For hours the young elf struggled, trying to loosen her bonds. She thought she felt the rope giving, one little bit at a time, but she was afraid that it was mostly wishful thinking. I've got to get out of here, she thought desperately. That crazy woman is going to kill me to get back at Papa. I can't let that happen!
Frustrated tears streamed down her face, and she had long since bitten her lower lip until it was swollen and bloody. I won't let that happen. I won't. She amused herself by considering what Meris' guts would look like, lying in the middle of some kesir street. The thought must have given her strength, because suddenly, she worked the knot around her right wrist loose, and was able to slip it off.
She gasped, fervently hoping that Meris wouldn't appear before she was completely untied. She struggled with the knot securing her other wrist, cursing under her breath all the while. Finally, the knot unraveled, leaving both of her hands free. It didn't take long, after that, to untie her ankles. Staggering to her feet, Dru sighed heavily. She was untied, but still alone in the dark. She started to creep forward.
She crept up the stairs, and cautiously opened the door at the top. There was a sentry, human, but his back was to her. She tiptoed past him, and stepped outside into the steamy night time air of... Scurvytown.
Just then, the sentry gave a cry. "Hey, the elf's getting away!" There was the clattering of feet, and he burst out the door, drawing his sword. Then Meris appeared in the doorway behind him, and leapt past him. "You had better get back here, girl," she snarled.
Dru snorted, wondering how stupid the older elf thought she was. And took off running, as fast as her feet would carry her, through the Scurvytown streets. She heard Meris right behind her all the while, inching closer, and closer. Meris laughed, right behind her. "You cannot win, Drusilia, so you might as well surrender to your fate."
With a cry, Dru jumped forward, terrified that she would be taken back to her basement prison again. "NO! Die, you stupid b***h! I hope that you die a million times, you- you roundear lover!" Why am I defying her? She's just going to beat me again when she catches me...
Just then, a cloaked figure stepped out of the shadows. Upon closer inspection, he was a half human, with long, dark hair. Purple tinted glasses perched on his nose, and he was carrying a cane. It was better than any ordinary cane, Dru noticed, because there was a sharp blade protruding from the end of it. She saw the him look her over, and then look back at Meris. Calmly, he stepped in between them. "Run," he told her, firmly. "Go to safety."
Dru didn't need to be told twice. She heard Meris cry out in pain, and then the clashing of weapons against one another. She hoped that the half human won, but regardless of whether he did or not, she was free! She ran as fast as she could, through the seemingly neverending maze of streets, and didn't slow down until she was safe, back on the outskirts of the kesir. She slowed, suddenly unsure of what to do. Papa and Kennic are in hiding, she mused to herself. My guard is not an option anymore, the traitorous b***h. I don't know-- Jalin. Jalin will take care of me.
When she got there, she could see the flickering light from a lantern in one of the rooms inside. Slowing to a walk, she approached the front door, nervously. She rapped on the door firmly, waiting, and shivering despite the muggy heat.
There was silence, and then the door was flung open. A shirtless Jalin stood there, his long brown hair hanging out of its usual tie. His sword was out, and ready. He stopped, and stared. "Drusilia?" He hesitated, but then grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her inside the house. "Gods, girl, we have been so worried about you! Get in here!" He slammed the door closed behind them, and locked it.
He bellowed, "Evera! Get a lantern in here!"
Evera, his wife, showed up a minute later, holding a lantern aloft. She asked, timidly, "Jalin? Is everything alright?"
"Get in here with that thing," he said impatiently, waving her in. "I've got Naïlo's daughter here. Drusilia," he said, turning to look at her. "What happened? You look like s**t."
Dru sank to the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees. She put her head down, and started sobbing. It was over. It was finally over.
Jalin cleared his throat uncomfortably, but Evera was beside her like lightning, soothing her, looking her over. She looked up at her husband then, and bit her lower lip.
"Well?"
She shook her head, and said quietly, "She's been beaten. With a whip," she said, gently tracing the skin alongside one of the welts. When Dru stiffened, Evera shook her head. "Shhhh, darling," she said. "We'll make it all better for you."
Jalin scowled fiercely, but said, "You can get her patched back up?"
Evera nodded, her eyes downcast. "I will," she said.
Jalin nodded, then, but gave Dru a piercing look. "When you're done with that, you and I have a lot to talk about," he said. "I am going to want to know everything." He stepped back, but was unable to keep himself from asking. "Who did this to you?"
Dru clenched her jaw, but stood to her feet, with Evera's help. "Meris."
Jalin swore, his string of curses getting more and more imaginative by the second.
"I'm going to need clean, hot water," said Evera, as if the swear words had never been spoken.
Jalin nodded. "Alust and I will get it for you," he said. "ALUST, get in here!"
