The inn, known as Fort Rendezvous, was busier than usual. Decorative flags and banners hung from the rafters. Various bands played in rotation insuring the festive music was continuous.

Karver sat and people watched, as he often did. He found his new companions particularly entertaining. The elf who called himself Mr. Keys, was beginning to become a regular attraction at Fort Rendezvous and could often be found entertaining revelers with song and dance. The dwarf ate a lot, the ranger drank a lot, and the tiefling seemed fond of showing off; particularly to females. It wasn’t lost on him that the ranger and the tiefling were both named ‘twin’. Different languages but the same meaning. The stone man enjoyed competitions, especially feats of strength. He called himself Guts. Karver envisioned him having a chest cavity full of sand.  

The companions were all gathered around a well-worn oak table. Karver enjoyed the company. They took an interest in him as a person instead of treating him like a thing.

“So you have no memory of where you’re your from uh?”  Asked Mr. Keys as he accepted a fresh glass of elvish wine from a serving girl.

“Aye! I’ll wager the blessing of Moradin will jog ‘is memory!” said Ovid has he rapped his fist on the table.

“I do have some memories.” Offered Karver.

“So spill!” Said Tamsin as she emptied the remaining contents of a whisky bottle into her tumbler.

“We were build long ago during an era called the Collapse.” Karver began.  “There is this tower where we were born. It stands on a black plain. Behind the tower is a notch in the mountains where the sun sets. The teeth of the mountain cut the sun into fractal shapes and the light that comes down at evening paints shapes on the ground. Usually it’s evening when we come."

"The ground is fertile. This is a good land. We go to the tower in dreams but that does not mean it’s not real."

"Some of us go to the tower in peace. They walk through a field of golden wheat and a low warm wind blows in from their back. I don’t know why this is because the rest of us meet an army. We have to kill this army to get to the tower. Usually this starts bare-handed, and somewhere along the way you take up a weapon. Most of us don’t make it."

"The army is made of everyone we have met. The people we work with, the people we see in the streets, we kill them all. I think because we were made to kill and this is the part of us that thinks about nothing else."

"Often I kill people I don’t know, but I think I knew them once, in the time before one reset or another when my mind was younger and less terribly scarred."

“Reset?” Asked Geminias.

“We were meant to be fixtures, objects, unwanted necessities. But we were sentient. We could think and feel. So they would reset us. A type of mind-wipe to keep us unthinking, but the soul grows back. The resets, they don’t wipe it all away. Not everything. And the new life-plus the Light-does something to what is left. Amplifies it, scrambles it reshuffles the fragments like a dealer rifling a deck of cards, putting the hands we’ve already won and lost back into play."

“What Light do you speak of?” asked Ovid through a mouthful of pork.

“I’m not sure how to explain it. It is a force, a power. You can’t see it but you can feel it.  When we were no longer necessary we were set free. With our new freedom some turned away from the Light and turned on their masters and subjugated the people. Some were re-forged in the Light and continued to serve."

“Who did you serve?” asked Mr. Keys.

“Something greater than ourselves.”

Tamsin sat quietly in the tavern nursing her fourth Arborean whiskey. She knew they’d have to go back. She told herself that the contract they accepted had been filled… and better than she had expected. All the missing youths had been recovered alive and returned to their families. They had been paid well and now they were free to move on to something else. So why was she so worried about some orcs. “They’re organizing.” she answered herself.”So?” she said to her glass. “They have chosen a strong leader.” continued her inner monologue. She knew that meant war was coming. That wyvern looked nasty. The people here had a difficult time repelling a disorganized raiding party. An organized attack would wreak havoc in the city. The casualties would be immeasurable. The city could realistically be lost. How could she just walk away. She knew the answer before she even asked the question. “You can’t Tam.” She finished her drink then tapped the glass to signal Maz she was ready for another.

The barkeep walked over and leaned in. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Well….no worse than trekking a week back through the wilderness to attack an orc stronghold without an army.”

Maz filled the glass and nodded. “Fair enough. Just remember. They need a leader to follow not a drunk to carry.”

Tamsin curled the left side of her mouth in mock smile. “Leader. They don’t seem the listening type.” Tamsin drank deep from the glass. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Maz moved the half empty glass away from Tamsin’s reach then nodded toward an approaching Geminias. “How ‘bout with him. You two seem to share a connection.”

Tamsin’s eyes rolled as she tilted her head to see the young tiefling walking toward her. She watched his gait. He seemed to strut. She didn’t care for that. His clothes were quite ornate for a rescued slave. It appeared freedom agreed with him. She watched as his his tail sashayed from side to side channeling his swagger. “Peacock.” she thought to herself. Without looking away she reached for her tumbler only to find it no longer there. She exhaled an exhausted sigh.

“Tamsin.” Geminias called out merrily. “Do you have a few minutes?”

She couldn’t explain why, but her foul mood had started to slip away. Tamsin always felt a certain warmth when he was around. Yes they were related but she never expected to feel such a strong familial bond so quickly with the half brother she had just met and convinced to run away. “Of course little brother.” she smiled pleasantly. “What’s up?”

“What are we doing here? How does staying here upset his plans? You said our father wanted me. How is this doing anything for us? ”

“Well, for one, he’s not looking for you here.” She felt her sarcastic nature spark alive. “Until we know what he wants from you it’s better to lay low, hard as that may be, my young stag.”

“Stag..?” he asked confused.

“Stag, show pony, peacock.. Let’s face it. You draw a lot of attention….and like it.”

“What are you talking about?” he sounded slightly wounded.

“It wouldn’t hurt to be less noticable. Maybe blend a bit?”

“You mean like the way you camouflage yourself among the other drunks? Cause I would never have noticed you here except that no one else is on their 6th drink before breakfast.”  

Tamsin looked around at the empty bar. She could hear Maz chuckling behind her. “Fourth…”

“Fourth what?” asked Geminias somewhat annoyed.

“Fourth whiskey…. some unscrupulous rogue made away with my fifth.” She peered back at the grinning Maz. Tamsin turned toward Geminias. “I’m sorry. I get grumpy when people steal my breakfast.”

“Fair enough.” Geminias smiled as his tail, holding a glass of amber liquid, curled over his shoulder and dangled between them. “I believe this is yours.”

Tamsin narrowed her gaze. She took the glass before turning to look at Maz who shrugged her shoulders and walked away. “Cute.’ she snarked. “You’re an accomplished thief. Glasses and statues and other shiny things beware.” She motioned in mock fear then emptied the glass. “But can ya fight little brother?”

Geminias puffed up a second and said, “Of course.”

Tamsin placed the glass on the bar and replied, “Perfect. Let’s see how well.” She pushed past him grabbing his tail as she did. “Come little brother. Follow me to the courtyard.”

“Hey!” he gasped and yanked his tail free from her grasp. “Fine… I just… I don’t wanna hurt you, Tam.”

“No?.... You will.” she grinned maliciously as she sauntered through the tavern area and out onto the cobblestone street.

The street was empty aside from a few kids playing. She wandered over the empty side of the tavern where an open courtyard bordered in flowers and bushes housed a few tables. She slid them off to the edge and turned to Geminias. “I’ve seen how you shoot…” Her head tilted, lips pursed and eyes opened wide. “But can you use that sword?

Geminias drew his weapon and flared the blade back and forth then in a figure eight motion. “You tell me?”

Tamsin drew her Elvish thin blade. “So that’s a ‘no.’” She pressed forward quickly and startled the young tiefling smacking his blade to the side. She glided past him and smacked him on the rump with the flat of her blade.

“I wasn’t ready.” he protested.

“Lesson 1. Always be ready.” She stalked around him.

Geminias turned and raised his sword. As he did she slid quickly into him knocking him off balance pushing his sword off to the side then slapping the flat into his flank. “Ah!”

“Rule 2. Never trade blows if you can help it. Combat is about turns. Take your turn then steal your opponents. You can handle that...right thief?”

“Now wait a second.” Geminias lowered his blade. As he did Tamsin rotated and swung hard down with her sword arm knocking the blade from his grip. She stepped in and brought the flat of her blade straight up between his legs stopping her motion a hair from impact.”

“What the hell was that?”

“Rule 3. Never lower your guard.” Tamsin was in full battle mode. Her blade danced along with her movements. Her eyes drew sharp. “Pick it up.”

Geminias moved fast reaching down and tumbling while grabbing his sword and rolling away from the impending swing he knew was coming. He found his feet fast and swung back creating space between the two of them. He matched her rotation and eyed her blade cautiously. This time when she stepped in he was ready. He deflected her cut and swung back in riposte missing her by a hair. “You’re crazy.” he shouted.

“You’re learning.” she smiled back. “Now the kukri.” she said sheathing her sword.

“Kukri?” he asked stepping in to the center of the yard.

Tamsin rolled her eyes. “The curved knife on your hip. Did you steal that too?”

“Steal is such a harsh word…” He grinned. “Shiny and sharp. Caught my attention. What can I say?”

Tamsin shook her head while freeing her kukri from its sheath.

Geminias followed her lead unsheathing his own. He held the weapon straight, its point angled away.

“Who are attacking with that little brother? Is there someone standing next to me I don’t see?”

“No. The blade is bent that way.” He answered defiantly.

“Then maybe we should change our stance and alter our grip little brother?” Tamsin’s sarcasm was on full display.

Geminias began to get frustrated. “Are you always this pleasant to be around? I’m beginning to think you’re a lot like your whiskey...good in small doses.”

Tamsin smirked. “Am I hurting your feelings little brother? Do something about it. Shut me up. She goaded.

“Don’t tempt me. And stop calling me little brother. I’m not a child!”

“All I see is a boy playing with a man’s toys. You’re right, we should stop.”

Geminias could feel his anger rising, he’d had just about enough of her attitude. He didn’t wait for her to move this time. He lunged at her scooping with the blade in an awkward stabbing motion.

Tamsin had been waiting for the attack. She sidestepped and rotated her kukri running it over his shoulder just above the soft flesh where it met his neck. Geminias was startled by the counterattack and swung back wildly. He felt the motion of his blade stop abruptly striking hard into his sister’s side. She yelped and bent low grabbing the wound.

“Oh my gods! Tamsin! Are you ok? I’m sorry.” He dropped the blade in his hand and ran over to see how bad the cut was.

Tamsin was hunched over grabbing her side and turned away, her hair covering her face. Geminias, unsure of what to do, carefully placed his hand on her shoulder, “I’m so sorry Tam. How bad is it? Let me see. I’ll call for the dwarf.”

Tamsin turned to look at her brother exposing a wicked grin as her face cleared her blonde mane. The point of her kukri positioned at his throat she said, “Rule 4. Don’t let your opponent bait you. And Rule 5… Never feel sorry for an enemy.”

Geminias didn’t know what to say. “I cut you. I felt the blade bite. It struck hard. How?” He was happy she was ok but confused at the same time. “How are you not hurt?”

Tamsin stood upright and rotated her kukri before placing back in her sheath. “Hurt? By that thing. I’m fey little brother. Your mundane knife can’t cut me.”

“You know what?!” He was mad again. “You could have told me. I thought I killed you. And stop calling me ‘LITTLE BROTHER!’” He was as furious as he was relieved.

“You’re right. I’m a bad person.” She said in mock apology. “I should have said something. And if it bothers you so much I won’t call you little brother anymore.”

“...Good!” Geminias said with a sense of victory.

Tamsin moved behind Geminias and adjusted his grip on the kukri. “It’s a curved blade. Don’t fight against the design. Flow with it.” She showed him how to arc the blade. “Sweep across.” She pressed her arm against his. “Now rotate and slash.”

Geminias was a quick study. She continued. “Footwork is important. You don’t lunge with this weapon. Glide, move. Swoosh. It’s kinda like a dance. In fact, in Wrathgate it is a dance… but that’s a lesson for another day.”

Geminias was impressed with himself. She was a good teacher but he knew he was naturally gifted. She stepped back away and watched as he moved through all the motions and angles of attack she had taught him. “Not bad huh?” He said with a cheerful smile.

“Sure. But air doesn’t fight back.” She drew her kukri. “Don’t hold back. You can’t hurt me.”

“Are you sure?” He ask concerned.

“Absolutely. BABY BROTHER. Begin.”

Suddenly “little brother” didn’t seem so bad to Geminias. He was beginning to understand. And the dance began….

A pair of boots land silently upon the mock-velvet carpets of the sixth floor, followed by another pair -- and another pair. By this time of night, the top floors are seldom active. At the Blackened Horn the suites are reserved for the powerful; wealthy merchants, potential business partners, politicians. The trio crept down the left side of the crimson hallway, halting before each bedroom door to guarantee nobody might interfere. They reached the end of the hallway and paused before the staircase that leads to the seventh floor. The halfling removed the bag from his shoulders and took the bust that sat upon the pedestal beside the stairs.

        He motioned for the others to wait and began to crawl on all fours up the staircase. Using all of his limbs, carefully he climbed up the aging wooden stairs. He slithered onto the landing, then motioned for the others to follow and they did the same. Finally, they reached the eighth floor; a foyer with a single door on the other side. The door was plain, with no intricate carvings or desirable craftsmanship, but Geminias could feel the world slow around him as he laid his eyes upon it. A nudge to his shoulder snapped him out of the trance.

"C'mon man, don't get cold feet. Peep the door," the halfling spoke in a hushed rasp.

        Without reaction or further hesitation, Geminias slid up to the side of the door. He felt for the knife at his hip for reassurance and glanced at his boot strap. Another knife handle always was left protruding at an angle towards his back. He drew in a deep breath and popped the lock on the door, pushing it open with haste.

        No longer making any attempt to hide himself, he strode in -- as emerald eyes met garnet eyes. A black-skinned tiefling sat on the front of an impressive ebony desk across the room. Geminias heard the boots enter the room behind him followed by the slamming of a door. It was a setup, just as he expected. Krowel was never a risk taker.

"Oh, come now. You had to anticipate that I would not be alone. You had to anticipate that I of all people would know. I always know," the tiefling scolded.  

        Geminias said nothing. Just like in his youth, he felt paralyzed from guilt, shame, and those awful garnet eyes.

        With the sound of steel scraping steel, Geminias spun only to see a Ranger of Ozimodus with blades drawn behind him and his comrades. The halfling motioned for a blade on is hip, but the Ranger lunged, cutting him down in a single, fluid motion. The human stood motionless, color drained from his face.

        Krowel was scared. Geminias never knew him to be scared, but if he was desperate enough to call the law into play, it was because the Rangers were his last option for maintaining an advantage.

        Krowel stood up straight and took a step towards Geminias. The black tiefling towered over Geminias but keeps his distance. Geminias took another glance back. The Ranger now had his blades at the human's throat.  

"Have you still nothing to say? After five years of playing vagabond?" Krowel turned and began to walk towards the large window behind the desk, "Corquaen is a disgusting city. I tried to raise you above it all, above... this."

        He was genuine, but the sarcasm and power in his voice made Geminias shudder out of a sickening nostalgia.

"You kept me in the basement like a slave. Raise me? Your women were better parents than you could have ever..." Geminias's voice softened into silence. The tiefling known throughout the gang as vibrant and brash now found himself shaking at the sight of this man. For the first time in over five years, he was once again at a loss for words.

        Krowel was furious, but he expertly wore a facade of calm -- mild irritation at worst. He began back towards Geminias, who was obviously intimidated by the confrontation.

"I gave you opportunity. What more is a parent to do?" said Krowel, his voice still a wave of calm. He was holding back. After five years, he had plenty to say to the rat who had spit in his face, but he maintained his composure. He was unsure of what exactly Geminias was after, so he kept his guard up. If money was his only motivation, then he had become a bigger fool, and perhaps more desperate, than originally anticipated.

        Geminias drew the dagger from his belt and in a single movement pounced towards Krowel. The Ranger sliced the human without hesitation and Geminias heard the plop as the body landed upon the floor. Krowel snatched Geminias's striking arm with ease and placed his other hand around the boy's throat.

"Your nerves make you weak and predictable. Nothing has changed. All of this, just for a failed attempt to kill me? Was it worth what was sacrificed here?" He squeezed the knife from Geminias's grasp. Slowly, Geminias's tail (which he kept coiled around his leg that held the spare knife) began to take hold of the knife handle.

        Krowel said nothing. There the tieflings stood. Krowel savored this dominating presence that he held currently. For him, this would be enough for now, and a more severe penalty would come later.

        The tail pulled the knife slowly from the boot, and just as patiently, began to aim it from the low angle, so as to not tip off Krowel or the Ranger, who still stood behind him.

        In that moment, the world began to slow, just as it did when he encountered the door. His heart beat out of his chest and he drew in a deep breath. His eyes were still locked with Krowel's nausea-inducing gaze.

        Then Krowel's grasp began to weaken. The small metal pommel ejecting from his neck, Krowel wheezed, taking a step back and quickly reaching for his own throat.

        With his left hand, Geminias quickly conjured a thick Darkness, enveloping the entirety of the room, and dropping to the floor. He could hear the Ranger's movements around him and began to crawl forward, under the desk and towards the window. He felt upwards until his hand caught the clasp, opening the glass door of the window and pulling himself onto the balcony. The Darkness followed, trickling outside but not past the outward-swinging door. Geminias felt along the balcony until he regained his sight out of the Darkness's range.

        He mounted the balcony and began to sidle along the other side, along the outer walls of the building. He turned the outer corner and leapt to the adjacent building, only a couple feet below.

        By the time he returned to the Lower Western District, it was swarming with Rangers. Their presence has everyone looking the other way, whether they were affiliates or otherwise. He approached the small storefront and brushed aside the worn curtain that served as a door, pausing as he took a step inside. For a moment he considered turning around and finding shelter elsewhere, even if it meant a gutter.

        He walked through the back of the shop and down into the basement. He passed several of his fellow thieves, but none stopped him to question him about the two who had left with him, or of the Ranger presence.

        Geminias lay on his bed. He reflected on the events of the evening and for perhaps the first time in his life, considered his being. How easily Krowel had been slain, how disposable the lives of his comrades were, the normality of the Rangers' presence, despite the danger it brought to himself and all those he considered "friends."

        He woke up.

        Sweat had gathered on his forehead. The knock that awoke him sounded once again on his door. He opened it, and in the doorway was the halfling.

        "Ready up, we're going to the Horn t'night, 'member?" The halfling finally looked up at Geminias as the last words left his lips and a concerned expression crossed his face. " 'Ey, you don't look too good."

        "I'll meet you outside," Geminias spoke in a dry, hollow tone, and closed the door. Slowly, he made his way across the room to a dresser. He pulled open the top drawer and found both of his knives. He made sure to slide one into his boot and left.

“Whatcha thinking about Tam Tam?” Kenzi asked. “You look lost in thought. How can anyone begin to think with all this noise?”

The shadow thief had pin straight shoulder length black hair with cut bangs and icy blue eyes but she wore a friendly smile. “Acacia wanted to see me. She said it was urgent. For the life of me I can’t figure out what it could be.”

“I wouldn’t worry your pretty little head over it. If you ask me she’s a bit too intense.”

I laughed a little “And she’d say you were a bit too care free.”

“Maybe….but what could possibly worry anyone here?”

That was true. As far as taverns went, the Dal Riata was safe as any. More so as it was under the personal protection of the Pale Lady, and Claire Radcliffe did not suffer insult or law breakers well.

“You’re right. The waiting is killing me though. She’s late. Acacia is never late.”

Kenzi offered a sympathetic nod and then frowned. “Worry no more my sweet little Tam Tam. You’re beloved mentor has arrived.” And after an overly dramatic bow she was gone. I watched for a second as she hugged Dyson with her left arm while snatching his tankard of ale with her right. Shadow thief indeed.

Acacia watched Kenzi bound away and scowled. “You have a terrible taste in friends.”

I ignored her comment and said “You’re late.”

“Actually I’m right on time.” She countered. Acacia was a middle aged woman with brown hair and an athletic build for her late 40’s age.

“No.” My tone was snarky. “Early is on time. On time is late and late is..”

“Unforgivable.” She finished for me. “Glad to see you’ve learned something. I’d hate to think I’ve been wasting my time with you.” Acacia shot back with a wry grin.  

She’d been training me for the last few years ever since she found me half starved and feral in the woods of Arvandor in Arborea. My mother...well let’s just say she was not quite as noble as her high birth would suggest. And my father…...He can go to hell…. And stay there this time. So Acacia served as my maternal role. She brought me here to Wrathgate because as she said. “They’ll accept anyone… so long as they obey the local law.” Kenzi became the big sister I never had and I all but grew up hanging around the Dal. Bo was a fierce warrior of the light and proof that no matter what your heritage you had a choice as to whether you brought light or dark into the world. I can still recall Trick’s words, the same he spoke to his own granddaughter, “The world is bad enough as it is. You've got no right to make it any worse.”

“Tamsin!” Acacia scolded, “Are you listening to me?”

My mind had drifted but her sharp tone brought me back into focus. “Of course. I was just waiting for you to say something interesting.” It was my turn to repay her with a wry smile.

“I’m serious Tamsin.” her expression showed as much.

“Ok. What?”

“I have one final lesson for you to learn and this one might just prove to be the most difficult you’ve had to endure yet.”

“Yeah cause cleaning fiendish entrails from my feathers was easy. Do you how long it took to get the stench of Yochlol off my wings.

Acacia just stared at me. It was the “Are you through?” look.

Fine.. learn me something oh wise and reverent sage of planar lore.

Acacia rolled her eyes. “Your father…”

“Is an asshole. Wasn’t that lesson one?”

“I should have taught you to know when to be silent child.”

She seemed to grin at my look of indignance.

“Now as I was saying.”

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms in defiance.

“Your father had other children.”

“I’m sure he did. He’s what, a few thousand years old. But I’ll tell ya secret…..” I smiled and cradled my face with the top side of my interlocked fingers in mock cherubic fashion. “...but I was daddy’s favorite.” I batted my eyes for effect.

“Sadly, you may not be far off. He had grand plans for you to rise up in the court of hell and command a great army.”

“Yeah well...little girls live to disappoint don’t they?”

“Which is why he’s considering plan B.”

I sat silent, listening… a first for me.

“Your name child. Do you know what it means?”

“Bitch?”

Acacia fought back a grin. “Twin. Tamsin means twin.”

“I don’t have a twin. It’s just me.”

“While it is true you have no twin… You do have brothers. Twin brothers….well half brothers... half human, a few years your junior..”

I don’t know why I was shocked to hear this. Maybe I had never considered having siblings. Sure they must exist. It’s just that I never put any thought into it.

“He has already brought one of the two into the fold of his diabolical machination. The other though….could still be saved. If you’re up to the task.”

A brother. I’m not sure how I felt about that. I mean it could be fun having someone around to torment. A baby brother...Hmmm….It would also be a chance to ruin another one of ‘daddy’s’ schemes. “Ok. You have my attention. Where do I find……what’s his name?”

“Geminias.” she answered.

“Great. Twin again. How original.”