You wake up much later in the day, drifting back into consciousness... You find yourself in a plush bed filled with feathers and stuffed with cotton. Your eyes adjust to the room around you and find the half drawn curtains hide the afternoon sun hanging low in the sky. Your shirt is off and your ribs are snugly bandaged.
Alrik sits up in the bed and sighs. He hadn't meant to fall asleep... rather, pass out... on the bench. It seems someone has carried him somewhere and has given him aid.
Standing, he finds his gnarled staff nearby and grasps it, using it to lean on as he makes his way out of the door into whatever is on the other side...
@Chantry Williams You open the door and see a familiar parlor. A bookshelf. A couch.
Oxious yawns as he walks in the room with a cup of tea. He stops when he sees you. "Oh gods you're awake already. I thought I'd have a little more peace and quiet before you woke up."
He takes a seat. "How are you feeling?"
@Chantry Williams "Not that I care much what your answer is, I'm just trying to be polite. Is this polite enough? Do you prefer honestly or politeness?"
He conjures a second cup of tea on the table with a wand. There is a definite sass back in his attitude again, though the tiefling looks exhausted.
Alrik looks about, spying his satchel and the rest of his clothes. He walks over and grabs them, tucking it under his arm. "Don't you worry yourself, Oxious... I wouldn't dare disturb your peace and quiet. At least not willingly. Give me just a brief moment to get fully dressed and I'll he on my way."
There is definitely a note of agitation in the Storm Caller's voice as he speaks, a determined gait to his walk/stumble as he uses his staff to maintain his upright position. He walks back into the room he woke up in and finishes getting dressed. Spying a wash basin in the corner, he splashes his face and scrubs it with the sleeve of his shirt.
@Chantry Williams Oxious sips his tea while he waits for you. As you exit again all dressed and washed, he looks over the rim of his cup.
"Magnolia saw you passed out outside the temple on our way back to my home. She insisted we bring you with us. You're a town hero after all."
He sets his cup down on the table with a small clink, a little teasing in his voice. It's not malicious but still...... Oxious.
You spot the dark elf coming into the room, but she muffles a squeak when she sees you and ducks back out. Oxious scoffs, waving his hand a little flippant. "She bandaged you of course. Not my forte... Don't worry or flatter yourself."
He reclines back, tsking. "Also don't want my new business partner kicking the bucket... You haven't paid my court debt yet."
Alrik rolls his eyes and mutters something under his breath along the lines of "Not sure this business deal is worth it anymore..." but being a man of his word, he pulls out his wallet. "What did they fine you?"
He makes a mental note to thank Magnolia, if he ever sees her and she doesn't flee from him.
@Chantry Williams Oxious sighs. "Oh, I figured you were aware..." He shifts awkwardly to withdraw a letter from his pocket, setting it on the table in front of you. It's creased and crinkled, and you open it to see a very intricately written letter by one of the administrative assistants of the court. You can't help but blanch a little at the fine of 2,000 gold pieces. Definitely more than what you have in your wallet. Your mind wanders to the dragon hoard...
The tiefling does actually look rather ruffled compared to when you first met him, and even more so than after the trial. Something about his demeanor and personality has shifted. He leans forward and takes the paper from you. "Nah, I'm--I'm an honest man. Well, sometimes." He sniffs, wrinkling his nose. "Once business picks back up with the Fang I'll pay it in full. Don't..." He waves his hand a little again as if dismissing you to put your wallet away. He's definitely acting odd and he takes another drink of his tea.
"Why don't you find Magnolia? She's likely down in the kitchen... Not much of a cook honestly, but she was keen to help try and make a late lunch for us. Sweet girl." He sniffs again. "I'm going to rest. Long day you know." Standing, he walks to the bedroom you've vacated. You begin to realize it was likely his personal room he'd let you recover in.
Alrik sets the paper back down and shrugs. "If you say so..." he walks off, letting the vauge statement fit wherever the tiefling wants it to fit...
He opens the door he saw Magnolia disappear into and peers inside
@Chantry Williams You walk down the hallway leaving Oxious to sip his tea. Going down a set of stairs you end up in a front room adjacent to a kitchen. You see Magnolia working, her hair pulled back in a bun and mixing something in a pot. It smells rather nice and homely, and she turns to quickly take a whistling pot of tea off the fire. She doesn't notice you standing there at first and hums a tune softly to herself. You've never seen her so relaxed and calm.
Alrik hesitates, not wanting to disturb and startle her. He takes a few steps back, into the doorway and knocks on the edge or the frame. "Uhh.... Magnolia?"
She jumps a little. "Oh!! Alrik! H-hi! Yes? Are you feeling better? How are your wounds?" She looks shyly over the food again, stirring it a bit more and trying to distract herself.
"I'm good, thanks to you..." he takes another step into the room, leaning over the pot and taking a long sniff. "A touch of thyme or sage..." he smiles at her.
She blushes heavily at the compliment. Looking over at the pot of stew, her eyes light up a little with the thought of the herbs. "I... I think I have thyme, that's a good idea." She picks through some jars in the cupboard, rather well organized and labeled in a uniquely Oxious-like fashion. Pulling some out she tentatively approaches and adds the ingredient, rather self conscious of his presence in the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, I uh... I don't cook often, it's-- I wanted to try. I heard it helps with healing." She fumbles her hands against her apron.
****
Alrik opens his eyes, staring at the late morning sunlight beaming through the window of his small cabin. He groans as he rolls to his side, throwing off the military blanket and stepping onto the floor. It had been a couple days since he assisted Magnolia cook and then left Oxious's house. He was sore and upset at a great many things that had occurred, so rather than stir up trouble, he secluded himself from the town. He didn't want to run into anyone, as he would more than likely blast them with lightning just to get them to leave him alone...
The Storm Mage makes his way over to where Tucker's bedroll is, still roughly rolled and shoved to the side. A pang of guilt hits him as he still hasn't been to visit his apprentice at the temple... "Bah, the lad will be fine..." he mutters to himself, splashing water from a basin across his scraggly face.
He heads outside and stokes up the campfire outside, sitting down on a log and adding some small sticks and twings to rekindle the embers into a flame he can cook his breakfast on...
"Funny seeing you out here like a hermit, Tempest. You're a hero of the town after all." A snide sort of voice carries through the air, and you look up to see Oxious watching you. He's walked up near your camp, wrapped in a thin robe and jacket with hands in his pockets. He looks more relaxed than usual, the irritating sort of whine in his voice lessened. His white hair tousles slightly in the wind.
"Hey... Magnolia told me you were rather close to Zinnia recently. At least, closer than people usually get with my girls." He raises an eyebrow, then looks away. He watches the fire you're stoking with an intense stare. You look over his shoulder and you can see Magnolia hovering near the road looking at the ground. She seems to be circling, picking flowers by the roadside here and there.
Although he doesn't look at you in the eyes, the tiefling addresses you again. "I heard you were the one who found her up in the mountains. You had someone get her back to town. Is that right?"
Without looking back up from his fire, he nods. "That's right... Fenris, my bloodhound hunter friend. He led the missing children and brought her down from a cell the necromancers had..."
Oxious shuffles uneasily. "Not that I wish to ask, but, would you mind... visiting her with us? Magnolia's request, honestly." He clears his throat, glancing at the girl on the road. "She took her soup the other day--said you helped her with the seasoning. And.. And I..." He trails off, having a hard time saying what he needs to say.
"I need your help with something regarding her. You can say no. It's fine. I just... I trust you with something like this. You're part of the Mage Guard, after all."
Alrik looks up, seeing the demeanor in which the tiefling is standing and understanding that it must be important, or he wouldn't be standing there. "Yes, I'll come with you. Let me get a quick bite to eat first."
He puts an iron skillet in the fire, pressing some oiled dough into it along with some smoked meat and fresh vegetables before placing the lid on it and moving it to the coals.
"I'll be back. Gotta go finish getting ready." He stands and makes his way back to the cabin. Once inside, he puts a few supplies in his satchel, pulls his cloak on, and his hard soled boots rather than the softer soled leather shoes he wears around his cabin.
Stepping back outside and lifting the skillet out of the fire with the corner of his cloak, he flips the lid off and cuts the bread into pieces, wrapping them in cloth and putting into his satchel, with the exception of one that he takes a bite out of while approaching Oxious and the nearby Magnolia.
Oxious nods wordlessly. Magnolia makes eye contact with you Alrik, but looks away again. She looks cheerful but there is a definite moroseness about her demeanor. You all start walking toward town, Oxious falling into step beside you. Magnolia moves on ahead.
Once she is out of earshot, The tiefling speaks quietly with you. "I appreciate you helping finding and freeing Zinnia. You got to her when no one else could. I was even there and I... I did not know they had her. I'm..." His brow furrows in self hatred. "I'm a fool for running. The dragonborn freed me and stayed so I could escape. I'd already seen them kill... kill Willow." His voice catches in his throat and he clears it, staring ahead with a burning in his eyes. "I don't know why it didn't occur to me that more innocents could be there. I'm a fool."
He's silent for some time trying to reign in his emotions. You can tell there's been a lot on his mind, and the strange transitioning between this more serious Oxious and his salty snide self is just a little jarring.
"Listen... Tempest." He says it out of respect more than trying to irritate you. You can tell from the sound in his voice. "You know me pretty well. My one love is my business. But I owe it to... to them..." He stares at the back of Magnolia as she walks, her bouquet of flowers hanging carefully by her side for her friend.
"Zinnia is dead. She was dead when you found her, Alrik. I need your help and your blessing with something."
"Dead... or lost? There's a big difference, Oxious. The orcs in the desert... they have some foul concoction that they force upon their captives... it makes them go mad. Makes their soul... their mind... clouded." Alrik pulls up his hood, attempting to hide his face so the mixture of anger and guilt doesn't become obvious.
His eyes turn to stare at you. They're hardened, and even with your hood up you can feel them boring into you.
"This isn't a drug. I've checked. She died. Likely 10 days ago by what I can tell...She is-" he clears his throat, his hands trembling. He shoves them further into his pockets and stares ahead again.
"She's been turned. A thrall to a necromancer."
Alrik grits his teeth, his knuckles turning white as he grips his staff harder. He shakes his head slowly, looking down at the ground. "Damn it... I wasn't fast enough." He mutters under his breath.
The Storm Mage exhales with a sigh. "I'll take care of it... Magnolia... she doesn't need to see it. We should stop by the Fang and leave her there..."
Oxious shakes his head. "She insists being here. But... I need more than a hand to help... to help with the... The..." he can't bring himself to say it.
The killing blow.
You know he needs help ending her thralldom and can't seem to do it himself.
He sniffs loudly, a tear rolling down his cheek. He turns away quickly and wipes it away. His voice tremors with shame. "I wish to ask your blessing for something afterward. I might be able to... To bring her back. But..."
"Bring her back...? How? Resurrection is difficult, to say the least... also expensive as all hell... and necromancy... well, I'd never let that happen." He looks over, peering from underneath his hood... his eyes flickering
Oxious narrows his eyes. He shakes his head. "Alrik... Resurrection type spells are of the acceptable realm of necromatic powers. You must be aware of that."
He pulls out a scroll and slaps it against your chest. He growls, "I know the cost. I always do."
Looking at the scroll you see it is in a different language. The material is waxed and oiled, a tanned hide to protect the magic in it.
"Raise Dead. It cost me more than I care to share. It only works on those who died within 10 days. It'll take an hour to perform. But... it doesn't work on undead."
He shudders. "She has to die before I can do it. I need help killing her. I can't."
Alrik looks at the tiefling, carefully handing the scroll back. "I understand how resurrection works. Do you have everything you need for the spell? I can... well... you know."
He takes the scroll and pockets it quickly, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I do."
Magnolia has slowed down to pick another few flowers. Now within earshot, Oxious returns to being quiet and contemplative.
The drow stands with a half dozen daisies, their butter yellow pollen staining her hands. She smiles sheepishly, walking next to Alrik now.
"Thanks for coming with us, sir. Zinnia, she's... Been having a hard time remembering us. I know she was fond of you and your magic. She talked of it oft."
Fiddling with the flowers a bit to arrange them with her others she continues. "I hoped maybe she'd remember some of the magic. She's... Further gone than I ever was. I've tried really hard to do what Dahlia did to break me free, but... I can't."
"She's been having a hard time remembering you..." he shoots an inquisitive look at Oxious. "Because she isn't herself anymore... she... well..." he picks at his staff, not sure what to say. "She... needs more help than a regular priest... or myself... can offer..."
Magnolia looks downcast, her long lashes hiding her teary eyes. "I was afraid of that. But... Maybe she will remember." A hope sparks in her voice and she turns back to her bouquet, busying her hands.
You remember the last time Zinnia saw you. When she hugged you... Then tried to stab you. You already knew she didn't remember.
Alrik continues gazing at the tiefling, wondering why he's omitted things, and in turn, dragged Alrik into his half truth, to Magnolia. "I'm not sure I'm the one that can help her... not fully, at least."
Oxious clears his throat. "We're almost there. Magnolia dearest, would you mind running ahead to tell Pet--I mean, Priest Petvin, of our arrival?"
She smiles and nods. Softly her feet carry her off down the road as if a shadow.
Oxious runs his hand through his white hair both flustered and nervous.
"Any reason you've kept her in the dark? In essence, you have made me the one to deliver the bad news... since she is adamant about being there, she's going to witness me... essentially... murder... her friend!" He looks at Oxious with a serious and somewhat annoyed look.
"I have no idea how she will react... she should have had time to prepare herself..."
"Don't be an idiot, Alrik! I'm going to take her aside. I'm not stupid. I'll let you be alone for... For your part."
He rubs his temples with his hand. "I've told her that Zinnia will sleep through the spell I'm bringing. Which she will... Technically."
Oxious stops in front of you near the entrance to the temple. He whispers roughly, "I didn't want to bring up thralldom and death to the poor girl. With what she's been through? You kidding me!? I tried to use something called tact. It's a good skill to become proficient at." His voice has a bit more of the sharp snarkiness it usually has.
"She wants to stay with Zinnia and watch over her after the process. And I'll need help back to the Fang when I'm done."
"I see. I can tell that we have totally different ways of doing things, but both can be effective. You call it tact, I call it speaking half truths, but there is no purpose arguing semantics. In essence, we both want the same thing... Zinnia back. I don't want to get into yet another argument about how we differ." Alrik waves his hand as if dismissing the conversation.
"I'll... let you know when it's done..." he looks back down the hill toward the town.
Oxious nods. "Fair enough. Differences aren't a bad thing. And..."
He seems to struggle a little. It's not something he says often. "Thank you. I... wouldn't trust anyone else with this."
Petvin appears at the door. His glance bounces between you both. "Oxious." He says cooly. There's definitely still a heavy disdain between them. "Alrik." He smiles much kinder in your direction. "How is your hand?"
"It'll be fine, eventually..." he mutters, patting the priest on the shoulder as he walks past him. "Which room...?"
Petvin grumbles under his breath, picking at his teeth nervously. "Seventh door on the left, down the east hall. I'll give you some time." He gives Oxious a hard stare before he moves back to the main hall and the healing soldiers.
Alrik, you look around and see quite a few less soldiers than before. It seems the recovery has been going well. Those who stay are the ones who have more serious wounds. Quite a few healers continue to work in and among the rows and rows of men. There are both orc healers that work with Petvin here in Dragonshore, and a group of students that bear other robes and symbols. They seem foreign to the city and have likely come over to help with recovery efforts.
Going down the hall you find the correct door. It's not completely closed and can easily be pushed open. You see Magnolia sitting next to a table where Zinnia has been laid out. She is bound with soft cord to prevent her from harming... well, it seems herself or anyone else. Oxious follows after, his eyes low to the ground. You notice scratches along his cheek for the first time, hidden on his red skin. They run across his neck and his jaw, even up into his hair, and look rather painful. You surmise in his visits with Zinnia he's taken the brunt of an injury as well.
Magnolia stands as you enter. "H-Hello! I was just visiting with her for a bit before, well, um," she stammers a bit, holding the flowers near her side. "Before you, so I could tell her about things. To encourage her to try her best. We all are."
Oxious clears his throat. "Y-Yes. Well. That is most certainly true. Come my dear, let us leave the Tempest for a brief moment to speak with our dear Zinnia. I believe Petvin had a question for you, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is... Would you mind attending a forgetful wizard?"
She smiles softly and walks forward. She stops in front of Alrik first and embraces him in a warm hug that lasts a little longer than expected. Parting from you, she walks to Oxious and gives him a hug as well. "You've been more forgetful of late." The drow teases a little. "Let's go find Petvin and hurry back."
Alrik sighs heavily as he closes the door, locking it behind them after a few moments and hooking a chair under the door latch. Throwing his hood back, he walks over to the table and leans against his staff, not sure exactly what to do next... he knows WHAT needs to be done, he just... isn't sure HOW to do it...
"Zinnia, I apologize for what is about to happen... I beg of the gods that you remember nothing of the past few weeks and nothing of what is about to happen..." he strokes her hair, moving it from her face while he looks down at her, a mix of sadness and anger that this happened in the first place...
Resting his palm on her forehead, a small flow of energy begins flowing down his arm, following the veins beneath his skin... lingering between their flesh, the pulsing blue liquid gathers into a puddle, before springing to life... an electrical shock erupting from his hand...
There is a brief moment of uncertainty as you feel the shock transfer between you and the woman. You see the blank look in her eyes, far more pale and blind than when you first found her a few days ago. They reflect the light of the magic... It is reminiscent of when you first showed her the powers of your raging storm. But this is different now... although powerful, it is kind. Merciful. Gentle.
The blue liquid spreads across her face channeling into her. Tied down she is unable to move, but you can sense the tremor that runs across her body. No longer in her grungy clothes but cleaned and in a gown from the church of Pelor, it's almost as if she's sleeping--a chill running over her skin.
For a brief moment her eyes lose the aura of undeath and she looks... alive again. There's a brief spark. A tear runs down her cheek. But it fades just as quickly. The false, forced life leaves her husk. Her body relaxes and lies still. The magic, so gentle, left no external damage upon her.
There is a knock at the door.
Alrik wipes away a tear, unhooking the chair from the door and unlocking it. He walks back over to Zinnia's body, closing her eyes and untying her. "Door is open..."
The door creaks slightly as it opens and Oxious enters first. Magnolia follows behind. You can hear the end of their conversation. "My dear, I must apologize again... it seems I am indeed forgetful, insomuch that he did not need to speak with us. Perhaps it was someone else. I shall remember later I suppose, likely at the most inopportune time."
His eyes meet yours and there's a moment of tense emotion. There's a quick glance at the table and back to you as he clears his throat. Blinking his eyes rapidly the tiefling says without looking, "It looks like Zinnia is resting now. I will try the spell I bought and hope it relieves some of the trauma she's been through."
The dark elf nods. "I'll let you concentrate, I know how you like to when you're working with new magic... Alrik, care to accompany me on a walk around back? There's a beautiful garden here and a field with more flowers. It's a nice view of the harbor." She smiles kindly at you, a pleading look in her eyes.
Alrik looks at Oxious then back to Zinnia's body one last time before walking toward the door trying his best to smile, but only achieving a half hearted grin. "That would be nice, Magnolia..."
She smiles, a warmth in her presence. "Thank you... We'll be back in a while, Oxious."
Leading you out into the hall and closing the door, she makes her way out to the sunshine of the gardens behind the temple. Stepping into the bright light feels like walking into another world after what you just went through. It feels surreal.
"Alrik?" She says, once you are some distance from the building and walking among the taller grass. "Are you alright?"
He nods, somewhat lost in thought. "I'm alright... just a long, intense past few days... lots of emotions, lots of battle... blood... death..." he looks at her, the same expression as before on his face.
"More of the same stuff I tried to get away from for a while. Seems like it followed me... or I just have a knack of finding it. Not sure which."
She nods, kneeling to pluck a daffodil from the grass. "Perhaps you are drawn into it like a storm to a dry desert. That was something Zinnia told me once, actually."
Magnolia stands and looks at you. "We talked about it at length one night, like two twitterpaited girls. You all came to us and saved us from wave after wave of terror... You cleansed our town of the dust that has settled here." She pauses, her brow furrowing from emotion. "You and your friends have shown more love and brought more safety to us than everyone combined in the last hundred years."
Alrik shrugs. "I guess that's the life of a soldier... once you've fought back the evils of the world, you can't escape it. Once they've seen your face, the world's demons, devils, and corrupt will always seek you out."
Magnolia nods slowly. "I suppose so. I hope you can still find a refuge from that storm sometimes though, Alrik..." She says. "From those demons."
Sensing your thoughts she walks over and brushes her hand against yours. "I know... what you had to do. With Zinnia." The drow's eyes steel a little and she looks like she's trying to keep herself together over it. "Oxious was being kind but I'm not naive. Nor am I stranger to how... well..." Trailing off she looks away, rubbing her arm. "I know that was probably very... very difficult. I'm so sorry, Alrik..."
Alrik lets out a wavering breath. "I only hope that she doesn't remember anything leading up to that point... or... well... what happened in that room."
He walks over and sits down on a nearby bench, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, andhis head in his hands, being careful of his injured hand. "It had to be done... I hope it was painless... for her, at least." He lowers one hand from his head, looking at it. He can still almost feel the liquid energy between his and Zinnia's skin. "I... I don't think I shall ever forget it... she looked like herself... the light returned to her eyes for the briefest of moments... she looked almost like she was about to take a gasping breath, but instead she..." he looks up at Magnolia, a tear rolling down his cheek, sparking as it makes contact with the jagged purple scar. "She just... faded."
Magnolia gently sits beside you, setting the flowers down on the bench. With a hand on your shoulder she caresses the tear away... A small static electricity jumps from the scar to her fingers, but she doesn't flinch at all. After a moment she carefully pulls you into a hug. You can feel her healing comfort.
"I've visited some since she's come back. I... don't think she was there anymore. But," she says, "If her spirit was lingering, perhaps... perhaps she was grateful to be freed of that prison. Not able to control herself, not able to... to feel." Her expression turns pained, remembering her own captivity. Remembering the memories Oxious unlocked during their scrying, as painful as it was.
"Listen, I trust you both. You're more powerful than anyone I've ever met. With you two working together, perhaps... perhaps she can have a chance to return. I-If she wants to." Her voice wavers a bit on the last words despite her efforts not to let it. "Oxious should be done soon I think. We can go see her then."
He nods at Magnolia, thankful for her company and compassion. "Whatever her decision, I hope she remembers nothing of what happened..." he stands, extending a hand to help her up.
"Thank you, Magnolia... truly."
She sets her hand in yours and allows you to help her stand. "You're very welcome. Any time. For as tough as you are, Alrik Tempest, you are very kind..." She blushes. "Do... you think we should go back now, or?"
Magnolia looks toward the temple and hesitating, and tries to give a reassuring smile. "It has been about an hour. Whatever has happened... we'll make sure Oxious is okay." Squaring her shoulders she leads the way.
You both head back, the walk long. But in a way, not long enough... Soon you leave the warmth of the sun and step into the cool stone of the temple halls. The sounds of worship and healing can be heard further in, but you stop near the doorway that you left Oxious to do his work.
Magnolia pauses, nervous. She places her hand on the handle of the door and tries to turn it as silently as she can. It seems to move unimpeded. That's surprising... You think perhaps Oxious forgot to lock it when you left; he did look very lost in thought after all.
Magnolia holds her breath and the door opens.
You both see Oxious slumped over unmoving in a chair beside the table. His head lays in his arms, holding Zinnia's hand in his own. As you approach you see his skin is pale... but he's still breathing. The scroll glows a faint gold on his lap, the final wisps of magic leaving it as it smolders into dust. The girl beside him is motionless, her eyes still closed. Magnolia looks crestfallen.
She walks over to the table, placing her hand on her friend. "Zinnia..?"
The drow feels for a pulse. Her brow furrows and she looks at Alrik. She tests a pulse near her neck. Then kneels next to the body and listens carefully for any signs of air coming from her mouth. Her lip trembles a bit and she backs away, coming to the storm mage. She embraces Alrik and buries her face in his chest.
"S-she... Zinnia, she's... she's okay." Her voice shudders with emotion. "It's faint, but she has a pulse. Oh Alrik, thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart..."
Alrik lets out a heavy sigh of relief. He pats Magnolia on the back, looking over at the exhausted tiefling. "It should be Oxious you thank, but for my part in this, you're welcome."
He looks at a nearby pitcher of water and with a wave of his hand, it changes from a clear liquid to a pale greenish yellow and smelling of a strange cacophony of pineapple, kiwi, and some sort of berry, the fragrant liquid shimmering with a bluish glint as the light hits it.
The Storm Mage points at the pitcher and nearby glasses. "Pour yourself a drink, Oxious... it'll help with your energy. A trick we Mage Guard use when we're needed but are nearly spent."
He doesn't seem to have any energy to move, though you see his eyes struggle to open. Magnolia hurries over to the pitcher of flavorful water and pours a glass for Oxious, kneeling beside him.
"Oxy...? Can you drink...? Alrik made it, it should help."
With a great effort he rouses, sitting upright. You can hear him mumble sleepily and sarcastically, "Oh goodie... Hope he made something as strong as his ego..."
He can't move well yet so she helps put it to his lips. With every sip a little color returns to his face. His expression falters a little at the taste, rather taken by the flavors. You can tell from the look he gives you that he's extremely grateful.
Magnolia tearfully embraces him once he's recovered some. He weakly pats her and kisses her hair. "Come now... You're going to make an old goat mushy... Everything is okay. She just needs to rest."
"Oxious, I... we..." he looks around, not sure exactly how to say what's on his mind. He sighs and pushes his hood back, scratching his beard in thought. "Thank you. Zinnia has become a good friend of mine in the past month, and I'm truly grateful for what you did for her..."
He leans against the wall near the door, rubbing his bandaged hand with the other. "We've had our share of differences and difficulties, but in my eyes, you've more than earned my... respect..." he chuckles softly. "Although I don't know if we will ever consider each other friends, I'm glad to call you an acquaintance. Proud to know you. Feel free to call upon me at any time... and... I have a gift for you."
He pulls out a letter, sealed with gray wax with a blue lightning bolt. "A missive... to Magus Jaundree. A detailed letter of what you went through, as well as what you've done for Zinnia and this town. I also have written that I request that your court debts be lessened at the very least, if not forgiven..." he sets it down on the table. "I haven't sent it yet, obviously... I wanted to talk with you about it first. Feel free to break the seal and read it over, but if you'd like me to send it, just say the word and it is done."
He nods to the tiefling and Magnolia, pulling his hood back up over his head. "Keep me in the loop about her progress..." The Storm Caller then opens the door and walks out... he has someone else he needs to see... a young boy whom he hopes will forgive him for not visiting earlier...
You make your way through the temple, checking in the various rooms and in the main hall for any other familiar faces--and for sure, young Tuck. Oxious didn't say anything when you left, but you could tell there was a change in your relationship after this experience... You wonder what Jaundree may say to the letter, should you indeed send it later.
You happen across a few others during your rounds including Zeed and Tank who are about to head out. The aarakocra is looking miles better, a good rest being what he needed. Tank looks a little more tired than usual but happier than ever that his friend is alright. They wave when they spot you. "Hiya storm boy," Zeed chuckles. His wings shutter a little, still recovering their strength. He'll have to likely re-teach himself to fly, and work persistently to get the muscles into shape again.
"You lookin' for the kid? He just headed outside." The bird points down the road a ways and you see a familiar mop of hair. "He had his stuff with him, think he was heading back to the orphanage..." There's a gleam in his eye as if he's thinking about something, but quickly shakes it away. "Was pretty quiet the whole time we was recovering. You need anything?"
Alrik shakes his head. "Glad you're doing better, Tank... you as well, Zeed. I'll see you later." He hurries off after Tucker, moving as fast as he can without causing himself discomfort, as his ribs are still quite sore.
After a little while, when he thinks he's within earshot, he calls out to the boy. "Tucker...? You alright, lad?"
Tucker freezes midstep when he hears your voice. He doesn't turn around but you could tell from a distance he was limping a bit. He also has a sack of groceries with him.
"Yeah. I'm fine." His voice is a little strained. He adjusts the bag. "Glad you're ok, Tempest."
Alrik catches up to the youth. "I'm okay... sorry I didn't come see you earlier. I wasn't in a good place in my own head. Needed to clear the air, so to say..." he points at the sack of groceries. "Food for your friends?"
Tucker sniffs a little as he processes what you've said. He isn't sure what to say about that yet and looks down at the bag. "Yeah... the priest guy gave me some coin, so I thought I'd surprise them."
"That's very nice of you..." he reaches into his satchel and pulls out a small coin purse and hefts it in his hand. "How about you surprise them with groceries for the kitchen and then treat them to dinner out on the town? After all, a Mage Guard apprentice is a paid position!"
He tosses the small coin purse to Tucker, the 20 gold jingling within as it flies through the air.
The kid almost drops his bag but he manages to hold onto it and catch the coin purse at the same time. "W-what!? Really? I..." His brow furrows, the weight of the money feeling heavy in his hand. It's more than he's ever held before. And he'd earned it. You can tell there's a different expression on his face than when he has taken handouts. The typical disdain is replaced by gratitude.
"T-thank you." He manages to squeak out, his voice tighter. He clears it. "Thank you, I'm happy for the opportunity." He looks up, his eyes shining. He puffs his chest out a little, pride filling him.
Alrik nods. "You earned it, Tucker... you may not know it, but you saved our lives back there... on the mountain... every little bit helped, and without you I have no doubt that somebody would have died..."
He walks up next to the boy and hefts the groceries up over his shoulder. "Can I help you carry everything?"
Tucker blinks a little in surprise. He would normally refuse, but you can tell he's still recovering as well. "Sure... I appreciate it, Alrik. That's kind of you. I really did do my best. It was... hellish to say the least." He's rather taken aback by your generosity, especially since he's been a little bitter about your disappearance. There's a look of guilt on his face that he kind of shrugs away.
Smiling at you, he starts walking again. "Come on old man, I think the others would like to see you, too!" Some cockiness comes back to him. "The heroes of Dragonshore!"
"Heroes, eh? Is that what people are saying? I've... stayed away from town. Tried to avoid people. I was angry at myself for not being able to save more people... I... lost some friends... old friends. From back in the desert... I hated myself in that moment. When I saw their bodies, lying there... unmoving..." Alrik shrugs, as if dropping this burden from his shoulders like a heavy cloak.
"I grieved and mourned in my own way... now it's time to move on. To make the day as good as we can."
Tucker mulls over that. "I understand." His eyes look dark and haunted by what you both faced. "I'm sorry you lost friends too..." He walks with you toward the orphanage, thinking about everything that's happened so far.
"You're a good person, Alrik." He sniffs, wiping his nose. The coins feel heavy in his pocket, along with the crystal the storm mage gave him.
"I try to be, that's for sure..." he gives a halfhearted chuckle, kicking at a rock in the pathway. He pulls his hood up over his head as they get close to town, more out of habit than hoping it deters people.
"I think we ought to take a break from studying for a little while... focus on feeling better and such. Learning to read can wait. Learning new spells as well. For now, at least... let's take a day or two, maybe a bit longer, and just enjoy ourselves... as best we know how..." he smiles at his young apprentice, his eyes reflecting a far off storm.
Tucker smiles a little. "Yeah. That sounds nice. Feels good to get out of that stuffy temple." He stretches, wincing slightly.
He seems thoughtful. Scratching his messy hair he asks, "Are you staying here? Or will you be leaving?"
Alrik shrugs. "I'm not sure, to be honest. There is a journey I need to make, but at this time I'm not exactly sure to where that is..."
He gestures to the orphanage with his staff. "Looks like your friends are all outside waiting for you." He smirks. "Somebody must have tipped them off..."
Tucker pauses midstep, looking ahead. His friends have spotted him and are rushing in your direction. He turns beet red and embarrassed with a grumble under his breath. Within moments they tackle him in big hugs, hanging all over him. He even gets a few kisses from the girl, which just makes his ears burn further scarlet.
"Getoff, getoff! I know, I'm okay! I'm tough, you know that! Come on Beaver, don't give me that face... Nothing could stop Tuck the Valiant!" He smirks, cocky, trying to show off for the little kids. They giggle and snicker, cheering and tumbling around. You can see Trundleberry in the distance exit the front door and regard the group with a peaceful look.
Tucker glances up at you, a grateful spark in his eyes. For a brief moment the shadows of horror leave his countenance... he looks like a normal kid again.
Alrik smirks and sets the sack of groceries down. "Come see me at my cabin if you wish to continue your training, Tucker. Have a good couple of days to do whatever you'd like."
He turns and begins walking away, back toward his cabin.
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