What has happened before (Most of the Original story got lost due a forum wipe elsewhere):

In days long gone an elven man stumbled upon a Drow Orphan baby. He took pity on the baby and decided to raise the child together with his daughter. When the two children grew up to young adults the drow boy fell in love with the daughter, but the daughter loved an elven man instead. Angered that the Father would not force the daughter to marry the drow, the drow disappeared for a while. Wedding preparations were made and what was supposed to be a happy joyfull day turned out into a great disaster. The drow cursed the daughter and she died in the arms of her husband, her newborn child held tightly in their arms. The drow swore he would have her and again disappeared.

Many years later the grandchild of the daughter, VanQa (who looks nearly exactly the same), was discovered by the drow and for years he followed her mostly unnoticed, but sometimes showing himself purposely. Now with her husband gone on a long journey the Drow has begun to stalk VanQa more and more, becoming more violent and more forcefull to get what he want. It began with him leaving a mark on her hand, then with him impersonating her husband and forcing her to pretend he was him and now finally he and his henchmen successfully abducted her...

How will the tale end?

Saturday Night

Silence.

Iglata had left her chained to a wall. Not that she required any restrictions as such for she couldn’t leave anyway. Her ankle had swollen badly now. Most likely broken from the fall from the forts wall. One moment she was serving in the Tavern, expressing how peacefull it had been around the Elven Quarter lately. The next she found herself surrounded by strangers that were taking her to a place she had never been before.

She was all alone now, just as it had been predicted.

Monday Night

Do you remember when we were young? We would sit in father’s garden for hours many times. Just talking, or just sitting. I don’t know when it began, but many many times I dreamt of taking your hand in mine, drawing you close to me.

A moan

Can you imagine how lonely I have been all those years we have been apart? How long I have waited for you to return to me? When I first heard your voice after such a long time, I wept. It was as beautifull a sound as it was when we were young, maybe even more so since I had not heard it for so long.

A soft whisper

Iglata leaned back against the cold wall, staring ahead of him. It does no longer matter if you are her or not. I want you.

Another soft whisper

No, I’d rather not loose you again.

Silence.

Iglata rose. I do apologize for the pain I have caused you, but it is merely to let you know how much agony I go through every day. Maybe it will convince you. I must go now, my love. You have need of your things and I will go and gather them.

The sound of a door opening and closing, followed by the silent sound of drops falling on a cold floor.

Pain.

VanQa lay on the bed in what seemed to be a little house, curled up. Her skin was burning from the wounds she received from Iglata playing with the knife he had according to him also used to make the mark on her hand. There were strange symbols carved in her skin all over her body now. Her head hurt, throbbing with the same rhythm as her heart, but it was nothing compared to the pain coming from her ankle. As long a she didn’t move it was bearable.

Yet now, now was the time to move.

Iglata had left to gather resources, leaving her in the care of one of his henchmen. This person however was sleeping. For a moment VanQa closed her eyes, thinking over the choice she had and thinking about all the people she would miss if she didn’t act now.

Rolling over, she let herself fall off the bed, tears appearing in her eyes as she fought the urge to cry out while at the same time listening if her movement had alerted her guard. Days of painfull fiddling with the rope he had put on her after she lost consciousness when he held her chained finally had payed up. Slowly she rose, using the furniture to pull herself up.

The world was turning as dizziness took over, she shivered as the new marks started bleeding again from her moving around.

Her guard was still sleeping.

She hopped on one leg easily past him. Even though he was helping Iglata, she couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty for the trouble she was now causing the man. It was his choice. A choice he had made when he decided to aid Iglata.

Only several feet outside she collapsed for the first time in this journey of agony.

***

Some hours later the elf had managed to drag herself onto a field of Spiritwood, but exhaustion had caught up with her. At least he won’t have the pleasure of watching me die, she murmured softly.

Voices. Familiar voices.

At first she didn’t dare to move, afraid the voices of her friends were just an imagination. But they sounded so real to her that a little spark of hope made her raise herself as far as she could so she would be easier seen amongst the hay of the field. She waited and waited until: “Hey VanQa, “ a familiar voice greeted her.

A smile may have run over her face as she saw the commotion around her. A stretcher was made and people closed in to see if it was really her. They brought her back to the Elven Quarter, home. For some reason being surrounded by her friends, the people she loved so dearly for all the adventures they had had, the tears and laughter they had shared… Matters around her began to somehow fade, orders shouted, decisions made… she was safe now, in their midst and they would not let her die.

“I’m so tired…” she whispered. “Good bye, I’ll sleep some”

Whatever fate may have had in mind for her, her friends decided otherwise. Sounds around her became silent as she drifted away, sensing the warmth of Durinka’s healing…

*notice on the doors of the Infirmary of the Elven Quarter*

Thursday 29th September by Devante Stirling

Part 1, VanQa is found.

Gwen Irima had recieved information that might lead us to Iglata and VanQa, a large group of VanQas friends gathered at the Rose.

Elion led the party to Umbra and we moved on to the fort where we had encounted Iglata and his men the day VanQa was taken. I kicked at the gate expecting it to be locked like before only this time it was not, and i almost fell flat on my face as i forced my way through the unlocked gate.
Upon entering we were greeted by a man in a Hooded robe, we demanded to know where VanQa was, his reply was to start summoning spells, the Marksmen were very quick to act, all of us let of a shot before he had finished his wicked babbling, the man dropped as his chest was pierced by bolts.....dead. Fortunatly we didn't need information from him, he carried a map, which had a building marked on it, this we believed was the hideout of Iglata.
A portal was opened to Dungeon Destard, and the group marched towards the Farms near Spiritwood


After what seemed a lifetime of searching i found a body laying face down on a patch of farmland....it was VanQa, i feared the worst. I knelt down beside her, there was still life in her, she breathed and i called her name, she looked up and i could see she was in great pain, her body was covered in carvings, weird images like that which was carved into her hand before.
The rest of the party had gathered here now and while they debated what to do Lord Taggart hastily assembled a makeshift stretcher to carry her on, it was decided that the best place to take her was the Elven Quarter Infirmary, where she would recieve the best care, and it was quicker to open a portal to, rather than marching to Skara.


We reached the Elven Quarter and VanQa was carefully placed on a bed, she managed to mutter a few words about her escape and how she was tired before she fell into a Coma. Lady Durinka arrived and was able to keep her stable, although she had already lost a lot of blood. Durinka did not appear to believe she would pull through.


We still had work to do, Iglata had to be found......

Thursday 29th September by Devante Stirling

Part 2, Iglata is Captured.

Once VanQa had been settled into the Infirmary, her friends, the whole army of them made their way back to Skara brae to search for the hated Drow Iglata Slyannen.

The group split into smaller groups, some searching the farmland where VanQa had been found, others wandered the town, I did both, running like a man possesed.
Soon a messenger found us and reported that Lord Taggart had stopped a man in a dark hooded robe, like those worn by Iglatas men, I dashed to his location. When i arrived his face was still hidden under his hood, but he was foolish to speak infront of me, i would never forget that voice....
"Hello Iglata" I started
"Greetings Captain" he replied
Sergeant Jeran Arrowsmith pulled back Iglatas hood and our eyes met, he knew then that the game was up, this time there was no escape.
He started with his usual insulting, yet polite remarks, and tried to tell us how he had tortured VanQa, but i was not in the mood to hear it, I punched him hard to the gut making him bend in pain, then quickly pulled his head up and held it against the wall. I could see in the corner of my eye that this displeased the Vesperians nearby, and i heard them muttering threats towards me, but this was no time to play nice, this man was dangerous, Jeran and a lone Duchy recruit secured his hands behind his back, I ordered him to be gagged with bandages, i didn't want to hear any of VanQas ordeal.
Lord Taggart opened a portal to nearby Trinsic, and i dragged Iglata through with Taggarts help, whilst Jeran and Felix kept their Crossbows aimed at the Drow at all times.


We arrived at the Jails in Trinsic ,it was unmanned, so whilst we waited for a Duchy Guard with a key to arrive I sat Iglata in a chair, he had managed to free himself from his gag and was continuing to tell us of VanQas ordeal, I was about to break his jaw when Sergeant Kaelyn arrived, I was relieved it was Kaelyn, theres not another Duchy guard I could trust more with a man as dangerous as Iglata.

I had managed to restrain myself from killing Iglata outright, Justice is a virtue afterall, and whilst instant death would be a suitable punishment Taggart reminded me that everyone should at least have a trial. I was able to ignore Iglatas comments and only gave him a light beating in his cell. Foolishly Iglata passed me a bloodied knife that he claimed he had used on VanQa, i passed it to the Guard as it would be used as evidence in the Trial.

Iglata Slyannen is now in the hands of the Duchy of Trinsic waiting to face trial, I trust they will see that Justice is served, My Marksmen will be ready to carry out the sentance.................Death

End of Devante's report

Don’t mornings feel more chilly then usual when you have to wake early? Gwen Irima stood waiting together with Ruadnit for Durinka and other elves to come out of the Infirmary. She rubbed her hands together once more, feeling a little uncomfortable besides the one called lifebearer. She was now officially in place, taking over the duties that VanQa normally would do. She had and was prepared well for the tasks ahead, but Rana and Durinka never told her that VanQa was loved so much that earning the same sort respect would not be easy.

The door of the infirmary opened and Ruadnit moved to take over Durinka’s place at the stretcher on which VanQa lay. Durinka herself turned to Gwen. “Good luck. When there is any change, I will let you know. And Gwen… don’t be too hard on yourself, be who you are, it will be sufficient”

They exchanged a nod and then quietly, swiftly left. Gwen stood on the edge of the Elven Quarter, watching them leave through the moongate.

Namaarie VanQa, may the Valar watch over you