She knew.
She knew. Over the years, she had kept many secrets, selling some, bartering with others. She knew his secret. All of it. It lived in her head, in the chill in her spine, the itch at the back of her neck, in her nightmares.
She knew.
Gnightly Gnews
As the town bells chimed, Bjorke remembered she had wanted to catch the nightly Gnews report. Razorwyn was quite taken with the spectacle of it all, and Bjorke had promised to check it out. She said a hasty goodbye, and activated her hearthstone.
She had just enough time for a quick bath, before heading to the town square. She found Ose perched on a crate, watching the crowd gather. Bjorke slicked back her still-damp hair, her skin smelling strongly of the mageroyal oil from her bath. “Here’s those potions you asked for, Ose.”
He took the vials from her, his nostrils twitching faintly. “Thanks.”
“Those always work for Norgoth’s indigestion. I hope they do the trick for you.” He had said his last meal hadn’t agreed with him. Read the rest of this entry »
Diversifying
She looked over her private ledger, frowning. Business had certainly taken a turn for the worse. For the last 8 months, the money had been trickling in, nowhere near the amounts she was used to. Profit had taken a back seat to honor, and the bank balance showed it.
The sounds of Norgoth’s singing as he entered the guild hall prompted her to tuck away the small book, in the back compartment of her desk. She locked the drawer quickly, and pulled out the guild ledger. The coffers here were even more meager, and expenses were up. Read the rest of this entry »
Business as Usual
Bjorke walked into the Salty Sailor, her hat pulled down low over her face, her clothes dusty from the long ride. She strode up to the bar, signaling the barman, Nixx.
His face lit up as he recognized her. “Hey, long time no see! Not since…” his face fell suddenly, as he remembered the last time she’d been in his bar. “Now, you don’t blame me for what happened, do ya?” He stepped back, out of arm’s reach.
She shook her head slightly, grinning. “Nah, Nixx, not your fault I got slipped a mickey in my drink, is it?” The cold glint in her eye belied the joviality of her tone. “Not why I’m here, anyway. It’s business as usual.” Read the rest of this entry »
Secrets, told and untold
((This storyline has been co-written with Ose Haxton. I want to thank him for agreeing to collaborate on what is quickly becoming a very fun storyline.))
The party after the membership ceremony had been rather boisterous, as such things are. So, Bjorke was thankful the next night to be free from duty and she could have a quiet drink in the guild hall. She found the priest checking the notices, and invited him to join her. She wanted Norgoth to meet him, as well, to get a better feel for this new guildmate.
The three sat around a table in an awkward silence for several seconds. Finally, Bjorke spoke up, startling Ose. “So…you started to tell me something the other night but stopped…what was it?” She eyed him closely, one eyebrow raised. Read the rest of this entry »
Fresh Meat
Bjorked pushed the paperwork around her desk, as if sorting it would finish the task. But her mind was more on the odd happenings of the past week. Just before the mission to the Caverns, a bartender contact named Phil had sent a message that her package had arrived, and she could pick it up. Now, he was nowhere to be found. As a last resort, she hired a gnome to look for Phil.
It was no longer about the package. Yes, she still wanted to give the present she had ordered to her husband, but more than that. The fact that Phil was one of many people she tried to find but couldn’t bothered her.
“Turid, have you heard from Arson?” Razorwyn interrupted her thoughts, but she was glad for the diversion. She looked up from her unfinished paperwork at the tall Draenei. Read the rest of this entry »
Something Stonger
“I was dead… They sent me back… my name is Norgoth…”
Bjorke awoke from the dream, gasping for breath. She lit the lamp next to the bed, and walked over to the washstand to splash some water on her face. After wrapping a robe around her bare skin, she padded out to the main room of the guild hall. The fire had died down to embers, but she didn’t feel like stoking it up again, so she curled up in her chair, pulling the robe down over her feet.
“Did you need something, Ma’am?”
Bjorke looked up at Truitt. He was wearing a simple linen robe – Bjorke had never seen him like this. His attire was always so formal, she often forgot his age. But now, in middle of the night, his hair mussed, he looked so young, so innocent. “I’m fine, Truitt. Go back to bed.” Read the rest of this entry »
The difference between them.
One by one, the others unfurled bedrolls, and settled down to sleep. Binni, being the youngest, and probably least affected by the loss, was first. Razor was reluctant to leave her commander, but felt sleep pulling at her.
Bjorke heard the yawn in the dark, and chuckled softly. “Get some sleep, Razor.”
“I’m alright, Marshal. I can stay with you.”
Bjorke shook her head, her face drawn and tight in the glow from the remains of the pyre. “Get some sleep.” Her voice was firm, brooking no argument. Read the rest of this entry »
A Final Duty
Leiwyn took the young elves to the town, to get them fed and settled, as ordered. She approached the Bruiser she had been told to find, and handed him a small pouch of gold coins. She hated the idea of posting a guard on them, but Bjorke had been adamant about it. Her task complete, she headed back to the stone outcropping where the others were.
Razor was in Steamwheedle, seeing about a burial gown. The tailor had one with gold threads running through it, and she negotiated a price.
LIjana and Binni scavenged the rocky areas for dried brush, and driftwood carried by the wind, gathering armloads of it. They bound the bundle with cord to carry back. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Time, Part 2
Bjorke woke, having settled down after she was sure Sorowyn was asleep. It was nearly dawn, and she could hear people gathering. “Hero, come on.” She frowned at her dog. It wasn’t like him to sleep past her. Kneeling, she put her hand on his back to roust him, and he lifted his head groggily. Looking up, she saw Sorowyn’s cot was empty. The druid must have hibernated Hero and left in the middle of the night. “Blast it!”
Sheathing her weapons, she raced out the door. Most of Sterling was assembled and waiting. She looked them over: Leiwyn, the strong Moonkin; Razorwyn, a tracker trained by one of the best in Azeroth; Lijana, one of the newer members, but strong and loyal; Arsonite, who had the Chrono-whatsit strapped to the back of his mechanostrider; and even Binni, who must have understood her message after all. They all knew the importance of this mission, and were ready. Feera hung at the back of the group, a look of shame and guilt on her face. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Time, Part 1
Bjorke wrote out each message: We go into the Caverns to find Sorowyn, Avatarak, and Jivundus. Together, we will find the child, Atolli, and bring them back safely. Ready your gear, gather supplies for a 5-day trip. Be prepared to move at my signal. No other business is more important.
She addressed them to her Medlem, sealed each with her signet ring, and handed them to Truitt for delivery. “Make sure that young Draenei understands. I’m not sure how good her reading is.” Bjorke headed for bed, where images of Atolli and Issa lost and crying plagued her, her troops unable to find them.
As she finished her paperwork the next afternoon, the communications device crackled and popped with static. Looking up at the map, she saw a dot labeled “Sorowyn” in Tanaris. Bjorke tapped the comm.. “Soro? Is that you?” Her heart leapt at the thought of her friend safely back. Read the rest of this entry »
Past meets Present
Bjorke made her way downstairs, and out the way she came in. Once again, she had failed to save her. Once again, things were just as they had been. She stood at the bottom of the hills, letting the torrent of rain wash down on her, while she screamed in frustration. Bjorke raged into the night, cursing the gods and the Prophets, the Keepers of Time, Gangial, and even Edrick, for his absence. She cursed Feera for losing Atolli, since that was what started this whole mess. She cursed Jiv, for going off on his own, to find her. Her epithets turned to herself, cursing her own failings. As the rain abated, so did her strength. She slumped to the wet, muddy ground, exhausted.
Blastit walked over to her, and pushed her with his head, bleating softly. She did not move, and he pushed harder, knocking her over. Bjorke lay in the mud, and looked up at her beast. Gently, he took her arm in his mouth and pulled, but she would not budge. Blastit let out a great snort and stomped his hoof by her head. Lowering his huge head to hers, he snorted again. “Fine!” she railed at him. “I’ll get up!” Grabbing his harness, she let him pull her up as he backed away. The ram nickered quietly, bobbing his head, as if pleased with himself. Read the rest of this entry »
Tales from the Past – New Life
((This is the final installment of the stories from Bjorke’s past. These events happened 17 years ago.))
Carlo knelt on the floor, wiping her face with a warm cloth, his face twisted in worry. Simone was in the next room, washing the babe who squalled her unhappiness at the indignity. She carried the freshly swaddled bundle in to the bedchamber. “Is she awake? The baby needs her.”
The somber man shook his head. “No, not yet. I… I hope I didn’t make things worse.”
Simone laid a hand on his shoulder. “I think you saved both of them. I watched your stitching. It was some of your best work.” She smiled at him reassuringly. “Here, take the baby, and let me see if I can do something.”
He stood, and took the child gingerly; as if afraid he might break this tiny thing in his hands. The child stopped crying, and looked at him. He beamed at her. Read the rest of this entry »
Tales from the Past – It was a dark and stormy night…
(I ran across several entries that were never published. Since the subject matter and history have bearing on the current posts, I thought I’d better publish them.)
The storm raged outside, sheets of rain pelting the ground, making it impossible to travel.
“I’ve sent for the midwife, but… she’s out near Dalaran. I don’t think she’ll make it.” Simone kept her voice low.
Carlo furrowed his brow. “Who then? I don’t know anything about such things! By the gods, she was already days old before she came to me herself!” He paced back and forth, trying to think. “What about Gangial?” Read the rest of this entry »
