"I insist, go home, Lindara. I have run this shop for as long as you've been alive, I am perfectly capable of closing it for the night," said Car'onna sternly, but not without affection. She smiled and the fading sunlight coming through rose colored windows played along her face. Lindara struggled with her response, wanting to impress her employer but thankful for the chance to go home. Car'onna arched an eyebrow and the Elven woman nodded quickly.
As Car'onna drifted about the room, straightening, organizing, and dusting, Lindara collected her things from the back room and slipped out the door with a breathy farewell. For another half hour, the day wound down until the sun was almost gone and Car'onna spoke the word to activate the driftglobes scattered around the shop. Three men filtered through the door.
Car'onna smiled broadly and greeted them, "Welcome to The Joyous Path. I take it you need travel supplies, gentlemen?"
The Human in the lead grinned and moved towards her as his companions, an Earth Soul Genasi and a Halfling, shared a grin and a chuckle. The Genasi closed the door heavily and turned the lock. Car'onna tsked.
Circling the counter, back to where she kept the locked chest of coin, Car'onna began speaking softly, "I have been a successful business woman in this country for twenty years; before that, I was apprenticed to my mother for a further ten years. In that time, I have led trade caravans to the neighboring countries, organized city-wide festivals, and dealt with any number of opportunistic cads who thought they could rob me because I am a woman. Is it really your belief that in that time, I never learned to defend myself?"
From beneath the counter she withdrew a long, wickedly curved blade. Momentarily, she held it in front of her face, then extended it using her right arm, pointing it at the Human thief. He stopped moving.
"C'mon, boss," said the Genasi, "She's alone, she can't take all of us."
The Halfling, seemingly less convinced, replied, "Just grab the stuff and we'll run!"
Car'onna smiled. "Yes, boss, just grab it. There's three of you. I can't strike all of you at once."
She slid back around the counter, slowly closing the gap between her blade and the human. He stepped back a pace. Faintly, her szuldar began to glow, fiery red. The light touched at her green eyes, making them appear to flicker. Her arm, like iron, kept the blade pointed.
The human dropped back another pace. "Boys..."
Car'onna echoed, mirth in her voice, "Boys..."
All three dropped back now, the Genasi fumbling with the lock on the door. The Halfling made a nervous keening sound. Car'onna hissed, "Dur," and the driftglobes snuffed out, leaving her szuldar and the streetlights filtering through rose colored windows as the only light in the room. She took a purposeful stride forward, sword arm flexing backwards and the three men ran, sprinting into the night.
Car'onna afforded herself a laugh as she crossed to the door. She threw the bolt and spoke the keyword to relight the driftglobes. To herself, she whispered, "Ah well, I suppose I shall have to alert the guards. They'll want to stop those three before they find someone less prepared."
She crossed back to the counter, replaced her father's sword, and drew out a quill and paper, writing descriptions of the three men before she could forget..
