"They are too scared to listent to reason....Move!" Tolenn shouts above the tumult.
An arm around Cassandra's shoulders, Tolenn bulls her way through the crowd, using her shield to fend off those that come too close...
Wednesday and Amira both provide a distraction, the crowd shrieking as a great number of them rub at their eyes. The crowd doesn't part, but that middle section loses its forward momentum, creating a gap for the party to use. Tolenn hustles Cassandra forward as Wednesday grabs Eric, Terri and Amira close behind as the unaffected people in the crowd try to hustle forward to swarm Terri. You make it to the line of Abadarian guards just as the press starts to wash over you, the crowd crying in dismay as they are held back from their newest potential savior.
The two questioning guards start to barrage you with typical guard questions, such as, "State your business?", et cetera, but the boy Eric clambers down from Wednesday's grasp and stands in front of you. Vaultkeeper Dhatri asked that I retrieve this group to speak with him." Over the sound of the large group behind you, the boy has to repeat himself twice, but the guards wave you in, giving Cassandra a wary glance.
The small group is led inside, Eric again leading the way now that the mob is behind you. The Bank is busy, even with all that is going on, but the mood is suspicious. Patrons eye each other and you fearfully, their gaze traveling to face and arms. Cassandra is given a wide berth, expediting your way in. The young boy turns to the west, proceeding to a small meeting room where Ishani Dhatri sits. He waves you in, dropping a couple of copper coins into Eric's hand before shooing the boy out.
The priest closes the door, looking grave. “Thank you for coming. I assume you already suspect my reasons for calling, having seen the crowd outside—poor lot. You recognize the symptoms too, I’m sure. I had hoped that the Soldado case was isolated, but apparently we have a bigger problem on our hands than I’d feared."
"I’m concerned for the city, but also for my brethren here. The
morning after my visit to the Soldado home I came to the temple to hear that three of my brothers awoke with similar symptoms, although they had already been healed. I spoke to each, and aside from their usual duties in the temple, none have had any dealings with the sick. Later in the day, more of my brothers— vaultkeepers, guards, and acolytes—developed symptoms, and folk from throughout the city began arriving in search of healing. It’s been more than a little bit frightening. They’re calling the sickness ‘blood veil.’ An apt enough name, I suppose."
“This affliction has spread fast, yet I’m not yet sure how. Most
of the patients we’re treating have come from North Point and Old Korvosa. The disease seems to spread fastest through the lower classes. Although we here at the temple can heal some of the ill, I fear that the spread of the disease will soon outpace our resources. The only way to stem the growing infection is to involve all the city’s resources. We need to organize. We need to call upon the faiths of Sarenrae, Pharasma, and even Asmodeus to face this attack. Archbanker Tuttle and several of his assistants are out pursuing alliances with these other faiths, but even that won’t be enough. We need to involve the Korvosan Guard, at the very least. And that’s where you come in—with the number of desperate souls growing, it’s not particularly safe for a priest to walk the streets of Korvosa. I hear that you have a good relationship with Field Marshal Cressida Croft—perhaps you would be willing to escort me to Citadel Volshyenek to introduce me to her? Of course, we at the church are willing to reward you for this service with 200 gold coins each."
He casts a glance at Cassandra, pity in his eyes, then adds, "Or for you, 50 gold and freedom from your affliction."
Keeping a blank aloofness while the priest went over the plan that Amira and the others had already thought of that semblance of calmness immediately turns into a snarl once the man mentions Croft and wanting to meet her.
Grinding his teeth he takes a few steps back to let the rational people talk instead.
"Ishani, I think that all of us will do what we can, but I do you mind if I ask you something? Is it possible that the sickness could be carried on coins? We talked to Brienna and she said that the money was the only thing unusual she found before she took ill. If the priests here are growing ill as well, despite not doing anything different, then perhaps that is how it is spreading so quickly,"[b] Terri looks to Cassandra and gives the young wizard a smile, [b]"As for my friend here, take the cost of her treatment from my share. I hardly need that much gold. Would it be possible to take care of that before heading to talk to the Guard?"
"Coins being the source of the infection would also explain the rate of infection and what members of your temple have been infected." Amira responds. "We'd alrady planned on involving the other temples, but finding the source or at least immobilizing it to slow the rate of infection should be a priority."
"Seventy-five." Cassandra says, automatically. She was born into a family of merchants, after all. "And the healing."
"I for one, would be willing to get you to a meeting with Croft at no charge." Tolenn says simply, "The other speak true, much of what you had planned we had dicusses ourselves. It is good to see that others care about the welfare of Korvosa as much as we do; given the events of late."
"Do you need to arrange your matters here, or are you ready to depart?" she asks
Ishani gives Cassandra a kindly, yet firm, look. "The standard price for a spell to remove disease is 150 gold coins, my friend. If I gave you even a gold off of that, Abadar would remove such power from my person." He nods to Terri, then starts to chant a short prayer, coming forth and grasping Cassandra's arm. As you watch, the red splotches on the woman fade to nothing, and her breathing seems to ease.
He smiles at Cassandra, nodding. "You might be weak for a couple of days, but you will be fine."
He turns helplessly to Terri and Amira, "I have thought about that, actually, and brought it before the Arch Banker. We will certainly do what we can, but coin is the life's blood of a city, and if we try to put a clamp on it, all that will do is cause hoarding, I'm afraid."
Turning to Tolenn, he nods, "I am ready to depart immediately, ma'am." The priest retrieves five bags, meticulously counting out 150 gold coins from one of them. He hands the fuller bags to Tolenn, Cassandra, Amira, and Wednesday, the lighter one to Terri. "As promised. The Keeper of Keys does not expect tasks to be performed for goodwill. That works both ways. Lead on, whenever you are ready."
Wednesday gives his bag to Cassandra without a thought before turning and heading to the door, ready to go to the last place he wanted to go to to see the last person he wanted to see.
Cassandra accepts the bags, both her own and Wednesday's. She tucks them away.
"Is there a back door?" Cassandra says, breathing easier already, "If we go out the front door with two priests we'll be trampled by a mob."
"About forgot about that..." Daud muses aloud as he turns and heads back to the others.
" I'd rather not have to shock and awe our way out." Amira adds.
Ishani chuckles, nodding. "There is another way out. If you will follow me." He smiles at the lot of you, then passes you by, walking out the door. He walks casually down the hall, then down a flight of steps, then through another labyrinth of halls you surely would have been lost in. Finally, he reaches a small corridor, and at its end are stairs leading up to a locked door. He produces a key, turning to you and saying gravely, "I doubt there is anyone out here...but just in case, be quick. The Archbanker will think ill of me if I let the sick of the City in the back door, so to speak."
With that, he fits the key in the lock, and quickly opens the door inward. Thankfully, there is no crowd outside as your group quickly shuffles outside before the priest locks the door behind you. The six of you walk down the streets, the mood of the City again oppressive, for different reasons. Twice beggars try their luck, but the stern gazes of Tolenn and Wednesday stay them in their tracks.
After a tense five minute walk, you arrive at the gate of the Citadel. The guards, remembering Tolenn and Wednesday, ignorant of Amira and Cassandra, and admiring of Terri's pretty face, gladly admit you entrance, noting "You'd best hurry if you want to meet the Queen's Physicians!" Curious, you hurry forward towards the Courtyard.
The echoes of forcefully spoken but still just-missed words resound off the imposing granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer curtain. Dozens of red-and-silver-armored guards stand in assembly upon the pitted stone mustering ground here, mumbling in hushed, somber tones. Before them, atop a weathered wooden platform, paces Field Marshal Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd’s murmurs. Behind her upon the scaffold stand three grizzled veteran guardsmen at attention, as well as an ominous-looking group. These men wear cowled robes of oily-looking leather, supple gloves, and wide black hats. Some grip heavy canes, others dark satchels. Each of them, though, wears a dark-goggled mask tapering to a pointed beak. Among them stand two others. The first is a middle-aged gentleman in a simple black overcoat with streaks of white gracing the sides of his short dark hair. He watches the gathered guards with a soft, concerned expression, his hands tightly clasping a heavy-looking doctor’s case. The second figure is an imposing one indeed—a woman dressed in full-plate armor, a longsword and shield at her side, and her blank-faced full helm sporting a bright red plume.
The Field Marshal’s fierce tone cuts through the rumble of whispers. “You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his men in their royal duties wherever those might take them. Furthermore, you are to consider orders from any of the queen’s new order of Gray Maidens to be as binding as any superior officer in the Korvosan Guard or Sable Company. You are guardsmen of Korvosa. You will not balk. These are dire times and your city needs these healers. Your city needs you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Dismissed!”
"Thank you Ishani," Terri says as she gives the man a quick hug before heading out the door.
"What's all this about?" Terri asks quietly, not even aware she'd asked the question aloud.
Quarantine, they're gonna start rounding up the infected and dead and imprison them or experiment on them in hopes of finding a cure... probably both." Daud responds methodically to Terri's aloud thought.
"I have a bad feeling about that last part." Amira mutters.
"Healers, Wednesday, she called them healers. Not torturers. " Tolenn comments to her friend, hough his words do cause a shiver of unease to move through her mind.
She scrutinizes the 'doctors' on the stand, mentally asking for Saranae's light to reveal any perfidy there.
When done, she motions Ishani over, "These Grey Maidens, have you heard aught of them?"
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Leaning in he'll murmur into Tolenn's ear, "And a way to find out how to cure something without magic is to take it apart and look at its insides. Find out what makes it work. What makes it sick."
As the group mulls over this news, Tolenn scans a nearby doctor.
Ishani shakes his head, his expression cautiously optimistic. "Never heard of them. Must be something new..."
As you watch, you see the guards organizing into assignments, a few guards grouping up with a single doctor. Some of the guards take their time, griping over their new assignment, when the Gray Maiden (whose voice IS that of a woman) snaps out an order to comply. The guards grumble, but finish the task of getting organized.
Croft and her few lieutenants, along with Dr. Davaulus, start to head toward the entryway to the Citadel itself, when the perceptive dark-haired woman notices your group. She makes a gesture, bidding you come over.
Letting out a sigh Daud shakes his head from side to side before walking over when Croft beckons them.
Terri tugs on Wednesday's arm and motions for him to bend closer to her.
A faint smile starts to seep into Daud's face as he gives Terri a nod before bringing his face close to her's.
Terri winces at whatever it was that Wednesday said to her.
"I hadn't known that... I... My point still stands, though. We can bring up Trinia's arrest later. Now, we have other things to worry about, and she's safely out of the Queen's reach for now. I doubt even Ileosa would want to cross Blackjack. Please, Wednesday, do this for me, if no one else."
Sunday lets his head slump forward seemingly in defeat, resting his forehead against Terri's.
Terri gives Wednesday a smile before turning his head and kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Wednesday. We'll deal with everything else after we solve this. I promise."
Narrowing her eyes, Amira takes a deep breath as the group walks over, contemplating the grey maiden.
His expression shifts quickly when the priestess kisses him before it just as quickly shifts back to his usual somber mood, replete with faint smile as he nods to the girl.
Field Marshall Croft smiles at the group as you approach. "Wednesday, Tolenn, it's good to see you again. What happened to Gaius and Pyron? I don't know your new friends..." Her eyes narrow in thought as she glances at Cassandra and Amira, but if there is any recognition, it is well-guarded. Finally, she says, "Let me introduce you. Dr. Davaulus, I'd like to introduce you to Tolenn, Wednesday, and their companions. All, this is Doctor Reiner Davaulus, tasked with combating Blood Veil in Korvosa."
The man smiles warmly, extending his gloved hands to the group for a shake. "A pleasure, a pleasure. And Field Marshal Croft, it is not just I who will be fighting this epidemic! My doctors and your guards all have an important role to play!" He turns his gaze back to your group as he awaits names, questions, etc.
"Terri Riverrun, a priestess of Shelyn, Dr. Davaulus," Terri introduces herself, waiting for the others to introduce themselves.
Since she had already announced him Daud elected not to say anything, simply staring forth into nothing until the Doctor brought his hand forward. Giving the man a quick handshake he goes back to staring at nothing.
"Amira Oenestria" the vigilate replies with a curt nod and handshake.
Tolenn observes the little drama between Terri and Wednesday with a knowing look, but doesn't inturrupt.
She greets the doctor warmly, "Tolenn, yes just Tolenn, Chosen of Saranae. It is good to see others coming forward to help the people of Korvosa, Doctor. In out experience , only a divine blessing has been enough to cure this disease, what knowledge are you bringin to bear?"
He shakes all hands (except Cassandra's, at this point), and responds, "A pleasure, a pleasure." He closes his other hand over Tolenn's, nodding. "Yes, the Dawnflower's disciples will be of great need in the coming days! The City really needs the help of all! But faith alone will not do it, I'm afraid...the curative magics of this city will quickly become overwhelmed." He releases Tolenn's hand sadly, slowly shaking his head.
Then he brightens at her final question, "I have over two decades of experience with plague, fair lady. With my experience and your benevolent Queen's help, we should be able to make things turn out for the best. While we haven't yet gone over the nitty gritty logistics of everything, I hope this helps." Dr. Davaulus reaches into a pocket, pulling out a handful of notices. He chuckles, pulling one from the pile and extending it to Tolenn before stuffing the rest back inside.
"A bit heavy handed, I think. When one is threatened with death from a disease, threats of death from those attempting control...seems counter productive. " Tolenn states , handing the notice to the others
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"I assure you, good lady, that the Queen has only her City's best interests at heart. It seems heavy-handed, on paper, but think on it this way. If a man knowingly carries the disease and does not seek to prevent spreading it, he is in effect committing murder to those he infects with it. A harsh interpretation, to be sure, but it won't make any difference to the dead that would have lived had he stayed inside or submitted himself for treatment."
Croft looks on, silent, absorbing the man's words. Her face remains neutral.
Ishani steps forward, grasping the man's hand, "Ishani Dhatri, of Abadar. I was wondering if we could discuss the Bank of Abadar's role in coordinating with the plague efforts!"
"And what does your current treatment plan consist of?" Daud thinks aloud as he looks at the note before handing it off.
The man nods at Wednesday, "That's actually what the Field Marshall and I were about to discuss, strategy and all that. Certainly restricted travel between districts and into and out of the city. Possibly quarantines...I need more information on where the plague is most rampant before I can truly make a viable plan."
He thinks for a moment, then continues, "As for a treatment plan, I truly just got here less than a couple of hours ago. I will need to inspect some of those infected to learn more about the disease and how it is transmitted."
"I'm sure she does," Terri says at the doctor's statement that the Queen has Korvosa's interests at heart.
Not from the rumors I've heard. She only seems to care about herself, her luxuries, and her power.
"Still, wouldn't it be better to encourage people to seek help, such as offering free treatment or perhaps even a good warm meal? This is seems far too heavy-handed and is likely to cause another round of panic and riots."
That and if you really cared for the people, you wouldn't have chuckled when producing these. There's going to be death enough without adding more false criminals to be sent to the chopping block.
The Doctor turns his kindly brown eyes to Terri. "Perhaps...but I didn't make the missives. And in any case, a firm hand is always needed during plague. Making something seem optional gives the illusion that one can decline. Her Majesty must keep the City's interests at heart, not each person individually. Such a stance is good for fairy tales, but would doom many more people if applied in this case."
"And in the sections where the infection is greatest, what is your plan for them, or are they doomed and written off to save the more fortunate?" Amira questions.
The Doctor turns his mild gaze to Amira, "As I said, I shall discuss such things with Field Marshall Croft. I would venture to say that traffic into and out of such areas should be as light as possible, and that will likely be where my Physicians will make their presence most felt. Not to keep making this point, but I have only been here two hours, and don't even have any logistics information as of this point."
At the mention of Croft again, Tolenn turns her gaze upon the Field Marshall, "And you, Field Marshall. What are your thoughts, and what of these Grey Maidens? It sounds like they recieve orders directly from the Queen. Is that so?"
As Tolenn talks to Croft, Daud makes a pointed move of his turning his head to look everywhere but the Field Marshall.
The Field Marshall bites her lip before responding, obviously picking her words with care. "I've always heard that quarantine was the best way to combat plague, but mind you I am rather inexperienced with an illness of this magnitude. As for the Gray Maidens, yes, they receive their orders directly from the Queen and Sabina Merrin. Leadership is needed in these trying times."