"Hey, Alayissa," he said. "I didn't expect you here."
"No one else was able to make it, and I missed my horse," Alayissa said soberly.
"What happened earlier today? I saw that there was a disturbance…"
"They killed Quimby," Alayissa said, remembering the incident with a shudder.
"What? What happened?"
"Some of the soldiers were messing with Tara, and Quimby was there, fixing a cask Morn said had turned. He stepped in, and the soldiers got into a brawl. One of them threw a pitcher and it hit Quimby's head, killing him instantly."
"Are they going to be punished?" Roran asked incredulously.
"What do you think?" Alayissa asked pointedly. Roran shook his head, outraged. "That's not all," Alayissa said. "Almost immediately after, the Ra'zac came into the tavern. They were attracted by the scent of death, I guess. Anyway, they saw Quimby's body, and hauled it from the tavern. Later a few of the men went to demand the body back. The Ra'zac gave them his bones."
"Bones!"
"Yeah. They were picked clean. A lot of the men are convinced that the Ra'zac ate Quimby's flesh – the soldiers included."
"What are they?" Roran asked in wonder. "What kind of creature would… could…"
"They aren't human," Alayissa said, speaking more to herself than to Roran. "They're monsters. They look human when they're wearing their cloaks, and the can sound almost human, when they want to. But they are something totally different. They thrive on pain. They eat flesh, and…" she trailed off. "If you know what's best for you, you'll put as much distance between you and them as you can." Roran noticed that she held her hand to her chest as she said this, as if it pained her. What had she gone through, that she would know this much about these creatures? There was no fear in Alayissa's voice, as Roran had expected. There was, however, a reminiscent look on her face, as if she was having something like a flashback.
"How has my mare been?" she asked suddenly, standing and walking over to Amaranth. The horse had been waiting patiently for her mistress. Now she nickered quietly, walking forward to meet her. Alayissa smiled, taking hold of her mare's head. "I can't stay, Amaranth," she said gently, in the Ancient Language. She had almost forgotten about Roran, but he was observing the girl with curiosity. What language was she speaking? It didn't any sense to him, but the horse seemed to respond excitedly.
Alayissa left before Roran could ask about the language.
Alayissa looked up from Domia abr Wyrda when she smelled smoke on the air. She rushed to her door, seeing that there were two buildings on fire – and one of them was the hay barn! She gasped in shock as another roof caught fire. She had to do something! She knew she couldn't make the fires go out, not without revealing her Elvin powers…. I might not be able to stop the fire, but I can keep it contained. She rushed to the fire, and imagined an invisible shield around the roofs that were ablaze. She silently spoke the words that would create the shield. She had to make sure that the water from the bucket brigade could get to the fire, while not allowing stray embers to escape. She wished she could just transfer a great wall of water from the river – it would take less time, and less energy – but she wouldn't reveal her presence. The presence of an Elf would only put these people in more danger. She remained still, staring at the fire until dawn. By that time, all the fires had died down somehow or another.
Alayissa stood panting, the night taking its toll. She noticed Albriech strolling over.
"Are you going up?" he asked grimly, indicating the Spine. Alayissa shook her head.
"I need to rest. What happened?"
"One of the soldiers got drunk and dropped his torch on the barn on the way back to his tent."
"Wonderful," Alayissa murmured. "And I suppose you won't be reimbursed the feed you lost?"
"You sound like you've dealt with them before."
"I have. And while I don't wish to do so again, there might not be another choice."
"That's what we are thinking. We need to have a meeting. You're welcome to come, Alayissa, especially if you have information about the Ra'zac. We'll need all the help we can get." Alayissa nodded, and went back to her house. She rummaged through her cupboard and found the small drought of faelnirv that she kept reserved for times like these. She took a sip, and felt energy coursing through her. She would rest tonight. Right now, she had to help get rid of the Ra'zac.
