Fire in the Elven Quarter

Ghastly faces haunted Gwen in her dream. She couldn’t run anymore from them. Exhausted she let herself sink to her knees, burying her face in her hands and waiting for the usual darkness to come. Always the same dream. Yet this time something was different. In the darkness there was a warmth that never was there before. Slowly, surprised, she removed her hands from her face. She was surrounded by a firey light, smoke filled her nose…

“Something burns.” Gwen awoke and started coughing. She had been sleeping in the Quarter as Kelirahc was between moving homes. Her room was filled with thick smoke, entering from the edge between the floor and the door. Light danced behind it. With a shock she realized the Trinsic Rose had caught fire somehow. Quickly she looked for a shirt to cover her naked body with and made her way to the door.

Fire ! Everywhere ! Her coughing became worse as she inhaled more smoke and made her way downstairs. Belana !!! Belana !!! Franticly she searched for the waitress, going down the stairs and stumbling over Belana’s lifeless body. As she lay there staring at the dead woman she found herself surrounded by the flames with no way out. She couldn’t breath anymore, had no more strength to move… yet she could still hear voices calling her name. Amongst them were Venka and Soni, her pixie friends. Especially Venka’s high pitched voice screamed over the roaring of the flames, panic echoed in it. “Alar !!! Alar !!! I see her !!!”

A shadow moved through the flames towards her and lifted her from the floor. “Belana…” she uttered with great difficulty. Alar looked over and shook his head. “It is too late for her... let her soul be freed from her body by the fire.” Pressing her close against him, he coughed and whispered barely loud enough for her to hear: “O’nessa, you must let me know in the future where you spend the night. We could have lost you this night…” She couldn’t hear the rest anymore, the inhalation of the smoke took away her final breath.

She awoke coughing and inhaling fresh air into her lungs. She felt terribly disorientated as if she was awaking from one of her worst nightmares. She was surrounded by the elves that lived in the Quarter. “Irima…” Kelirahc’s voice called through the haziness to her adding to the comfort his arms brought, yet – why was he here? Her eyes met with his bringing a sudden rush, a brief insight, she could sense his feelings, his thoughts and then she realized, and knew he had too.

There was a change in the air, the wind was changing. The Tavern was completely on fire now and Gwen could see from the safe distance firey parts drifting… drifting…. “By the Valar !!! The books ! You must save the books !!!” All looked away from her and everybody’s faces looked in shock at the events unfolding. Triel Leafsong, the Treeshaper, cried out in horror.

Alar took charge now and began to order all present to either start getting means to extinguish the fire that was spreading or to hurry inside the Library to get the books out. As the terrible event unfold he didn’t wince when his own newly gotten home caught fire. Khila led Triel calmly to the Town Hall, telling her she had to use her powers to save the trees there.

As she lay to weak to help in Kelirahc’s arms, Gwen began to cry. The Trinsic Rose was lost and there wouldn’t be enough manpower to save the Infirmary and Alar’s trees. The trees seemed to cry out in pain and their wailing filled her ears and pierced her heart. What happened? Who could have done this?
By the time morning came the affected trees were too greatly damaged by the fire and had passed away, but all other trees were saved. All sat exhausted and looked at the terrible sight. The heart of the Quarter was destroyed…

(ooc: obviously there will not be a tavernshift this friday, but if all goes well there should be a new tavern coming monday)

*A letter arrives with the seal of Skara Brae*

We, People Of Skara Brae, would like to express our deepest sorrow for the disaster that just struck Your Virtuous People.
If by any means we can help you during this tough time, we would be happy to do so. We have strong and skilled citizens who could help you rebuilding your new tavern. We also have a lot of materials in reserve if you are in need of.

Best regards,

*Signed*

Bounty of Samlethe Forest, in the name of the Count Emile Lampet and the People Of Skara Brae.

To the people of Skara Brae,

Our thanks for your support in this crisis. After the flames died out several buildings in our beautifull Elven Quarter were lost.

As soon as the investigations were completed my people have begun regrowing new trees and rebuilding what was lost. Fortunately our Storage Tree was not affected by the fire and thus with our resources we have been able to complete at this moment almost everything.

Knowing how much those outside the Elven Quarter enjoy our tavern, our main priority has been to rebuild the Rose and i can proudly tell you that with hard work my people have done an outstanding job. The rebuild Trinsic Rose shall open its doors again tomorrow but can be visited already today.

Again thank you, People of Skara Brae, for your concern and kind words.

*signed*

Gwen Irima Maranwe
Guildmistress of the Elves
Tavernkeeper of the Trinsic Rose