Blacklake Terrors Epilogue

A pretty young girl with a sweet face stopped in front of his table, smiling brightly.  "Drink sir?  Or something to eat?"  Viktos gave her a slow smile, taking in the budding swell of her breasts and slim hips.  Poor dear was barely into adolescence and already working as a tavern maid.  "I'll have some wine, sweet girl.  And if it's not too much to ask, a few minutes of your time?  I tip well . . ."  The girl laughed, putting a hand to her mouth.  "Oh, I can bring you the wine, but I'm not one of those girls!"  

Viktos shook his head, putting on a sorrowful expression.  "Ah, I didn't mean to sound perverse, dear.  I recently lost my family in a terrible accident, and you remind me very much of my niece.  I miss her so much . . . you have my deepest apologies if my request was unseemly."  Predictably, her eyes widened, sympathy shining through.  "I'm so sorry, sir.  That's awful."  She fiddled for a moment with her apron, then shrugged.  "I go on break in a little while . . . I could come sit with you if that helps."  Viktos nodded, "Your company would be so welcome.  It has been a lonely few weeks.  I was very close to my family.  Could I ask your name, girl?"  She smiled, "Maleni.  I'll be right back with your wine."  A perfect evening, Viktos thought, eyeing her as she walked away.  

In another tavern halfway across town, Aidan cursed.  Another dead end.  His connections in Baldur's Gate were few and so far, completely useless.  If Viktos went anywhere by boat, Aidan would know but it seemed the man was too smart for that.  If he had some inkling what Viktos was planning, tracking him down would be easier.  His only real lead was the certainty that Viktos would not abandon Adra, but as the weeks passed he was beginning to wonder.

Cold stone, blue sky, a little pile of filthy hay and a blanket.  Adra surveyed her surroundings with disgust.  She was supposed to be rich by now, living as she'd always wanted to, free from her family.  But no.  Somehow the whole thing had backfired.  Tricking Rowena into getting everyone together had worked beautifully.  Convincing that idiot Manthar to give her his warehouse key, flawless.  But Viktos had sensed something was wrong . . . and somehow she'd ended up in prison.  She cursed, kicking at the flea infested hay.  A voice from the hall, "Quiet in there!"  Adra sighed heavily.  There had to be a way out of this.  

The guard came to her cell door, looking around annoyed.  "What's all the racket?"  Adra put on a frightened expression, looking up from her bed.  "Oh!  Thank you so much for coming!  There was a rat!"  The guard smirked, "Get used to it, girl.  Lord Alagondar doesn't worry too much about rats in the dungeon."  Adra took a little step to the side, letting the meager light from her barred window fall across her.  She hoped the fabric was thin enough to show her wares.  "I see . . . I will have to adjust, I guess."  She gave him a soft, sad smile.  "Thank you so much for checking on me."  The guard looked at her uncertainly, eyes dropping to her chest as she'd hoped they would.

"Maybe I could uh . . . come in and check.  Make sure the rat's gone," the guard muttered.  Adra smiled, clapping her hands together delightedly.  "Oh please!  You'd be my hero!"  Men were so easy, she thought, as he unlocked the cell door.  It would take time, she told herself, but this was manageable.  In a few weeks he would be eating out of her hand and then it would be on to more difficult prey.