Missing Time - Old RP

[Nauloera]

(( This was originally written as Merlinne's RP but it is also the introduction of Megaly. Before I can continue Meg's story I thought it important to know where she came from. ))

Merlinne woke parched and feeling weak. Tygger lay beside her on the enormous bed but she could hear Balah and Porridge off playing with their toys on the polished wooden floors. She slowly pulled the blankets off of her and rose, her body aching and drained. She heard the movement of someone in the other room moments before Emmylee came bustling in, a look of worry on her face.

"How long this time?" Merlinne asked without waiting for the maid to speak.

"A day and a half, my Lady," Emmy replied, offering Merlinne a glass of water.

Merlinne took it and sipped it, grateful for the moisture in her mouth. She considered this latest episode and tried to puzzle out what may be causing it. She'd been researching a possible magical cause for over a week now and found nothing. It did not help matters that she kept having blackouts during her research.

"My Lady," Emmy began hesitantly, "this is the longest you have slept with this. Should we not speak with the Lady Polrena?"

Merlinne shook her head, placing the glass of water on the bedside table. "No. She has her own House and problems to worry about. Call the healer Bristhari. Tell her to bring more potion." The healer was odd in her own way, but caring and solicitous and wonderfully skilled at potions. The potions she brewed seemed to be all that kept Merlinne from slipping into unconsciousness for good.

"She came by while you were sleeping, my Lady. There is a fresh batch of potions in your office."

Merlinne nodded, another thought occurring to her. "Did anyone notice my absence?"

Emmylee shook her head. "Sir Hugnir was asking about you once but was told you were resting."

"Good," she said, rising weakly from the bed. "I am the Lady of Dalaran. If the cause of this is magical I am the best qualified to find it. I do not wish to worry the others while I am searching." She gathered up her robe and began to make her way to the bathing room. "Please lay out my Hibernal robe for the promotion tonight if you would, Emmy. It is loose and comfortable and I'm not feeling up to the way the Robe of Doan binds around my arms."

Emmylee looked confused then asked carefully, "Which promotion, my Lady?"

Merlinne turned, irritated at Emmylee's question. "Faxxon's promotion, of course. To Scholar. He'll be our first and it's far too important a ceremony for anything to go wrong."

"But, my Lady, that was last week. Do you not remember?"

She stared at the maid for a moment, trying to find the memory of the ceremony somewhere in her mind. She found nothing though. "More memory loss it would seem," she muttered. "I am sorry Emmylee."

"No need," Emmy said with a worried smile. "I will lay out something comfortable for you today. You have no engagements this evening. Shall I have the lanterns in the laboratory lit and the books brought there for you?"

Merlinne nodded, scarcely hearing what she said. "Yes, that will do. Thank you." With that she turned and continued on to the bathing chamber, troubled once more by this loss of memory. How much of her research had she been losing this way? Was the key piece to this mystery found once already yet lost in the darkness of her own mind?

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Celera ))

Another journey to Winterspring was complete, and another heavy load of rare leathers had been used or sold. Soon Celera would have to venture back, but she was rather weary of traveling, and it was some time since she had seen many of her guildmates.

She pulled a small leather bag from one of the dresser drawers and dropped the new gold into it. Not nearly enough. Soon Thelanya would be ready for a mount. Of course, she would be able to summon one, but it was not the same thing. Celera knew that her friend would want a real horse, a loyal companion, and not just another demonic presence to test her will.

Thinking of Thelanya reminded Celera that she needed to stop in and see the Lady Merlinne. Since the crusade to Stratholme and the struggle against the demon that had so long possessed the High Lord, Merlinne had seemed even more pale and weak than before. And she had scarcely been around lately. It seemed she was always in her room, either resting or reading.

Tim was sleeping in his favorite sunny spot, and Merlinne was more fond of cats anyway, so Celera set out with Nigel to visit the Lady of Dalaran's quarters.

[Nauloera]

Merlinne sat quietly while Emmylee dried and dressed her hair. Something comfortable and casual that she could work in. The black mageweave dress laying across the bed would suit well for the day too. It would keep her warm in the chill of the tower laboratory and was loose and comfortable for working. The dark color also suited her mood.

When Emmy finished with her hair, a basic braid running down the back of Merlinne's head, she helped her put on her robe. Merlinne still felt physically weak after this latest episode; even worse, though, she felt arcanely weak. Her powers seemed faded some. Drained in a way she could not understand. As if like an onion, some of the layers had been stripped away. This concerned her more than anything else that had been occuring.

Merlinne rose and gathered up a few items she would need and made her way to the door of her suite.

"Have lunch sent up to me, though I should like some tea sent right away." Emmylee nodded. "And Emmy, in the top drawer of my desk there is a note. Instructions really. If I do not complete my task before something prevents me from doing so, I want you to make sure the information in it is given to the Defenders so that they can continue on the work and hopefully find out what is going on."

The maid nodded again and Merlinne turned, satisfied that her instructions would be carried out. She was almost startled when she opened the door of her suite to find Celera and Nigel standing there, the Kaldorei's hand poised to knock.

"Celera," she said quickly. "What a surprise. What can I do for you?"

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Celera ))

"Hello, Merlinne," Celera began. "I really just stopped by to visit with you. I've seen so little of you while I've been here the last few days."

Merlinne was eager to resume her study -- her lost memory and long sleeps made time even more precious. But it would be ungracious to simply dismiss her visitor, and ungraciousness was not an option. After instructing Emmy to bring enough tea for two, she motioned for Celera to sit down. Nigel busied himself watching Merlinne's cats. He seemed puzzled by them. They were like him and yet strange, small, but not kittens of his own species. The house cats, meanwhile, stationed themselves in various corners of the room where they felt safe and stared back at Nigel, trying to look intimidating.

As the two women chatted, Celera studied the magess. It seemed that she had grown much worse since the last time they had talked. Merlinne looked pale, wan and weary. Not the weariness of too little sleep, nor the weariness of a day's hard work, but as if something was siphoning out her strength bit by bit. Whether her magical powers were weakened as well, Celera couldn't tell. It might not matter. Even such small powers as elven hunters learn to use can drain the body and mind of energy, especially if the user is already tired or ill. The arcane power that Merlinne could wield must be physically exhausting. Her magic powers would decline with her physical health in any case.

Just then, Emmy returned with the tea. Merlinne picked up her cup and saucer in that delicate way that Celera admired but could never imitate. But this time, Merlinne's hand began to shake, and she nearly spilled the tea before setting it back on the small table. The hand not holding the teacup gripped the arm of her chair so tightly that her knuckles were white.

"Merlinne," Celera started, "there is something I came here to discuss with you."

"What is that?" Merlinne asked, trying to look as if nothing odd had just happened, and she wanted nothing more than to hear some new bit of small talk.

"My friend, clearly you are not well. I have noticed it for some weeks now, and you are getting worse. You scarcely leave your room, and never leave the hall. Have you spoken with Lady Polrena, or perhaps with Doc Caspin?"

"Oh, I have been a little tired lately. And I have spent quite a bit of time studying and resting. But really, I'm fine -- there is no need for you to worry." Merlinne smiled reassuringly. "In fact, I need to get back to my studies, perhaps we can have dinner together before you leave again."

With that, Merlinne rose, and, seeing that she was being dismissed, Celera stood also. But halfway up, Merlinne's knees seemed to buckle. Celera barely caught her before she landed on the floor. Once she had the magess back in her chair, Celera knelt down on the floor next to the chair and took her friend's hand.

"Merlinne, you were born a Lady and you have earned a Lady's title in the guild. You are the strongest and most determined person I have ever known. But you are not well, and even you must sometimes allow your friends to assist you. If we have learned nothing else in the last few weeks, surely we have learned that none of us needs to fight alone, whether the enemy is within or without. Now, please, tell me what is going on."

[Nauloera]

Merlinne just sat there for a moment, a wave of dizziness washing over her. She wanted to aswer Celera but she didn't know what to tell the elven woman. Once the dizziness passed she met Celera's gaze.

"If I could tell you what was wrong, Celera, I surely would." She sighed and considered her words before continuing. "There is indeed, something wrong. I am currently in the process of trying to determine what it is. I have been consulting a healer. There is little that can be done from that direction. I am currently researching a magical source. What I can determine is it has nothing to do with Lord D'ana'no's problem. There is no demonic taint." She looked away and gripped her trembling hands in her lap. "Beyond that, I have found nothing."

She stood then, feeling stronger than she had a few moments ago and motioned Celera to join her. "When you arrived I was on my way to the laboratory where my research materials are located. If it is, as I believe, a magical issue, I am the best qualified to determine the source and solution."

She looked at Celera with a wan smile. "The halls of Dalaran still echo a bit too hollowly for my liking. Or echo with the laughter of children."

She moved to the door then, Celera close behind and continued into the corridor. "You are welcome to join me in the laboratory, but I fear there may be little you can do to assist there. Some of the tomes I am studying are quite obscure and confusing even for those who know what they are."

[Nauloera]

Celera fell silent and Merlinne could not read her expression. Whether she had assuaged the hunter's fears or not, she had no time to continue the discussion. Time was short. Far too much so. She must return to her research.

She made her way to the laboratory, a heavy walled stone room at the very top of the Dalaran tower. The furnishings were few and rough of construction. Sometimes the experiments conducted in this room could get out of hand so there was no reason to put fine items here. The walls were sparsely covered, a few simple sconces to hold magic fire to light the room, and the windows were narrow and tall. Worn hide and yarn rugs were located near the work tables providing some cushion on the hard stone floor.

She moved over to the large wooden table she had taken over recently, the surface stacked with books and parchments covered in her neat, flowing script. She began going through the notes and was surprised by the number of repeated entries. She shook her head in frustration, realizing her own bouts of memory loss must be the cause of the duplicate entries. On the earliest entries the date was carefully written on the top of each page, but as she went through them she realized the dates were often left off.

Puzzling over this, she reached for a fresh parchment and as she went to write the date of today's entries, she realized she was no longer sure. Earlier she had thought it was the day Faxxon was to be promoted. Emmylee had told her that had already happened, leaving her adrift in her own mind. With a sigh, she scrawled a quick note of identification at the top.

I slept a day and a half. Emmylee corrected me when I spoke of Faxxon's promotion.

She looked over what she thought might be one of the last pages she wrote and read her own writing, though she could not remember placing it there. It spoke of magically cursed objects and the effects they could have. Reading the notes, she pulled her copy of Cursed Objects - Enchantments and Their Effects to her and opened it to the middle.

She flipped through the pages and began reading. Her eyes began to blur and she blinked rapidly trying to remain focused on the words before her. She knew something had to be here. Something at the very edge of her mind. She dug her nails painfully into the wood of the table trying to retain her focus long enough to find it.

She shook her head. It was too late. Her mind began to cloud, her thoughts caught in a mire. She reached for her quill and scrawled a quick note. She must tell whomever found her. She must leave something.

Seek an object.

The ink smeared across the page as she fell to the floor.

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Celera ))

Perhaps Merlinne was right. Perhaps not. Hunters are not experts in magic, but they know a few things. And one thing Celera knew was that arguing with Merlinne was generally not a very good use of one's time. On the other hand, as she had recently demonstrated, she was not above spying. Perhaps I should have been a rogue, she thought wryly. It seems I am spending a lot of time skulking around the halls of my own guild lately.

It wasn't hard to follow Merlinne, of course. Her brisk footsteps echoed in the empty hallways -- echoed enough, at least, for practiced elven ears to follow them. Once Merlinne reached the top of the tower, Celera heard the door close and waited a few minutes. Then she went the rest of the way up the stairs and slowly pushed open the door.

The room was cold, and rather dark, with little furniture and just a few hides on the floor. It smelled strange -- the smell of many different things, some natural, some ... not.

The room was also quiet, and Celera pushed the door open wider to see the Lady of Dalaran lying in a heap on the floor next to a table and chair. She ran over to Merlinne, and found that she was alive, but unconscious. There were no injuries that could be fixed by a bandage, and probably not by a healing potion either, even if Celera had such things with her. Merlinne needed a real healer -- at least.

Luckily, Celera did have her communicator. She switched it on and called out to whomever might be listening, "The Lady Merlinne is very ill. If there are any healers at the hall, please come at once to the top of the Dalaran tower."

She heard voices responding, but didn't pay much attention. Knowing the importance of propriety for Merlinne, she was looking for a blanket or something when the open book caught her eye. The notes were clearly Merlinne's, written in the perfect flowing script that Celera had often admired. The notes at first were orderly and clear, but both the content of the notes and the form of the writing became more jumbled, things repeated, other things obviously left out. Words written in a shaky hand.

There were two lines in fresh ink.

I slept a day and a half. Emmylee corrected me when I spoke of Faxxon's promotion.

The exact meaning of that note wasn't entirely clear, but Celera thought it would be simple enough to get more information from the young servant.

Seek an object

Well, as clues go, it wasn't much. But the open book was about cursed objects, which might narrow it down a bit. Or not. A curse could be put on almost any sort of object.

Just then there was a flurry of activity as someone came rushing through the door with Emmy and another servant in tow.

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Xelthia ))

It took Xelthia three wrong turns, a maid and two footmen to find the tower. By the time she rushed through the doorway with the second footman still following closely behind, she'd bumped into Emmylee, Merlinne's personal maid. She'd already ordered the footman not to leave her side until she dismissed him. She presumed Emmylee would stay by her mistress' side until dismissed as well. She wasn't entirely sure if she was allowed to give such orders to the servants but at this point she didn't care. She couldn't begin to imagine what kind of medical emergency she might be running to and wanted to be sure she had able hands there to assist.

When she entered she found the Lady of Dalaran laying on the floor with Celera at her side. Celera wisely moved out of the way when Xelthia came to her.

"Tell me what happened," she said as she began to examine Merlinne. Her hands were shaking and a rush of adrenaline coursed through her. She was probably the most junior of healers here in the Hall but she would use all the skills she had to help.

"She just collapsed," Celera said. Xelthia admired her calm. "Earlier she seemed weakened and dizzy and nearly collapsed in her rooms."

Xelthia shook her head in annoyance wondering why a healer wasn't called then. She opened up her senses as a healer and knowing they weren't nearly as strong as some of the other healers, also began a physical examination. "What else do you know?" She said as she carefully ran her hands over Merlinne's head. A small bump on one side, likely from the fall, but no blood and not severe enough to cause unconciousness. She felt the warmth of the healing magic flow through her into the knot, easing the swelling.

"I think she has been unwell for some time. She has seemed weak and not entirely herself. Distracted. When we spoke today I asked her about it and she said she was tired lately. She also said she thought the cause might be magical."

Xelthia grunted in response as she continued her examination and found nothing to cause this. Whispering the words of magic she spilled her limited healing power into the woman but finding nothing damaged, it quickly dissipated. She frowned.

The fidgeting feet of the maid, Emmylee, caught her attention. The girl seemed like a small rabbit, caught in a trap, when Xeltia fixed her luminous gaze on her. "What do you know? How long has this been going on?"

Emmylee swallowed hard before answering. "About two months, Miss Xelthia," she said trembling. "Minor blackouts mostly. Never more than a few moments until recently. She's been having trouble remembering things too." The girl wrung her hands as she spoke and Xelthia expected tears to begin running down her cheeks any moment. "She swore me to secrecy Miss. She told me not to tell anyone. That healer from Old Town said those potions would help but they never seemed to!"

Xelthia narrowed her gaze at the girl, considering what she said. "Potions? She was taking potions? What kind? Where are they?"

"I-in Lady Merlinne's suite," she stammered. "I-I don't know what kind. Just some brew she brought to the Lady."

Xelthia began swearing colorfully and eloquently in Darnassian and watched Celera's eyebrows shoot up. She was glad the maid didn't seem to understand the language.

"There is nothing to heal," she said finally. "My magic tells me there is no injury. I'll have to delve into her mind to search for more. But not here. I want her out of this cold tower." She rose and pointed at the footman. "Fetch a stretcher from the infirmary. We'll move her to her suite since its closer and if she wakes up, I don't want her to wake up in unfamiliar surroundings."

The footman nodded and rushed from the room. Emmylee was weeping now. Xelthia wanted nothing more than to scold the woman for not informing a healer sooner but knew recriminations would accomplish nothing right now. Feeling like she must do something until the stretcher arrived, she began examining the Lady again. Her skin was pale, even for a human, and the bones in her hands and wrists stuck out too far. Her heartbeat was strong though, her breathing even. She would do what she could until she could consult with the Lady Polrena.

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Xelthia ))

Once Merlinne had been settled in her bed, Xelthia ushered out the footmen but kept Emmylee by her side. She had more questions for the maid.

She settled herself gently on the bed beside the Lady of Dalaran and laid her hands on either side of her head. She was not as skilled at this aspect of healing either but she knew enough to see if the Lady was even there.

She closed her eyes and reached out, her conciousness seeking what should have been the bright light of Merlinne's mind. What she found was a pale glow. Like a lantern half shuttered. She delved deeper into Merlinne's mind, seeking her Self, the core of who she was but found only dimness. Further into the darkness she traveled, stretching the limits of her own ability, seeking any sign of the Lady.

When she came up against a barrier, she stopped and studied it for a long time. To her mind it looked like a great bank of fog concealing something on the other side, yet when she tried to pass into it, it felt more like a stone wall. She examined it and the power within definitely had a taste of Shadow in it, but something else as well. The varying powers woven together worked to mask each other as well as contain what hid behind that dark wall. She thought she could feel Merlinne beyond that wall but her presence was muted, confined, weakened.

Xelthia probed the edges of the wall for several moments seeking a weakness, a flaw of some sort but could find nothing. Slowly she withdrew from Merlinne's mind.

When she opened her eyes Emmylee stood beside her fidgeting nervously. "She is in there," Xelthia whispered tiredly. The journey to find her had taken more out of her than she expected. "But it is as if her presence is trapped, muted somehow. I've never experienced anything like it." She shook her head. "I'll need to see her research. I want to see that potion she was taking as well."

Emmylee nodded and rushed from the room. She returned a moment later with a small bottle of a dark green liquid.

"Do you know what was in this potion?" Xelthia asked as she took the bottle from her.

Emmylee shook her head. "No, only that Bristhari said it would help strengthen her."

Xelthia nodded. "I'm going to take this one and try to find out what is in here. Send someone to bring this Bristhari to the Hall at once. Keep Merlinne warm. I'll be back shortly."

Taking the vial, Xelthia headed off to Virtue wing.

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Xelthia ))

"Duskbloom?" Xelthia stared at the alchemist shocked at what she was hearing.

"Yes, miss," the woman nodded. "Duskbloom. Everything else in there is nothing more than a simple tea. But I cannot explain why Duskbloom would be in there. That particular plant can weaken a person, even poison them if taken in large enough quantities."

Xelthia glared at the offending bottle sitting on the work table before her. Three days had passed since Lady Merlinne's collapse. Three days it had taken to find out what was in that potion she'd been given. And three days of fruitless searching for the woman responisble for giving it to her.

She shouldn't be surprised about the nefarious contents of the potion considering the "healer" Bristhari could not be found.

"Could this be what has caused the Lady's current state?" She asked.

The young woman shook her head. "No. The proportion wasn't enough to cause anything more than a gradual physical weakness. Someone wanted her defenses weakened for something else."

Xelthia nodded, knowing it would be too much to hope for that the answer was that simple. She'd been able to glean very little from the pages of Merlinne's notes. She would need someone who understood Merlinne's arts to explain them to her.

She realized the young woman was watching her expectantly. "Thank you," she said and rose. "Please keep that bottle secure somewhere."

The girl nodded and Xelthia turned to leave the room. Her thoughts chased each other as she tried to fathom who would do this and why. To what purpose would someone want Lady Merlinne incapacitated.

The maid, Emmylee rushing up to her in obvious distress shook her from her own thoughts.

"She's gone!" Emmy gasped when she was near enough for Xelthia to hear.

"She's what?" Xelthia roughly grabbed the girl's arm and dragged her toward Dalaran wing.

"She's gone!" She wailed. "I left for but a few moments to get some fresh linens for her bed and when I came back she was gone! I've searched the entire suite and the footmen were searching the wing when I came for you!"

Xelthia began to curse in Darnassian and let go of Emmy to run ahead on her longer legs. Where would she go?

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Landorian ))

Landorian paced back and forth in his room. There was nothing for him to do, he knew that. His friend knew he was near and knew that he cared for her, he knew that too. What was wrong with her and why she could not stay awake he didn't know, and that was what bothered him the most. He had only left the guildhall once in over a week and that was to lead Defenders into battle against the horde. He vowed he would not leave again until he heard word of Merlinne's health.

A light tap at the door stopped his pacing. Was there word about Merlinne? "It's open." He snapped.

A small Gnome gently pushed his door open. His head hung low red lines down his cheeks showed he had been crying recently. Landorian's heart dropped into his stomach. He felt ill. He needed to vomit.

“Sorrieenrei…” The words came out in a whisper. He couldn’t speak.

“I am sorry Master Landorian, do not fret, there is no change. She still sleeps.” The small gnome said as he wiped his nose with his sleeve. “I am just upset and I be needing someone to converse with.” He tried to force a smile. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

He felt a bit of relief. He pulled two chairs up and motioned for the gnome take one as he sat in the other. “Yes, you scared me my little friend. No worries now though, what can I do for you?”

Sorrieenrei sniffled and again wiped his nose with his sleeve. “I am just sad for the Lady. She was the only friend I had among the Defenders and now she be ill. What will I do if she does not get well again?”

The Gnome's eyes began to shimmer as tears welled up in them. Landorian leaned forward and placed his arm on the small mans shoulder. Gnomes were a funny race he thought to himself, so brilliant yet so childlike sometimes. “She will be well again my little friend.” He paused after that so that his words would set in. “You have many friends here, do not worry.”

Sorrieenrei’s eyes lit up for just a second and a small tear fell to his cheek, which was quickly brushed away by his little fingers. “I be feeling better already!” He said brightly. “Thank you, my tall elfy man friend.” He said beginning to rise from the chair that was just a bit too large for him.

“Would you do me a favor Sorrieenrei?” Landorain ask as he rose and walked the little man to the door.

“Oh yes, anything Master Landorian!” He said as he bounced slightly.

“Would you check on the Lady for me and report back to me?” A slight snarl appeared on his face. “The last time I was there I was chased out by a group of women, said something about my dirt and germs.”

Sorrieenrei looked as if he was examining the hunter’s hygiene until he caught sight of his glare. “Oh, yes, I will check for you.” He smiled slightly and hurried out the door.

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Xelthia ))

Xelthia shook her head in disbelief. Anger welled up in her chest like a great bubbling fountain and she very much wanted to grab this man by his lapels and shake some sense into him.... or out of him. Either would do at this point.

"Tell me again? What did you see?" She knew her irritation wasn't completely restrained when she spoke but she had to hear it again. She had to make sure she had heard him correctly.

The young footman before her tried to be formal and stoic but she could see him trembling slightly as he recounted what he had seen. "Sh-she got in a carriage. At the end of the drive to the estate. She was wearing just her night shift."

Xelthia shook her head again. "And you didn't think this odd? Especially considering the Lady has been unconcious for the last three days?"

"I-I didn't know, miss. I've been off the estate for a week now. Lots of odd things happen on the Estate."

"Did you at least take note of which way the carriage went? If it had any identifiers? What the driver looked like? Anything?"

He swallowed hard and shook his head. "I-I think it might have been going toward the city. It was just a plain black carriage with an enclosed driver's seat. I couldn't see who drove it."

Xelthia snarled in frustration and turned toward the window, crossing her arms firmly. Where could she be going? Was the Lady even in her right mind? Why would she leave and not even dress? How was she able to even walk having been unconcious for so long and already so weak from that dratted potion.

She turned back to the footman. "Alert the Defenders. Let them know she is missing and that they should keep an eye out for her while they travel, especially within the city. I'll be in the tower going over her notes again." She turned to Emmylee now who stood wringing her hands again. "Gather together any free hands of the servants you can. I want her suite searched, I want her office searched, I want any room she visited frequently searched."

"But what are we looking for, miss?" The girl asked anxiously.

What indeed, Xelthia wondered. Merlinne's last note read "Seek an object". But what kind of object? "Anything odd," she replied. "Anything out of the ordinary or new to the room. Anything that might have shown up immediately before her illness began."

Emmylee curtsied and Xelthia dismissed both of them to get on with her instructions. There was one outside of the Defenders that must be alerted to this situation; Hugnir Stoutheart. It was common knowledge he and Merlinne were friends. She would enlist his aid as well searching for her.

The conversation with Hugnir over the communicator had been brief. She could tell by his voice he was terribly upset and worried. Xelthia hoped she hadn't made a mistake by telling him. However he'd promised to help find her. She hoped the Lady could be found soon.

A quiet tap on the door brought her attention to the small gnome creeping in. She recognized the warlock, though she had seldom spoken directly to him. Their paths did not often cross. "Sorrieenrei," she said, unable to find a smile for the gnome who had obviously been crying recently. "What can I do for you?"

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Sorrieenrei ))

Sorrieenerei listened from outside the door. Overhearing most of the conversation and trying not to start crying agian, he knocked lightly. "I came to check on Miss Merlinne." He said to Xelthia who answered the door. "I was listening, but trying not to hear, and well, you say she is gone? In a black carriage?" He seemed to be taking mental notes. A small tear formed in the corner of his eye. " I must be going Lady Xelthia, Master Landorian will want to hear this promptly!"

Before she could object Sorrienrei turned and hurried for the house of beasts.

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Hugnir ))

Angrily closing his buzzbox channel, Hugnir struggled to keep his emotions in check. The rock walls of Blackrock Mountain suddenly seemed to be closing in on him, trapping him. He wanted nothing more than to charge out of the Mountain and track down where Merlinne had gone, but the small band of Knights swinging their blades beside him were counting on his prayers and hammer to guide them to safety through the Dark Iron traps and twists. Through the next few hours, the panic began to build inside the greybeard as he knew each minute beneath the ground was making Merlinne's trail above it colder.

When at last the Heart of the Mountain was found, that sparkling gem failed to capture Hugnir's attention. All he could think of was the mage he cared for more than he should. Another arcane scholar in the group offered to summon a portal to Ironforge, but Hugnir respectfully requested a destination to Stormwind. Based on the proximity of the Defenders' Manor to that city, it would be the first place he would have to begin. His jaw clenched tightly, he leapt into the swirling mist and didn't even wait for his vision to clear before heading towards the Old Town to find some of his ....more questionable acquaintances....

[Nauloera]

(( Posted by Landorian ))

Landorian tried to cage his rage. He held himself back from throttling the gnome. Do not shoot the messenger he thought to himself. How could she have just walked out of here without anyone stopping her?

“Thank you Sorrieenrei.” He said, patting the small gnome on the back. “You have been most helpful. “Please do me one more favor?” He asked.

“Anything, hunter friend sir!” Sorrieenrei said brightly.

“Get word to Master Kanammer, tell him I would like to see him when he has a few moments.” Landorian ushered the warlock toward the door. “Also, send word to Sorrieen, the priest, tell him I am sorry.” He paused for a moment. “No, just tell him I would like to see him also.”

“Oh yes, I will handle it myself.” He turned to leave but hesitated. “I have the children coming over today, would it be ok if they played with your animals?” He asked hesitantly. “The children do love them so.”

The hunter smiled. He had not had the chance to exercise Shanna or Mushal in weeks. “Of course my friend.” He said bowing low. “I am sure they would love too play with the children.”

He watched as the gnome hurried through the halls. With a sigh, he shut the door.

Landorian sat down at his desk and pulled out a book that he had been meaning to read. He really didn’t feel like reading but this was one of those times he knew he needed to do something but he just didn’t know what. A book in his hands would at least keep them from pounding someone or something. He wasn’t really reading, just sitting, thinking.