The man visibly blanches when he is called Oleg - and he raises both hands and vigorously waves them back and forth. "No, no, no. I am no Oleg. Oleg be the husband of Mistress Svetlana, but he sick now. No more come outside and work with traders. Now only Mistress here. And me."
He stares at the gold in Szemyan's hand in confusion. "No need pay to come inside. Is free to trade here, no taxes to pay Mistress." It's clear he has no concept of what Szemyan was offering.
He pulls his gaze from the gold to look at Andelis, "I shall ask about bathhouse." From his expression, he has no idea what that word even means.
"Now I must fetch Mistress, please to wait here."
He scampers off toward the largest building, knocks a few times, then enters the door, closing it behind him.
"Sweet crickets! Time for a snack!" he thinks. He swoops down for a quick bite before heading back with a few clutched in his claw for Lemnis.
Lemnis' keen elven senses are clearly focused in a completely irrelevant direction. He senses Ornil's excitement and smiles.
"Sick." Gideon said after the man had left. "Not a good start."
Szemyan shrugs. "It may be hard to find a healer out here. Still, best not to get too close to a sick man. Hopefully this 'mistress' is not affected."
"Oh why thank you dear" Mama said as Lemnis helped her down off of Rufus. "Such a big help, that is."
As the young man informed them of the situation, Mama's face took on a worried look. "That's not good, not good at all. There isn't much help out here for a sick man."
She began slowly walking in the direction that the young man had run off in. She stopped briefly next to Gideon, slipping her small hand into his and gently pulling him along.
"Come along now. He will need our help" she said in a matter of fact way.
"Wait for us, we're coming" she called out to the young man who was already almost out of sight.
Leo blanched when Gideon referred to him as ”Mac.” Had he introduced himself as Mac? Or had someone recognized him and pointed out the moniker? The first was far more likely as he still had the habit of using the title in place of his name. He shrugged and decided that he must have done just that when they had all first met and if no one had acted on it at this point, it was probably safe to assume they would not at all.
The mention of a possible bathhouse brought Leo back to the present and he snortled, ”Spend enough time out here, Lady, 'n’ you'll start ta ‘ppreciate th’ way nature clings ta yer skin.”
Leo moved to the mule and scratched the underside of the animal’s chin, ”I'll git Rufus here taken care of.”
Szemyan looks around the compound.
"It's a bit crude, isn't it? I could use a bath myself, but I'm not confident we will get one here."
Gideon shrugged and followed Mama Cas.
Andelis shudders slightly at Mac's words and shakes her head ruefully. "Where water fails, magic will have to suffice."
Only a few seconds pass before the door opens again and a tall human woman exits, followed closely by the same man who went to get her.
She stands 6' tall and has a long blonde braid down her back. Her blue dress is functional rather than elegant, and she wears no visible jewelry. Well, you don't think she does. She also wears a long mask that rests on the bridge of her nose, wraps around her head in the back, and covers the lower half of her face.
The woman looks at you, then nods, a proper if somewhat informal greeting. "Hail and well met, Isen here tells me you just arrived and asked after my husband. My name is Svetlana. I'm sorry to inform you that Oleg became deathly ill only a few weeks ago. I've been nursing him back to health ever since, but I'm afraid he's not in a position to have visitors. Is there anything I can do for you?
Szemyan frowns for a moment, when seeing the mask, but then smiles.
Is the mask a precaution against this disease?
"A pleasure, Svetlana. I am Szemyan." Szemyan gives a short bow.
"We were recently chartered by the Swordlords to explore the Greenbelt, and it was recommended to us that we stop in and confer with Oleg, who would be a good source of information about what is happening in these parts. Perhaps you might help us in his stead?"
She considers Szemyan's comments then nods, "I've only been here for a few years, but before that, I traveled around enough to learn about the Greenbelt. And if I don't know something, I can probably send you to somebody who does."
"Is there anyone in the area who would know about the bandits and why their activities have gone down? Perhaps a retired or reformes bandit, or someone who does business with them?" Andelis asks. "Obviously, clemency wouls be offered to anyone who could help us."
Svetlana listens as Andelis asks her questions. After a moment, she speaks, "There is a man who lives a day's ride to the southwest. His name is Fasen Jennic. He is a trapper, comes by a couple times a year to trade."
"He mainly keeps to himself, but he has lived in the area for 30 years. If anybody can help you, it's him. His place is on a bluff near the Thorn river. If you find the river and spot rapids, you're too far south."
"Good enough for a start. If you're willing to do some trading, we'll buy some supplies and be on our way." Gideon said. "Oh, and is there anything we can do to help out your husband?"
Karlak visibly blanched at Mac's joke about him speaking for the group, but when they arrived and he was preempted by the others, you could see the sweat on his brow cool just a little bit.
It was a long walk to Oleg's place, and Karlak was content to remain quiet, help carry his share, and listen to the others talk. Is this what it's like to be around more than one person who doesn't hate? They seem mostly to ignore me. That's...nice.
When Mama Cass offered to help the sick man he seemed confused. "He probably already has good soup, Miss. What else can you..." He pauses. "I...have a knife. I mean...if that's what you meant." The end of his words trail off quietly when Svetlana arrives at the door. He takes his helmet, puts it in both his hands, and gives a slight bow at the woman, who even in all her height is dwarfed by the tiefling. "Ma'am" he mutters softly.
Lemnis was quiet during the conversation. As an elf, he was accustomed to patience. He had long held that if one listened long enough, others would say what needed said.
He waits for a lull, then speaks. "This Fasen Jennic sounds like an excellent source of information. I believe we will seek him out shortly. I intend to ask him as well, but have you noticed anything different in recent years? A shift in the natural order such as new creatures, or familiar creatures acting differently than they used to, perhaps? And as to your husband's illness, have you identified the particular malady? It may be that some among us have healing skills."
He glances around at his traveling companions. He was acutely aware of a gap in his education. Medicine of any kind was beyond him.
Leo gave Rufus one more good scratch before turning to face the group. He was glad to have heard so many of them ask after Oleg's health — even if they might not be able to help.
”Guessin’ that if’n neither of you done come down with anything, whatever's ailing Oleg ain't catching,” Leo raised a thumb to his mouth then lowered it as if he had been intent on biting at the nail but, had decided against it at the last instant.
”So that would lead one ta believe that what's got em’ all out of sorts is some critter or some right awful vittles,” Leo smiled warmly to Svetlana, ”But I have a hard time believin’ that could be th’ case.”
Svetlana shakes her head at Karlak, "No, that will not be necessary. Unfortunately, my husband is an older man who spent many hard years in the army. His pension got us this place, but his body never fully healed from all the battles he was in. You see, it's not just the disease, his health has been deteriorating for some time."
"As for purchasing supplies, we would of course be happy to help. And if you find anything you wish to sell, we would be interested in seeing what you have. After all, we are a trading post, and we won't turn away goods that can be resold."
"I'll even offer you a place to stay if you need a roof over your heads. That is a bunkhouse, it's plain, but warm and dry." she points at the small rectangular building in the courtyard.
"Oh why thank you dearie, that would be most welcome. We've been on the road for several days. Oh! You wouldn't happen to have a map of the surrounding areas would you? That would be very helpful."
"Is it contagious, or is he just feeling his age?"
Szemyan shrugs. "The road has been long. I suppose spending the night would be in order. After all, it may be a while before we sleep in a bed again."
"We are grateful for your hospitality. And Mama Cas' is correct. If a map is available that would be useful. Failing that, perhaps the approximate location of some points of interest?
Andelis' eyes wrinkle a little bit as she listens to Svetlana speak, and then she begins to write in her journal. "Oleg's case is an oddity. She treats him as if he were contagious, and even wears a mask of some sort. Yet battle veterans seldom suffer from contagious diseases. She might be lying. The tone of her voice could certainly support this possibility."
Andelis puts up her journal and makes a mental note to share her thoughts with her companions once they are away from present company.
"A night in the bunkhouse would be lovely compared to the wilds. We shall certainly have plenty of those to come. Would you, perchance, have baths available as well?" She asks.
Svetlana shakes her head after Gideon's question, "I do not think he is contagious, but I still wear this mask. If I get sick, there won't be anybody to take care of him. Isen is a good hand, but he's not skilled in healing."
She gestures Isen forward, "But he can help you with supplies, taking care of your animals, and whatever else you might need. I think I have a map somewhere inside, I'll bring it over before nightfall."
"As for the bath, I'm afraid we don't have anything like that. The most we can offer is a private area and bucket of well water."
She nods and returns to her house, closing the door behind her.
Szemyan looks over the bunkhouse.
"Yes, this will suffice. Thank you. I'll have a look at your wares a bit later on, thanks."
Once Svetlana and Isen are gone, Szemyan turns to the others.
"Do you suppose we should mount some sort of watch? There is a wall here for a reason, no doubt. We would have a good vantage point from one of the towers."
Leo watched Andelis scribbled words in that book of hers. He never understood people that preferred to be enclosed in a fifteen-by-fifteen room with only the one door.
Every time he had to sleep indoors he thought about the wolf he once saw caged up in a traveling carnival. Claws and teeth filed down and that look in its eyes that knew if something bigger ever got into its cage it'd sooner try to escape than defend itself.
Leo turned to Szemyan, ”Lookin’ ta get some practice in 'fore we don't have these here giant walls 'round us?” He smiled and nodded in agreement, ”'Spose it's not a bad idea though.”
"That's a very good idea Szemyan. Would you mind taking the first watch?" Mama didn't wait for a response before continuing.
"Something is not right here. Something seems off. I fear Ms. Svetlana is not being entirely honest with us. We should be cautious."
"Well, she just met us. She doesn't have much reason to trust us." Gideon shrugged.
"Mama Cas is right. Svetlana's body language was off. Her speech was far too rehearsed. Nor do her actions make sense for someone who isn't suffering a contagious illness." Andelis said. Then she shuddered as she continued. "Worst of all, they don't have baths."
"Well, I don't see how it is our business. We are only here for the one night and then we will move on. Do you think it has anything to do with our mission? "
"I agree with Szemyan. Svetlana owes us nothing, yet has offered hospitality. Let her have her privacy, but let us be wary. A watch is a good idea. I prefer either first or last shift, personally."
"Did you see that mask? Beak envy."
Ornil preens his feathers for a moment, then remembers...
"Oh, I could take a mid shift if it helps. It's a great chance to chase fireflies.
”Kid,” Leo set his pack down by one of the bunks and turned to Szemyan, ”if’n they're not related it's a pretty big coincidence. And th’ thing 'bout coincidences is they're how th’ Gods try to stay anonymous.”
Leo slipped his boots off and say down on the bed, ”I'll go after Ornil.”
"I'll take the one before." Gideon said.
"All right then. I'll be up on the wall if you need me."
Szemyan leaves the bunkhouse and as the sun sets he climbs the ladder to the wall-walk.
"Perhaps you are right. Perhaps it is not our concern. Still, we should be cautious just the same" Mama said while rubbing her fingers.
"Now, we should see about eating. With a proper table, we should have a proper meal."
Leo nodded to Szemyan as he left. Then pulled his dagger from it's leather sheath on his thigh, wiped the blade along his pant leg, and began using the tip of the blade to scrape dirt from under his fingernails.
"Anyone bother ta pack a proper meal?" Leo wiped the blade after each finger, "I didn't exactly geta chance ta catch any game on our way in."
There is also a large refuse pit near the stables. You manage to spot what you think are bones under some trash on one side of the pit. There does not appear to be an easy way down.
The house is locked, so you decide to walk around. In one of the rooms, you seen an older man lying in bed with the covers pulled up to his chin. His face looks very pale, and his breathing is shallow. He appears to be sleeping. The rest of the house is plain and unadorned. Despite looking in every window, you have not seen Svetlana or Isen inside.
Gideon wasn't optimistic about his climbing skills so he ignored the refuse pile and focused on the house.
Szemyan gets up on the wall-walk, and looks out over the surrounding landscape. He quickly becomes bored, and paces along the wall-walk around the outside of the compound, occasionally stopping in the towers.
Oleg is in bed, seemingly asleep but his breathing is shallow and comes in small gasps. He looks malnourished and moans softly every once in a while.
The stench is worse here, and as you look around, you notice a strange cocoon-like structure in the corner of the room near the ceiling. It appears to be made from some kind of organic material.
You detect magical auras coming from under the floor in the bedroom. Based on the locations and sizes, you would guess there is a hidden chest under the floor containing a variety of potions, scrolls, and small magical items.
You do not detect any poison.
The rest of the house is unremarkable, and exactly what you would expect to find on the frontier. Simple, sturdy furniture, etc.
Isen knocks at one point and checks to see if there is anything you need before he retires to bed? Any food, water?
He gave Oleg a shake. "Hey, pal. How far gone are you? Can you wake up?"
Szemyan watches the strange creatures for a time.
Wonder what those are? Some kind of animal? Hard to tell in the moonlight...
Then he turns away and continues his patrol, periodically turning back to where he saw the creatures, to make sure they aren't coming any closer.
When the next person comes on duty, he mentions them.
"Something strange over that way. A long ways off though; not worth waking everyone up for. Some kind of leaping animal with really long hind legs. Weird proportions."
Leo slid the dagger back into its sheath and, in turn, placed it under the pillow as Isen knocked, ”Could do with a little bit a grub, if yer offerin.’”
He pulled the worn mess kit from his pack and set it on the long table, the gray, cotton socks muffling his steps as he moved from the bed to the table.
”Maybe a pitcher a water too?” He looked around at the others as if waiting for a confirmation.
In that second, you could see that his eyes were badly bloodshot and unfocused. The only other time you've ever seen anything like was in people who had overdosed on illegal narcotics.
As you continue pondering Oleg's situation, you begin to notice that he has large bruises going down the sides of his neck. You start to follow them, pulling the sheet back just a bit, and you blink a few times at what you see. You continue pulling the sheet back until you have revealed his upper torso.
Oleg has a dozen or more puncture wounds in his chest. They all have some kind of pus or mucus scab over them. The wounds are relatively small, and do not look like they are from a weapon.