Just as Augustus finished his thought, he saw Elly, walking down to the beach by herself as she always did around this time. She would walk the coast until she found a secluded enough spot to bathe and make herself pretty for that oaf of a husband. Sometimes, said husband joined her, but, tonight Augustus made sure Jaen was off on some errand for Daddy. His crew had enjoyed watching her bathe for the last three nights, but kept their opinions to themselves. Augustus, even when he had the patience for a lover, preferred younger men to a buxom beauty like Elly.
In his hand was a gold coin , which was worn to a smooth surface where he rubbed his thumb when he was plotting. His hand came ablaze and lit the gold coin on fire until it was soft and he played with it like clay, molding the molten gold in his hand as he watched and waited.
Elly, had found her spot on the beach and with careful eyes she glanced around once more before her clothing came off. Augustus could hear his men titter and make their obscene jokes. They were anxious to wrap their grubby paws around soft pale flesh but Augustus was no brute, he was a business man. Elly owed him a debt and now he would come to collect. His men could find whores in Booty Bay to slake their lusts, Elly was a trophy for Augustus and he never let his men play his trophies. Once her hair was free of its braid she walked into the surf and dove in to the roaring surf in the twilight of the early morning.
"Now." he said in his deadly quiet voice and his men mounted up and into their flying mounts and took off, spiraling down around the cliffs overlooking the beach and circling over the water where Elly disappeared. Like a well practiced play, the dived as they saw the red of Elly's hair break the surface of the water. The first man, a hunter, aimed his arrow for her shoulder and fired a tranquilizing dead on into the unprotected flesh. He knew he would hit but the sound of Elly's strangled cry made him laugh as he pulled up right before hitting the water to make room for his cohorts.
As the shot took effect Elly's cry faded into gurgles as her head sunk under water. She wouldn't even feel as the dragon came down and splashed just underneath the surface to pluck her unconscious naked form out of the water by the shoulders.
Quick as wind the dragon beat his wings furiously and gained more and more height, heading back to the cliff with its prize that was soon carefully dropped down on the ledge where Augustus hid. He loomed over her for a moment until she began to stir. Kneeling down with the clank of chains, he affixed the magical collar around her neck and stepped back into the shadows. As the final clank of the lock sounded, Ellys eyes burst open, continuing the alarmed cry she had uttered from the water. Looking around in confusion, her head pounding, she narrowed her eyes to try and see into the fast darkness, something that was impossible without her monocle.
"You have no idea what a mistake you...." the threat was cut off by a sharp slap across her face.
"I'm going to fucking kill you you sack of.." another slap.
"Augustus...I knew it was you, You hit like a..." this time a fist planted firmly into her nose, breaking it surely and sending rivers of blood down into her mouth.
"Ellithiria, you never seem to know when to shut that pretty mouth of yours. Been a long time." he gave the chains a tug, making Elly fall down on her face in the dirt. Coughing and holding her nose she looked up at the shadowy figure and laughed ,sputtering and coughing.
"It was mine, Augustus, fair and square." she tried to get up on her knees bu Augustus gave another sharp tug and then walked over, putting his boot on her back right beneath her shoulder blades, he pushed down hard and leaned down to say softly in that deep smooth baritone.
"And now you are mine. Any last words before I silence you forever?" But no words came. With all his strength he came down hard on her head and knocked her out for the journey back to the desert.
"Get her clothing and redress her. Check for hidden lock picks and weapons, though she will need more then her thieving skills to get out of that. And have Darren look at that nose. If I'm going to get my money out of her she will need to be presentable. Don't forget the note. The note is done, right Horaph?" Augustus looked over his shoulder to the hunched-over inscriptionist who was putting the last touches on the document Augustus was inquiring about.
Dearest Jaen and Vanguard,
I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore. I love you all but the stress of being a fugitive is too much for me. Please don't come looking for me I will be someplace secret and safe. Most of all I'm sorry to you Jaen, sorry that I couldn't be brave and stay by your side in this turmoil. I will understand if you move on and will hold no hard feelings against you. I hope you all remain safe. Do not come looking for me.
-Elly
"And you are sure this matches her handwriting? You know what I will do to you if it's not?" the inscriptionist stuttered and moaned.
"I..I swear it is, I swear please...please not again." he fell to his knees and covered his head but instead of punishment, Augustus patted his head like a good dog and sealed the letter away.
"See that it gets where it is supposed to go and meet us back at camp. And don't forget you have an hour to gather her things from her room and get back before the others see. Don't get caught." The priest bowed and kissed Augustus' hand several times before picking up his robes and running down the small path towards Booty Bay.
Augustus turned around just in time to see the last buckle go into place on Ellys armor, the men dressing her like a lifeless rag doll, not at all careful to hide her good bits.
The Blood Elf carrying the letter, ran as fast as his feet could manage. He could hear them take off towards the camp as he turned around the bend and continued running into the city. As Augustus had promised, the inn was almost empty and he was able to slip into the room, gather the Rogue's things, and let the letter rest on Jaens pillow to be found upon his return.
