(( Note: The events in this story occur during the latter part of The Linhir Ripper - Part 8 while the others are also searching for Anendyl. ))
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An unsettling feeling gnawed at Addie as she walked through Linhir alone- the recent murders had transformed the once warm and welcoming port town into a place of growing paranoia, tension and fear- but Anendyl was missing and the decision had been made for the company to separate and search different locations. It was well into the night now and the town was shrouded in a thick, white veil of freezing fog that wrapped around her as she cautiously made her way through the dark and eerily silent streets. She kept to the shadows in her search for the little brown mutt named “Sneeze”, the one that she had given the task to earlier that night to track down any possible locations this killer might be using for his slaughterhouse; if the dog had found such a place and if the killer had taken Ane, it was likely that he would have taken her there.
While searching for the dog, a strange sensation washed over Addie, one that she had never experienced before; she had always had a strong attunement to animals, but this was as though she could actually feel Sneeze's excitement and fear- like they were her own emotions- and somehow she knew what direction the dog was in; she could tell that he was far off, not inside the city walls anymore. Her brows furrowed in confusion, but before she could even begin to reason it out, the intense stench of fresh blood filled her nostrils. Addie’s eyes widened and she looked around for the source of the smell, dreading it to be the next victim and hoping that she wouldn’t find it to be Ane. The scent was overwhelming, maddening almost, and seemed to be very close.
Her heart twinged in her chest and even skipped a few beats, but it wasn’t due to fear or stress; no, something else was wrong. Addie ignored the pain and continued to look around for the source of the blood, and for the dog; however, nothing seemed to be here. As she walked around, more strange sensations started to occur. Addie knew she was walking and even looked down to her own legs to confirm that she was, but for some reason it felt as though she was running, faster and faster- No, not her; the dog is running and he is terrified.
Against her better judgment, Addie called out for the dog while still in the streets of the housing area. “Sneeze! Here boy! Come here!” Why did she do that? She knew he wasn’t near; however, her worry for the dog took over- she was more concerned for his safety than her own, especially since she had been the one to send him on this mission. Somehow she knew that the dog could feel her calling to him, but now he was… in water?
Before she could ponder that, her entire body shivered with the feeling of cold water against her skin, and the taste of salt filled her mouth- sea salt. What was happening? She knew that she was still in the city on dry land- she could clearly see that she was- but her other senses were telling her that she was struggling against the push and pull of waves, trying hard not to drown, and she panicked- her heart skipping another beat.
She couldn’t breathe, she was afraid to try; and so, she held her breath. Soon, the feeling of struggle was over and there was the smell of blood again, so strong that it made her abdominal muscles convulse with the desire to retch; only this time she could tell that the odor was mixed with the strong scent of the briny sea air. Then, there was a loud cry and more cries. Splashing in the water? People? Neth... Finch... Ryn?
Addie clutched her head with both of her paws… no, hands… and closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind of the sensory overload; she was both confused and horrified by what was occurring. Why could she feel what Sneeze was experiencing? Was this some kind of new magical ability? If it was, she wanted no part of it; she had rejected her magic and refused to use it after what had happened in Minas Tirith. And yet, there was another feeling whether she wanted to sense it or not, an unnatural feeling which made her skin crawl. Her heart was pounding.
“Pretty Lady... Are you sick?”
At the sound of the voice, Addie blinked her eyes opened and looked around. A little girl, no older than seven, was staring up at her, wide-eyed and concerned- apparently the little one had heard her calling out for the dog. Addie tried to offer the child the best smile that she could and replied, “I am fine, thank you. But it is dark out. Should you not be home?”
The little girl pointed over to a red-bearded man that looked to be impatiently lingering in the alley. “My daddy is right over there" Addie's eyes followed to where the child was pointing and she made a quick mental note of the man; however, her attention was pulled back when the girl tugged at her sleeve. "You sounded sick… and you were growling. Are you sure that you’re ok?”
Growling? Addie’s face paled when she heard that; she had no recollection of it at all. Even so, she maintained her composure and her smile for the child's sake. “Oh, I am sorry for worrying you, little one, but I was trying to call my dog. He only responds to growls and not whistles.” While she spoke, Addie keept a watchful eye on the mystery man in the alley. “Thank you for your concern, but I should be on my way now to find him.”
As she stepped one foot forward to leave, a vision flashed through the back of her mind, the realization of what the unnatural feeling earlier had been- it was the totems of the Manslayer, their voices chanting together in unison in Black Speech. Addie tried not to react, she didn't want to frighten the child any worse than what she already had, but that vision caused her heart to feel as though it was going to explode and the pain was unbearable; she clutched one hand to her chest as she gasped for breath and her other hand rose to support her head as she wobbled from the sudden feeling of dizziness.
“Daddy! She needs help!” The child cried out, but the man was already at Addie’s side, holding her up.
"Were you attacked, ma’am?”
Addie shook her head in response to the man’s question and let go of her head to try to wave him off, wanting to free herself from his grasp. “'I'm fine... Thank you.”
However, he kept his hold on her and by now several people had emerged from their homes to see what was happening. The man continued speaking, “You shouldn’t be wandering by yourself, ma'am... not with the ripper loose.”
“The ripper? Did he say the ripper?” Whispers began spread throughout the gathering crowd as they took note of the situation and the state that Addie was in. “Isn’t she one of Captain Nethrida's friends?”… "The ripper, the ripper must have attacked her.”… “Looks like the ripper nearly had her!”
Those whispers grew louder and then turned into cries for action. “Find him! He must be close!!!”
Addie's eyes widened, the last thing she wanted was to create chaos in another town; she forced a bright smile and raised her voice the best she could to call out to them in an attempt to calm their fears. “No… No!... There was no… ripper... I am... fine.” But her words fell on deaf ears; the high-strung people of this town didn’t need proof to start their witch hunt again-the murderer was still out there and they all wanted someone to hang. Their shouts grew louder. “THE RIPPER... FIND HIM!!... HE NEARLY KILLED THIS POOR GIRL!!!”
She opened her mouth again, but before she could manage another shout, a harsh, sharp voice whispered in her ear- a voice that she knew well. "Yeesss, the Ripper nearly had you, Addiela of Rohan....Maybe next time he shall."
“You!!!!” Addie’s face contorted into a look of pure hatred and she wheeled her arm around in the direction of the invisible voice only to have it grabbed by one of the men in the crowd.
“Come, lass, take us to the one that almost killed you.”
Then, her other arm was grabbed by another man. “It’s all right, Miss, we won’t let him hurt you; just tell us what he looked like. Was he a corsair like Mayor Ordan said or was he an elf like Roric’s been trying to telling us?”
Every muscle in Addie’s body tensed up as she was grabbed and her anxiety over being touched caused her to quickly spiral into a state of panic. Even so, the men did not let go and were now dragging her through the streets in their determination to find this killer. The rest of the crowd followed along and had formed a tightly packed mob around her; all were shouting, "GET THE RIPPER!"
Addie was on the verge of passing out when the stern voice of Septimal Caine rose over the noise, "LEAVE HER BE!” He shoved his way through the crowd and freed her from their grasp. "BACK UP... GIVE HER AIR!" Her knees were weak, her vision was blurred and she was hyperventilating. He gently helped her down to the ground and away from the crowd so that she could recover and then let go of her to give her some space. "You are safe, it’s alright. I won’t touch you, just breathe… I will keep them, and anything else, off of you.”
His voice was strangely soft as he spoke to her and his words were calming- they were what she needed to hear in that moment. She looked up toward him and nodded; and her eyes stayed locked on him as she worked to regain control of her breathing. He offered her a smile and continued to reassure her. “You are safe; nothing can harm you. I won’t allow it... Just get control and take your time.”
Caine then turned his head and glared at the people one final time and his voice was once again harsh and stern as he ordered, “Go back to your homes and do not let me catch you touching her again!” No one in the crowd was willing to challenge a direct order from a Knight of the vanguard and soon the streets were silent once more. He watched as they left and then turned his focus back on blonde woman. He could see that she was beginning to regain her composure, but still kept his voice soft as he spoke to her again. “Do you need water… or wine?”
Addie shook her head to decline the offer and stood to her feet.
“It’s Addie, yes? Did you lose something?... Did they steal something?”
She let out a small sigh as she brushed herself off. “Aye, it’s Addie, and I was just out searching for my dog… They didn’t steal anything other than my dignity.”
The corners of his lips curled slightly in amusement. “No dog about here... The Warchild let you go walk your dog alone?”
Addie scoffed. “Let?... Nay, I am used to walking through life that way. Alone.”
He nodded. “Not always easier, but often safer... Well, not when a lunatic with a knife is roaming the streets.” Her eyes turned toward the twin blades on his hips and she raised a brow, causing him to cough and clear his throat. “Well...a different lunatic with a knife.”
Addie finally cracked a smile. “I see… Well, I owe you a thanks, lunatic or not.” Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him for a moment. “But might I ask what you were doing here?”
Caine’s hands moved to unfasten his cream and white cloak while he answered. “I was walking the night watch...old habit.”
“Old habit?" She raised a brow in question. "I was not aware that you once resided here.”
He offered the cloak to her and draped it over her shoulders. “One city is very much like another; and I have spent my life on the night watch… It's getting colder. We should get back to The Rusty Barge.”
She had no intention of staying in a tavern; she still had a dog to find. Even so, her curiosity got the best of her- it was odd that he and Kraddock were here and she wanted to find out more about them- and so, she nodded in agreement and walked with him. “What brought you around Linhir? I know why you have stayed, but you were on your way long before you learned of these events were you not?"
He led the way, being sure to keep in step with her, and his eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings while they walked and talked. “We were simply headed back to the White City and were passing by when that poor man came stumbling out into the road holding most of a dead girl.... So...bad luck, or good luck?”
Addie gave him a questioning look. “And what business did you have so far outside the White City? Linhir is quite the distance away and, if you were returning, you were even farther than that I would assume.”
Caine shrugged. "Kraddock is acting captain of the Vanguard. After Captain Bryant fell, there was hope he would recover; but when it looked not to be, Kraddock thought it best if he were out of the city when the worst happened… to still idle tongues.” He glanced back over to her. “So we were on a recon through the realm.”
Addie nodded to show that she understood. “Was Captain Bryant poisoned?”
He shook his head. “No, a simple Orc spear through and through; but we wanted to be sure no one thought his dying was due to an infection that was helped along by his replacement so, Kraddock has kept his distance...It ain’t been easy for him.”
Her brow furrowed, somewhat confused by the strategy. “And you did not think it would look suspicious for him to flee?”
“The healers are sworn and it is traditional for the next in line to stay clear. When the Vanguard is in the field that is usually easy; but we are bottled up in the White City now, waiting for a blow to fall... The Steward has called all the companies in.”
Addie pursed her lips for a moment as she considered if she should ask her next question or not. “I see. I have heard rumors that there may be some sworn that have not been faithful. Is that so?'
Caine raised his brows at her question. “Healers? Or in General?”
Addie shook her head and her crystal blue eyes locked on his to watch his expression carefully. “Nay, those in charge of seeing to documentation… All speculation though I suppose. I was just curious.'
The look of realization came into his expression. “Ahhhh yes... You were mixed up with that business concerning the Hounds and the falsified deployment orders. Well, if you travel with the Warchild I should assume you have seen your share.”
“That did not answer my question, sir… not fully… But it does speak that you know some of it.
Caine shrugged. “No one knows the truth of that yet. Somewhere between the Office of Deployment and the Hounds of Anarion, things went sideways. In wartime, mistakes are made....that is the official line...but no company clerk is accepting orders without hearing them confirmed these days.”
Addie turned her head fully to face him. “Mistakes? You deem it a mere mistake?”
“Me? No. But Command is saving face and avoiding a general panic in the City… We are waiting for the other shoe to fall.”
Addie raised a brow in question. “Other shoe?”
“I figure this prisoner was a friend of yours so, I am sorry that he died....but that is not exactly matters of vital security. Most of the Captains assume that was a test; the next time false orders come through, the consequences will likely be greater.”
Addie faced forward again and pondered those words for a moment before responding. “I see. Thank you for your candor.”
“If you travel with the Warchild I assume you are on our side so, you deserve candor… especially with a lunatic loose.”
“The other lunatic, correct?” Addie side-glanced over to him and offered him a sly smile.
He grinned back at her as he stopped to hold open the door to the Inn. "It is always the other lunatic… Ale or something warm?”
Addie lightly laughed at the jest as she walked into the inn, but upon seeing all the people, her smile faded and she wrapped the knight's cloak even tighter around her to offer herself some sense of security. “I… think I shall just sit and listen for now, but thank you for the offer... and the rescue.”
He smiled at her and nodded as they made their way over to a table, “I live to serve, my lady.”
Addie snapped her gaze back to him and quickly replied, “Formalities are not necessary.”
“Fine then, Addie. I'm Septimal or Caine, whatever pleases you.”
She offered her hand to him over the table, a handshake being the only formality she concerned herself with. “And which is it that you prefer?”
He took her hand and firmly shook it once. “From the Captain, Caine... but from a pretty girl, Septimal I suppose.”
Addie pulled her hand back and raised a brow toward him. “So be it; I am neither of those things and, therefore, I shall choose by default.” She looked him over again and then looked toward the bar; normally Addie enjoyed engaging in conversation and learning about people, but she had asked her questions while they were walking and her mind was still concerned for the dog's safety. “Were you not going to get yourself a drink?”
Caine smirked. “Indeed” But instead of getting up to order, he called a barmaid over. “By the way, I haven’t had a chance to ask the Maiden yet. Where's the Monk?”
She had hoped to slip out while he was was at the bar, but seeing that she couldn't escape just yet, she tried to make herself relax. “Might I ask why you wish to know?”
He looked away for a moment to accept his drink from the barmaid and flipped her a coin before turning back to answer. “Curiosity. Scuttlebutt in the companies say they are going through one of their togetherness phases. When one deals with one, it is often a good idea to know where the other is as well...surely you have noticed.”
Addie peered at him for a moment. “There have been times where even the one did not know where the other was so, why is it that someone else should know?”
Caine laughed “A very good point.” He lifted the tankard to his lips and took a long pull from it, but his eyes remained on her and he seemed to be studying her. “You'll pardon me, but you don't seem to be their typical companion. How did you come across them, the Bark and the Bite as a cousin of mine calls them.”
Addie wasn’t sure if she should answer or how she should answer, but he had been open- and hopefully honest- with her earlier and she felt it only right to oblige. “I met both of them in Bree… But might I ask why I would not be one that's typical of their company?”
He smirked at her again. “Well, you aren't as martial as most of their companions tend to be or as lost... At least you don’t seem to be either.”
She took in a deep breath and released it slowly. “Lost you say? Do you mind explaining?”
Caine raised his brow at seeing her reaction. “They tend to, well, save people; each in their own way. Sometimes it isn't a kindness, and it is often self serving I suppose, but they try to fix things, the Maiden especially. Some have said that she does more harm than good, but it is true for both of them.”
“I see… They live to serve as well I suppose.”
He laughed and raised his mug for another swig. “In their way....”
Addie smirked at him now. “Everyone has their own way, do they not?”
He smiled back at her, amused by her words. "Now you are trying to tie me up, I can tell...but I need to report back.” He downed the rest of his drink and stood. “Be careful, Addie; we still don't know what is out there." He paused for a moment at the door and turned back to her. "I hope your dog comes home.”
Addie offered him a polite dip of her head in a farewell and as soon as he was out of sight, she stood to leave. As she made her way through the streets and toward the west gate of the city, the chill in the air seemed to be even more clawing, unnaturally cold even; but Addie couldn't let herself focus on that... she wouldn't... she didn't want to. She wrapped the knight's cloak even tighter around her and headed toward the water to search for Sneeze, completely unaware that that he was now with Finch, Neth and Ryn.
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(Credit goes to the player of Xanderian for the overall plot and npcs in the story)
