A Day In Redmist

[ShadowCatJen]

Mynian paused to consider the rug she had hung over the rope she strung up at the rear of the Inn outside. She stifled a sneeze as the dust was still settling. The rug beater she held in hand looked like it hadn't seen use in some time and the copious amounts of dirt and dust that had come off the rug was testament to that.

The half-elf murmured as she got out a handkerchief to blow her nose on, "Cor blimey, Talbot, times be tough, but really. Spring cleanin' be once a year, not every four loik Shieldmeet."

Despite the surly statement the corner of her lip kept turned up. It felt good, she had to admit, to work like this. Earning her keep through tips and helping the Inn out by doing some long overdue cleaning. That part of her that always craved some sense of usefulness was being satiated. Mynian almost felt as if she were back in Luskan helping out around her Uncle's shop.

No sooner then the thought occurred to her a noise grabbed her attention just around the corner. A brief frown appeared and her hand subconsciously went to her bodice to make sure she still had the slim hidden blade beneath it ready to draw. Carefully peering around the stone wall she relaxed a little bit as she saw a young boy rifling through one of the trash barrels next to the building.

For a split instant Mynian had a flashback. She was that age herself when she was still under her mother's charge. Many times she herself had to dig into trash barrels or nip along the market to try and nab a dropped scrap of food. She could recall what it was like to be that hungry. Not caring what filth you had to go through or what danger you put yourself in just to get something in your stomach. The feeling made her remember one of the reasons why she took up the barmaid job.

Quietly she walked up behind the boy. He didn't notice her so she took the moment to look him over. His feet were bare and worn and his clothes were tattered. She doubted he'd bathed at all other then to have the rain wash over him when it wasn't freezing cold. Thin as a rail, his skin was tinged yellow and had some pock marks here and there. It was a sure sign the boy hardly ate anything at all and slept outside somewhere in the city.

His arm and head came up out of the barrel with a chicken bone in his hand. Immediately he began to chew on what was left on it. Mynian had no doubt in her mind that eventually the boy would get to trying to bite through to the marrow in the middle. It didn't fill the stomach, but there was something in the marrow that helped a body continue.

So intent was he on eating that she was practically bearing down on him when she finally spoke, "Oy there, lad."

He jumped, clutching to the bone and started to dart off, but Mynian was ready for that and her hand grabbed at his thin arm in time.

"Oyoy, easy there, me boyo," she tried to speak as kindly as she could. "Not gonna 'urt yeh none 'n me not mad at y--yeeOW!"

Mynian let go and watched the boy run off at an amazing speed while she shook her hand out. He had bit down hard enough to draw blood. Even as the sting of it started to shift to a dull throb she couldn't help but grin at the situation. If it had been her she didn't doubt for one moment that she would have done the same exact thing. A child in his situation that managed to survive day to day on the streets would know for a fact that the last thing you let someone do is let them touch you.

"Ah well," she said to no one as the boy was no where in sight. "Maybe next time, eh, lad? I'll jus' lay out half 'n apple for yeh in tha morn. 'opefully, yeh'll get it."

With that she turned to head back into the inn to bandage up her hand.

((OOC: Just an off the cuff bit of writing, and responses IC or OOC welcome ))

[Grozer]

He sat at the counter, mug in hand quietly enjoying Talbot's own brew. This were such a common occurrence that Talbot no longer needed his order, Ranan would simply sit and wait for mug to be placed before him. Taking the first long drink, he swallowed the potent concoction slowly, savoring the fiery sensation of the alcohol only interrupted by the door and then the new barmaid stepping through.

Studying her as she entered, he still had questions of her motivation for working here. His eyes moved and stared a moment at the sight of blood on her hand.

"..mere days ago I find ya laying dead here on the floor and now you're bleeding again... trouble always find you, lass?"

[ShadowCatJen]

She paused briefly to glance up at the Captain from her hand, then offered a grin and a shrug.

"More often then me would really loik it ta, guv," she kept the grin as she headed behind the bar to get a clean rag. "Though this time, me will admit, were me own fault 'n me were much deservin' o' tha trouble."

Mynian used the rag to put some pressure on the bite mark and leaned back on the bar a little bit.

"Street urchin whot were rootin' through tha trash behind tha inn," she stated by way of explanation. "I tried ta get 'is attention 'n got bit fer tha attempt. Were gonna offer 'im a coin 'r two ta 'elp me beat out tha rest o' tha rugs."

She added quickly when Talbot gave her a look, "From me own pocket o' course 'n not tha till."

Briefly she peeked underneath the rag, then went right back to putting pressure on it again. Looking at Ranan again her look turned a little more serious.

"Eh, about tha' day. Me still canno' remember anythin' more other then whot me told yeh. I take it 'ooever it were never were found?"

[Grozer]

He smirks almost chuckling watching Talbot eye the new barmaid.

"If anything Talbot I doubt we need to worry 'bout this one pilfering coins from the till."

His eyes move over her appraisingly.

"I be a bit more concerned about her womanly curiousity... and ta answer your question lass, no we aint found him as yet. Seems he killed the guard at the gate and the ticketeer run off rather than stand around. We do know he bought the ticket before the attack though... and it seems he had the deader jump on the ride with him when he left. I take it ya are feeling better now?"

He takes a long pull from the mug finishing it then sliding over toward Talbot for a refill while watching her.

[ShadowCatJen]

As she listened to his words a mild frown curled her lips, "Cor, remind me ta take a bottle o' perfume with me then next time I caravan. Tha smell o' deader ain't tha nicest o' travel scents."

She let lose a sigh letting the frown go, "...'n, aye, me be betta now. S'not every day when yeh get cut up 'n killed jus' for standin' in a tavern, but me thinks me c'n get past it."

Mynian looked at her hand under the rag again and uttered, "Ruddy Nine, ifn it weren't daylight out there me would be tempted ta take a bit o' garlic ta tha brat. Teeth be sharp enough ta make me wonder."

Then in a louder tone while moving out from behind the bar and into the direction of the stairs heading up she glanced at both the Captain and Talbot, "Gonna tend ta this afore it get's infected 'r scarred. Still got ta beat out tha rest o' them rugs, afta all."

[ShadowCatJen]

~On Another Day~

Mynian adjusted her feathered hat upon her head again so it sat "just so" on her head. Enough of a jaunt to it to look charming, but not so much as to be over exaggerated. She took her yarting to hand again and strummed up an idle melody that floated out from the monument area she stood in.

The Zhentarim soldiers came and went. Some marching in order, some running supplies, others simply going about their daily duties. A few with some minutes to spare would occasionally pause and listen for a moment before heading off again. She did see a few smiles and even a slightly surprised utterance from one soldier of, "Isn't that the barmaid?"

Some of the higher ranked soldiers gave her either neutral looks or frowns. Word of her being questioned for the poisoning of the soldiers at the inn more then likely got around. Mynian knew that they would start to treat herself, Talbot, and Mister Gram warily regardless if their names were cleared or not. It was just another thing she had to accept.

So she continued to carry her light smile and concentrated on her playing rather then on the feeling in the pit of her stomach.

A short while later two children came scurrying up. One a boy with slightly ragged blond hair and the other a smaller girl with long hair of the same color.

"Aunty Myn! Aunty Myn!" The little girl hopped up and down in front of her.

Mynian tipped her hat up with a finger and leaned over to give her an odd grin, "'Aunty?' 'oo tha 'eck told yeh ta call me tha'?"

"The birdy did! The birdy did!" she kept hopping and started to turn around in a circle.

Mynian quirked her eyebrow and gave a look to the girl's older brother. The boy was about ten or eleven winters old, but he'd unfortunately seen too much for one so young and his eyes were more mature then they should have been.

He shrugged a shoulder, even as he spoke he tried to grab his sister's hand to get her to keep still, "She's been saying it all morning, Miss Myn. Then she wouldn't keep quiet cause she wanted to see you. Mom got a little mad 'n told me to take Elise out of the house a while."

"Birdy, birdy, birdy," Elise had stopped moving in a circle, but was still hopping on her heels.

The half-elf shook her head slightly, "Did someone give tha lass sweets 'r somethin'?"

"No," Elise's brother replied. "She's just looney."

Mynian tried hard not to laugh, but couldn't help it through their reactions. Elise immediately stopped hopping and even before her little fists could flail away at him he took off at a quick clip through soldiers and around the monument. A few on looking soldiers seemed amused by the display.

A thought struck Mynian then that these men, what ever territory they had come from, must have had friends and loved ones back home. Regardless of who they served or if they believed in everything their leaders told them, many were still people with families. But so were the people on the other side that they were about to invade.

Before the feeling in the pit of her stomach could get worse both Elise and her brother came to a halt before her again. Him purposefully stopping short and she smacking into the back of him.

Her little fists flailed at his back, "Meanie, meanie, meanie!"

He gave a grin, purposefully ignoring his sister's hits, and said a bit hopefully, "Can we call you Aunty?"

Mynian fully blinked once at that.

Since the inn's rooms had been occupied by soldiers and access to where she usually stayed was now hindered, she ended up sheepishly having to ask Mister Rudel and his family if she could stay with them on some nights. Even though they already had about seven others staying with them at a run down house on the South Western side, they more then welcomed her in.

"By having some income from you I was able to get some decent food for my wife and children to get stronger with," Mister Rudel had said as he happily welcomed her in. "Though they've forced me to work the farms instead of the garden, we were all steady enough by then to get by, thanks to you. Letting you stay here is the least we can do in return."

The nights she stayed there she would do her best to try and bring extra food in. The soldiers appetites left very little to save, but sometimes there was an unfinished bit of cheese or some chicken bones that could be saved to make a broth with. Getting it by the soldiers and Mister Gram at the inn proved to be tricky, but she managed. She'd repair their clothes and make sure their shoes and boots held fast through whatever work they had to do. She would also sing songs and tell tales to them. The two children Elise and Rical would sit enthralled until they both got too sleepy to keep listening. The adults enjoyed it as well, regardless of the fact the tales and songs were for children.

"It's a bit of peace and takes our minds away from things," their mother said one eve. "You're becoming like family here."

What was more, Mynian felt it. They were all strangers, not bonded at all by blood, but she had learned long ago that blood kin had nothing at all to do with either family or loyalty.

She looked at Rical with a genuine grin and nodded once, "Aye, yeh c'n call me tha' ifn yeh want ta."

Elise tossed her hands up hearing it, "Hooray! Aunty Myn! Aunty Myn! Sing the bird song, Aunty Myn!"

"Tha bird song?" Mynian said as she squatted down to sit on the stone ledge. "Well, goodness, me ain't so sure me remembers tha words. 'ow's tha' one go again?"

"I know! I know!" Elise said excitedly and without much prompting began to sing. "Hi! says the blackbird sitting on a chair..."

Mynian smiled and played along with her. In the back of her mind the wandering thought lingered....

Despite it all. Regardless o' whot may come. Ifn me c'n make a pair o' children smile in tha middle o' all this.... maybe there still do be hope.

[The Redmist Guard]

<Current Day>

The rising sun covered by grey clouds as two guards patrol along the docks. Few citizens walk the streets as word of marching undead keeps people behind locked door.

"Think they will come to take Redmist?"

"Who's ta say? Surely we'll know soon. Ya thin' the Captain would be getting us ready?"

"Andril and I shared an ale the other night... he were saying the Captain left Redmist more an' a tenday ago. Left in the quiet of night, riding fast. No word 'bout it other than a standing order to increase the patrols and double the normal watch."

The guards continue to whisper thoughts about the nature of the Captain's absence.

[ShadowCatJen]

~Another Day~

Step...

Mynian was lost in thought as she also lost herself in the streets of Redmist. Uncharacteristically, she walked with her head down. Her hands were clasped behind her back.

Step...

The eve was cool, but the sky was not clear. The hood of her cloak at least protected her from the mists that were beginning to seep into the city off the waters of the Dragonmere. She looked for another cobblestone to put her foot down on.

Step...

Redmist appealed to her on several levels. Some of it reminded her of Luskan. The smell and smoke of city mixed in with salt sea air. The hustle of beggar and commoner as they try to make ends meet. Others more of herself. Living through deamons, and riots, and invasions. Going through occupation and political strifes, yet still surviving. Getting up and going on despite being knocked down time and time again.

Step...

The people here were stubborn. Not even Mister Rudel would listen to her plea to evacuate the city. Too many of the family's fathers before him had lived here. The house they had, run down as it was, would eventually go to his son. They would not leave. Nor would any of the farmers to the south, nor the store owners in the city, nor the workers of the docks. Since they wouldn't leave, she was going to be stubborn herself and not leave either.

Step...

Her thoughts turned to the conversation. He had one thing right. She was alone in what she envisioned for Redmist. Mynian knew it would be impossible for some to even fathom. For many it was a constant all or nothing battle. Things for them had to happen either at one extreme or the other. Her way of thinking was unconventional and not even her closest could see that it wasn't entirely impossible.

Step...

Even if they survived the collar of the Silent Dominion, what then? Again, those in both the shadows and the Crown would seek to run the town to the ground to achieve what they see to be "best for Redmist".

Mynian found herself uttering to no one in particular, "Best fer Redmist 'r jus' best fer theyselves?"

Step...

The shadows would only find themselves a proper puppet to rule over Redmist and take advantage of what little the people had left. They'd leave the city to fall under whatever political hole it would fit in and not care as long as they could take the profit. The Crown would simply send another "noble" to oversee things. When that noble would find Redmist wanting he or she would simply fall to avarice. Again, the people would pay the price.

Step...

But what can one little tailor come barmaid do? She was just one against overwhelming odds. There were few that took any sort of stock in her words or thoughts. She felt as if she were shouting at an uncaring wind, feeling it breeze by her without a second thought.

Step...

But Mynian knew that though she might have little value to most others, little value was better then none at all.

She stopped her steps and looked up to see she'd made her way to one of the docks. The mists thicker now she drew her cloak closer around her and walked to the end of the pier. Standing silent, she gazed out at the darkened waters and lost herself in more thought.

[ShadowCatJen]

~Yet Another Day~

The quiet scratching of quill pen on parchment was the only sound that accompanied Mynian's thoughts. Little else was heard in the records room within Redmist Hall. With the speed of one used to such things she added another line to the tally book in front of her. She used the newest report given to her by the local stonemason for reference.

Thank Tymora fer small favors, her mind mused as she looked at the amounts on the parchment. Least these beasts ain't doin' much damage ta tha' stone walls themselves. Nay... they been tearin' at tha city in another more costly way ta us.

With that souring thought she stopped and put the quill back in it's well atop the desk and stood up. Once again she was certain she had lost track of time and stretched to get the kinks out of her legs and back. As she usually did, she walked about the interior of Redmist Hall to refresh herself. Her mind drifted again to recent events.

The howls at night were becoming a regularity. The beasts and cultists would toss themselves at the city defenses. They wouldn't break through, but it was wearing at the men who would push them back time after time. More and more were being injured or killed which would tax heavier on the ones still standing. The strain was being felt through the ranks.

They got ta be dealt with 'n soon, came the words to her mind as she looked down the hall to the guards quarters. Despite tha fact tha' tha Thayans 'ave boosted tha ranks, it ain't gonna be enough in tha long run. Tha lads c'n only hold out for so long 'n ifn Proskur feels Redmist be a lost cause....

She didn't let her mind finish the thought. Her eyes drifted over to the stone seat at the head of the hall. Her feet took her closer to it and she ran a hand along the smooth arm of the throne. For a while she stayed as such, her eyes dimming slightly as various emotions came to the surface. After a while she drummed her fingers on the arm, patted it twice lightly, and walked away again.

Mynian's walk stopped again as the large double doors opened and two guards entered. They passed by, both heading for the guards quarters. One of them looked at her to give a light smile and a nod which she returned. The other seemed to remain rather neutral in the way he looked at her. Neither stopped and let her be as they continued on their way, the neutral faced fellow giving a hushed utter to the other.

It was hard to tell, exactly, what that utter could had been. As so far she had not been jostled from her position in the city. No guard stopped her from entering the Hall. No collector gave her a second look when she asked for the latest tenday tallies. Nothing.

She supposed that she was probably seen as harmless. Just another one of...

Mynian laughed inwardly as the words came to her, Jus' another one o' Ranan's women whot 'e favors enough ta give tha title to. Surprise o' surprises ifn she actually c'n do tha job. Foin, let 'em assume whot they want.

Which was probably the only reason why they hadn't sacked her yet. She actually did work about the place.

She spent nearly a full moonturning trying to find all the old records from just after the riots and get the tally books straight again. Then another full moonturning to figure what finances were needed most in what parts of the city. Another moonturning yet to get the various collectors to report in to her and gain some familiarity with the wharf master, stone masons, black smiths, builders, merchants, and others of those sorts.

Now things ran smoother and it was far easier to keep track of things. Least for herself it was.

Mynian had a feeling she was just a placeholder for now. Long as she kept doing the job she was doing there was no need to displace her.... yet. She silently thanked Tymora again for giving the opportunity to do what she needed to while she still had time and access.

Time be short, though, she thought once again as she turned back towards the solitary desk and seat in the room behind the throne. So me better make the most o' it.

[ShadowCatJen]

((The following was posted with DM permission for depictions and actions of known NPCs))

~A Tenday before Martial Law was declared~

The seamstress had herself bundled well today. The winter chill permeated the city a bit harshly. She pulled a bit of the scarf she had made for herself up over her nose as the wind made the chill biting.

Mynian wandered through one of the less safer quarters in the city. In the back of her mind she could hear a few voices admonishing her for taking yet another risk, but she heeded it not. She had a purpose today, a small one in the great scheme of things, but an important one in her heart.

-------------------------

Minion tromped through the snow in the alleyway, her thin pale arms wrapped about herself tightly. The snow began to fall again and for a scant second she thought about going to where her mother was at. It only lasted for that scant second as the knowledge that "he" was there pushed the thought right out.

He would always look at Minion in a way that made her scared. She didn't like it. She didn't like him. The tea that he and his friend would bring over made her mom act strange. Her mom kept going back to them and Minion couldn't understand it. They treated her badly.

No, she wasn't going to go back, not tonight. She had to find a place to curl up at and try to get warm. Turning a corner she found the spot she was looking for. It was at the rear of an inn where the back of a fireplace jutted out. As before heavy boxes were stacked up around it to stop... well, people like herself... from hanging about it.

As luck would have it, there was a very small space left between one stack of boxes and the wall. Too small for any grown ups to go through. Minion squeezed her tiny thin frame in through that space like a mouse squeezing into a hole.

Behind the boxes the space was small and cramped, but the stones were warm. One of the boxes stacked higher actually covered most of the small space from above, stopping most of the snow. There was a risk that the snow might trap her in there, but it was better then nothing. She squatted down on the cold wet ground, getting warmth from the warm bricks, and did her best to ignore the hunger pain in her stomach.

She did her best to not feel alone.

----------------------------

Mynian kept her eyes open. It was mostly down alley ways that her gaze would drift, but she watched all quarters around her. So she was well aware when a man huddled at a doorway came in her direction.

"Spare a few, goodmiss?" he came at her with his palm open. "Just a few. Enough for me to buy something to warm my bones?"

She stared at the man and some bell of recognition rang in her head. Though in common ware he didn't seem to be suffering that much. There was a padded cap on his head and a woolen shirt to keep him warm. The callus hand he held forth and the sea blown look to his face made the bell ring clearer for her.

Keeping the lower portion of her face covered with the scarf she turned squarely to the man, "Yeh be one o' tha dock workers ain't yeh?"

Whether it was her suddenly facing him fully or her unexpected question, the man stopped where he was and almost took a step back, "P-pardon, goodmiss?"

"Yeh work at tha docks, aye," her eyes shifted down the length of him. "Me remembers yeh. They drug yeh out from behind some barrels one morning with tha drinkin' bends."

The man could only look sheepishly at her, "Just the life, goodmiss, and for a few coppers I can keep myself going."

"Sod on yeh," Mynian replied, then began to turn away.

"Work has been slim at the docks, m'lady!" he stepped in front of her again, palm open, and giving her his best congenial smile that lacked a couple of teeth. "A few copper ain't gonna be skin off the nose of a woman in good standing such as yourself."

She regarded him again for a moment, "Yeh soddin' liar. Me checked in wif tha Wharfmaster jus' this ruddy mornin' 'n 'e's 'avin' trouble findin' workers taday because it be so soddin' cold."

The man flinched a bit at her words and his smile faded. He began to edge away but Mynian stepped forward, not about to let him go.

"Yeh want coin then yeh gonna ruddy work fer it. Follow me."

"W-what?"

"Yeh 'eard me. Me dinna stutter. Now come on afore me makes it yeh never work a day in Redmist again."

"Y--... You can't do that! You don't... I mean... How can....," his words drifted as Myn fixed another stare at him. "My wife would kill me!"

"Glad yeh got yeh priorities straight," she snapped then continued down the street.

Either for a lack of anything to say or too stupefied to respond the man scurried along behind her. Mynian stopped as another alleyway was now in view.

One of her gloved hands pointed down the alleyway, "Look down that way for any bodies."

"W-what?" his voice squeaked.

Mynian sighed in slight exasperation, "Go down tha' alley 'n look ta see ifn anyone be dead 'r close ta dyin'. Especially, close ta dyin' as diggin' graves be whot me be tryin' ta avoid. Me will pay yeh a full days dock wage fer this. Now get!"

If it was the promise of pay or the way she snapped her words that got him to move, Mynian didn't know. The man hurried down the alley looking behind crates, barrels, and shaking any homeless figured laying there. in moments he came back shaking his head.

"They all are alive, m'lady. Didn't look near dead neither," he looked at her expectantly.

"Good, next alley."

She continued on down the street with her unexpected assistant following behind.

((To be continued....))

[ShadowCatJen]

"M'lady!"

Burgess's voice caught her attention from down one of the alleyways. He came toward her at an excited clip, huffing and puffing.

"M'lady, come quick, there's a lad down here..." his words trailed off as he pointed down the alley with one hand and beckoned her with the other.

He hurried ahead of her as she followed from behind. Halfway down, next to an old wood-rotted crate, Burgess got on his knees. Mynian neared then went shock still at the sight of the small figure curled up on the ground in the fetal position. his skin was ghastly pale, almost gray, and the tattered rag he wore barely covered his thin frame.

"He's still breathing, m'lady." Burgess said when Mynian made no move and he brushed snow off of the child.

She quickly kneeled, pulling off one of her gloves, and put the backs of her fingers to the boy's mouth and nose. It was true. Her fingers felt the barest of stirrings of air. Another moment of shock passed for her when she looked closer at his face.

"Me knows this boy..." she uttered and shoved the glove back on her hand. In a rush of movement she removed her cloak, got it wrapped around the child, and picked him up. He hardly weighed a thing and was easy to carry.

"You..... you're the Minister..." Burgess breathed his words and she looked at him. Up until now she hadn't shown her face beneath the scarf, but removing her cloak caused it to slip down onto her shoulders. Burgess looked back at her a little wide eyed. "I... I seen you talking with the Wharfmaster a time or two. An seen you serve at Talbot's.... t-talking with the Captain."

"Yeh gonna stand there gawkin' all day 'r yeh gonna 'elp me get this lad somewhere warm?" Without another word or look Mynian hurried off with the bundled lad in her arms.

If Burgess had followed her or not, Mynian didn't care. Her hand twinged oddly as she remembered her first encounter with the boy. The wound had healed, leaving no scar, and the salve she used prevented the chicken marrow from infecting it, but he might as well have bit her just yesterday for the way it felt right now.

She headed for the gate of the largest building in the quarter. Burgess was there suddenly breezing passed her to push open the gates to the old temple, then rushed ahead to hold open the main door. She came walking through a flurry of long skirts, scarf, snow, and dangling cloak.

"Mista Cart, yeh assistance, please," she called out not stopping her stride.

Mynian ignored the odd looks from merchant and customer alike and headed straight for the corner with the single sconce that illuminated the ruins of the statue. She placed the frail child down, bundling the cloak up to cushion his head. She took the glove off again and quickly checked for his breath then felt a hand at his neck for his heartbeat. Much to her relief both breath and beat were there.

Kneeling fully on the ground she took both gloves off and began removing the cold and slightly wet rags off the boy. A small prayer went through her head to Tymora to grant her the ability to will her warmth into the child. She didn't wait for any miracle and turned her head to shout for Cart.

Cart, who was peering right over her shoulder, jumped, then spoke in an irritated manner, "I'm right here. No need to shout."

Mynian calmed herself a little bit and spoke as her hands still worked, "Do yeh got any spare blankets?"

He peered at the child again with a simultaneously baffled and disgusted look, "I might... but if you use it on that flea ridden carcass you've brought in I won't be able to sell them anymore."

Mynian barely gritted out through bared teeth, "Then me will pay fer it, Mista Cart. Do yeh got some 'r nay?"

The merchant gave a grunt, her words apparently satisfying him, "Aye, I do."

"Then get three for me," she replied, then snapped at him as he headed off to get them. "Plus a light potion o' healin' 'n a restorative ifn yeh got it. Me will pay for those too, yeh mercenary bastard!"

She didn't catch Cart's look of annoyance as Burgess was suddenly there by her side, "Anything I can help with, m'lady?"

The half-elf spoke in a far calmer manner to Burgess and said as she grabbed the padded cap off his head and put it on the boy's head instead, "Aye, go 'n get a kettle from the inn with some hot water 'n bring it back 'ere. Also some tea herbs 'n a jar o' honey. We need ta get this lad's insides warm again."

"Why not some whiskey then? That'll warm him up."

"Donna be stupid! Drink loik tha' will kill tha lad roit now. Jus' go 'n get whot me said!"

"Aye, m'lady!" Burgess got up quickly and started off, but stopped when Mynian called back to him.

"'N donna take any lip from Mista Gram! Jus' tell both 'm 'n Mista Talbot tha' Mynian sent yeh 'n they c'n both holler at me later!"

Burgess nodded and gave another 'Aye, m'lady' as he ran off.

She turned her attention to the boy again and blew warm air onto her own hands before placing one hand on the boy's chest and the other at the back of his neck. The pale ash color of his skin was still there, but she saw -- or at least she hoped she saw -- that some pink tinge was coming to his cheeks.

"He... he's dying... ain't he," the words were a statement more then a question and she looked back at the speaker. The few people that were in the old temple had gathered about her to see what was going on. Their faces were a cross between curious and worried.

Mynian turned her look to Cart as he came with three blankets and two potions in hand. She uttered as she took each in turn from him, "Not ifn me c'n 'elp it..."

((To Be Continued...))

[ShadowCatJen]

~Two days before Martial Law was declared~

"Good morn te ye, Minister!"

"Mornin' ta yeh, Wharfmaster! Any luck gettin' in workers taday even though Auril's breath be freezin our arses off?"

The Wharfmaster gave a laugh, "If only more sturdy souls was aboot, lass. This chill be enough te brake a nose off fer a sneeze."

Mynian's chuckle sent steam through the air. She liked the Wharfmaster. His accent reminded her much of home and he had a good sense of humor.

"All though," he paused musing for a moment. "One of 'em seems te have stopped laying in the bottle and comming in cold 'r nay. Burgess be his name. Said he had a child he had te care for now. Weren't aware his wife were even with kid."

The Wharfmaster grinned almost knowingly at her, "Happen to know anything about that, Minister?"

Mynian looked out toward the fog laden waters a very brief moment before smiling back at him, "Not a thin', goodsir. Should me?"

He eyeballed her closer, then grinned again as he shook his head, "Fine, lass, have it ye way."

She gave a mild shrug, then said in a more serious tone, "Yeh'll let me know ifn 'e slips back ta old ways, aye?"

"Me will hook 'em up on a dock arm meself for yeh if he does," the Wharfmaster winked and continued to grin.

Mynian exchanged the usual pleasantries with the Wharfmaster then went on her way to the stonemason's. As she walked her mind reflected on the rest of that day.

The boy almost didn't make it, but Mynian had enough faith to trust that Tymora didn't lead her to him without a reason. Burgess had stayed the entire time, helping as he could. For that, it was his face the boy saw first when he finally awoke. Burgess was able to calm the child after his initial onset of panic.

Mynian would have to guess that perhaps Burgess saw something in the lad. It would be the only explanation for when they began to discuss what to do with the boy, Burgess was doubly insistent to take him home.

"The missus and I may not be well off, but we have a roof, food, and a warm spot for him to sleep. Sides, the missus always wanted a child..."

She was wary at first, but it was the earnest look in Burgess's eyes that eased her paranoia.

Mynian was good on her word. She paid him his day's wages.. plus wages for a two full tendays. Told him to get to Yuppa's clothing shop to get the lad clothes and shoes for winter and warmer weather. Advised him to go easy on feeding the lad too much at the start as his stomach was probably too small for a full meal. Also told him to buy something nice for his missus. Explaining both the boy and why he hadn't come home that night was better explained to a thankful woman then a jaded one.

From the sound of it Burgess had suddenly found a purpose in life other then to work for drink. She could only hope the Smiling Lady would send him the occasional reminder should he start to slip.

The Minister's thoughts were interrupted as the sight of six well armed and uniformed men marched down the street with purpose. Like others on the street she stepped aside to let them pass. She did not recognize the uniforms they wore and she stared at them as they went by. They mostly wore black with dark maroons and reds for color. She couldn't clearly see any notable symbols on them. She was about to peer closer when one of the men turned a cold gaze at her.

She froze and felt her heart stop. Those weren't the eyes of a caring man. They were harsh eyes. It sent a brief shiver down her spine as she found the stare he gave to only say, "Give me a reason to kill you and I will."

The moment passed as they marched on and Mynian stared at their cloaked backs. People muttered among themselves in hushed tones. They too seemed to be afraid of the strangers. Her ears caught the words 'mercenaries' and 'Thayan' and 'Zhentarim comming back'. Some instinct told Mynian they were wrong.

She continued on her way. Somehow she was certain she'd find out soon enough what they were.

((Thank you for reading. As always I appreciate any constructive criticism so PM me if you have any opinions.))

[ShadowCatJen]

~A New Day In Redmist~

Nay, not happy, Mynian thought gloomily. Not happy attal.

The moment she had set foot once again into Redmist she felt the change in the very air. All the pent up frustration that the people of Redmist had to suffer under Bloodstil and Carthune's reign had very quickly bubbled over. She had expected perhaps some over exuberance at their bygone leaders now passing into Kelemvor's realm, but not this sort of looting and pillaging of their own neighbors. And it was only getting worse as the days and hours drew on.

It wasn't until she had stopped to read over the 'Gazette' that was posted that some of what was happening became all too clear.

We missed it, her thoughts gloomed on as she turned a corner through the market area. Were concentratin' so much on tha mongrels in front o' us tha' we missed tha snakes roit at our backs. Fer once, yeh idiot lass, yeh actually weren't paranoid enough.

She let a sigh grumble through her, 'n 'ere me thought we were done with any more Klauth work. Tha' blood still be stained on the streets from that night.

A short holler from a side alley caught her attention just as she was passing it. Looking, she saw down the way one man hitting another as he tried to pry something from his hands.

"Nay, nay, please!" she heard the man being hit cry. Her ears perked as she recognized the voice. Almost in a flash her emotions went from slight surprise to immediate anger.

Nay, not 'appy attal.

Without a word she stalked down the alley and without a word she kicked her foot at the back of the attacker's knee. It gave out and his knee hit the ground, but she kept her foot pressed on the back of it. And, again without a word, she took both her fists, clasped them together and brought them down hard onto his ear like a club.

The man's arms flailed and he scrambled blindly forward when she let her foot up. He probably wasn't sure of what was suddenly happening. She didn't stop. She planted a boot solidly on his rear, causing him to crash forward onto the cobble stones.

"Be off with yeh!" she barked. "''r me blade comes out next, yeh sod!"

The effort seemed to pay off as the man didn't even look back. He scrambled to his feet and took off running down the alley. Mynian shook her hands out once the attacker was out of sight and looked down at the prone and surprised form of Burgess.

His eyes were horribly wide, then his slightly toothless mouth broke into a wide smile, "Lady Copperhand, bless my soul!"

Mynian visibly winced and offered a hand down to Burgess, "Please, me ain't no lady."

He took it as she helped him off the ground, his other arm still about the package he had, "Thought you were gone forever when there were word of ya bounty."

"Aye, well..., " Mynian shrugged. "Survived it sos me could see ta a few things around 'ere. 'oo were tha' bloke?" She motioned her head down the alley.

"No idea," Burgess said as he dusted himself off. "Must of saw me getting this from the butchers. Guess he were hungry?"

Mynian only grunted, then changed the subject yet again, "'ow be yehself, yeh missus 'n tha lad?"

"Oh, well, we be fine enough," he nodded. "Kept our heads low and our mouths shut. Now we gonna lay low again till this... mess stops. But I had to get us some food."

"Yeh do tha', Mista Burgess," the half-elf nodded and began to go about cinching her cloak up behind her. "But donna let all this stop yeh from livin'. It'll get fixed up soon enough. Yeh take care now, eh?"

"Wh--... wait! Wait! I need to thank ya. Ya just saved me!"

She glanced back, "No need. Me jus' did for yeh whot me gonna do fer a few more about these parts. As me Uncle might o' said, sometimes no amount o' talkin' will solve a problem as well as kickin' a few teeth in will."

Burgess cold only blink in surprise at her words. She gave a quirk of a grin as she affixed the sheathed rapier at her hip to be more easily drawn.

"See yeh about, Mista Burgess," and with that she headed off into the streets.

Kickin' a few teeth in on the streets may not solve tha' whole problem, she thought with a bit of renewed energy. But it feels bloody relieving 'n may jus' get tha' smaller riff raff ta get they heads on straight. Make 'em realize whot tha 'ells they doin', give tha' guards a break 'n give 'em a chance ta get they head's tagetha too.

Her inner voice took on another tone, Yeh do know yeh may jus' get put in jail fer assault.

Loik tha'll be tha first time me ever been in tha pig sty? she actually laughed aloud, causing a person or two to look at her oddly. She didn't care. For the first time in a long time, Mynian felt free. And if part of that freedom meant running the risk of seeing the inside of a cell she'll revel in it still.