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Message: <blockquote data-quote="hbarsquared" data-source="post: 2291750" data-attributes="member: 4550">Chapter One, Part SixAbrina did not know the contents of the letter.  She had read the missive to Elder Kevur, but it only hinted at the troubles brewing in Cauldron, and she did not understand half of it, anyway.  Abrina had been tempted to unfurl the scroll many times on her journey, but she had never once opened the case.  Now, she hoped Ninurta would reward her for her strength and Jenya would reveal to her the  portents of the message.After several moments, Jenya sighed and slowly curled the scroll and tied the ribbon around its center.  She turned to gaze out the window into the night, remaining silent.Abrina coughed.Jenya turned back to Abrina and smiled wanely.  “I believe Ruphus explained to you what has happened at the orphanage?” Jenya said, whisking away the scroll.  Abrina’s eyes lingered on it as it disappeared into a desk drawer.  Perhaps later, she would learn what message she had delivered into Jenya’s hands.“Yes,” she answered, returning her attention to the cleric.  “Something about a kidnapping?”“Four children, only three nights ago.”  Jenya continued, “Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda and Terem.  I have vowed to bring their kidnappers to justice, but I fear that these are only the most recent in a long string of strange disappearances, all somehow connected.“I have requested Enlil’s aid directly, and received a cryptic response.  One of our own has already begun his own investigations into the kidnappings, but has found nothing as of yet.  Our city is not small, but all of our clerics are still easily recognized.  Perhaps you, Abrina, might be able to discover something.”Abrina hesitated.  She desperately wished to return to Haven.  She was happy, encouraging the crops, mending broken bones, playing in the games.  She was content with that life, and had been hoping to return to it, after a single night’s rest in the city of Cauldron.  Her gaze fell on the corner of the desk where Jenya had secreted away the scroll.  Abrina’s thoughts returned to the knot in her gut she had felt when those men had accosted Ruphus.  Painted faces still leered before her in her memories, and she did not know why.  She imagined the children: scared, cold, and beaten by hulking men with faces of white and black . . .“What can I do to help?” Abrina said abruptly, interrupting Jenya’s proposal, and something about a reward.Jenya stood.  “Thank  you,” she said, opening the door and leading Abrina out into the hall. “Let me take you to Handel.”</blockquote>

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