Savian: You were flirting with Shy.

Temple: So? She's my girlfriend.

Continued from here

(written with @savianblackwood @skystoneseat)

A few loud raps on the office door sounded before Savian pushed it open and stepped inside. He carried a portfolio he had frequently used to transport Courier copy edits as well as a messenger bag strung over his shoulder.  He scanned the office briefly and then pushed his goggles up onto his head. Dark eyes locked into Risri. "Got a minute?" 

Risri had come around the counter at the knock but as the door pushed open to reveal Savian she had paused. Her smile was warm as she spied the young man. His question though had her raising an eyebrow in concern and she gestured to the stairs. “My office?”

He paused and then shrugged before motioning for her to lead the way. "Sure. I assume it's been quiet here?"

Risri nodded as she started up the stairs, she nodded at Coffee as they passed the imp. Sitting behind her desk, she waited for Savian to take a seat. "Nothing out of the ordinary. The crew came to clean up and the renovations are due to start in a few days. The guard came by yesterday but really had nothing new to share."

A brief glance was given to the imp, but nothing more as they passed. "Yer friend asked how you were doin'." He slid the portfolio across the desk towards her before dropping into the empty chair. "The pictures you wanted."

Risri smiled at the mention of her friend in Ironforge, "I will make sure I stop by soon." As the folder slid across she opened it and started looking through the pictures, "What did you think of these?" She asked even as she was looking at them.

"Hard ta say. I get where yer goin' with the idea, but seems like she was takin' shots o' the scenery." He leaned back at bit. Other than the prints he had made, there were also negatives that had been cut into strips of five frames each and tucked inside a protective plastic sleeve. "I hadn't been with ya long when all this went down. Was the Courier bein' targeted or somethin' before she was killed?"

Risri shook her head negatively even as she sighed at the pictures of the city.  She pushed back the folder with a frown "The stuff in the camera when she died was of a couple of gang members. Nothing really came of it. The guard either lost interest or lost the leads they had. These..." she tapped the folder, "Do not seem to connect to the other roll at all." Risri leaned back and looked up at the ceiling for several moments. "I was hoping..." she let the thought trail off.  She looked back at Savian, "Thank you for developing them so quickly. Even if it was not as helpful as I would have liked. Maybe we can salvage it some with an exhibit once we reopen."

Savian glanced up briefly and made no move to grab the photos. "You were hopin' what?"

"I had hoped it would explain why someone would have broken into the studio." She let out a sigh, "It was a bit much to pin my hopes upon, I know." She closed the folder and shook her head, "All the same, I appreciate you taking care of it so quickly." Risri looked over at Savian, "You will be okay until we reopen, yes?"

Savian huffed at her question. "Yeah, yeah. But why did that guard drop yer inquiry? Ya said ya had other photography, do ya still have it or did the guard take it?"

“They took what was on Suzy. And I was ...” she broke off, a little of her usual calm disturbed for a moment as she thought about her next words, “not in the mindset to follow up. I decided to sell the paper. And my focus became finding someone to buy it.”  Her gaze had shifted to her hands as she spoke and she looked up, “I do not regret that decision but I should have pressed the guard for her.”

There was a knock on the door harder then it had to be and a hat followed by the rest of Sky Stoneseat appeared in the doorway

He opened his mouth to continue, but was cut off by the loud knocking. He glanced over his shoulder, spotting the hat and relaxing a bit. "Sky...you been good?"

Risri's gaze lifted to the door and she waved in the warlock, "I was not expecting to see you today, come on in."

Savian's leg began to rock back and forth as he waited through the pleasantries. "Risri." It seemed like it didn't help him wait any. "I think you should get those pics back from the guard if ya can. If you truly think there's a connection here, then we need ta compare them." He tapped a finger on the portfolio.

Risri looked back at Savian confusion evident on her face for a moment before she nodded, "I could ask for them. I would hope they still have the film." She sighed, "The leads they had faded and my friend was transferred shortly after so I do not know who took on the case after he left. I will try to reach out to him. The guard has changed since my days at the paper. I do not have the connections I once did, it may take some time."

His fidgeting stopped, replaced with an annoyed expression. Savian looked away and stood up. "Might be worth the hassle, especially if ya wanna find out what happened here. Might not want ta mention it at them though unless ya want this buried in red tape again." He shrugged. "Anythin' else ya want?"

Sky was silent for a while, before she spoke up,  "I could get them if they won't hand them over."

She sipped her coffee "That is if no one cares how we get it and if your contact won't hand it over."

Risri shook her head. "I hope that will not be necessary. I do not want us in more trouble than it is worth." Her gaze went out to the balcony door. "As distressing as this has been, I do not think we are in physical danger. They took everything." Her gaze went back to the folder Savian had brought. "These are a dead end. Perhaps Suzy's pictures could shed some light, but ..." she sighed, "Something is off. I just wish I knew what that was." Her gaze lifted to Savian once more, "No, right now enjoy your time off. I will let you know when the construction is done and when we will reopen. If you still would like the extra job?"

Coffee imp who had been who knows where popped up and chitted at Sky.

"Ya, I know, I know. And I will pay that off....yes I would like the extra job besides who else keeps an imp on payroll."

By Savian Blackwood

The Kul’tiran lands known as Drustvar have seen their fair share of conflict over the past few months. A group of witches calling themselves the Heartsbane Coven spread their influence throughout the area by infiltrating towns and organizations, even the prominent noble house of Waycrest. Despite House Waycrest reforming The Order of Embers, previously thought to be a legend, to combat the Coven’s presence, Dustvar remains mired in its share of problems.

“The effigies are still up in the woods and sometimes strange little wicker figures show up on the roads; dolls and the like pinned to lamp posts and railings…” said one resident of Fallhaven. Others have reported that Inquisitors tasked with dismantling the old effigies are missing in action. Whether they have simply defected or have been taken remains to be seen.

In addition to the Inquisitors’ efforts, many mercenaries and bounty hunters have been drawn to the area looking for contracts. One such individual detailed tracking down a missing girl for one of the locals.

“I think they were worried she might have been involved with the Coven, so they were hesitant to involve the Inquisitors.”

The hunter refused to comment further when asked if the girl really had been involved with the Coven.

The Order of Embers reported success in driving back the coven some weeks ago by assaulting Waycrest Manor and outing Lady Meredith Waycrest, who had been secretly leading the Coven for some time. But our interviews with civilians in the area still reference multiple occurrences of attacks on the roads and the list of missing persons continues to grow. Is this the work of remnants of The Heartsbane Coven or something more sinister?

The Royal Courier will continue to follow this story for any new developments.

_____________________

Part 1- Madivh

Part 2- Neia

Part 3 - Synric

Part 4

Featuring:

@savianblackwood

@synric-silversong

@neiablackwood

 The pitter patter of rain came upon the early morning rise of black skies and grey clouds. Madivh rose to the slight noise all around him, the smell of deeper rain to come, and the promise that if they didn’t start moving, they wouldn’t be moving any time soon until the flood plains dried up.

           Savian was sitting where Madivh had last left his son, but he no longer smelt clean; there  the cigarette buds laid beside him in the grass. Neia was asleep; her head was prompted up on her bag, a blanket over top. She was sleeping with the three other individuals. Synric was no where to be seen.

           Madivh rose to his feet, and with a sniffle and an itch in his noise, he stood beside Savian.

           His son said nothing, only a slight, tired look upwards, then back towards the grey streaked sky.

           “Synric hasn’t returned?”

           “Do you see him?” Savian growled wearily.

           Madivh shook his head, and looked down the hill.

           After a moment’s consideration, waking his mind to his body, he took in a deep breath and said, “I’ll be back.”

           Savian had no retaliation, no farewell concerns, and as Madivh slide the last several feet down, he struck a thin ripple of water over the grass. Over his shoulder, Savian hadn’t budged, looking like a hackle wolf more than an exhausted twenty-year old.

           Within the forest, the birds began to tweet, the bugs grew both quiet around him, and louder further away, the water pelted from high above, striking loose strands against his face; his boots were now an inch deep in water, and silence was discarded.

           “Synric!” He shouted, listening, for the sky was not bright enough to see distant shapes or colors; the world was black and grayish for him, with a hint of deep greens around.

           No answer came, and Madivh did not stop.

           Several long minutes passed, and luckily the water had not risen, but the wind began to whistle and holler, the skies, though grey above, had seemingly grown a deeper color. 

Madivh hopped up into one the trees, steadied himself, and then climbed further up. A peak through the top, he could spy the ocean, a several good mile hike. Around him, the forest opened up for only a mile or so more before the trees began to thin and the mountains reigned supreme were a tilted stone building laid, no further than a few miles east. Behind him he spotted the hill; too far to see shapes clearly, he estimated a good mile had been walked. He also estimated he had wandered a little to far east. He climbed back down, and head towards his left, calling out “Synric!” once more; no answer came.

           The rain had picked up, and with it the water had risen just to his ankle. His clothes now stuck to his body, despite the leathers that guarded his torso and upper legs. The wind blew and chilled him.

           “Damn that boy,” he found himself muttering as he skimmed the far distances. “Next time, I’m sending Savian with him.”

           He wandered a further more, stopped as he took in the far distant rise of the gentle waves of water, and decided that Synric would have long turned around by now. So, he did too, and as he walked, felt his eyes grow heavy.

            Perhaps a mile back, mind numb and bored, Madivh stopped. The water rippled around him, steadying slowly to the careful beat of the raid above.

           Looking upwards, his back prickled and his neck tucked. Hands unwrapped themselves from under his armpits and…

           He flung himself side-ways. A man dressed in all black leather and a mask over his mouth  and head landed helplessly where Madivh last stood. Slowly, the man looked up. Slowly, the man straightened up with dagger already in hand.

           Daggers were already comfortably laying in Madivh’s palms as well, their weight comfortable, their grip wet, but sticking. Madivh managed a smile as the man before him began to side-step. “Do we have unfinished business friend, because I don’t know you, and I’m just trying to find dry land.”

           The man gave no response, typical, and truly annoying. 

The rogue sprung forward, low, and his daggers coming out for a typically slash. Madivh back-peddled, then jumped away; the water below rippled and waved, and the rogue slid in his failed attempt to find his footing and make for a sharp sprint and turn.

           Madivh kept his smile. “Look, buddy, I have no reason to fight you. Why don’t you go on your way, and I on mine?”

           The rogue rose to his height once again, “Where is she?” He said.

           The tree above groaned above him, the wind took leaves and broken branches with it, and the sounds of it slapped the water around them.

           “You know how many she’s I know?” Madivh said stoically. “Have to be more specific than that.”

           The rogue jumped back and disappeared from sight.

           Madivh let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes; he counted, listening, feeling, letting his own magic begin to stretch out. 

A few silent second pass, peaceful, blissful, calming; Madivh ducked, spun on his heels and meet two daggers coming down like fangs upon his head.

           A terrible bad move, Madivh realized. The weight of the man was heavier and came down with more force than he had anticipated. Madivh’s legs gave out and he fell head first into the water and the world grew disorient.

           A blur of movement came, and Madivh took in a deep breath of fresh air and was kneeling in a foot of water. The rogue was back against a tree, an arrow in his shoulder, his fingers wrapped around its wooden shaft.

           A shame, Madivh thought somberly, as he let his magic consume him, take him, and appear right before the rogue whose wide eyes grew terribly fearful. Madivh stepped back, pulling both his daggers back.

           The rogue snorted and grunted, falling slowly to the ground.

           Madivh scratched the back of his head, and stepped forward, kicking away hidden blades that had fallen in the water below.

           A finger pushed the scarf off the man’s mouth and removed the cloth around his head. A young boy, no older than twenty-five, no younger than twenty; his bright brown eyes seemed to beg, while his lips contorted in pain and anger.

           “I told you,” Madivh said slowly. “Sorry kid.” He pressed his blade up against the boy’s chest and slide the blade through.

           A splash sounded behind him as the lights of the boy’s eyes flickered and then disappeared.

           Madivh rose to his feet, dipped his blade into the water around and stroked it as clean as he could with a wet shirt.

           “Are you alright?” Syrnic’s voice was welcoming, and as Madivh turned around to face his son, saw the little nicks this particular rogue had given him.

           “A little worn out. Are we in anymore trouble?”

           Synric shook his head.

           “Well, its best you tell me what happened as we walk. I don’t what to be slugging my way through knee high water. Come,” he said patting his son on the shoulder and turning him away. “Did you at least save the group you wanted?”

           Synric nodded with a light smile. “A small traveling group, their escort was killed.”

(Written with @skystoneseat and @savianblackwood, continued from here)

Now that they were out of the building, Risri spoke, "I have people coming to clear out the broken items tomorrow. And I am set to meet with someone about renovations this afternoon." Her gaze traveled over the rooftops as they walked, "Is there anything you want in particular, either of you?" She glanced between them before continuing to scan the area.

A set of chitting came from the bag "She wasn't asking you." Sky sighed "She says she has plans for a nook for her when you have time to look it over."

Risri blinked and looked back toward the bag a hint of amusement before nodding at Sky, "I think we can do something like that."

Savian shrugged, his fingers still interlaced behind his head. "I ain't there enough fer any o' that. I'd suggest ya invest in better locks, maybe wards."

Risri nodded, "Yes, I did not invest before...perhaps in error. " as the group began to cross the bridge toward the Mage District, Risri spoke quietly, "Keep aware as we head into the side street."

A slight smell of fel tinged the air as Sky’s hand glowed ready should there be a problem

As the group entered the mage district Risri led them down a side corridor that opened to a walkway with apartments on either side. When they passed the spot where the assassin had been she looked at the wall a moment before leading the two to her doorstep. Opening the door she peered inside before opening it. “I will be just a moment.” Then moved within the room leaving the door open.

Savian had moved his hands down to his sides once they began to move through more enclosed spaces. As they stood on the stoop, he rocked back on his heels a bit and looked to Sky. "Feels just like old times," he grinned.

Risri came back to them holding two dark cylinders,  her gaze went between them, "Perhaps we should develop these?" Her eyes dropping back to the cases holding the last film Suzy had used.

"Think it might help" Sky took a few steps forward and put a hand on Risri's arm "Hey, this is gonna all shake out"

Savian gave the two a few more seconds of silence before offering out a hand for the tubes. "And where are we gonna do that? Dark room at the office is outta the question, I take it. Ya got another hidin' out somewhere?"

Risri frowned slightly at the question from Savian. "We should see if we can salvage anything from there and I might know someone in Ironforge with the rest of what we might need." Her gaze went between the two then focused in on Savian, "If I got you their information and provided you with introduction, do you think you could see these developed? It might be better if I don't go. Just in case..." she let the thought drop even as she looked around the outside.

"I can do it. Ain't like Ironforge is outta my way or anythin'," he grinned at Risri. "Anythin' else ya wanna share about this business? Yer more on edge than I've seen ya before."

Risri’s gaze met Savian’s then looked to Sky. “This feels different than anytime the paper was broken into.” The Kaldorei paced away a moment in silence before she sighed and pushed her hands through her hair, turning back to meet their gazes again. “Please just be careful. I do not want to lose any more friends.” The sincerity in Risri’s tone was heavy.