A Psychic in Argoport

Dark laughter echoed in Korrin’s head as he awoke. Another dream, another nightmare. The least that Nirrok could do was let him have a peaceful sleep every now and then. Still, it was early morning, and a rumbling stomach told him that it was time to scrounge up some breakfast.

     Aethrin should be setting up his market stall, and he had just enough silver pieces to buy a piece of beef that he could trade for some oysters from Paakiga. After he finished breakfast he needed to find some more work, all while avoiding Karn and Varto.

     Tossing the old, ragged piece of cloth off of his legs, Korrin stood up and stretched. A few joints popped as he did so, awakening the other individual sleeping in the alleyway. Up in a flash, the twenty-year old half-elf took in everything in the alley. Relaxing only slightly, the half-elf turned to her makeshift bed and picked up her few belongings.

     Ignoring her, Korrin slung his makeshift pack over his shoulder and made his way out of the alley. Aethrin typically set up on the north end of the Crab Docks, which was a good twenty minute walk. As he wove his way through the early morning crowds, Korrin looked out into the bay. Nearly three dozen ships were docked, sailors and dockworkers moving up and down the piers with crates and barrels of goods.

     Soon enough, Korrin heard Aethrin’s voice calling out. The human had a booming voice that easily cut through the calls of the other hawkers selling their wares. Ducking under the arm of an orc arguing with another vendor, Korrin started picking out a few chunks of meat from Aethrin’s stall.

     “Been a while since I’ve seen you kid, Varto still giving you trouble?” Aethrin asked as the homeless teen placed his chosen meats on the counter.

     “I’ve just been avoiding the Crab Docks to err on the side of caution. The Dockside Sharks haven’t been happy with me since I left,” Korrin explained as Aethrin weighed and tallied the cost of the order. Handing over the silver coins, Korrin continued, “In any case, Paakiga should be by today and I was hoping to trade for some deep sea fish. See you later Aethrin.”

     Bag of meat in hand, Korrin made his way down to the shoreline where the koup’ira came up. Korrin had befriended one of the koup’ira laborers in his youth, and always managed to get a deal from him. Not necessarily a good deal, but typically a better one than he’d be able to get elsewhere.

     A few minutes after paying for the cuts of meat, Korrin was waiting as several koup’ira hauled nets of fish out of the surf onto the boardwalk. Spotting the dark green carapace of his friend, Korrin made his way over to Paakiga with a small smile on his face.

     “It’s been a while Paakiga,” Korrin said to the koup’ira.

     Street-mage, long time indeed. Come to trade? Paakiga responded.

     “I’ve got some cuts of meat from Aethrin, what’s looking good?”

     Would recommend puffer fish, but toxic to surfacers without proper treatment. Somehow doubt that you have proper treatment. Instead have some fish from warmer waters south. Spines have been removed, so no more poison.

     Nodding in agreement, Korrin handed over the bag with the cuts of meat. Feeling the weight of the bag in one hand, Paakiga placed a pair of striped, brightly colored fish into a separate bag. Tying the bag of fish closed, Paakiga handed Korrin his purchase with spread mouth-parts in the koup’ira version of a smile. Parting with a smile on his face, Korrin made his way past the koup’ira and further inland to the Cathedral District. Maia should have some potential work available.

     As he left the Crab Docks, a familiar figure appeared in the corner of Korrin’s view. A member of the Dockside Sharks that joined just before he left, staring in his general direction. Narrowing his eyes, Korrin opened his mind’s eye and peered into the mind of the gang member. While most practitioners of magic would need words, gestures, or holy symbols to cast spells, Korrin only needed to think and feel the right way.

     After a few seconds of rifling through the gangster’s thoughts, Korrin held back a curse. Three gangsters, led by Varto, were hunting him. Reviewing the layout of the Crab Docks, Korrin swiftly came up with a plan. There was a small alleyway that was typically filled with rubbish, it would limit them to coming at him one at a time. The downside was that the alley was a dead end, but Korrin was confident that he could deal with three gangsters.

     Making his way down the alleyway, a dark voice whispered in his mind, Let me out, and I will make sure that Varto never troubles you again.

     The offer made Korrin pause. The presence in his head could put more power behind his spells, but he was also needlessly violent and cruel. If Nirrok came out, then the gangsters would not walk away alive. With a sigh, Korrin turned to face the front of the alley just as the first gangster made his way past the entrance.

     The change was subtle, a cruel smirk and change in eye colors being the only outward signs that Korrin was no longer in control. Reaching out with his mind, Nirrok felt the mind of the gangster making his way down the alley. Finding the weak spots, Nirrok grinned before mentally stabbing at the vulnerable parts.

     The gangster screamed in agony, falling to his knees and clutching his head as blood began to flow from his eyes and ears. After a few moments, the screaming stopped as the gangster fell to the ground dead. Turning his gaze to the next victim, Nirrok mentally picked up a rock and hurled it at his chosen target.

     A loud crack sounded through the alley as the rock slammed into the human’s temple, crushing bone and shredding brain matter.

     “Varto, come out and play!” Nirrok called out as he skipped to the entrance of the alley. Stepping over the bodies of the dead gangsters, Nirrok looked out the entrance of the alleyway for the ringleader.

     It seems that Varto left his men to die. Now let me out, Korrin ordered from within the shared mind.

     Why should I? You never let me out except for times like this. I think I should play for a while, Nirrok responded.

     Nirrok started to make his way into the city, only to stop. Clutching his head as he fell to his knees, he struggled against Korrin as the latter forced his way to the forefront. Standing on shaky legs, Korrin groaned in pain as Nirrok expressed his displeasure in the form of a migraine.

     “This is why I hate letting him out.”

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