The Silvermoon Academy

The young brigadier smooths a tuft of hair behind her ear and smiles softly at Solneryl.
I recognize that smile. A smile of pity. The kind'a smile ya give a child when he's skinned 'is knee.
The woman clears her throat, careful to maintain a friendly smile. Solneryl slouches in a chair across from her — he's wincing and rubbing his bruised neck.
Her smile begins to fade, "Professor Tel'es, I understand you've been through a lot recently. I don't wish to keep you long, but I just need to go over a few things with you."
Fuck, my throat hurts!
Solneryl begins to speak, his voice thin and raspy, "I need'a get back in the field, girlie. I ain' gon--"
The brigadier interrupts, "Professor Tel'es, this will only take a moment. This is a mandatory interview."
"Can yer captain jus' get in touch with me? I ain' gon--"
"I'm certain Captain Duskbane will want to speak to you as well, but I have a job to do — please cooperate."
Solneryl sighs shallowly and swallows, "What ya need'a know, girlie?"

"You were found in Murder Row by Brigadier Shieldsong, near the Silvermoon City Inn. Could you tell me what events lead up to your attack?"
Attack. That's puttin' it lightly. I wasn't attacked — I was damn near murdered.
"Sure, I was visitin' my Ma like I always do on Monday afternoons."
The young woman ruffles through the file in front of her, "Except for the weeks while you were 'on leave', correct?"
"Ayep."
"Okay, so you were visiting your mother. Approximately what time was this?"
"Say 'bout seven or so. Prob'ly left 'bout ten."
"So you left your mother's residence at ten o'clock. Then what?"
"Figured I needed a drink, so I headed to the Silvermoon Inn."
"Did you notice anyone suspicious while you were there?"
Like a man cloaked in black with a dagger to my throat? Nope, nothin' like that.
"Nope."
"So, after you had a few drinks..."
"I left the inn an' started makin' my way out'a the city. I was knocked off my feet. Ain' like somethin' pushed me, neither. I was pulled. From behind. Somethin' was wrapped 'round my throat."
Then I was dragged into an alley, wide-eyed and gasping fer air. Hands to my throat. Thrashin'. Tryin'a breathe.
"Do you recall what the assailant looked like?"
"Nah. Like I said, he was behind me the whole time."
"So then what happened?"
"Felt my windpipe closin' up. Started seein' stars. Last thing I remember feelin' was somethin' real thin an' cold on my throat."
Thought I was a goner.
The woman begins scribbling in her file, "Is there anything that you would like to add, Professor?"
Ayep, can ya tell me why I got a fucked up phrase stuck in my head?
Solneryl shakes his head slowly, "Nope."
I tether you to the vanity of your kind, I tether you to their fate. I tether you to an open wound that never heals.