MysidiaDrakkenbane

It was a rather warm autumn day in Graystone Yard. Machene was busy toiling away helping Raevenwolf build her ship. She had more than enough money now, with that recent shipment of griffon feathers selling at top market price. She explained to Machene that it would keep his hands busy while Mysidia made her way back to Qeynos and Raeven had more than enough eyes watching, that the moment Mysidia stepped foot near Qeynos, word would have gotten to both of them.

Machene was happy enough with that. Norrath was still a rather large world to be searching for one person in and he had gotten word that her two brothers were with her. He felt safer knowing that. She was in capable hands.

Sweat rolled off his bare back and down his enormous shoulders. He stood up and wiped his brow with the back of his hand, stretching out his back. Raeven came by and handed him a large flask of water. Machene accepted it gratefully.

“Looks like it’ll be ‘nother warm t’day.”, Raeven said taking a breather. Large sweat stains “v’ed” down her traveling tunic on the front and back and a few sweaty strands wired around her red splotched face.

Machene grunted taking a rather large refreshing swig from the flask. “I think we can get your ship finished by the end of the month, if we keep at this pace. That and if the weather complies.”

Machene looked up and his brows began to furl as he watched a rather unusually marked hawk fly fiercely into town. He watched with great curiosity as the hawk flew into the open doors of Pergy’s tavern. He raised an eyebrow down at Raeven who was watching the flying bird intently.

“It’s about time for lunch, don’t you think?”, Machene said and smiled.

It didn’t take the two of them long to start making their way towards the tavern. And it also didn’t take them long to hear the frantic screams of Pergy trying usher the hawk out of her tavern.

“[expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] it, bird, OUT!”, Machene and Raeven heard her scream. Machene couldn’t help but give a chuckle as they walked inside.

“Ah, good, Machene… Help me get this bird out of here.”, Pergy said as she was standing on a chair with a broom.

“Aw, come on, Pergy. You know your chowder is famous around these parts. Perhaps the hawk heard about it too.”, Machene jested.

“Ugh. The sooner you help me with this, the sooner you can eat.”, Pergy said with annoyance flickering in her eyes.

“Well now wait a minute, Pergy. There’s somethin’ attached to it’s leg..”, Raeven said peering at the scrap of paper secured to its foot.

After looking closer at the bird Machene nodded. “That’s no ordinary hawk.”

Pergy paused for a moment and peered at the bird. She sighed and got down from her chair and walked behind the bar. She pointed down and said, “Well? Are you going to come down or what?”

The hawk chirped and Raeven said, “How do ye know tha’s even fer ye, Pergy? Fer all we know, tha could be for summin’ else.”

“Familiars just don’t fly around all willy nilly, Raeven. If that bird flew in here, it has a mission to deliver that message to me.”, Pergy said then placed her hands on her hips looking at the hawk.

“Well?”, she said cross. The bird chirped at her again. She grumbled, “Fine. I’m sorry for trying to kill you with the broom.”

Machene wandered over to the door to get some fresh air. Working out in the heat all morning began to work its fatigue on him and he found the breeze quite soothing. He began to pick at a small loaf of bread he picked up while watching Pergy and Raeven usher the hawk down from its perch.

It was business as usual in Graystone Yard and everyone was getting ready for the winter that was coming. Various Dwarven and Barbarian women alike were buying huge mason jars as well as canning jars to store the food during the colder months.

Machene took another small bite of the loaf and watched the guards mill about, his green eyes calmly watching the dim around him.

“Bah. Th’ blasted thin’ is in Kerran. It’s not fer ye, Pergy.”, Raeven announced disappointed.

“Don’t be too sure…”, Pergy returned quietly.

Just then the huge wooden gates to Graystone Yard busted open and two large men came charging down on horseback as though hell itself was chasing their heels.

“MACHENE!!! MACHENE!!!!”, the larger of the two yelled. Machene looked up shocked at the sound of his name and immediately recognized the man shouting it.

“Kryimsson! HERE!!”, Machene said and waved his arms.

Raevenwolf and Pergy rushed towards the door to see the Kryimsson and Xerbius galloping towards the tavern door. They both jumped off their horses and marched right up to Machene.

Machene embraced Xerbius and Kryimsson. Smiles were wide all around.

“It’s good to see you again, brother.”, Xerbius said, “I had thought the worst.”

“Tunare still has need for me, apparently.”, Machene said nodding.

“I wish this were a happy reunion, brother, but…”, Kryimsson said and paused, his blue eyes were riddled with fear.

“Mysidia…”, Machene could barely get the name out. A large lump of white fear began to choke itself within his chest and throat.

Xerbius nodded, “She’s in danger. Orcs ransacked Thundering Stepps dock and…”

“Is …is she…?”, Machene couldn’t bear to think of the worst.

“Siddie was alive when they took ‘er. But I dunno fer how long.”, Kryimsson said gravely.

Machene turned to Raevenwolf with a plea in his eyes. Raeven nodded without even thinking.

“Go to ‘er, Machene. I can hire a crew to finish th’ ship.”, Raeven said patting his arm.

When Machene turned to Pergy, he raised an eyebrow when he saw a large bag with various herbs and salves, most of which he recognized as ones Mysidia used to use.

“The note was actually for you, Machene. A leather and fur trader by the name of Austforbeer requested your help.”, Pergy said handing him the crumpled piece of paper.

“He lives in Nettleville. His wife apparently cared for your woman while she was in a coma and he fears his own wife’s life is danger.”, she said and nodded to the note.

“So what are you doing?”, Machene asked looking at Pergy.

“Helping. You are needed elsewhere, Machene. I can help Aust.”, Pergy said smiling softly. “We all were something else before the shattering.”

“Go, Machene. I will watch af’er Pergy.”, Raeven said nodding confidently.

Machene’s green eyes softened as he looked at his friends. “Thank you.”, his voice fell soft.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Drip… Drip… Drip…

Mysidia sat in darkness listening to the lonely sounds of water trickling dismally through the cells. She surmised that this is what hopelessness sounded like.

She wasn’t entirely sure how long she had been up or there. The wound on her head started to heal, at least, to her knowledge. She could have been blind for all she knew. There was never any light down where she was…where ever she was.

Drip… Drip… Drip…

The sounds of the water echoed delicately off the stone walls around her and the stench of mold and dirt crowded around her. Her eyes had started to adjust to the lack of light as she began to see small shadows shift around her. In hearing the tight squeals, she knew them to be rats scurrying about.

The Dwarf across from her in the adjacent cell kept her company when he was there. They kept taking him at intervals during the day… night… day? It was so hard to determine what time of day it was down there. Regardless, she could hear the orcs grab the dwarf and drag him off where ever only to be dropped off a few hours later.

This time, the dwarf was brought back and she could hear the groans of pain escaping from his cell.

“Are you all right?”, Mysidia whispered.

“Bastards beat me good…”, the dwarf grunted.

Mysidia stood up and felt around on the walls. Her fingers stroked over a rather large fat vine. She snapped a piece of it off and took a small bite, hoping to recognize the taste. A starchy bitterness attacked her tastebuds and she spit out the little bit she had taken.

Good, she thought to herself.

“Here.”, she said waving her hand outside her cell. “Rub the juice of the vine on your wounds. It’ll help with the infection. Just…tell me where to throw it. I still can’t see that well.”

“Right in front of ye, lass. And a good toss.”, he said as he scooted near the bars.

She sighed and silently prayed her aim was good enough. She released the vine from her hand and heard a satisfactory “thung” of the vine hitting the bars. A wide happy smile spread across her face.

“Thank ye.”, he said taking the vine.

She heard the distinct sound of the dwarf sucking in the air as the familiar sting of the vine’s juice disinfected the wounds.

“Sorry to say, it does nothing for the pain, though.”, Mysidia added. “What’s your name?”

“Drus. Yours?”, he asked in the darkness.

“Mysidia.”, she said quietly. The dripping water took over the conversation for a few moments before she interrupted it again, “Where do they take you when you leave here?”

Drip… Drip… Drip…

“When they come for ye, lass, just do as they say.”, Drus answered dubiously.

Suddenly, the sounds of heavy footsteps dragging entered the hallway. Mysidia’s fear began to lump in her throat as the panic of the unknown began to choke her. She could see the glow of two red eyes looking down at her.

“The woo-man ish awake.”, she heard the orc say through his largely tusked mouth.

“Arrh. Bring her then.”, she heard a gruffer orc’s voice say.

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