Um, help? (Tag volunteers)

[needsthumpin]

Kerai didn't like the feel of the fog, but she tried to brush it aside and continue working. She really didn't like the ash, it reminded too many of the souls in the Weave of the furnaces at the Dommitt prison. She wanted to leave, but was unable to force herself to walk through that rain of ash...then came the siren, and the dark

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[faramir_hurin]

When the day is grey and the village is strangely deserted, I know better than to go to the library like nothing is wrong. It's not obvious yet what the problem is, but this isn't right.

Then there's a siren and darkness, and strange creatures in it. By the time that happened, I'd already gone for weapons. The things are a little like the zombies and a little like the misshapen people-creatures that we fought once.

I make sure I'm in a safe spot before I try to message Faith. In the day like this she'll be after her son and I have no right to ask her to do differently. As if I could--the messenger does not work to page her nor can I call the women with the cat. I'm about to go to the hotel and look for them when a terrible thought occurs to me.

Kerai. When the zombies were here she was overwhelmed. This could be very much the same. I run to the Ribbon.

"Valar, Kerai!" I'm not sure if she can hear me.

[needsthumpin]

Her eyes flick toward him, as if she heard, but then moved on again as if she were seeing and hearing others as well. The look of terror didn't abate.

[faramir_hurin]

I don't know what she's looking at. She may have seen me, but if there's anything else in here to be afraid of I don't see it.

"Kerai, I was worried about you and I see I was right to be. I need to get you back to the hotel." I look about again and still see nothing for her to be afraid of. What the Weave knows I'll never understand.

"Can you walk?"

[needsthumpin]

"The ashes of the dead, the people going to the fires while yet living, the dark is coming to take us..." The words were a groan of fear.

[faramir_hurin]

I don't know what that means, only that it sounds awful.

"Kerai, if you can't tell me you can walk, I'll have to carry you. I'm going to touch your arm and try to help you stand." I set my sword down, but close enough to reach if I need it.

[needsthumpin]

The words didn't seem to be sinking in, or there were many others competing with them.

"The clean white ash, like snow, no trace of the lost lives, but the mist rises from the crane pit, and calls out for vengeance..."

[faramir_hurin]

"It's a good thing you're small," I tell her. May as well keep talking. She may not hear me, but she might. It could help.

Small enough to pick up easily, but awkward to hold the sword as well. Better to carry it than have it sheathed: I just hope I don't end up having to drop Kerai to use it.

"Jude?" Is the thump-dog here?

[needsthumpin]

There was a whimpering, and Jude came crawling from under the couch to nose at Faramir's hand, whining. He seemed ashamed of being overcome, and nosed at Kerai, as if minded to his duty.

Kerai's eyes flicked to him, then back to Faramir, breathing hard, and wide-eyed, she stood. Jude cringed next to her.

[faramir_hurin]

"I can hold you up if you need it, or you can just hold my left hand." Jude should stay close to her, even in this. "If anything attacks, I'll need to step away from you to take care of it."

The more I can tell her, as calmly as possible, the better. The hotel isn't far but it will seem like it.

[needsthumpin]

Kerai grabbed onto Jude's harness with one hand, and to Faramir's hand with the other. Her hand was like ice, and shook in his.

[faramir_hurin]

"We're going now. I cannot protect you from the Weave, but I can keep the physical things away."

My own Long Sight reads a lot of frightened people at the hotel and I'm focused on that. As if I needed to see--I lived how long in a series of caves? I know the village enough to get where we need to be.

[needsthumpin]

Kerai could feel the frightened people too, and the Weave wanted to shy away from them, but outside, outside was worse. Kerai tried to keep focused, but the terror in the Weave was rising like a tide, and threatened to swamp her. She clutched reflexively at Jude's harness, catching some of his fur. He barked...a very sharp, present sound, one the Weave was attuned to.

"We're going," she was able to repeat, showing she understood.

[faramir_hurin]

Why did I not think of it sooner? My mind is too clouded, but I come up with a lullaby that's common in Minas Tirith. I'm sure my own mother used to sing it, but I don't remember that.

It's about keeping quiet and being safe, tomorrow is soon enough for adventure.

[needsthumpin]

Kerai's eyes flicked toward Faramir again, and a small smile even passed over her features, though the eyes were still wide in fear, and breath was passing through that smile as though she were running a race. She squeezed his hand in thanks. Then Jude began to bark, as something could be heard moving in the darkness, coming toward them.

[faramir_hurin]

The song breaks off and I say something rude.

"Have to let go now. Stay here and I'll keep it from you."

There are metallic sounds. It's got weapons like Elven knives but cruder, and I took care of one of these before. I just have to watch for the two blades and hope there isn't another one too close.

This should take but a minute.

[needsthumpin]

Kerai puts her back against the wall, and Jude puts himself in front of her, growling. Kerai has a small knife, she draws it, but has no idea what she would do with it, if it came to that.