Dragon's Fire

Talon then walked back to the inn and went into the common room. As she entered, she saw the cleric sitting at a table in the corner, eating and looking slightly worried. She walked over and asked, "Mind if I join you, handsome?"

"If you insist," came the short reply after he glanced at her briefly.

"So, what's you name?"

The cleric shrugged.

"Don't want to talk to me, handsome?" Talon pouted a little.

The cleric shrugged again.

"Well, you're not much fun," Talon stated.

Once again, the cleric shrugged.

"I'll bet I could do something to help you have a little more fun," she told him, smiling.

"No, thanks."

Talon sat there quietly for a few moments, watching him eat, smiling to herself.

"Something on your mind, cleric?" she finally asked curiously.

"Yeah."

"Wanna tell me what? Maybe I could help."

"No."

"No what? You don't wanna tell me, or I can't help?"

"Yes."

"Well, if you're gonna be that way, don't expect me to help with any magical problems."

At that, the cleric looked up sharply, startled.

"What did you say?" he asked.

"You heard me. If you're still interested in the offer, I'll be in my room. Right next to yours." She stood up and walked up the stairs, smiling at the innkeeper as she walked past.

A few moments after she got there, she heard a knock on the door.

"Who's there?" she asked.

"It's me," came the reply.

"Well, come in."

He came in and closed the door behind him.

"You had an offer for me?" he asked.

"Actually, I believe it was you who was making offers to me, but..." She grinned mischievously at him.

"And why don't I remember this?"

"I should be insulted. Only one night, and he forgets me! How rude." She glared at him, although she was laughing inside.

"Talon?" he asked skeptically.

"Well, of course. Who did you think I was, someone else?"

"Well... yeah, I did," he admitted slowly.

Talon grinned at him. "You were supposed to, handsome."

"Oh." Shadow looked around. "Wait a minute... Your room?!?! You mean you were right here all night?"

"Well, not all night, but most of it, yeah."

"So why wouldn't you stay with me last night?"

"I told you. I had some things to do."

"But... "the cleric sighed. "Couldn't you have let me know last night?"

"Well, I could have, but I didn't, and it really doesn't matter now, does it?"

"No, but... when I heard the news this morning, I was sure I wasn't going to have your help anymore."

"What news?" Talon decided to act like she hadn't heard anything.

"The King's soldiers captured Talon last night. She robbed the tax collector's house, and they found her, minus the gold, a few hours later. She goes on trial today, complete with sorcerers to remove her disguise and prove her identity. They plan on extracting the location of the gold she stole, as well."

Talon laughed. "Oh, just that? Do I feel sorry for that poor girl! All the problems, and not even a single copper to show for it. But that's why you looked so depressed earlier."

"Yeah," he replied. "But... If they caught you, how are you here now? And what do you mean, you feel sorry for that poor girl?"

"Well, obviously, I didn't get caught. I'm standing here, aren't I? And I feel sorry for her because she has to go through all of that just to be found completely innocent." She paused for a moment. "But I did rob the tax collector last night," she concluded clinically.

"What?!"

Talon shrugged. "I needed some money. Besides, he's corrupt."

"And so are you," Shadow told her.

"How would you know?" Talon retorted angrily. "You don't even know what I'm going to do with the money I stole, now do you?"

"No, and I really don't care, either."

Talon glared at the cleric for several moments, and then shrugged. "I really don't care what you think of me. Now do you want me to help you with whatever your problem is, or not?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't we leave?"

"Fine."