Answering in the dwarven tongue
Even without an oath this would stain my soul. Hadn't we forgotten about Kordren after the battle, we would not need to do the dangerous journey a second time.
"I am still convinced he was dead when we left. When we did our final sweep of the castle, did you ever see him again? It is not like he would been hiding somewhere we would n;t have found him. Remember? We were there for enough days after the battle to have seen him again."
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Franz considers the sticky situation with the dawi. He wants no entry to the Book of Grudges yet not all fault lies with any one person. Franz says, "I recall now, Master Kordren was taken to the hospital,[assumption] the Shallayans (sp?) are caring for him as best they can. Doubtless kinsmen would be better, though I will check as well to see any harm by such unfortunate events is mitigated. Whew! I think I have it right, not admitting any responsibility for his condition but giving aid and comfort as though a storm-felled branch had hit him. "Master Hendrick, can you lead us to his place of convalescence?"
Off we go!
Sure, m'lord! And right you are. The hospital is next to the temple of Shallaya, right opposite the grand cathedral of Sigmar...by the way, once we are there it might be a good idea to speak in your uncle's favour. I heard the high priestess has quite an influence on the council...
Vern says and leads the way.
Rangnir follows, visibly relieved but still a bit shaken.
"Well, that's a nice piece of good fortune, Sigmar be praised. " Mareike says , following the others.
"Excellent, then we best be off."Franz marches after Vern.
"Mareike, now that we are following up on the dawi's concern, how have you been doing, are your wounds better?" Franz does have an interest in Mareike welfare.
Falling in with the rest of the crew,Fernis feels an uneasy quelling in the pt of his stomach. That story may be enough for a human to accept, but an ancient dwarf is a another matter. Grungi be praised if we do not find our names in that most hallowed of books.... Heavy in thought, the warrior suddenly feels as though eyes are on him at all times.
Marieke stops dead in her tracks, a look similar to that of a light-dazed deer on her face. Her evident surprise at Franz' concern flashes across her face, equally quickly replaced by her characteristic frown.
"Um...I...ah...I'm still bruised all over, sore in most other places not bruised, but Sigmar's burden is an honor to bear, Franz...um...Herr Fletcher." Marieke stammers, clearly unsure how to address Franz out in public as they are.
The streets of Ubersreik are quite crowded in the morning but most passersby pay attention not to get in the way of two dwarfs and a noble and so you don't have any problems to reach the town's central square withe the imposing cathedral of Sigmar in its centre.
Here and there, small groups of pilgrims and travellers stand together and listen to the words of Sigmarites or zealots and actually the distinction between those isn't always easy...
Behind the cathedral in a less crowded part of the square is the temple of Shallya, a flat white building that reminds you of a barracks with small windows and clear shapes.
Next to it is a large framework building, three storeys tall, where a large group of people is waiting in front of the entrance
That's the hospital...it surprises me to see so many people waiting in front of it.
Vern remarks thoughtfully.
Fernis cast a glance to Franz and Rangnir. "This isn't typical here, dusty?",He says addressing Vern.
Franz nods to Marieke, "Herr Fletcher is fine Marieke, in public at least. I'm glad that your wounds are not deep, a few more days should bring recovery."
At Vern's and Fernis's comments, Fletcher replies looking uneasily at the sky, "I've heard it said that disease spreads under the light of the moon of the Ruinous Powers."
Franz strides forward, clearly intent on by-passing the line for the smallfolk.
Vern shakes his head
No, absolutely not...
Franz' air of authority parts the crowd easily and so you reach the entrance of the temple unmolested and unhindered.
A young woman, wearing the greyish white garments of the Shalyan priesthood, stands in the doorway and watches the crowd in front of the hospital. Without turning her attention to you she says
Welcome to the House of Healing...
Good sister of Shalyan: may I be so bold as to inquire what ailment brings these people to your door in droves?
Marieke grimaces then nods in response, seemingly distracted by the crowd of supplicants.
Out of the corner of her eye, several faces transform into demonic caricatures, only to resolve back to the pitiful peasant faces A crow's caw from above, causes a flinch, it sounding too much like the cry of the beast from the floating picture
She attempts to present an air of interest in Rangnir's question but one eye continues to twich as the crowd plays on her frayed nerves.
Franz smiles at the good sister and nods to let her know that she should answer to dawi's excellent question. After her expected reply, he'll ask about the afflicted dawi's current state and whereabouts.
Good thing dawi aren't as susceptible to these diseases as the manlings. This does not look naturally occuring even in a filthy place such as this. I feel as though I have seen this before......
The woman now turns her full attention to you
I'm sorry...I have worked the last twenty four hours without a pause... she glances to the sky and sighs Since Morrslieb stares down at us, people have reported of all kinds of eczemas, pustules and...I guess you know what else...Sigmar be praised nothing too serious by now.
Kurgansson you say? Oh yes, he's here at the temple - his ramblings have eased a bit but he's still not awoken from his dark slumber.
"Praise to Sigmar indeed that things are not worse. Is Kurgansson able to have visitors, these gentlemen have an interest in seeing to his welfare?" Franz tries to stay on topic. This may not be the best moment to see the Priestess of Shallya. Wait and see a moment may arise.
Yes, I guess so...but it won't do any good - he's still unconscious.
the priestess replies.
Franz replies, "Perhaps not, but he still should be seen to by his own. If Sigmar wills, the words of friends may help? What room is he in?" Franz finishes with firm inquiry.
"We may need return him to his people,Rangnir. We shall need to contact them." Fernis says as he looks about the gathered mass of suffering.
His clan shall see if they will rather encourage the human healers spend more of their time trying to help the poor sod or bring him home to his hearth.
Rangnir turns to the woman.
That dwarf has kin in this city who are unsure abut his whereabouts. I will point them to your temple, provided your kind permission.
Yes, m'lord, follow me.
The priestess leads you inside the temple - obviously only "special patients" receive their treatment here, while the bulk has to visit the hospital.
She opens a a door to a small spartan chamber, where the dwarf lies on a narrow bed.
Beads of sweat are on his forehead and with whitened knuckles he holds the edge of his duvet.
"Terrible ta be findin' any dwarf. Whatever they did ta him is no doubt going to be listed in his clan's book."Fernis says as he looks on.
Marieke sticks her head in to look at the stricken dwarf. Straighening she glares at the priestess and asks "What's wrong with him?"
Wrong? Nothing is "wrong" with him. His soul is hurt, I assume he came in contact with the forces of the Ruinours Powers, luckily dwarfs possess strong resistances against mutations of all sorts and so did not his body collapse, but his mind...maybe this will be only a temporary condition, maybe not...but, oh...he's always mumbling something about a hammer - a family heirloom that he hid - did you come across such a thing? I guess this weapon functions like a fetish for his clan and the presence of this weapon could help him recover.
Fernis' eyes go wide as he thinks to the hammer he retrieved from the fallen shrine. Intent on its return to the rightful dwarven clan he assumed to be of his own hold, but could it be this dwarf was the true and rightful warrior? The only way to be sure is to bear this dawi to his people and return the hammer to Rangnir's runelord.
"Rangnir. We must return this was dwarf to his kin. The manlings have done a wonderous service here that will not be forgotten." Switching to dwarven tongue, "I have the hammer, dawi. We must return it and this dwarf to the forge of the runelord. Only this will possibly heal his slagged mind. My intent was to return the hammer to its clansmen, but I did not realize it would be like this." Turning to the priestess, Fernis says,"We will be taking the dwarf with us to be returned to his people. I thank you for what you have done and will never forget it."
With that Fernis unslings his mighty round shield laying it upon the floor, then beckons Rangnir to aid him in transferring the stricken dawi to this proper litter.
My friend is right, I think. Please, do not take this as an insult. I will point his clan to you and have nothing but praise for your service. I hope you will continue to include his soul in your prayers. With that, Rangnir helps Fernis to bed the dwarf on the shield.
Franz is a little concerned at the movement of the stricken dawi. "Perhaps the goods sisters can loan us a travois or small cart to transport the ailing man to his clan."
"That would'n do, Franz. We bear our casulities in a different manner than the manling. This shield was made by great craftsman and has weathered the storm of Chaos and worse. If he passes upon it, then it will serve to bring his honor to the field of battle. No, we will move him as is." Fernis finishes his response in a manner that will honor no further argument.
The priestess seems surprised but stops herself from questioning dwarven traditions
I...oh...well, I guess you might know more about dwarven health than I do. So...I guess there's nothing left for me than wishing him the best...however, I think that a procession like yours could raise quite some public interest.
"Might you have a way we could travel out of view....?, the dwarf says as he glances about the room for any hint of subterranean pathways.
There's a backdoor, leading to the Reik. There will be much fewer people there...at least...here, I can show you the way.
Franz acceeds to the requirements of the honor of the dawi, "Best out the back then Marieke, please look to see if the way is not overcrowded. I'm not familiar with this town, where is the location of this man's family?" Franz tries to be helpful.
"We thank you and shall honor your shrine for what it's done. Come, Dawi. Lend me your hand." and with that the dwarves load their kin upon his litter and bear hime toward the door.
Hopefully without causing a ruckus among the conglomeration of disease ridden humans.
Mareieke first makes a motion to assist the dwarves, but at Franz' suggestion nods and steps out the back door.
Vern pokes his head out of the backdoor and once he is assured that no one is watching the temple, he beckons you over
Ok, let's go...this is the way to the Axe and Hammer Inn.
You scurry through the high grass along the River Reik and Vern is over-cautious not to rise any attention from the fishers.
Herr Flechter and Frau Mareike, maybe you better duck...I guess you don't want to be...uh...ah well, whatever, just...AAAHHH
Vern stops dead in his tracks and Mareike nearly bumps into him
A rat! Wearing clothes, tall as me!
Snatching her ax from where is hung from her belt, Mareike almost shoulders Vern out of her way "Where is this abomination?" she demands.
Ratpeople! Darn where have you seen it?
Franz says, "What, where, we need to see this. Rat-like beastmen in town, that's a big problem. Good idea Mareike, cut it down, see if there are any others. I'll back you." Franz draws his blade, prepared to back Mareike up.
Vern, already shaken by fear, falls into the grass as Mareike pushes past him...rats are no where to be seen, but as Vern gets back up again, he's pale as the full moon
Over there... he points at one of the various entrances into the city sewers There I had seen it...Sigmar strengthen me! It was taller than Rangnir with grimy black fur and beady eyes!
Fernis immediately knows this foe. Bounties run high in the depth of many holds for the rooting out these fiends and his clan collected on many. Not ignorant of the fact they exist as is much of the Empire, the dwarves know well these rats to the Skaven."I think I can tell ya where the sickness is coming from,Vern.",Fernis says with in a grim tone. "We have little time. Now that one has been seen the entire warren will know. We must get this dwarf to his people and rally what assistance we can."