Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 9 - Before Dawn

As the man approached, Hendrig held up a hand to stop him. “Oy there, can I help ye sir?”

“Ah hello there. Actually I am looking for a Rash Vandren, I was told he was making his residence here. I have a gift for him from a lovely lady.” The man smiled as he showed Hendrig the bottle of wine with a letter tied to the front.

“Aye, he does make his residence here. But he’s not exactly in the mood for-“ Hendrig stopped short as he heard Rash walk up behind him.

Rash’s eyes were red, and his brown hair was tousled as if he was pulling at it. “A gift from a lady? What lady? Who are you?” He addressed the man standing in front of them.

The man made a slight bow and introduced himself. “My name is Lucian Trias, and I am the proprietor of One More Glass, just across the street. And this bottle of wine was bought just a few moments ago from a lovely lady who failed to give her name. She wanted it delivered with this letter.” Lucian pulled the letter free from the bottle of wine and handed it to Rash, who quickly opened it and scanned its contents.

It must have been an awfully short letter, because Rash folded the letter and placed it in the pocket of his trousers almost as soon as he started reading it. “I thank you Lucian for delivering this to me.” Rash placed a couple coins in the man’s hands, and took the bottle in return.

As the man made his thanks and headed back down the stairs, Rash turned his attention to Hendrig. “Hendrig, it seems there is more to this story than I know.” He paused for a moment and shoved the bottle into Hendrig’s hands. “Here, I know you’ll enjoy this more than I will at the moment. There is something I must do before we leave tonight, I’ll be back soon…hopefully.”

Rash darted down the stairs and out of the inn, leaving Hendrig standing alone with the bottle of wine. He glanced down at the label and proceeded down the stairs. “Pinot Noir aye? Well it’ll be Pinot Nomore when I’m done with it!” Chuckling to himself he headed towards the bar.

.....

Mitsume swallowed the lump in her throat and took in her surroundings. She was standing in the Violet Hold, a prison built within Dalaran to contain dangerous beings from across the reaches of the Twisting Nether. According to Rhonin’s eyes-and-ears, the Blue Dragonflight assault would simultaneous hit here, and inside the Violet Citadel, the home of the council of the Kirin Tor.

Inside the Violet Hold, a faint mist clung to the air, hanging low to the ground. Just inside the doorway, Kaihlyn was discussing a plan of action with a group of prison guards. A group of one dozen powerful magisters led by Behldan and including Kaihlyn and Mitsume stood just inside the entrance to the Hold proper. Mitsume brushed past Kaihlyn and Behldan and took a good look at the interior of the Hold.