100 - "The View From Above" - Parith 

Oh, my flames! Have you ever seen anyone fight like that?

Parith Laren looked down on the surprised people in the inn's common area from the darkened space in the rafters and cross beams above. He watched the tall, oddly-dressed human talking to the ones that he had been fighting just moments before.

He had been sitting at a table in the corner just before the fight broke out. His short time in Twynne Rivers had shown him that it was pretty diverse, especially in the merchant and riverfront quarters, but still, there weren't so many elves, like him. In addition, this part of the city wasn't the wealthiest or the most patrolled, either.

So, when the shouting started, his first thought was to get out of the way. That, and when all of the humans stood up to gawk at the fight, he had to find a better vantage point.

Next to the table where he had been sitting was a large, square, wooden pillar, supporting the beams and rafters where the ceiling and roof are attached. He had leapt onto the table, then up at the pillar. He pushed off the pillar and launched himself up onto one of the beams. From there, it had been easy to jump from one to the other to get to a place where he could see clearly. It reminded him of jumping from branch to branch in the forest canopy of his home in Umbrawood. Fortunately, everyone was too transfixed by the drama unfolding below to pay any attention to a quick elf in the smoky darkness above.

Parith saw the peasant man toss the stolen pouch to its original owner, then slip between people in the crowd as everyone watched to see what the tall man would do. Surprisingly, all he did was help the other man up, the man he had just thrown to the ground like yesterday's garbage. Then, Parith saw him give a quick bow of the head. Everyone gave him a wide passage as he stepped over to his table and sat down.

The drama was over, but no one was quite sure what to do. Gradually, they all returned to their seats. The murmur of conversation returned, though what they were talking about was definitely not the same as before. As the innkeepers also began serving the tables again, Parith looked over the scene from his unique perspective.

Now, how am I going to get down from here without drawing any attention?

Parith glanced over at the table where he had been sitting before. Aw, flameit! My pouch and pole are there, unguarded! He began leaping through the rafters. On his second jump, he misjudged his footing on the landing, slipping and losing his balance. He swung his arms to steady himself, and slammed his knee into a heavy wooden rafter. The pain shot through his leg and he clenched his teeth to not cry out. His swinging arms grabbed another rafter and held on. He steadied himself, wincing as the pain subsided into a dull throb. Good thing I didn't fall. That would be all I'd need, to have everyone attacking the sneaky wood elf in the ceiling.

Steadied, he made the last few jumps to be above his table, then, after assuring himself that the general attention of the inn patrons was elsewhere, quickly slid down the pillar and sat down. He picked up his drink and took a sip as he glanced around to make sure nobody had been watching. His gaze settled on the stranger who had won the fight. He sat alone, and didn't look like he fit in, or was waiting on any companions.

A guy that can fight like that could get me out of a lot of tight spots.

He emptied his tankard in a long drink, then stood and walked around his table toward the man.

101 - "Dancing on the Roof" - Parith

"I found out that this part of the city is called the 'Outer Wall', I guess because it's outside the wall." Parith spoke as he deftly stepped through the night air, along the ridgeline of a rooftop. He walked with a lightness, as his feet and balance were secure. Behind him, Korr followed, but not as quickly, and with much less confidence.

"Hold, friend." Korr said, waving his arms for balance, "How do you do this so easily? In the darkness of night, I can't see where my feet go, and I'm not so nimble!"

"I told you, I grew up in Umbrawood Forest," Parith explained, "So this is a lot like walking through the branches in the trees." He came to the end of the roof, and stopped for a moment. Korr caught up to him, and Parith continued, "That, And it's always dark in the forest. That's why it's called Umbrawood." He wore a light green shirt with flowing roomy sleeves, under a short leather vest. His ear tips pointed a bit through his long brown hair. Not as much as a high elf's would, but still visible.

The building next to him was close and just a bit higher, so it was easy for him to step up and over, onto it.

As Parith walked with the balance and confidence if a forest cat, he talked. "I'm a wood elf, right? And we all make our villages up in the trees. For a while, I spent some time guiding the human traders through the forest. They would come from Twynne Rivers, travelling through the forest to Umbrawood City in the west. It was a good living, but I thought it would be exciting to see Twynne Rivers for myself!" He paused again, to let Korr catch up. "I've only been here about a month or so, but I think I'm blending in."

It was a hot night, not long after the midsummer celebrations had passed. While it was dark, the three-quarter moon provided some illumination. The roof of the pub where they stood was a bit taller than the other shops and buildings around them, affording them a view over the sprawling city. They could see smoking chimneys and rooftops dotted by the light of thousands of lanterns shining through windows onto the streets and alleys. In this section of the Outer Wall, near the main road out of Twynne Rivers, the buildings were built sturdier and very close together. Within a few streets, the firm rooftops gave way to thatching and other less permanent shelters. Occasionally, the cityscape was interrupted by a taller structure, like a two-story inn, or a chapel bell tower.

"Over there is the wall." Parith pointed the other way. Korr looked and saw the dark and forbidding barrier spanning as far as he could see in the night. It was taller than most of the buildings around them, but Korr could see spires and points beyond its parapets. The wall itself was interrupted from time to time by a guard tower, illuminated at the top and from the windows with the steadily glowing oculus gems. Few living in the Outer Wall could afford that kind of lamp.

"On the other side is the Inner Wall. It's a much nicer part of the city. I've been able to sneak in a few times. But right now we're going this way!" Parith said, jumping the short distance to another rooftop, and crawling up to the crest. He stood and gestured to Korr to follow.

Korr stood on the other roof, skeptical of his ability to make the leap. Leaning into it, he jumped. His hands and legs scrambled to find holds as he landed. Then, he rose with caution and climbed up to where Parith waited. "Why are we not just walking on the street?"

"Are you kidding?" Parith began walking along the roofline. "It's not safe!"

"And this acrobatic balancing act is?"

"Hey, it's getting us where we want to go."

"And where is that?"

Parith paused and pointed to a slightly taller structure not too many houses away. It was a chapel with a steeple and a bell. "See? Nice. Cozy. And it won't cost us three silver a night!"

The next rooftop was closer and didn't require quite the jump.

"Why are you in the city?" Parith asked.

Korr reached down for a moment to steady himself. "I've been charged with a task. I'm to deliver a message."

"Really? To who?"

"I'm looking for a man named Heathrax. I have a message for him from my master."

"Who is Heathrax?" They stopped. They had come to edge of the current rooftop, right up against the chapel. Parith looked up at the steeple. To get to the open bell area, they would have to jump straight up and reach to catch the roof edge, then crawl up the slope and climb the last way into the tower. Parith looked at his companion.

Korr had an incredulous look on his face. "I have no idea."