No time for sleep

[Altias_Bromn]

Altias Bromn slept fitfully in his chair int he center of the inn. He still wore the crimson cotton pant suit from the night before. It was covered with dust, sweat, blood, and Gods know what else.

It had been nearly dawn when they had returned, Kerrak nearly dragging him back up the porch steps. He hadn't wanted to go back to the meeting house. hadn't wanted to sleep on those sheets that still smelled of her. He hadn't wanted to sleep at all.

She was out there...somewhere. Alive, somehow he knew this. The trail had grown cold as the crossed the large clearing before the turn down toward the river. No more hoofprints in the dust, no sound of the riders. No sounds of her screaming. There was, simply, nothing left to follow. It was with much anger and sorrow that Altias had agreed with Kerrak that it would be best to return to the inn and regroup, to try again after first light.

No one had even seen who had taken her. He had only see the shadows of two riders, each on a dark horse, wearing the pale robes that he had seen twice before.

Who would have done this? Why? These questions were the first things to come forward in his mind as he once more awoke in the chair. A fist clenched and slammed down on the table beside him.

"Damn you! Filthy whoresons, the lot of you! When I find you I will tear the very flesh from your bones with my bare hands!"

His voice rang across the near empty inn, such an anger had mostly likely never been seen in the governor, by anyone. With a stomp of booted feet her would rise, heading upstaris to Ariane's room, in search of weapons. It was time to go hunting.

[channe]

He hadn't noticed, then, the girl who slept in a corner the kitchens like a scullery-maid, in yesterday's work-clothes and smelling slightly of horse.

Agnieszka had gone on rounds with Proxenus -- and watched, immersed, as the cook hammered on doors, talked with militia-members, posted notices -- her own eyes focused on the dark places from which white robes might appear so he could do his work in relative peace, her hand white-knuckled around the unfamiliar lance she'd been given. She watched, and rode, and ached for a blade.

The governor's cries will wake her this morning, as she'd expected them to; they were a reason she'd asked Proxenus to return her here instead of the farm. They will prompt her to scramble up and go out into the main room, to watch Altias' feet dissappear up the still-dark stairwell. And, with no-one watching, she'll follow.

Standing at the door to Ariane's room, only a few seconds will pass as the governor roots around, searching -- or perhaps he'll see he first. Either way, she'd speak with the tremor of a peasant approaching a king.

"Guv'ner, I -- I want to help," she'll begin with -- and her words will come fast and furious after that, as they're often wont to do. "I can't -- I shouldn't come, I'd just be a yoke around yer neck an' I don't have a blade -- but I gotta help."

An admission prompted by something Mikhail had said; an admission that, three days ago, she hadn't dared to make; and a staunch refusal to bow to that admission all at once.

The too-stubborn girl will hover at the door, as if waiting for instructions.

Agnieszka liked her teacher. But more than that, she owed her -- and the day a Kaczmarek reneged on a debt was the day mice soared like eagles.

[HeySeuss]

The night's work involved knocking on the doors of the men who currently led groups of militiamen (OOC: Insert yourselves if you wish) and gave them a new set of working orders; out in force, and watch for white robes and horses. And be ruthless in dealing with such if they do not halt when called. Be especially wary of any sort of eye symbolism. He also re-emphasized assembly points for the militia if the bells should ring or horns sound three flat notes, and the evacuation routes for families should a larger disaster loom.

Meanwhile, the old warhorse was down in the commons, by the kitchen, after he'd returned his horse, a parting gift from a brother in arms, to the stables and waited out in the commons. No doubt, the governor would have a few things to say.

And so Proxenus helped himself to some tea in the dawn and listened to the sound of movement as the militiamen posted watch. This time against a real enemy, not merely the fires and natural disasters of before. And as the word got through the militia, no doubt it spread along Myrken; they were being raided by enemies, and folk had been kidnapped.

[Jirai]

It had not taken her long to figure out the gist of what had happened. After all, she had not been all that far away, in truth. However, all of her thoughts had been clouded with rage, and it was not until recently that she had been calm enough to think, not until now that she would act.

To the tavern she went, in search of a certain person.

[Altias_Bromn]

"Your help would be appreciated, Agnie."

Simple enough words, as the governor tore through things that were not his own. Finding little of use to him. He was no good with a rapier, and the throwing knives would be good at close range, for him, at best.

A heavy sigh rippled through him, as he turned to face the woman.

"We have to find her. If anything happens to her..."

It will be my fault. No. She'lll never forgive me. Yes, I will. This is my responsibility. I can take care of myself.

It didn't matter. He had once pledged to watch out for her, despite her objections, and he would be damned if he was about to bow out of that now.

"I am sure that there will be others who wish to help too. Perhaps we should go and find them? The sun is setting, nearly a day has passed, too much time."

The words were hurried, as the govenor turned from the room and fairly ran down the stairs.

[Jirai]

There were others. The question was whether they would accept the help that would be offered.

Her hooded gaze found the pair swiftly as the governor, at least, descended the stairs with incautious haste. Altias and Agnieszka. Hidden beneath her cowl, scarred lips twisted distastefully. She had a strong dislike for the man and Agnieszka's black-and-white certainties have been irritating of late, but despite that, she would shift to intercept the pair.

"I have a debt to repay."

Those simple words, coolly spoken, carried a hint of a challenge in them. After all, this was the woman who had burnt down Agnieszka's farm. This was the woman who allowed Altias' daughter to believe that she was her mother. This was a drow, and who trusted the word of a drow?