WOT Adv 288

Vaid stood up and eyed the windows claustrophobic ally, instinctively feeling trapped. He fingered his dagger, and almost reached out to the Source.

"I think I'll go have a look around." He eyed the members of the table suspiciously, blushing past Eliesanna, and avoiding Maer. "Fiznak, care to join me?"

Fiznak was too engaged in conversation with Maeslyn.

Vaid nodded to the inkeep, Terise, as he climbed up to the second story to where their rooms were. He peered out the dusty panes down in the darkened streets and alleyways. He didn't see anything unusual, other than the rather unusual fact that no one seemed to be on the street. And there wasn't a window that wasn't shuttered or had their drapes drawn. A dog howled mournfully and the sound was lost in a gust of wind that rattled the windows.

"I don't like the way this feels." This place was starting to look more and more suspicious. He looked back at his companions, gathered at the table. "What is this madness?"

Eliesanna rubbed her arms as if a chill breeze had come across them, and looked at Vaid, her blue eyes troubled. "I don't know, Master Vaid. Even though I'm Domani born, I wasn't raised here, but I've heard all the stories about how friendly everyone is supposed to be. But it's--" she shrugged as a tight-lipped serving girl refilled their drinks in their private dining room, and moved on,"-- it's not what I thought at all."

Maeslyn was still engaged in conversation with Fiznak, something about the lack of funds and the need for horses. Seeing Fiznak occupied, Vaid moved into the common room and saw Terise wiping down some counters, a troubled look on her face as her eyes followed after her daughter Sabira.

Vaid approached. "Look, uh, Mistress Terise, what's going on around here? Everything is closed down and locked up, no one is on the streets, and you're all looking about as if you expect trollocs to jump out of the wood work!"

Terise looked up at him, and shuddered, and for a long while, she didn't meet his eyes, but kept wiping the same spot on the counter, as if undecided.

"You can tell me," Vaid said more gently, softening his voice.

She sighed, an expression of concern crossing her face. "It is...the night. We are all afraid, you see. So many people have vanished, and all in darkness. Out of the street, out of their rooms, as though the night itself swalloed them up. And not just any people, but always the young, the beautiful. The flower of Arad Doman, stolen from our gardens. No loss is so sad as that which you treasure the most: your child."

"Vanishing? Out of their rooms? Blood and Ashes!"

Vaid stole a glance at Eliesanna. The flower of Arad Doman. He had always been one to destroy, rather than protect, but maybe she was worth protecting.

"No one knows how they vanish? Has anyone seen anything?"

Terise shook her head sadly. "While there are often signs of a struggle, no ransom notes are ever delivered, and no clues are ever found. It is as though the ground swallowed them up." She sighed again and resumed her wiping down of the counters. "No one feels safe anymore."

"And many people have lost family members. My husband's niece and my cousin's daughter," she replied sadly. "Some even say members of the royal family are gone. But always it is the same: youth, young men and women alike, who are possessed of beauty and grace or exceptional talent are missing."

Her eyes followed Vaid's glance. "You had best take care with that one. She must not venture outdoors at night! In fact, 'tis best if she does not leave her room at all, unless her features are well concealed."

She sighed and straightened. "Well, I must turn down the lanterns." She handed Vaid a small candle housed inside a glass paned lantern. "May you pass the night well." Then she turned and bustled about stoking the fire in the common room, and readying the inn for the deep of night.

Vaid walked back to the others, deep in thought. He'd have to protect Eliesanna somehow - make sure she didn't put herself in any kind of danger. They were coming out of the private dining room, their meal now finished. Climbing the  stairs, he told them all he had learned.

"Blood and ashes!" Fiznak exclaimed. "I knew there was something strange going on. What are we going to do? Let's discuss this in my room."

Briefly in Fiznak's room they discussed their options.

"We need to take precautions," Fiznak said. "No one sleeps alone. No one travels alone. We also need to ask more questions tomorrow. Find out any more information we can."

Maeslyn frowned at Vaid's tale and then nodded at Fiznak. "Well said, Eliesanna and I shall share a room. You men can decide what you will do." Her hand touched Fiznak's shoulder and lingered there for one long blessed moment. "Sleep well," she whispered and then entered her room, with Eliesanna behind her.

Maer, quiet until now, spoke up also nodded and his deep blue eyes took in the two other men. "You two can have the room, I will watch the entrance downstairs." With that, he disappeared down the stairs.