WG - The Mystery of the Poisoned Healer Options

[Grits]

(Continued from approximately here.)



Abiene in Chorrol

Eyja explained what would be needed for a complete recovery. “For the amount of metal you've been exposed to, you may need to keep taking it several times daily for at least a week, and do a restorative healing on yourself several times per day as well. The raw ingredients work better and quicker if you can stand the bitter taste. The potions are flavored, but are much weaker.”

Abiene started to reply. “I can stand the taste, but I’m sure an alchemist will be better able to…” Several times per day? She pressed her fingers against her face again, fighting down that frantic feeling. “I have patients to tend! I won’t be able to— I’m already taking far too many magicka potions just to keep up my workload. There’s nothing for it, I’ll have to ask for a leave of absence from the chapel.” She clenched her fists on her knees, anger creeping up through her fear. “Darn whoever did this!”

Eyja handed Abiene a list of ingredients. “Expect to be near an urn for a while,” she told Abiene. Then Eyja tucked her materials away.

Great, thought Abiene. I’m not going to go through a week of purging on the pot in my chapel quarters. She put that concern away for now and looked at the list.

Garlic
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Flax seed oil
Corkbulb root
Netch Leather
Scrib Jelly
Scamp skin
Kwama cuttle
Ash yam
The juice of a lemon
Dried seaweed
Charcoal

“Abiene, I need you to remember exactly how long you were at the inn, who you saw there, who brought you that tea, and if it was the same person you ordered it from,” said Eyja.

Abiene tried to clear her thoughts. “I reached the inn after dark and spent the night. There was a commotion when Irvana arrived with talk of vampires, and I ended up healing her in her chamber. I had a glass of Tamika’s last night with the stuffed mushrooms, plus a cheese plate with strawberries. This morning I ate a sweet roll and drank some kahve at the bar. A Dunmer woman was there, I didn’t catch her name. She was another guest. Lycus was sitting there, too. Yetta the cook and Lleris the hallboy were serving, but I got my breakfast from what was already set out on the bar. Bograk and Aravi were there, too. Oh, and I believe Kayla headed upstairs around the time I came down with Aravi. Honestly Eyja, I’m probably forgetting someone. I’ve been told to improve my situational awareness, but I’m not really sure what that even means.”

She hoped Eyja wasn’t too disgusted with her lack of information. She had not been paying attention at the inn because she had not been up to anything she felt she needed to hide. And Aravi’s troubles had been foremost in her mind.

“Then I got some tea from Yetta and went outside. I spoke with Dar’muktah and watched Lowren and the Argonian man cleaning up after the storm. Then I met Maxical. We sat on the bench chatting for a while. We have some mutual friends.” What happened next? “I must have been in a fog, because I can’t say how long we sat there or even what we talked about. I don’t really remember getting my things from the inn, but I must have.”

Abiene looked at the list again. “I can pick up a few of these things today at the chapel. Master Selvilo might have some of them, he’s a Dunmer. I can’t imagine why he would have netch leather, though. I’ll need to pick up my crystal ball so I can try to reach Darnand. He’ll know where Jerric is. That’s the alchemist.” She shook her head. “I hate to involve them in this.”

Abiene’s mouth went dry and her heart began to race. Perhaps that’s still the poison, she thought, gripping the bench’s edge.

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Aug 24 2013, 04:01 PM

[Grits]

Abiene

Abiene launched herself from the bench and made her way to Casta Scribonia’s house. Eyja’s near panic had provoked a healer’s response in Abiene, and now her mind was clear despite the danger. She cast another restorative spell on herself and popped a few fennel seeds into her mouth as she walked. Master Selvilo had warned against abusing stimulants, but this was no time to start listening to him.

Casta had soon slammed her door in Abiene’s face. Maxical had not come to visit.

Abiene drifted out into the street, her own worry rising to meet the memory of Eyja’s fear. Where did Maxical go? She would need healing. I’ll start with the chapel.

Orag greeted her as she headed through to the healing hall. “Blessings, Abiene! Have you returned to—Stendarr’s mercy! You look horrible. You should make your devotions at once!” She moved as if to yank Abiene up toward the altar.

“Blessings, Orag,” Abiene called back as she dodged the orc. “Soon, I promise. But for now I need to…” She didn’t bother to finish as she trotted down the steps. Abiene believed in honoring the Divines through her actions, and for now she had plenty to do.

No one in the healing hall had seen Maxical either. Abiene made her way to Gureryne Selvilo’s office.

“Greetings of the day, Master—” she began.

The Dunmer interrupted by shoving her into a chair and sticking his thumb in her eye, peeling up the lid. He peered down at her, frowning. “Your eyes are not supposed to be blue, young woman.”

Abiene fumbled the list out of her pocket, struggling against the urge to kick the hells out of her healing master.

The list was snatched away by golden hands. “Ah,” purred an unknown voice. “Metal poisoning.”

Superior tone, snotty accent, thought Abiene. Altmer. Gureryne let go and stepped back, arms across his chest. He took the list and glanced down at it.

Abiene spent a moment swiping tears from her cheeks and glaring at the newcomer. The high elf wore healer’s robes that must have been specially tailored to skim over her long figure. The chapel’s colors were worked along the cuff and sleeves in a subtle pattern. Abiene became conscious of her dried sweat and yesterday’s travel clothes. Money and the good taste to go with it. I think I hate her.

“That’s right,” said Abiene. “I’ll need to take potions for a week while I recover. I’ll need to cut back a little on my—”

Gureryne cut her off with a quick motion of his hand. “You will absent yourself from the healing hall during your recovery. This treatment will have you spewing from both ends. Though you do not present a danger to our patients, your presence would cause rumor and distress. You may spend the week in your quarters in study and prayer.”

Abiene gritted her teeth over a sharp retort. “There are some exotic ingredients on that list. I wondered if you—”

“Because I am Dunmer I must horde ash yams and scrib jelly?” Gureryne’s brows shot toward his hairline. “I am a Colovian Highlander, child. Have you ever seen me crunching up an ash hopper leg?”

I’ve seen you use hackle-lo in every way possible. Abiene opened her mouth to protest.

“You may take what supplies you need from our stores,” he continued. “You could use the practice mixing your own potions. Do not ignore your symptoms, Abiene. It is a foolish healer who allows herself to fall ill.”

Abiene found herself escorted toward the door. “But wait, my patients,” she objected.

“As it happens I have a candidate in mind who will be pleased to fill in for you.”

The Altmer’s smug grimace confirmed Abiene’s guess.

“So I have your leave then?” Abiene asked over her shoulder as the door closed on her rear. I’ll take that as a yes.

Abiene gathered supplies before anyone could catch up and ask questions. A sniff under her arm made her wish for the time to soak in a tub. It will get worse before it gets better, she reminded herself. The thought of Maxical lying sick and helpless put speed to her work.

She took the time in the workroom to quill letters to Aravi and Bograk.

A novice approached as she blew on the ink to dry it. “Your mail, Abiene.”

“Thanks, Elena.” Urgency fought with concern. Her affection for Elena won. “How is your elbow? Has the pain returned?”

Abiene sorted her mail as they talked. One envelope caught her attention. This can’t wait. Elena got the hint as Abiene ripped it open.

Abiene, grace and light,

I hope this finds you well. I will get straight to the point, as you know something must have occurred if I have put quill to parchment.

There has been an outbreak of fever at the Wayshrine. We are cured, but you must look to yourself if you have not already.

It seems likely that we picked it up from Yoshiko. Do not concern yourself, we are fine. However I am instructed to ask if you celebrated with any of the pilgrims? We know that is not your habit, but I must ask you just the same.

May our Lady’s blessing be always upon you,

Seruya

Abiene quilled a quick reply.

My dear Seruya,

You have confirmed my fears and quieted them all at once.

As you surmised I did not join the ceremonies in the lower circle. I have infected some folk here in Chorrol (through close but casual contact), but I expect the outbreak to be quickly contained. Forgive me for the brevity of this reply. I am presently engaged in that effort.

I hope to see you again before the snows set in, my friend. Please have care for your safety in the meantime. Fewer scars to repair would leave us more time for rejoicing.

May your strength and beauty bring inspiration in the name of our Lady,

Abiene

Searching for Maxical and completing her tasks took the rest of the day. It was well after dark by the time Abiene left the Mages Guild. Her energy was spent, but hope for Maxical brimmed in her heart.

Honditar approached her under the Great Oak, but this time he kept his distance. His face asked the question.

“I didn’t find her anywhere,” Abiene told him. “Casta hadn’t seen her. But several people said they heard a white Khajiit was seen walking out the main gate. I think she must have returned to the Wobbly Goblet. It’s likely that Eyja already found her there.”

“Who said that?” Honditar asked.

Abiene told him. “Do you want some more mandrake root?” she finished. “I’ve been handing it out all day just in case.”

Honditar’s expression was unreadable in the dark, but his voice sounded tense. “Can you get where you’re going all right?” He seemed eager to leave.

Abiene stepped closer so she wouldn’t have to shout. The knowledge that her weakened state was the result of an attempted murder had slipped to the back of her mind, but now she recalled she had reason for caution. “I’m going to the Grey Mare,” she murmured. “I’ll walk under invisibility to stay safe. I can get that far tonight on my own.” Even if I have to crawl some of the way. “Please tell Eyja where I am if you see her before I do. She’s been helping me. I… I really need her help.”

Honditar stalked off into the night.

Abiene waited until she stood alone in the shadow of the great Oak. Then she cast her spells and headed toward the Grey Mare.