Today’s post follows this post. Which was inspired by the same writing prompt regarding rioting in Stormwind mentioned in our last post’s intro. We join Lore as she heads out into the chaos with Lyestra to try and keep the University entrance clear.
Loreli gestured Lyestra to the canal side doors. That was the entrance Aely had indicated to the guards and the entrance she wanted to address first. After that she’d planned to circle back around and check the other door for anyone attempting legitimate access from that side. She had expected chaos and violence, what she hadn’t expected was the small pack of guards completely surrounded by angry rioters. There didn’t seem to be a Captain among them. Yet, while they had managed to stay organized, the rioters threatened to pick them off, one by one. She turned her head to shout at Lyestra over the noise but the other woman was gone.
Swearing under her breath, Loreli scanned the crowd, but saw no sign of the warrior. How do you loose a woman her size anyway? The rogue slipped both daggers from their sheaths, tucking the blades against her inner arm, preparing to use the hilts to subdue. As few casualties as possible on her end would suit just fine. She took one last look over the horde of people crowding the street, trying to spot any sign of Lyestra. When none presented itself she waded into the fray.
The rioters, not expecting to be fallen on from behind parted easily enough. Loreli reached the surrounded guards just as another contingent came in from the Trade District bridge. Suddenly faced with even odds, and armed even odds at that, the rioters scattered, leaving at least this street blissfully quiet. Though horrible sounds carried with the smell of smoke and death from other parts of the city.
“Can you hold the entrance until I get back?” Loreli asked, as the guards debriefed and regrouped.
The Captain turned to look at her, “Ma’am, the city is burning and the rioting is out of control. We need to head back out there.”
“Look, we’ve got a safe place for wounded and healers to help them. But if this door gets overrun again, there’ll be no way in. Give me ten minutes? If I’m not back you can go on your merry way. Yes?” Loreli folded her arms over her chest as she awaited a response.
The Captain shook his head and picked five guards from the group, “Stay here and keep this area clear. If she’s not back in 10 minutes on the dot, come find us.” His chosen men and women nodded and scattered themselves along the street and around the entrance.
Loreli swept a short bow, “My thanks.” Then she turned and headed off in search of Lyestra.
The Trade District was in a shambles. Really though, that was putting it lightly. Loreli couldn’t believe how extensive the destruction was. She ducked as a still flaming torch flew by her head and smelt singed hair. A hand grabbed her and dragged her into an alley between two the shops by the east canal exit.
She stared incredulously, “Jaylen?! What are you doing?!”
“Pulling you out of an angry mob of Sevens and crazies!” He snarled.
“Same thing.” Loreli muttered, “Why’s SI:7 out there?”
“Shaw was stabbed. We’ve been told to make our presence felt.”
“Stabbed? Not dead?” Loreli asked.
Jaylen eyed her, it was all the confirmation she needed.
“Damn.” She swore.
Jaylen scowled.
“Jaylen, please, pull Seven back. You have the authority.” Loreli insisted. “Too many innocent people will die if some control isn’t taken soon. Do you really want the city guard to upstage Seven?”
He was watching past her as the trade district burned. It cast an eerie orange glow on his face and turned his hair green.
“What do I get out of it?” He asked.
“Security in the knowledge that you’re not a complete /prick/?”
Jaylen didn’t look amused.
“Look, internal Seven political bull shit aside…” She glanced over her shoulder, the mob was getting worse, “I have to find Lyestra and get back to the University in just under… five minutes.” She turned to leave.
Jaylen caught her arm again, “I’m not letting you out of my sight. We have unfinished business.”
“Then you’d better keep up!”