Shadows 4
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: Shadows Part 4
Author:
Chirp, Chirp." The crickets were going about their usual business outside of Tizer's bedroom window that evening. Everything was as it always was at night in Tel'Mithrim Glade. The only difference was in the state of the Elven leader's eyelids: they were open. He could not rest, even in his comfortable bed. Ever since he had entered his bedroom, a small knot in his stomach had formed and grown steadily throughout the night. He thought it odd because supper had been relatively small, as usual. The only time he felt stomach pains was after dining with the Axepeak Dwarves or the Edanea at KORT. They always eat such heavy foods, which, though quite delicious at the time, always upset his stomach.
Even while thinking of his last meal, however, Tizer knew that the pains were not from indigestion. The feeling was reminiscent of his encounter with a shade several years past while walking through the Lost Hills. The fear it had caused was so great that his entire body tensed up and he froze in place for several seconds. Only after he had fought off the terror that was slowly gripping his chest could he dispatch the creature with several well-placed fireballs.
Remembering this experience, he shot up in his bed and looked around the room. Shades were easily detectable through infravision because of their lack of heat. He did not see anything suspicious, but nevertheless he donned his cloak and stepped out into the hallway with nothing on his feet. He made his way to the dining hall and noticed the light shining on the floor through the large circular window near the roof. It was a deep blue, almost green, color. In all his years, he had never seen the moon cast such a strange light as that, even through storm clouds. Curious, he stepped out the front door into Tel'Mithrim Glade.
The first thing he noticed upon exiting the hall was that the forest was utterly silent. The crickets were no longer chirping and the forest seemed as though it were lying in wait, crouched in anticipation of the hapless creature that dares to step into its woody maw. The biting cold was the second thing he noticed. His feet became numb almost immediately upon standing in the frosted grass. He took a deep breath of the night's air through his nose and cold gripped his chest. Feeling moistness on his upper lip, Tizer held out his hand to feel for rain. The air was dry and cold as death, however. The Elf then touched his upper lip and saw that it was blood, trickling from his nose. Not wanting to stain his cloak, he returned to the guild hall and retrieved a cloth from behind the bar in the dining hall.
It was quite obvious to the Elven leader that this night was like no other. He thought of his guests, Edan and Jem, and swiftly padded to the guest section of the hall in his bare feet which were throbbing slightly, having been returned to the warmth of the hall's floors. Tizer stood outside of Edan's door and he heard soft breathing, as was normal for an Elf in reverie. He cracked the door slightly to make sure his guest was intact. Edan was resting peacefully in his bed. "Poor Edan... Rest well, mellonamin," whispered Tizer, remembering with a shiver the gruesome sight he had seen upon discovering his brotherTarion's mutilated body.
Continuing down the hall to the second guest room, Tizer let out a short sigh of relief at Edan's apparent safety. When he approached Jem's door, however, he heard nothing. He considered the possibility of her breathing more quietly than other Elves and cracked the door to her room. The bed was empty, though not disturbed. It was made as it had been when Jem had arrived. Shocked at the sight, Tizer flung the door open, dread welling up inside of him. He did not call her name, for fear of waking of Edan, but he searched her room thoroughly. Her belongings were not in the closet.
It was as though she had never stayed at Tel'Mithrim Hall. Puzzled, the aged Elf went to the window and examined the latch. It appeared to be untouched. Jem had vanished, and so shortly after Tarion's murder, Tizer expected the worse.
Riklaun did not get much sleep the night before. He had stayed up much of the night looking for any clues as to why and who could have done this atrocity. He had gone over the building with a fine tooth comb and had found no clues, save one.
Tarion had been alone when it happened. There were no foot prints outside or inside the building. Strongbow, Nalynn and Lyrianda wouldn't report from LongSaddle, Tarion's stomping grounds, for a few days. The same could be expected from Brisid and Taelsin who were in Neverwinter.
"Starrbolt, keep a watchful eye on the area. I am going to Triboar to see what I can find out. Make sure that guards are placed during the night." Rikalun said.
"Quel fara, Rik," Starrbolt called. He gave Rik a quick wave and went inside the dojo.
Riklaun walked to Tizer's home to see if Edan and Jem wanted to tag along. When he got there, Tizer was talking to Edan, Rayella and Lightning.
"Morning Riklaun!" he heard in his mind. Rik looked down at Lightning.
"And good morning to you too!"
"Rik!" Tizer said. "We've got some more disturbing news. Jem has disappeared. There is no sign of any struggle or forced entry. It looks as if she never slept in her room."
Riklaun went inside and looked around. "You won't find anything. It's untouched. she was not in here at all last night." Tizer said. "We did find tracks of hers that led to the guest hall where Tarion was killed."
"I did not see her last night. Edan, you are a tracker. Let's locate her." Riklaun said.
Rikalun and Edan gathered their things. "I'm coming along, Rik, if ye don't mind," Rayella said.
"Yea, me too," Lightning voiced.
Tizer watched as the three Elves and Lightning went out in search of Jem Val'istar "I hope they do not get into trouble." Tizer said. "But then Rik's middle name is trouble..." Tizer walked back inside of his office. Being the Captain had it's advantages, but right now he was dreading returning to the mound of paperwork sitting on his desk. Tizer looked at the desk and frowned. He grabbed his sword that hung on the back of his chair and left the office. He headed out into the woods to visit his long time friend and do some thinking. Lwynis would love his company.
The crickets chirping comforted Fenila as she waited in the dark woods. The dense canopy filtered the early dawn light, keeping parts of the ground in black shadow. Huffing a sigh of impatience, the Elf girl circled a tree restlessly.