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<Sorrla> ::the drydocks are as quiet as they get in the evening. The small groups of prisoners have laid down on thin pallets for sleeping, and only occasional whispers of conversation trickle through the air. Somewhere, an old woman coughs almost unceasingly. The orc patrols, armed with short swords and bows, keep watch around the walls. Occasionally one will swagger through the prisoners, counting in a harsh voice:: * Tarri lays on her back, trying futilely to sleep. She puts an arm over her eyes, hiding the trail of tears tracking down her cheeks. * Sorrla moves like a blur of shadow, slipping slowly from one patch of darkness to another. She stops occasionally to have a bit of conversation with someone, held in barely audible whispers. Eventually, she approaches the small group that Tarri is chained to. She pauses, watching and listening. * Tarri half-sobs, then stifles it before she can awaken her companions - or worse, the children. * Sorrla nods to herself, then slips forward, leaning behind a cluster of crates not far from the group. "Hissst... " She beckons slowly, looking out for any guards. * Tarri freezes, then looks up and around. Carefully, trying her best to keep her chains from clinking, she rolls over to look toward the unusual sound. <Sorrla> ::in a low voice:: Mizzus Tal'rin? <Tarri> ::glancing around for the orcs, then answers in a low voice:: She-she's sleeping... <Sorrla> Yer her friend, then? ::she reaches out and puts one slender hand on Tarri's wrist. In the dim light, Tarri can see very little of the woman except that she is young, dirty, and has a large bruise on her jaw:: <Tarri> ::nods, wiping her tears from her face with her free hand:: Who are you ? <Sorrla> ::shrugs diffidently:: A frien'. Sorrla, if y'need a name to call me. <Tarri> ::looks at her sleeping companions, then around for the orcs again:: How- You're not chained? <Sorrla> ::she sits and beckons Tarri into the shadows next to her:: Not all o' us are. Some's pressed into servin. Outside. I been working docks... feedin' the men that are workin', and servin' the orcs their beer. * Tarri scoots into the shadows as quietly as possible. "You... you came in from outside?" She looks around. "How?" <Sorrla> ::shakes her head:: I... there's ways, if you ain't perticular how to travel. ::she chuckles under her breath, a throaty sound:: <Tarri> ::bites her lip, then nods:: So... what do you want with Loria? ::she nods toward Loria and the twins:: <Sorrla> ::looks at the sleeping woman:: Ain't she a beaut? No wonder he favors her... ::takes a deep breath:: Master Tal'rin's been workin' my shift at th' docks. <Tarri> ::gapes:: He- he has? <Sorrla> ::nods:: Yeah... him 'n a red-haired boy, and a half-elf. I... he was kind to me, so... ::she shrugs and looks away:: I... said I'd try 'n find his kin, here. <Tarri> ::smiles faintly:: That was nice of you. ::draws a breath:: I'm sure she'll be glad to hear he's well. <Sorrla> ::peers at her:: And yer... ::thinks:: Miz Lore or Miz Mandy? <Tarri> Mandeil. ::nods:: I'm Tarri Mandeil. <Sorrla> ::takes her hand and squeezes it:: Then I've a message fer you, s'well. I'm to tell you that your man is all right, that he wasn't too bad hurt. <Tarri> ::stares at her:: My- ::quick breath:: Orlann's all right? He- M-master Talarin said that? <Sorrla> ::nods earnestly, a movement more felt than seen:: S'what he said... he an' the red-head are livin' there, on account o' all the relocatin'. <Tarri> ::puts her hands over her face, shock-still, then lets out a quick breath of a laugh:: That apartment wasn't even big enough for two... <Sorrla> I don't know 'bout that... but them orcs ain't lettin' no one be. Push on, move out, don't do this... food riots... it's madness... <Tarri> ::shivers:: Blessed Mother, help us all... <Sorrla> ::giving Tarri's hand a squeeze:: Ain't no one helpin' but those what's helpin' themselves... ::she looks around:: I cain't linger none too long. Did... did ye want me to return a message? <Tarri> ::nods quickly:: Oh, yes.... yes, please say... ::glances back at the others:: That... that I'm well... well enough, anyhow. That I send my love... ::she stops as her tears choke her, and swallows hard:: Should I wake Loria for you? * Sorrla considers. "Yeah, maybe a bit... don't want to hurt her none, and I'm told she's just now had babes. But... ::chews on her lip:: I said I'd say..." <Tarri> ::nods:: I'm sure she'd rather have word of her husband than sleep. Wait here. I'll get her... * Tarri looks around for the orcs again, then crawls back to her pallet. She leans over to lift the nearest twin from Loria's arms and gently touches the other woman's shoulder. "Lori..." <Loria> ::shudders and blinks a few times:: Is... ::she looks around:: Are the girls all right? <Tarri> Shh... ::puts a finger to her lips:: The girls are fine. ::she nods toward the shadowed crates:: There's a girl over there. From... from outside. She knows a way in and out... ::blinks back more tears and smiles slightly:: She says she's talked to Master Kevil, that she's come with messages. * Loria sits up, nearly waking the other twin who babbles softly for a moment before drifting back into sleep. "A... way in?" <Tarri> ::nods:: That's what she said... * Loria nods and swallows. "All right..." She looks over the twins for a moment, then crawls over to the corner. * Tarri watches Loria cross into the shadows, then politely looks away. She cradles the baby closer and whispers, "He's alive, Shavvie. They didn't kill him, after all." <Shavyl> ::the girl opens wide blue eyes and stares at Tarri, her small mouth opening into a wide toothless smile:: * Loria exchanges quick, whispered conversation with Sorrla, their words lost in the endless rush of waves into the harbor. <Tarri> ::grins back at the baby and runs a finger down her soft, chubby cheek:: Alive... <Sorrla> * Shavyl turns her head to gum contentedly on Tarri's finger. * Tarri giggles quietly and closes her eyes, lost in her own mind. * Loria slips one hand into her bodice and pulls out a chain with a crystal raindrop dangling from it. She presses the chain into Sorrla's hand. "Bless you. Now, go before you're caught." * Sorrla nods, tucking the chain into her own shirt. "Yes'm. Be well 'n safe. I don't... know if I'll be back..." <Loria> ::nodding:: Do what you can, but be safe... * Sorrla nods again, then scurries around from shadow to shadow, avoiding the guards. Loria watches after her for a long moment before crawling back to rejoin her group. * Tarri looks up as Loria comes back. "They're alive." * Loria nods and picks Aylin up to rest her against her cheek. "I'm glad to hear it." <Tarri> What... Did she say anything else? <Loria> ::a slight smile touches her face:: I get the impression that she's a bit taken with Kevil... <Loria> ::looks over at Meghan who is sleeping curled around Abby:: And Kevil asked to be remembered to Meghan as well... But I think we can tell her that tomorrow. Abby's been fussing so much, it's good for her to sleep. <Tarri> ::smiles:: He does have a way... ::bites her lip and nods as she looks at Meghan and Abby:: This is so hard on poor Abby. All this fear and anger, and she's too little to understand... * Loria puts one hand on Tarri's shoulder. "I'm glad your Orlann is all right. I was very worried about him." <Tarri> ::smiles a little wider:: Me, too... Is... Did she say if your other husband was well? <Loria> ::shrugs with one shoulder:: I suspect the "red-headed boy" is Diya... she didn't talk to him. You know he barely speaks Common at all... <Tarri> Oh, I didn't know... I guess that makes sense. I... Master Kevil would've said, if it wasn't him. <Loria> ::looks into the shadows where the girl disappeared:: I wonder how she's getting in... <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: She didn't seem to want to tell me... She said you had to... to not be particular about how you travelled. Maybe there's a sewer pipe or something. ::bites her lip:: You don't think she might be willing to help us get out, do you? * Loria looks out over the drydocks. "Maybe she will..." She sighs. "I don't want her to get hurt, though." <Tarri> ::nods:: Enough people have been hurt.... She made it sound like things were even worse, outside, than in here. ::she shivers:: I'd still rather be out. <Loria> ::nods:: Me, too... <Tarri> Not much we can do now, though... ::she takes a deep breath:: They're alive. * Loria takes Tarri's hand. "Where there is life, there is hope, Tarisa... We'll be all right." <Tarri> ::smiles:: I'm... beginning to believe we might be. * Loria sighs as Aylin starts gumming around her shirt collar. "Guess someone's hungry again..." <Tarri> ::grins and looks down as Shavyl starts chewing on her finger a little more urgently:: At least *they* don't have to worry... * Loria turns to face the wall to nurse. |
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