Wellspring was still in chaos when the companions finally got back to the town. The actual fighting appeared to be over but there was a number of buildings on fire and there were townsfolk and soldiers both working to put out the conflagrations and pull the injured from the wreckage. Therion and H'aanit came running out to them and quickly lead Alfyn and Ophilia to where those hurt were being treated while Olberic, Cyrus and Erhardt went to find Captain Bale.

'Really don't know how the fire's started.' Bale admitted when they finally caught up with the battered Captain. 'The fight seemed over, the assault had dried up - no new foes were arriving and my men were dealing with the pockets of fighters left standing. Then a number of the buildings just seemed to go up in flames almost at the same time!'

'I don't believe that the Lizard Men had the capability of organising anything as sophisticated as a coordinated attack.' Cyrus pondered thoughtfully. 'Is there anyone else that could benefit from what's happening?'

'Not that I can think of.' Bale paused for a minute to issue orders to a few of his men who came forward with a report.

'What are you thinking Professor?' Olberic asked quietly

'I don't know.' Cyrus began to rub at his chin, looking around, scrutinising the scene closely. 'I admit that I find myself a little paranoid however. This doesn't make a lot of sense. I am positive that the Lizard's were not responsible, incapable of such a ploy - note how spread out the fires are - it's like it maximises the ensuing chaos, thins out the guard responding.'

'I've resided here for a while now.' Erhardt said seriously. 'I cannot fathom a single reason for any such plotting. There is the black market that conducts trade just outside the town, but in fairness those that operate in that business have reason to protect the town. Their enterprise is tolerated here for as long as they don't traffic in people.'

'I think this warrants some exploration.' Cyrus decided. 'I am wary that I may be overreacting, but when things are decidedly odd, I find myself instantly worrying it is related to the attempts on Ophilia and the Kindling.'

'Therion is with the Flamebearer.' Olberic reassured. 'His attention is unlikely to be diverted. He has always kept a very close watch over Ophilia's wellbeing.'

'There have been other attempts on her? As well as the assassination in Saintsbridge?' Erhardt asked with a frown.

'A few. There was a price placed on her head, probably us too since both Tressa and Therion have been targeted in the past.' Olberic admitted.

'I would like a look around the sites of the fires.' Cyrus's brow was knitting in thought. 'If it is a threat of some kind, there is surely no way that the instigators could have known the Lizard Men were going to attack, so they must have taken advantage of the situation. As such they may have been sloppy. If there is any clue I would like a chance to seek it before the trail is cold.'

'I'd like to check where everyone is and give them a heads up to be vigilant.' Olberic added.

They decided to start at the town hall where the injured were being taken. When they walked in they found Ophilia efficiently managing the wounded as they arrived and Alfyn ministering to injuries as they were sent back to him. H'aanit was assisting Alfyn but also keeping a close eye on the people crowded in the large space and Therion was by Ophilia's side, aiding where he could but mainly scowling as people jostled and demanded attention.

'Are you alright my darling?' Cyrus asked Ophilia when she managed to get a second free. She looked absolutely exhausted.

'It's a bit mental.' She grimaced. 'Luckily no-one appears to have suffered grievous wounds, but burns are never pleasant.' She shrugged. 'The number arriving seems to have settled down now though so we should be able to get some better order restored.'

'Do you know where Primrose and Tressa are?' Olberic asked, concerned for the missing members of the team.

'They are drumming up supplies for us here.' Ophilia said as a new arrival came bursting in and her attention was drawn away.

'Something going on?' Therion asked perceptively as soon as Ophilia was out of earshot.

'Not really sure.' Cyrus still looked worried. 'Just odd all these fires burst out simultaneously and I get jittery when strange things happen as soon as we get into town..' Therion nodded warily. 'Don't mention it to Ophilia however.' Cyrus continued. 'If she even thought that all these people got hurt in an attempt to get to her... well I'd rather be sure of our facts before we even addressed that.'

Olberic had approached H'aanit and Alfyn to have a word. Erhardt had been listening intently to Cyrus, his eyes sweeping the mass of people in the room.

'Maybe I should stay here.' He eventually offered. 'I know the majority of people from town by sight. If a stranger tried to enter, I could probably pick them out..'

'That would be useful, Sir Erhardt.' Cyrus agreed as Olberic rejoined them.

'I want to get eyes on Tressa and Primrose - make sure they are okay.' Olberic murmured, 'Then we should get to the sites of the fires before darkness falls.'

Cyrus nodded. He managed to get Ophilia's attention again briefly and told her know they were going to help with the effort in the town.'

'Promise me you will stay with Therion and your brother if you need to go anywhere or do something specific.' He asked her.

'Of course.' Ophilia looked surprised.

He kissed her tenderly. 'Please don't wear yourself out my love. Rest if you need to.'

Ophilia grinned at him. 'Yes Ma.' She chuckled at his raised eyebrow and gave him a hug.

After Cyrus and Olberic had left, Erhardt settled himself by the door. The flood of the injured had indeed settled into a slow trickle and Ophilia went to assist Alfyn. Erhardt couldn't help but be impressed by the two healers. They worked together in tandem with a kind of intimacy, an unspoken understanding of each other's skills and a subtle support that was apparent to the keen observer in the small, affectionate encouragements that they shared. That they were both utterly exhausted was also apparent but only under close scrutiny - to every patient that they dealt with, the kindness and compassion that exuded from both of them was quite overwhelming.

Primrose and Tressa appeared after a short while, bringing along with them a number of volunteers, a load of food and other supplies that they had managed to scrounge.

Ophilia came over to organise the delivery, getting tables set up so that the refreshments could be co-ordinated and making sure that everyone received nourishment.

'Don't forget yourself.' Primrose chided her, after the Cleric had filled plates for Alfyn and H'aanit. 'Phili darling, you honestly look fit to drop. Can't you take a break?'

'Soon.' Ophilia agreed turning to smile at a new arrival that had slipped in the door and was looking around uncertainly at the activity going on.

'Can I help you?' Ophilia went forward holding out her hands to the woman, who shrank back a little at the approach and pulled her dark cloak tighter around herself like a shield.

'Are you... the Cleric?' the woman asked in a whisper.

'I am,' Ophilia replied kindly. 'Are you hurt?'

'Oh... no.' The woman brought her hand out from under her cloak, holding a bottle of some kind of spirit. 'The, errr.. Professor stopped by the Tavern and ask that I bring this over for Ophilia, The Cleric.' The woman pressed the bottle at Ophilia who took it on surprise.

'Thank you.' She said.

'No problem.' The woman turned and walked away.

Ophilia looked a little bemused at the drink she had been left with. It was so typically thoughtful of Cyrus, she smiled to herself. However, she needed to keep her wits about her so she went over to the table where Erhardt was standing, and placed it down.

'Help yourself.' she told him as his eyes lit up at the sight of the spirit.

'Plum Brandy!' he said with a grin. 'Very restorative.' He added at her amused look. Suddenly she stumbled and he moved to catch her before she fell. 'Are you alright?' he asked concerned.

'I'm fine.' Ophilia smiled at him. 'I just get rather clumsy when I'm tired.'

Therion had rushed over to her side.

'You have been pushing yourself again, your Holiness' he accused her with a scowl.

'Perhaps a little.' She agreed quietly.

'Hmmm.' Therion's scowl deepened for a second but then Erhardt noted that the Thief's whole expression softened when he took Ophilia's hands in his own. 'Let me help Phili.' Therion murmured, closing his eyes.

Erhardt was still propping his sister up, so he felt the full body shudder that went through her suddenly.

'Oh Therion!' Ophilia pulled the Thief into a hug. 'I won't waste it!' she promised, moving back towards Alfyn with renewed vigour.

'What in the world was that?' Erhardt asked as Ophilia practically skipped away from them.

'Transferred her some of my energy.' Therion mumbled, his usual scowl returned.

'That's a rare skill!' Erhardt looked surprised. 'Certainly seems to have helped.' He added.

'Stupid damn Cleric would push herself to collapse.' Therion's fists had clenched in his frustration. 'Enough to make you bloody crazy.' He added mainly to himself.

Both men moved out of the way as a couple of the town soldiers came up to the table to get food. Erhardt grasped Therion by the shoulder as the Thief started to move away from him. Therion grimaced at the touch but followed the Knight as requested over to the other side of the door.

'I...I ..wanted to thank you.' Erhardt said quietly when they settled into their new position. 'You were the one that saved my Sister from the attempt on her in Saintsbridge, I believe. Without that... I would never have known I still had any kin, let alone got the chance to meet them.'

Therion looked away, his expression going blank. 'You really lucked out there.' He said sarcastically. 'Ain't everyone that suddenly gets their very own family. Especially not one like... her.'

'Well,' Erhardt noted the Thief's sudden bitter tone. 'It isn't like I don't have a lot of work to do to build a relationship. I haven't exactly been a paragon, I can't expect anything just based on shared blood.'

'Pfft.' Therion looked up at him, 'Ophilia will love you regardless. You are her brother and that's who she is.'

'If that is true,' Erhardt said gently, 'Then I can only be envious of the love she has for you, which is given of complete free will and not simply because of Kinship.'

Therion opened his mouth to retort, then closed it again. He smiled very slightly. 'I suppose you're right.' He admitted, and his smile grew warmer as his eyes followed the little Cleric as she aided Alfyn. His gaze solely on her he added in a neutral tone, 'If you hurt her or cause her any pain Sir Erhardt, I will kill you. Just so we're clear. Of course Cyrus would most likely fry you first, and Primrose, H'aanit or Olberic may get to you faster.. but one of us will get the job done.'

'If I hurt her then I promise I won't put up any resistance to your retaliation.' Erhardt replied seriously. Then he grinned and clasped Therion on the shoulder once more. 'Well said Master Therion!' he approved cheerfully. 'It heartens me no end to know that Ophilia has people who care so much!'

Therion stared round at him then suddenly he grinned too.

'You think I care?' he said with a chuckle. 'Ain't nothing compared to how she's got the Prof wrapped round her finger.'

'Yeah, I noticed that.' Erhardt was grinning too. 'So are they .. y'know..?'

'Oh yeah.' Therion laughed, nodding emphatically. 'Although you won't believe how long that took - both of em crazy in love and clueless as hell.'

'Oh? Really? Sounds like a fine tale..' Erhardt said wistfully.

'I know, right!' Therion settled himself back against the doorframe.

'Why don't you tell me all about it over a glass of plum brandy.' Erhardt suggested. He looked back at the table and saw the bottle was gone. 'Ah, it must have been taken already, shame. I will have to stand you a drink back at the Tavern instead.' He said regretfully.

'Eh, no worries.' Therion crossed his arms and settled in. 'So, it all started back the first day they met, at the Great Library in Atlasdam...' he began, smirking at the memory.

~0~

Cyrus and Olberic had literally bumped into Primrose and Tressa not long after they had left the Town Hall. After giving them a quick explanation of their concerns, they had then gone quickly back to their Inn as Cyrus wanted to pick up a specific notebook to record any discoveries they made on their examination of the sites of the fire.

It was apparent as soon as they went up to their rooms that the one shared by Ophilia and Cyrus had been breached sometime since they had left it at midday, their stored packs had been disrupted, in the case of Ophilia's the items held within strewn across the bed as if searched thoroughly.

Cyrus packed her bag again quickly, not wanting the sight to be the first she returned too. His own pack was intact but he noted that two rather strange things were missing. One of his shirts and a hairbrush.

'A very odd thief to my mind.' He noted to Olberic in puzzlement. I cannot fathom what use they would be to anyone.. unless they wanted something with scent to track me.'

'The downside,' Olberic rumbled unhappily 'Is that it does seem you have been correct in your assumption that something is afoot that related to Ophilia.'

'I have to concur.' Cyrus's face was grim. 'Let us get to the sites and see if we can glean anything useful. I can't help but feel rather on the back foot in all this.' He added.

There had been six building fires in all, seemingly random in their choice, there was no commonality amongst the buildings. One was a storehouse, three private residence, and two shops.

'I can smell magic.' Cyrus said immediately at the first site they stopped at. 'It's faint though. It wasn't cast here. It would suggest that someone maybe stood centrally to the pattern and cast from one place.'

'Is that possible?' Olberic said surprised. 'There is quite some distance between these fires.'

'II could do it quite easily.' Cyrus said. 'As long as I could see the target I could drop an element onto it. I could also send the spell into an area I couldn't see, but obviously there would be randomness to the result. It's not something I would chose to do.'

'So the caster would need to have the same kind of ability that you do?' Olberic asked nervously.

'Perhaps not.' Cyrus replied thoughtfully. 'Once you have mastered a basic spell, the actual delivery is the easier part. Obviously they would need to have at least an average skill in elemental magic. More than say Therion's ability with fire at this stage - although he could probably learn to range it like this quite easily.'

Based on the pattern of fires Cyrus plotted where he would have chosen to cast from and just as dusk began to fall, they started to search out in the area around the square that he had picked.

'What exactly are we looking for?' Olberic asked uncertainly.

'I'm looking for a stronger magical signature to pinpoint the location.' Cyrus said, his eyes half closed and his focus sharp. 'It might be useful if you ask around and see if anyone saw anything out of the ordinary, aside from Lizard Men of course.'

It didn't take Cyrus long to find what he was looking for. He stood at the spot he believed the cast was made - then scrutinized the area closely. It was a purely residential area, quiet and open. He could see nothing that might indicate anything of use to his enquiry. Frustrated he went over to where Olberic was talking with a guard at the end of the street.

'Ah Cyrus.' Olberic greeted the Scholar as he came up. 'Bain here made note of a couple of strangers who were in the area earlier this afternoon when he checked on his patrol.'

'Was a pair of women.' The guard said quietly. 'Not seen them before, and I noticed them because they was heavily cloaked despite the heat of the afternoon.'

'I see. Women you say.' Cyrus looked thoughtful. 'Did you see what either of them looked like?' he asked.

'Not really.' Bain said. 'I was kinda distracted, what with the attack and all, and they both had their hoods up. One I saw closest wasn't particularly tall and she looked nervous but I figured that was on account of the Lizard Men. Assumed they were staying with family I guess, since there ain't no boarding house or Inn close to here.'

Cyrus and Olberic knocked the doors in the street, speaking to the residents. One or two had seen the women but none were able to provide any clue as to who they were or indeed where they were staying.

'Annoying.' Cyrus muttered as they made their way back to their Inn as darkness fell.

'At least we know we are keeping a watch out for women now.' Olberic consoled him.

'Indeed.' Cyrus still looked worried. 'It feels never-ending, this persecution.' He added sourly.

'I know.' Olberic nodded in agreement. 'It's vexing, but all we can do is work with what we have.'

.

Everyone was back at the Inn when Olberic and Cyrus returned, Erhardt and Ophilia in a corner together alone chatting animatedly, the others round a common table, all looking decidedly tired. Olberic filled them in on what they had found while Cyrus went to Ophilia and Erhardt, distracting her whilst Olberic gave the news.

Therion wandered over a while later.

'Hey Prof. Was wondering if you could help me out tomorrow, with the dragon stone.' He said draping himself over the Scholar's back and pinching his cheek.

Cyrus chuckled. 'Of course my young scallywag. What's the deal?' he asked.

'Well...' Therion took a seat next to him. 'Before all hell let loose earlier - I was able to find out that the actual sale that the Emerald Stone is being sold in is tomorrow. I managed to lift an inventory of the items going up and I noticed there is a section of books on the list, so I was thinking maybe you could pose as a buyer.. get us in and potentially if we need to actually purchase something ... well you'd know what you were looking at.'

'Oh my!' Cyrus's eyes had lit up bright, taking the list and reading down it quickly. 'Oh my!' he repeated, his excitement doubling. 'Is that actually a real copy of...'

'Save it for the sale genius.' Therion cut him off with a laugh. 'So I take it you'll come then?'

'Oh...my!' Cyrus said with a nod.

'Dress to impress and you will need one of these.' Therion handed the scholar a black mask. 'We will leave early, Primrose and Alfyn are backing us up. Your guards.' He added with a wink.

'Extraordinary!' Cyrus breathed as Therion walked back to the main table laughing. He took Ophilia's hand. 'I'm going to retire to our room dearheart, I need to go over this list and...'

'Go Cyrus!' Ophilia was smiling fondly at his bright eyed enthusiasm. 'I will be up a little later, Therion shared some energy so I find myself quite awake. I think I should like to keep company with my brother a little longer... If that is okay with you?' she added looking a shyly at Erhardt.

The Knight was grinning at Cyrus. 'Of course Ophilia, um... does he always get that excited about books?' he laughed aloud.

'Excited?' Cyrus was grinning too. 'Why this is merely a slight enthusiasm!' he hugged Ophilia, placing a huge kiss on the top of her head, and patting Erhardt on the shoulder as he left for their room.

The others started making their way to bed too, exhausted after such a busy day. Therion was the last to leave, he came and sat next to Ophilia and put an arm around her shoulder.

'Sorry Phili.' He said quietly. 'About tomorrow I mean. I'd love for you to come along too.. but..'

'I know.' Ophilia smiled a bit sadly at him. 'I'm not very sneaky, and you will have your work cut out holding Cyrus back from his natural instincts without me adding to the load too.'

'You have many, many talents.' Therion agreed. 'Sneakiness is not one of them. And you tend to glow sometimes.' He chortled.

'So do you these days!' she pointed out with a laugh, then her tone turned serious. 'I am sorry too though. I wasn't there when you retrieved your last Dragon Stone either. I rather feel I'm letting you down.'

'Hey!' Therion turned her to face him. 'Never!' he rested his forehead against hers.

Ophilia took his hands in hers. 'You will be careful Therion.' She beseeched. 'I can't help but recall what happened last time you went off adventuring without me.'

'Heh, as long as there are no Golems to fall on my head I'll be fine!' he promised.

'Your such an arsehole.' Ophilia grouched crossly, poking him in the ribs.

' Therion got himself up, patting her on the arm affectionately and ruffling Erhardt's hair as he went past, chortling to himself.

After a short while, Erhardt admitted he needed to get to bed.

'I got a room here for tonight. Can we talk again in the morning?' he asked.

'Of course.' Ophilia grinned at him. She picked up some cold drinks before she made her way upstairs and let herself into her room, quietly closing the door behind her. She moved to the table and placed an iced drink in front of Cyrus who was scribbling away feverishly.

'Oh!' he said 'Thanks.' He put his quill down and pulled her to him kissing her soundly.

'Still busy?' she asked.

'Just finishing off. I wanted to get my first impressions of Sir Erhardt down before I properly speak to him.' Cyrus smiled at her. 'So how did it go for you?' he ran his hand through her hair, resting his head against her shoulder.

'Good, I think. It's an odd situation.' Ophilia said thoughtfully. 'It is probably harder for him too.' She shrugged. 'One day at a time.' She smiled and reached for another kiss. After a few minutes she pulled away. 'You finish this off my love.' She told him fondly. 'I have a few things to do.' With a final kiss she handed him his quill back and moved from his lap.

~0~

Just before dawn there was a knocking at the door to Ophilia and Cyrus's room. Cyrus answered, letting a harried looking Alfyn in.

'Sorry to wake you both,' he apologised. 'Just got a request to go into town, there's a medical emergency - sounds a bad one. Wondered if you'd come along.'

'Of course.' Ophilia replied. 'Give me a few minutes to get ready.' she added.

Alfyn waited outside as they both dressed swiftly. When they went out Erhardt was waiting by Alfyn.

'I'm a light sleeper.' He told them. Heard the noise - thought I'd come along in case there was any trouble.'

'Thanks.' Cyrus said.

The home that the tavern keeper instructed them too wasn't very far away. When they knocked, a very distressed young woman, holding a babe and with a second small child peering out from behind her skirt opened the door and ushered them all in.

'Through there..' she nodded at a door that led into the kitchen. 'He came home late, my husband that is, brought his friend Sam along with him. After all the fighting and the fires, they had a bottle of something between em.' The woman dissolved into tears. Alfyn had already pushed his way through the door and they all heard him suck in a hard breath.

'Li, quick..' he murmured.

She peered round the door and her eyes widened. She immediately cast a heal. 'I daren't do too much till we know what's going on.' She whispered.

The young child had pushed her way forward trying to see what was going on. Ophilia picked her up swiftly and moved away, taking hold of the young woman as she did.

'We need a bit of space to try and help your Pa.' She told the child gently. 'Do you think you could look after your Ma for me while we see to him?' The little girl nodded seriously. Ophilia set the child down and hugged the young woman. 'We will do all we can.' She promised.

Returning to the kitchen, Ophilia got down to the floor beside Alfyn who was loosening the clothing on one of the men. Cyrus and Erhardt were doing the same to the other.

Both men were in guard uniforms and both were convulsing fiercely. They had blood running from their ears and noses, and a huge amount of froth foaming at their mouths.

'I think we are too late.' Alfyn said quietly, as Ophilia started examining the second man, trying to clear out his mouth.

'His tongue is completely black.' She exclaimed, pressing a hand to his chest and wincing as the light pressure she'd applied immediately left a bruise in its place.

'It's a poison.' Alfyn added, 'But even if we knew which one, the body has already begun to shut down. The best we can do is make it easier on them.'

Ophilia had taken Alfyn's hand. 'I agree.' She said in a whisper. 'If we can get them stable... the wife can come and say her goodbyes at least.' Alfyn started to mix something in his bowl, while Ophilia gathered some water and a cloth and started wiping at the first man's face, trying to clear up the blood.

Cyrus had been looking round the room as the healers worked. He picked up an empty bottle that had rolled across the floor.

'I wonder if this was the culprit.' He mused. 'There is a magic signature. I don't get one from the victims however.'

Ophilia looked up at him. 'Oh, that looks just like the bottle that you sent over last night.' She said.

'Plum Brandy.' Erhardt added. 'Very popular, but very expensive.' He added.

'I didn't send anything to you last night.' Cyrus said intensely. 'When do you mean?'

Ophilia turned white. 'A woman in a cloak turned up at the Town Hall, not long after you had left.' She said shakily. 'She said you had ordered the bottle to be sent to me. By name.' She added.

'A woman?' Cyrus knelt down beside Ophilia. 'What did she look like dearheart?' he asked, putting an arm round her shoulder.

'I couldn't see. She had her cloak pulled tight and her hood up. She looked nervous, I assumed it was all the injured people - some people have a problem...'

'Ophilia put the bottle on the table where the food was.' Erhardt added. I was going to have some but was talking to Therion, then when I looked back for it the bottle was gone. Assumed someone spied it and took it since it was just with the general foodstuff.'

'You think this was meant for me?' Ophilia's eyes suddenly went wide.

There was silence. Alfyn held a cloth to the first man's nose, coated in the mixture he had prepared. The man's convulsing eased and he fell into a sleep. The apothecary moved on to the second man, doing the same.

Ophilia continued to clean away the blood from the men silently. Eventually she looked up.

'Cyrus, Alfyn.. you need to go. Therion will need to be heading out soon and he needs you both.'

'Whoa, I'm not leaving you with this!' Alfyn disagreed.

'Quite.' Cyrus's arm had not left her shoulders as she worked.

'You must. You can't let Therion down.' Ophilia's voice was fierce, angry. 'It's bad enough that these poor men will die and a Mother and two children are going to be left without a husband and father... because of me. I will not stand to have Therion's chance at securing the Dragon Stone ruined as well.'

'It's not your...' Cyrus began.

'Save it!' Ophilia said gently. 'Erhardt can help me here. Please go.'

Both men looked like they were going to argue further, but Erhardt nodded at them both.

Cyrus pulled Ophilia into an embrace. She smiled sadly at him.

'Dearheart...' he said..

'I'm fine.' She replied kissing him. 'We will talk later.'

Alfyn crushed the both of them in a tight embrace. 'I don't like leaving you like this.' He said.

'I know. It's not ideal but we got to keep to the plan.' Ophilia kissed him too.

Alf gripped Cyrus by the arm and led him to the door. 'Please look after her.' He said to Erhardt, as they made their way out.

'You have my word.' The Knight said solemnly.