* Loria closes the door after bidding Lisl good evening.

<Loria> Now, let's see... dinner... ::she limps into the kitchen and begins pulling out her cooking things::

* Lisl turns from Loria's gate after listening carefully for the snick of the bolt in the lock, and strolls back the way she came.

* Loria takes out a small basket of eggs and peers in it.

<Loria> No eggs? When did I eat the last egg? ::frowns::

* Loria hitches a deep sigh.

<Loria> Ah well, no help for it. ::she limps back towards the door::

* Loria gets a small basket and tucks her left arm through it.

* Loria opens the door and locks it behind her.

<Loria> ::walking slowly towards the marketplace:: I sure hope the market doesn't close at sunset.

* Lisl 's stomach growls as she passes a cookshop, and she frowns, looking down. "I just fed you! What, more? Sheesh." She backs up a bit, and turns off into the cookshop, studying the array of goods.

* Loria looks up at the sky, frowning.

<Loria> I hope it doesn't rain.

* Loria limps on towards the marketplace, looking where she puts her feet. Suddenly she gasps as a heavy hand drops on her shoulder from a nearby alleyway.

<Loria> Excuse me? ::she stumbles backwards, nearly falling::

* Lisl selects a pair of turkey legs, and exchanges coin for goods with the cook, taking a bite and waving cool air into her mouth as she strolls back out into the street.

<Loria> ::a large burly man dressed in dirty gray clothing sneers at her. He is carrying a heavy looking club in one hand.:: I t'ink ye better come along with me, missy.

* Loria opens her mouth to scream and the man casually hits her in the stomach with his club. Loria utters a screamy little gasp and falls over backwards into the street.

<Loria> ::the man looks around quickly, then grabs a double handful of her long hair and drags her into the alley, leaving her walking stick laying in the gutter.::

* Loria attempts to scream again, trying desperately to catch her breath. The thug eyes her briefly, then swings his fist, rocking her head back on her shoulders. Dazed and bleeding from the nose, Loria slumps to the ground.

* Lisl continues down the street, glancing up at the growing dark and quickening her pace a little. She makes quick work of the first turkey leg, tossing the bones into the gutter, where a stray dog lurks.

<Loria> ::the brute looks around again, then kneels near the semi-conscious singer. With a quick motion, he grabs hold of the neck of her dress and rips it, baring her to the waist::

* Lisl lifts her head, pausing as she's about to bite into the next leg, and frowns, cocking an ear and looking around.

* Loria rolls away from him, trying to get to her feet, using the wall of a nearby building for support. The thug stands quickly and kicks her in the small of the back. With a barely audible scream, Loria falls back to the dirty street.

* Lisl takes a few steps forward, on the alert, scanning the area. Narrowing her eyes, she sees a carved stick lying crosswise in the gutter a bit ahead.

<Loria> ::the thug rolls Loria over, punching her twice in the stomach. She sobs, trying to get away. He pulls her roughly to him, running his grimy hands over her skin.::

<Lisl> Oh, no... not Loria... ::tossing the remaining whole turkey leg to the stray dog, she takes off at a run down the street, skidding to a stop to kneel by the carved walking stick, and looking around. "Loria!"

* Lisl flares her nostrils and swings her head towards the narrow alley, her view blocked by a disordered pile of rubbish.

* Loria whimpers as the thug slaps her again, nearly knocking her out.

* Lisl growls low in her throat and squeezes past the pile, narrowing her eyes at the thug standing over Loria.

<Loria> ::the thug pushes the remains of Loria's skirt up to her hips and positions himself between her legs.

<Loria> ::

* Lisl holds up her right fist, her Claws shimmering into being around her forearm, and stalks silently and quickly down the alley.

* Lisl grabs the thug by his hair with her left hand, yanking him backwards and driving her Claws through his back, twisting her hand viciously.

* Loria scrabbles backwards, shaking her head frantically as she's drenched in the man's warm spurting blood. The man shudders, grunts, then slumps over.

* Lisl yanks her Claws back out, her lips in a silent snarl, and wipes them clean on his clothing before she kicks the thug forwards, sending him sliding on his face further down the alley.

<Loria> Uhhhhhhh ::Loria pushes herself backwards until she hits to wall, then sits there, clutching her arms around her chest and crying::

<Lisl> ::kneeling down as her Claws disappear again from her hand, her voice soft:: Loria? It's me, Lisl. Shhh, it's over now, he's gone.

<Loria> Lisl? ::she trembles, trying desperately to cover herself with her arms::

<Lisl> Yes, that's right. ::keeping her voice soft, looking up and down for something to cover the poor girl with, and finally unpinning the wolf pelt from her shoulder and wrapping it around her.

<Lisl> ::

* Loria looks down at her blood splattered hands and arms.

<Loria> Am I dying? ::she looks up at Lisl, her eyes slightly glazed over::

<Lisl> No, you're not dying. You're going to be fine, as soon as I get you home. He's dead. I killed him.

* Loria looks puzzled.

<Loria> I need some eggs.

<Lisl> Oh, Loria... is that why you were out here all alone? ::her expression seems torn between crying and laughing:: We'll get you some eggs.

* Loria starts to cry, looking around her.

<Loria> Where's my walking stick that Vallel gave me?

<Lisl> It's right out there, in the street. ::pointing, but making no move to get up:: It's how I knew you were here.

* Loria clutches the wolf fur around herself.

<Loria> What do I do now? I... ::she looks around almost helplessly::

<Lisl> Well, first of all, are you hurt?

<Loria> I don't know... my head feels funny.

<Lisl> Did he hit you? Do you feel like throwing up?

* Loria nods a few times, carefully. "He hit me. A few times, I think.

<Loria> "

<Lisl> Right. ::frowning at her, and reaching out gently to wipe the blood from her lip:: You're cold, honey.

<Loria> I feel strange. Numb, almost. ::she tries to lift her hand to move her hair out of her face and can't seem to manage it::

<Lisl> ::nodding:: I think you're a bit shocky. That's normal. ::looking at the alley in disgust:: Well, I'm not laying you down here, so I guess we go with the other alternative.

<Kevil> ::From several blocks away, Kevil's voice calls, half-panicked:: Loria? Lori!

<Lisl> Okay... don't be afraid, I've got you. Up we go. ::gathering Loria very gently into her arms and lifting her up, carrying her so that her feet are slightly higher than her head::

* Loria takes a deep breath as Lisl lifts her, then shrieks in agony. She struggles a bit, then faints.

* Kevil notices Loria's walking stick lying in the street and picks it up, his face suddenly pale with concern. "LORIA!"

<Lisl> Kevil! In here!

<Lisl> Gods above... ::freeing a hand to probe under the pelt, feeling her ribs carefully:: Ah... broken ribs. Nothing punctured.

<Kevil> ::Hearing Loria's shriek, and Lisl's answering call, he races down the alley. He stops short when he sees Lisl carrying Lori.:: What happened? ::The fear on his face begins the transmutation to anger::

<Lisl> ::standing carefully, cradling the unconscious Loria in her arms:: I'm guessing she went for groceries after I left. She was attacked. ::nodding to the corpse further down the alley:: That part's been dealt with, but I've got to get her to a healer's.

<Kevil> ::His lips tighten, and he nods briefly in understanding.:: What can I do?

* Loria moans, muttering something in a pain-daze. She opens her eyes briefly, then closes them again.

<Lisl> I'm guessing broken ribs, shock, maybe some concussion. You've got her stick? Good. If you could get her coin back from that ::nodding at the corpse again:: and go to the market before it closes for some eggs, I'll take her to the Morninglord's temple.

<Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow:: EGGS, Huntress?

<Lisl> ::nodding, her face a mask:: It's what she was going to market for in the first place.

<Kevil> ::sighs briefly:: All right. I'll meet you at the temple, then.

* Lisl nods, and eases her way out of the alley, walking carefully all the way to Temple Row.

* Kevil roughly strips Loria's attacker of his meager valuables and coins, then stalks off to the market to locate eggs.

<Lisl> And to think, she didn't want to go piggy-back....

* Lisl carries her up the polished steps of Lathander's temple and calls for a healer.

<Loria> ::a young woman in the robes of Lathander comes out and directs Lisl to a small room near the back of the temple::

* Kevil stops at the first farmer's stall he encounters and demands a dozen eggs. He doesn't bother with haggling, paying the man with a silver coin from his own pocket. He waits impatiently while the farmer counts the eggs into a straw-stuffed sack, and then hurries through the market toward the temples.

* Lisl nods and carries Loria inside, laying her down gently on the cot she finds there and tucking a pillow under her feet.

<Loria> ::a few young priestesses come in, one carrying a bucket of water and another carrying a plain white cotton shift:: What happened to the young woman, ma'am?

<Lisl> She was attacked-- I'm fairly sure I stopped it before it came rape, but... she's got broken ribs, and she's shocky. He had a club.

<Loria> ::one of the priestess removes the tattered remains of Loria's dress and gives her a bath, checking her for injuries.:: She seems to have some swelling here, along her spine. And her legs are scraped. I think we can help her ma'am.

<Lisl> ::nodding:: Thank you. I'll donate generously, believe me. I'll return in a moment-- there's another friend on his way.

* Kevil storms into Lathander's temple, forcibly calming himself as he approaches the first priest he sees. "Did a woman come in here a few minutes ago, carrying another? For healing?" The priest doesn't know, but promises to find out and scurries off, leaving Kevil cooling his heels in the antechamber.

* Lisl heads back out into the main antechamber, spotting Kevil. "Kevil! She's over here. They're taking care of her now.

<Lisl> "

<Loria> ::another priest approaches Lisl, a slightly sheepish look on his face:: About the donation, ma'am?

* Kevil spots Lisl with relief. "Huntress!" He heads for her.

<Lisl> ::nods, one side of her mouth quirking up:: Nothing to be embarrassed about, father. You do good work, you deserve it. ::unhooking her purse from her belt and putting the whole of it in his hands::

<Loria> ::the priest bows:: Thank you, ma'am. I'm sure you're friend will be well shortly. You may wait here, and they should be with you soon.

* Kevil sighs softly. "I hate waiting."

<Lisl> ::nods:: Thank you. ::looking over at Kevil anxiously as he approaches:: You got the eggs?

<Kevil> ::holds up the sack:: Yes.

<Kevil> ::looks at Lisl curiously:: How did you come to be with her?

<Lisl> ::nods:: Good. I know it sounds silly, but she'll want them.

<Kevil> ::nods:: I've dealt with shock before, Huntress. I just wish I could've been there sooner. I want to... ::he tightens his lips again in anger::

<Lisl> I wasn't, at the time, or believe me, he never would have laid a finger on her in the first place. I stopped in at the shop, and walked her home when you had yet to return from your errands. ::nodding towards the back room:: This happened after. It's just lucky my home lies that way.

<Lisl> ::nodding:: I know, Kevil. ::cocking her head:: For the right price, you could bring the body here and get them to try to bring him back so you could kill him again.

* Kevil freezes for a moment, then slumps in relief. "I was afraid she'd tried to walk home alone when I didn't come back before closing..."

<Kevil> ::chuckles shortly:: No, I have better things on which to spend my money.

<Loria> ::the young priestess comes out:: The young miss is sleeping, but you can go sit with her, if you like. She is healed, so whenever she feels strong enough to leave, you can take her home.

* Kevil stands as the priestess approaches them, and bows to her in thanks.

<Lisl> ::nodding:: Thank you.

* Lisl leads Kevil to the back room where Loria rests.

* Kevil pauses in the doorway, looking tentatively at the sleeping girl.

* Loria is laying on the thin cot, wearing a simple white cotton shift. Her belongings are in a small pile on a nearby stool. She mutters in her sleep.

<Kevil> Perhaps... Maybe I shouldn't stay. She might find my presence... embarrassing.

* Lisl moves quietly over to the little pile beside the bed, reclaiming her pelt and swinging it back over her shoulder to pin it in place, regardless of bloodstains.

<Kevil> ::smiles somewhat:: Ah, that is what was missing. I could not place it...

<Lisl> ::raising her eyebrows at Kevil in surprise:: Why? You work with her. You're a friend. And I'm pretty sure she heard you bellow. ::smiling slightly::

<Lisl> Missing?

* Loria moans, tossing from side to side, and finally sitting up with a gasp. She is covered with a sudden sweat and shaking.

<Lisl> Shh, Loria, it's alright. We're here. You're in Lathander's temple.

<Kevil> Yes, well... ::he breaks off as Loria sits up::

<Loria> Where?

* Kevil offers Loria a reassuring smile from the doorway. "Among friends."

* Loria looks around, clutching the blankets up to her chest.

<Lisl> The temple of Lathander, on Temple Row. The healer's.

* Loria clutches at a silver amulet around her neck.

<Loria> What happened? I... ::looks around as if expecting someone to jump out of the shadows at her::

<Lisl> Near as I can piece, you went out for eggs alone after I walked you home. You got mugged... it's lucky I walk home that way. ::smiling a little:: ...and that I was hungry.

* Loria looks over at Kevil and pulls the blankets up even higher.

<Loria> I... I was out of eggs. I was going to make an omelette for dinner.

* Kevil sighs almost inaudibly and politely looks away from her. "I brought your walking stick, raindrop," he says softly.

<Lisl> ::nodding::

<Loria> You did? You got it back? ::she looks over at him:: I thought I'd lost it.

<Kevil> ::still politely looking away, Kevil carefully extends the walking stick across the small room so she can take it.::

<Loria> Thank you. ::she takes her walking stick and lays it across her lap::

<Kevil> You are welcome, of course.

<Loria> What... ::she looks at Lisl, her eyes filling up with tears:: What happened to him? I... did you say something about it? I... seem to be confused.

<Lisl> ::shortly:: He's dead, Loria. I killed him before he could-- do worse.

<Kevil> ::eyes Lisl, then glances at Loria out of curiosity to see how she'll take that news::

<Loria> ::blinks:: You did?

<Lisl> ::nodding:: Yes.

<Loria> Oh. ::she looks down at her walking stick:: Would it be wrong of me to be happy about that?

<Lisl> Not under the circumstances, I think. I certainly am.

<Loria> ::blinks and looks over at Kevil:: How did you know?

<Kevil> ::blandly:: I got back to the shop to find you gone. I worried that... something like this would happen to you, so I went to your home. You weren't there, and so I started looking... I found your walking stick in the gutter just as Lisl was carrying you out of the alley.

<Loria> Oh. ::looks at him more closely:: Have I done something to upset you, Master Kevil? ::stares at her hands::

<Lisl> ::smiling faintly:: If I had to compare the two of you, I'd say Kevil won for volume, today.

<Kevil> ::looks at Loria in surprise:: Of course not! I am only... angry that you were hurt.

<Kevil> ::looks at Lisl:: *I* was not fighting broken ribs.

<Lisl> ::cocking her head:: Point. Speaking of-- take a deep breath, Loria. Everything feel okay in there?

<Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Lisl:: You do not trust the Dawn Priestess?

* Loria breathes in and out. "I feel fine, mostly. My hair hurts, but... other than that."

<Lisl> Of course I do. But ribs can be tricky, and they *are* a good part of her livlihood, right now.

<Lisl> Your hair--? Oh. ::pressing her lips together:: He must have dragged you.

* Kevil - facing away from Loria - closes his eyes and moves his lips in silent cursing.

* Loria nods, reaching back to touch her scalp rather gingerly. She makes a small face, then suddenly bursts into tears.

<Lisl> Oh, Loria... shh, it's okay now, you're safe, he can't get you anymore... ::kneeling beside the bed and taking the woman into her arms::

* Kevil turns quickly at the sound of Loria's tears, taking half a step closer, then shakes his head quickly and leans back against the door frame, his hands unconsciously balling into fists.

<Lisl> ::glances sidelong at Kevil and nods, her golden eyes holding promise of later mayhem::

* Loria sobs, burying her face in Lisl's shoulder. A few minutes pass and eventually she calms down a little.

* Lisl strokes Loria's hair gently until she calms. She blinks several times, and her eyes are back to their usual cool grey-blue. "Better?"

* Kevil watches from the doorway, his face alternating between sympathy for Loria and anger at her situation.

* Loria nods, wiping her nose on the sleeve of her gown. "Can I get a wash cloth?"

<Lisl> ::nods and retreats, wetting a cloth in the washbasin in the corner::

* Loria rubs at her eyes. "I'm sorry.

<Loria> "

<Lisl> For what?

<Loria> For being so much trouble. ::she sniffles::

<Lisl> ::wrinkling her brow:: You're not the source of the trouble, Loria. The thug was, and I already... chastised him for that.

* Loria washes her face carefully.

<Lisl> And besides, thanks to you... ::glancing over her shoulder at Kevil's stormy face:: I get the feeling that a lot of other girls will get rescued tonight.

<Kevil> ::calmly:: Perhaps.

<Loria> I... will you do me a favor? Maybe? ::she twists the blankets in her hands::

<Lisl> ::looking back at Kevil again with a grim smile:: Count on it.

<Lisl> ::nodding:: Name it, Loria.

<Loria> Don't tell him... please don't. ::she trembles::

<Lisl> ::frowning a moment:: Him... oh, Vallel?

<Loria> ::nods:: I don't want... I can't... He'll want me to go home, and I can't do that. Don't let him send me away.

* Kevil looks at Lisl with a faint frown. "He has enough on his mind..." To Loria, "Will you in return promise us something?"

<Loria> ::looking at Kevil:: Yes? What?

<Lisl> ::meets Kevil's look:: ...and he'd overreact, and blame himself, I'd bet. Don't worry, Loria, he won't know from us. You're not going anywhere.

<Kevil> Not to go out by yourself again. ::he smiles faintly:: We would not like to see you hurt again, raindrop.

<Loria> I ::looks at her lap:: I don't want to be so much trouble.

<Lisl> ::nods seriously:: Especially not until this mess blows over.

<Lisl> Being safe isn't trouble, Loria. ::glancing back at Kevil:: We'd worry about you.

* Kevil steps into the room and puts a finger under Loria's chin, gently lifting her face until she looks at him. "It is less trouble to walk you home than to try to find you alone in the city, d'va?" He smiles carefully.

<Loria> All right. ::she looks down again:: I... usually do my shopping after work.

<Lisl> ::nodding:: Convenient, then. Kevil or Val will probably be there already, from walking you home.

* Loria shifts around. "Do you suppose I might go home soon?"

<Kevil> ::nods:: It is no trouble to pass through the market. I, or your brother, or his affianced, would be happy to assist.

<Lisl> ::nodding:: Me, too, if I'm free. And yes, the priestess said you can go home whenever you like, you're all healed.

* Kevil glances at the neat pile of Loria's clothes on the chair and steps back out of the room, pulling the door mostly closed behind him.

<Loria> All right. ::somewhat shakily, she gets out of bed:: You're going to insist, I think, on walking me home?

<Lisl> ::grins:: Both of us, I imagine.

<Lisl> And by the way, Kevil already picked up your eggs.

<Kevil> ::calling from the hallway:: Count on it.

* Loria nods, picking through her clothing. She frowns at the rags of her dress, then slips her cloak on over the white shift. "I think I can return this to them tomorrow. I don't really want to wear that again."

<Lisl> ::nodding:: It shouldn't be a problem. ::sorts through the rags and hands Loria her shoes::

* Loria sits on the bed, hiking up the shift to pull on her stockings.

<Loria> All right. ::she ties her shoes:: I'm ready.

<Lisl> Be careful. Feeling a little weak at first is normal.

* Lisl helps her stand again, and hands her her walking stick.

<Loria> ::nods:: All right. ::leaning heavily on her walking stick, she limps out of the room::