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* Meghan is sitting on a small wooden box, Abby is sitting on the ground just in front of her tugging on the chain that is connected to Meg. Both their clothes are worn and dirty looking, much the same state as the rest of the women and children in the area. * Loria is half sitting, half laying on a good sized wooden box. She has pulled her long hair into a ratty-looking braid, to keep it out of her face, and she coughs occassionally. The last few days have been drier, so her cough isn't quite so bad. * Tarri - chained between Loria and Meghan, is sitting on the ground, leaning against Loria's box. Several inches have been torn from the hem of her dress, the pieces gone into service as bandages and washcloths as needed. * Meghan reaches for Abby to pull her away from the chain. "Yes dear I'd love it removed too. But I can't do that." * Tarri bounces Aylin gently, trying to quiet the girl's fussing. She glances up and then quickly away again as one of the guards walks by, counting heads. * Loria appears about half-asleep, her head turned towards the front gate of the drydocks. <Meghan> ::Abby frowns and pulls awy before Meghan can reach her. The little girl stands and walks over to Tarri, leaning against her leg and idly picking at the hem of her dress.:: <Tarri> ::softly:: Don't do that, dear. It's already torn enough. ::she smiles gently at the little girl:: <Meghan> ::Abby looks up at Tarri and releases the dress. She sticks two of her fingers in her mouth as she sits near Tarri, her gaze moving to Loria:: * Loria shifts uneasily, as if trying to get comfortable. Her dark blue eyes are slitted, just barely watching something. * Tarri glances up as Loria shifts, then follows her gaze across the yard. "What is it?" * Meghan looks over at the small group of children sitting not to far from her. They are mostly huddled together and seem to be playing some sort of game between them. Meg watches them for only a moment before looking back. <Loria> ::softly:: I think someone died... ::she indicates a smallish group of orcs carrying a large wrapped *something* between them.:: <Tarri> Oh... ::she looks at the orcs until they disappear around a building, then sighs:: I think you're right. It was only a matter of time, I suppose... <Meghan> ::coughs softly:: You'd think they would at least seperate the sick somehow. Even away from themselves. <Tarri> ::absently brushing her hand over Abby's hair:: It would stop it from spreading, but... ::she makes a face and shakes her head, unable to complete the thought:: I wonder what will happen outside, when word gets out. * Loria fingers her neck, as if searching for a necklace that is no longer there. <Meghan> Well they have to do something ::She lowers her voice to a soft whisper:: They are going to have a riot on their hands if people start to discover we are slowly dying. <Tarri> ::quiet, but sharp:: Don't say that. You're not going to die, either of you! * Meghan smiles at Tarri "Of course not." She nods in the direction the orcs went. "But it's probably not going to stop there." <Tarri> ::refuses to look after the orcs again:: I can't even think about it. I don't dare. The king will kill the dragon, and we'll be freed. * Meghan reaches into the pocket of her dress and fingers a smooth stone there. She closes her eyes and nods. "Soon, hopefully soon." * Loria nods. "Or something... we must not give up hope." <Meghan> ::looks to Loria and nods:: We will not. <Meghan> ::Abby stands and walk over to Meg. She looks up at her and pulls her fingers out of mouth, lifting both hands up towards Meg:: <Tarri> I wonder if I should tell Val, when he calls again... * Meghan reaches to pick Abby up and places her in her lap. "I would say yes. They need to know what's going on in here." <Tarri> Maybe they already know... Kevil knew Lori was sick, Val said. <Loria> ::smiles thinly:: I wonder what he's up to... knowing Kevil, something devious... <Meghan> ::nods and glances to the walls:: I'm sure he has eyes in many places. ::she smiles a bit:: Still, I think we should tell them as much as we can. <Tarri> ::nods:: I'll tell him. I hope he doesn't push himself too hard, this time. <Loria> ::gives Tarri a reasurring pat on the shoulder:: We're much closer, this time. He shouldn't have to strain so hard. <Tarri> ::glancing up at Loria with a warm smile:: But he's got more of us to worry about. Well, hopefully Gloss will keep him in line. She's always so sensible. * Loria goes to say something, but instead ends up half-doubled over with coughing, clutching at her crate to steady herself. <Meghan> If anyone can keep him from pushing himself she can ::she looks up in surprise at Loria:: * Tarri sits up straighter and hands Loria the bloodstained handkerchief from her pocket. She re-settles Aylin in one arm and puts the other under Loria's arm, helping to support her. * Loria wipes her mouth. "I'm fine, I'm fine... I just... wish it wasn't so much of a strain..." * Tarri obviously does not believe "fine", but says nothing as she re-pockets the handkerchief. She looks around the yard again. "I wonder when your captain will be by today..." <Loria> ::a very low chuckle:: I wonder who my "sister" is... * Meghan shakes her head a bit and runs her fingers through Abby's hair. "As you said, something devious." <Tarri> ::smiles:: Well... He said "she" seemed really moved by your message, so it's got to be Kevil or Diya, doesn't it? Aren't they the only ones who'd understand... whatever you said? <Loria> ::with a soft sigh:: I miss the Ven... <Tarri> ::with a sad smile:: The desert air would certainly be better for your cough. <Meghan> ::nods:: As would not being in this place ::she frowns a bit and glances back to the group of children:: <Loria> ::her eyes slightly unfocused:: You'd like my friend Mish, I think. Missa Misalin, poor girl, what a name, don't you agree? But she's very outgoing and friendly. She helped me feel at home in the desert. ::with a nostalgic smile:: She introduced us to Diya, you know, Kevil and I. * Tarri has heard this before, over the last several weeks, but she only nods. "I'd like to meet her." <Meghan> ::nods:: Maybe you can bring her back with you, the next time you make a trip. <Loria> ::Shavyl, who was napping on one of the lumpy pallets, wakes and begins to fuss:: <Meghan> ::Abby perks and squirms down from Meg's lap. She walks over and sits near Shavyl, petting the baby's head gently:: * Loria looks as if she also might begin to cry. "Hand her to me, would you, Tarri? I should try and nurse, even if just for a little while." <Tarri> Oh, not again... ::she lays Aylin down next to her sister and picks Shavyl up:: Lori, dear, I know you've not much, but do you think you can give her a little? <Meghan> ::Abby watches the exchange of babies and seems just as happy to give Aylin her attention:: <Tarri> ::nods and lays Shavyl in Loria's arms, then sits on the edge of the box in a more-or-less token effort to hide Loria from the view of the guards while she nurses.:: <Meghan> ::watches Abby:: Loria I do think your girls have made Abby wishful for a younger sister. <Loria> ::rubbing absently at her eyes with one hand:: Younger siblings are a blessing... I only wish these two were a little *older*. It's not near time enough for them to be weaned. <Tarri> ::sighs:: I know a few remedies, but... Well, maybe we can talk your captain into bringing us a few things. Harmless herbs, really... ::she looks around the yard:: Or maybe one of the women with only one might consent to wet-nurse, a little... * Meghan nods in agreement. "I wish Abby was a bit younger, then I could help." She sighs a bit. <Loria> ::nods:: We can ask him... ::sighs:: He seems a good enough sort, I wonder how he got mixed up in this. <Tarri> ::shrugs:: He's a mercenary, like the rest of them... I imagine he got paid. ::she makes a face at herself:: But you're right, he's not too bad. Some of the others aren't all that bad, either. <Meghan> Hopefully that will work to our advantage soon. <Loria> ::coughs again, weakly:: <Tarri> ::looks doubtful, but keeps it to herself:: * Meghan smiles at Tarri "Have hope." <Tarri> I... I'm trying. * Meghan nods and moves to sit next to her, wrapping an arm around her. "I know you are." <Tarri> ::glances up at the level of the sun, then looks around the yard:: They'll bring water around soon, I think. I hope it's that private, with the mustache... ::she smiles faintly:: He made the mistake of telling me I looked like his sister. I can 'most always shame a little extra out of him, now. <Loria> ::coughs again:: I don't know why they're so stingy with the water anyway. It's not like we could use it to swim out of here or anything. ::she looks both bitter and cynical:: <Tarri> ::her eyes fixed on a point in the distance, far beyond the docks:: They want us weak and broken, so we can't make trouble. So we won't fight. <Meghan> ::nods and then smirks a bit:: They don't know us very well do they? <Tarri> ::eyes Meghan and starts to say something, then closes her mouth again. She slides off the box and goes to sit on the pallet beside Abby and Aylin.:: I'm going to rest for a while, I think. So I'll be able to stay up, in case Val tries to contact me tonight. * Loria nods. "I'll wake you, when they bring food 'round." |
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