Legacy Rewritten

In a Bind

After a moment, I turned back towards the lake, contemplating if I was ready to return to the castle yet. I knew that I probably should seeing as the boys were going to be expecting me...but that whole idea of a curfew is what really had me questioning an earlier return. I suppose that was somewhat recommended, to return before curfew began, but I truly don't think that I'll be heeding that requirement as often as Professor Weasley and Headmaster Black would like me to. I watched as the sun sunk behind the distanced mountains, causing a beautiful painting of purple, pink and orange to decorate the sky before it slowly faded into a navy blue-black color, littered with glittering stars. Sighing, I decided to stay out a bit longer as I began to grow curious to see that there were two people outside of their homes, seeming to be on patrol. I couldn't quite tell, so I made my way closer to the middle of the small hamlet and ended up seeing a man standing at his booth, selling wares as if it were daytime, as well as a goblin that seemed to be anxious. The whole scene gave me an odd feeling, but I still wanted to say something. For one reason, no one else had come to aid Nora and I, and even though we may not have needed it, help would've been much appreciated to make it easier. And secondly, if things were as dangerous as Nora's wife had told her, why would there be a random goblin and a street vendor out late at night. I didn't have any room to judge, though, since I was out late myself. I guess in the end, that's what propelled me forward as I cautiously made my way to the goblin first. 

"I never thought Ranrok's loyalists would go this far..." the goblin muttered in concern, and I'd imagine he actually thought he was speaking quietly since he didn't recognize that someone had come to stand in front of his pacing form. He stopped suddenly as his gaze shifted from the spot in front of him to the mysterious feet that had shown up in front of him. He stumbled back, slightly in shock as he realized that he actually did see a pair of feet before his eyes lifted to meet my own. "Pardon me sir, I didn't mean to scare you. Are you alright? I saw you pacing and I was worried for you," I feigned innocent, not quite sure what to make of the goblin in front of me, other than the simple fact that he did seem to need assistance. "Well, I'm a little distraught actually...I just lost my business after all! Ranrok and a couple of his loyalists came through here not too long ago and they ransacked this poor hamlet. I was coming back from getting some more paints in Hogsmeade when they rounded on me. Ranrok wanted me to join his ranks, saying that 'even the weaker ones could be useful', but I denied him. Not just for my own sake, but also because I highly disagree with his mentality in everything that's been occurring lately. He didn't like my answer one bit, ordering for his loyalists to beat me to death. He left, apparated out of here actually which brought quite a shock to me, but they still beat me.

I'm convinced that I'd be dead had it not been for one of the loyalists to recognize me. He managed to convince the other two that I'd be dead soon anyways, that they needed to get back to work and were 'short on time', whatever that meant. They left me to die here and they took my carts, all of my art supplies, even that which is most precious to me...my paintings! I couldn't even admire my craft as I started to drift, not before that man over by his table came out and began to heal me," the goblin explained, putting his hands on his head as he seemed to be trying to calm himself down after getting a bit riled up again. I leant forward and passed him a Wiggenweld, to which he took immediately and thanked me as soon as his breathing seemed to even out again. "Why would Ranrok attack you though? And then to take your stuff...seems quite pointless to me. Also, I didn't catch your name," I replied, hoping that my words sounded empathetic to him. "My name is Arn, it's a pleasure to meet you. And to answer your question, Ranrok attacked me because he has no patience for traitors, especially if they are refusing to join him and his 'noble cause' as he called it. As for my carts and paintings...I'm sure they'll just end up using them as kindling for their fires. Ranrok and his loyalists don't seem like the type to have the capability of embracing and appreciate the meaning and beauty behind my works anyways," he replied, giving a slight smirk before his frown from before resurfaced.