"Sounds like a plan to me."
Nodding in assent, Goruck chuckles. "I suppose a masked mountain of half orc and a young fireball are quite noticeable." Straightening himself, the swordsman asks, "Then is there anything we can do in the meantime? I don't enjoy wasting efforts when they can best be spent doing something."
The two behemoth brothers are still standing just inside the threshold of Laurel's back door, which is a lee awkward since the space is rather small, what with barrels, shelves, stone and glass jars, burlap sacks, and bodies all crammed into a small fifteen foot by five foot space. The seemingly younger brother speaks up. Uhhh... Do you want to point us at what we should be moving so we can get started? I'm pretty sure Agnar and I can each carry two barrels apiece. We've done it before with kegs for Jak, one over each shoulder, if they're sealed good and tight anyway.
I closed 'em up, but I've never worked with barrels till today -- not sure they're closed well enough for that. Check 'em for me?
At Kairon's direction Agnar lifts one of the barrels and tests the lid. Nope that wouldn't hold over my shoulder. We'll have to carry 'em one at a time, and upright. Oh well, we're only going across the yard to Jak's back door. Come on Natan, grab a barrel and let's go. Moving back and forth from Laurel's back door to Jak's, the boys move the barrels full of completely brewed curative tea with ease, and though some passersby on the street give you all queer looks, three trips are made without interruption, and finally everyone is in Jak's kitchen. There are still a few hours until his evening rush starts in earnest.
Jak takes a break from cutting up some turnips and looks at the ragtag bunch of misfits assembled in his kitchen. Well if this ain't a right bunch of somebodies, I don't know who is. I bet each and every one o' ya's got a good story to tell, now don't you? Gone in the woods, he says giving the words an eerie tone, and come right back on out again. And with some treasure to boot! Jak points at the barrels and the stacks of ingredients that have been brought over. So, before we go any further, introductions. I'm Jak Crimmy, owner of this fine establishment. That there's Hildana, Hildy for short. He points at the buxom waitress that was serving you all a few days ago. That's Penny. He says and points at a slender young human girl of no more than twenty years. She has coal black hair, in rivulet curls, and ice-blue eyes. She's rather new to the Vale, but been with me for over a year now, and knows just how to keep the Jack's hands off her but still bring in the good tips. Don't you Penny? He asks, and she gives him a charming smile, all the time stirring a giant pot of some delicious smelling sauce. You already met Agnar and Natan, Bettram's sons, they are. Bettram still runs a farm a few leagues east of here, but these boys started work as cutjacks two years ago, and took to the work like a rabbit takes to lettuce. Now, that's us, who... He is about to finish when he's interrupted by another beautiful lady entering from the door to the common room.
Don't forget about me Jak! Lady Cirthana says, and then, after she takes a look at the scene, recognizing who is all here, and seeing the barrels and ingredients from Laurel's place, she does one of the most unladylike things anyone can imagine. She runs across the cluttered kitchen and practically leaps into the arms of Kairon Daaltin. She buries her face in his neck, lips pressed tight to his cheek and mumbles, Praise Iomedae, you're back, and... with the ingredients we needed?! She says it both as a statement and a question.
Aye. And we have mixed much of it as well Lady Cirthana. Before we celebrate too much, let us start getting it to the sick and make sure it works. And praise the Gods, yes, they must have been with us. Most of you know me, I am Chillel.
Chillel then moves to embrace Hildana, saying:-
Hildana, great to see you. And well. I am afraid I have misplaced Lurinarus. He is fine and as pretty as ever, well under a bit of dirt, but had to return to his family. And Jakk. I need a stack of your pancakes desperately! I have been on trail rations seemingly forever.
At first Dolok just stares dumbfounded at this scene, until he realizes he is staring and then turns away, slightly embarrassed without saying anything.
Upon hearing Chillel talking about pancakes, and suddenly realizing he is smelling all these delicious scents, Dolok's stomach starts growling. "Sorry! Yes! Most of you know me as well! Dolok Pickering," and as he is saying this he steps closer to Penny and reaches out to take her hand and raise it, and with his most charming of smiles & a glint in his eyes, "at your service!" as he raises her hand and places a brief, gentle kiss on the back of her hand if she will allow it.
Baradim nods quietly, looking at the others before he speaks. "If it is well enough, I rather keep Kanga with me. People would be finding it strange to see me without him, truth be told." The plan is put in motion and the half-orc does his best carrying the items. While he was certainly no Goruck but he was no weakling either. Each barrel was carried with gumption, moved from Laurel's to Jak's quickly and efficiently. When they had all be gathered again, Baradim would sit in one of the seats in the back and watch the coming and goings.
Lady Cirthana's interaction was interesting and he had never seen the woman act in such a way. His eyes narrowed for a moment before he sniffed the air, lowering a scarred hand down to onto the mountain lion's head and giving a scratch to it. "Curious. I never seen her act that way before."
"Chillel is right, let us get the cure distributed. We can have pleasantries and food afterwards." He shakes his head in irritation. A few pretty faces and so many lose their direction and their purpose. He steps up towards Lady Cirthana, appraising her for a moment before he spoke. "What has happened in the town since we've been gone? Laurel is been taken and is to be tried and Kreed's men are up in arms? Something is happening, something big."
Penny blushes slightly at Dolok's gentile greeting, but doesn't pull her hand away. She does her best attempt at a curtsy and says, I know who you are Dolok, silly. Mater Figueroa has great things to say about your potential as a smith. She blushes again, smiles, and then goes back to her prep work for the dinner meal.
Iomedae's cleric blushes once she realizes everyone is staring at her after her out of character emotional outburst. She takes a step back from Kairon and adjusts her silver, linen, fitted dress to smooth out any wrinkles she incurred during her moment of weakness. She looks at Chillel and says, Lunarinus has left? For Almas? How?
Hildana stops working and turns around reaching both hands up and pulling on her ponytail with alternating strokes, obviously some kind of nervous routine. She says, Well that's too bad. Never seen a feller quite as pretty, and rich, as that one.
Lady Cirthana clicks her tongue at Hildana's uncouth talk, but doesn't comment. She, instead, turns to address Baradim. I'm not certain that what's happening is any bigger than the disease. She pauses for a moment and again looks directly in Kairon's eyes. Eleven more people have died since you left, and I had to convince all of their families that burning the bodies was necessary. People are upset, and rightfully so! This disease threatens the very existence of Falcon's Hollow. I'm fairly certain Kreed just wanted to give people someone to be angry at besides him. Laurel is a scapegoat, nothing more. I'm certain, if this cure does work, she'll be released as soon as we tell him that she was instrumental in getting it made. Which brings me to the most important question. It looks like you've already been brewing the curative. Do you know if it works? She says looking around at the barrels and stacks of ingredients.
Flabbergasted. Dumbstruck. Discombobulated.
As Cirthana rushes at him, his allies would quickly notice the tension that gathers in Kairon's shoulders and the slight bend at his knees as he lowers his center of gravity -- the same posture he takes just as a fight is starting. But when the woman falls on him with a hug instead of an obvious attack, he nearly stumbles to the kitchen floor, and scarcely manages to return the gesture with a half-hearted one-armed embrace (his left fist resting at the small of his back). Yeah. Yeah, we got it. We did good. Good as we could, anyway. Breaking the hug (and politely disengaging from Cirthana), Kairon turns to the gathering -- It's been an interesting few days. He shoots a look to the others that is at once sheepish, apologetic, and a little glad, while trying to keep the lady from noticing it. We're about to finish up making the tea, but I think we've got enough ready we can start spreading the word for folks to come this way. Lots to do.
Answering the Iomedaean's question, he says: We haven't tested it yet t' make sure, no. I've probably been a bit too cautious in m' actions since Scipio went on his way and we returned to find Laurel jailed. Wasn't entirely sure who to trust. Here, his tone takes on a note of shame, but he meets Cirthana's eyes with his own, and lets the admission hang.
"Okay, Mr. Crimmy, while everybody introduces themselves again, we are quite famished! Would you mind getting started on some more of your jacks please? And perhaps you two, Agnar and Natan, would it be possible to stand guard outside in the street, but without looking like your standing guard? You know, don't stand out, blend in, maybe play some sort of game? But be keeping an eye out for any of Kreed's men coming this way! Especially in large groups!"
"Penny, Is there some sort of work you could be doing out the backdoor, so as to keep an eye on anyone coming from that direction while not looking out of place?"
"Hildana, you just assist Mr. Crimmy there with whatever he needs."
Now, Lady Cirthana, do you think we should go ahead and get one of the sick folk and try the cure on them? What about the rest of you? Does this sound like a good plan so far? Maybe some of us should get to brewing more of this tea."
He then pauses, takes a breath, looks around primarily at the locals, "And, does anybody know how Master Figueroa is doing please? I'm extremely anxious to find out how he is? And what about Chillel's uncles?"
Jak smiles as he watches the fiery haired youth handing out directives in his kitchen. After Dolok gets done telling people what he thinks they should do, they all look to Jak, who clearly has an air of leadership among the locals. He simply nods to them, and they depart. The giants Agnar and Natan out through the common room, Penny grabs a huge sack of turnips, a peeling knife and a small rugged chair and heads out the back door. The buxom, grey-haired Hildana goes over to take over stirring the sauce that Penny vacated.
Jak steps up and puts a slender-fingered hand on Dolok's shoulder and pulls him over by the large fireplace for a moment. He keeps his volume soft, not a whisper persay, but not his usual robust resonance. Master Figueroa is... He pauses for a moment and looks Dolok in the eyes, his face takes on the appearance of a caring father for his son. laid up. He's got a pretty serious fever. Laurel thinks he may have actually come down with some kind of secondary infection. Might be that that's the first place the cure should go. Maybe you and your healer friend should take some up there, and see what's what? I don't think Kreed, or his men, could have any problem with somebody trying to cure the towns best, and only, blacksmith.
Afterward he grabs an iron hook and swings one of the cauldron's out from the fire, then grabs a huge wooden spoon and dips it into the cauldron, withdrawing it, blowing on it to cool for a moment, and then gives it a taste. Needs more pepper. He says and grabs a giant wooden pepper shaker off the mantle and pours in a generous amount. There, that outta do it. He says and then pushes the cauldron back over the low fire. Turning around he snaps his fingers as if remembering something. Chillel! Your uncles are fine, or at least they were as of last night. They came in and we played a few rounds of cards over mulled wine yestereve. That rainstorm made the hot wine just the thing.
Then Jak goes over to the iron stove that Hildana is not using, and places a huge griddle pan on it. He grabs a short keg from a shelf above the stove and opens the tap over the pan. With a practiced hand he pours out perfect circles of his cinnamon pancake dough all across the griddle. The smell of the cinnamon quickly wafts through the whole kitchen, sending many to salivating. As to trusting people, mister healer man. He says to Kairon. You can trust this. Ol' Jak Crimmy's gonna make damn well sure that, if and when we know the cure works, it'll get into the hands of everyone that needs it. Trust that. Jak quickly runs a wide thin spatula under the cooking cakes, and flips them in such quick succession his movements are a blur.
Now! He calls. Who said they were hungry for some o' m'famous griddle cakes?!
Baradim, seeming to be satisfied, moves around to the back of the establishment and into the kitchen where the ingredients laid in wait. Whispering a prayer for himself, he looked at the others with a smile and began to get to work. If any others asked to help, they too would receive the blessings of the spirit to get the cure made or at least be able to help.
Chillel, normally particularly calm and undemonstrative, grins broadly at the news of her two uncles, exclaiming:-
I would love some pancakes, really. And a sound idea for Kairon and Dolok to take some of the remedy to Master Figueroa. It can't hurt to get him the cure immediately, maybe Kairon can help him too. And Dolok is sick with worry.
She then moves to get ingredients in order to create another batch of the cure. She intends to down some pancakes then get Baradim to cast Guidance and start the batch.
Lady Cirthana looks at Kairon carefully as he implies a lack of trust. She walks away from him, silently, goes to one of Jak's cupboards and starts taking down plates for Jak to put his famous flapjacks on. When she looks at Kairon again her face shows concern and care. The nature of this disease tells me that there is definitely cause for concern, and, perhaps, distrust. Certainly there is some element that is trying to destroy our way of life. She takes a filled plate and walks to him with that same casual grace she's always exhibited before. I do not think that Kreed or any of his guards would be in league with such a person or force. What profit is there in a dead town? Or perhaps you are referring to some others? She says, handing him the plate with two pancakes on it, and a fork she grabbed from the among the drying dishes on the way across the room. She points across the kitchen to a tall stone jug, and says, The syrup is kept there. Next to the jug is a tin ladle, obviously used for dipping. Careful how much you use, too much drowns out the spicy bite of the cinnamon, and defeats the power of the recipe.
Hefting the last barrel with ease on the last trip, Goruck finds himself instinctively grabbing the handle of his trusted blade when Lady Cirthana leaps onto Kairon. Strange actions oft indicate an addled mind. Sighing as he losses his tenseness with a roll of the shoulder, the massive half orc does not remove the mask from his face. "Baradim speaks the truth. Let rejoicing come after this disease is eradicated."
Standing rather awkwardly, the half orc hesitantly raises a hand at the offer of food. "If it is of no trouble sir, I would appreciate some proper food beside trail rations." Irori curse it, I feel as though I should be doing more but I know nearly nothing about medicine.
"Thank you for being up-front with me Mr. Crimmy! And, sorry, I didn't mean to take over your kitchen like that!"
"Yes, perhaps we should get a dose over to Master Figueroa. And do you know how my family is?"
After a pause to to hear this answer, he will blush a bit, and get a smile on his face, "So, Penny's doing a good job for ya? She's a good worker then? Do you know if she's got a boyfriend or anything like that?"
Kairon accepts the proffered plate, but almost immediately sets it on the nearby counter, and takes a knee before the priestess, head bowed. Emotion roughens his voice, and he makes an effort to leave his "back home" accent out of his words. Lady Cirthana, I judged you wrongly . . . and I am sorry for it. I ask your forgiveness.
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Dolok, I know you're eager to return to your master, but if any of us, even you, steps foot up on that hill, Kreed will know we're back, and I think it is best if that doesn't happen until we have a large enough crowd here that he can't interfere. Is there anyone you trust who could get a dose to him without drawing the guards' suspicion? I know you want to see him, but doing so too soon could ruin us.
Then turning to Lady Cirthana, We cooked up enough at Laurel's to get things started. Perhaps you could locate some of those that have been sick the longest and send for them, discretely? There seems to be a time limit on this cure, and those who've had it more than a week may be beyond help, so we should treat those who are closest to the deadline first.
Lady Cirthana draws Kairon up from the floor and plants a much more ladylike kiss upon his brow. There is no forgiveness needed. You have only ever done that which you thought best to help Falcon's Hollow, and I cannot find any fault in that. I am on the side of good, on the side of Falcon's Hollow, and on your side Kairon Daaltin. Your efforts, she turns from him then to look at everyone in the room, all your efforts, have given the Hollow hope, and it is something that has been in short supply. She then turns to Illiam. I'm certain that between Jak and myself we can find messengers enough to spread the word. I can think of one young lady who will be sore upset that Lunarinus has not returned, but I'm certain she will still be eager to help. Which reminds me, where is Kitani? Penny said Hildy was going to get her and Caelis?
As to that, Jak says in the middle of all of his work. Might be I already beat you to the punch, as the expression goes. I sent Caelis and Kitani to do just what you proposed Illiam. I sent them out to those that they know have been sickest. Might not be them that have had it the longest, but it is to those that have it the worst. I thought that a better course, but when people start arriving looking for a cure, we'll spread the word right quick, and I'll send out some Valers to gather up those that have had it the longest. Gotta be honest though. News spread like a brushfire through this town. More'n'likely everyone that's sick, that can be, will be here before nightfall anyway. We'll have ourselves a right party! He then walks over to Dolok, and again places that fatherly hand on his shoulder and says, Fancy Penny do ya? She's a looker no doubt, and a heart as sweet as gold. Yup, she's one golden Penny, that girl. If you pursue her, you best treat her right, or I'll have words for ya! Y'hear? Jak then goes back to stirring his stew over the cauldron.
Gaining a little more composure, Kairon takes a moment to thank Lady Cirthana, and then turns to Chillel. Still have that wineskin handy, Chillel? 'Cause I think it might be a good time for me, Dolok, and Goruck to take a little stroll up the hill. If Master Figueroa's got another sickness, I'll probably need to be there. Unless, o' course, you'd rather stay closer to the food, Goruck?
And the smaller barrels should help make it easier for us to get t' folk who can't travel well, maybe. We can brew up the last of it in a bigger batch, and keep it here, move the little ones 'round as we need.
And he straightway grabs that plate, drizzles the faintest bit of syrup over the cakes, and wolfs them down. Fee ays cubda ad eez, bub mo -- urrmim awn me oods, ffft'n mllvs, . . . . he swallows, at last, and sleepin' on the ground, 'stead of a proper bed. Glad to be back! Crimmy, your cinnamon flapjacks are good enough to make that boat ride near forgettable!
Raising up from his admittedly delicious plate Goruck snorts. "I came here to do what needs done, not devour flapjacks as if I was Illiam. No offense to Illiam or you Mr. Crimmy." At the healer's garbled words the swordsman glances back to Illiam hands raised in supplication. "Perhaps I chose the wrong person as an example."
Glancing at the barrels he remarks, "I'd be willing to transport barrels of the cure wherever need be. It wouldn't be much of struggle even with them as they are."
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Gaining a little more composure, Kairon takes a moment to thank Lady Cirthana, and then turns to Chillel. Still have that wineskin handy, Chillel? 'Cause I think it might be a good time for me, Dolok, and Goruck to take a little stroll up the hill. If Master Figueroa's got another sickness, I'll probably need to be there. Unless, o' course, you'd rather stay closer to the food, Goruck?
If you must go now, you should take everyone Kreed will expect to see. That means you too, Goruck. Lunarinus's absence will be hard enough to explain. You should make it appear that you're going straight to him with what you've found after arriving back in town, though a stop for Dolok to look in on his ill master will be excusable. Maybe act surprised that Laurel is locked up, as if you're hearing it for the first time, if you can. Chillel, Baradim and I can stay and take care of things here, you only have to stall Kreed, to make sure he doesn't send anyone to stop us before we have time to build a crowd.
Why bother with Kreed at all? He's not like t' care till we can tell 'im it worked or not, and won't fret a healer checkin' on his blacksmith, right? Goal-driven, that one. "Maybe" won't suit him. And as Lady Cirthana said -- makes no sense for him t' try'n stop us, anyway. I think we can do what needs t' be done no matter how this hike plays out.
Illiam, are you in danger of tryin' t' look out for me? Kairon asks with a grin. Worst that happens is me 'n' Dolok share a room next t' Laurel for a spell. Near as I can tell, you, Chillel, and Baradim can easily finish making enough of the tea. Comes to a fight, well, y'might notice we're not around, but y'all are capable; likely got a lot o' help, too. He jerks his head in the direction of Natan and Agnar, and gestures to Jak. Main thing now is t' look out for those we can, and Figueroa sounds t' need more than he can get without Dolok, and maybe me, too.
After listening to the back and forth of Kairon and Illiam, Lady Cirthana says, I may have a solution that will satisfy you both. I am a healer of no small skill myself, and I am allowed into The Perch, I've tried helping Master Figueroa already, but I did not have a potential cure to aid me before. Perhaps I should be the one to take a dose, or perhaps two, up to the good Master? Then Kreed will not know you are back, if that worries you so. Would you both be okay with that? She looks back and forth from the human to the halfling in question. She also takes a moment to look at Dolok and say, Your family are fine Dolok, or at least they were the last time I saw them, they were buying some things at the Goose 'n Gander two days ago. I know you want to see your Master, but perhaps if I can bring him the cure, to keep your arrival a secret for just a bit more, it will make things easier?
That sounds very good to me Lady Cirthana. Speaking for myself, I am not sure about Kreed. I am sure there is someone or more than one person in town who wants this disease here. What their agenda is or who they are is unclear. Kreed falls under my suspicion because he failed to have the wells repaired so the sickness would stop spreading from there. That is a selfish and bad decision, at best. He seemed very glad to see us leave town too. We just don't know, so we are cautious.
"Thank-you, Lady Cirthana!"
"I believe that sounds like a good idea as well!"
"And what about that ole recluse, Sharvaros Vade and his son Shavram? Do you know if they have come down sick or any other news of them? I find myself suspicious of them as well."
Kairon acknowledges Lady Cirthana's offer with a tip of his head toward her. Fair enough. That could work out well, while we figure out how to get our real enemy to expose themselves. Does that seem agreeable, Illiam? It could take up to four hours before we know if this stuff works or not, but even a little time more gettin' to lay low and work up a plan will be good.
With plans in order, cure batches to brew, and Jak's delicious food in ample supply and at the group's free disposal, the afternoon turns into evening rather quickly. After just an hour, Lady Cirthana comes back and reports that the cure had an almost immediate relieving effect on Master Figueroa. His breathing had been labored, and he was suffering with a very high fever, sweating, but with the chills. She reports that within a half hour of drinking the tea from her canteen, his fever had reduced considerably, his breathing was much deeper and more regular, and his complexion even seemed to be returning to normal. All in all great signs that the cure works! Which is good news because it is apparent very quickly that Kitani and Caelis have done their work well. Sick people started arriving almost as soon as Lady Cirthana left for The Perch, and have not stopped streaming in ever since. Jak's had his barmaids Hildana and Penny passing out a free mug of the cure to everyone that shows up, whether they're showing symptoms or not, and, as Jak indicated, many of those that showed up first are the ones that are the worse for wear. Some are brought in on stretchers by family members, others are helped in on the shoulders of friends, some hobble in, wheezing and leaning on walking sticks or gnarled old staves. By dinner time Jak's prediction that there would be a party atmosphere isn't far off. There's a lot of people, so much so that they are spilling out onto the street, the surrounding grass, and those with homes along the dock street have opened up their houses, porches, and yards to friends and family that have shown up from some of the closest outlying farms. In short, there's a bustle, and it could not be missed. Which is why Payden "Payday" Teedum and some of his thugs showing up comes as no surprise. Natan and Agnar have stood stalwart by the door since they were instructed to, and they make no move to stop Payden, or the three roughnecks that flank him from entering. Having completed every batch of the cure that they need to serve the entire town, much thanks to both Kairon and Lady Cirthana's magical ability to fill barrels with pure water, the envoy and associates are sitting, happily, joyfully, peacefully in Jak's biggest rounded corner booth, drinking, eating (all on the house of course) and playing dice and cards. Kanga rests easily on the ground by Baradim's feet, but as soon as Payden enters, the cat picks up his head and growls a low growl. One of the townsfolk, drunk on the joy of the cure, and also on several tankards of Jak's fine ale hollers across the overwhelmingly crowded bar to Payden.
"Hallo boss! Payden surveys the scene, ignores the man's drunken greeting and walks immediately to the bar, leaving his thugs at the threshold of the door.
The hell is going on here Jak?! Is that the group come from Almas, back from the woods already, sittin' in yer best booth? Where'd all these people come from? It's clear that Payden is more than a titch perturbed at something so large transpiring, under his nose, as it were, without either his say-so or his knowledge.
Too right Payden, too right. That is the group from Almas in my best booth, and I'm thinking of actually having a plaque made with their names on it, and mounting it on the wall above the booth, so they have claim to those seats whenever they want. They did it, m'boy! Jak says in a way that is somehow equal parts condescending and respectful. They gathered up all the ingredients, and brewed a cure, that works! He pauses for a moment and points at a middle-aged woman sitting at one of the tables. See, Margot? Been sick now goin' on four days, and she's already lookin' and feelin' a good sight better. Looking at the woman Jak pointed out, it is undeniable that the brownand-grey-haired goodwife, with the pleasantly plump body, wearing brown and green roughspun is, indeed, looking quite healthy, and acting jovial, as she bobs one of her grandkids up and down on her knee. More'n half the people in here were suffering under this Blackscour taint, and every one of 'em is on the mend. Some look like they was never sick in the first place. How's that for blessings? Jak says in a way that allows for only one possible answer.
Hmmmm. Payden grunts, and looks around, and then, something happens that perhaps only a few of the oldest lumberjacks could have predicted. "Boss Payday" Payden Teedum smiles, a big, broad, happy smile. Ain't that a wonder. Is all he says. Then he wanders across the bar, carefully picking his way through the massive sea of people, and heads directly to the corner booth where the envoy and their Valer friends now sit, happy as you please. He continues to smile, and looks at each man, and woman, in turn and says, I don't know how you did it, but you did. I can see it with m'own two eyes. You did what I didn't think was possible. He pauses for just a moment, and then says. The Hollow owes you a great debt of thanks. Hell, the consortium owes you a debt o' thanks. With all our Jacks capable of being healed, we can make sure to get that Brookman's Well torn down and rebuilt, and still make our quotas. I'll let the Gavel know what y'all did. Might even be a bit of reward in it for ya, though I wouldn't expect too much out of Kreed, he's the Gavel for a lot of good reasons, and penny-pinching is absolutely one of 'em.
Moving to leave the booth, Goruck stares towards the lumber boss in what could be disbelief or suspicion, his mask hiding the deciding factor. Quietly, the half orc replies, "Things deemed impossible are only so when people forget the strength inside. The easiest way to view the path to victory comes from those outside the obstacle's influence."
His piece said, the swordsman settles into the booth, mindful of the words the rest may carry. This was not what we prepared for, yet I cannot help but feel our ordeal is not yet completed. Silently, he begins to plan out ways to protect the party should an 'incident' arise.
Chillel has spent the time preparing batches of the cure and quietly urging people who came for the cure to make sure they did not have neighbors who were ill and had not heard of the cure or were too ill to come to Jakk's without help.
Payden's appearance causes her to rise on the balls of her feet and silently float to an appropriate place to fight if hostilities break out. Hearing Payden express congratulations to her group, she remains tense and still then relaxes as it becomes clear there is no immediate danger.
After listening to Payden and Goruck she says:-
Bring any sick Jacks here Payden, there is enough medicine for all the sick. And good news about the well, it needs doing.
That was a lot more peaceful than I expected. I fear our travails are not over, and I would be happier if I knew where the threat lay.
Teedum, I got a question fer ya. D'ya know if y'all plant as many seeds as trees y'all cut down? The Consorshum, I mean? And I reckon some of us'll wanna talk to Kreed sometime soon -- real soon.
Payden looks at the mountain of stone that voices profound philosophical wisdom with a quirk of the brow, but says nothing. He nods at Chillel, and says, Aye, that we'll do. I've gotta report back to Kreed at the moment, but we'll get the word spread there's a cure, and all the Jacks on their off week'll prolly show up just to be safe. Turning to Kairon, and being smart enough to realize there's a bit more to it than forest economy he says, The Consortium doesn't get paid to plant trees, we get paid to cut 'em down. And don't worry, I'm sure Mister Kreed will want to talk to the lot of you sooner, rather than later.
Baradim, finally done working in the back, instead sat comfortably at the best table and watched the sick come in and grow healthy. A smile spread across his face slowly as they did, as children weak and frail grew lively and excited and the men, women, and elderly seemed to have a push of renewed life go through them. Rarely did one get to see the reward of hard work so plainly visible but it left the half-orc in a most pleasant of moods.
When Payday enters in and Kanga growls low from underneath the table, Baradim's eyes would follow the man as he made his path across the room. When he came to them with words of praise, he nods slowly towards him.
"We did what we had to, as any true Valer would've done." The comment of the Consortium's policies make Baradim tense for a moment before he looks the man over again, nodding for a moment.
"So when is Laurel Usessa being released and apologized to? After all, it is her cure that is saving the town. We merely braved the woods to fetch the ingredients."
Baradim's words clearly catch "the boss" off guard, as he clears his throat, and stammers for a bit. 'S'at so? Is all he can get out for a moment before he regains his composure. I'll talk to the Gavel about it, but what's done is done. I'm guessing Mista Kreed's gonna want the law to set her free. If'n she's innocent, like you say, 'n' what's more helped with the cure, then free she'll go, I've no doubt.
The way that Payden seemed to lose his composure brings a smirk to the hunter's face as he nods, looking at all the people that have been cured so far.
"I hope so, it'd be in rather poor taste to lock away the woman who saved the families of so many jacks, wouldn't it?" The intention there was very clear; she'd better be set free or else.
Free's one thing -- makin' it right may be another, Kairon quips to Baradim's exchange with Teedum. The reproach in his voice and face is very clear. But the healer smoothly reaches for his ale and takes a long pull, preferring to watch the festive gathering than spoil the mood with too much truth.