Stolen Parchment

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
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(2/26/02 3:21 pm)
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Bindi sat back in her seat and glanced over her stein at the patrons of the Fool's Gold. She frequented this place often but the unwariness of passers through never ceased to amaze her. She spotted a very drunk elf talking loudly to one of the tenders. His speech was slurred, but she thought she could make out a few words. "Crushbone" and "Mistmoore" were names that she found familiar in his tale. She let her eyes take in the beauty of his robe. It seemed to have silver threads woven into the very fabric. She wistfully hoped that one day she would be so good of a tailor to make such finery. His money pouch hung heavily from his belt and jingled whenever he moved as it bounced off his pack. Scrolls and blank parchment sheets protruded from it. Bindi cocked her head to the side as she eyed the parchment. 'Bout time I started a jounral I spose.'

She stood up and downed the remainder of her drink before beginning to move silently towards the bar. Mac Deeppockets raised his eyebrow at her as she neared the elf and she smiled sweetly at him, holding a finger to her lips. He shook his head and went back to cleaning glasses. Bindi walked behind the elf, glanced around to see if anyone else had noticed her presence, and disappeared from sight. She waited until the elf was involved in his story before lifting a sheet from his pack, rolling it up quickly and stuffing it in her cloak. She stepped from her hiding spot and exited the tavern, winking at Mac as she hurried out into the rain and made a dash for her hole.

Bindi closed the door behind her and took off her cloak, hanging it on a hook by the door. She took the parchment from its inner pocket and sat down at the table with a quill:


"Well, this be my first journal an I really dinna know where ta begin, so much has happened ta me in tha last few years. Me parents heard I came o age an sent me a letter. I grudginly took tha family name, knowin I only did it because I knew I would be changin it soon. Ahh Saturday, ye canna get here fast enough fer me. I'm so excited bout tha weddin. Dondi is such a sweetheart an I canna wait ta be his bride.

I'm saddened too though, bout him havin ta chose between me an his pap. It hurts me heart for I know what its like ta not have good relations with yer parents. An I jes hope he knows how bad I feel fer him. I didna wanna be tha cause o strife fer him or his pap. Bristlebane knows tearin them apart after they jes patched things up was tha last thing I wanted. My poor Dondi. Alas.

On a lighter note, Dondi an I decided ta adopt an elf lad as our own. Little Romaijn. I have no doubt he will make us proud. He be a fast learner that one, takin up tailorin so quickly he's nearly outdone me already! An he's so polite an always so greatful fer tha little gifts we pick up fer him. Hopefully one day we can get him invited to tha guild. He would find no better friends in all o Norrath, or Luclin fer that matter."


Bindi yawned. The drinks she had had tonight were beginning to take their toll. She would have to work on that tolerance of hers before the wedding if she planned to have as good a time as her guests. She rolled up the parchment and went back to the bedroom. Bindi removed a lose tile from the wall and slid the parchment into the compartment that it hid. She yawned again and got dressed for bed. The downy pillow was a welcome comfort after the makeshift camps she had spent the last few weeks sleeping in. She blew out the lantern and pulled the covers up to her chin, drifting away to sleep with wedding plans darting through her mind.

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
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Posts: 5
(2/26/02 3:22 pm)
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She was running across the hot sand. Blood spouted from deep wounds and trickled down the front of her dented breastplate. She looked over her shoulder and could see the Sand Giant gaining on her again. Behind the Giant a much smaller figure was darting towards her. Dondi. "Run! Get away!" She screamed at him over her shoulder, praying to Bristlebane that he would have time to escape while the Giant was busy finishing her off. "I'm not leaving you." Frustration overwhelmed her, for she knew if he did not take his chance to run he would meet the same fate as she. "RUN DAMMIT!" But, he kept coming. The Giant was upon her again. She lost her footing and crashed face first into the sand. She looked over her shoulder and saw a huge foot coming down over her. She squeezed her eyes shut.

SMACK! Bindi opened her eyes. She was laying on the floor beside her bed, sweat covered her making her gown stick to her body. She panted for breath as she realized it was just another nightmare. She couldn't shake them. Ever since that day in Oasis, that Giant, Dondi....

She shuddered and stood up, tucking her tussled hair behind her ear. Bindi spread out the covers on the bed and looked at her armor laying on the dresser. She ran her hand over the dented breastplate, the scratched leggings. Memories of battles past flooded her mind. She decided to put off dressing for a bit longer. Dondi wasn't expected until later anyway.

She removed the tile from the wall and pulled out the piece of parchment stowed there. Glancing over the words, she smiled and took a seat at the table.


"Had another nightmare last nite. Same as before, that time Dondi came back fer me. It haunts me still that he loves me so much, is willing to risk so much fer me. I canna understand it at all. He comes frum a prosperous family, high standin in tha Vale. He chose a noble profession an took up brewin like his pap. An then there's me. All but fergotten by me parents, slinkin through alleys, pickin pockets, not trusted by even me friends. An yet, he finds somethin here he loves. Somethin HE trusts.

Tis easy fer me ta love him. Everythin about him is so...perfect. He's wise an noble. He's honest an gentle. What is it he sees? What about me is there not ta distain?"


A teardrop ran down Bindi's cheek and fell to the parchment, making the ink run a bit. She wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her gown and read over the words she wrote, now made blurry by tears. She sighed heavily and returned the parchment to its hiding place. She looked at her armor again and began to dress for the day. Outside, the rain from the day before had left the sweet smell of spring in the air, hope for new beginnings. 

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
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Posts: 6
(2/26/02 3:24 pm)
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Bindi stopped suddenly and held her breath. She was trying to get out of bed without waking Dondi, but creaking springs led to mumbled replies from her new husband. She waited for him to settle back down before she dared to breath again. He rolled over and sighed heavily. She let her breath out slowly and stood up.

He was so cute when he was sleeping. She bent down and kissed him solfly on the cheek, feeling the stubble of the beard he was regrowing tickle her lips. Bindi smiled. There was no luckier hobbit lass in all of Norrath, nope not one.

Bindi threw her cloak around her shoulders and pulled the loose tile from the wall, glancing back to Dondi to make sure he was still sleeping soundly. She took the parchment and preplaced the tile quietly before pouring herself a glass of milk and sitting down at the table

"Oh I am so happy! We finally got all tha paperwerk done fer gettin me name changed an now I really AM Mrs Thunderbelly! And tha weddin was tha most beautiful thing. Brutin did a splendid job o weddin us, since poor Elsbet wa sfeelin under tha weather. An I think Dondi's quite proud o him fer behavin so well, which is more than I can say fer tha bears.

An Mixxi looked like an angel, her and Tup and Mr Bippin all dressed up in their finery.

And Dondi! I jes couldna wait ta see that smile on his face when I walked in! An there is was, not hidden by a beard -though between you an me I canna wait fer him ta grow it back, he jes doesna look like himself."

Bindi smiled again and returned the parchment to its hiding place and sipped her milk as she waited for Dondi to wake. 

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
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(2/26/02 3:25 pm)
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Bindi takes the parchment from its hiding place and notices how full its getting. She will have to get another piece soon if she is to continue this journal for long. Dondi is away helping their mage frien Ntalliya with her studies and she has the hole to herself for a couple of days. Bindi glances out the window at the mist laden grass and pulls out her quill.

"Things have been goin so well fer us since tha weddin. Dondi an I are closer than ever, of course, and I'm always pleased ta spend more time with him. We heard rumors of a band o pirates out on an island in the Ocean of Tears recently. Dondi an I decided ta dispatch them, ta keep tha ship in that area safe frum their attacks. But when we came upon them we were startled ta discover that they had a Giant werkin with them. No WONDER they had been there so long..who was brave enough ta say no to a Giant when he wants ta plunder yer ship. We enlisted tha help of Wystro an Triest an laid seige to tha island fer a whole afternoon, slayin as many of them as we could get our hands on. They musta been very good at piratin fer when we killed tha Giant (finally) he had tha booty frum a number o ships in his posession. We were quite pleased with ourselves by tha end o tha day, having also found some toes that tha Giant (named Gornit we found out when we heard tha other pirates screamin his name fer help) had apparently stolen frum other giants. I dinna know still what he wanted with those toes an I expect there be not a few Giants hobblin around what with no toes an all. We went back later to tha island with even more friends ta lay seige to it again, with much success.

Another thing weighin on me mind is Dondi's pap. I know he feels that his pap forced that decision on him but i canna help but feel a twang o guild everytime I think on it. I was wonderin if there be anything I could do ta remedy it an I think I have reached a decision. I shall follow in Bippin's steps an get meself Redeemed. An after that I will change me profession ta "Dye Maker" with tha hopes that Dondi's pap will think it be noble enough ta like me, or at least like him again. *sigh* I pray Bristlebane will allow this change fer me without mussin it up too much. But, with all things, I dinna know if that be likely."

Bindi folded up the now full sheet of parchment and slid it to the back of its hiding place. She glanced out the window again as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud. Hopefully Dondi would return soon so she could talk her decision over with him. She always felt better about things when she had his support. 

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 60
(3/20/02 3:16 pm)
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Dearest Dondi,

I trust this reaches ye in a safe an timely manner. I had ta send it through one o tha cat mail carriers an I couldna speak his tongue vera well. I think I got me message across ta him, though, an I wrote yer name real neat like so's he could read it properly.

I've been holed up on tha moon fer a while now in a place called Marus Seru-at least I think that's how ye say it. These cats speak oddly with lots o growlin sounds. Tis a hard language ta learn. Talli, Rorack, Jebbar an a vera sweet northwoman we call Kat have been up here with me, tryin ta put down some o these rock creatures an tha vera mean horse type things that roam this area. Tis very vast an desolate out here an I long fer tha green hills back home. I canna wait ta be back in our hole together an tell ye all tha tales I have of this strange land.

Donna worry about me safety though. Jebbar is vera good at keepin those rock things frum hittin on me too hard. An I even have a vera thick piece o leather paddin under me tunic ta keep me tummy safe. Wouldna want anythin bad ta happen ta tha little one. I've been quite sickly most mornin's an hungry most o tha daytime. I shore hope that goes away afer a while as I'm startin ta gain a bit o weight. I can tell I'm gettin heavy an I've been bummin that magik strength off Kat every chance I get.

I miss ye so much dear an I wish ye could be here with me. I turned 33 yesterdie an I hate that we couldna celebrate tagether. Though, I canna drink yer good Ginesh now, what with tha baby an all. Tha clerics back home in Rivervale said drinkin was bad fer tha baby so I havena touched a drop since I found out I was with child.

One thing that keeps amazin me here is those two Gnomes. They be growin up so fast! Well...not growin UP per se...they still be quite short. But their studies have been comin along vera fast an I'm shore their teachers are quite proud of em.

I spose I should get to tha real reason I'm sendin this letter to ye. I was speakin with me informant in Neriak yesterdie an he told me that he's heard a rumor about a couple o tha inkies plannin somethin. He didna know many details, cept that it involved tha two wizards that guard tha castle, way back in tha bowels o Third Gate. I figger since I'm in good with tha guards thar now, that I should plan a trip back that way ta see what I can find out before its too late. My informant told me that he had seen some vera odd shipments comin in to that part o town lately...boxes o knives an rope an chains. He's figgerin they be gonna capture some hobbits an torture them inta givin up information. So I shall be headin ta Neriak first chance I get. I surely hope to be able ta stop by our hole an see ye on me way thar, as I miss ye desperately, an I canna wait ta hug ye an let ye put yer hand on me tummy an feel tha baby kickin. Least I think its tha baby...perhaps I have gas..hrm.

Well, whatever tha case, I shall see ye soon.
With love,

Bindi Thunderbelly


Edited by: Bindi the Hobbit at: 3/21/02 4:11:01 pm

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 62
(3/21/02 5:12 pm)
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Dearest Dondi,

This letter comes to you from the frozen lands o Velious. We teleported down inta this wasteland from tha Nexus so that we could help tha dorfs in tha Crystal Caverns with their orc problem. Little did I know this would be such a bad trip fer me.

Everythin started out well enough. We fought our way inta tha caverns an pushed tha orcs back a bit. They retreated inta their deeper lair an we used magik ta float down to tha bottom o tha caves. Oh, Dondi! Seein tha beauty o that place brought back memories o tha first time ye took me thar. Tis so pretty with tha ice glowin an such. Perhaps tha beauty of it be what got me in trouble...but that be later in me story.

We had decided ta exit tha Caverns an then sneak back to tha entrance in hopes that tha orcs we pushed back originally would have ventured back out thinkin we left. We were all set up ta leave when some vera pretty see-through spiders came an jumped on us. Halus an Rorack tried their darndest ta keep em preoccupied whist me an Jebbar hacked away at em. Things were goin well fer a while but then Kat, our shaman, passed out. Must have been tha cold. Well, I was a bit banged up at this point an hid meself so's I could regain some strength whist tha chanters kept tha spiders dazed. Unfortunately one woke up an somehow saw me. He came straight fer me an brought his friends. Tha next thing I knew I was sittin back in Thurgadin, nekkid an freezin.

Once they got Kat woken up, she an Halus came fer me an lead me back down so's I could get me things back. Talli was kind enough ta summon me some vera pretty red lacey armor ta wear until I got me things back. We went ta head out again and that's when tha beauty o tha ice got to me. I dinna know ifn I was blinded by tha brilliance o tha ice or ifn tha pathway to tha left jes looked so perdy but either way I found meself face ta fac...err face ta teeth with a crystal thingy. It was nearly as tall as I was. I made a run fer it but by then some o tha others had seen me an they commenced ta poundin on me. Poor Rorack came back fer me an got caught up in tha mess too an they tore through us like rag dolls. Again, I was left sittin in Thurgadin. Least I wasna a lone this time. Poor Rorack. Again, they came back fer us.

We set off through tha Great Divide an were headed back over tha wastelands when out of nowhere we got ambushed by tha Kromdif Death Squad. I've never seen such angry giants...not even in tha cursed Oasis. They stepped on me and stomped on me until I was nothin but a red splash in tha snow. Rorack an Halus took off methinks an made it back inta tha Caverns (tha entrance must be too small fer tha giants ta fit in). An there I was, back in Thurgadin.

I was bawlin me eyes out at this point. I was sore from head ta toe. I was nekkid an cold. But most worrisome of all was tha fact that me tummy hurt. I'm shore one o those giants stepped right on it. I picked meself up slowly an made me way to tha clerics in Thurgadin whilst I waited fer Ahris ta come ta find me corpse. The kindly dorf midwife examined me an said I was lucky... tha baby was jes fine. But she said that ifn I get hurt like that again I may not be so lucky.

I'm supposed ta take it easy from now on. I feel like I had a year o me life ripped away from me so's I think first off I'll try me battle skills again. Goodly Henk was kind enough ta come restore me spirit to me body...twice...but even still I need ta hone me skills a bit more. I think I shall do that for jes a bit an then make me way ta Neriak. Gatherin information about those two inkies should be easy enough on me body. I canna wait ta be in yer arms again, love. I shall see ye soon.

With Love,
Bindi

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 66
(3/22/02 3:59 pm)
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To: Tuppen Tangledroots, FootHAIR
From: Bindi Thunderbelly, FootHAIR
Re: Nektulos

Tuppen, I can only pray ta Bristlebane that this be findin ye in time. Aldrick sent word back yeterdie that Nektulos forest has changed quite dramatically, no doubt from evil magiks permeatin tha very air thar. I heard that there be Halflin skeletons walkin about those woods now. This is tha final piece o evidence I need ta know that those wizards guardin tha castle in Neriak are definately up ta somethin. Me informant told me they saw a couple o necromancers slinkin their way down to tha wizards yesterdie jes before those skeletons showed up. We must act with haste.

I canna express my sorrow knowin that our fellow Hobbits are bein turned into undead. T'would be best ifn they jes kilt em outright than ta re-animate em like that an have em stalkin tha woods, forever unable ta rest. I'm shore ye feel tha same way.

Tonight I will make plans ta leave Velious an head back to tha Commons. I must see what I can learn about these wizards fore it be too late.

Watch yer back. I heard a rumor that some o tha inkies have heard o HAIRS an, though I dinna know if its true, I think takin caution is in order.

Bindi Thunderbelly 

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 77
(3/28/02 4:17 pm)
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Bindi shrouded herself in illusion and the woods around her lit up with a blue hue. Though she would never admit it to her friends, she rather liked the Dark Elf illusion. It was nice to be able to look over the counter at merchants instead of having to come around behind the counter and tug on their tunic to get noticed. She strode surely past the guards. She didn't want to attract attention to herself, so she walked briskly into Neriak, ignoring the hails of young Drow. Being unable to speak their tongue would surely give her away.

She had spent the past couple of months working on her faction with the merchants here, and she stopped by a tavern for an ale to calm her nerves and inquire with the tender about any newcomers. He shrugged and moved on to another customer. Bindi thanked Bristlebane that, much like the tenders in the Fool's Gold, those here in Neriak spoke Thieves Cant very well. She finished her ale and tossed a few coins on the counter before making her way to the Commons area.

As soon as she walked through the gate, she stepped in something that squished under her foot. Bindi looked down and gagged. The mostly decayed body of what used to be a halfling lay on the path. The skin was puckered and drawn up into an unnatural shape and she realized that the poor hobbit's bones had been removed. No doubt they now roamed the forest of Nektulos as undead. She wiped the bottom of her boot on a rock and walked quickly to the entrance of the Third Gate, willing herself not to release the bile that was rising in the back of her throat.

Bindi entered the Third Gate and closed her eyes as she stepped through the glowing ward symbol that hovered in front of her. The Drow had a number of these placed in various areas of their city, but this was the only one that must be passed through in order to get into this area. As she moved through it, time seemed to slow down to a crawl. A wave of cold swept over her as though she had fallen into Iceclad Ocean. Images of death flooded her thoughts and a sense of dread came over her so strongly that she was forced to her knees. She fell through the image and caught herself with her hands, panting for breath. She didn't think she would ever get used to that. Her baby struggled within her and she sat back, wrapping her arms around her belly. "Hush now little one...Mama's here...You're safe," she cooed. She caught her breath and heaved herself to her feet just as a guard rounded the corner. He glared at her, but she quickly walked past him towards the library.

She had found that one of the librarians had a weakness...red wine. She had been bringing him bottles of it whenever she was in the city, and as such had gained his trust. She asked him for directions to the Palace, slipping him another bottle, and he smiled at her and pointed her in the right direction. She left the library and crossed the wooden bridge. As she neared the end of it, she could hear voices trickling through the hallway.

Bindi crept into the hallway that led to the Palace and peeked around the corner. Three Drow were engaged in conversation and she leaned in a little closer to try to see them better. Two of them wore matching, finely crafted robes. She assumed that they must be the Wizard guards. The other wore a robe so black that no light played across the curves and creases of it. It was as if he wore darkness itself. His head and hands seemed to be hanging in midair, suspended to the black void that clothed him. Just behind him stood an animated corpse, bits of flesh still hanging on its bones in places. Every few seconds it would let out a raspy moan.

Bindi tilted her trained ear towards the conversation, trying to pick out words. She cursed herself for not learning the dark tongue, but after a moment noticed one word that kept being repeated. She concentrated a bit and connected with her family's collective consciousness. "They keep saying this word. It's Vesabun...no, no...its Vestaban...Who is that?"

Brutin's voice broke through. "Bindi, get out of there."

Bindi kept watching the Drow. "Who is it, Brutin?"

"Vestaban is like me, only he's Innoruuk's man. If Innoruuk is there your disguise is useless. Get out now!"

Suddenly, the necromancer turned and looked over his shoulder, as if someone were there talking to him. Then he looked straight at Bindi and smiled.

"Why would Innoruuk be her...OOF!" She felt her illusion fall away and a magik came over her, freezing her in place, making her unable to move her legs or arms.

"Well, well...what have we here. It's Brutin's little pregnant peck!" The wizards looked at her and started laughing. Vestaban, she was sure that must be the necromancer's name, walked over to her and twisted her arms behind her back until she was forced to drop her blades and they went clattering to the floor.

"Ouch! Let go of me!" She tried to make her arms move, but she was held fast.

Vestaban snickered. "Heh, stupid peck. Maybe this will get the pawn's attention." He picked up Bindi's dagger and turned it backwards in his hand. Bindi looked at him fearfully as he brought the hilt of the dagger down sharply on the back of her head. She screamed once before darkness as black as his robe overtook her.

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 78
(3/28/02 5:31 pm)
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Bindi opened her eyes slowly and reached back, her fingers gingerly inspecting the goose-egg on the back of her head. She sat up slowly and shut her eyes until her head stopped swimming. Bindi blinked back her growing headache and took in her surroundings. She was on a table in what she recognized as the cleric guild of Neriak. A few candles were lit and she could see figures moving in the flickering shadows. She swung her legs over the side of the table and was just about to stand up when pain shot through her abdomen, causing her to double over and gasp for breath. The pain lasted for a few seconds and by the time it subsided, she was drenched in sweat.

Panic overwhelmed her. What had they done to her? Had they poisoned her? Was her baby going to be ok? She looked around the room for something she could use as a weapon, but before long Vestaban entered. She tried to be brave, but he emitted such an aura of evil that she shrank back against the table.

"Ahh good to see you woke up. I was thinking there for a while that I had hit you too hard and was going to have to carve you up to get that little brat of yours. But now it seems that you will get to experience the joy of labor after all." He grinned evily.

Bindi stood there in shock. It hadn't occurred to her that they wanted her baby, or that the pain could be labor. Tears welled up in her eyes and she screamed, "Ye willna lay one tainted finger on my baby!" Vestaban chuckled at her as she was wracked by another contraction and fell to her knees. He was still laughing at her when she rushed him from her crouched position, knocking him onto his back. Before she could throw a punch, however, his undead servant was upon her, punching and kicking. She reeled from the blows, falling back onto the table, trying desperately to shield her stomach.

Vestaban got to his feet and called the skeleton off. "Can't have the baby getting hurt now, can we? What would we use as bait? HAH!" He seemed to think this whole situation was rather funny. Bindi fumed. Vestaban called for a cleric. "Bring a bowl of water and some rags. We are going to have a baby soon. Let nothing happen to it, or it's your life." The cleric bowed and exited. Bindi began to cry as the contractions began anew.

Within the hour, she was screaming in pain as new life was brought into the world under the tainted eyes of a horde of Drow. Bindi had never felt so embarrassed and violated in her life. She gripped the backs of her thighs and pushed one last time, the baby falling into the hands of the cleric of Innoruuk who quickly cut the cord and held the tiny boy up for Vestaban to see. Vestaban smiled and held out his hands. The cleric placed the baby in his arms and Bindi summoned the strength to curse him. "Give him to me! He be my son! Donna take him...oh please donna take my son..." She broke down into tears. The cleric made no move to attend to her, and exited the room behind Vestaban. Bindi tried to get up, but she was too weak and tired. She was bleeding freely and she tried desperately to squelch the flow with the rags left behind by the cleric. She lay there on the table weeping, while her son was wisked away to parts unknown.

Vestaban came back later that evening with a very large ogre he introduced as Moosh. Bindi kept her face to the wall, no longer able to cry, not trusting her voice to speak. Moosh picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder like a rag doll, but she was too weak to resist. She passed out before they left the town and when she awoke again, she was blindfolded and her hands were bound. Moosh – she was sure it was him, his rank odor was unmistakable – carried her for a long while and finally sat her down on a cold stone floor. She was roughly pulled to her feet by two sets of hands, and was batted back and forth between them as they took turns tearing off pieces of her armor. When she was completely naked, they threw her down a hole and she lay moaning on a wet stone floor until unconsciousness overtook her again.

Her first thought upon awakening was to hide. She crawled slowly around the perimeter of the room she was in and decided it was a cell. She made her way into a corner and tried to hide the best she could. It seemed as though she was there for days before she heard a familiar voice calling. Finneas? Could it be? How had he found her? Then other voices joined in and she wept with happiness. It seemed her whole family had come to rescue her. She heard the sounds of battle, but remained hidden, for she didn't know who would win. When at last she was untied and led outside to the waiting arms of her closest friends, she collapsed to the floor, wracked with sobs. Her son was in the hands of Vestaban and his Drow lackeys. She wished for death.

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 87
(4/3/02 12:34 pm)
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Bindi was very cross. She had been in an altercation with an Inkie and was trying her darndest not to cry at the memory of it. She was suspicious of their whole race now, and tried to keep her distance from them as often as possible, but that run in at the bank in Thurgadin couldn't have been helped. She had tried to hide behind her comrads so that the Drow couldn't see her, but he did anyway.

"I hope they skinned your runt alive..." The Drow's words echoed in her mind even now, miles away from Norrath in the Bazaar. And as she looked around, she could see their dark forms slinking in and out of the shadows.

Her worst fear now was not for her son, however. She knew that as long as he was useful to Vestaban, he was safe. Her fear was that Innoruuk had won already. She knew that her family was loyal to their own and that they would all do whatever they could to get her son back, but many of them were being changed in the process. Jebbar was more consumed with hate than ever, she could see it burning behind his eyes as she glanced at him in battle. Brutin was so focused on the game that he didn't even try to pat her bum the last time she saw him. Dondi had stopped traveling and hunting with her, preferring to "relax" back home in Rivervale. She knew however that he was fuming more than relaxing. Finneas, Nina, Talli, Rorack, Kat...they all fussed over her so much that she felt smothered sometimes.

Bindi sighed as she sat in the tavern, sipping some ale and pondering what to do next. She couldn't go back to Neriak, it was too dangerous. Not that she WANTED to at this point, but she figgered that was where her son was and she wanted him back. But it wouldn't do for her to go get herself killed in the process...who would raise the boy? She took another swig. The group was supposed to journey to Twilight Sea tonight. The beauty of the trees there and the clean Luclin air would do her some good. And if she got tired of fighting, she could go explore Katta. She tired of fighting easily these days. Her friends had tried to get her back into the hunt as soon as possible to get her mind off her loss, but she wasn't sure that her body was ready for it yet. She still felt weak and sore, but she sucked it up. The last thing she wanted was for her friends to think she was slipping.

Bindi tossed a few coins on the counter and walked out onto the balcony. She peered over at the mass of people and picked out Rorack in the croud. They were beginning to gather. She held her hands in front of her face and watched as they trembled. They never used to do that. She clenched her fists and headed downstairs. She was a rogue after all, and rogues don't show weakness. 

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 98
(4/10/02 4:38 pm)
Reply | Del  Re: Stolen Parchment
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Brutin rushed forward to catch Bindi as her knees gave way. He cradled her under her arms and lowered her gently to the ground, then kneeled in front of her. "Easy there, lass." Bindi's mouth was slightly ajar and she was staring blankly past Brutin. He tilted her chin up with a finger until she brought her eyes up to meet his. "We're gonna get him back, ok? I'm sorry I got you into this mess, but we're gonna get him back."

Bindi nodded slowly and began to weep, deep wracking sobs that shook her whole body. Brutin held her while she cried, rocking her slowly. "We need to tell your husband, Bindi. We need to go to Rivervale while he's still there." Bindi sniffled a bit and wiped her tearstained cheeks on her sleeve. She nodded again and Brutin helped her to her feet. He led her slowly across the Karana's, through the Gorge and Runnyeye, and finally towards her town.

Brutin headed inside, but Bindi stopped at the gate. He turned around. "Come on Bindi, we're here." He could tell that she was blinking back tears, trying to compose herself enough to speak. He took a step towards her and hugged her. "He needs to know. Come on lass, we need to tell him."

Bindi shook her head. "I...I donna think I can Brutin. I...I lost his son...I canna tell him this."
Brutin looked in her eyes. "You didn't lose him, Bindi. He was taken. You can't blame yourself for this. Vestaban will pay, mark my words. HE is responsible, not you." He saw a tear escape her eye and he sighed. "I'll tell him, ok?" Bindi nodded and they entered the city.

They headed past the busy bank area where people of all races had gathered to sell their wares. Hobbit children ran through the town, laughing and chasing one another. The slight smell of alcohol reached them from the Fool's Gold. They headed towards the lake, and saw Dondi's red hair, shining in the afternoon sun. A tankard was sitting beside his can of bait and he had lain back on the grass, his fishing pole propped up beside him. He looked up as he heard them approach and jumped to his feet. "Brutin! Bindi! What a nice surprise..Bindi?" He noticed her tears and ran to her. "Bindi what's wrong? Brutin?" He looked to the dwarf. "What's going on?" Dondi looked from Brutin to his wife and back. Brutin sighed.

"You better sit down, Dondi." Bindi collapsed onto the grass and Dondi went to his knees beside her. He wrapped an arm around Bindi and looked up at Brutin. "Dondi, I got a visit from Innoruuk last night." He shifted his weight from foot to foot and sighed heavily. "They, uh...they moved your son out of Neriak and..." Brutin trailed off, his eyes on the ground. Bindi had started crying again.

Dondi stood back up. "Out with it, Brutin. And what?"

"Apparently they are training him in the Dark Arts." Brutin looked back up at Dondi. The same look of shock had come over his face that Brutin had seen on Bindi's earlier. Dondi walked towards the dock a few steps and stopped. Brutin could see him clenching his fists. He turned and came back to Bindi, sitting down beside her. Bindi looked up at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. He brushed them away with the back of his hand and wrapped her in his arms, holding her close, as he too began to weep. They were still holding each other, crying unashamed, when Brutin turned to leave. Vestaban would pay.

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 247
(6/18/02 11:49 am)
Reply | Del  Re: Stolen Parchment
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Bindi was dreaming. It was the sort of dream where she knew she was dreaming, but decided to stay asleep and see what happened.

In her dream she was walking through Rivervale. There was a tugging in her mind as though she was trying to remember something about this place, but everytime she nearly had it the memory would slide back into the gray periphery of her thoughts.

She walked past the pottery wheel and down the lane to her hole. The other holes that she passed were fresh looking with beautiful flowers blooming in the gardens. As she approached her own hole, she knew something was wrong. The door stood ajar and was hanging on by only one hinge. The flowers outside were all dead and crumbled to dust when she passed by. She pushed the door open gingerly and stepped inside. A thick layer of dust covered everything, the pots and pans were all tarnished, and the table was tilted over on a broken leg.

She walked back into the bedroom. A small tinkered toy lay on one of the small beds. She fingered it lightly and felt a pang of grief shoot through her. She looked at the master bed. The blankets on it were old and rotting, and when she touched them a small cloud of moths took flight.

She saw something shiney on the floor and knelt down to pick it up. Holding the object in her hand, she stared at it and wondered vaguely why the only emotion she was feeling was determination. She slipped the small object into her pocket and walked out of the hole, closing the door behind her. Then she made her way out into the thicket without looking back...

Bindi sat up. The dream was still very vivid in her mind, and it took her a moment to realize where she was. She sat high on a rock, overlooking the ocean. She was wrapped up in her cloak, but she didnt remember covering herself with it before she fell asleep. Bindi reached into her pocket and her eyes widened slightly as she felt a small object which hadnt been there before. And she wondered vaguely why the only thing she felt was determination. 

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 324
(7/18/02 10:23 am)
Reply | Del  Re: Stolen Parchment
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Bindi waded out into the pool and splashed the water on her face, wiped it off, and proceeded to very diligently clean every inch of her body. When she had finished, she did it again...and again. By the time she stepped out of the pool and wrapped her cloak around herself, her skin was red and raw in some places from the furious scrubbing.

And still she felt dirty.

It had all started innocently enough. She had gone down to the Faydark to sell some of her steins when she found out that Brutin was in Crushbone healing younglings. She headed to Crushbone to inquire as to whether he had any new information about her son. Before she knew it, Brutin had somehow weaseled her a spot in the Sebilis group he had been invited to, even setting it up so that she could get her own key. They headed to the spire together; the group was meeting in the Nexus.

Bindi had never been to Sebilis – or the Emerald Jungle, or Trakanon's Teeth for that matter – and being the least experienced of the group left her a bit worried. Brutin patted her butt and promised to take care of her. She raised an eyebrow at him and he grinned. Then they were swept up through the aether and suddenly, they were standing in the Nexus.

"Bindi! Brutin! Join us!" Bindi turned around to see who their leader would be and her heart sank. An inkie. She surveyed the rest of the group. Two inkies. She groaned and grabbed Brutin's arm, dragging him to the side.
"Ye didna tell me I was gonna have ta group with inkies!" she whispered harshly.
"I didn't know either, chick. But think about it...I have no problem using them to gain power so that I can use that power to kill their god. Don't you love the irony?"
Bindi sighed, hoping things wouldn't go as sour as she feared.

The druid whisked them away to the Emerald Jungle and then flew off again to gather up the bard in the Karanas. Bindi paced nervously, hands on her dagger h ilts. Brutin oogled the ladies. The Shadow Knight spoke. "Bindi, I know you from somewhere!"

Bindi's heart jumped up into her throat. Could he be one of the ones who was there in Neriak when they took her son? She looked anxiously between the two inkies, trying to determine if they looked familiar. Cold drops of sweat began to form on her forehead. "Wh...where would that be from, eh?" she managed.
"I don't know. You look very familiar. Did you go with us to kill Lord Nagafen?"
"Nay, I amna experienced enough fer dragons. I'm surprised that yer lettin me go ta Sebilis!" Bindi chuckled nervously.
"Well, Katryna is a friend of mine...perhaps I saw you with her somewhere..." The inkie pondered.

It hit her. Lethux. The one Kat and Nina were always talking about being a noble inkie. She breathed a small sigh of relief and went over to speak privately with him. "I have heard that ye be noble, an that may well be true. But I was kidnapped by yer kind an my son taken as I gave birth ta him. I never even got ta hold him. So ye'll understand ifn I keep an eye on her..." Bindi motioned towards the other Drow.
Lethux nodded slightly. "She is my love, and is honorable, even if the rest of her League is not. She will bring you no harm, and neither will I."
Bindi shrugged. "We'll see, aye?" She went back and sat with Brutin, fearing his roving hands infinately less than the inkie's enchantments.

The group quickly got Bindi a key and began the slaughter within the ancient Iksar city. Relentless attacks by the new frog residents took their toll on the group, and they rested up before the next assault. As Lethux ran down a ramp to gather more enemies, Bindi put her insecurities behind her and went into battle mode. This was going to be a tough one and she forced herself to focus. The Shadow Knight came back with frogs and bugs on his heels and fell to the ground in a monk-worthy display of feigned death. Everyone held their breath as one frog wandered away and the bug was tagged up to where they were waiting. Bindi's eyes were fixed firmly on Lethux's target. She began stabbing away at the large beetle with all her might, green fluid oozing out of the many dagger holes in its carapace and forming a slick pool beneath the bug. Everything was going well – the beetle was nearly dead – until another frog wandered up...and then another. The fighters ignored them, slaying the beetle and renewing their attack on the first of the frogs.

Then it happened. The Enchantress screamed as she fell beneath the spells of the frog shaman. Bindi cared only because it left them vulnerable – one less inkie in the world was no great loss to her. She kept up her position opposite Lethux until she heard a grunt and looked over just in time to see Brutin fall. Her eyes narrowed as she tore into the frog with renewed vigor. An inkie was one thing, family was something different. She was consumed by the battle. She had only vague memories of Lethux falling, of the bard and druid falling, of the slashes and fists and spells that rained down on her as she stabbed at the frogs. Something warm ran into her eyes, she kept stabbing blindly. Something slammed into her from behind. She tripped over Lethux's corpse and her body fell lifeless next to Brutin's.

Bright lights. Voices. Bindi opened her eyes and found herself staring up into the kindly face of the Soulbinder in Shadow Haven. She got up and made her way to the Bazaar to gather with the rest of the group. Sneaking around the buildings, she hid until the druid ported them down to the Jungle.

Bindi was shaking and crying by the time they had run back to Sebilis. She could feel the inkie's eyes on her naked body, imagined or otherwise. All the horrible memories of her torture in Neriak came rushing back. The hours – or was it days? – of lying naked and bleeding on display in the Clerical guild there. The taunting and torture she was put through. The inkie Cleric putting his hands all over her as she gave birth. It all came back.

When they entered Sebilis, Bindi dropped to her knees beside Brutin with her back to the rest of the group.
"I wanna go home now, Bru. Please take me home." She sniffled back her tears and tried in vain to stop trembling.
"Sure, chick. I understand. Puddlefoot is calling for me and I've had about as much of this as I can stand anyway. Lets get our corpses back and let me rez us and we can go."
"Thankee..."

They eventually got back to Shadow Haven. Bindi was still shaken and reliving the years old memories. Brutin left to go see his friends and she went down to the pool, away from everyone, and began to bathe. Hours later, as she sat up, unable to sleep, she wondered if she would ever feel clean again.

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 351
(7/23/02 5:14 am)
Reply | Del  Re: Stolen Parchment
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Bindi nearly stumbled over the dwarf as she left Shadow Haven.

"BRUTIN! Yer alive!!" She hugged him tightly and felt him stiffen under her embrace. This was the first anyone had seen of him since he had left her in Butcherblock to go find Vestaban. If he was alive, there was a good chance the Game was down to three players.

He chuckled. "Of course I am, chick."

Bindi grinned with wide eyed excitement. "Ye gonna tell me everythin', aye? Ye found him didn't ye?"

Brutin nodded, furrowing his brow slightly. "Yeah, I found him. Why don't we go somewhere quieter, though. The moon always makes me antsy. How about we head to the Faydark and then to Freeport?:

Bindi nodded. "Aye, that's fine. We can go this way to tha Nexus. Tis faster." They headed to the portal in Shadow Haven and, detouring slightly to sell some steins, soon found themselves in the midst of the wood.

Brutin loaned her his Journeyman Boots to quicken her feet and they took off towards Butcherblock. Brutin ran without a word. Bindi broke the silence. "Ye arena gonna tell me anythin' until we get there, are ye?"

"Nope."

"Ye mean, I spend tha last two days worried sick, waitin fer ye ta come back fer me, not knowin if ye found him or ifn yer even ALIVE an ye gonna keep me in suspence about wot happened till we get ta Muletown??"

Brutin stopped short as they entered the mountains and Bindi nearly tripped over him. He turned to her. "You want me to tell you here?"

"Well, ifn ye want to. I spose it's up ta you...wotever ye like."

Brutin sighed and sat down on a rock ledge. He took her hand and pulled her down in front of him. "I killed Vestaban."

Bindi's eyes got wide as saucers. "REALLY?? On Bru that's wonderful! An did ye find me son too?" She nearly couldn't contain her excitement.

"Yes, he was there too. Turned out to be a fine rogue, just like his mother."

Bindi smiled broadly, a tear coming to her eye. "Well, tell me wot happened then!"

Brutin sighed. "Well, I was readying myself for Vestaban's attack when I got stabbed in the back so hard the knife went through my armor." Brutin saw Bindi's jaw drop slightly. "I didn't know who it was or what was going on. I was getting attacked on three sides, so I cast on whoever it was that was behind me." Bindi's hand came up to her mouth. "I didn't know Bindi. I didn't know until the battle was over with who it was. I'm so sorry."

Bindi stood up and took a step out towards the mountains before dropping to her knees. Brutin came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. She jumped to her feet and backed quickly away from him. "Donna touch me!!" she spat. Vision blurred by tears, she tripped over some lose rocks and fell, curling up against the wall and weeping. Brutin just sat there, watching her cry. If she could have seen him clearly, she would have noticed the pained look on his face.

"I know you're angry. I...I'm sorry Bindi, I failed you." He looked down at the ground. Bindi buried her face in her hands and wept. He got up and quietly came to sit beside her, and began to lightly stroke her hair. She looked up at him and swung, punching him in the shoulder with all her might. He winced from the blow but didn't say anything. She cradled her hand; she had nearly broken it on his sturdy armor. She began to weep again. Brutin pulled her into his lap and rocked her. "If it makes you feel better, he isn't really dead now. Bristlebane called him to his side and plans to have him continue his studies with him. He's...not really dead...just on another plane."

Bindi sniffed. "An that damn inkie?" She laid back on his shoulder and let him rock her, tears running off her cheeks and onto his armor.

"They are still debating what to do with him. After I killed him in Nektulos, I tracked him down on the plane and killed him twice more. They finally locked him up at Innoruuk's to keep me away from him. What Vestaban did wasn't honorable. There was no called switch and he just jumped in after I had been stabbed and tried to kill me. To make matters worse he was very admanant that they let Toelin die as the pawn instead of him. Toelin was very upset, that's when Bristlebane called him and told him the whole truth. I think it will work out, Brell and Bristlebane are friends. I'm pretty sure he'll get to stay with Bristlebane. The three of us left have refused to continue the game until the gods reach a decision."

Bindi looked up at him. "Even Veld?"

"Even Veld."

Bindi flexed her hand. "How am I gonna tell Dondi that his son..." Her voice cracked.

"Don't tell him."

"I canna jes not tell him. T'is his son too!"

"If he's not interested enough to show up and ask, then you have no reason to go looking for him. Don't tell him unless he asks. I've been more of a father to Toelin than he has, and I got backstabbed for it!"

Bindi winced. It was true. As infrequently as she DID see Dondi, she couldn't remember a time recently when he had asked if she had any new information about their son, nor offered any news himself. Brutin had been out actively searching for the lad, risking his life. She pondered what to do. "I think I need ta rest, Bru. I donna think I can handle dealin with anyone tonight."

He nodded. "You earned it, chick."

She hugged him and kissed his cheek. He raised an eyebrow. "So, you don't hate me?"

She shook her head slowly. "Nay, I did...when ye first told me. But I can see now that t'was an accident. I know that ifn ye could go back an do it over, he'd be here with me. I know that's wot ye wanted all along."

He nodded and hugged her back. "Sweet dreams, chick." Bindi curled up on the rainsoaked grass of Butcherblock and fell into a fitful sleep.

[Noa]

Bindi the Hobbit
Creeping Crook
Posts: 375
(7/24/02 11:22 am)
Reply | Del  Re: Stolen Parchment
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Bindi took a seat at a back table in the tavern and ordered some ale. She took some parchment from her pack and spread it out on the table.

"Tha last few days have been a blur. I was so excited when Brutin told me that Vestaban was dead, but I shoulda known t'was too good ta be true. Me son is gone now. He isna dead, but I still canna see him nor be with him. I canna tell him how much I love him. I canna hold him to me as I've wanted ta do so many times all these years. Brutin tells me that Bristlebane told Toelin tha truth about Vestaban an his bein' kidnapped. An' I spose t'is a great honor ta study under tha Great Fool himself, but knowin' all this doesna heal me heart.

"Brutin tells me I should be happy. Vestaban is dead and Toelin is safe an' sound. But I donna think he understands. Afore, I always had tha hope that I'd find Toelin, that I'd get ta see him again. An' I AM happy he's alive an well, but there isna room fer hope in me heart anymore. I've lost hope o' Dondi comin back an' fixin' our marriage, an' now I lost hope o' seein Toelin ever again."

Bindi takes a large swallow of ale as she rereads what she just wrote. She sighs and continues writing.

"My marriage is over. I canna live like this anymore. All this time I been stayin' married ta Dondi even though he's virtually abandoned me because o' our son. Now all I got with him is tha memory o' tha love we once had. I willna jes leave him though, not without an explaination. I feel I owe him that much. Soon, I will get up with him an' Elsbet. She done said she'd speak with us about breakin' our vows. I still love him – part o' me always will. I jes hope he understands how unfair t'is fer him ta put me in this position. I've been carryin' our marriage along, I've been tha one who's been searchin' fer Toelin all this time. I donna even know ifn Dondi knows wot's happened yet, but I canna go on this way anymore."

Bindi finished off her ale and tucked the parchment back into her pack. She headed out the tavern and began walking to Rivervale, hoping she would find Dondi there.