After making their way out of the sewers, the group agreed to give Griffin a half hour head start to make it back to his home before the group. Everyone smelled exactly as expected from traversing the sewers and were in desperate need of a bath. While they could get away with their terrible smell with an explanation of their adventures, the same couldn't be said for Griffin. The noble had to sneak into his home and clean up before Tiran or anyone else in the estate realized what he had been up to.
Thankfully, there were few people out in the streets with blood veil still threatening Korvosa. The few people that were around didn't pay much attention to Alexander and his companions, even if they reeked. Eventually, the group arrived at the estate grounds and were allowed into the manor properly. Alexander looked forward to seeing Silana again but hoped for a chance to clean up before then. He didn't want her to see him while he was covered in muck and that was before he thought of the smell.
Griffin and Tiran waited for the group with the former's hair wet. Alexander was quick to notice their grim expressions, and when Tiran turned to face the group, his smile was forced.
"It's good to see all of you, even if I could smell you coming two streets away," Tiran said with a chuckle.
"Very funny," Viera rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at the joke.
"Is there something wrong?" Alexander asked, his attention focused on Griffin.
"Maybe so," Griffin admitted with a sigh. "Old Korvosa has been placed under quarantine."
"What?!" Verik gasped.
"The entire district is under quarantine?" Alexander questioned, coming to terms with the development.
"Per Queen Ileosa's will, it is," Tiran nodded somberly. "The Gray Maidens burnt down all of the wooden bridges and constructed a barricade to block anyone from leaving through the one stone bridge, all done before anyone from Old Korvosa could protest the proclamation."
"What of the Sable Marine Company?" Takota questioned in a worried tone. "The military academy is in Old Korvosa."
"I've sent word to Cressida but haven't heard back yet," Tiran answered. "Until I do, you are more than welcome to stay in the guest quarters."
"Thank you," Takota bowed his head quietly.
"We can plan around the quarantine all we want, but until a cure is made, there's little we can do," Falenas noted out loud and walked toward his lab. "Please do not bother me unless the city is burning down."
"It might not be too long before it comes to that," Griffin told Falenas without any hint of humor.
"Enough talk of politics," Tiran declared. "We only have one bath but it has been drawn. Griffin said we should expect your return from the sewers. We can leave Duke outside and I can have one of the servants clean him up. If I may suggest, ladies first."
No one objected to Tiran's idea, and with a smile, she followed Tiran's instructions to head upstairs. Griffin and Takota went after Falenas to his lab with the ranger carrying the bulk of their treasure from the den. Tiran made his way to another part of the manor to find a servant. Alexander went back to the front entrance to let Duke out. He told his mastiff to stay and knew that he would listen to the command. The warrior closed the door, thinking about if it was possible for him to get to use the bath after Viera. He didn't want to wait too long to clean himself up.
Alexander was quick to note that while everyone else had gone their own way, Verik was still standing in the front hall. The warrior thought on the matter and realized that the archer had been more shocked over the quarantine than expected. As far as Alexander knew, Verik didn't have any connection to Old Korvosa. It was strange to see how he had overreacted to the news of the quarantine and maintained a heavy frown. The Temple of Sarenrae had entrusted Alexander to help Verik and he thought now would be a good chance to do more than provide a room at his home.
"Is everything alright?" Alexander asked.
Verik snapped out of his shocked state with a small jump and shook his head. "Everything's fine, Alexander. We're going to receive treasure and I'm probably not a wererat. What more could I ask for?"
"Verik…" Alexander said with a stern look and crossed his arms.
"You can see right through me, huh?" Verik sighed. "I'm not too happy about what's happening with Old Korvosa."
"Is there a reason why?" Alexander questioned, dropping his arms. "I haven't seen you like this before."
Verik was quiet for several seconds before answering. "There's someone I'm close to who lives in Old Korvosa. Her name's Meliya, and, well, we're lovers."
Alexander blinked in surprise at the development. "Really? You've been in a relationship all this time?"
"We met while I was still in the Korvosan Guard, and one thing led to another," Verik continued with a sigh. "I care about her a lot. She wanted me to rise up the ranks and help make Korvosa a better place. It was actually her idea for me to hand out meat and take a stand against Ileosa. That's how we met."
"I see," Alexander nodded along with the explanation. "You miss her already, don't you?"
"I do," Verik nodded, frowning. "I haven't had a good chance to meet with her after I was released from Citadel Volshyenek and she must not have heard that I was out since she hasn't reached out to me."
"We'll visit her once the quarantine lifts but I need you to make me a promise," Alexander told Verik, who nodded. "I understand that you love her but I need you to recognize that Meliya did push you to become a rebel."
"I see where you're going with this but look at how our queen has handled blood veil so far," Verik argued. "She doesn't care for Korvosa."
"Your opinion aside, it's my duty to make sure that you're on a path of redemption," Alexander reminded Verik. "And for what it's worth, I don't think there's anyone who could have stopped blood veil by now. I'm willing to cut her some slack."
"I'm not," Verik said and followed it with a sigh. "But I see you're trying to look out for me. I won't start a rebellion because of Meliya again."
"That's all I need to hear," Alexander smiled. "Come on. I appreciate Tiran's offer but I think I can give Duke a bath while we wait for the baths to open up. I could use some help."
"I have nothing else to do. Let's do it."
Alexander led the way outside, maintaining his smile. Although he was worried that Meliya wasn't the best influence on Verik, he was glad that his friend opened up about something so personal. Alexander wouldn't deny Verik his relationship with Meliya, and while he disagreed with their political views, he would do what he could to temper their more rebellious thoughts.
They had come a long way from their stalemate at the butchery where they met and Alexander was glad to count Verik as one of his friends.
The wererats under Girrigz' command had quite the arsenal that Griffin and his companions were able to leave with. He recognized the alchemist's flame and the potions of healing they had with their being plenty enough to spare. Each adventurer would receive two alchemist's fire along with a potion. Since there were only five potions, Falenas opted out of taking a potion, reasoning that he would get by with the extracts he kept on him.
There were other items of note that they were able to secure. Girrigz wore a chain shirt that Griffin noted was more sturdy than a typical piece of armor, and much like the flawless mithral rapier, he reasoned that there were magic enchantments on it as well. With some adjustments, the noble thought that Alexander would make best use of the chain shirt. There was also an empty glass bottle and a pearl found with the potions. Griffin would need to look into the matter but he believed that there was a good chance they were magical as well. The other assortment of weapons that the wererats had weren't of high quality but Griffin did spot a longsword that was in excellent condition among their arsenal. He imagined that Viera would appreciate having a new sword and set it aside for her.
Griffin picked up Girrigz' rapier and weighed it in his hand. With no one but Falenas and Takota in the makeshift lab, he didn't have to worry about someone seeing him and asking him. Alexander's suggestion about wielding the mithral weapon was a good one and he felt that he could use it well in combat. Thinking on the metal the rapier was made of, Griffin turned toward Takota's difference. The ranger stayed out of Falenas' way but was silently watching the alchemist at work. The mystery of Takota's mithral dagger was still in the back of his mind and it was time to get answers.
"Good work in the den, Takota," Griffin said, getting the ranger's attention. "You certainly know how to handle a dagger."
"No archer should rely on their bow alone," Takota noted and patted the hilt of his dagger. "I'm not an expert but I get by."
"It certainly helped that you had a mithral dagger," Griffin pointed out. "You still haven't told us how you managed to find one."
Takota nodded and was silent for several seconds. Griffin noticed that he looked toward the room's entrance in a suspicious manner. With a nod, Takota turned back to face the noble, and gave his answer in a quiet tone.
"Trinia gave it to me."
Griffin blinked a couple of times in surprise. "Trinia?! But she escaped with Blackjack!"
"Not so loud," Takota warned sternly. "Blackjack dropped her off with Vencarlo and he asked for my help in getting Trinia out of Korvosa. She gave me her dagger before we went our separate ways."
"Vencarlo asked you for help?" Griffin asked quietly in disbelief. "Why would he pick you over me?"
"You would have drawn too much attention," Takota pointed out.
"Given your reputation among the nobility, Takota's right," Falenas nodded in agreement despite remaining focused on his work. "You would have drawn too much attention whereas Takota would go unnoticed."
"I see…" Griffin nodded, deep in thought.
Takota and Falenas didn't make any attempt to continue the conversation and Griffin was thankful for the silence. It came as a surprise to hear that his friend helped Trinia escape from the city. While Griffin was initially disappointed that Vencarlo didn't consider him, he came to a realization that he did play a role in the plan. He recalled the conversation he had with the duelist at the Korvosan Duelist Tournament when he said that he suggested Takota to help even though he wasn't aware of the task.
With what he knew now, Griffin was glad that he picked Takota. Of the group, he was the first to believe Trinia was innocent and was willing to risk his own life to save hers. While Vencarlo couldn't turn to him for help, Griffin realized that the duelist had been testing him all the same. He could take pride in showing Vencarlo that he had a good judge of character for his friend even if there would be times he wouldn't be able to help.
After everyone cleaned up from their trip to the sewers, Griffin divided the items the group found with the others. Viera examined the longsword he offered her, and after seeing it was finely crafted compared to her usual sword, nodded in approval. She knew that it would make an excellent weapon in her work as a warrior of the Inheritor. There were plenty of healing potions and alchemist's fire to spread which would be useful in their line of work.
As for her other friends, Alexander received a chain shirt that Griffin and Falenas (who had been pulled aside from his work for a few moments) that was magically enchanted. It would prove to be more resilient than his current armor and let him endure more hits in battle. Falenas had noted the pearl they found with the treasure to help cast spells. Since Viera had her new sword, she decided that someone else would be better suited for it. The group was surprised when Takota claimed the pearl, revealing that he had been studying a few spells as part of a class offered at the Endrin Military Academy. Verik figured that the bottle of enchanted air was a situational item that he would lose track of and gave it up, allowing for Griffin to claim it along with his enchanted mithral rapier.
It was only after Verik left the manor to rest up after the fight that Viera realized that most of the group was staying at the manor for now. Falenas was busy at work, Alexander was spending time with Silana, and Takota needed a place to stay while waiting to hear back from the Sable Marine Company. Viera found that she was the only one who didn't need to stay around the manor but realized this was the chance she needed to follow up on her plan. She needed to learn who Gaedren's accomplice from her returning memories was, and for that, she would need help from Falenas.
Viera found Falenas in his lab as she expected. She had to give credit where it was due; Falenas was vigilant in his work as an alchemist and was giving it his all to cure blood veil.
"Falenas, might I borrow a moment of your time?" Viera asked. "I promise not to keep you away from your work for long."
"Make it quick," Falenas said, not even glancing in Viera's direction.
Viera nodded, not insulted by Falenas' blunt answer. "First, I'd like to thank you for the remedies you provided me. I've been sleeping a lot better with fewer nightmares."
"That's good to hear."
"Indeed. However, I think that we need to make some changes."
At this, Falenas paused in his work and looked to Viera with a frown. "But you said the remedies work."
"At least for helping me fall asleep," Viera told him gently. "I've been thinking but I can't let the mysterious man in my dream go free. I have to find him and bring him to justice so I can move on from the nightmares for good. I know that one of the remedies you provided was to help bring back the memories I had when I was young but it hasn't been too effective."
"Interesting," Falenas glanced downward at the table in thought. "It could be the remedy that helps you sleep cancels out the effects of the remedy meant to restore your memories. I hadn't considered that."
"I don't blame you for that," Viera assured him. "Still, I was hoping that we can change the medicine I'm taking to focus on helping me remember."
"Absolutely not," Falenas said without hesitation, and a moment later, returned to his work.
Viera blinked a few times, taken aback by his sudden answer. "Falenas, I know you have a plague to cure, but this is important."
"Important to you," Falenas pointed out. "This is your problem, Viera."
"It could be a problem for Korvosa if that tall man is still at large," Viera argued. "I have to do something about it."
"Be that as it may, I'm too busy."
Viera frowned. "Surely, you can spare a few minutes to help."
Falenas set two vials down on the table and locked eyes with Viera. "You need to let go of this, Viera. Nothing good will come of you remembering who that man was."
"That's not for you to decide," Viera told Falenas and crossed her arms. "I've made my decision on the matter. I want to find out who the stranger from my nightmare is. Someone has to do something about it."
"Viera, it's been over a decade since you ran away from Gaedren," Falenas started. "Since that time, whoever that criminal was has cut ties with Gaedren. If that wasn't the case, we would have fought him at the fishery along with anyone else who stuck around with Gaedren. Whoever it is you're having nightmares about has moved on. You need to as well."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you," Viera snapped at Falenas. "You call yourself a healer but you won't ever consider helping me put an end to the nightmares."
"Only pain awaits you on the path you're trying to take," Falenas said, picking up a glass. "You've made your choice but I've made mine. This conversation is over."
With a grunt, Viera left the room and practically stormed out of the Vossler estate. It wasn't normally like her to lose her temper over being denied something but she couldn't help but feel that Falenas had grown more insufferable over the past few days. The alchemist had an air of superiority about him as he always acted as though he was the smartest person in the room at any time. Even though he was intelligent, he did have the habit of correcting others and acting on pragmatic logic. At least before, Falenas risked his life in the various fights the rest of the group got into, which Viera believed made up for his arrogance. Now, he stayed away from the action to focus on finding a cure for blood veil as though he believed no one else but him could create one.
Viera would accept that Falenas wouldn't be of any help but she wouldn't give up on finding out who the man from her nightmares was. She thought about turning to one of Korvosa's other alchemists for help, but with the city battling a plague, she thought it best to leave them to help the sick. Instead, she realized that she had a way to find out the truth. If she stopped taking the remedy to help her sleep, the remedy meant to help refresh the priestess' memories wouldn't be canceled out. Viera knew that the nightmares would keep her awake again but it wouldn't be a permanent problem. Once she brought Gaedren's final accomplice to justice, the nightmares would end.
Having been caught up in her anger at Falenas, Viera hadn't realized Ishani was approaching her until she nearly ran into him.
"I'm so sorry!" Viera instantly exclaimed, her frustration fading away. "It's been a long day."
"No harm was done," Ishani assured her as he regained his footing. "I take it that your group is breaking up for the night."
"Mostly everyone is back at Griffin's home," Viera told Ishani. "Is there something wrong?"
"I'm afraid there may be," Ishani sighed. "A business called Lavender is selling a cure for blood veil."
"Wouldn't that be good?" Viera questioned.
"If it were true, certainly," Ishani answered and shook his head. "However, I fear that the cure may be a scam. There's a lot of people in Korvosa that are tired of blood veil and may fall for it, and if they think they're immune to it…"
"They could spread blood veil by going around Korvosa," Viera finished with a frown. "I see what you mean now. I'll be sure to let the others know, and tomorrow, we can investigate these rumors ourselves."
"Thank you," Ishani bowed his head. "I'll come by the Vossler's manor tomorrow to lead the way to Lavender's."
"That sounds like a good plan, Ishani. Until then."
A/N: So, this chapter took me a little bit to get finished. I've been focused on other fanfic projects and had this chapter on the backburner. It's still my intention to continue Seven Days to the Grave even if progress is slower than before.
Until next time.
