Velma rummaged through Damark's belongings finding a pouch with some coins, but other than the badge of the Cabal, she found no signs of identification on the body.  If she wanted she could take the crossbow and silvered bolts, being careful not to touch the arrow heads as the touch of silver was never very pleasant to her.  The simple touch didn't hurt, but it just was... unpleasant, icky in a way.  The sword he'd had was a simple short sword, crafted with obvious care.  While it appeared plain in look, it was obviously forged by a craftsman, perfectly balanced and razor sharp.  But the slight glow, especially when the light hit it just right, gave obvious fact that it was a magical blade.<br/><br/>Velma asked what the debts were and the woman sneered, but answered her,<strong>"I over extended my budget and had to take out a loan from a private funder.  Then when the proposed expedition into the wilds didn't even make it off the launch pad, I had no way to recoup my losses.  Nothing major a few hundred gold but..."</strong><br/><br/>She paused and cocked her head, listening to something.  Velma too listened and at first she didn't hear it, but then it was clear, the sound of armored boots tromping down the streets down stairs, and getting closer.  She smiled at Velma and said,<strong> "Well, it seems that the defenders are almost here.  Who are they going to believe the unarmed woman sitting on the floor, or the one covered in blood?" </strong>Truthfully Velma wasn't 'covered' in blood any more, but there were still signs of it on her body, and would remain till she could reach a fountain.<strong> "But,"</strong>she added, "<strong>You spared my life, so I'll make you a deal.  Let me go now, out the window.  I'll leave Laelith and never return and I'll tell you the one other thing I heard Damark talk about.  You can tell the guards whatever you like, as long as I make it out of this city I don't care.  But if I'm caught Ill make sure the guards know that you slaughtered these people in cold blood, broke down the door to try to get at the fisherman and his wife, and I only survived because you wanted a warm meal for later... monster."</strong><br/><br/>She smiled wryly, and Velma was keen enough to realize that she was trying to goad her.  The guardsmen were less than a minute away and Velma knew that if this woman was smart, she could hold her own in combat at least for long enough to have the guards walk in on the last few moments of combat, and then there'd be a very difficult explanation on her hands.  But the truth of the matter was that this woman was still terrified.  It wasn't just in her scent either, it was her pose.  Her entire body trembled with nervous energy twined with fear.  This was her last, desperate ploy to escape.<br/><br/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">let me know in an OOC what Velma takes.  The sword is a magical short sword +1.  The crossbow is a masterwork hand crossbow and there are a total of 8 silver headed bolts.  The coin purse has a mixture of denominations totaling 87 gold.</div></div>