Involuntary Leave (short story)

### Synopsis

Theovald tries to find passage to Kordiros during his leave, but is killed on the way.

### Author(s)

Kai Sara

"**Involuntary Leave**" is a short story that describes the murder of Theovald von Beaumont by Nimble Shadow (also known as Halphas).

## Text

Each step he took on the sandstone-cobbled streets reminded him of just how vulnerable he was. It was rare for him to step out of his own home without his set of Watch-Captain armor or a security detail, but now all he had was a hooded leather cloak that obscured his features just enough to not get recognized. No doubt he was the most unpopular man in Topaz at this moment, necessitating such a crude disguise.

The sun was growing close to dipping beneath the horizon when Theovald von Beaumont arrived at the westernmost pier of the harbor. Omnistonic lanterns glowed a flamelike orange hue, guiding his way to one of the few ships still docked at this hour. Worldly as he was, he immediately recognized it as an Aelvarian vessel. Finally pulling his hood low to reveal his styled, cropped blond hair, he stepped towards the lowered gangplank.

Standing on the ship’s deck, looking over the railing, was a black-furred tabaxi with orange stripes. His piercing cat-like yellow eyes met with Theovald’s as he bared his sharp teeth with a wide smile. “If it isn’t the Watch-Captain himself,” he said as he strutted down the gangplank. Extending his clawed hand out, he continued, “Nimble Shadow. A pleasure.”

Theovald hesitantly shook the tabaxi’s hand. “Thank you for allowing me passage on your vessel, and on such short notice.”

“‘Tis but of course, Sir von Beaumont. I am an old friend of the Chancellor’s, so when he requested the ship on your behalf, I was happy to oblige.” Stepping aside, Nimble Shadow gestured towards the ship while maintaining Theovald’s gaze. “Care to board?”

The Watch-Captain walked up the gangplank, with the tabaxi following after him. While Nimble Shadow made his way to the ship’s wheel, Theovald took a look around the main deck. It had no sails, as one might expect of a ship of this size. Nonetheless, he soon felt it lurch beneath his feet, and then begin moving forward at a slowly accelerating pace. He heard Nimble Shadow step up next to him.

“A beauty, isn’t she?” The tabaxi remarked.

Theovald nodded slightly. “Indeed. And it propels itself?”

Nimble Shadow grinned. “Only the finest enchanted keel money can buy. It glides on water like birds glide on air. No crew necessary.”

Turning to face the tabaxi, Theovald asked, “You know, you look quite a lot like-”

“-like Hysteric River, the Paragon of Topaz?” Nimble Shadow interrupted. After a quick chuckle, he continued, “So I’ve heard.”

Theovald cleared his throat. “I… was unaware that was his full name. I believed him to simply be Esteric.”

“Well,” Nimble Shadow smirked, “we tabaxi often go by nicknames.” After a beat, he glanced at the satchel Theovald carried at his side. “Make yourself at home. The journey to Vinderstay will take a few days.”

The Watch-Captain nodded and watched as the tabaxi made his way below decks. He turned and walked up to the bow, looking over the railing at the setting sun. He stood there for hours, watching as it finally fell below the horizon and the sky turned from fiery red, orange, and yellow hues to the black and dark blue of the night sky. One by one, the stars appeared, brighter here out in the open ocean than he’d ever seen from the well-lit streets of the Jewel in the Desert.

So transfixed was he by the sky that he didn’t register the footsteps coming up behind him -- though, in fairness, Nimble Shadow’s padded feet made him nigh silent. Only the gentle red glow of the tabaxi’s estoc caught Theovald’s attention, but not soon enough, as it was forced into his back and out through chest before he could whirl around. The Watch-Captain bled out in mere moments, the blade having pierced his heart, and died limply hanging over the ship’s railing.

In one fluid movement, Nimble Shadow placed his boot on Theovald’s back and pulled his sword free, sending the Watch-Captain’s corpse tumbling down into the unforgiving waters of the Nordcall Sea. With a single, sinister laugh, he mused aloud, “‘Involuntary leave’ indeed.”

Reaching into his pocket, Nimble Shadow pulled out a medallion adorned with a deep red crystal. “Your liability has been dealt with. I will be back by the morning.”

He waited for a moment before hearing a response in his mind, in the familiar voice of Valefar. The medallion’s crystal hummed in tune with Valefar’s words as he said, “Good work, Halphas. Titedius was right -- perhaps a more direct approach to dealing with these Medjay is required. **And you are just the man for the job**.”