Dragon's Fire

The next several weeks were uneventful, as they rode through the kingdoms between Talon's home and Shadow's. Talon even managed to keep a rein in on her need to steal or con, although she did manage to get them cheaper rates and huge amounts of respect at every inn she stayed at, just by using a set of obscure hand gestures. As hard as Shadow tried, he couldn't understand why it happened. The hand gestures weren't even the same every time, as near as he could tell. But the results always were: the best rooms, the cheapest rates, and the titles of "Lord" and "Lady" for the two of them. Shadow tried to ask Talon about it after the first time he watched her do it.

"What was that?"

"Something I learned a long time ago," she replied.

"Where?" Shadow's curiosity was up.

"You have your secrets, and so do I." The reply seemed final, and Shadow was forced to let it go, at least for now.

Throughout the trip, Talon and Shadow talked, trying to figure out what the other person was like. Talon asked questions about the problem she was going to be helping with, and Shadow did his best to answer them. Admittedly, Shadow spent just as much time asking questions of Talon. Many of his questions involved discussions of Talon's morals and motives. One memorable discussion occurred several days into their journey.

"Talon, why did you decide to help me?" Shadow asked curiously.

"Because of your beaming personality, handsome." She grinned at him as he sighed in exasperation.

"Seriously, why?"

"Why the need to know?" Talon asked.

"Because I want to know. How do I know you aren't just planning on robbing me and leaving? Or using me as an alibi for a while then deserting me?"

"Is that your problem? Okay, fine. I'm helping you because... well, mostly...," Talon paused to think. "Ya know, cleric, I'm really not entirely sure. I guess the best explanation is that part of my conscience is telling me to."

"Conscience? You?" Shadow seemed to find the idea of Talon having a little voice telling her right from wrong absolutely impossible.

"Yeah, I have a conscience. Impossible as that may seem to be."

"So then why do you do what you do?"

"Why? I have a better question. Why not?" Talon looked at the cleric, and continued, "Thievery, con artistry, and all of those things you find so distasteful in me are part of who I am. My father was the King's personal rogue. Did you know that? He trained me to take his place, and I'd be doing all of this officially if my ass of a brother hadn't interfered when Father died. Father also taught me that stealing from those who are in need of money is the most horrible thing a person could do. Yes, there are thieves out there who will steal a copper from a hungry child. But I'm not one of them. Also, I refuse to kill a man in cold blood. I'm not squeamish, and I've been trained in several different methods of fighting and killing, but I will not kill a man without very good reason."

"Such as a large sum of gold?"

"Paid assassinations are not my line of work. If I decide to kill a person, it's because the world will be a better place without him or her, not because they happen to have rich enemies," Talon stated.

"I'm surprised no-one has gotten you yet," Shadow retorted.