There is no 'back way' out of the temple, and Charlie, while he knows the vaults a little, doesn't know it well enough to use it as a travel method to avoid the surface.
I presume then that the party accepts the priests offer, and they make their way carefully, but quickly through the city to the citadel.
- - -
Reaching Citadel Volshyenek poses little problem, despite Ishani’s initial fears to the contrary. Although many in the city attempt to conduct life as normal, stilted mumbling and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of any normal business day, as if noise might attract the plague’s lethal notice. Your trip is without incident and you're let into the citadel with barely a glance as you've become well known there. You pass into the main 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. 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!”
As the assembly ends, the guardsmen gathered in the courtyard break up into groups, many reporting for various duties while others loiter for a few moments to quietly gripe about their new orders. The armored woman quickly organizes the guards, silencing bickering words with harsh commands and assigning orders for the day. Kroft and her veteran attendants begin to head into the citadel with Dr. Davaulus and his Queen’s Physicians. She notices you however and sends her aid to ask you to join her inside.
"Brov, last time I spoke with Cressida, she told me that the Queen couldn't give orders to the Guard or the Marines to seize Blackjack." Barael points to the armored woman. "Looks like she's not interested in being that helpless again."
Barael studies the doctors. Masks, robes of leather, gloves, and hats. Doctors almost fit to run into battle. Wait, heavy canes. They are fit to run into battle.
As soon as Barael hears from the aide, he lowers his chin, raises his eyebrows, and looks to everyone to make sure they're focused on entrance to the Citadel, before running ahead to try and make strides with the attendants, Davaulus, and the physicians. He's painfully interested in the contents of satchels.
"Hrm. Perhaps I misjudged you. I had thought you were concerned about the city first and foremost, but now I see you are like us all - concerned with self first. With this coin you may buy two Remove Disease spells. I shall personally see to it they are made available to you either the day you request them or the day after."
Know Religion on Physicians for any Divine iconography
"Doctors? More like the scavenger birds that haunt the docks." Dandi mutters to no one in particular. The silver woman, though, fascinates her and she tries not to stare. How can she stand to be so confined, Wraith? When the others are ready to move, she must give herself a shake before she follows along, entering the prison against her better judgement.
"Field Marshall Kroft! Field Marshall, may we have a word, please?"
"Field Marshall would it be possible to speak with Cressida? We bring an offer coordination with this fine gentleman and ourselves to help combat the current blight."
Nikolay follows Cressida's gesture to enter. Once inside he inquires, "Gray Maidens? The queen has her own personal guard now and they outrank the Korvosan Guard? How have the hell knights and sable marines taken the news?"
Fondo knows that Dr. Davaulus and the Queens Physicians are imports from the Egorian area of Cheliax. Egorian is the new capital of Cheliax (well new since 4640). Remember the Queen is from Cheliax, she's not local, so it makes some sense she would maintain contacts there and draw upon them in a time of need. Clearly the Queen is taking this plague seriously as there must have been magic used to get these few here so quickly.
Cressida introduces you to Dr. Davaulus, the newly appointed Queen’s Physician. A calm man with a polite demeanor and deeply analytical mind, Dr. Davaulus greets you warmly and welcomes their questions, saying that he hopes to ease the concerns of as many of Korvosa’s people as possible in this trying time. "I am but a servant to my Queen and this city and my only goal is to stamp out this horrible plague!"
Cressida continues, "We're about to discuss the plan to fight the plague. However, I will have something for you in the morning. A trifle really, but it would be a service if you could help in the matter. Can you return then?"
With the Chelish — Fondo imagines himself spitting on the ground — doctor in the room, Fondo gives his most formal salute to Cressida yet. "Field Marshall, as my good friend Mr. Buckminster has said, we have escorted here a... brother of the Grand Vault, Ishani Dhatri, who would request word with you." He looks at Davalaulus. "In private. Would you consent, once you've finished your discussion?"
"If it's the same, Field Marshall, would you consent to our audience during this planning meeting? Otherwise, I'll be pulling me hair out and scratching things don't need scratching, waiting for our planned return to visit with you on the morrow." Barael looks back and forth between Cressida and Davaulus.
Ishani leaps on the introduction, "I am here to represent the church of Abadar, and possibly the other religious orders as well. We are forming a consortium to battle the disease. May I please be included in your meeting?"
Cressida smiles at the offers.
"Ishani, the churches are of course welcome, I look forward to your input." she turns to the others, "I'm afraid, for now, you'll have to scratch. Too many cooks spoil the soup and I want to limit the meeting to the leaders of the various factions involved. You understand I'm sure. I will need your skills in the morning though - rest assured!"
With that, she turns with Ishani and strides into her office where the others are already waiting, and likely already planning. Her assistant Soth closes the door behind her.
"You understand, this is all very political. I'm sure Cressida will fill you in, as much as she is able, tomorrow. Cressida will look for you..." he checks a ledger, "around 10 o'clock. OK?"
He efficiently but politely gestures for the party to leave.
Barael looks sheepish, but grateful for the kind words of Soth. "That sounds very reasonable. Appreciate it." Barael doesn't miss the gesture at all. He's seen it before in more frustrating lights. Barael takes no time in walking out.
"So, back to the Harrow House? And, the book looking for the diseases, sounds like something constructive."
His question unanswered by Cressida and dismissal given, Nikolay retires from the premises.
Nikolay will head to the University library to research plagues that have hit Korvosa before. He grumbles to himself that he is not a wizard and had not planned on spending so much time in libraries.
Nikolay gets the feeling that Cressida intentionally ignored his question. She doesn't seem very happy about the Gray Maidens.
The Gray Maidens, as far as you can tell, are a new creation of the Queen. In theory they are guardians to the Queen's Physicians (a completely independent group), but they are a new fighting force of unknown numbers and, at least currently, they seem to have some authority over the Korvosan Guard.
It used to be that the Korvosan Guard was a separate entity like the Sable Marines or the Hellknights. All the groups pledge loyalty to the Throne of Korvosa to varying degrees, but they are, at least on paper, independent.
Now the Queen seems to have created a new group with authority over the Guard and who take orders from her directly. Of course it's just to combat the disease and will almost certainly end as soon as the disease has been checked. You're sure of that. Yup. Sure of it...
Upon their dismissal, Briar turns to the Waif.
"You. Waif. We have unfinished business. We need that antiplague more than ever. Let's get to work," Briar looks pointedly at the Waif, then draws back. "Maybe you should go the Doll and begin work, I'll go purchase some extra ingredients. You should probably have one as well."
Briar looks to the party.
"I'm going to Saul's to buy some ingredients and magical inks. Do any of you require anything?"
Dandi nods, one lock of her hair nearly tapping like a finger as she considers. "Yes, Briar. Likely we'll need more than I can reasonably turn out, but I'll do what I can."
" Barael, you can help me in the lab. We will need to arm ourselves against this." Hopeful but distracted, her voice holds an unaccustomed edge. After a moment she remembers to add, "please?"
Turning back to the elf, she begins to list off things required for the antiplague. Finally she stops to take a breath, and continues more thoughtfully, "Be careful out there. We need you to return with these things, preferably without becoming sick yourself."What am I saying? he'll shoot them first.
Her hair taps faster on some unseen plane, writhing and curling with the stress as she considers the job ahead of them. " Briar, I don't know nearly as much as I wish about healing. But perhaps Saul will have scrolls that can help me learn. Will you please check for me? We can add it to the scales."
Barael is already at Dandi's side before the 'please' is uttered. "Help, yes, by all means. It'll keep me from... scratching." It'll pass time well. Everyone running about with their books and scrolls. Is it a disease, or a piece of newly written law?
"What do you think the Physicians have in those satchels? Do you think Saul's having a run on his business?" Barael looks over at Briar. "Briar, you should take Charlie with you, in case he has to stock up on his medicinals."
On the way to the lab, Barael ponders a little further. "So, the Grey Maidens. All of em women? Huh. Aside from Cressida and Sabina, I don't know many women in the Guard or the Marines who'd be enlisted in a Maidens unit. The Physicians are imported. You think the Maidens have blown in from distant shores?" Barael ribs Dandi, without thinking. "Heh, maybe they'd take you on for your battle prowess." She has gotten much better at her thrown hellfires.
Briar nods to the Waif. "It shall be done. I'll need those preventives soon enough, I'm sure and you'll have your scrolls soon too."
Briar will go to Saul's and buy:
1 Ingred Antiplague (-25gp Dandi)
Inks for Scrolls (-100gp Dandi)
Inks for Scrolls (-75gp Briar)
* * *
Briar will return to DOLL and, after slumping off the alchemicals to Dandi, will return to the Vellumium for some research of his own.
Briar will see if there is anything to be learned about the Blood Veil or treating similar diseases in the books.
Heal Check(?)
"So, the Grey Maidens. All of em women? Huh. Aside from Cressida and Sabina, I don't know many women in the Guard or the Marines who'd be enlisted in a Maidens unit. The Physicians are imported. You think the Maidens have blown in from distant shores?" Barael ribs Dandi, without thinking. "Heh, maybe they'd take you on for your battle prowess." She has gotten much better at her thrown hellfires.
"Somehow, I don't see that happening." Though if I did, maybe I could find out the truth behind poor Trinia's false conviction.
Dandi sets out for the Warrens right away to get started, but her mind returns to Barael's suggestion several times on the way. "What could I learn from the inside, eh Wraith?."
"With all the sickness coming to pass, do you have anyone you worry about, miss Dandi?" Barael tries to lay out the antiplague ingredients in the order he thinks Dandi will need them.
"I mean, aside from those of us been running round so much." Barael tries to figure on which glass containers will contain the products well enough, and makes plans for wood racks that will store finished items. "I keep thinking about how the disease will run its course. When Majenko said we weren't common, it's true enough. Charlie made sure that Fondo didn't take ill from the otyugh, and Briar's and Charlie's exposure first off was a clean stroke by Charlie again." Barael wipes off a crude balancier and sets it to rocking to guarantee its constant alternations.
"We're lucky to have the healings amongst us. Which puts us in a minority, right? The churches are all coming together, there are special doctors amongst us, but how many people you think they can save?"
"It feels... overwhelming." Barael slows his organization of the vials to count them, then speeds up to match Dandi's work. Do what little we can, and be content? Unlikely.
"One or two, I guess." For a second overly large green eyes haunt like a flash of an old dream before slipping away to be replaced by the tiny sharp eyes of Gram, and a few of children that have long since grown up. "At least one I should check on, when we have anything I can do to help."
Her hands slide over the equipment, instinct more than anything else leading her where she should go. An extract is the first of her creations, all but finished earlier in the morning. She sips it now as she begins work in earnest.
Even so, the memories intrude, shaking her confidence and impeding her motion. What should have been someone's salvation curdles in her hand.
"There now! I've ruined it!" She sighs and settles with an 'oof!' into a chair."Now it'll be still another day before I check on Gram."
Her head dips, letting her hair fall protectively about her face for a moment, though a tell-tale sniffle sounds from beneath the pale blond curtain. There is another, then a third before she wipes at her eyes and begins again, continuing the previous topic as if she never ruined something so valuable just a moment ago.
"What about you, Barrie? Aside from your mother, I mean. Is there anyone you would see to during this madness?"
Barael sets up a rending pot to pour the failure away and out of sight. If anything, it's something else to keep my hands busy, and my mind from tomorrow's new course.
"Me? The old neighborhood has some friendly folk, never did me harm." Barael stops cleaning the medicine glass to think. "Oh, and the priests of Aroden, of course. They're like uncles I never had. Hate to see this blight touch their ranks. Although it's unlikely, right? Priests can stay clear of the diseases, cause they treat em." Barael nods to himself, and half-smiles at Dandi when he hands her the newly cleaned glass.
"I think it likely, too, that Sadon and his brotherhood know of the Blood Veil, and are contributing to that consortium that Dhatri mentioned. Very likely."
Briar walks into the Alchemitorium to see what the cursing and hullabaloo is all about.
* * *
Supposing that never happens, Briar will craft 1 scroll of Lesser Restoration on the morrow morning after listening to the whispers from the void.
She takes the glass gratefully, smiling a little. "Oh look! I think some got caught in this little divet. Maybe we can..." Looking at Barael with a wink, she gathers what little survived within the divet in the floor and pulls it up with a small tube, spitting it into the new glass.
"Hmmm...I might be able to salvage this. If we do, that will be magic indeed. We'll give it to Briar."
Barael's eyes widen. "I'm glad I didn't say something I would have regretted in the old words." Barael smiles at Dandi. "It was a way for me to curse around me mum, without, you know, insulting her bad decisions in a way that she'd understand. Got useful enough, I just kept learning it. Kept my blood down, if you can understand that."
Barael listens intently on the two discussing the alchemical process, and nods appreciatively. "I tried to process some of that imp poison, and ruined it outright. I'm glad of salvaging techniques. Heh, broken arrows, indeed." Barael actually finds himself winking back.
Briar comes in and sniffs a few tubes.
"How goes progress, Waif?" Briar says as he twirls a beaker in the light, looking for purities in the liquid.
"Funny to see you in here, Barael. I thought your interests lie in more deadly substances."
Dandi jumps at the sound of Briar's voice. Stupid, quiet elf! Sneaking around like that! "Oh! Briar, you uh... it goes ok, I guess. It could be better... or uh, worse."
She watches the swirl of the liquid in the beaker, hoping against hope that she's filtered out the worst of the impurities from the floor.
Giving a slight chuckle and wink back to Barael, she none the less addresses Briar, drawing his attention from the solution in his hand, "He's helping me. A second set of hands is invaluable. Barrie knows the equipment as well as I do, I think. Tis only a matter of application, isn't it?" This last she addresses to her partner in, well not crime per say, but in this little caper at any rate.
Barael briefly holds up a rag and a flask to Briar, just in time to watch him walk by and pick up a beaker and twirl it. "The process is near the same, distilling and refining and reducing." Barael steps up alongside Briar, to match Briar's line of light through the liquid.
"I'd been thinking about that, especially with our looking over the plant life along our journey to Harse. Talking with a couple of Guard, they only tell me that the poisons they use try and sleep those otyughs, keep em tame. The imp poison, that makes you lose your limber a bit." Barael bobs his head around Briar, making sure that Majenko isn't nearby. "Now, that pseudodragon venom, I think it's a venom, you know, coming from an creature and all, that's the sparkle in these drips. One touch of that, and your lids shut to the world." Barael looks up from cleaning his flask.
"The poison, it's an advantage, right? It helps you not have to bludgeon someone to unconsciousness, and it helps even out things, if ya have to go up against someone, or something, larger than you. I like that."
"Hey, while we're talking about it. You think you could get Majenko to, you know, donate some a his venom to, maybe, study it a bit?" Barael bobs again. "He was not so eager to meet my earlier request, and you seem to share something with him."
Briar frowns at Barael, but clearly considers it.
"I don't know, Barael. He did pledge to serve us, but a request like that might be out of bounds. If we have time tomorrow, we'll see if a promise of healthy amounts of fish will change his mind. Magic is to be shared, after all, and as long as it is not abused, I do not have a problem with it."
Briar sets down the beaker.
"We'll let him decide of course."
"Of course." Barael is clearly not pleased, but he nods at Briar's levelheadedness. Come ooooonnnn. It's like milking a cow, ain't it? It's not like he's losing something that can't be regenerated. Crackle brackets.
"Of course we will." And he'll likely say no. Again. Why can't every creature be as easy going as a spider? Dandi sighs to herself, but continues her work, joining in the conversation sporadically.
Fondo leaves the citadel and goes to Leftovers in search of word from his Varisian contractor-friends. While he's at it, he plumbs his memory for rumors he's heard about the Gray Maidens, or other recent arrivals from Cheliax. (He spits on the ground as the word enters his head.)
"Hmph."
Once at Leftovers, he asks after the community of Trail's End. "Have our caravans heard the news? Are they turning away from now?" I hope my familia stays away. I couldn't bear if they succombed...
Charlie joins Briar in the Vellumium for some vellumying.
@ Nikolay - there have been three plague-level disease outbreaks in Korvosa's history. None of them were this deadly nor were they quite so viral. They followed more traditional methods of expansion (among the already sick, the weak, the poor, etc.) and were, generally, fairly well contained with healers and magics before they got too bad. This plague seems to be striking the middle class merchants more than prior plagues and, you suspect, the wealthy (though they have the means to cure their affliction so it's less noticeable).
@ Briar, with Majenko on your shoulder for some of the research (though he gets bored with the books and flies around the Doll Warrens a bit - he seems to be particularly fond of racing himself down the tunnel "Great updraft in that thing coming back from the Harrow House") you learn a little about diseases in general. However there is no reference to the Blood Veil by name in the texts your studying. At least not that you found in a couple hours of leafing through the many volumes.
@ Barael, not sure what you're after with population densities, but I suppose there is the largest population in Old Korvosa followed by North Point. Both areas where the plague seems to be hitting hardest in the early stages.
@ Fondo, the Gray Maidens didn't exist when you left Korvosa just a few days ago. According to rumor, the Queen herself interviews each applicant - currently being drawn in part from the local military forces. Some came with the Physicians from Cheliax as well. It's believed that their population is small, less than a score, but growing daily in ones and twos. To be a Gray Maiden you must be a charismatic female and a powerful warrior of some kind (usually fighters).
Oh, and yes, Varisian caravans are pulling out of Korvosa, and others are making a wide berth of the city.
@ Charlie, you learn nothing new beyond what Briar has so far learned. However you do know enough that you can use the Vellumium to add a bonus to your heal checks when you cure the Blood Veil. Keep in mind you can also (usually) take ten while doing so which I think gets you way over the DC - so you're now a healing machine (in 10 minute increments anyway).
As the party approaches the Citadel the following morning, there is a decree posted on the gate. A few are gathered around reading it, but most are paying it no heed. You suspect the decree is posted all over town and has already been read by the Guard (or had it read to them!).
By Decree of Her Royal Majesty, the Radiant Queen Illeosa I, all citizens and members of the Korvosan Guard are to aid and admit the newly established Queen's Physicians in this time of urgency. These royal agents will extend healing to the sick and organize defense against the spreading affliction known as "blood veil". They are to be allowed access to any home or building they deem necessary in the course of their duties. All those suffering from disease or disorder are to submit themselves to the Physicians for treatment.
To aid in the duties of the Queen's Physicians, know that the order of the Gray Maidens has been established to provide military support as needed. The Maidens answer directly to the Crimson Throne, and will be called up on as necessary to augment and strengthen the peace where simple city guards will not suffice.
Impeding or distracting the duties of the Queen's Physicians or the Gray Maidens is punishable by imprisonment. Impersonating one of the Queen's Physicians is punishable by death. Knowingly harboring or hiding the infected is punishable by death. Purposefully spreading blood veil is punishable by torture, then death.
The Queen's Physicians will be making rounds of every district henceforth until Her Majesty deems this misfortune abated.
Any home they deem?! Simple city guards?! "Why would anyone purposefully spread the Veil?! Are there those with such contempt of the throne as to subvert its authority by laying waste to the people??"
"So, we can still try and bring healing to those we can, as long as we're not dressed up in those crazy masks and gloves?" Barael looks uncertainly at Charlie. It only takes one person healed to praise a healer as a Queen's Physician, who's not, and that healer has more trouble than it's worth.
That morning Fondo does a thorough Harrow reading.
"I'm newly bound: to city, home and friends.
Korvosa's tribulations drive us forth
From our divided loyalties and means
Shall new resolve—a force for good—emerge."
Well that's nice, for a start.
"Remember — exterior doors and windows first. Then my bed. Such a glorious tale shall unfold 'neath its canopy.
After a bit of grub, he joins Barael and the others at the citadel. Reading the decree and hearing Barael's angst-of-the-moment, his brow furrows. I trust this queen and her imported Chels not. He spits on the ground. "First she scapegoats fair Trinia, and now the plague becomes pretext for invading homes. Let us see what this means for Charlie, yes? Kroft'll know." He claps Barael and Nikolay on the back, signalling, After you.
Charlie wants to set up a clinic to help those who do not want to deal with the authorities. Do any of his friends in the vaults have. Any healing skill? Charlie will spend his own money to buy supplies. He also needs to get the word out and find a place to set up. I don't think we want this in our home. Maybe one of the abanded buildings we ignored as unsuitable before?
Dandi wakes early and goes to work again in the warrens, hoping to provide enough anti-plague for her friends when they must go back to the Citadel before heading back to the Citadel with her friends.
The decree sends a shiver of fear through her, her face pinching up tightly. The dress never lies. Now she has her own forces to hand, and her own 'healers' — though they look more like devils in those chelish get-ups. Let's see what medicine she has for Korvosa now.
As is her usual habit, Dandi follows in behind the others.
"This is worrisome. New authorities are like ticks. Devil's advocate wonders if the veil was dropped specifically to bring the new enforcers in. I wonder what's next"?
After scribing and whispers, Briar will attend the meeting at the Citadel.
When he sees the Waif, Briar will hand her a scroll without comment and leave an outstretched hand as if expecting something.
* * *
Briar has nothing of value to say about the decree.
These mortals and their games.
You enter the Citadel and walk to the Field Marshals office. Soth waves you inside almost as soon as you arrive with a smile. Cressida motions you into chairs and welcomes you to what's left of the morning coffee and pastries on the sideboard. When everyone is settled, she thanks you for coming, and begins.
"Even in the few days since the start of the plague, the disposal of bodies is a concern. There are not so many bodies yet, but I do not want the beggars and other vagrants to lie rotting in the streets further spreading disease. So the Guard has contracted a few plague carts to collect the dead and transport them to the Gray District where they can be safely burned."
"However, I think some of the carters are taking our cash and leaving the bodies behind. I've heard word that there is a pile of bodies in Racker's Alley. I need you to investigate this." She sighs. "It's not much I know, but my regulars are already grumbling about the Queen's Physicians. If I send them in to check on a pile of bodies and the laziness of a few carters who knows what sort of anger it may bring."
"I apologize to you for sending you on such a minor mission, but I'm sure you understand they can't all be heroic." She smiles warmly by way of apology. "I presume you know where Rakcer's ally is? It's in Old Korvosa, off Waydon Street."
A thought occurs to her, "Oh! One more thing. If there is a pile of bodies there, no need to gather them up - I have people for that. Just find out which carters are dumping there. Stay safe from the plague."
Dandi hands Briar the anti-plague, thanking him for the scroll and smiles sort of distractedly as they make their way topside.
More dead bodies. Great. Would it be wrong to hope a necromancer had found the stockpile?
--Yes...but it would be fun.
"We are ever at your service Field Marshall. However, our treasurer, the noble elf here, will surely like to know if there will be any compensation for this work. He likes to keep very acurate records."
Nikolay tries hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
Fondo laughs at Nikolay's words. If she's at all like Signore Orsini, she'll want to avoid talking politics... Still... "Field Marshall, our man Charlie here is a gifted healer, and has already had some luck treating the blood veil. Are we meant simply not to call ourselves the Queen's Doctor's, or would we hang for treating the plague? It seems as though Ileosa means for only her men to treat the sick...?"
Cressida looks with some surprise at Nikolay, "I'm sorry, it hadn't even occurred to me! No worries, we can sort something out when you return. I've been rather free with the Queens money of late and I need to see what I have left in the coffers." She surveys your equipement and chuckles. "Sending you back down to the armory would seem a waste of your time. I'll come up with something suitable."
She looks at Fondo and Charlie, "I'd be careful with that information if I were you. If this really is as bad a plague as some think," she turns squarely to Charlie, 'you could be quickly overrun. We're sending a small squad of troops with each of the Queen's Physicians to protect them in their duties. Quite frankly there's not enough healing to go around and people are going to die. Access to that healing is going to become more valuable than you can imagine."
"You are not of the Queen's troupe so do not call yourselves the Queen's Physicians or expect the protection under the law that they receive. As for treating the plague I encourage it - though I would either devote yourselves to that cause entirely or keep it very much to yourselves. A half-measure I fear will overwhelm you and catch you unprepared for the hoards at your door."
She continues after a sip of coffee. "The Queens' resources are in addition to what is already being done throughout the city by others. We are coordinating our efforts to maximize our results. Oh, which reminds me." She takes out two formal writs with the seal of Korvosa stamped in red wax.
"These will allow you passage through the city. We are planning to limit the movements of the populace to try and keep the plague isolated. Currently it's worst in Old Korvosa. We may at some point close the bridge to common traffic. If we do so, these two writs will allow you passage. You only need one, but I figured you may not always be together as a group."
"Please do not share them with others. We really must contain and treat the plague as quickly as possible. But I trust you shall not carry the plague through the city - especially as you have a healer in your midst!"
"If you do decide to devote yourselves to healing the sick and establish a sick-house, let me know and I'll get you some protection if I can spare it. At the least I'll tie you in with the other coordinated resources."
"Thank you, ma'am. Seems there's much to be done. Let's see to these corpses. Twould be an honor to see this plague cured. Any quests you have that'll bring us closer to a cure, you can rely on me and we to see it done."