Temptations

ɎChapter♠FourteenɎ

 Elias woke with a start, his right cheek stinging slightly and his head pounding. He groaned looking up at Archer. "Did you have to slap me?" He asked rolling his neck in a circle. He looked around, slowly remembering how he ended up in the alley. "That bitch." He growled, taking Archer's hand and standing up.

"What happened last night man. I haven't seen you act like that since before you joined the guard. Where's your sword and money?" He walked around Elias, who was still trying to control the spinning in his head. "She was a thief wasn't she?" He asked, chuckling as he already knew the answer.

Elias didn't meet Archer's gaze, his eyes staring off into nothingness as he remembered last night's events. "Duel Wielder." He grumbled.

"Hm?"

"She was a dual wielder, with daggers. It can't be hard to find someone with that kind of skill in a port town like this. Especially a woman." He began walking out of the alleyway, his mind thinking back to every little thing she'd said and did. She was good at slight of hand, and moved fluidly and confidently.

"Just your luck. The most beautiful woman in the tavern happens to be your demise." Archer chuckled, clapping him on the back. "Before the robbery, did you happen to get a taste?" Elias rolled his eyes.

"She was a great kisser and that's all I'm telling you."

"I think that's all you got by the way you're hunting her down. Seems you've met your match. Ironic, if you think about it really."

"Why I've remained friends with you is beyond me." Elias complained.

"Because if it wasn't for me you'd never let yourself loose and you've become a boring old Rear Admiral with no joy in life." Archer said with a cheeky grin as they walked through the crowd. Elias' eyes continued searching amongst the people, as if the Rosa would still be there. "She won't be here, I can tell you that."

"Well if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been out long enough to meet her and get robbed." He turned to Archer with a glare, but Archer's gaze focused on his cheek.

"Seems she got you good there." He motioned to the cut. Elias ran his finger over it, cringing slightly when his finger touched the raw skin of the cut. It was shallow, but would likely leave a scar.

"Came close to it, yes. She had quite the talent when it came to her daggers." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't even know where to start looking for her."

"Well, she's a thief isn't she? Thieves like to stay in their comfort zone so she'll probably be back at nightfall. We could always ask around, see if she's new to the parlor." Elias nodded slowly, still scanning the crowd.

"I think you're right. Come back tonight then?" Elias concluded with a sigh.

"I believe so." Archer grinned.