Regynn Winters

Finding the Facts

Clair looked at the woman across from her, torn between revulsion and an almost childlike sense of wonder. She had, of course, heard of the Forsaken, but she’d never seen one in person much less engaged in conversation with one.

The exposure of the woman’s major joints, the parchment thin skin hanging on like shredded bit’s of gauze were unnerving to say the least. But the thing that had given her the most difficulty was the ragged flesh of her face. Even when the woman paused in speech, Clair could see the dull gleam of wickedly jagged teeth and the blonde shuddered to think of what the woman had been gnawing on to leave them in such a state. At the same time Clair found herself being drawn in by the woman’s exuberance. She was not the drab, lifeless being that Clair had expected.

“Oh that. That article was about someone else completely. The rumor mill tried to say it was about Miss Denham but the facts we are wrong. First, Miss Denham’s father, Desmond, was a customs agent, not a merchant.” the little woman, introduced as Loniara, pursed her withered lips and raised a bony shoulder, “It’s true that Miss Denham was friends with that young lady and when she left Stormwind MissDenham went with her.”

“How do you know all this?” Clair asked when Loniara paused.

The forsaken woman beamed at her with an expression of pride, “I was a librarian in Stormwind before, well, before this.” she passed a hand in front of her to indicate her undead condition. “I didn’t have much of a personal life so I kept up with everyone else’s. It was simple enough, I was such a mousy thing as to be nearly invisible. It didn’t hurt that people never whisper as quietly as they think they do.”

She tilted her head to the side, tapping the tip of her finger against her teeth, the bone clicking eerily against the stained enamel, “Where was I? Oh yes. Mr. Denham, being a customs agent, had occasion to entertain sea captains and there was one in particular that took the city by storm.” she giggled to herself, “Stormwind by storm… heh…” she sobered, cleared her throat and continued, “Yes, well… He was Captain Stafford. What a beautiful man he was. All the women, not aristocracy of course, but all the other women, pined for him. Some of them none too subtly either.” she wiggled her eyebrows and snickered, “But he only had eyes for Miss. Denham.”

“They used to meet in the Library, back in the back corner near the stacks. I could hear them whispering such sweet things. But then there was a scandal on the docks and old Mr. Denham was investigated. Turns out he was taking bribes from certain captains and merchants to accept their wares and turn the others away.”

Loniara stopped and picked up a tea cup, sipping delicately while Clair caught herself cringing at the fact that the tea set was bone china, worrying that her companion might take exception. But the Forsaken set the cup down and tapped her fingers against the arm of the chair, once more pausing to gather her thoughts. “Well Miss Denham and Captain Stafford ran off together and were handfasted. Mr. Denham caught up with them before they could actually see a priest you see. But not before he could plant that little seed, mind.”

“What did he do? Mr Denham I mean.” Clair asked.

“Why he sent his daughter off to visit his sister in Booty Bay. Nine months later the poor dear died. Caught some jungle fever or some such.” Loniara raised her hands in air quotes then lowered them and shook her head regretfully, “A real shame that, she was such a nice girl. Always had a kind word.”

Clair frowned, “What about the captain?”

Honiara sighed though there was no expulsion of breath, “He stayed for several months, tired to reason with her father, tried to find out where she was but then he had to return to Boralus and as far as I know he never came back.”

“And the baby?”

“The wee tike was given to the orphanage as well you know missy. Don’t think you can fool me. I know you’re not just chatting to pass the time of day, you know who she is. Now. I’ve told you my part of the story, you tell me yours.”