Lantressa glared out the crowd again as she took the cloak and draped it across herself. She gave him a smile and said, "Thanks Korriban." As they entered the temple she looked at the guard who offered a cloak and said, "Thanks for the thought."
As they were ushered in to see Ishani she let the others tell the tale, she was still too ticked about the crowd to feel like saying anything at the moment.
Korriban smiles at Lantressa as she dons his coat. "No problem, Tress." His face is still rather red as he looks nervously.
Ishani's face, though careworn, breaks out into a broad smile. "Well, I'm glad to hear you say that--because I was having very similar thoughts myself." He holds up the piece of paper that Korriban is trying to sneak a look at, and you see that it's a list of priests.
"I fear that the disease will soon outpace our resources here at the temple," Ishani continues. "Indeed, it already has. We need to organize. We need to call upon the faiths of Sarenrae, Pharasma, and, yes, even Asmodeus to face this attack. I've convinced Archbanker Tuttle of the importance of this, and he and several of his allies are out pursuing alliances with the other faiths even as we speak, but that won't be enough. We need to involve the Korvosan Guard, at the very least. And I was planning to write to you about that just when you came in. You've anticipated my very plan; I was going to ask you to bring the Field Marshall into it. I'd like to talk to her today, if possible. But, ah...with the number of the desperate souls in the city growing, it's not particularly safe for a priest to walk the streets of Korvosa--as you discovered. Perhaps you would be willing to escort me to Citadel Volshyenek to introduce me to her?"
The priest looks at you hopefully. "The temple is more than willing to pay for your services, of course."
"Put it towards the healing of those who can't afford your temple tomorrow."
Korriban nods. "We were planning on escorting you over there anyways. So, everything's good." When the matter of pay is brought up, Korriban tilts his head in thought. "While payment would be welcome, Teodor does have a point. You can use it to help those who can't afford it. You're a good man, Ishani. You were helping those who couldn't afford it for free, like Brienna. This is the perfect opportunity to help spread that charity through the rest of the Church. If you do, you boost relations between the public and the Church and people will be healed. It's pretty much a win-win situation. As my mother says, 'You can attract more bees with honey than with salt.'"
Selawyn is still angry at the press of people who all pressed in against her. Still fuming a bit she walked into the temple and just listened to Ishani's request. She nods at Korriban's words. "Heal those that need it. If we truly need your help we'll ask."
Lantressa nodded in agreement, "Only my clothing and pride have been hurt. As for an escort, well, that's what we came here todo. We just need a way to get you out of here without being identified."
Korriban looks at the others. "We could disguise him. Get him some regular street clothes, hide his holy symbol. We could also use the back streets and alleyways to move around. We could even go out a different door here at the Temple. I can help out."
"We could switch clothes. As a beggar you'd be unrecognizable."
Korriban nods at Teodor's suggestion. "That's an idea. Maybe cover him in a bit of dirt."
Lantressa looked the priest over as she considered the problem, ti was times like this she really wished she had learned more about disguises. She nodded and said, "I think that might work, if we make him look like a supplicant who is leaving he should get out of here just fine. Let's see what we can manage to make that happen."
Korriban nods at Lantressa's suggestion and begins to work on Ishani's disguise. He tires to make him look more common and remove anything that makes him a member of the church.
"I, well...ok," Ishani says, sounding very hesitant. "There's also a side door to the Vault but oh, I guess this is happening..."
Lantressa and Korriban spend about twenty minutes helping Ishani change into Teodor's clothes and dirtying him up a little bit, the better to disguise his nature as a priest of Abadar. Teodor, meanwhile, puts on the Father's garments. Once that's done, the cleric leads you to a small side door in the Vault and takes you out into a narrow side-street of North Point, from which you begin to work your way south toward the Citadel.
Despite his and your fears, or perhaps because of the disguise, your group is able to conduct Ishani safely down through the Midlands to Citadel Volshyenek. People are clearly trying to conduct their business and go about their lives as normal, but there's tension in the air. Stilted mumbling and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of the city's normal life, as though noise might draw the notice of the plague. When you arrive at the Citadel, the watchman at the gates gives you a nod, recognizing your group. "You here to meet the Queen's men, then?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "If you hurry, they're probably still in the yard..." Not knowing what he means by this, you press forward toward the great courtyard of the citadel...
The echoes of forcefully spoken but still just-missed words echo 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 Cresside Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd's murmurs. Behind her on 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 hold 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 helmet sporting a 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 or the Sable Company. 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 guardsmen begin to break up into small groups, some still muttering and griping, Kroft and her veterans turn to head back into the Citadel. The man standing by her and the cloaked, masked figures follow her, while the armored woman steps forward and begins barking orders to the nearest guards.
"I, well...ok," Ishani says, sounding very hesitant. "There's also a side door to the Vault but oh, I guess this is happening..."
Korriban smiles. "Don't worry. This is just how we operate. We tend to sneak around to avoid attention. Makes getting the jump on the bad guys easier."
Lantressa and Korriban spend about twenty minutes helping Ishani change into Teodor's clothes and dirtying him up a little bit, the better to disguise his nature as a priest of Abadar. Teodor, meanwhile, puts on the Father's garments.
Korriban looks away as Teodor changes out of his clothes. "Okay! We don't need to see that!" He helps Ishani by making him looks a bit dirtier. When he sees Teo change into Ishani's clothes, Korriban just stares for a bit before saying, "Sure. Why not?"
Once that's done, the cleric leads you to a small side door in the Vault and takes you out into a narrow side-street of North Point, from which you begin to work your way south toward the Citadel.
Korriban smirks at the sight of the door. "Nice. Let's go."
Despite his and your fears, or perhaps because of the disguise, your group is able to conduct Ishani safely down through the Midlands to Citadel Volshyenek. People are clearly trying to conduct their business and go about their lives as normal, but there's tension in the air. Stilted mumbling and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of the city's normal life, as though noise might draw the notice of the plague.
Korriban looks around as they move, trying to keep distance from the sick people. He is constantly on the alert and feels the tension in the air. He does whistle a little random tune as they move. As he continues to whistle his improvised tool, his brain seems to turn, liking the tune he hears.
When you arrive at the Citadel, the watchman at the gates gives you a nod, recognizing your group. "You here to meet the Queen's men, then?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "If you hurry, they're probably still in the yard..." Not knowing what he means by this, you press forward toward the great courtyard of the citadel...
Korriban's brow raises as the guard tells them about the 'Queen's Men'. "Actually, we're not. We're here to see Kroft." However, the guard doesn't respond and Korriban just goes with the group to the courtyard.
The echoes of forcefully spoken but still just-missed words echo 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 Cresside Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd's murmurs. Behind her on 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 hold 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 helmet sporting a red plume.
Korriban looks around at the weird cavalcade that's gathered in the courtyard. "Oh, boy. Looks like we got some weird, macabre circus going on here. Stay on your toes."
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 or the Sable Company. 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!"
Korriban listens to Kroft. He frowns. 'Queens men? Gray Maidens? Boy, the Queen is making a lot of changes. And I don't know if I like them.'
As the guardsmen begin to break up into small groups, some still muttering and griping, Kroft and her veterans turn to head back into the Citadel. The man standing by her and the cloaked, masked figures follow her, while the armored woman steps forward and begins barking orders to the nearest guards.
Korriban watches the parading danse of the macabre walk off. When they leave, Korriban heads to Kroft. "Hey! We're here! And we have our guest." Looking back at the direction the Queen's men walked off in, the rogue asks, "So, who were those guys? They look very ominous looking, that's for sure."
Kroft looks up as Korriban hails her. "Ah, you lot. I'm glad to see you! And you must be...Father Dhatri..." Her voice falters as she takes in Ishani's tattered appearance.
"Forgive me," the priest says quickly, "but there was a minor mob up near the Grand Vault...Teodor here very kindly offered to change clothes with me to avoid me having to run any risk of injury."
"Ah. I see," Kroft says simply, giving Teodor a nod. Turning, she continues into the Citadel, and you fall in step behind her. "Welcome to Citadel Volshyenek, Father Dhatri. I'm pleased to meet you at last. I'm sure that you, I, and the clergy of the other faiths coming today will have much to discuss...but in the meantime, I should introduce the whole lot of you to 'those guys,' as you called them."
She leads you into a spacious conference chamber in which the masked men and the middle-aged one who stood by her on the platform are already waiting. "Doctor Davaulus," Kroft says simply, "these are some of my...special citizen agents, who help the Guard out with particularly difficult or unusual matters. They were invaluable to me during the riots. Korriban, Selawyn, Teodor, Lantressa...Father Dhatri...this is Doctor Reiner Davaulus, leader of the Queen's Physicians, which she has kindly dispatched to help the citizens of Korvosa battle this so-called blood veil." Kroft seems on edge, though she is, as always, polite.
Doctor Davaulus steps forward with a soft smile and shakes each of your hands in turn. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintances," he says in a soft, clipped accent that speaks of an upper-brow Chelaxian heritage. "My men and I are happy to provide as much help as we can, to ease the sufferings of Korvosa in this trying time."
Selawyn keeps an eye out on the people as they walk through the city, but feeling the tension in the air she knew what must be causing it and she couldn't help but shudder slightly in fear. When they finally reached the Citadel Selawyn smiled until she took in the sight of the figures standing next to Kroft, and started to listen to what she was saying. Selawyn was surprised at the orders of the queen, but she still wasn't sure what to make of it. She walked up with Korriban to Kroft and sat back for a moment to determine what might be going on up at the castle, but she was shaken out of it by Kroft introducing them all to the Doctor Davaulus. Staying firm, but polite Selawyn inclined her head in greeting to the Doctor. "Good to meet you as well doctor. It is good to hear that you will be assisting us in combating this plague."
Korriban shakes the hand of the good Doctor. "Nice to meet you, Doc. Good to know that the Queen is taking this seriously. So, where do you and your merry men come from? Given your accent, I'd assume Cheliax."
Lantressa listened to the what Kroft was saying when they arrived there with some trepidation, she wasn't sure she trusted the queen's intentions but on the other side it was a good thing that this problem was being taken seriously. She shook the doctor's hand when introduced, fortunately by now she'd pinned Korriban's cloak so it would stay up on it's own and there was no flashing of those here. "It's good to meet you as well."
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"Well HELLLOOOOOO," Teodor booms, "my name is Sachs Goldman, and I am a very wealthy and important priest of the great golden god Abadar! It is a true pleasure to see the Queen so actively involved in this matter. This Chelish plague must be eradicated!"
Davaulus glances at Teodor, clearly puzzled by the boisterous "Abadarian," but Ishani speaks up before the newcomer can speak again. "Teodor is pulling your leg," he says, shooting Teodor a rather reproachful glance. "My name is Ishani Dahtri, and I'm an Underclerk of the Grand Vault here. Teodor was wearing my vestments for...well, it's complicated. But regardless, I'm glad to have you and your men here."
"And I'm happy to be here, to do what I can," Davaulus says warmly, shaking Ishani's hand while throwing Teodor a calculating look. Turning back to Korriban, he responds to the younger man's question. "You have a good ear, Master Korriban--I do come from Cheliax, specifically from Egorian. I've served Queen Ileosa's family there for many years, and am here at her invitation. She's quite concerned about the course of this plague, and attentive to making Korvosa as strong as it can be." He smiles and digs into his bag. "This is the Queen's warrant for our work--you'll see it being posted around the city in short order, I'd imagine." He produces a decorated parchment with the seal of the city at the top and several lines of florid script.
"And I'm happy to be here, to do what I can," Davaulus says warmly, shaking Ishani's hand while throwing Teodor a calculating look. Turning back to Korriban, he responds to the younger man's question. "You have a good ear, Master Korriban--I do come from Cheliax, specifically from Egorian. I've served Queen Ileosa's family there for many years, and am here at her invitation. She's quite concerned about the course of this plague, and attentive to making Korvosa as strong as it can be." He smiles and digs into his bag. "This is the Queen's warrant for our work--you'll see it being posted around the city in short order, I'd imagine." He produces a decorated parchment with the seal of the city at the top and several lines of florid script.
Korriban smiles. "Well, that's good to hear." When Davaulus takes out the parchment, the rogue takes it and looks it over. "Well, this is rather... strict. I mean, I get that people shouldn't be dressing up like you guys. But, to have the punishment for that be death? That's... rather harsh. And this one, talking about harboring infected. That does seem to be a tad vague in my eyes." He looks back at the lead doctor. "I mean, how do you guys work? Do you guys charge for healing? Do you offer your services for free? If you do charge, what if someone has a sick family member and can't afford it? Would that be seen as "knowingly harboring" infected citizens and worthy of death? I mean, I understand these are the rules and I'm not trying to distract you guys or anything like that, but I'm trying to understand where the line is."
Korriban notices Davaulus's eyes shift. He thinks to himself, 'Well, that's interesting. He could be taking in the room. But, then again, it might be something else. Let's see where this goes...' The rogue smiles. "Egorian, huh? Wow. Never been to Cheliax myself. Born and raised here. And you personally served the Queen's family for that long? Another impressive quality on your resume, no doubt. I'd love to hear about Egorian or some of your exploits while in service to her family."
Davaulus chuckles quietly. "Well, to one raised in Cheliax and recognizing this city as on the verge of a crisis, I suppose the penalties seem...still harsh, but certainly not out of line for what might be expected in such conditions. Korvosan justice has always been on a Chelish mold, I believe. As to harboring the infected, et cetera: I must still work out the details of a plan with the lovely Field Marshal--" he favors Kroft with a smile that goes unreturned, "but we will be offering our services to all the people of Korvosa. Anyone who is sick in the city will be welcomed into our hospices, once we have them set up."
He certainly appears to be telling the truth...
When Korriban mentions the Doctor's time in Egorian, he just smiles faintly. "Yes, I've led an interesting life. But I'd rather not dwell on my past." He turns back to Kroft. "Field Marshal, if you've no further questions for me, we'd best be getting on with our discussion..."
Oooooh, nosy, ain'tcha?
Lantressa listened in curiosity as the discussions were going on but otherwise kept quiet. Doctors and medicine weren't her thing and she definitely didn't need to draw attention to herself with all of the different guards here, but it didn't mean she couldn't learn anything of interest. In particular she tried to listen to the discussions and orders of the various guards around the area to learn anything of use.
Lantressa can't hear much in any detail from the guards as you all head into Kroft's chambers, but she does hear some disgruntled-sounding muttering. It would seem that the Guards don't know or like these strange doctors any better than you do...and, most likely, resent someone from outside the organization (the Gray Maiden) being given any semblance of command over them.
Korriban smiles and nods at Davaulus. "Well then. We shouldn't be keeping you." He shakes his hand again. "Perhaps we'll work together at some point." He watches as the cavalcade of the strange walks off.
His thoughts, on the other hand, say otherwise. 'He doesn't seem to be lying. However, something about him seems to be off. I'm either paranoid or he's a really good liar. I'm onto you, Doc. I'll ferret out the truth.'
"Indeed," Kroft says when Korriban mentions not keeping anyone, "the others should be arriving any minute now...ah, that will be them, I imagine." A knock on the door prompts her to open it, and a rather strange and motley group trickles in over the next several minutes: clergy of a wide number of faiths in Korvosa, including the Iomedaean you spoke to at the Pantheon of Many, leading a group of the goodlier faiths from that temple. The clergy of Shelyn and Pharasma are also present, and you spot Leroung there in his black-and-scarlet robes; he smiles and inclines his head toward you when he catches you looking at him. At some point over the several minutes it takes for all of the priests to filter into the room, Ishani seeks out Teodor to request his vestments back. Lialda enters and pats her adopted son on the shoulder as she passes, remarking wryly, "Quite a crowd."
Kroft approaches the rest of you. "Thank you for your help in setting this meeting up, all of you. If you'd like to stay you're more than welcome, but I'm afraid most of the meeting will be logistical details; important work but hardly the sort of minutia that you're used to attending to."
"As a priest, I feel my place is here. My coterie need not serve and protect me while they attend to other duties."
Korriban smiles at his mother. "Indeed. Quite the little party we're throwing. Let's see if we can make it fun." The rogue smirks at Kroft. "Oh, no. You're not getting rid of me that easily. I got dressed up for this and I'm not wasting it. I'm staying for the meeting."
Lantressa considered and then said, "I don't know that my skills are needed here, and I'm not too comfortable in this place. I think I'll return home for now. Do you want me to return at any particular time or would you prefer to find me at Madame Halvara's if you need me?"
"I'll just head out and talk with the Grey Maiden if she's still here." Selawyn walks out quickly not wanting to be in anyone's way as the meeting is getting ready to go.
Kroft stands at the head of the table. "Thank you all for coming," she says crisply. "I realize that many of you consider each other rivals, or even foes...in the spiritual sense...so I will attempt to keep this brief. You're all aware by now, I'm sure, of the disease that's rapidly spreading through our city. It's been called 'blood veil,' and I see no reason to try to call it anything else now. It seems to be spreading fastest among the lower classes, though people from every tribe and group imaginable have shown symptoms.
"I've asked you here today to try to form and coordinate some sort of organized response to this crisis. The Guard will be doing everything it can to manage the spread of this disease, and will be aiding the work of the Queen's Physicians--" Davaulus stands and gives a short smile and bow, "But there is only so much that we can do without the aid of the divine. So..." she gazes around the group. "What is it that you are each willing to offer?" There are some uneasy shiftings and glances amongst the assembled clergy, and uncomfortable clearing of throats.
While shopping for clothes, Korriban decides to stop within a potion shop and buy a potion that can help cure diseases.
As Lantressa leaves, Korriban makes a note to head over to the Eel's End and collect his trench coat.
Selawyn salutes the Grey Maiden first as she was instructed to treat her as a superior by Kroft. While Selawyn was all for order and discipline given by a clear chain of command she was a bit unsure of these new Grey Maidens. Only time would tell if they were competent or worthless, but in the meantime Selawyn had a few questions. "Question ma'am, where are the hellknights in this? Shouldn't there be a response from the Citadel? Also, when did the Grey Maidens form and how many make up the ranks?"
You find Madam Halvara busy at her desk, although the House doesn't seem terribly crowded. Early afternoon is generally a time to recuperate; after the long-stay guests have been kicked out for the day and the rooms put in order, but before the evening rush starts. Halvara glances up from her work as you enter.
"Oh, good, you're back--Calistria's honeyed thighs, what happened to you?!" The iron-haired half-elf starts up from her desk as she sees your dishevelment, then pauses on her way over to you. "Are you alright? And...what are you wearing?" She seems to be regarding you ...thoughtfully.
Just as Korriban finishes speaking, the door swings open and a voice behind him says, "They are not unwilling to help, child of Korvosa. They are simply embarrassed to admit how little they can do."
Turning, you see an elderly Varisian woman in a black robe moving slowly into the room, flanked by two priests--one man and one woman--also wearing black. Kroft stands, and the other priests in the room quickly follow suit; even Leroung gets slowly to his feet. The elderly woman makes her way to the chair at the end of the table, directly across from Kroft.
"Bishop d'Bear," the Field Marshal says respectfully. "I did not anticipate that you yourself would join us."
"The matter seems urgent," the old woman says wryly, pulling back her hood to reveal a circlet on her brow inscribed with the holy symbol of Pharasma. "Sit, everyone. We must discuss how we are going to proceed. Now," she turns back to Korriban and Teodor, "you were asking about the churches opening their doors to the needy for healing. I can assure that many will do so--indeed, the Grand Cathedral already has. Ishani here has convinced Darb Tuttle that such would be a good idea, long-term, for the Vault of Abadar's health, and even Alexite Leroung here has committed the church of the Archdevil to assisting, although he's demanded a price." Leroung stiffens, by which you guess that he hadn't told her that. "Some will be healed through these means. But as your friend, there, can tell you, the gods do not simply unleash their power onto the world willy-nilly. They let it trickle, like a well-tended canal, just so much as to allow mortals free will and to prevent the gods from coming into direct conflict with each other. My brethren and I can aid some in fighting this plague, as can a few of the Asmodeans and the Abadarites. But Leyli there is a warrior for her goddess, not a healer; her superior can help a few of the sick every day, but he is the only Sword of the Inheritor in the city who can. Silvui and Sister Nanya are the most potent servants of their gods in Korvosa, and neither of them can help anyone with aught but herbs and knowledge." Bishop Keppira d'Bear leans forward in her seat. "This disease will claim many lives--it already has. And there are too few priests of power in this city to completely prevent it. We must consider other measures."
"Quarantine might be one option," a dwarf seated across the table from you, wearing the holy symbol of Torag around his neck, says gruffly. Leyli nods thoughtfully, though several of the other priests look uneasy at the idea.
Stepping down from the dais, she pauses near you. "Are you interested in joining our ranks, sister? The Gray Maidens are open to any woman of ability and fierce loyalty to Her Majesty."
"My powers are limited but what I have, in the Lord's name, I pledge. As for quarantine, that is a very major step. And would likely hurt the common folk disproportionately. I see servants of warrior gods, of devils, of mother death, and of the Queen. Who else will speak for the common folk?"
When Teodor asks his question, Korriban stands. "I will. I don't have any powers like most of you. But, I'm willing to do everything I can to help Korvosa. Because, it's the right thing to do."
"Too early by far!" exclaims a young woman who, to judge by the cup tied to her belt, must be Cayden Cailean's representative at the Pantheon of Many. "I'm with this fellow, and I reckon Silvui stands with me!" She claps a blue-and-black clad Varisian man on the shoulder, who smiles faintly.
"I'm in agreement with my son and Teodor," Lialda says firmly, "though I'm far from the most official representative of the Sacred Sting...and I freely confess I have not myself been blessed with the ability to rid people of this disease. But it's too early to talk about quarantine just yet."
"It seems that the common folk don't lack representation here at all," Bishop d'Bear comments dryly--a dig, if a gentle one, at Teodor. Alk, the priest of Torag, colors slightly.
"Including myself!" he exclaims, clearly feeling chastised. "But Bishop d'Bear is right, nonetheless. This disease is likely to hit the city hard, and we need some way to combat it. And that means finding some way to stop its spread. If we focus all of our energy on healing, we'll quickly be overwhelmed when the disease runs rampant. Already there are more sick than we can heal."
"May I ask how many hospitals and sick wards this city has?" Doctor Davaulus asks, his quiet voice cutting through the room easily. Chammady, the Sarenite, grimaces.
"Too few," she tells him. "My temple runs the largest, and our resources are already beginning to show strain under this plague. There are one or two private hospitals in the city, but those would have to be constrained to open their doors to patients who couldn't pay to be of any use..."
"Leave that to me," Kroft says firmly. "I have a list of them, and my men will be there before the end of the day."
"We can open our doors as well," d'Bear comments, the ghost of a smile hovering over her lips. "Fortunately Korvosans have always loved Our Lady, and will be less hesitant than many would be to retreat to a graveyard for succor when they're deathly ill."
Davaulus smiles. "An excellent idea. My thought is that we need not quarantine parts of the city; one of the most important thing for your city's health is simply to keep the sick, themselves, from contact with the healthy. To that end, I've already proposed to the Queen that her Physicians, under my charge, establish a network of hospices for the sick, where we can treat them with mundane means to at least keep them alive and study the course of the disease. Perhaps for the most dire cases, a priest could be called in to heal those near death."
It strikes both of you as odd that Davaulus brings up the idea of magical healing seemingly as an afterthought...especially when he apparently doesn't have high hopes that he and his men can actually cure this thing with mundane means.
"Ah...yes...thank you," Halvara says, though she's still eyeing the coat with a strange look. Opening the purse, she counts out your portion and deposits it into your hands. As you turn to leave, she says, "Lantressa...why were you escorting a priest to a meeting with the Field Marshal? Our vice taxes are all in order, but still, it's not...exactly usual for women of our stripe to be consorting with types like those two. You seem to be running with a strange crowd these days."
He thinks to himself, 'I want to bring up the box to the priests. But, Davaulus is very suspicious.' He subtly takes a piece of paper and writes on it using a nearby writing instrument. He tries to subtly pass it to Teo. It says, 'Davaulus is making me on edge. Mention box? Yes or no.'
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"Tsk! Korriban, now hardly feels the appropriate time for your doodles of phalluses and mammaries. Do try to pay attention." Teodor shakes his head, unaware Korriban was trying to tell him something. "If we can't spare a priest for every ...hospice--you say, Doctor?--, then at least some observers from the various churches who can contact a priest if needed."
It was around then that it dawned on Lantressa why Halvara seemed disturbed, she must have recognized the cloak as belonging to Korriban. She decided to fess up on that score, "I think I've figured out why you keep looking at me, or rather the cloak, oddly, you recognize it don't you." She mae her words a statement of fact, not a question, "You're right, it does belong to Korriban, I k know there's some...bad blood there, though I don't know what's behind it esactly. I'm not sure how he got involved in this but I am working with him on trying to help fight this plague. I've been to his families business briefly and yes his mother did try to convince me to come work for them. I turned her down, you took me in when I arrived here and you have my loyalty for that Madame Halvara, so don't worry, I won't leave and join his families business." She looked at Halvara questioningly, "Is this going to be a problem? Oh, and keep in mind I've been trying to drum up business during it all as well by telling any admirer's where they can come and find myself and other delightful and exotic girls willing to play with them."
Selawyn considers the Grey Maidens offer for some time. While on one hand going out to help the people of the city would be a great honor and would allow her to spread around even more healing to those who needed it Selawyn wasn't sure she could trust this order with its dislike of the hellknights. She also wasn't sure if she could count as 'fiercly loyal' to the queen. She knew that the queen was the ruler of the city and that her orders were law, but Selawyn still sometimes questioned her. Looking back at the Grey Maiden Sewlawyn smiles, but sadly shakes her head. "I'm afraid that I cannot join the Grey Maidens at this time. There are several people I'm traveling with right now and joining the Grey Maidens would take me away from working with them, and I think that working with them might lead to discovering how this plague started and stopping it."
"Well, they ARE important. Mama Death's Mothers Milk like silk on the weary lips, the Lord watching over her graveyard beautifully. But I refuse--the Lord forbids an end before its time. The time for Korvosa to end is not today. Today starts the end of the Chelish Bloodveil."
"Good," Ishani says. "I doubt that we'll have many people to spare, but those that we do can assist you."
"Good. I'm curious, though, sir--" Davaulus turns to Teodor. "You referred to 'Chelish' blood veil. Do you have any reason for calling it that?"
Halvara mostly just looks confused as you explain how you got involved in fighting blood veil, but when you mention Korriban, her lips tighten. "I was afraid that was the case," she says tightly. She thrusts the overcoat at you. "Take that and make sure it stays out of sight!" she snaps. "I don't care who you spend time with, and I don't care what you do in your off-hours, but Devargo hates that boy and if he finds out you're in league with him I won't be responsible for his actions. The lad gave him a vanishing dagger or somesuch in exchange for a pet pseudodragon Devargo had...he's hopping mad over it, and he'll cut your face open with those gloves of his if he even suspects you're trying to play him. He's already paying too much attention to you, though I think that's for the more usual reasons..." She counts out your pay--12 gold sails--and shoves it toward you. "Now here's your pay--get your tushy back to your room and clean yourself up! I don't want him to wander by and see you, or this."
The Grey Maiden just nods coldly. You get the impression she's smirking, beneath her helmet. "Your choice is your own, for now. As to this plague, you may as well try to put out a firestorm with a bucket; the poor and the criminal will always find ways to die of new diseases, to say nothing of spreading them to the more able citizens of the City. Better that a few should die, and decrease our surplus population." She shakes her head. "Is there anything else?"
When he begins to question Teodor, Korriban looks at his friend out of the corner of his eye, waiting for him to speak before the rogue does.
Before Teodor can respond, Bishop d'Bear breaks in. "It matters little what people call this plague. What matters is that we do everything we can to eradicate it," she says gravely. "Opening more sick wards, and making sure that as many of the sick end up there as possible, is a good first step. But I'd also like to propose that we take steps to limit the citizens' exposure. The Queen has helped us, on that front, by making it a crime to hide those who are sick. But I'd propose that we additionally impose a curfew on the city, or at least on travel between the districts in the city. if we can cut down, even a little, on the public's nonessential travel, it should go some way to helping eliminate this plague."
You make it back to your room without further incident, and take a few moments to freshen your makeup and change clothes. For the moment, it seems you have a breather.
Then there's a knock on your door. "Lantressa?" you hear a female voice call. You recognize it as belonging to Carmelizzia, a Varisian prostitute working here whom you've spoken to a handful of times.