Act Three - Awakening

> Kelly PoV

I look up at the city gates and I let out a sigh. Somehow or other I got involved in something interesting.

But, I can't stand this place. It's way too abnormal.

Also for some reason Red told me to enter from the south gate.

The dwarven city of Hardvark, my previous home, is to the east, so I have to go around the wall.

Well, I shouldn't complain, it's my employer's request after all.

I sigh again.

I'm not drunk enough for this.

Thankfully, there's a solution to this problem.

*GULP GULP GULP GULP*

Ah, there we go!

I put away my trusty hip flask next to my other slightly shadier hip flask.

I'm running low on whiskey though. Wonder if that werewolf bar is still here?

"Come on Cloppy, let's get this over with."

I order the horse-shaped stone golem to line up behind the other carts.

In the end, I brought too much stuff from home, so I look like a merchant.

Let's just hope they don't do a full inspection or try to tax me.

* * *

"Good day and welcome to Runetap. What's the duration and reason for your visit?"

The guard greets me with a bored face.

"Good day, I'm here to immigrate. I was told to give you this letter of introduction."

I lean over and hold out the envelope Red left with me. She said that the guard would give me special treatment when they see it.

The guard takes the envelope and reads it. With an equally bored expression he screams to the other guards.

"We have a K-2 by proxy at the gate! Inform the guard captain!"

Wait, what?

"D-did I do something wrong?"

"Ah no, just standard procedure. Don't worry about it.

Please pull your cart over to the guard station and dismount."

I do as I'm instructed. It's really just best to go with the flow with these things.

* * *

"Hiya, how ya doin'?"

The bandit-faced guard captain greeted with a casual tone.

"Good day. I'm here on behalf of Kiresr- er, Kiras- no-"

"Ah that's what the letter's fer, don't bother.

To be fair even I have trouble rememberin' Cra-

*Ffwit THUD*

-Madam's name. It is long after all."

"I can't really argue there."

"Right, so just answer a few questions fer me if ye would."

* * *

Some 10 minutes of simple questions later he finishes the form.

With a stamp and a signature he hands it to me.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Background confirmation form BG-K

Name: Kelly Darkhand

Race: Dwarf

Sex: F

Age: 29

Hair: Ginger

Eyes: Green

Special features: Way too much muscle

Birthplace: Hardvark

Father: No bloody idea

Mother: Gilda Darkhand

Siblings: Way too bloody many

Spouse: None of your bloody business

Known affiliations: Kiressara mil Quasse, Ellie

Previous offenses: None that she’s aware of

Character evaluation: Likes blood a lot. Probably not a vampire.

Inspector: Guard Captain Olboun, Runetap

------------------------------------------------------------------

"There ya go. Don't worry about the contents, people only care about the stamp.

Anyway, have you known Cra-

*Ffwit THUD*

-Madam long?"

"We met during a job about two weeks ago."

"Oh is that the one where they flung a dwarf at a dragon?"

NOOOOO! Why is that already a rumor?

"Even for this town that's a bit out there you know?

But to bring it down with just four people, that's some strategy!"

Please don't praise my stupidity so honestly.

I always do that. Blood rushes to my head and I blurt out things no sane person would.

At least he doesn't seem to realize that dwarf was me.

"What about yourself? Have you known her long?"

Let's quickly change subjects before he puts two and two together.

"Not that long, somethin' like 2 years now?

At first I thought she was a hoodlum, but soon realized it's not like that. Folks around here just complain about her too much.

Well, we met a lot when we had to arrest her, so we became close."

"... how often did you have to arrest her?"

"Ah, hard to say, sometimes we would go weeks without trouble.

I think we'll reach arrest number 500 this month though."

FIVE HUNDRED ARRESTS?

What kind of horrible criminal did I get involved with?

The captain noticed my face turning pale and spoke up.

"Ah, she was mostly innocent of those you know. We just have to do something when dozens of people file complaints.

In truth, Cr-

*Ffwit THUD*

-Madam is a really good kid."

"I see, but can I ask the guard captain a more personal question?"

"Sure, go ahead!"

"Why do black throwing knives keep flying at you from outside the window?"

It's been worrying me for a while now, even if the captain doesn't mind. They barely miss his face, shaving off his beard and hair slightly. There's about 10 of the things stuck in the wall behind him by now.

Is this some new grooming method?

"Eh, what are ya talkin' about? That sort of dangerous thing would never happen here, you know?"

He casually disregards my troubles with a huge grin.

I see, this particular trauma runs deep.

I definitely got involved with a bunch of criminals this time.

AN: I lied, I forgot this chapter was also ready.