Atlantic Thief's Bugle 2
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: Atlantic Thief's Bugle 2
Author: Skni Wimmel
I am the Lord British's personal messenger sent on an urgent communique to the Mayor of Luna. It is when I stepped across the Moringham's brook, the physical boundary between Umbra and Luna, that I see her standing in the shadow of an ancient moss covered tree.
Who is she? I think as I try to see without looking straight at her.
I pause in my quickened pace and kneel at the bank of a splashing ripple.
If she suspects I see her she may flee. I cup my hand into the miniature fall where a large flat boulder has blocked the flow of the brook and take a drink of the icy wetness. I sneak a side look at her as I drink from cupped hands. She blends well with the dark mottling of browns and green. Her hair is short cropped and barely darker than the bark. She wears natural leather and wool and it is difficult to see where she starts and the tree and ground end. She stands behind a slight rise hiding everything below her knees.
I again dip my hand pretending to drink the water in the rushing creek. Alas, when I look up she is gone. I stand and look directly where she was. I step forward not wanting her to be gone, but there is no sign of her remaining. I walk slowly upon the mound and look around the tree. My heart stops.
She is there waiting for me. Her dagger point pricks the tender under-throat and I don't breathe. I need to swallow but do not dare. She holds out her other hand and smiles as she points to the small purse at my belt. I hear myself groan.
Is she merely a thief and now I pay for my curiosity? She smiles and nods as if she heard my thoughts, but my expression of disappointment and humility must be easy to read.
I feel the sharp pushing of the tip of her dagger and my gaze now is forced skyward or the tip will surely cut me.
There is a scarlet song bird above in the huge old tree. It seems to be looking down and laughing at this scene. I feel my face heat to realize there is a witness to my distress. There is a sound tug at my belt and I feel the weight of twenty coins disappear from my hip.
The point of the knife at my throat is gone but I still feel its bite upon my flesh. It is the faint rustle of the bush to my left when I realize she has managed to swiftly disappear. I move my head and look around.
Slowly, I sit on the mound of damp ground by the ancient moss covered tree. My left hand rubs the indentation where her knifepoint threatened to blood me. There isn't as much as a scratch in the soft place between my chin and Adam's apple. I smile as I realize it will be a long time before I forget that threatening prick she could have given me.
Then my eyes catch a caller's note tacked to a tree from the side of the brook I'd just come. There is an image upon it scratched out crudely upon the parchment and bark.
Under the image it states, "Be Wary of a sneak thief partaking of her wiles in this wood. She is Skni Wimmel and Elven Bred in part. The Good Mayer of Luna offers 200 Gold Imperial for her live capture."
I removed the writ from the tree and pocket it inside my shirt where my messenger's satchel remains secure. Again reminded of my duties, I take up the quick pace toward Luna. As my feet burn the distance, my mind races over my recent encounter.
I know I carry the biggest grin upon my face. I must look the frightful fool I believe myself to be, because I know Skni Wimmel will remain free if she continues to rob only those who are beguiled as easily as me.