Those Aren't Tears (storyline)/A cry for Help (vignette)
A cry for Help. A window. A dockside meeting.
Originally posted on the official forums by GameMaster Quilic on 12/08/2018 at 10:16 AM
Elspie stirred, and the runes covering the walls of her cell rippled in response. She opened an eye, cautiously, and reached out with her senses, ready to pull back at a moment's notice. Slowly she tested, feeling the magical emanations being gently bent out of her way. She'd learned this tactic more than a decade ago, and was far out of practice, but she persevered. She made sure to hold as still as she could, so as to not rouse any guards who might be outside her door, and she kept her spells as unobtrusive as possible. She knew that if Nazhor was present, he'd sense her, but she'd had some luck reaching out when he was not around. And this time it was important, and worth the risk.
Ilsola looked up from her desk, her quill ceasing its motion. Her eyes were haggard, and her face strained from a distinct lack of sleep. She cocked a head to one side, listening closely, then her eyes went wide in surprise. She blinked once, then again, and then glanced down at the letter she'd been writing. With a furious motion, she crumpled it into a ball and cast it towards the wastebin. She dipped her quill in the ink and hurriedly penned a letter. As she finished, she called for a crier, and when he arrived she bade him spread the word, with as much haste as could be managed. As the crier scurried away, Ilsola's eyes relaxed a touch, and her strained expression drifted into one of fierce resolve.
The young crier scurried into Gardenia Commons, breathlessly. He took the parchment clutched in his hand and held it aloft. In a clear voice, he called out, "Be advised: I have received word from someone I believe to be the missing Elspie. She asks that we congregate on the dock near her home at 6pm Elven. I'd ask that all who are willing to assist make themselves available at that time. I will see you then. Signed, Town Administrator Ilsola."