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爐he 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

　　If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it`s taken without the author`s consent. Report it.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.燩robably 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.

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　　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?

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　　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爐hrowing 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.燭here`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爎eady.