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[Mallory Ventrue]

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The nightmares had continued for Mallory, only they grew more and more vivid as the days went by. In her nightmare a man looked at her with the reddest of eyes. They were so cold, until they were fueled with anger. There was so much blood everywhere. The smell of it lingered in her nose, she could almost taste it. The man held a dagger to her throat as he chanted… Mallory woke up in a cold sweat, screaming horsely in terror. As she looked around her reflection caught her eye, with the scar around her neck she trembled knowing that the nightmare had become reality…

The day had began with hope and promise for Mallory. She had a good deal of planning yet to do before the winter celebration that evening, but it was coming along very nicely. She had sent the invitations by messenger, and had confirmed the entertainment with Hugh and the minstrels. She still needed to confirm with the man in charge of the refreshments but the main thing still to was to design the game for the evening. She had always enjoyed the scavenger hunts she had been on as a child, and decided to create one for the rest of the party goers. She got up out of bed and got dressed for the day in a soft yellow dress. Yellow always made her think of summer and made her happy. She went to the study area and reached for an empty book. As she did she knocked another book to the floor and out of it fell a single Trinsic rose. The sight of it brought tears to her eyes and she gently picked it up and held it to her heart.

She had not heard from the man that sent her the rose in a very long time. She had longed for him to return, to sweep her up in his arms and for him to calm her fears. She had visited his home often, but no one had heard nor seen him and she could not help but fear the worst. Mallory wiped the tears from her eyes and she tenderly placed the rose back in the book. Time would heal all wounds, this she knew from experience, but she would never forget the way he had made her feel… She shook her head from her reminiscing, and fetched a book and pen and made her way to Sanctus to begin her planning and work.

The afternoon quickly passed and as she worked in the hostel, many people came and went. She spoke with Lady Tatinana and was assigned her first quest as a paladin recruit. She was instructed not to speak about it with anyone. They spoke of other activities and events that she wanted to plan. A group led by a gentleman decided to go hunting, and although she wished to join them, she decided to finish the work and bid them all well. She walked to the Everblue Memorial and observed the final decorations. She scrutinized every small detail and was pleased with what she saw. It was not long before people began to arrive. The party was very much a blur, but she was very happy and impressed with the druid blessing. The gift exchange went well, and everyone seemed to have a good time.

As Mallory was cleaning up after the party, she was approached by a gentleman inquiring about her house decorating. She agreed to speak to him, but was quickly ushered away by several of the guild members, and was told he was a dangerous man. Mallory agreed to not see him and returned to cleaning the house. She heard a commotion outside and went out to find out what the problem was. Mallory saw Arakad and others in pursuit of someone, and not being equipped with armor or weapon, Mallory returned to the hostel for safety. When she arrived there was a gentleman there looking lost, and she offered him assistance. He asked for directions to Luna and she gladly pointed the way for him. He thanked her and asked if they could go for a walk and talk. Mallory nodded and followed the man, not realizing they were going toward the mines and Umbra…

Many hours later Mallory found herself in an odd place, somewhere she had never been before. She was cold and alone in a dark room. There were large pillars and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness she could make out chains on the walls. Her heartbeat quickened in fear and she quickly fumbled around for her rune book. She found the rune for the hostel and she quickly spoke the words and journeyed to the hostel. The sheriff of Sanctus, Arakad, was there in the front of the hostel and he seemed very surprised to see her. He gently reprimanded her for leaving Sanctus with the stranger. Mallory did not recall leaving with anyone, and was surprised that she would have so boldly disobeyed not only an officer, but a friend.

As they talked, pieces of the evening came back to her, but there was much still foggy in her mind. She had been certain it was all a dream, but was it? She remembered them calling him master… and the things they did. Arakad listened as she recounted the horrible memories, but when she couldn’t remember any more he allowed her to return to her home for the night. She stabled Tobias and made her way upstairs to her room and tossed and turned until she fell into a fitful sleep.