Grayell did the same, then sucked a sharp breath inward. He shook his head.
Wow. Whether it's stolen or bought, it's acquired through ill means. It's property of the council now. We need to check those rooms back there.
Grayell opened the barrel and closed it again immediately.
Pickled fish. Nasty stuff. We have the weapons and whatever coin the bodies have on them. Nothing of importance really. Let's see what he's hiding in back...
Elven. Ragged little thing. She answered the door.
Grayell walked up behind Marg as she opened the door. The room inside was different to the rest of this run down house, it had a smattering of opulence. A grand bed, a couple of tapestries and a statue. A trunk and an amoire stood across from them - but on the far side of the bed something moved.
Grayell halted at the door and the slip of an elven woman squirmed further along the wall as Marg approached. She hit the corner of the wall and amoire and could go no further. Pulling her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them, buried her face in them and rocked backed and forth.
Grayell wasn't moving, crowding the girl wouldn't help. If Margrett couldn't get through to her, he would try but as it was, he gave her space.
The girl shrieked, whimpered as Marg moved a hand toward her, pulled herself in tighter. She was terrified. Her wrists and ankles were bruised and bloody, her skin smeared with grim and dirt. Eyes that pierced the dark stared at Marg, watching her suspiciously like a cornered cat.
The girl looked up, her eyes then darting to Grayell. All of a sudden, her eyes flew wide and she launched herself at Margrett, wrapping her arms around her. The woman was wearing naught but torn rags and Grayell, out of dignity had turned away. She clutched Margrett desperately, her chin hard pressed to Marg's neck and shoulder, shivering like a timid animal. She whispered, quickly and repeatedly.
"No, don't let him near me. Don't let him see me. You have to kill him. Kill him please, kill him now! Please!"
Her words trailed off into a cry, sobbing choking her up and the same words only coming erratically through mumbled tears. She was desperate, scared and wounded.
Margrett was surprised and put off by the girl's sudden outburst, almost falling backwards. But she caught herself and awkwardly held her close, running her hand through the girl's hair.
Shhh, shh...we found him. But we can't kill him. We have to show that we're stronger. Do you understand that? She put her hands on the girl's shoulders and looked into her eyes.
We have to show that we're better than them. If we kill him we're just like him. We have you safe now, and we have him locked up. Nothing's going to happen now. But we have to show him.