<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/32/62/e6/3262e6539ba306aaa178b6396abadd3d--auburn-hair-colors-hair-colours.jpg)</div><br/>The items in the shop held Hani's gaze until Ethirdir appeared. His compliment brought a smile to her red lips. "Thank you Lord Talion. I do hope you have a room where we can be undisturbed?" His hand on her shoulder was a friendly gesture, she wondered if he was this way to all of his customers?<br/><br/>She let him show her to the back rooms, following him down the corridor until they were inside a small cozy room with a skylight. Her glance upwards took in the natural light. It was far better than lamplight to show off her treasures. Setting the basket down on the table, she sat in one of the chairs. Noting he locked the door, she smiled. He was taking no chances. She brought out the dagger first and showed it to him. "I brought a few other things. They were found in another place, but I thought I would take the opportunity to show them to you as well." Unrolling the dagger from the felt surrounding it, she let the sunlight fall on it.<br/><br/>(https://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=107954794)<br/><br/>As Ethirdir examined the marvelous carvings on the dagger, Hani studied his features. He really was quite handsome, his reddish blonde hair falling straight past his shoulders. It was almost tempting to touch that silky mass, it looked as fine as baby hair. His eyes were mesmerizing, so full of life and charm. Well she could see how he would give Doryn competition. Now that she was alone with him, and no Doryn and his jealousy to hold her back, she warmed to his manner. "I do get around, Lord Talion. More than a simple burglar, I also explore ruins outside of the City from time to time. I found this dagger and the amulet that I wear. They appear to have enchantments to them. The Amulet I know, as it allows me to see in the darkness and hear with the accuracy of a cat. The dagger has eluded the few other experts in town. I have yet to take it to the Arch Magister. He might know, but he is incredibly busy. He also might ask rather delicate questions I prefer not to answer..." She grinned, lifting the amulet from her neck to show it to him.<br/><br/>(https://i.pinimg.com/236x/8b/75/39/8b7539b31d492a20c25ea80b3924f247--cat-necklace-pendant-necklace.jpg)<br/><br/>She was very curious, and she felt compelled to ask him, "So tell me, Lord Talion, how did you get into the business of antiquities and second hand merchandise? I would think an Elven Lord would not bother with such trifles." Leaning over to show him the amulet as it was still around her neck. It brought them incredibly close, so close she could feel his sweet breath wash over her hand as he studied the carved figure of the cat.  The scent of roses would meet his nostrils as he leaned towards her. His hand grasping hers as he gazed intently at it. Though his eyes seemed to drift to hers more than not.  Part of her wondered if he would give Doryn a run for her attentions.<br/><br/>That thought made her pause. Was Doryn serious? He had never given any indication he was anything more than a friend. Why he was acting this way puzzled her. By all the gossip, he was going to marry some nobles daughter. It is what nobles did, keep the wealth in the Upper Terrace where they thought it belonged. He spent a lot of time up there with this Lady Elena. Rumors had them together alone more times than was proper. Hani sighed at the thought. He was far above her, so it really did not matter. It was far better to find someone who loved her for what she was, not because of her money or social status.<br/><br/>Besides, Ethirdir was a fascinating temptation all on his own. Even as he gave her his opinion of the dagger and the amulet, he was polite and patient. She knew he was wanting to see the gem. With a smirk, she finally dug into her basket to bring out the puzzle box. Few could solve it, and she knew that outside of smashing it, no one could get to the contents without spending a considerable amount of time figuring out the way to open it.<br/><br/>"Here is the place I keep it. The locking mechanism has been unarmed, so it is not trapped. I did not want you to get hurt. I do, however, want to see you try to open this. I warn you it took me three days! I know the secret, however and I will open it for you eventually." There was a devilish grin on her face.<br/><br/>(http://www.puzzleboxworld.com/images/limited.jpg)<br/><br/>Hani sat back and watched Ethirdir struggle with the puzzle box. She loved tormenting people with intellectual puzzles like this! One thing she knew for certain, Doryn would probably take his ax to it! He had no patience, at least none that she ever saw. This was a test of sorts for Ethirdir, to see how he handled this delicate but intriguing puzzle. He handled it well, touching it in various places and exerting pressure until he felt the wood yield a bit. He turned the box carefully to look at all sides. The design was intricate and beautiful, and also mind boggling and confusing in it's images. Just when she thought he was going to give up, he found the sequence, keyed in the design, needed to unlock the box. His eyes lit up with pleasure and he carefully slid the final section aside to open the top.<br/><br/>"That was amazing! I had a feeling you would know this kind of box, it is Elven made after all. I have a friend, who is Half Elven, who gifted it to me on my last nameday. He learned the art from his father. Now you may see the gem, it is in the lower drawer, wrapped in silk." Hani smiled, applauding his effort.<br/><br/>When Ethirdir carefully lifted the gem from the box, he might feel the slightest of tingle in his fingers. If he had any magic power at all, and most Elves had some, he would feel the power emanating from the stone.<br/><br/>(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c3/38/c2/c338c2aec35589e9105c787dc9b2c32a.jpg)<br/><br/>----<br/><br/>The young Elf ordered mead and Mercy smiled. "Mead? Not one of the fine wines we have in the bar? Of course you should have what you like." She paused then as she realized what else he wanted to order. Blinking in confusion, she stammered. "What? But I hardly know you! Excuse me, sir. I do hope you are not thinking this is one of<strong>those</strong>places! We serve food and spirits, not women of the night. I will be right back." Her manner considerably cooler than when she started to take his order. She walked away, a little irritated at the thoughts that filled her mind. Who did he think he was to wander in here and ask her out? They had never met before today! Did he really think she would just go out with him like that?<br/><br/>She went to the bartender and ordered the mead. Her cross expression caused Tom the bartender to give her a quizzical look. "Is that Elf bothering you, Mercy? I can kick him out real fast..."<br/><br/>Mercy shook her head. "No it's fine, I told him to back off. If he doesn't then you can kick him out. The nerve of some people! Of course he is an Elf, still I thought they had better sense than that!" She took the glass of mead back to Theolin and set it on the table.<br/><br/>"Two silvers, please. Unless you wanted to order a meal? We have a special today on elk roast with vegetables and a baked potato, fresh bread every day. It's ready, all the cook has to do is slice it off the roast and dish up the rest. Lunch is usually pretty quick around here." She was polite but cool.