handy for a Darkblade, I would think.” Krieger winked at Minx, who winked back. He motioned for the waitress, a buxom dwarfess, who approached to take their orders. Upon seeing Minx, she gushed “Well ain’t ye just the cutest!” and reached out to pet the familiar. Minx bared her teeth and growled, causing the waitress to pause, then withdraw her hand. “Ye better keep that lil monster in check!” she warned Mace.

  “She’ll behave, I promise. She’s a bit afraid of strangers since her family was killed.” Mace explained. The sour look that had appeared on the dwarfess’ face lightened a bit. “What can I get ye?”

  The two drow ordered some food, and a round of ale. They sat in silence until the food arrived, then tucked in with enthusiasm. “This is actually really good.” Mace observed. He had ordered rock spider stew. Whatever spices the cook used, they added a tangy sweet flavor to the slightly bitter meat. He bit off a small piece of the meat and offered it to Minx. Declining to get sauce on her dainty hands, she leaned forward and gently took the offering in her jaws. It quickly disappeared as she chewed thoughtfully. Mace got an impression from her. “Good”

  “I agree” he said, smiling at Minx.

  Krieger looked up at him. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “No, I was talking to Minx. She said she likes the meat.” Mace replied.

  “She talks? I didn’t hear anything.” Krieger was more interested now.

  “It’s not talking, really. I’m not even sure she uses words. It’s just… an impression I get. Just now it was ‘good’.”

  “Hmm. Interesting. And you found this creature in the market?” Krieger asked.

  Mace nodded his head. “Near the eastern edge of the big square. A catwoman vendor named Felina. She seemed truly sad to be selling Minx here, but that could have all been an act. Doesn’t really matter. She only asked 1 gold for her.”

  Krieger smiled. “I’d say she’s more than worth it. If only for the number of females who will approach you because of her.”

  “Heh. I’ll have to teach her not to bite every cute girl that comes along.” Mace agreed. Minx growled slightly at that. Krieger laughed.

  They finished their meal, and Mace followed Krieger out of the inn. Surprisingly, when they reached the elevators, Krieger took them upward, instead of down. They exited the elevator on the 30th level, and Krieger looked about. “I’ve not been here before, but I’m told his smithy is… this way.” The old drow turned left and headed down a corridor.

  Before long, the sound of hammering reached their sensitive drow ears. Another few minutes and they reached a thick iron door with a stylized hammer and anvil symbol on it. Pulling the cord next to the door, they waited patiently for someone to answer. The sound of hammering inside ceased. A moment later the door opened and a burly grey dwarf in a heavy leather apron asked “What’ye want?”

  Krieger bowed his head slightly to the dwarf. “Master Ironbender?” he queried.

  “Aye, that be me. I’ll ask again. What’ye want?” the dwarf was about average height for his race at four feet. He had wide shoulders and massive arms that ended in hands that looked as if they could indeed bend iron. His eyes were a cloudy grey, as was his hair and beard. He held a hammer in one hand, and seemed inclined to use it on his visitors.

  “I am Swordmaster Krieger. I’ve come from Immernacht. Word of your unique skill has reached us there, and I found myself curious if the rumors were true. I’d like to discuss the possibility of a commission.”

  Ironbender looked at Krieger, taking in the quality of his clothes and armor. “Show me yer swords.” he said gruffly.

  Krieger obligingly drew both his weapons, holding them out for the dwarf to inspect. After a moment, Ironbender grunted. “Ye appreciate good steel. I can work with that.” He stepped back and motioned for them to enter his shop.

  Mace found himself in a medium sized room, maybe twelve by twelve, with every inch of wall space covered in weapons and shields. Everything from immense tower shields and two-handed war axes to a row of stiletto’s in a bandolier. There were several sets of armor mounted on stick dummies for display as well. And the counter had a glass display full of clearly enchanted items. Mace nearly drooled at what he saw.

  “What’d ye have in mind?” Ironbender inquired.

  “Well, first, I must know if you can really craft as I’ve heard. I’m told you have the ability to imbue your weapons with soul magic. Magic that will absorb the souls of those killed by them? And that the energy from those souls can actually improve the weapon?”

  “Aye” Ironbender nodded his head as he stroked his beard. “That be the truth. The more foes ye stab ta death with me babies, the stronger they’ll get. A few ha’ even grow’d minds o’ their own. Though they be most dangerous then. They gets… thirsty.” he grinned at t
he two drow.

  Krieger returned the look with a feral grin of his own. “Thirsty is quite alright with me.” he replied. Mace, for the first time, contemplated what it would mean for an immortal dark elf; who also happened to be a Swordmaster, and therefore an assassin for his house, to have a weapon that would only grow stronger as he fed it victims. Hundreds, thousands of victims.

  He spoke aloud without meaning to. “Those weapons would become… legendary.”

  Ironbender nodded again. “Aye, boy. That be the idea.” He turned to Krieger. “Me work don’t come cheap, drow. But it’ll be the last ye ever need to buy.”

  “Show me.” Krieger said. Then he followed the dwarf to the counter near the back of the room. Under the glass case, each of the assorted weapons pulsed with a sort of shadowy grey light. He reached into the case and withdrew a simple dagger. With an inlaid ebony bone handle, and a fullered blade that pulsed with the dark magic, the dagger looked… angry was the best word Mace could think of. He felt an intense need to own it.

  “This be one of me early works. From when I were still learnin’ me art.” He handed the dagger to Krieger, who hesitated before taking it. The dwarf laughed “Ha! No need ta worry. It’ll only be stealin the souls of those it cuts. It be safe to hold.”

  Krieger extended his hand and took hold of the handle. Closing his eyes, he simply held the weapon for a moment. Then his fingers flexed, and the dagger began to spin between them. He opened his eyes and stepped back toward one of the armor dummies. Addressing it like an enemy, his hand shot out in mock strikes to the neck, arm, and chest. The motions were so fast, Mace only saw them when the Swordmaster briefly halted the blade near the target.

  “Good balance. And I can feel the ‘thirst’ you mentioned. Has this weapon taken many lives?”

  “Well, many is relative” the dwarf replied, a wicked smile on his face. “This one’s been tested a good bit. By meself, and by customers.” Motioning toward Mace, he asked “Did ye bring this one as a tester?”

  Mace’s eyes grew wide. Krieger was, after all, a drow Swordmaster. It would not be beyond the realm of possibility for him to have brought Mace here simply to test a weapon on. To steal his soul. He took a step back from the counter and from Krieger, letting his hand rest on the dagger at his side. Minx growled at the dwarf.