The Ancient World

Wraith stalked through the howling wind and lashing rain. Her long dark hair plastered to her head, the strands sticking to her pale, alabastor skin. She walked without purpose, yet had a purposeful stride. As if she were stalking prey, yet it was just the way she moved. Her feet rose and fell with a seasoned rhythm, her arms swaying to and fro with hypnotic poise.

Her dark clothing did nothing to hide her figure. The material, now wet, clung to her pale skin and sculpted itself to her well moulded body. Her dagger's handles hugging her thighs as their glinting steel was hidden in sheaths of the darkest leather.

Her heeled boots stuck the ground and added to the steady staccato of the falling rain as she looked around. Her eyes narrowed, almost squinting and as she stopped and looked up at the swaying sign above her.

The Shady Lady.

Her rose red lips curved up into a smile of amused content as she pushed the door open. The room stopped and surveyed her, but except for an almost too pale complexion and the array of weapons strapped onto her, she was nothing of too much interest. Just a weary, wet traveler looking for a hot meal and a soft bed for the night. Not to mention shelter from the storm out side.

She sidled up to the bar, her fangs hidden for now and smiled, her dark green eyes surveying the room. She raised a hand for some assistance and placed an order of heated ale and then waited.

Aryulin Warsong emerged from the shadow realm into a rain storm. He had heard of the presence of very rich and well connected merchant in the area, and hoped to find a worthy quest waiting for him.

Maybe finally, he could be granted release.

But how to find someone he had never seen and knew nothing about?
His eyes fell onto a tavern sign. The Shady Lady. What better place then a tavern? He smiled slightly as he entered.

It was warm inside, a good fire blazing in the hearth. Even if he could not find information, cold ale and hot food would be most welcome.

He sauntered up to the bar, removing his hood. Displaying a slightly long face with vestiges of scales in some places and long fangs coming down over a dark red beard. His red hair was tied back in a warriors mohawk ending in a topknot, and his long pointy elvish ears stood tall, swept back from his head. His strange appearance drew many stares from those surrounding him, who considered his large and muscular frame and scales out of place for an elf. These people had most likely never seen what outsiders call Dragon Elves, as his kind were rare in these parts. Not to mention the large array of weapons evident on his body.

He ignored the stares and addressed the barkeeper, his fierce dragonlike eyes staring down onto the smaller human "Ale and food, and a room for the night." he said simply, placing five gold coins onto the bar. An amount probably ten times more then would have been asked. He hung his cloak on the hanger, revealing the full compliment of his weaponry, as well as his massive arms and broad chest. Coiled dragons wrapped their way up his arms, each of which ended in large hands, wrapped with bands of leather with a large studded metal band across the knuckles. He wore a black breastplate on his chest, and a tight black shirt that revealed his poweful muscles. He wore black trousers on his legs, with straps of sheathed throwing knives around his muscular thighs. He also wore high black boots, each with a large combat knife sticking out of the top. At his hip were two short swords, one on each side. He was the picture of imminent death, and most of the patrons gave him a wide berth.

If they only knew the truth, they would most likely leave the place altogether.

He sat in a corner booth, and his food and drink were brought to him.
It was then he saw a woman enter the tavern. Her skin was like alabaster stone, an effect added to by her rock hard muscle. Judging from the form of her body and her movement, as well as the array of weapons she bore, she was a deadly warrior.

He smiled slightly, maybe his peace would come sooner then expected.

Kai was on the clock he worked at the tavern as a waiter, having quickly learned that the world revolved around money, money being those funny little coins he had always seen people using to get things. Once he had left the village he had discovered how important it was to have those coins, so he took up a job here, at The Shady Lady, his charismatic colouring seemed to appeal to the owner, why he had no clue. He figured it would be okay, and a way to see people of interest, however, even since being here, he had not seen another part demon, though plenty of demons came by and stared, slightly offended at him, as if his presence were some scourge. He was lucky he had made quick friends with the bartender and he had threatened not to serve them if they made a fuss about him.

It was a relatively quiet night when the man came in, his entire demeanor made Kai's fur stand on end bur he ignored the feeling, and continued handing out drinks as the tender handed them to him. His tail tucked close to his body and his ears twitched back to lay against his head as the large; upon closer inspection; scaled elf passed beside him and asked for food, drink, and a place to stay. Internally he groaned, he was going to have to go near that one, that intimidating, crotchety looking elfen man. Just his luck. He handed his tray of bread and stew down in front of another patron and went to go take the man's food to him, quickly setting down the tray and skittering away, making himself as unobtrusive as possible. Then the door opened again and a second powerful presence walked in, though the woman didn't look to out of sorts, it was in the way she walked and carried herself that gave off the aura of power. He darted behind the counter, the faint hint of a whine slipping from the back of his throat, "Why is it... that they always pick here?" He hissed to the bartender who only gave a shrug in reply, he never did say much in general unless it was to ask a drink or call him over to give a tray of food. He gestured for Kai to head to the back and pick up the woman's request for food as he made up her drink.

Kai's lower lip jutted out in the hint of a glared pout before he did as requested, barely missing the kick to his rear as he did so. He emerged with a tray, again with a small loaf of bread and hot stew, judging from the scent, it was venison stew tonight instead of the usual rabbit or beef; a treat indeed. He reluctantly made his way over to the woman, again hoping to avoid too much notice as he set down the tray and handed the bread and soup to her. He ran back to the kitchens with the tray, taking a moment to chill his deeply uneased nerves, never ever had he run into two creatures in the same night with aura's like theirs. To say it unnerved him was putting it very politely, he thought as he moved to the gigantic pot placed over the blazing hearth, stirring it and taking a seat in front of the guttering, rained-on blaze. They were fortunate that the fire was strong in the grate and did not go out even as the wind howled and forced rain down the chimney in an attempt to smother it. He added wood to the kitchen's flames and took a moment to lay in front of it, to warm up from the cooler tavern area.

The cook reappeared, tapping his foot and Kai took the cue to return to the front, secretly hoping their two new visitors had retired to their rooms. Alas, as he returned, they were both still there... and the man needed a top off to his drink. So, it was with much hissed and growled protest that he made his way over to the man's table, stepping lightly and quickly as he moved to his side, "Were you wanting a refill sir?" He had paid in gold, five coins no less, the bartender had said to him, pushing him towards the table, however, Kai didn't care if he was the freaking king of the land, he didn't like the presence of the other and would be able to breathe easier once he had gone.

Byway.

It was not an original name by any means, nor was the town much different from a score of other wilderness border towns really. It was a fast growing town, yes. Not a boom town, but people came from all around and the townsfolk flourished as well as could be expected on the edge of the wild. The land was good for growing, but not any more than anywhere else. There was no gold deposits, laying in the rocks, not rare and exotic animals to skin in the woods nor secret emeralds lying in the bed of the river that was the Eastern most border of the town.

The wealth of Byway was in it's location, and the vision of the one who had taken advantage of it.

There were two buildings of real interest in Byway. The first was the bridge. It was a good bridge, not some flimsy wooden footpath nor even a flat platform spanning between two banks. The Lindi River was a fast moving and deep river, borne from the high mountains and cutting across the land until meeting with the sea. It was a great natural barrier across the land and the border line between King Owren's land and that of King Randez.
The bridge was a propper bridge for the type of river it spanned and the pride of many of King Owren's engineers. A herd of oliphants could have crossed it, (so long as they went in single file and walked) and made travel and trade between the two kingdoms easier and more profitable than ever before as it created a new crossing which saved merchants weeks of travel. In addition to the span itself, the ends of the bridge were heavy stone and could be used as a tower garrison if threatened. It had been planned, suggested and bankrolled by one particular advisor to the King, and upon completion of the bridge and subsequent supporting structures, an new barony had come into being.

The second building of interest in the town was the tavern, inn and gambling house, the Shady Lady.

It was easilly the largest structure in town. Considering that so very much of the town's livelyhood revolved around traveling merchants, and the subsequent entertainment of said travelers, the Shady Lady needed to be. Three stories tall and shaped sort of like an 'H', the stone and wooded structure was the soul of Byway, if not the heart and housed more secrets than anyone might guess, save perhaps it's owner.

Willard Mntbane, or maybe Kile MacTaggart, or whatever, was wandering up the pathway towards his happy home. He had just concluded some business and was hurrying along to escape the rain drops which was starting to fall in force. He past the warmly lit and inviting door and golored glass windows. The sign, with it's fabulous design; a silouette of a rather shaply woman, with the detail barely vsible, allowing for a creative mind to be able to suggest any number of things, swaying in the breeze. Instead he hurried farther down, slipping open a hidded door and dropping out of sight and into the back storeroom of the kitchen.

Kile made his way up front, appearing from the kitchen and moving behind the bar. "Evening everyone!" he called to the room cheerilly. There were a few scattered hails and replies from residents or regular customers and Kile nodded to each in return. It was a good night he saw, some twenty odd persons in the pub alone. Good good good. Gold was always welcome. He still had ideas to make Byway something really special in the future.

His eyes swept the crowd, taking in the merchants and handlers and guards and locals and...oh oh.

"He clapped Joseph, one of his barmen, on the shoulder. "Take a break Joe." he said. "I'll take a turn at the bar. Go and have achat with Constable Hershaw and tell him we have a couple of ..special guests in town tonight."

Joe nodded and departed, leaving Kile to tie on his apron. "So Kai," he said to his newest hire, some oddkin youth who was in great need of a helping hand. "What do we have here tonight hm?"

Hot bread and stew was soon served to her and her delicately curved nose scented a strange blend of demon and... something else as the young boy scampered away from her. He also had the scent of fear and awkwardness about him and she couldn't help but throw a sneer at his back. "Child!" she hissed and then turned to her meal.

While being a vampyre didn't necessarily mean that she was exempt from eating what other beings ate, it did mean that she needed blood for actual nourishment. However, being an Ancient also meant that she had the power to resist and stem her Hunger and thus didn't need to Feed as much as others would.

She sniffed the food, only having renewed her interest in such things a few hundred years earlier and gave a small appreciative sigh. It looked like the cook was well employed here and that the tavern wasn't exactly hard done by.

She took an experimental sip of the soup and nibbled on the hot bread, smiling with pleasure at the simple, yet rich taste. She grinned and continued to eat, her eyes beginning to roam around.

She noted the entry of a rather ordinary looking man who seemed somehow attached to the tavern, perhaps a innkeep? Or an manager? He was evidently a man of import though. But she found her eyes traveling to a far corner where the half demon male was being intimidated by a rather strange looking elf. She smiled, ahhh.... a Dragon Elf. It has been too long since I saw the last, she thought to herself.

Then she turned away, tonight was a night of peace for her. At least she was hoping for some. The last dragon elf she had come across had died by her blades, simply because he had made it his mission to exterminate her.

Phsaw! She should be used to being a vampyre by now!

Aryulin noticed the strange woman's gaze in his his direction but made no reaction to it. When she looked away, he turned his gaze toward her. There was something strange about her, a hint of something quite different, and quite dangerous. The young half daemon served him more beer, cringing all the while. "Sons of Dis, lad! control yourself, i wont harm you." he exclaimed at the strange young halfling. "Fetch me your tavernkeep, I would speak with him."

Kai's ears laid back, the elfish person was rather noisy, it didn't really help his nerves any, but it was a relief that he said that he wasn't going to hurt him. Generally when people said such things so noisily they were being somewhat honest. He swished his tail, "Thank you for your generosity." He mumbled before sliding away, he hadn't heard the comment on his youth from the woman, then again he wasn't really all that keen to listen to hissed words, lest they be some murmured words of insult. He'd taken to ignoring such things, a habit learned from hearing it too many times. As he made his way back over to the bar, he noticed that Joseph had been replaced by Kile and perked up considerably on seen the cheerful man, his tail giving a slight wag in greeting, "M'not so sure, sir," He replied to the inquiry, "But the woman seems a tad... what's the word? World wise? Is that right?" He shrugged, waving his free hand, "Anyhow the man's got a voice loud enough to pain the ears." One of his magenta ears flicked in agreeance, "He's elfish, I think, but he's got scales all up his arms, not so sure what that means." He kept his voice low, but steady, he was proud of himself for not stuttering, "The woman's... hard to say, I don't think I've quite met her kind before, but she smells alive-but-not. You seem to know your way around the world better than I do, so maybe you can make sense of the smells I can't." He said, setting down his pitcher, "How are you this evening? I didn't see you come in."

"Scaley elves and not quite dead women eh?" Kile repeated, pondering for a moment. He'd not heard of any 'scaley elves' before, a sea elf perhaps? But what would one of them be doing so far from open sea? He might have to make a query about that one, but he thought that he might have an idea about the woman though. His eyes flicked over to where she sat, mulling over her food as well s the crowd. Interesting thing about undead women, their appearance always seemed to be based on their ability to cause problems. This one was definatly a cutie, so Kile was already considering possibilities, compounded by Mr. Wierdo Elfguy, added the probablility of Murphy's Law and divide by the town treasury....

Kile sighed a deep sigh.

"S'ok Kai, ya did good and don't you worry. We do seem to gather some oddities here, now don't we." he said good naturedly, placing one hand on Kai's shoulder. " Now do us a favor and let Milly know that with the rain, I doubt many of our guests will be leaving tonight. We should get the linen ready. Then get on back to your chores."

Kile looked up seeing the elf looking rather intently at them. The elf made a slight beckoning motion towards him and Kile acknowledged him with a nod.

"Remember," Kile continued, seaking softly to Kai. "I pay an extra copper for every good rumor or interesting bit of gossip all my staff brings me. Now off with you."

Kile sent Kai off with a smile, then made his way over towards the elf's table.

"And a fine eve to you good sir, welcome to our humble tavern. What would be your pleasure this night, fine wine and ale? Maybe try your luck at cards or dice? Perhaps you might even want to brave our house special? Skullsplitter Brew, guaranteeded to knock an orc off his green, hobnailed feet!"

Kile waited paitently for his reply.

Aryulin watched the tavernkeep walk over to him. He spoke and aryulin laughed at his description of skullsplitter brew. "Nay lad, I came to inquire as to quests. Have you heard anything of interest?" Aryulin asked. "Reassure your lad that i wont harm him, i dont think hes ever seen my kind before, hes a bit antsy." he said, taking a bite of bread. "On the subject my good man, i believe i will brave your skullsplitter brew."

Wraith's lips curved up into a smile as she picked at her 'food'. She had heard all that had gone on between the Kile and Kai and was somewhat bemused at the little half demon's description of her scent.

"And here I was going for seductive," she murmured to herself, her teeth still hidden from view. She shook her head, took a sip of her ale and then waved over at Kai, "Boy! I need a room, now!" she fairly growled at him and sent a copper spinning his way. Hopefully the little fox would astute enough to catch it.

She raised herself from her seated position and crossed her arms delicately, waiting for Kai to attend to her needs.

Kai perked his ears to the other's words, nodding as he was sent off, his tail wagging lightly behind him as he bounced away. He spoke with Milly for a moment, passing on the word about the visitors and moved back into the kitchen, his tail switching. He'd forgotten about the copper bit, did that mean he got one? No, probably not, he hadn't brought gossip, he'd brought common knowledge, anyone could see the scales on the elf-man's arm, and if they looked close enough at the woman, anyone could tell that she wasn't quite as alive as she looked. He snagged some dinner, just some jerky and a bit of soup, his body couldn't take vegetables or fruits, though it was unclear why, they just made him really sick. He finished quickly, and slipped back into the main part of the Shady Lady, he had two rooms picked out, one for Mr. Scales and another for Lady Dead. He chuckled to himself slightly as he bounced around the main part of the tavern, doing another quick body count, about twenty rooms, it was fortunate...

He about leapt out of his skin as the woman growled at him, as it were he whirled, just about dropping his tray, it was empty, but still! He caught the copper in a clawed hand, hiding it away in his pocket and quickly set down his tray, "Sure ma'am. Right this way." He murmured, his ears perking up slightly as he led her to her room, "Was there anything in particular you wanted, Miss, you didn't eat much." She hadn't, maybe she was picky? She looked like the type used to finer things in life, judging from her nice dress up, maybe the food wasn't up to her standards? Or it had something to do with her less-than-living smell. He shuffled, maybe she ate live people? Well, she was out of luck! They weren't serving any! He swished his tail, though he was careful to keep his position neutral, he didn't want trouble, he'd end up a puppy pincusion, that was currently on the bottom of his list of things he wanted to be at the moment. He waited patiently for her response, his eyes carefully down, with occasional flicks up at her, curious, partially, though he should know better at this point, curiosity got him in more than a little bit of trouble.

The little fox demon thing led her up the stairs and to a fairly plain, yet still serviceable room. While she preferred to sleep under the stars, this stormy night was less than desirable. Besides, she had had enough of getting wet.

She turned around, inspecting the room and vaguely listening to the boy at the entrance. She smiled, her fangs finally showing as she sat on the bed and stared at Kai, "What is your name, boy?" she wasn't quite sure why she asked, however she found that she somehow needed to know.

Then she shook her head, "While I may need something else, I doubt you will provide it." Then she smiled again, this time her fangs were hidden and she genuinely did look kind and inviting. She patted the bed beside her, "Come now, don't be shy. I'll give you another copper if only you'll brush and braid my hair." It was an excuse. A pitiful excuse for the company of another, no matter race nor age. But it was there.

Kai's ears flicked slightly at her inquiry, slightly unnerved at seeing the pointy teeth in her mouth, but he kept his peace, "My name's Kaibou, but most just call me Kai." He replied quietly, his hands clasping behind his back as he toyed with the end of his tail, combing out the fur with his claws. He chose not to say anything with regards to her desires, but at her offer he was somewhat startled, grateful suddenly to whatever god was out there that he had learned how to braid before he left his parents.

He took an obliging seat, still a bit nervous, but it was offset by the woman's warm smile as she invited him with the hand on her bed. He bit his lip, "I don't have a brush miss, I hope you don't mind my claws." He murmured, running his claws through her hair, taking a selfish moment to admire the soft strands, as he made them smooth before separating them into three sections, allowing himself to become immersed in what he was doing, not even remembering that this woman had made him nervous and hideously jumpy before. Her calm demeanor helped soothed the 'flight or fight' reaction he got around her, a normal reaction for animals, his baser instincts acting in lieu of his mind. She didn't scare him so much as intimidate him now, and he was grateful that she didn't make it more difficult than it had to be. "There. All done." He nodded at his handiwork, rather proud of it, if he said so himself.

She closed her eyes, opening up all of her other senses to him and allowing him to pull his claws through her long hair, although she had a brush tucked in a pack she was carrying, she didn't bother correcting his technique. It was gentle and oddly reassuring to feel his claws raking through her thick luscious strands.

She sighed when he was done, "Thank you, Kaibou. My name is Wraith." She said softly and smiled warmly at him again, her teeth hidden this time. For some reason she felt oddly attracted to the youngling. Not in a sexual sense, but rather in a maternal sense. It was something she would have to think further about. Alone.

"Tell me, Kaibou. How old are you?" she asked suddenly curious. For such a powerfully potential being, he was rather childish and naive. Almost... innocent.

Kai raised his eyes, kicking his feet back and forth from his perch on the edge of the bed, "You're welcome." He replied, tugging on one of his ears. He was startled by her inquiry, "How old am I?" He asked back, blinking in confusion, why did she want to know that? His tail switched against the bedspread and his brow lined in thought, how old was he? "Lesse..." He wasn't very good at math, but his estimate, plus four years he didn't remember too clear equals... "Nineteen." He said finally, nodding, "Yes, nineteen." He ran a hand through his poorly cut hair, "Thanks for the copper, Miss Wraith. I really should be heading back to work." Truth be told, he didn't have much to do, since the cook did all the dishes and the cooking, the front of the house was clean and the patrons there didn't do much damage and they'd be here for awhile longer if the storm didn't let up, so he figured that he wouldn't be needed until the morning came around or when the rain stopped, which probably wouldn't be until morning anyways. It wasn't lying anyways, it was only lying if you got caught, otherwise it was 'speaking not always the truth' and white lies never hurt anyone. He turned to leave, but would stop if called out to, but if not, he was headed back to the kitchens to help the cook with the gigantric pot that he liked to make soups and stews.

She smiled, "Such a nice young man," she practically purred and was more than a little disappointed when he tried edging away from her. She let him go, nodding that she didn't mind and that she understood. She was sure that there was more to it, there had to be, but for now she would just leave it be. Besides, she was getting rather tired.

Once the kid had gone and quietly closed the door behind him, she sighed and lay back on the bed, over the covers. She briefly closed her eyes and a stinging sensation when up her spine. She stiffened, readying for the inevitable onslaught.

But it did not come. She sighed, "Bastard!" she muttered to herself and then all of a sudden her back arched up fiercely and she barely controlled the sudden yell of pain she so dearly wished to utter. She groaned, turning her head into the pillow, her fangs bared with the pain.

She heard a distant drumming that she knew was inside her head and then the sound of evil laughter filled her body and mind. She spaced out for a long time, half the night and when the torment was finally over, she heaved a long fought for breath.

She shuddered, remembered pain flashing through her body. Then she curled up, under the sheets, her body slick with sweat. The darkness enveloped her with its unusual warmth and love and she trembled in its embrace, glad to have its soothing effect with her.

Soon, she was well enough to slip into a fitful sleep. Hopefully she would not wake until the next night.

Kai finished his duties for the evening, even going so far as to help clean up the front hall after everyone had taken to their rooms and even the kitchen. His ears flicked back and forth as he searched out any stray customers and he set out what was left from the kitchens to the stray dogs that wandered the streets. He swished his tail as he scented the pack coming, slowly at first then they made their way over as he sat beneath the rafters, suddenly surrounded by a happy, excited group of wanderers. He stroked one's head that set in his lap, paying special attention to behind his ears and the back of his neck before the animal pulled away and moved to the food dishes and another took his place. So Kai stayed for a bit, listening to the dogs before they went on their way and then set out the food for the cats, whom he didn't stick around for them, as they didn't like watchers around for when they fed. He stretched when he got back inside, ignoring the disapproving look that the cook gave him...

"You shouldn't feed those creatures."

Kai sighed, "If I didn't, who would have? And were we going to use it for tomorrow?" He didn't stop to listen whether they were or not, he knew they weren't going to, they never did. He left the kitchens, yawning widely, his tongue curling up around his teeth as he hopped up into the rafters in the main room. Even though he had been offered a room, he liked the shadowy ceiling, it reminded him of when he had slept in the trees, except significantly better sheltered. It was still cooler than the rest of the Inn, but he was comfortable, used to sleeping outside, so it bothered him very little. He laid out along the beam, his arms and legs draping over either side, ready to be awoken at notice, but unless something purposely woke him up, like a fire or someone else, he would sleep through the night, his ears over his eyes as he snored softly.

When Lorëa left her old life behind she entertained herself with visions of becoming a sought-after mercenary, or an impressive woods guide. Maybe even a famous traveling healer of sorts, the kind who made people stop in their tracks upon realizing who she was. People throwing themselves at her feet, begging for her healing expertise. Ah, it would be a good life!

However, the months that followed Lor's escape were filled with sadness and loss, much to the bewilderment of the elven woman, whose original reason for life-abandonment was change. Despite grand illusions of a new life without the incessant belittling she received at home, Lor was having trouble simply keeping herself alive, much of the same caliber of issues she so desperately left in an effort to save herself.

Thus far, she had been mugged no less than four times, subsequently leaving her with very little save her pony's meager tack, some unimpressive clothing and a weapon or two. Oh, and the pony, whose lack in typical care was leading him, too, into a state of deplorable condition. He was already missing a shoe, and despite having the hardy feet of any mountain pony, the animal already had several stone bruises and would limp after a long day's ride.

Lor had begun to develop a fever over a few days' time, due to wet weather and a lack of coin, which meant a depressing amount of sleeping out in the elements. Despite her attempt to treat the ailment with herbs she was able to identify and utilize, the fever had only gotten worse, bringing with it an inability to keep anything down, leaving her weak and tired. And even though she knew better, any attempts to use a healing weave for her own benefit failed, leaving Lor even more drained than before.

It was during the apex of her unfortunate illness, on a night no less wet than several previous, that Lor's pony, a thick, stocky little roan named Braun, led her straight to the door of a tavern in a little town called Byway. Wet, cold and miserable, the pony had had enough of this little adventure and was not going to travel a step farther without a good brushing, maybe a stall, some alfalfa and a sugar cube or two. So, despite Lor's weak attempts to get her animal moving again, Braun stubbornly stayed put, his ears pinned back far enough to disappear in a wild mass of dark mane, velvety nose lifting angrily with each thud of the woman's heels against his sides.

Lor swore under her breath while leaning down against the pony's neck. A particularly nasty wave of nausea forced the woman to curl against herself atop the stirrup-less saddle, her hands moving to clutch at Braun's mane as she teetered dangerously. Suddenly her limbs felt too heavy to lift any more and her head felt like it might explode, and with a startled yelp the woman fell from her perch into the mud at the pony's feet.

Exhausted, Lor simply leaned into the mud, allowing it to soak through the short hunters cloak she wore about her shoulders. Soon enough the woman's threadbare tunic and leather riding pants were sopping wet, as well, and all she could do was shiver pathetically, too weak to stand and remove herself from the situation.

With some effort she managed to look up at some point, mentally noting that 'The Shady Lady' was an awfully strange name for a tavern. As if drunk, a hand laboriously lifted and jabbed quite accusingly toward the door of the establishment, as if it were the source of her woes.

“This... is silly.” The elven woman's understating declaration ends with a short, snorting laugh before she passes out.

Wraith's eyes popped open in surprise. Her mouth was slack, her voice gone, and yet she still managed to hear herself utter a weak scream. It was a sound of helplessness, a sound of fear and pain. It was a sound that she never wanted to utter again, yet it came back night after night to haunt her in her dreams.

Worse still, the sound was coming from her.

Dragging in a desparately fought for breath of air, she shuddered under the bedsheets and twisted away from the window that allowed the wan light of a distant moon to shine though sodden clouds that insisted on offpouring their weight in water onto the hapless town of Byway.

Sweat was beading up on her forehead and she sighed, reaching over to the pitcher of water to scoop some of the cool, clear liquid to her mouth. It was not the sustanence she needed, but for now it would do to cool down the heated rush of her pounding heart.

She could still remember his voice. His echoing laugh that still threatened to ovewhelm her, though it was nothing more than a memory. Or was it? She was not longer sure that the dreams she had every sleeping moment was a figment of her fractured and tortured mind. She was no longer sure if she was sane, but that was beside the point.

She slipped her feet from the bed and onto the cold, wooden floor. There were no rugs in her room, but the cold did not bother her. Temperature was never really a thing that ever had, that was just the nature of her... well...nature. She wiped her brow once more, sipping from the pitcher which she knew was intended for her bath tomorrow morning.

She walked to the window, desiring more air, no matter the rain that splattered across the glass. Opening it up, she immediately caught an unfamiliar scent. It had the stench of sickness, the smell of dirt and grime. The scent of a traveler with horse and belongings and she could almost feel the despair that clung to it. She bared her teeth, perhaps someone needed help.

She hesitated. This was always how she managed to get herself into predicaments in which she was forced to rip her way clear. But... she could not ignore the vow she had once made to the man that had saved her life.

She sighed and slipped back into her clothing, smirking with irony as she realised that they were not yet dry. Slipping through the door, she stepped down the stairs and crossed the small common room. The stranged scaled elf was still there, quieting in his cups as well as others, but it was evident that she had been asleep for some time as the common room was not nearly as active as when she had first entered.

She opened the door, battling the wind that tried to buffet it closed for a second and then gave a tiny gasp at what she found laying at her feet. She blinked, assessing quickly the scents that clung to this elven woman and the possible risk she was taking in making her discovery public.

The horse whickered and she made her decision. Calling over to her shoulder she attempted to make contact with the resident barkeep or at least somebody in charge for the night, "I need some help over here. A woman is injured on your step and her horse needs seeing to!" Her voice carried urgency as she bent down to gently drag the woman inside, making sure not to draw attention to any superior strength she possessed.

Things always had the habit of getting messy when people discovered her vampiric nature.

A man trudges through the rain down the cobbled streets, boots tapping softly upon the rocks with each uneven footstep as he rounds a corner. Stopping for a moment he surveys the line of buildings in front of him, turning to consult his feathered companion, Io, who’s perched upon his leather clad shoulder. “They all look pretty bad….’specially that one.” he raises a hand to point towards the Tavern marked as the ‘Shady Lady’. “It’ll work.”

He smiles wryly, nodding to Io as if the falcon had contributed to the conversation. Moving forward he approaches the building, his limping readily apparent, brought on by too many long walks and cold nights. Io screeches it’s protest to whatever has displeased it, only to be quickly shushed by Vi
“Hush girl, we’re lucky it’s raining, don’t need to draw the attention of the few people who are about…”. He comes to door, a shaky hand grasping the knob as he hesitates, unsure of the company he may find inside. Judging by the name this establishment was branded with it probably held every deadbeat and thief this town of Byway had to offer. Maybe he’d fit in after all.

Seemingly satisfied the man enters, or was about to…until he belatedly noticed a woman. On the ground…drunk maybe? The was no time for Vi to contemplate just what had felled Lorea before the shouting of another female reached his ears. Without a thought he moved to kneel next to the fallen elf, which a rather audible groan. Yes, standing up was going to be hell. Nonetheless he looked to Wraith as she seemed to be the one requesting help. Shoulders rose and fell in an undecided shrug. Vi would follow the pale woman’s lead. “What happened?”
If a move was made to move or lift the ill woman, he planned to help bring her inside of the dry Tavern. He is rather ready to be dry himself, and though willing to help he didn’t consider himself any kind of selfless hero. The large bird clinging to his shoulder give a small cry of dislike before shaking once in vain to rid itself of the wet and chill. Vi wasn’t the only one ready to be dry….

For the first time in an age, Wraith was startled. She turned towards the voice of the man that had just appeared out of the rain. She lifted her nose slightly, flaring as she realised that his scent was... somewhat edgy. That is, she couldn't be sure who or what he was. But he seemed willing to help, even if the falcon on his shoulder seemed more than objectionable.

"I don't know," she answered, her voice soft as she frowned down at the fallen elf. "I just found her. We need to get her dry, people like her get sick in this stuff," she indicated the pouring rain and avoided correcting her little slip. People like her, indeed!

She resisted an urge to bare her fangs in trepidation. She wasn't at all sure what would come of this encounter. Never had she been in this predicament and she had lived long enough that nothing should have been a surprise to her. But this was... and it was at the same time, strange.

To find an elf, one of the most noble of races, passed out in front of a tavern was perplexing indeed. She slipped her arms beneath the woman's shoulders and with the help of the mysterious man, lugged her inside. The elf was light as a feather to her, but she didn't let it show. She took her to a table quickly vacated by some other patrons near the fire.

Calling for a healer she shook her head, calling once again for someone to see to the poor woman's horse. It looked like the horse was in worse shape than her, if that was possible.

Quite having forgotten the man at her side, she whispered to the woman quietly, "Now what could have happened to you?" There was a tender concern in her voice, however quiet it was as she used a discarded cloth to wipe away the beads of cold water that had collected on the elf's brow.

Lorëa, shivering hard enough to possibly give her benefactors a difficult time in lifting her slippery form, was adrift quite unhappily in a strange rendition of some terrible mishap in her past while being carried inside. Despite the soggy condition of her clothing and feverish shakes, Lor is surprisingly easy to lift; her arms feel thin and sharp beneath Wraith's grasp, her frame nothing more than a child's carelessly willowed physique disguised in adult clothing. Her head lolls back once she's lifted, the hood of her cloak sluggishly falling away to reveal a mud-splattered, serious face and short blond hair.

Braun, meanwhile, stands miserably where he's been left, his nose drooping and ears pinned against the onslaught of rain. The pony's rump has a few beginning patches of rain rot, and should someone come to his rescue and lead him away, they'll notice a painful limp upsetting the animal's normally solid constitution.

As if suddenly reanimated due to the warmth in comparison to alternative conditions outside, Lor immediately begins to stir once placed upon the table. Despite constant shivering, her skin feels like it might explode into a torrent of flames at any given moment – and, the intensity of her fever, it seems, brings with it a twisting of the woman's mind.

The sight that greets Lor's slowly fluttering eyes is a confusing one. Strange things wave their arms around her, eyes wide and mouths forming little 'o' shapes of concern. A straw-stuffed child's toy with a top hat, a cat with two heads, and a huge pixie with a silver coin for a nose all flutter about, speaking in some slowed down version of human speech Lor found herself unable to grasp. All of a sudden a beautiful pink butterfly trails dizzily past the woman's gaze, the act of which elicits a bemused giggle.

“You know,” Lor begins, brow raised enthusiastically over half-closed eyes staring stupidly at the faces around her, “I really enjoy... straw... berries... ies.” A sudden wave of illness forces the woman to roll to her side and dry heave pathetically, but because of the emptiness of her stomach, nothing comes out and she simply falls into a heap on the table, one arm draped carelessly over the side, once again passing into the fitful arms of ague-ish sleep.

Kai, of all the commotion beneath him, his ears raise and one bright eye opens as he shifts and stretches. He righted onto all fours on one of the rafter beams, his eyes reflecting what little light as the woman he'd seen before, Wraith, called out for help, for a new figure, a girl, and the assistance of a new male as well, two new tenants. Lightly, he dropped to the floor, his heavily padded feet making little noise as he slid outside and up to the horse's head, for the time being ignoring the people. The sick girl looked well enough attended and the scent of the pony made him want to help. He stroked the pony's nose, "Good boy, let's get you somewhere warm, something to eat, some water, maybe an apple." He murmured, petting the creatures cheek, and, though it didn't seem to care for him much at first, the creature warmed at the thought of somewhere decent to stay.

Kai led the pony to the barn and took off his tack and what little saddlebags the girl had, setting them to the side. He gave the creature a good rub down with a warm towel, careful around his sores as he did so. He checked the beast's teeth and the wounds for infection, paying special care to the limping leg, which, unfortunately for the beast, was infected and needed to be drained. He worked with a steady mumble of how good the beast was being and how he would get the creature a goodie if he would be still for this.

It was a short time later that he returned to the Shady Lady, after giving the pony an apple for his patience and some oats to munch on, his thin frame slipping inside, only the sound of the rain gave him away... that and he shook off inside the door, water scattering from his body, "Is there anything I can do?" He asked, hating to immediately draw attention to himself, but, he did work here, it was an obligation he couldn't avoid, and if he did... well, it went without saying that he wouldn't get the shiny circles anymore.

Wraith looked on, being sure to check all vital signs visibly for the benefit of onlookers. She knew inherently from the scent of the elf that some warmth, a good sleep and nice hot food was all that was really needed, but she made a fuss anyway. What woman could resist?

She frowned as she checked the elf's eyes before they rolled back into her head as she mumbled something about strawberries. Grimly, she shook her head and measured Lor's temperature. "She's got fever," she announced, then turning to the little boy-creature that had so neatly plaited her hair some few hours ago.

"Can she have a room? I will pay..." afterall, she did have enough coin lying around. What Ancient could possibly walk around with out any money? Oh wait... she frowned, thinking of the one single man that still remained a mystery to her, though she considered him her closest friend. "oh..." she muttered to herself, apparantly forgetting the presence of the others.

Then she blinked in the firelight and shook her head, "We need to get her warm, fed and hydrated," she affirmed, swiftly taking up the initiative. A woman in her position, it seemed, was used to command.

Eyes tinted a clear blue met Wraith’s face as the lifted the light elf-woman as one. He did his best to hide the discomfort brought on by the action of rising. Even the slightest bit of added weight from Lor made the limp in his right leg even more apparent. He had traveled much too far this time, compounded with the weather…the old injury shined through in each step and the pain unable to be hidden in his features.

But with luck they get the feverish woman into the dry and warm establishment. As soon as he releases, Vi would step back to allow those more qualified to take over. He was no healer, no sir. His skills lay in…less noble arts.
Curiosity kept him near by, planting unsteady feet to the floor as he watched both women casually. Io chattered lightly as it was much more curious about the other people who occupied this space. Wide eyes uneasily took in the sights and sounds as the bird would try to pass its distress to her companion. As was the norm her request was denied as the weather man became more intrigued with digging through one of his many belt pouches. Miffed, the falcon began on his damp fathers, taking each in her sharp beak and running it down the length of it to ‘squeeze’ out the water.

As events unfolded Vi produced a roughly rolled cigarette from the leather pouch, bringing the thing to his lips without a thought. It was habit and his movements dictated such. But the chain was broken as the elf woman began to speak, the cigarette left unlit between his teeth.
The mention of strawberries pulled a raspy chuckle from him as he leaned forward over Wraith’s pale shoulder to get a better view, just in time to see the ill woman go under once more. “She’s too hot…shouldn’t eat.” He mumbled, mainly to himself though being so close to the Vampiric woman’s ear she’d surely pick up his comment. Though she seemed to have the situation handled at this point…