Chapter 9

Back Towards Home

July 16 continued

The group identifies items and searches for someone in the village who could repair Kieron’s armor. Ertak finds out that occasionally there is a person who visits the village who can repair anything. The group thinks whether they should go after the sword thieves.

Kieron tries to find a wagon to take Jaysek home to rest, but cannot find anyone willing to rent a such. They also cannot find travel food as the harvest season is upcoming. The group sets off toward Magnimar. In the evening, Agnarr and Neiia search the surroundings for food.

July 17

The journey proceeds normally, except that Ertak complains that his equipment is chafing, etc.

July 18

Ertak continues complaining. In the evening, while Agnarr is looking for food, he finds cleaner fish. The fish bite him when he falls into the water, and he gets a small wound on his neck and another on his leg. Ertak stops the bleeding from the neck and states that rest will heal with the rest.

The fish are slightly poisonous, so they need to be cooked thoroughly. Neiia prepares food from the fish, and Ertak examines the fish with his spell, concluding that they are edible. Kieron, Ertak, and Neiia eat the fish, but Neiia experiences some minor symptoms from the fish.

July 19

In the morning, Neiia’s stomach is still upset, and Agnarr is also still complaining, but the group sets off. During the day, the group sees a giant poisonous beetle hidden by the roadside. After a brief discussion, the group decides to go around the creature. The group passes an inn called “Last Chance,” under which someone has written “at least if you eat the food of this place.” The inn is very suspicious.

July 20

Neiia starts complaining that her equipment is chafing, etc. Otherwise, the day passes peacefully. In the evening, they come to an inn called “The Golden Duck,” and the inn’s slogan is “The Last Place You Want to Eat.” The group goes inside. But when they start asking about prices, the maître d’ says that a couple of hundred meters ahead there is a suitable eating place for them. Ertak and Agnarr go there, while Jaysek, Kieron, and Neiia stay at the fancy inn.

Kieron sings in the evening and gets a few copper coins. Neiia hears a rumor that this inn and the “Last Chance” inn have the same owner, and that the other dilapidated inn is an advertising ploy for this inn. Ertak and Agnarr are somewhat disturbed by bat screeches during the night.

July 21

The travel day passes without problems, and the group arrives at Magnimar.

July 22

The group splits in two, with Ertak and Kieron going to look for a doctor for Jaysek, while Agnarr and Neiia try to sell weapons.

During the day, someone attempts to steal Neiia’s money pouch, but she manages to use magic to cause the thief to fail. The thief starts running away, and Neiia tries to trip him but doesn’t succeed; instead, she steps on her own toes and gets a minor injury. They don’t manage to find anyone who wants to buy their weapons.

Kieron finds information about two doctors. One name sounds familiar, and he remembers that it’s the famous doctor who specializes in healing injuries. Kieron starts heading in that direction, but because it appears to be in quite a fancy area, he tells Ertak to be quiet.

They arrive at the doctor’s office, and the receptionist looks at Ertak for a long time but agrees to talk to them. Kieron introduces himself and explains his business. The receptionist mutters something upon hearing Kieron’s name and then goes to the back room. After a moment, a small man arrives and tells Kieron that she has grown since they last met. Kieron recognizes the man as his family doctor who treated him when Kieron was small.

The man’s name is Olaf, and he is a Duranaki like Kieron and Jaysek. Kieron again explains Jaysek’s situation, and Olaf says to bring him here so he can take a look. Kieron brings Jaysek for treatment, and the doctor rebinds the wound and states that he can’t really do much else; only bed rest will help, meaning reading books for the next three months.

Olaf says that he is quite busy now, but if he has time in the near future, he will get in touch.

July 23

Neiia and Agnarr search for magic potions and do find some, but cannot fully replace our depleted stock of potions. Kieron and Ertak search for the temple of Iorak, and Kieron does find the temple.