At first Aaralon thought to reject the girl's advance out of hand. There were already women aplenty here at the docks, whores who would be better company, easier conquests, and more eager to please than a noble born girl. Moreover, the need to find his companions was Aaralon's most immediate priority.
It was the mischivous look in her eye, and the alluring sway of her hip that won him over. After all, it couldn't hurt to have a local of the city to help navigate its twisting streets and crannies.
"Lost? Nay. But the accompanyment of a pretty girl is always welcome," Aaralon said, offering the girl his arm with a grin.
The girl accepted his arm with a pleased flush.
"My name is Gwendolyn, mage student. May I ask who I have the pleasure of making acquaintance this evening?"
Aaralon introduced himself and described his friends as they walked through the cobble streets taking narrow, roundabout coridors where the crowd thinned and then vanished altogether. The robust, brightly painted buildings gave way to rotting wooden warehouses, and then to shanties of wood and cloth. Aaralon noted that Gwendolyn was leading the way without being obvious about it, although he had not mentioned a destination. |