Clarissa's Tale (Wild Coast Fiction) Book 1 Part 1.
>From Greyhawk, The Adventure Begins p:106
"Ricard (Damaris)'s daughter Clarissa is stealing money from the inn's
till and from drunken patrons. She has a plan to steal her parents'
earnings and head for a more exciting place like Narwell or Safeton.
Moderately attractive and seductive, Clarissa is treacherous and
faithless, attaching herself to anyone with wealth."
Clarissa's Tale (Book 1) Part 1: Flight from Greyhawk.
by Russell Bird
i.
Clarissa had done it. Fed up with her boring life and the annoying
fools of the River Quarter, she awoke one morning and willed herself to
do it, as simple as that. She grabbed the money that she had saved,
picked the pocket of a merchant on the way out of the city and fled the
Highway Gate.
That was then.
In the weeks since, she had wanted to turn back many times. She was
tired, hungry and often lonely. At least back at the Inn, she had
company that she was used to but now, she found herself missing that.
How long to get to Safeton? How long? How much longer, she yearned!
She wanted to jump the string of caravans that she had used to get to
the Coast. She had to sweet talk many a merchant to make it this far,
for the rest she simply hid. That was easy enough, but to her surprise
they were all so stiff! No talk of fun and enjoyment and always talk of
risking attack! What nonsense! At least she had picked up some money
along the way.
Now, after three weeks of long travel, she approached the gates on the
north side of the town of Safeton as dusk was falling.
"Almost there now."
"Yup."
"So, got anywhere to stay?"
Clarissa felt the urge to slap Spedwell. She stifled that urge and
suppressed a giggle.
"I am sure I will be fine." She smiled for him and gave him a gentle
embrace, "maybe we might meet up in a few days?"
"Well, I am not sure what I will be doing by then. I have heard that
there are postings for free-swords in all directions. I am just not
sure... I might say that having the pleasure of your company for a few
days would be..."
"I'll look for you..." said Clarissa, and stood up to look forward as
the Caravan closed in on the North Gate. She jumped to the top of the
wagon.
"No you won't..." said Spedwell to himself, shaking his head and
stifling a grin.
The setting sun cast shadows across the still waters of Woolly Bay.
Clarissa folded her arms and stared across the waters, falling in love
with the sight. She could see many ships docked on the distant wharves,
but nothing was sailing in or out this late in the afternoon. The
caravan had paused while the wagon master was talking to the guards on
the gate. They sure looked more serious that the gate guards of
Greyhawk. She became bored with the wait but held her place. To pass
the time, she began to count the (very) small change that she had just
lifted from Spedwell.
Soon (but not soon enough !) the caravan moved forward and passed
through the gate. It began to pull over at a station in to the right of
the gate. Clarissa jumped off an landed on both feet.
She began to wander and she saw that people in armour and with weapons
were moving everywhere. Guards were placed in and around the station
that the caravan had just pulled into, but Clarissa was able to move
freely. She felt eyes staring at her and instantly felt awkward in this
new place. Looking back, she found gazes of confusion, amusement and
even lust. Ha! Nothing new there! She strode forward with confidence,
and most people ignored her. More than a few young men tried to meet
her gaze, but she knew how to avoid that if she wanted.
She walked through a public square and saw a large group of people
crowded around a set of speakers. As she passed, she listened to what
some of the speakers were saying.
"Be alert for the activities of the Slavers! Local militia keeps them
at bay, but we have yet to root out the discrete element. Remember,
although slavery is not illegal on the coast, the council of Safeton has
condemned the actions of this group..."
"Wanted and believed still active on the Coast... the notorious Lord
Robilar, the renegade Sir Unjan! Handsome bounties are offered for
their capture! Look yonder for the most recent likeness for both..."
"Item! Organised thief activity is on the increase, and investigations
believe that the Slavers are not, I repeat, NOT involved. Please report
all instances to the constabulary..."
"Lord Winetraup has contested the landholdings of Baron Testor, and the
area has been declared a flash point. All expeditions along the reach
of the West Road are being diverted..."
'Sell-swords wanted now. Skill optional, wanderlust essential..."
"Tremble SINNERS! Only by turning to the One True Path of his divine
Brilliance..."
Clarissa hastened on, and narrowly avoided being pelted in the sudden
shower of offal and rotten food. Now if she could just find a tavern
before the Watch pulled her over for questioning...
ii.
Now she really was getting hungry! She had been barred entrance to most
taverns, and most of the stores were now shut. She was also wanting to
bed down somewhere comfortable, and she had heard talk of an enforced
curfew. She had managed to avoid the people who she knew had been
following her, and was confidant that no one was spying on her now. The
buildings she had been passing had given way to increasing squalor.
Ick!
"Where am I, back in Greyhawk?" she thought to herself, now more keen
than ever to get comfortable and off the streets. She turned a corner
to where she could see a more brightly lit street... and was seized from
behind.
Pummelling with her fists, she was able to slip free and found herself
confronted by three hooded men, all brandishing short-swords. Other
people were on the street but they hurried away around corners or into
doorways. Angry, she pulled a hidden knife on her attackers. One of
them just as quickly hit her on the arm with the flat of his blade.
Startled, she dropped the knife.
"This won't do, young one! You have led us on a merry chase, I will
have you know!"
"Get AWAY from me!"
"You look so lost, little girl... Run away from home, have you?" said
another of the men.
Clarissa tried to push past but was caught one handed.
"Now no more struggling there, we still have a lot of work to do
tonight..."
"What? Let me GO!"
And she knew no more, as she was clubbed from behind.
"FOOL!" said the speaker, striking the assailant. "Our orders were to
subdue her! If she requires healing, YOU can find the funds!"
"She will be fine, I am sure. Why is she so important? There are any
of a number of other legitimate targets we could have hit tonight..."
"She was seen at the gate, and marked. That is all you need worry
about. Now let us be away before the watch finds us."
Two of the attackers picked Clarissa up between them and carried her off
as if she was overcome with the common ale. As they did so, none of the
three saw the shadows move nearby. The observer stood there a minute
longer and watched the muggers move off. Satisfied, the observer moved
off in another direction...
To be continued... In the company of mercenaries (Clarissa discovers
what pulls people to the coast and some vaguely familiar faces start to
appear...)
