The Lost
The Miqo’te woman opened her eyes, immediately clenching them closed, placing a gentle hand on a massive bump on her forehead. She drew breath from clenched teeth and braved sight to see her hand. There was blood. She sighed and closed her eyes again, resting her arm on a non-wounded part of her forehead. She realized she was outside as a gentle summer breeze rolled by, ruffling her loose hair. She opened her eyes fully to see stars in a night sky. She drew in a deep breath that carried with it the copper sent of blood, much too heavy for her own wound. Her brows furrowed and she sat up and took a look around.
Her eyes widened in horror as she looked upon a multitude of dead bodies, the road she lay in stained red. She felt a wet, cold sensation on her back and placed a hand to her back. Her shirt was wet and when she brought her hand to her face it was covered with blood. She screamed and jumped to her feet, turning in a full circle. Bodies everywhere, a field of death, no, slaughter surrounded her.
She thought she recognized some of the dead as she looked at them, their light loose clothing catching a fleeting strand of memory, but she couldn’t place it.
“What in the…†She said quietly to herself, still absorbing the horror.
“No, please!†Came a cry from behind.
The Miqo’te’s eyes widened as she heard the sound of steel piercing flesh, a gurgled scream echoed through the night air, then silence. There was a thud and the muffled sound of clothing being tosseled then a moment later footsteps that came towards her. She stood frozen in place, afraid to turn around. Tears began to run down her face as the footsteps grew closer and louder, sounding like a drum in her ear.
“Here kitty, kitty.†Came a rough, sinister voice into the night.
Her knees became weak and began to shake until they finally gave out beneath her. She fell to the ground, catching herself with her hands.
“Now, now, don’t be scared. This won’t hurt. For long†The voice.
A pain shot through her gut and she brought her arms to her stomach and cried out, a warm wet seeping over her skin.
“No, no, no, NOOOOO!†She shouted, throwing her head back, sitting up straight.
It was quiet, too quiet. She opened her eyes to find herself staring up at a wooden ceiling and several support beams, lit with warming candle light. She dropped her head to see a multitude of eyes upon her, some in the midst of shoving food or drink in their mouths, eyes wide open. She was in a tavern. She snapped to and looked to her belly to find a clean, dry shirt. She reached frantically behind her, pulling at the back of her shirt to find a wet spot where there was once blood, but came up empty handed.
She stopped as again the sense of being watched flooded over her and she once again stared back at what seemed like a thousand prying eyes. “Uh,†she managed to mutter. She shook her head and stood up slowly. “Sorry.†She said quietly and shuffled to the back of the tavern to an empty table. The room quickly went from quiet to noisy and everyone went back to their business and conversations.
An overwhelming sense of confusion washed over her when she sat down, she had no idea where she was and the more she thought, no idea who she was either. A sharp pain shot through her head and she brought her hand to her forehead to find the bump still there but when she looked at her hand there was no blood. She sighed and crossed her arms on the table, gently resting her head in the nook they created.
“Care for anyt’ing to drink, miss?†Came a high pitched, yet pleasant voice. She shook her head, not looking up. “Very well, just ask should you need somethin’.â€Â
Her eyes shot open and she popped her head up and looked around but didn’t find anything. A short figure came into her lower peripheries, a Lalafell carrying a tray. “Wait! Could you tell me where I am?†The Lalafell froze in place, not turning around. The Miqo’te woman cocked her head slightly in question. “Sir?†She called out.
He finally turned around, a bright smile on his small plump face that grew wider as he wobbled over to her. “Well lookey what we’ve got here! Didn’t think I’d ever see the likes O’ you ‘round here.†He said, setting his tray on the table then scrambling into a chair.
She watched the man, her eyes wide, and thought for a moment that she should help him into the tall chair but a more sinister nature kicked in and she watched. When he was finally settled and looking up at her, she realized she was staring and looked away for a second. “You know me?†She asked.
“Well I should think so, you’re quite popular in these parts.†He replied hastily and happily like a kid with a new toy.
She shook her head and looked about the tavern slowly. “I’m not even sure where here is…â€Â
The Lalafell patted the table slightly, which she took as a gesture of comfort, then reduced his smile to warm sympathy. “Dun worry miss’y, it’ll all come back to you in time. Tell me, what’s your name?â€Â
Her eyes rested on his again, she said, “I was kind of hoping you could tell me.â€Â
He thought for a moment, putting a short chubby finger to his lips. “Hmmm… Don’t remember eh? Well, despite your popularity, neither do I. Nor do any of the folks here,†he waved his arm over the tavern. “What you need is an expert.†He ended, pointing his finger at her.
“Expert?â€Â
“That’s right, good ol’…†he paused to think for a moment, his face pausing on a blank expression, the noise in the tavern dimming slightly. The Miqo’te’s brows furrowed curiously and just as she was about to call out to him, his face popped back to life and he smiled his customary smile. “Ahh, good ol’ Dreyfus. He’ll be able to tell you who you are in a jiff, yes ma’am!â€Â
“Who is he?†she asked slowly, studying this rather curious fellow before her. If she had had any idea who she was or could remember anything, she would have thought it was he who had lost his mind.
“Just some old hack that lives in the slums ‘round here.†He said as he began to climb down from the chair, landing on his feet with a bounce. “But no time for dilly-dallying! We best get a move on before it gets dark!†He exclaimed, beckoning for her to follow him. “I’m curious as to what your name is and Gods be damned if I’ll be tinkering about it over supper.†He finished as he wobbled quickly towards the door on the other side of the tavern.
She stood up from her chair and caught up to the Lalafell with no effort and walked beside him, looking down to him. “What’s your name anyway?â€Â
“Me…?†he said and froze in place, again, a blank expression stuck on his face, again. He shook his head and looked up to her. “Pimlin.†He said with a nod and walked up to the door and reached for a smaller handle lower on the door, opening it.
“Pimlin?†she said to herself. “What kind of name is that?†She called out.
Pimlin shrugged as he walked out side, turning around to face her. “I wouldn’t know, you gave it to me. Now let’s go!†He said and ran out into the street, the Miqo’te directly behind him.
