If not now..

[Wendy]

Few things have changed the face of The Broken Dagger. Its windows and eaves are bright with the help of the sun; it's yellow wash spreads a warm carpet of light on Dagger's front porch. Such an omen alters the pounding of one's heart. The landscape rolls endlessly. There is a tidy breeze drifting from it's fragrant beds. The stable stands its ground down by the meadow.

She lovingly remembers Tsort Somnifer who made his home among the stalls. Of Jean Jules who hauled his lumber from the woods so that he could build his family's house. There were Pritchard's rainbarrels which he'd -insisted- they would use one day.

That gaping hole in the roof was patched so long ago that Jarek's handywork was just as beaten of its color as every other slat. There were newer things, added touches, that her eyes did not ignore.. but no memory was served by noticing. She smiled at the porch corner that was hidden just enough at moon's light so that suspicious transactions could take place, and sometimes, kissing.

The lean of a weathered broomstick by the door... Raegan has spent weeks chasing the courage, but she finally, finally arrives to swap thoughts with Molly O'Neill.* She didn't plan in her imagination this far. She didn't know that she would as well be meeting every ghost that shared her past.

Her lungs barely work. Her eyes quietly sting. The broomstick and its forlorn shadow pull at invisible strings that move her limbs. A fingerswipe puts pressure on the sadness, stemming a tear before it has the strength to leave the inner corner of her eye. She washes her face with bare, dry hands. She pushes her hair back from her skin. The sun picks up its warm tones as it resettles around her face. She then holds to the fabric of her full skirt, determined to go inside. "If not now, when?" as Ari might say.

Knowing there will be no Lenore waiting on the inside, she keeps a shoddy composure walking up row of stairs. Again, with the hands in her hair, she tells herself to stay calm, stay strong. She tucks these strands behind her ears as a gesture to relax and, also, to become serious; to -do- this, even while her brown eyes -reek- of inner fear. So, the handle. It was there, within arm's reach, in front of her hand.

Lips part, breath slips. Thoughts are hostile, tempered, -sulking- things that rattle in her head. She touches the door handle, tentative, half-willing to tug... afraid not to... so, does. The reaching hand pulls and the door breaks its seal in the jamb. She can hardly breathe.

The common's dim appearance is of great contrast to the pretty day behind her. She remembered how, once, when a wall had been smashed through, there was an eerie brightness in the tavern. Darkness tiptoed for the room's corners, light chasing in as the door yawned. The woman takes up all of the space, spreading her arms to hold the door and it's frame. Her shadow was so much taller than her meager stature.

Raegan Darkblayde has come home.


*Molly was not able to be there at the time of arrival, but a plan is to meet very soon.

[Wendy]

It was disturbing to have met with friends who had very little to say in favor of Molly O'Neill.

On day one, she recognized Karie and Quincy as friends inside the tavern. She met and liked Quincy's beau, finding his artistic talent of resemblance to Lenore's beautiful hand drawings. Quincy was the same, but different - still a squawker when she spoke, but much less quick to fire-up (and Raegan had not seen a single broomstick within range!) The gentleman, Dias, did his best to make her feel welcomed, yet was quiet enough so that the women could reminisce.

It was an awkward situation to be seated there at a table, discussing home lives and future plans with the ex-janitor and her man. Raegan, full of nervous energy, announced that she had left Devram behind in order to pursue an agreement with Molly.

Devram wouldn't know her reasons for leaving, nor would he be immediately aware of her whereabouts. If he did mean to find her, or to follow her, it would not be too hard to figure where she'd be. She had to come and see what it was like at the old inn, despite her husband's assurance that all was well and she should juuuust relax and enjoy her new life.

Raegan wasn't able to let go of her past as easily as Devram could, but then he couldn't know the longing going on inside of her. She was never able to truly grieve Pritchard.. and wondered if they celebrated him at Broken Dagger, or down in Myrkentown. She wondered where his body was laid, or if it had been burned in a pyre...

Seeing Quincy, Karie and Dias was a comfort on that first day. Hearing news of a terrible boyfriend that Molly kept, and a number of small offences, put Raegan on edge. Never having met Molly personally, she had been trusting Devram's report of a sweet, round-faced gem who had a knack for making others feel at ease. She trusted that image for so long that the words from her peers sent a jolt down her spine.

Feeling dismayed, she wondered if a meeting was at all a good idea - and wondered if the tavern was even an option for her, after hearing such. Still, she felt that she deserved to form her own opinion of Miss O'Neill. After all, the woman had just had a baby and they would have motherhood in common.

If Devram liked the proprietress, so would Raegan.. and really, the Quincy -she- knew didn't like a soul besides herself and Jarek. The impression of Molly from those two could not be taken seriously, though it would serve as caution. She brought a small gift for the baby - one that, hopefully, Molly had not already received by someone else. At least the pair of them softened their conversation after seeing such.

Raegan decided to look around the property for a while, just to clear her head. Before long, she met with the couple in order to follow them home. Dias was kind in allowing her a place to stay - and even to provide her with meals! There were times that she thought of Devram, wondering if he realized that she was gone. He could have been busy enough not to. In fact, he probably was.

[Wendy]

Miss O'Neill,

I have been two weeks at The Broken Dagger. Your staff insists that you are somewhere on the premesis, and they are extraordinarily helpful in taking verbal messages and, pray, passing them along to you.

I remember that your letter mentioned for me to come whenever convenient - that you would be available at any time. I should not be disappointed because I do not know your reasons for ignoring that I'm here. I only wished you would reply in some form, while I was.

Be that as it may, my two weeks stay is finished. I am sorry we did not meet. You will not hear from me again, as I am listening to instinct when I say that I feel unwelcome in your home.

I pray that you will rejoin your people in my absence. Here, I leave a gift for Brennah, in hopes that her life is full and rich, and of course healthy.

My best to you,
Raegan

The letter and small velvet purse were left with the barman. Raegan looked around a final time and smiled, knowing this was the right choice for everyone involved.

The purse, if Molly opens it, holds a small child's set of eating utensils. A small fork and spoon, and an infant feeding spoon, all sterling silver and of fine craftsmanship - to become an heirloom if the woman cared to let her daughter use and keep them.

She would collect her things from Dias and thank him for accomodations that were beyond kind, and then ride to the house of Devram overnight.