Quincy Randall's Second Death

[Rattrap]

On the evening of the 18th, there had been death. There was a lot of that around in Myrken Wood, lately; Doctor David D'Rael had found it fortunate that he could not reach Bolgardia, for he was most needed in the more wooded province in Amasynia.

But this death was a lot closer to home for the normal denizens of the Broken Dagger, and indeed, even for Doctor D'Rael - for it was the second time that the Doc and many of them had heard that Quincy had died. Except this time, there was little hope of false death. Violence had erupted, and Giscard Guilluame's personal guard was cut down by the tavern staff, in the tavern that she had worked as a janitor, had battled powerful vampires on, and had otherwise left her history. Quincy Randall's second death was for good, though the heart murmers it left behind would try to breed even more to join her

On the evening of the 19th, there was more destruction. A clash between Mikhail, who violently defended himself for his actions the previous night, and Tempestro Starr, who violently attacked him for his actions the previous night. Others involved were Ariane Carnath, sword held at bay only by Doctor D'Rael, or perhaps instead by some better judgement. Starr sought blood and limb, and Mikhail was no shorter in his defense. Harr intervened, trying to deter the two from killing each other. Whether or not he succeeded was up to interpretation, though in the end, it would appear that neither man managed to kill the other, though Starr was not to be found after the rubble cleared.

There were others, of course - Suede Roschen and his companion Jirai had spectated. The good Doctor tried to still Ariane's blade, knowing full well his reasoning was already lost on the men in midst of bloodlust. It came, though not altogether suddenly, a solution. A destructive solution that had the Doctor not known better, he might have attributed to Suede Roschen and Jirai, who were known to have especially destructive weapons on them.

Regardless of who was responsible, the ceiling over the commons room of the Broken Dagger had exploded inwards, all at once - boards, beams and debris collapsed on the fighters with Carnath and D'Rael vaulting over the bar for cover.

After the dust settled, there was only Mikhail, though he was promptly paralyzed by the wanted Councilor who left after Jirai.

David pulled himself out from under an unconcious Ariane Carnath and saw to Mikhail. The large bartender was drug into the kitchen, where the Doctor left him - the paralytic was beginning to wear off, and it wouldn't do for the broken Doctor to continue dragging a mobile man. Instead, he went for Ariane Carnath, removing her from the Broken Dagger.

* * *

On the morning of the 20th, the Order of Straka had arrived. There were half a dozen of them, ranging from one end of the Order's investigative specialties to the other. One was inspecting what was left of the ceiling, another was examining one of the darts Roschen had used on Mikhail which the Doctor had discarded, while others were asking folks outside if they had seen what had happened, and another yet inside to ask those who were lodged there. Most sought after would be Molly O'Neill, owner of the establishment. Mikhail, too, had he lingered after his recovery. Names would begin to appear, though they had no clear story yet.

The Broken Dagger did not appear to be having a very nice holiday.

* * *

Doctor David D'Rael and Ariane Carnath had taken a little vacation to the lake, though such a plan was never on the swordwoman's mind. It had been interesting traveling as one of the doctor's arms had been broken clean in the cave-in. Nonetheless, both of them would be well out of the way, in time to watch the sun rise through the clouds in a bright, gray grandeur. If Ariane woke up by then, that is.

David caught them a fish, prepared a makeshift fire, and waited for the swordwoman to awake. There were important matters to discuss.