Therric lies awake, staring at the ceiling. The tonic has helped soothe his nerves somewhat, but the thought of him succumbing to ghoul fever has caused his stomach to twist itself into knots.
"Sarenrae... Desna..." The ill squire swallows. "...Calistria... right now, I'd be happy with any of you answering my prayer. I don't want this--the thought of turning into a monster and harming innocents is making me--" He retches slightly and tries to refocus.
"Please, give me the strength to pull through this. By your holy light, Sarenrae, please give me the strength to pull through this."
Nessa takes a few minutes to dress up , then she leaves Caithlin's house with Alayna, to go to the Temple.
Sylee, rubbing her sleepy eyes, walks to Cameron
Why is it so dark? It's time for breakfast? Where is mommy? Why is Therric crying?
Ready to go Nessa made sure Sylee was asleep still before she and Alayna headed towards the temple. Along the way she noticed a carriage following along behind them and thought nothing of it until she noticed the crossbows pointing in their direction. She grabbed Alayna's hand and pulled her towards the nearest cover dropping behind it as she said, "Down Alayna!"
Cameron crouches down to be on the same level as Sylee and he decides a little of the truth is for the best, "Therric is very ill Sylee and it's making him sad. Nessa has gone with aunty Alayna to pray for him and ask Calistria's aid in curing him. It's not time for breakfast, since it's the middle of the night, that's why it's dark. However if you come with me, I'll see if we can find a snack for you in the kitchen..."
At Nessa's shouted warning, Alayna begins turning to face the threat. Seeing nothing more than a crossbow, she dives under cover with the she-demon. Alayna uses her own body to cover Nessa from the incoming bolt.
The cart slows just enough to let the crossbowmen do their thing
4 crossbow bolts hit things around you, but only one of them was close enough to be threatening, as the girls are on the ground.
Alayna's tricorn is now pierced by a crossbow bolt, and the cart rider presses on his horse
As the cart rattle off into the darkness Alayna comes up in a squat, looking around for any other attackers. She has her hand on Nessa's shoulder, she whispers, "Play along!" Trying to sound horrified by the attack. Alayna shouts, Maybe I ken get ya ta the temple afore ya go to Cossamir's Locker." An' there goes another good hat!
Either is was just a warning shot, or the cart waits for another opportunity..
But minutes pass, and there isn't another ambush.
Alayna "carries" Nessa, her hand feeling the softness of her skin, the heights and lows of the tiefling upper body.
Why were they attacked, and by who? Another mistery...
Soon the Temple of Lust is in sight.The front doors are closed, of course, as it's the middle of the night. But theres surely another discreet way in.
Caithlin takes Sylee by the hand, and smiles at Cameron
This little one is always hungry...I'l l take care of her. Do you need something that could help you, Cameron? I know a few things about the healing arts, but I can't heal disease with magic. Never been able to.
She touches Cameron's cheek softly
You will find a way.Don't worry too much. You're a smart and wise man.
Cameron tells Sylee, "Oh you're in luck. I'm sure Caithlin will have something yummy for you..." Standing up, he answers Caithlin's question, "Magic would be the most reliable treatment, lamentably such feats are beyond me as well. Still some clean bandages and fresh medicinal herbs would help tremendously when I change his dressing in the morning. Just now I had to make do and ruined poor Therric's shirt."
Nessa felt Alayna throw herself over the tiefling's body to shield her and so tucked her wings in close so they wouldn't be as exposed. The courtesan was dumbfounded, she'd never had anyone do something like that before, and she certainly never expected it from Alayna. She was about to say something when Alayna whispered and she let herself collapse on the street. She played "dead" as Alayna picked her up and began to carry her towards the temple allowing herself to go completely limp to further the performance.
When they reached the temple Nessa quietly whispered, "Go down the alley one street to the left going away from the temple." Once Alayna got the she said, "Go to the end, push the brick ten up and third from the right side."
I have what you seek, I'll bring it to you as soon as Sylee got something to eat. You know, Cameron, it's strange... I was sure it was Nessa who ruined Therric's shirt.
She seems to do her best to bring back a smile on the young priest's lips
The shirt would have been destroyed, one way or another.
A small voice
I'm still hungry...
Lets go to the kitchen, Sylee. Then I'll have to come back to Cameron, so eat properly and quietly.
Following Nessa's instructions, Alayna sees a secret door opening in the Temple's wall.
There's a guard, of course, but as he sees Nessa, he lets you pass
Twas a rough night for you girls, it seems..
Therric does his best to try to sleep.
GM
Although Zahel wanted to help Therric, there was little he could do. Better let him under Cameron and Caithlinn's expert care.
I can still look for alchemical recipes in my book... Maybe some herbs would help.
With Therric healed, and tucked in a comfortable bed, everything seemed to have calmed down. Unfortunately, the investigator knew that the day was far from over. He waited until Caithlinn led Sylee into the kitchen for a snack to talk to the cleric:
"Cameron, Krucina and I have translated the book. The poems are not of a crucial importance, but the notes Larur left behind are. And I am afraid that they contain bad news."
The half-elf translated them for Cameron.
The notes:
Sometimes, the boss got more money than he should. Staff isn't payed much. I wonder where he found the money to get the games in the first place.
I think the boss suspect something about me. Or maybe I'm paranoiac? After Zilcher's show, everyone is on his nerves. I should contact someone to keep an eye on me.
"You were right. Saul's money is anything but legal, and he probably got rid of Larur when the latter became a little too curious. And now that he knows that we're after him too, we have to expect the worst from him."
Cameron chuckles softly at Caithlinn's joke and remarks, "Perhaps I should have become a tailor, they doing a roaring business right now!"
All levity was wiped away when Zahel explained his translation, "It'll have to wait for the morning, but we need to get a copy of this to Sgt Drexell. I fear what Saul might do, that man has no scruples. Larur was an honest hard worker, and Saul as good as ask me to kill him. We have to assume he will come for us. We probably shouldn't stay here beyond tonight, Caithlinn has been a most gracious hostess. I would not put her in danger by remaining."
Caithlin comes back soon with an healing kit
Use what you need, and keep the rest, Cameron. I can have another one easily. I wished I could do more.
With the door safely closed behind them Nessa wriggled out of Alayna's arms and quickly gave her a peck on the lips before saying, "Oh my hero." She giggled then and turned to the guard, "You could say that, we were the victims of a drive by shooting. Some men in a carriage came speeding by and shot at us with crossbows."
Really? Glad your pretty.. everything didn't get hurt.
answers the guard, with a true look of concern on his face
Now at least you're secure. Have fun together, I'll watch out.
Cameron and Zahel, taking turns to watch over Therric, see him very agitated in his feverish sleep. More than once, he bares his teeth and tries to bite the air.
Alayna wrinkles her nose at the strong perfume in the air. "Oh, that'll wake ya up an' make yer eyes water! Better'n a bilge or sump at least." She chuckles at the guard's assumption and quips, "Nay the sweetest fruit is the one denied. This one'll 'ave ta wait!"
The guard answers with a chuckle of his own
Beware, Nessa is as good a fruit catcher as you'll ever see..Take care of you basket of delicious fruits!
The Temple is quite calm...except of course the moans of pleasure coming from different rooms, even in this late hour. Finding someone awake won't be that hard.
But will they be able or willing to help you?
Caithlinn comes to see you, with some hot tea and honeyed cakes.
Don't tell Sylee you had some... I had so much trouble putting her back to bed! How is your friend?
Once again, Therric bares his teeth, and his eyes show nothing but hunger and fury. Caithlinn's hand darts on Cameron arm, and she is visibly shaken
Shouldn't we tie him to the bed?
Therric awakens with a vicious snarl... and a mouthful of pillow as he bites down hard on it.
He blinks once, his eyes widening in sheer fright as he finally realizes what he's been doing.
He buries his face in his pillow and starts shaking.
Startled by the ferocity of Therric's latest outburst, Cameron flinches back for a moment. Instinctively Caithlinn's hand darts out to hold him and a thought flashes through his head, 'I have to be strong for them, for her.' Leaning into her slightly, to give the subconscious reassurance she obviously needed, Cameron replied with a calm voice, "I thought about that, its getting worse. Then I realized that would be giving into fear. Somewhere in there, a very brave man is grappling with something awful. To tie him up would demean his spirit, it would be tantamount to admitting we've lost and I'm not ready to give up on him! I can't believe the gods would be so cruel as to bring him and Nessa together only to rip them apart so soon. No their destiny casts a long shadow and for good or ill they're not done yet."
Nessa grinned at teh words of the guard and said, "Don't you know it, you know that my fruit is absolutely sinful in it's taste, a fact you learned over a few hours I believe." With that she lead the way deeper into the temple as she searched for a cleric to come with them and tend to Therric.
While Nessa glides through the crowd she is so comfortable with Alayna spends time slapping hands and sampling some of the best wines she has ever had. By the time Nessa gets back to her she is about three sheets to the wind. "Hic! Oh, Hiya ya sultry tramp. Good ta' 'ave ya back. Ya find what we - er - hic - who we need?"
Well well well, isn't it two lovely girls...Wanting to preach the Savored Sting, I hope?
says a booming, and slightly drunk, male voice, which Nessa recognise at once.
Marcus Bellomont.
One of the priests of the Temple.
Hey, isn't it my favorite pitaress... piratess? Wossname escapes me just at the moment, fcourse.
After his discussion with Cameron, Zahel spent some time flipping through a small book. A few moments later, he came back:
"I'll try to make an antiplague for Therric," he explained. "I'll do the best that I can, but unfortunately, even if I succeed, it will still take time. Maybe even a few days."
Nessa's look was very serious and worried as she said, "Not right now Marcus." Her expression turned shifty as she continued, "But maybe you can help us Marcus. One of my friends, he helped me avenge the sister taken by that ghoul, has become infected by the ghoul's sickness. If we don't get the disease cured he might become one." She leaned against him then, pressing firmly against his chest with hers and said, "Would you please help us heal him, or at least take us to someone who can?"
Alayna starts to scowl at the lecherous man, thenthen remembers she came here for help. "Well met, ya lout! As the dainty demon said we came ta' get yer help, well, helpin' one o' our own. See, we was gettin' ta the bottom o' them dock girls wut was being killed an' he got 'imself bit by wut was doin' the killin'. Now he's got 'imself a fever wut won't be quittin'. An' a bit o' nasty appetite ta' go wit'!"
Really? He's seek? Sick, I mean? Is that urgent? I mean, tomorrow morning-not too early- I can come back to your Glod Globin thingy, and cure him. I'll pray Calistria so I can heal his appetite and eat you again. Or sumthing like that. That's the least I can do for such cuties! You help Calistrians, Calistrian will help you. Mostly. When they won't have thing hangover. This hungover. Whatever
He puts a finger on his lips (or at least tries)
I might ask for a favor later. No money "tween us.
Nessa nodded and said, "I wish you could come now but that'd be fine Marki! Just make sure to come to Caithlin's house, we don't want to move him in case he finishes turning and tries to eat anyone."
Therric struggles against the ravaging disease all night, under the care of Cameron and others.
Later, Nessa and a still slightly drunk Alayna come back from the Temple of Lust bring good news: one of the priests, Marcus Bellomont, will be there by the morning to try to magically cure your friend.
The bad news are that they were ambushed on their way to the Temple, by crossbowmen in a cart.
Fortunatly, the girls weren't hurt, but they have no clue on the identities of their foes.
In mid morning, a man in his early thirties, now sober, knocks on Caithlinn's door.
Hello, madam. Its a pleasure to meet you. My name is Marcus Bellomont, and Nessa asked for my help, yesternight. I've heard you have someone who needs magical healing in your house?
Please do enter, Marcus. You are welcome in my home. The poor Therric is upstairs.
Sleep didn't come easily for Cameron, between Therric's ravings and worry over the botched assassination attempt his mind was abuzz. What could they do to save Therric? Did Saul send the carriage, and to what aim? From what the girls had said it didn't seem exactly professional, besides this was Riddleport and strange things happened.
At some point he must have slept into a fitful slumber, for he awoke several hours after dawn, tired hungry and faintly hungover. Last night Caithlin had served various fortified and dessert wines, lovely but much stronger than he was used to.
After seeing to his morning ablutions and eating some leftovers in the kitchen, Cameron wandered what to do next. Perhaps it was best to consult the omens, they had been dire of late and he fidgeted nervously with his harrow deck. After procrastinating for several minutes he inwardly admonished his foolishness and dealt the deck out straight as it lay.
He turned over the top card, half expecting it to be something horrible. Upon seeing the results, he grunted "Oh! The Empty Throne. Well I suppose that could be worse... Cripes I'd better check Therric!" The Empty Throne represented those who are gone, or a ghost of the past that has taught important lessons. There where many interpretations of that card, not all of which where dire.
Some moments later Cameron was relieved to find Therric asleep in his room. Carefully so as not to wake him, he closed the door and stepped out.
Therric didn't have the most restful of nights--between his fever-induced nightmares and the gnawing, unnatural hunger in his stomach, it's a wonder he was able to sleep at all.
Perhaps that's why he's sleeping in this morning--he looks a bit more peaceful than before, if nothing else.
"Ya took yer time, ya lout! C'mon up and see yer patient." Alayna waves for Marcus to follow her and she can feel his eyes on her, but she ignores it. At least if he offered, I would'na have ta send tha man ta tha baths first... At the door to Therric's room she pauses as if to listen, and then pushes open the portal, her hand instinctively on her best knife.
"...mmmuuhhh?" Therric blinks several times and tries to force himself to get out of bed.
He promptly abandons that endeavour and falls back to the mattress. He seems caught between being fully asleep and being awake.
...I'm still hungry.
"...whozit?"
Once they arrived back at Caithlin's, Nessa went to bed and snuggled in with Sylee for what was left of the night. Her sleep was fitful as she worried over Therric but the feel of her daughter close to her actually helped soothe the tiefling's nerves and brought her a modicum of sleep. When they both woke up she smiled at the little girl and said, "Morning honey, how did you sleep last night?"
She lloked at Nessa and said with worry, "Ok I guess. Why was every one up last night?"
Nessa's worry came to the front and she said, "Therric's very sick but don't worry, someone is coming to heal him this morning so he'll be just fine once the help arrives. That's where I went last night, to get him help." She realized that she kind of broke her promise to Sylee, sort of, so she continued, "I would've come and told you I was going out for a while but it was very late and I knew you were sleeping," her tone became worried as she asked the little girl, "was that ok? That I didn't wake you?" It was obvious to anyone, even a little girl, that Nessa was worried she screwed up again with the Sylee as she waited for the girl to reply.
Sylee answers Nessa
Just a little... your tail tickled me! But then I was glad you were there, and comfy.
She seems toughtful, then
Mommy.. Can I get sick too, like Therric?
Alayna walks Marcus toward Therric's room, and the priest asks her
Do you know for how long he was sick? Is anyone feeling the same symptoms?
Seeing Cameron in the corridor, Marcus shakes hands with him.
Let's try to cure your friend...and pray.
Seeing the weakened paladin in the bed, Marcus calls on Calistria's power, after applying a yellow paste on his lips
Calistria, this man brought vengeance on the undead killer of your faithful, and suffered for it. Please give him your boon, and avenge yourself again, by denying the ghouls their victim.
Marcus bows on the bed and kisses Therric on the lips-to everyone surprise, probably- insuffling life and strenght in his body
Nessa hugged the little girl and said, "No honey, you wont get sick like Therric. In fact I think I hear Marcus out there now. You remember Marcus from the temple? He said he'd come and ask Calistria to heal Therric of this disease. I know the clerics can do this, I've seen it before, and I know the goddess will do this because Therric helped bring vengeance on a monster attacking her faithful." She smiled then and said, "And since I serve Calistria as well she would heal you or me if we ever became sick so there's nothing to be scared of is there?" She tapped Sylee on the end of the nose when she finished speaking.
She felt Sylee's dolly between the two of them and a thought came to her, a though she turned into a question, "Where did you get your dolly from, and what happened to her arm? I never thought to ask before."
Therric blinks in confusion as the Calistrian priest walks into his bedroom and applies some sort of paste to his lips.
"...uh... what are you going to--"
He gets his answer when the man finishes his prayer and kisses him full on the mouth.
"--mmph!"
When the kiss is over, he feels much better--though his body is still weak from the fever, at least he's just hungry for regular breakfast.
"...thanks, sir." He feels more awkward than before.
Someone gave it to me. A priest, just like Cameron, with a butterfly around his neck. I remember the Pauper being very angry against him. But of course, a boy wanted to play with my doll, and he broke his arm.
Marcus is happily surprised
You're feeling better? Really? I rarely use this spell...Mostly against what is called "Calistrian diseases" or "Stinging Illness". Be glad I had to kiss you on the lips...
Marcus laughs
Nessa's eyes watered as she found out what happened. She hugged the girl tightly and asked, "Do you know where the arm of your doll is now?" A plan was forming in her mind, one she hoped would help her little girl, a plan she dubbed "Operation: Heart Mender"!
Normally, Therric wouldn't be inclined to laugh at the priest's joke.
This time, it's enough to make him burst out in much needed laughter.
"...yeah, and if that were the case, no offence, but I think I'd be more comfortable with a priestess doing it." He says over a rumbling stomach.
"Does anyone have something to eat?"
From a discrete difference Cameron watches Marcus work. There where certain theological disagreements, was it really necessary for the kiss? Still the results spoke for themselves.
You're feeling better? Really? I rarely use this spell...Mostly against what is called "Calistrian diseases" or "Stinging Illness". Be glad I had to kiss you on the lips...
"I suppose that would come in handy now and then." Cameron observed dryly before adding rather more warmth, "We were getting rather worried for Therric. Please accept my, well, all our thanks!"
"Does anyone have something to eat?"
Cameron replied, "I'll have a look in the Kitchen for you and see if there's any Honey cakes left..."