3. Nordhutten

Stue was standing behind a food stall, only about 30 paces after the east gate. He was in no great position for making money, even less with the abysmal soup he had in the pot.

Of course, making money wasn´t why he was here. Something had his boss by the balls, and he now had to rush here and watch the gate for some arriving traveler who may or maybe not come here today and through this gate.

But be it as it be, his job paid well, and he had to be at much more unpleasant places than behind this sour smelling pot, in his career as a spy for the Fang Clan here in Nordhutten.

At least there must be going something important going on, because he wasn´t the only one here.

A little nearer to the gate, there was an old beggar, that he knew worked in the same business; too often he had seen him at places where his job lead himself. Could be working for the Counts spymaster or the Sing Clan, not for the Gan Clan, as he could finally say, because he had a glimpse of their spy on a roof, not long ago. He could respect the beggar, especially if it was just a costume, as colleague, but those damm edgelords of the Gan gave his profession a bad name. Jumping from roof to roof, wearing black and a mask, what a tool!

And unnecessary. He got here, gave an old man some coins for his food stand and dirty apron, and was now perfectly hidden in full sight. That is how you do it.

A long day later, he finally made out a person, matching the description he was given, walked through the Gate and going straight for the gate officer. There wasn't much traffic anymore in the evening, so he had a good line of sight. It was easy to tell, that this was the woman he was ordered to watch for and trail, green hair. What was the lass thinking. Wasting good money for hair dye was one thing, but green?

The women showed something to the officer, most likely her Sentinel badge, and started a discussion with him. After some gestures and more speaking she entered the city and walked in his direction. Stue couldn´t be sure what had been going on over there, but the officer looked bewildered and some of the soldiers seamed to trying not to laugh.

Either way, after she had passed him, he threw the apron to its owner, who had sat in the shadow of a side alley and followed. It didn't escape him that the beggar gave a sign to another alley, where a worker with a big, heavy looking sack came out and followed too.

The idiot on the roofs did so likewise, of course still staying up there. What a drama queen, he thought.

Stue hadn't asked who this woman he should shadow was or why he should do it. After all, in his work, it was better not to know too much, most of the time. But after he followed her for a while, he couldn't fail to notice that she wasn't like the most targets he normally had. She acted like a young puppy, zigzagging through the streets, looking at stalls and stores, and seemed to ask for directions at nearly every street crossing. Slowly, they came near the better part of the town. He had expected that her destination was there, looking at the quality of her clothes. By now, he was pretty sure that his job was more to keep her safe than to spy on her. Someone in the Fangs didn't want to get into trouble in their sphere of influence. Whatever, he had the order to keep an eye on her and only intervene if her life was in danger. Easy work.

As they walked through the inner city, he guessed where her goal was. But the woman just walked by every hotel and inn, totally ignoring them, and walked on to the rim of the rich part of the town. It looked like she was going for the crafter district. He thought about the possible hotels there, to make a wager with himself, as she turned suddenly right and into the open doors of a big building at the start of the craft district. Wait! That's the Gilded Rose! That's a brothel, and with its big red sign that said Gilded Rose – Bathhouse and Theater, it was quite clear what it was.

He fastened his steps, to get in there and see what was going on.

Jaque maned the bar in the big salon of the Gilded Rose, unthinkingly polishing some glasses, as it was just early evening, there weren´t guests around, not here at least. Some regulars are up in the rooms or in the baths perhaps. Some of the girls were leisurely sitting around, listening to the bard that was playing, enjoying the time before their work would start.

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Suddenly a voice got him out of his musing.

Hey there! I would like a bath and a room for the night, please!

As he looked up from the glass, he saw a woman. He registered her clothes, silk, and strangely green hair before he looked her in the eyes and paused. What the hell? That wasn't normal!

Hello, is someone at home?

The woman leaned over the bar and knocked softly on his head with her fingers. Jaque twitched back in shock and tried to find his wits.

The woman, who looked very young, winked at him and seamed to muster the room with interest

Uh, sorry, lady, this is not a hotel. If you have lost your way, I can give you directions.

A managed to say:

No, no, I'm exactly where I want to be! The officer at the gate did talk favorably about your service here.

She said and again looked around.

Of course, I don't know how you handle things here usually. Should I talk with the girls for myself?

He really didn't know what to do.

Ähm! Please wait a moment, I will get someone to help you:

He said and went fast to get the Madame. Better let her deal with it.

Sina Ra Nan, mostly just called the Madame, was in her office, doing accounting, as young Jaque rushed into the room.

Madame!

There is a young woman who wants a bath and room.

I told her that we are not a hotel, but...I …

He began stammering, clearly embarrassed.

The Madame sighed and stood up. Jaque was a nice boy, and given her business, she liked that more as one who thought he could take freedoms with her girls, but his timid nature was a problem sometimes.

Don´t worry Jaque, I will get to it myself.

As she walked with him to the salon, she wondered for the thousand time how a man of his stature could be so unsecure.

Walking in the salon, as always, ensuring to make an entrance and projecting the right kind of picture, she took the scene in with a quick look.

A gentleman at the bar, cloth of a trader of middle importance, his hands too callous to be what he wanted to be seen as. One of her girls was trying to get an early customer in him, his attention was barely with her.

Another one in a booth, also with one of her girls, had good but simple, normal clothes and he actually fit in them. If he didn't have a few concealed knives on him and wouldn't sit in a way that let him hear the discussion in the next booth, she had only thought that the prices of her establishment might be too high for him.

The booth that was the center of attention of these gentlemen, and of all other girls, but in their case, it was normal nosiness, had in it Marinette and what must be the women that had Jaque flustered.

As she walked slowly and elegantly to her, she couldn't place her. The silken clothes, sword and Backpack, which rested next to the booth on the floor, spoke of ample means. The green hair would have spoken for a, let's say, quirky character, if not for her profound knowledge of hair dyes. As she knew, there was no way to achieve this exact color; it must have meant that it was natural. And that was impossible.

The slim figure and skin that was pale but didn't show the slightest trace of venues, as you would look for with a taint like that.

Long arms and legs, as the angular face let her first think of an Elf, but even sitting, she could tell the woman was nearly a pace smaller than an Elf.

As she arrived at the booth, she wanted to greet her, but the women looked at her with clearly elf eyes in an unbelievable green. How could that be? Not that an Elf here up in the North was unbelievable enough. All Elves were at least two heads bigger than even the biggest human.

Shocked, she noticed that she had stopped walking, and was staring.

Anuree Isterii dene Asur!

She said the traditional elf greeting and tried to cover her perplexed state with a bow.

Huh? Sorry I didn´t understand you there.

The elf said smiling in common.

However, hi I´m Alex! I try to get myself a bath and room for the night with Marinette here, but I think I must do something wrong, as it seams I´m not able to make my intentions clear.

Only more confused, because the woman claimed to not understand elfish, she tried to clear the picture.

What do you mean? I must tell you, we are neither a normal bathhouse, nor a hotel. That doesn't mean I wouldn´t be willing to make an exception for you, but I have to say that it would give you a certain reputation if you would take logins here. You see, this is a house where gentlemen come to enjoy the company of the women living here.

The Madame tried to explain carefully, uneasy because she was not sure who she had in front of her.

Yes, I know it´s a brothel! That´s why I´m here, and your house was recommended to me.

Is the service here maybe just for men?

With those words, the women looked at her, and the Madame finally understood.

Well, no, we don't especially prohibit women from frequenting our establishment. But it is not done, not in the open like this, especially here in the north.

Oh, no wonder that the officer at the gate was so flustered as I asked him for recommendations.

But he also told me that you treat your people well and that everyone who works for you does it out of free will. So, I hope we can find an arrangement.

The Madame was still perplexed but thought simply, why not?

All right, follow me and I will introduce you to some of my girls that are inclined to be of service to a woman.

But at least, please satisfy my curiosity. I´ve never seen an Elf that is so small in stature, and your green hair is unusual, too?

I´m not an Elf! I´m a Nymph!

The woman answered.