HOME | DD

Description

Part of a series: www.deviantart.com/daughterski…

Tolta rested by the canal with the foot-traffic behind them. The kobold looked down at the fresh-water while holding their sack and watched the shadow of their horned head bring shelter to the minnows. Seeing them dart around made the kobold's mind turn back when they too felt small and lost on their first day in the city and the long journey afterwards.

At twenty moons Tolta grew restless living in the Dragon Domains and, like many kobolds, they left for the bustling southern city of humes. There they found work under the eminent Mistress Justine, a second-class witch but a first-class socialite. Beautiful but for the vein on her forehead that bulged when she was slighted. For four moons Tolta worked as Justine's emissary and servant until one day the witch gave Tolta a job that was in her own words "not above board." There was a wizard from a rival family. Diego Monte was his name. He'd rejected any and all of Justine's offers to "collaborate," and the witch did not take his dismissal too kindly. Justine ordered Tolta to take up accommodation next door to the Monte household and spy on him. Not with magic, no, but with technology. A wizard can sense the scrying of a glass from afar, but not the minute ticking of a listening-bug underfoot.

For months Tolta listened in on the Monte household. They recorded every conversation, transcribed the juicy parts, and delivered the intel to their mistress. Just the one family member lived there full-time. The father was philandering elsewhere, the mother retired in the company of gossips, the sister was married abroad. That left the son, Diego. He seemed to have it all: a beautiful fiancee, a nice home, and a high standing in the magic community. But soon the masque fell apart. His parents had been trading on credit with no real assets for years and thanks to Justine, word got out. The fiancee broke off with Diego admitting she was pressured into a relationship by her own social-climbing family; and so the wizard was left holding the bag alone, embarrassed, and near-broke.

By chance Tolta bumped into Diego Monte one day in the street. Instead of cursing at the kobold like most folk the wizard invited Tolta to an outdoor lunch. He didn't have much going on and he enjoyed what company he could find. They had a pleasant conversation despite the wizard only understanding half of the kobold's quiet raspings. This proved to be a tipping-point for a troubled Tolta. To be a part of a kind hume's downfall yet still be given his generosity was too much. Some weeks later the kobold rapped on the wizard's door and admitted everything: the bugs, the spying, their mistress, all with the help of a chalkboard since Diego's kobold-speech wasn't that great. The wizard took it in his stride and bore no ill will to Tolta, instead choosing to speak a few words in private to their mistress. It's unknown what Diego said to Justine but it irrevocably ended any future alliance with the witch, as well as putting a stop to any further espionage on her part. When Justine spoke to Tolta next she simply said they were fired and that no respected house in the city was to ever employ a certain pink kobold. Then the witch closed the door on Tolta, her still face pale and the vein on her forehead throbbing immensely.

So it was Tolta found themselves looking down at the canal as they had on their first day in the city; only older, more seasoned, and out of options. They could head to another city farther south or slink back home with their literal tail between their legs. After reeling through the past the kobold noticed that the shadow on the water had grown, and then the gentle hand of a hume laid itself on their shoulder. Diego introduced himself again. He'd learned about Tolta's predicament and offered them a place in his house which he pointed towards in the distance. He needed to get back to wizarding full-time lest he find himself in arrears, and a kobold with a knack for languages and technology but also a conscience would make a valuable assistant. Despite the whiff of alcohol on his clothes, Tolta sensed the warmth in his offer, so they followed him home with sack in hand.

The following year had its highs and lows until a certain incident with a djinn, after which all mention of Tolta vanished from official record.

*

Commission drawn by ED-FOKK3R .

Description

Part of a series: www.deviantart.com/daughterski…

Tolta rested by the canal with the foot-traffic behind them. The kobold looked down at the fresh-water while holding their sack and watched the shadow of their horned head bring shelter to the minnows. Seeing them dart around made the kobold's mind turn back when they too felt small and lost on their first day in the city and the long journey afterwards.

At twenty moons Tolta grew restless living in the Dragon Domains and, like many kobolds, they left for the bustling southern city of humes. There they found work under the eminent Mistress Justine, a second-class witch but a first-class socialite. Beautiful but for the vein on her forehead that bulged when she was slighted. For four moons Tolta worked as Justine's emissary and servant until one day the witch gave Tolta a job that was in her own words "not above board." There was a wizard from a rival family. Diego Monte was his name. He'd rejected any and all of Justine's offers to "collaborate," and the witch did not take his dismissal too kindly. Justine ordered Tolta to take up accommodation next door to the Monte household and spy on him. Not with magic, no, but with technology. A wizard can sense the scrying of a glass from afar, but not the minute ticking of a listening-bug underfoot.

For months Tolta listened in on the Monte household. They recorded every conversation, transcribed the juicy parts, and delivered the intel to their mistress. Just the one family member lived there full-time. The father was philandering elsewhere, the mother retired in the company of gossips, the sister was married abroad. That left the son, Diego. He seemed to have it all: a beautiful fiancee, a nice home, and a high standing in the magic community. But soon the masque fell apart. His parents had been trading on credit with no real assets for years and thanks to Justine, word got out. The fiancee broke off with Diego admitting she was pressured into a relationship by her own social-climbing family; and so the wizard was left holding the bag alone, embarrassed, and near-broke.

By chance Tolta bumped into Diego Monte one day in the street. Instead of cursing at the kobold like most folk the wizard invited Tolta to an outdoor lunch. He didn't have much going on and he enjoyed what company he could find. They had a pleasant conversation despite the wizard only understanding half of the kobold's quiet raspings. This proved to be a tipping-point for a troubled Tolta. To be a part of a kind hume's downfall yet still be given his generosity was too much. Some weeks later the kobold rapped on the wizard's door and admitted everything: the bugs, the spying, their mistress, all with the help of a chalkboard since Diego's kobold-speech wasn't that great. The wizard took it in his stride and bore no ill will to Tolta, instead choosing to speak a few words in private to their mistress. It's unknown what Diego said to Justine but it irrevocably ended any future alliance with the witch, as well as putting a stop to any further espionage on her part. When Justine spoke to Tolta next she simply said they were fired and that no respected house in the city was to ever employ a certain pink kobold. Then the witch closed the door on Tolta, her still face pale and the vein on her forehead throbbing immensely.

So it was Tolta found themselves looking down at the canal as they had on their first day in the city; only older, more seasoned, and out of options. They could head to another city farther south or slink back home with their literal tail between their legs. After reeling through the past the kobold noticed that the shadow on the water had grown, and then the gentle hand of a hume laid itself on their shoulder. Diego introduced himself again. He'd learned about Tolta's predicament and offered them a place in his house which he pointed towards in the distance. He needed to get back to wizarding full-time lest he find himself in arrears, and a kobold with a knack for languages and technology but also a conscience would make a valuable assistant. Despite the whiff of alcohol on his clothes, Tolta sensed the warmth in his offer, so they followed him home with sack in hand.

The following year had its highs and lows until a certain incident with a djinn, after which all mention of Tolta vanished from official record.

*

Commission drawn by ED-FOKK3R .