RP:Saving a Wood Elf

Part of the Surface Tension Arc

Synopsis: Nymh searches a devastated forest for imperiled wood elves who yet cling to life. His song leads him to felled trees, and his song leads Rinn to Nymh. Rinn and her black hound companion aid Nymh in saving a wood elf boy. Rinn suspects they aren't alone and flees with the boy, and sends her hound with Nymh. Later they meet up in Kelay Tavern and rent a room for the boy to rest in. Rinn encounters some gamblers she's met before and Nymh's placating music keeps things from escalating. Rinn agrees to take the wood elf to the safety of Frostmaw and asks Nymh to keep her kind-hearted side a secret.

Sage Forest

The devastation was terrible. Burnt wood everywhere, smoke. Most of the brush fires had died down, but the results of carnage were easy to see. The wood elven dead had mostly been dragged away, but drow tended to leave theirs where they lay, unless they could get necromancers in to raise the corpses to be useful again. Nymh was aboveground to test his expertise in stealth, avoiding patrols and providing mercy to any that may still be dying, or to save those who may be able to be saved. After this long, there weren't likely many... but under so much debris, one could never know. His music was what led him, in the dark of the night, and after many hours of searching he heard a response of muffled cries beneath a bunch of felled trees. He began digging, with no clue what was beneath the debris, but unwilling to leave the unfortunate victim to their fate.

Rinn was never the type to willingly roam drow territory nor alone at night. Though lately the sweet siren call lured the necromantic grave robber to the fresh graveyard, which used to once be a peaceful forest. The groans and moans of death and disappear couldn't haunt the little red head who's eyes had encountered worse as she silently stepped around the motionless corpses as the presence of the dark bards sad song beckoned his position to the woman. She wore all black as usual with her drow hide back the bore her faithful shovel secured to her back, quietly she observed still saying nothing.

Nymh didn't note Rinn's presence, as he was too busy thrusting brush aside, and slicing branches apart with Shatterscourge. "Are you in there? Speak to me!" The voice came from deeper within, quiet, hoarse. "I'm... here..." They hadn't had water in days, most likely. He dug, and finally came to the tree truck that had him pinned by the pelvis. It'd crushed him, and without healing, and water, he would die. It was a young wood elf, barely out of boyhood, but when he saw Nymh's face, he groaned. "Kill me... I'll not... be a slave..." Nymh shook his head. "I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to save you, and get you home." The wood elf didn't look as though he believed him, but he didn't have much choice either. Nymh stepped back. "I have to figure out a way to move this trunk... I'm not strong enough." Think... think!

Rinn could only snicker at the boys reaction to seeing a drow while on this death bed, she found his requests and pleads for fatality amusing and enticing, but slowly her finger tips moved to the leather strap that held her shovel for her ready, Move. She demanded stoically, You're giving the boy a heart attack, and I will not chase after him in death. With her less then comforting words triggering her movements she wedged the spade of her shovel beneath the fallen tree trunk which left the handle erect. Her right arm came down on the drow's shoulder while she placed her booted foot on the digging tool, Hopefully the leverage can lift this tree enough to scramble out. She grunted announcing her plans, but alas she didn't weight enough, Come on. She jumped and cursed as the tree creaked and moaned in response, Alright it's going to be a tight fit but I need you up here to. She then pursed her lips together to send out a sharp deafening whistle. The whistle sparked life and movement, the bushes rustling as sets of feet grew nearer. Her summoning would pay off as her large black hound companion trotted up to those gathered. He was raven black which camouflaged him in the night so his present was only obvious as he became only a meter away, He'll help drag you out when we get this off you, if you haven't the strength, that is. So now she waited for the drow hiding how uncomfortable she really was around his kind, We must hurry.

Nymh counted his blessings as Rinn started wedging the trunk up with a shovel. He pulled up his sleeves, and drew forth his ocarina. When the trunk started lifting, the boy would be threatened with bleeding out within seconds, as the pressure keeping his arteries close was released. It would take a lot of magical healing to avoid permanent damage. Nymh felt uncomfortable himself, around that hound, but the hound would be able to pull the boy out, while he gave him first aid. Nymh set his back under that trunk, short enough he was, and started lifting with his legs, even as he set his ocarina to his lips. He played a song of healing, as that trunk came up, and the boy groaned for the pain. The song washed over him, and his groans turned quieter, as the boy was dazed, his pain dulled, and his bleeding stimmied. His wounds would start to heal, even as that trunk lifted, just enough that he could be dragged out. Nymh had to focus on the healing, for a few critical moments, and hope Rinn didn't decide to just drop the shovel and let a drow's back snap like a twig.

Rinn balanced carefully as she extended both her arms to her sides, though as Nymh moved under the tree to help support it threw her focus off for a moment causing a little weeble and wobble, Can you wrap it up a bit. Was her very short reply as the sound of other activity perked her ears, We aren't alone. Now her voice was the gentle hum of a whisper though her words carried a sharper message. Rinn felt life returning and not far from them. There was a necromancer busy to the dirty work for the drows and at this rate their discovery was on the horizon. Her beast had down his part dragging the kid free so all that was left was to pull the drow back from the tree. She wasn't a tender creature with her words or her touch and Nymh was about to learn this as she attempted to tug him out of the way, We must move. If he wasn't quick to move he certainly would find himself the next to be pinned as she was ready to pack up shop and bustle to new territory.

Nymh was yanked out from under the tree just in time, and knew right off that his musical magic had done them no favors in staying hidden. The boy would live though, thanks to their efforts... barring anymore attempts on his life. Nymh would throw the elfen boy's arms over his shoulders, and hoist him up on his back. "I know not where he will be safe... I'll follow you." He wouldn't slow her down. He was in good shape, taller and stronger than most drow males, for his wood elf heritage. And he had a will to survive, and to protect those he could. He would be quick behind her, at least, for a time. For as long as he could.

Rinn glanced about franticly attempting to zone in on the direction of the voices as they grew. She didn't quiet know where to take them other then her squat. One quick motion of her boot under her tool kicked the shovel back into her position, they were being hunted. Quickly and quietly she headed south away from the intended area then west before back north, We have to get to Kelay. Her directions might have tricked some to think she was lost but ultimately she was shaking any tails. Finally she found herself on the main road to Kelay which raised another flag of caution. Give me the boy and you take my hound. I will take him to my house and shortly after this one will bring you too me. We can't call for too much attention. Next she dug in her bag and pulled out a bottle of alcohol which would help to disguise the injured limps to a drunk stager.

Nymh knew he had to trust her. After so long on the run, his body was on fire. He could hide quite well, but couldn't make it through Kelay carrying the elf. It seemed Rinn had it covered, though. The elf would be able to stagger along, apparently drunkenly. As long as they avoided drow patrols... "Alright." He'd go with the hound, and lay low. He was like to attract more attention than the pair of them, as it happened. He looked to the dog, still wary of the creature, then back to Rinn. He gave a hushed and hurried, "Thank you." Before he'd melt away into the shadows, laying low before he relied on the hound to lead them to Rinn's safe place.

Kely Tavern

Rinn supported the young man's weight with his arm around her neck as she pulled him past the Kelay tavern and towards the east then finally south. They arrived at a picket fence that was greeted with the heel of her boot. The slamming of the wooden gate echoed their arrival to the many thugs that lurked inside. Fortunately for Rinn and company she was amongst like minded company, all troublesome rebels with a taste for danger and she had done enough to prove her worth and earn her place in the house. Carefully she stepped over the expiring corpse that laid in the common area which earned a worrisome sigh from the boy she supported but Rinn was immune to death. The men sat around a table smoking and playing cards while Rinn nodded her greeting before slipping into her designated room. Now she would wait for the hound to bring Nymh to help further access the boy and the situation.

Nymh laid low for quite a time, watching the drow patrol routes, alerted by the noise he'd made. He wandered if his music had drawn any particular attention... after a while, it was the hound who decided it was time to go, and would be off after his master, with a weary Nymh quick in tow. When he got to the gate, which the hound hopped over, he'd enter more carefully, noting the body, and approaching with care, and with his hands on full display. "I'm here with..." he didn't remember her name. Had she ever told it to him? He blinked. "The dog." That might keep him alive for another two seconds.

Nymh's arrival paused the men's game at hand as one scruffy male with a 10 o'clock shadow twisted towards the newest arrival. His lips were chapped and teeth yellow as they bit into his burning cigarette, Who ya calling a dog? He'd ask stoically as he placed his cards face down to rest his palms on the flat of the table, he was ready to shove to his feet at any moment. Rinn what quick to poke her head from behind her door as she jutted her chin towards the calloused thug, Ignore, Rolf...He's just bitter he can't play cards. Her words held a playful stab as she stuck out her tongue, Though I wouldn't dabble too long... With that she swung open her door invitingly. Her room was illuminated with candles for the time being as the promise of sun began to lighten the dark skies just outside her window. There on her bed laid the tortured woodelf who now had the faint smell of liquor to his body, perhaps the walk home wasn't just an act. We eased the tension... She snickered flicking her pale blue gaze towards the bottle that rested on the side table, Help yourself if you please. The square headed dog shoved though all in his way to greet his graverobber with a nudge of his head which earned him a pat.

Nymh would watch the surly man, with wary eyes. Men were big folk, but they were slow. To him, at least. He was taller than most drow, but at 5'4 most of these men were a fair bit larger than he. He'd move quickly to get to Rinn's side, and look on at the elf boy. "Liquor? That'll do plenty for the pain. He'll need some looking after, but he's not critical anymore." He looked to Rinn. "Once he recovers, he can probably make his own way to Frostmaw, to the refugees. I can speed up his recovery with music, of course. Your men in there might enjoy it as well." Rinn had had a taste of his healing music. He could tailor it to entertain a bunch of outlaws as well.

Rinn would give a rise and fall of her shoulders paired with a nod, If you'd like. She said walking towards the bottle for a small sip. She had once fallen for a bard and thought she had met a life long companion but with all things this too had changed. A new bard suddenly in her life none the less in her room at late hours made her reach for a second drink, even if the situations were completely different. Pale blues studied the drow carefully before extending the bottle towards her guest.

Nymh nodded, when given permission. "Alright, I'll play." He didn't know Rinn's past, but she'd given him a chance, when he was half dead. When she could have easily gutted him. She'd given him money instead, which had kept him alive while he sought refuge. And now, she'd helped him save a life, at risk to herself. He looked back at her, with appreciation in his gaze, before turning back to his task. Ebony ocarina came forth, and tapered fingers pressed to the holes as he put it to his lips, and breathed life into the instrument. It was a soothing melody, of life and of healing. It would mend the elf well. But there were more subtle undertones, beneath the magic... a resounding sense of freedom, of acceptance. Home and hearth, could be found in the most unlikely of places, among the most unlikely of comrades. The song lilted of things unsavory, of secrets and hidden agendas, and of the blessed few one could lay amongst with such darkness at their backs. The song would likely mesmerize ones such as the rogues of this place.

Rinn plopped down on the end of the bed with a small recoil which aided her in crossing her right leg over her left knee. The bottle held captive by her fingers received another pondering stare before the music pulled her concentration. She found herself curios about the drow's instrument as her right elbow moved to her leg propping her chin up. She eventually twisted to glance over her shoulder at the sleeping boy, I'll need new bedding. She thought silently to herself as she noted all the blood, crust and grime. His slumber was heavy, heavy enough to bypass Rolf's grand entrance. The music must have stirred the beast but jovially, or so it would seem by the cigarette stained teeth that appeared beneath a scruffy almost deranged smile. Smiles wore awkwardly on those type of men, Who's ready to loose some spending money? He asked relieving a deck of cards as an invitation to play, perhaps it was the undertones of acceptance and home that struck him. Rinn's sat motionless for a moment before a smirk masked her face, Last time we gambled you lost a weeks pay and we know you're a sore loser. Her pale blues held a spark of playfulness which he took as an invitation to come steal away her rum with two broad steps, We'll see who's tha sore loser. He taunted pulling a swig before holding the bottle high over his head. Rinn peeked to Nymh from the side while shaking her head, Was this your doing? She asked with a snicker.

Nymh gave an awkward laugh at Rinn's question. "My music can have... varying effects." It seemed he'd made a scoundrel turn... playful. "I can pay for the bedding, as it happens. My time in Frostmaw has earned me a measure of strength... and a measure of wealth. I've hunted outlaw giants, and devils, and turned good coin for it, along with what I can weasel out of the people with song." He smirked for that. His music was starting to become recognized for its singular beauty. Eventually, it could well be the source of great wealth. Nymh looked to the elfen boy, who'd gone unconscious, or near enough to it. "He'll be alright, I think. When he's better, he's like to make his way to Frostmaw. If he feels endangered still, I'll get him there myself." He'd watch Rinn with her comrades, not deigning to hop in at any capacity himself. He didn't know their card games, anyway.

Rinn would give Rolf a swift and hard kick to his shin while waiting for the brute to double over to compress the pain with his hand. He cursed and howled and that's when Rinn snatched back her liquor and brushed him back into the common area with the others. Don't wake the boy. After she shut the door between their two worlds she turned to Nymh, Can you read minds? She asked cocking her scarlet head to the side, I don't recall mentioning the bed...Out loud.....Or did I the night has been a strange one, defiantly not one I could have foresee.

Nymh shook his head. "I don't read minds. But I remember what state the elf was in." And she'd gotten him liqoured up, to boot. He had the coin to pay, and it seemed a little coin could go a long way with this crowd. The antics between her and the ruffian were entertaining, and he'd give a slip of a smile.

Rinn raised her hand in a refusal of his money, No need, truly. Believe it or not I am quite good in my line of work and there fore quiet well off. She explained with a nod, Though if you feel the need you can give it to little Woody here. She snickered amused by her lame joke that was quickly washed away with her reclaimed booze, she had earned it for the night. If you don't mind I'd like to keep tonight just between us tw...Well us three. I don't need any rumors going about that I have a heart or something. She'd rather be feared then even approachable, no one lasted around here to long anyways.

Nymh nodded. "Done, and done. If you wish to be feared, dragging around a Drow is a good way to go about it, even if I'm particularly unfrightening for a drow. Half drow, in fact." He looked back towards the crew, then back at her. "I hope you last longer than most." It was a common theme among Drow as well, if one wasn't part of a powerful house.

Rinn gave a rise and fall of her shoulders, I'm a tough one, don't worry. Plus I have good allies. With that she finally emitted a yawn, they had had a busy night, Don't worry about the boy either he can stay here for a while and if he decides to head to Frostmaw I can help him along his journey. Another yawn stretched her lush lips, If you need a place for the night I can offer my floor. Not the most comfortable but better then exposed in the wild.

Nymh considered her words. It had been an exhausting affair, getting the elf out of there, then getting out of there alive himself. Plus, he found her yawn to be infectious. "I'll take you up on that. I've slept in far less comfortable places." His entire life, as it happened. He didn't have the energy to shadow walk home, at this point. He'd find a comfortable spot on the floor of her room, laying down, ebony ocarina in one hand, toying with it as he waited for sleep to come.