"No, no, no!"
Alfyn looks distraught at the town headsman as they stand near the doors to the Goldenshore gaol. The stone-faced man has two Knights Ardante standing behind him.
"You're just gonna execute her?!" Alfyn asks indignantly, "T-That's a bit much!"
"Sorry, kiddo," The sheriff waves a dismissive hand, "It's a good thing you caught her though. So just let us take it from here and you can go on curing, alright?"
Therion folds his arms, standing behind Alfyn. They had returned to Goldshore roughly when night fell. The others retired to the inn but Alfyn insisted on taking Vanessa to the city gaol so she could be properly arrested and tried. To his shock, the sheriff said that they would have Vanessa executed for her crimes as soon as possible once they took her away. Alfyn had not been expecting that. To be honest, even Therion was surprised by that expediency... pleasantly.
"But she's gotta lotta skill... She could help, maybe!" Alfyn argues, "If she caused any issues, she oughta be able to fix it, don't she?"
The sheriff looks bored of the conversation going nowhere and just sighs, "Look, just leave the criminals to us, alright? We got our laws, let's follow them, yeah?"
"But-"
Therion loops his arm around Alfyn and goes to pull him away before he can continue fighting. It was late in the night night and the thief would really rather not have to fight the town guard over some person he didn't give a leaf about. As he drags Alfyn away, the apothecary pulls at him.
"Wh- Therion! Leggo!"
Therion takes a turn at a corner away from public view and pushes Alfyn in the corner. He jabs a finger hard at the blonde's chest.
"Therion!" Alfyn protests, "I gotta get-"
"You. Don't. Have. To. Do. ANYTHING," Therion pokes him hard, "Get that through your damn skull!"
"Wh-" Alfyn frowns, "Of course I do-"
"No, you don't!" Therion hisses now, "She literally was gonna kill pipsqueak and the others. She actually made people sick, unlike you! And you STILL tried to save her back there! And even now, too!"
Alfyn looks surprised at how angry Therion actually sounds right now. The thief's green eyes are unusually impassioned with something as he stares Alfyn down (metaphorically, since Alfyn is taller). It could be annoyance or maybe something else...
"But Vanessa... she shouldn't die just because of that!" Alfyn says with his own impassioned plea, "She deserves a chance to right her wrongs, don't she? She's an apothecary, too! She could help a lot more people!"
"Tsk... If she actually did kill one of the others, would you just still want to let her go?!" Therion scowls.
"She didn't and we ain't letting her go!" Alfyn retorts, "It's like with Gaston, remember? Ol'Berg wanted 'em alive so they could become better people and help out! If you just kill people... they ain't got no way of getting better!"
The idea of redemption, of forgiving people... that doesn't make sense in the thief's head. How can you ever forgive someone that tried to trick you and then kill you? How could you want them to live, or even believe they had any good in them?
It's ridiculous...
"She caused us a shit-ton of trouble and I'm glad she's gonna hang," Therion says in a low, scathing voice, "Just let it go."
"You might, but I can't...!" Alfyn says resolutely.
"..."
Something impulsive snaps in the thief. Normally, he had a tight hold on his emotions and never acted rashly. But something about this idiot that trusted people too much... was just too much tonight!
There's a loud smack as Therion's fist collides with Alfyn's face.
It had admittedly been a while since Therion ever punched someone. He was more of a kicker or slasher kind of guy.
And Alfyn has a hard head... both metaphorically and literally. Therion's hand stung a bit. The apothecary steps back a little, his cheek red.
The thief grabs the apothecary by the collar of his shirt, pulling him roughly. Alfyn is taller than him, so it's not like he can hoist him off his feet. Still, the strike had surprised Alfyn, and he looks to Therion in confusion. Therion looks livid.
"Do you realize you could have DIED back there pulling her along?!" Therion growls loudly, "Wake up! She's not worth throwing yourself in jail for! Goddammit..."
The thief finally realizes how preach-y he must be sounding. Ugh, he's acting all out of sorts, isn't it. Up above, the moon is shining. Maybe lunacy is real.
He lets go of the apothecary with an expression of disgust that he tries to cover as he turns away, "You fucking help people. You know how fucked this town would be if you didn't come back?"
Alfyn opens his mouth to speak, then seems to stare at Therion a little in silence. The words die in his throat a little. Therion's hair glistens in the few rays of moonlight that get down from the sky into the alleyway.
"... So just stop wasting your time on her," Therion says, still faced away, "You got the whole town to cure as it is."
The apothecary reaches out to the thief. Therion brusquely walks away. Alfyn makes a grab for his hand and manages to snag it just as Therion tries to pull away. The thief yanks to go but Alfyn pulls him back into a bear hug from behind. The thief struggles for a few seconds against that enduring grip. Alfyn doesn't let go.
"... Now what," Therion asks bitterly, eventually resigned to the hug.
"... Sorry," Alfyn scoffs a little with an apologetic smile, "I... scared ya, didn't I?"
"..." Therion says nothing.
"I know I run in without thinkin' a lot... and I don't wanna worry you guys, fer sure... I just... I can't help it," Alfyn chuckles softly, "I just wanna help anyone I can if they're in a bind..."
"... You're an idiot, that's why," Therion sighs tiredly, "Who needs to take a nap. Let's just go back to the inn and sleep already."
Alfyn is about to say something, but Therion elbows him in the ribs, breaking the hug a bit. The thief turns and points his knife at Alfyn. The apothecary sweats a bit seeing the determined expression on Therion's face now. He wasn't going to stand around for anymore shenanigans. Alfyn swallows hard.
"Let's go," The thief says in finality.
…
Primrose finally comes around fully while everyone else had fallen asleep after their exhausting endeavor in the caves of Azure. She sneezes a little and realizes she's still within Simeon's arms on the bed. Shaking her head a bit, she shifts to sit up without disturbing the other. Quietly, she looks around. It's the room she's supposed to be sharing with Tressa and Therese. Simeon's and her bodies are squished onto the bed meant for one, but neither of them is completely falling off at least. She sighs a little in relief seeing Therese and Tressa sleeping soundly, the latter splayed messily half out of her bed roll.
"Mmn..." Simeon grumbles a little as Prim quietly pulls out of his arms and steps off the bed. Her step is light, despite waking up from being drugged. She doesn't make a sound. Outside, the night sky has a bright moon hanging, and its rays filter in through the window gently.
For some reason, she is feeling restless. Maybe that's just how it is after you get put to sleep by a potion.
Wait, what had happened?
Her hand rakes through her brown hair as she frowns. She was knocked out... and then? She didn't much recall their trip back... and she doesn't seem to recall at all what happened when they met with Alfyn and the others... they met back in the cave? When did they even meet back there? How?
A strange gap lies in her memory for some reason. What happened while she was unconscious?
She glances down as she is frustratedly trying to grasp her missing memory. Her eyes widen as she sees something peer out from under her necklace. A black mark.
She hurriedly unclasps the necklace to look at the skin over her collar. As her fears are confirmed, she does see a large blackening spread of the dark rose vines across her chest. It is much more noticeable now, though luckily still able to be covered by the size of the necklace. The mark is wide, almost the size of her palm, and about the height of two fingers. From the initial rose birthmark, a mess of black, thorny rose vines have grown and encircled it.
What happened? How did it spread so far without her even noticing?
Primrose feels a slight cold sweat as she ponders. She hadn't been using her powers more than normal... right? Well, granted she had to use it against some foes like back in Morlock's mansion and against Yvon, but that wasn't that much more strenuous compared to their fight with Gaston... And yet it had suddenly spread from one vine so quickly? Something feels wrong.
She shakily clasps her necklace back on. As she does, she feels that gap in memory again. Had she forgotten something?
It feels like she should recall something after Vanessa had put her to sleep... But what?
It had something to do... with the two sisters she saw... who were they? She can barely remember their faces.
"... Tsk..." She presses a hand to her head in frustration. Was she going crazy? Surely not. She's too young to be going senile.
Perhaps she had been too careless. Using this darker magic is not only draining, but also able to alter th mind. Such was the fate, she recalls, of relatives in Azelhart. She had undoubtedly played down the extent to which she had been using her powers of late. That fight in the forest by Stonegard, as well as the charming she had to use on Cyrus... such were not simple feats.
Since she had departed from Sunshade, things are only becoming more dangerous. She had expected it, embraced this danger, even. However, it would not do to be losing herself so soon before she had even found one of the accursed ravens.
When will it even happen, she began to wonder. When will she finally be able to plunge this dagger into one of their wretched hearts to quench this taste for blood? She's getting restless...
At that point, she wouldn't mind possibly losing this body and mind to whatever dark magic she had. So long as she can attain that revenge...
She sighs and replaces her necklace across her collar. Quietly, she steps out into the hall. Just as she does, she sees Therion slip out from the other room, opposite where H'aanit and Ophilia are roomed. Her eyes and the thief's eye meet briefly in silence. Their feet are absolutely quiet as they glide out the front door of the darkened inn, leaving their comrades fast asleep and none the wiser.
Outside, the moon is a bit clouded by some dark clouds. The thief and dancer stand over just a few paces from the sea wall. Primrose lets down her hair a little, holding onto her metallic headband. The waves lap with a quiet and soothing woosh through the night.
"... what happened while I was out?" Primrose asks quietly to the thief at her side.
"We got attacked by skeletons," Therion says simply, "Got the heck out of there and threw the bitch in jail. And now we're done here."
He snorts a bit towards the end, clearly glad it's over. Primrose smiles and scoffs a little.
"Are you sure? Alfyn will want to stay to ensure the health of the others here, no? … Wait, you were in the caves as well?" She blinks.
Therion tosses her a glances and sighs, "You really didn't get any of that?"
The dancer folds her arms as a wind blows through her brown, wavy locks, "... Unfortunately no. It seems whatever knocked me out was quite strong..."
"Even the pipsqueak was up," The thief points out, "You were out that bad?"
The dancer isn't stupid. It is strange that she was knocked out so long. But she can't really be showing worry over that when she didn't even know what happened, "Just tell me what happened, dear thief."
"... Turns out the cave had some moss the idiot needs to cure the bad cough going around," The thief shrugs, "The cause was that bitch Vanessa. She was feeding the bogus cure to cause it and then sell the actual cure at a scalper's price."
"Hmm... so she was at the caves?"
Therion nods, "She and her goons. You don't remember how you were knocked out?"
"There was something in the air, I think. It knocked us all out," Primrose frowns and taps a pensive finger on her face, "That I recall... I think I did see her face before I blacked out."
"Yeah, well, she was there for the moss, too. The idiot obviously called her out when we found you guys... and then everything went down."
"Everyone is safe, then?"
The thief nods, "Well, for us. All the goons died once the skeletons showed up. Apparently, there was a bunch buried in that cave or something..."
He frowns thinking of the rising dead back there.
"... anyway, the idiot just had to save her at least and we got outta there, basically," The thief sighs and puts a hand to his hip, "She's in the gaol now. They're probably gonna hang her for what she did."
"...I see..." Primrose glances towards where the gallows might be set up, "I can imagine that Alfyn wouldn't take kindly to that."
Therion scoffs loudly, "Pfuh... how do you figure. The idiot nearly got himself arrested trying to break her out after putting her in... dumbass..."
"I don't sympathize with her any more than you do, dear thief. She has undoubtedly harmed a lot of people. However, Alfyn must see some good in her," The dancer sighs with a helpless, small smile, "Much as he does in everyone like us."
Therion doesn't respond to that, merely clicking his tongue as he looks out towards the sea under the sky of stars.
"I'm sure you would be more receptive to leniency yourself," Primrose looks to Therion with a knowing smile, "From your profession."
"Guess again. I wanna wash my hands of this."
"Exactly. You don't want such a grisly end," Primrose points out, "You avoid killing if you can, no?"
Therion turns to her with a grumpy, sleep-deprived expression, "Apparently. Unlike you."
The dancer takes the jab in stride and chuckles, "Death is... something some people deserve, without doubt. The utterly unforgivable do not deserve to live. But in this case... well, actually, that doesn't change anything. She is someone who should face the consequences."
"... Glad we agree," Therion grunts.
"We'll be heading north after... I suspect the cleric might stay a bit to deal with whatever she has going on with that church," Primrose blinks slowly, "Cyrus will probably want to stop by in Atlasdam to drop Therese off. And then we'll be off to Stillsnow."
"They were talking about a boat to Atlasdam, maybe," Therion brings up, "Faster than going on foot."
"Ah, that would be nice... and how onboard was Tressa with spending that sum?" The dancer gives a mischievous smile.
"... Still gotta talk about it," The thief just shrugs, "You guys got some time."
"Hm? Are you not coming?" Primrose raises an eyebrow.
"I've always gone my own way," Therion says assertively, "It's only a matter of time before we split. Same for you, isn't it?"
"Well, so long as we have similar paths... I suppose traveling has been much less lonely," The dancer smiles a little on the side, "Do you not feel the same way?"
Therion glances at her for a second with a small motion of something like surprise. He scoffs a little as he quickly looks away, "Lonely? You?"
Primrose pouts a little at that, "Why do you sound so surprised?"
"... No reason," Therion scoffs again on the side.
"Hmf... You fancy yourself a true lone wolf, don't you?" Primrose curls a bit of hair on her finger, "Despite having enjoyed such company before."
Ah right, she figured that out back in Stonegard. This nosy dancer and her excellent senses...
"Didn't end well, don't need more," Therion says simply.
"Really? Never again?" Primrose smiles, "I'm surprised you admit it."
"You pry too much," Therion snorts derisively.
"Well, we have been traveling for quite a bit and you treat us like strangers," Primrose looks to him with amusement, "I guess I just want to know why."
"Now you sound like the looney scholar."
Primrose softly chuckles and she stretches her arms and legs a little before taking a big whiff of the salty sea air. With a soft tinkling of her dress trinkets, she turns to return inside.
"Good talk, dear thief."
Therion just grunts, remaining outside as the dancer returns to the inn.
He would never … not again... He'd never be the one to be taken advantage of ever again. His tired eyes look out, waiting for dawn.
Before that happens, he would cut ties.
…
At the morning crow of the cock, Alfyn sits up with a start, eyes half closed. No matter how groggy he is, he always had the habit of being the early worm to get the worm. He was usually on par with the older folk in Clearbrook who rose early to do chores as they had always since they were wee little ones. The apothecary looks around the room a bit as he rubs his eyes and stands. Olberic is still asleep, as is Cyrus. Where is Therion? Where is Simeon?
Scratching his head, he gets out of bed and lumbers over to the wash basin provided by the inn. He splashes a few handfuls of water on his face and remembers...
Vanessa.
Therion had dragged him back here to rest after the fiasco in the case of Azure... and they had turned Vanessa in... only to find that the law here was less than lenient. And Alfyn couldn't have them just kill her...
He makes an urgent step out of here. As he walks out to the hall, he sees a familiar head of white hair and a purple poncho sitting out against the wall. Therion camped out in the hallway all night. And he's still awake.
The thief's one eye flickers open to look at Alfyn. He was expecting the idiot to be up ahead of the others. Alfyn swallows slightly as Therion stands.
"Therion, you oughta sleep in bed...!" Alfun says in a whispering voice, "Ain't ya stiff from sittin' on the floor all night?"
Of course this idiot still cares about the most inane details. The thief sighs.
"You heading out?" He asks quietly.
"... Yeah," Alfyn points a finger in Therion's face, "And don't ya try and stop me...! I can't just let 'em execute her like this...!"
He's still trying hard to keep it quiet on account of the others who are asleep. Therion had to give him some props for that, as Alfyn is normally too jubilant and rowdy for his own good.
"Just let it go. She's a criminal," Therion hisses, slapping aside that finger, "She could have killed you and gotten away with it... and then where would this town be? Ask yourself that."
The thief was honestly astounded at the apothecary's stubborn stance on this. How could he get him to see things his way?
"... I can't just leave someone in a bind, Therion," Alfyn says softly as he moves to push past, "I gotta at least try...!"
The thief at first thinks to extends an arm to block his way. Then, he decides against it. Alfyn passes him. Therion sighs to himself. The idiot won't listen. He's wasting his breath.
"... try not to get arrested," He tosses over his shoulder.
Alfyn merely gives his classic grin as he waves and leaves the inn.
...
The apothecary walks first to the house of Flynn. It's still quite early, but he knocks anyway. To his delight, a sleepless Marlene answers the door. She seems quite shocked to see him. He tells her he just needs to use her kitchen a bit, that they got what they needed.
In the woman's kitchen, he begins whipping up an elixir like that of Vanessa's. He had managed to harvest a good deal of younger grade moss from the cave, since the main cavern was where they got embroiled in battle. But he can make up for that with some supplementary herbs...
"Alright, looking good...!" He mumbles to himself with his mortar and pestle before he pushes the mushed-up paste into a small pot with water. This should be bought to a simmer and then cooled... and then it'll be ready for use!
Marlene watches as the strange apothecary tirelessly uses her kitchen to make some of that bluish, sparkling fluid that looks very similar to what Vanessa had given Flynn at first. He had refused all payment and now just shows up on the doorstep in early morning. Such a strange man...
Alfyn eventually turns to her with a big grin of triumph, "Alright... I think we got a winner!"
Flynn and Ellen slept in the same bed, with Ellen curled protectively around her twin sister. Flynn's breathing is a rasping one, like it might get clogged at any moment. Marlene watches on as Alfyn rouses the girls so he can properly feed Flynn. He uses a provided ladle to spoon some of the concoction into her mouth.
"Mmf... kgh..." The little girl coughs a bit initially. Alfyn slows down so that she doesn't choke. Her face screws up a bit at the taste.
"Haha, yeah it ain't the most pretty or tasty but it'll help...! Just a bit more," Alfyn says with encouragement, "Yer doin' great, Flynn."
Eventually, the little girl finishes his mixture. Ellen and Marlene look on with some awe as Flynn's cough seems to have gone away by the end of the medicine feeding.
"Puh..." Flynn sticks her tongue out.
"Haha, yer tongue's looking a lot better, too! Now, I gotta check just a bit on the tonsils and chords so I'mma need ya to open up nice and wide, okay? Say 'ahh'..."
Flynn obediently does as she's told for the apothecary. Alfyn takes out a small wooden stick that he'd soaked in some water and uses that to gently prod her tongue, keeping it down so he can properly see down her throat.
"... Mhm! Yeah, much better! Not so swollen. Still a little red, but the medicine oughta help... I'll make another batch that your mom can help ya eat, okay? And no throwin' it up!" He chuckles as he throws the stick out, "You'll be all better in no time!"
"M-mm!" Flynn nods with a small smile, "T-thank you, mister..."
"Ah, don't sweat it. You focus on getting better, ya hear? Drink plenty o' liquids so ya don't get heatstroke either," Alfyn pats down his hands, "It can get pretty hot here, right?"
"Flynn!" Ellen couldn't hold it in anymore and jumps to give her sister a big hug on the bed, "You're all better!"
"Thank you so much," Marlene looks to Alfyn with extreme gratitude, "I-I don't know how to thank you... after how I treated you also... Um..."
"It's fine, it's fine!" Alfyn grins and glances to the twins rejoicing, "I'm just glad Flynn's alright..."
"... If I may ask... What exactly was the illness?" Marlene says softly, "It had come so suddenly..."
"... Inflammation... Gaborra whooping cough's the exact name," Alfyn sighs and folds his arms, tilting his head a bit, as if thinking, "It's from the southern content of Gaborra."
"What?" Marlene's eyebrows arch upward, "W-why would that have come here...? We aren't even a trade port..."
"... It was in some bad medicine," Alfyn says simply. He thinks a second about the vials he saw in Vanessa' bag when he searched her last night to ascertain his suspicions. It was true. She'd been using Gaborra evergreen in the "cure" she was giving residents for the fever. While the plant is antipyretic, it causes inflammation when used in non-topical areas. The medicine men of Gaborra had documented deaths regarding the misusage of this plant and so it was largely banned from use in comestible products. The danger primarily involved irritation of the throat and even asphyxiation due to swelling of the throat.
The fact that Vanessa had blatantly tried to cause harm like that... Therion's words ring in Alfyn's head... along with a small anecdote from his apprenticeship under Zeph's father.
"There ain't no cure for a rotten heart."
Alfyn rubs his face a bit. He still can't fathom the alternative though... he didn't want to see some corpse swinging from the gallows...
"Bad medicine?" Marlene looks to him, still confused, "But... that-"
"Flynn's fine now. I'll whip up a batch for you to give her later. Make sure she takes it twice a day, before meals, with plenty of water, alright?" Alfyn just smiles.
"Oh, of course. Thank you again, so much..."
The apothecary lets his mind wander a bit as he mindlessly mulches up the ingredients with his mortar and pestle. He has other people to visit, likely, to undo the damage Vanessa had caused. The ones who bought from her will likely be fine since her secondary cure was legitimate. She had indeed made a tidy profit, from his survey of her buyers yesterday.
Selling out the health of patients like that... Alfyn had felt pure rage in the Caves of Azure as he confronted that unrepentant apothecary. Even now, he still feels that bubbling away inside. But he had a staunch position that he wouldn't see her hang.
…
Ophilia makes her way around early afternoon to the Cathedral. To her relief, Alfyn's early morning efforts can already be seen as people are buzzing about the "scruffy out-of-towner" that had been going around fixing the horrible cough going around. With a lighter step, she enters the grand prayer halll. To her delight, Donovan is out of bed and seems to be discussing some supplies with a local sister.
"Father Donovan!" Ophilia says cheerily as she approaches and bows, "Your Excellency! Forgive my intrusion this day..."
"Oh, Sister Ophilia!" He turns to her with a grin that crinkles his eyes, "No, no, I was just finishing up... I was hoping to see you today! I must say, the Flame must have guided you to us in this dire time of need indeed..."
"Hm?" Ophilia raises her head.
"The plaguing illness has almost gone away now in town. The subsequent cough that had come around is now also being treated by a well-meaning apothecary, I hear... Tis all good news since your arrival," Donovan chuckles, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?"
"Oh, well, I do know an apothecary, hehe," Ophilia giggles, "I am merely glad that everything will be alright with the populace. I'm sure it was a very heavy burden on your mind."
"Ah, but I digress... I had told you previously that we would be unable to accommodate for your coming here for the Kindling! In light of the wondrous recoveries of late, I do think it shall be that you will light the flame of Goldshore!"
"Really?" Ophilia blinks, "Oh, but I shan't impose so soon...!"
"Nonsense! The spirits of Goldshore need to be lifted and there is no better celebration than the Kindling to rejoin hands in jubilance," Donovan nods, "I was just checking with the Sisters about what supplies we might have for such a gathering so this is perfect!"
Ophilia can't help but smile, "Well, thank you so much, your Excellency! This is wonderful indeed...!"
There is the striking of armored feet suddenly as two Knights Ardante stride into the prayer hall with serious expressions on their faces. They approach.
"Father Donovan? Please excuse our intrusion, but there has been news from the town gaol."
"Hm? What is it?"
"An apothecary has been found responsible for the spread of cough following the curing of the initial plague of fever. Vanessa Hyzel," The Knights relay, "Such dastardly scheming warrants a hanging, says the sheriff."
Ophilia involuntarily gasps a little, eyes wide. A hanging? She recalls that Alfyn had taken Vanessa to the town gaol as of last night... but for this to happen so suddenly... A hanging!
It isn't as though Orsterra was a place evolved beyond capital punishment. However, it largely depended on the locale. For example, a place as remote and frigid as Flamesgrace, generally did not practice this. Further, the Church of the Flame was generally against execution and more in favor of typical imprisonment, penitence, and rehabilitation. In cities like Rippletide and Atlasdam, executions were legal, just a bit rare. There were also some words about places like the far northeast in the Flatlands or the south and southwest, in the Sunlands and Riverlands, that practiced public methods of punishment for the worst of crimes. Hanging in the Coastlands is not atypical at all, and often used for the worst of pirates.
Ophilia had heard of these and read of such punishments in books back in Flamesgrace. The descriptions of how broken necks and limp bodies hang from that rope in the gallows always made her a bit squeamish. The only worse thing she'd read of for punishments was that reserved for the worst of enemies in war. In that case, the victim is hung till near dead and then torn into four pieces by horses tied to their limbs.
"Hyzel...?" Donovan raises an eyebrow, "A hanging, now? It does not behoove us to have that along with the Kindling procession. That is simply bad taste."
"Tis the sheriff's finding," The Knights say simply, "Shall we relay a delay?"
"Wait, Miss Hyzel was brought just last night...!" Ophilia speaks up, "She hasn't had a trial or anything... and yet they wish to hang her?"
"Sister, you must be from out of town," The nearby Sister that Donovan was talking to looks to her, "Goldshore law is quite... simple. The headman or sheriff arrests someone on a charge. If they find it believable, they have the power to initiate a hanging. During the hanging is when the brief public tribunal is held, where those who wish to oppose the hanging may speak on the behalf of the condemned. However, they must be able to sway the crowd to overturn the proceeding..."
Ophilia frowns, "So this sheriff person just decided this, then?"
"He says the ones who bought her told a very compelling story," The Knights Ardante nod, "We were both on detail last night with him and can affirm this. Miss Hyzel was seen peddling her wares before people suddenly began falling sick from a new ailment. The prices she charged were indeed suspect following her initial generosity."
"..." Ophilia scrunches up her skirts, "I should like to have a word with this sheriff."
"Hm? Sister Ophilia? Did you not wish to prepare...?" Donovan blinks at the blonde's sudden look of determination.
"I won't be long, your Excellency... And I also wouldn't want to impose on the Kindling either," Ophilia gives him a smile as she now walks out of the cathedral. With her head of steam, she almost doesn't notice Alfyn scurrying around the manor district.
"Lia!" Alfyn calls to her and waves as he walks over.
"Hm? Oh!" Ophilia turns to see Alfyn with surprise, "Alfyn! I almost didn't see you!"
"Ya looked distracted. Everything alright?" Alfyn folds his arms behind his head.
"Oh... I was just about to go to the town gaols to speak with the sheriff..."
"Egads, you are?" Alfyn's eyebrows arch upward with pleasant surprise, "Yeah, I was gonna do that, too, after I checked a few more patients!"
Ophilia nods and looks around before pulling Alfyn aside in the street so they could talk away from the main stream of pedestrians, "Alfyn, they plan to hang Vanessa...! Did you know this?"
The man's face falls a bit as he nods, "... Yeah. I … I brought her in and told the headman everything... but I didn't think they'd aim t' execute her...!"
He looks distraught. Ophilia knew he was a kind person, much too kind to hand over even a criminal to the punishment of death. She nods.
"I understand, Alfyn. I didn't know the laws of this town either until a Sister had to explain it to me... your testimony convinced the sheriff, who seems to be the largest decision maker in the process... until the public tribunal held on the day of hanging," Ophilia lightly holds her chin, "So we'll have to try and convince him otherwise."
"I tried telling him to call it off last night... he seemed pretty set though..." Alfyn sighs, "It just ain't right... she done wrong, definitely, but... This is too much. And she does have a lotta skill... that could help people!"
Ophilia smiles, "Right. I think you have a point. Let's go talk to the sheriff together, then!"
…
Primrose goes to clear her head a bit after the nasty knockout yesterday. The sea breeze does her well in this regard. She sits with her feet dangling over the edge of the sea wall. It's low tide, so there is only sand below. There are old-timers milling about and children playing on the beach.
"Here we are."
She looks over to see Simeon bring over some icy treat he bought from a vendor.
"Oh, why Simeon, you didn't have to," Primrose chuckles as she accepts the cold treat, "I can't imagine this was very cheap."
"Cheap does not befit you, my lady," The playwright takes a seat next to her, "My, this certainly a welcome day after those caves yesterday... Twas quite a fright."
"... You probably should stay in Atlasdam when we stop over there, Simeon," Primrose says simply, "It would be safer for you."
"What about you, Prim?" Simeon blinks towards her.
"I need to continue north," She says crisply, eyes gazing towards the horizon.
"... Prim, you needn't worry about me. I have survived this long on the road on my bare wit! I can't fathom leaving you to whatever it is you're doing."
"Simeon, just yesterday, you could have been killed," Primrose points out bluntly.
"And so could you have. And yet I can't seem to dissuade you from going your way," The playwright sighs, "So, at the very least, do allow me the honor of accompanying you, my flower."
She purses her lips a little. She can't say no easily to him, even if it is the wiser choice.
"I must admit... I am quite jealous of these fair people who travel with you without your worry," Simeon chuckles wryly, "It is a conundrum... how caring usually pushes one to keep something at an arm's length."
"I just don't want anyone else to get involved with my business. Our little traveling party... we are all going for our own reasons. We could break apart quite easily..." Primrose gives a smile belying the bitterness in her words.
"Then all the more reason that I shan't leave you alone," Simeon smiles to her on the side, "In case there is no one else at your side."
Primrose looks to him with grateful exasperation. They two of them giggle and laugh.
"There you two are!" They hear a familiar merchant say as she walks up to them, "Here! Tickets!"
"Hm? Oh, thank you, Tressa," Primrose turns to see the merchant girl shoving a piece of paper at both her and Simeon, "These are for tomorrow?"
"Yep, tomorrow afternoon, don't be late! We're boarding the S.S. Drake to Atlasdam!" Tressa huffs, "Thank Bifelgan the people here are reasonable with haggling!"
"Oh, how good to hear," Primrose looks over the ticket, "My, what handsome seats above the bilge."
"What, you didn't expect coach, did you? These are virtual clippers we'll be riding," Tressa sighs, "That's the problem with small ports like this. The variety to choose is just dismal!"
"Have you given the others their tickets?"
"Eh, I gave Cyrus and Therese. Olberic was with me when we bought it, so he has his... I don't know where the others are, though," Tressa scratches her head. She glances over to the spot nearby where she remembered the strange old man had stood. A small chill runs down her spine and she quickly shakes her head to just forget it. After the run-in at the cave, she's had her fill with the undead for a good while.
The dancer goes to stand, licking the traces of sweetness off her lips, "Therion might be a bit of a hassle to find... Simeon, let us be off looking then. Otherwise, it will be tomorrow by the time we find them all, haha."
…
Ophilia and Alfyn made up their minds before they visited the gaol. They would plead on Vanessa's behalf.
"Oi, not you again..." The headman bats an eye at Alfyn, "And you bought someone from the Church this time?"
"Sir, um, I am Ophilia from the Church of the Flame," Ophilia begins, "There surely has to be a better way to go about this than the execution you have planned..."
The headman groans, "Oh, you, too?"
"This ain't fair...!" Alfyn protests, "There ain't gonna be a trial or anything!"
"Ya know what's not fair? Criminals getting off lightly for poisoning folks," The headman points at Alfyn, "You said it yourself what she did. We went and asked some people to check... all said about right. She gave people poison in the form of medicine! That's downright heinous!"
Ophilia sees the frustration evident on Alfyn's features. She purses her lips, "But... what about public service? Surely, she can be helpful-"
"What, and risk her pulling another stunt? Nah, her kind ain't one to change. Black hearts that don't care for even children... there's nothing but death to cure it," The headman waves a dismissive hand like he's heard this story many a time before, "Anyway, you lot can say your piece at the hanging and stop wasting your breath. It's not like she's going free any time soon."
The cleric and apothecary's pleas fall upon deaf ears. When they are ultimately shooed out, they hear that the hanging will be scheduled later this afternoon... and the Kindling has been set to be lit tonight.
"I ain't gonna argue with Father Don. We'll space a few hours apart to get rid of the bad taste..." The headman can be heard saying to the messenger, "Not that people won't be glad to hear the cause of a new plague is taken care of."
"Tsk..." Alfyn frowns, fists clenched at his sides. What else can he do?
"... We can still appeal this, Alfyn... at the gallows," Ophilia looks to him hopefully, yet also a bit discouraged, "I don't know if we'll be able to convince people, though... Considering what she's done..."
"... Thanks for trying, Lia," Alfyn sighs, "Yeah... Yeah, I'm not gonna give up!"
"Perhaps I could speak to Father Donovan about this..." Ophilia says pensively, "He didn't seem entirely on board either hearing of the execution. I'm sure he can change the headman's mind!"
"Mm... I hope so!"
A small seed of doubt was inexorably planted, however. It was true... Vanessa had been no less than a true villain in her dealings. Though Alfyn was willing to look beyond that, people might be more like Therion... they probably wouldn't be too happy seeing her go seemingly unpunished after harming their kids...
But something about just designating someone to die would never sit well with Alfyn. It goes against his code to do no harm as an apothecary. He had handed Vanessa over to be prosecuted, unknowing of what fate awaited. So, he had to make things right!
However, if other people didn't see it his way... Then what would he do?
…
Vanessa was less than comfortable in this dismal little gaol cell they afforded her. It reminded her of that home they lived in by the slums of this accursed town... That house that the sun could never penetrate enough.
"Ugh..." She shifts on the matted hay given as her as a sorry excuse of bedding. She feels a slight scratchiness at the back of her throat. These are less than optimal conditions for her, especially after she had built such a nice life for herself with her ruses. She'd gotten used to a nice room at the inn, replete with a warm meal and soft bed...
Damn that apothecary and his nosy friends! She gnashes her teeth.
She remembers how they had run in and ruined her plans spectacularly. What even happened towards the end... she still can't wrap her head around. Skeletons of the fallen pirates buried in that cave for who knows how long... They had risen up and killed her hired hands. As she was sure she was going to die... he saved her, didn't he... that idiot, bumpkin of an apothecary...
What kind of an idiot is he? First, he trusted and looked up to her. Then, he got mad once he found out about what she'd been pulling. And yet, he still tried to save her life...
Part of her is obviously not grateful to be thrown in a gaol at the end of it. It might have been more merciful for him to leave her to death. However... she was also a coward who clings to life. Spite him as she may, she is grateful somewhere inside to be alive... even if she is just in a jail cell.
"... Gods dammit..." She sits up at last, fed up, "Guard! I need some water in here!"
There is a clunk of metal as the lazy local guard brings her a pewter mug of water, yawning.
"Here!"
He surprises her by throwing the water in her face with a splash. She sputters in indignant anger at his callous gesture.
"Why you! You pig!" She spits out some droplets running down her face.
"You deserve worse, woman," The guard scoffs, "I heard all about what you pulled. Ain't no one going to stand up for you at the hanging."
Hanging? Her blood runs cold. She lunges for the bars, grasping so hard that her knuckles turn white.
"W-what hanging?" She asks with fear creeping in her voice and face. This is news to her.
The guard smirks at her desperation and whistles as he goes to return to his post, not answering her question.
"Hey... hey! Answer me!" She cries after him in vain. She bites her bottom lip in frustration as she is ignored.
A hanging...! She can scarcely believe it. She wants to scream for mercy, to say she is innocent... and yet the words die in her throat. They are such lies that she cannot even trick herself into believing.
The words of that old, decrepit man that taught her his ways echoes in her mind. His gap-toothed smile can almost be heard whistling next to her ear.
"You sure you know what you're doing, girly? No one will forgive a poisoner... especially a ruthless one."
The words of her mother ring like a reminder buried a long time ago with her morals.
"Those who sow evil will only reap punishment... Both of you promise me to keep your hands clean... for that is a priceless treasure."
She is someone who has killed children with her wares. She had done so willingly, accepting that it would only be an issue if she got caught. When that callousness is so brazen... Gods, how many deaths upon deaths had she just turned a blind eye to, seeking only cold profit?
She had used children to test her cures... like that girl brought to her that night at the Hilltop inn... Not all were so lucky to be successes.
In that case, there is no questioning why she is here. There is no illogical reason for wanting her executed. She has turned into something heinous all these years. Belief in solely her own survival and these dog-eat-dog rules has only warped everything. She can hardly be forgiven … even by her own mother from the grave, probably.
"..."
The fear. The chill of ice. It suddenly seemed so much colder. She should resign herself. She knows what she had done. And yet, she finds herself shaking, stubbornly hoping this is some bad dream that she'll wake up from.
Should she bargain with the divine? Make more promises to break? Vow to devote her life to goodwill if she can get out of this alive?
Then again, it's not like she has any better idea. They weren't going to let her out of here, nor hear her out.
For the first time in a long while, she thinks back to those prayers her mother had her sometimes recite at mealtime. She can't remember the last time she had ever prayed. She slowly clasps her trembling hands...
…
The execution, as promised, is pushed up to the afternoon time so as not to coincide with the Kindling. With all the illness going about, the turnout of attendance for the event isn't that high. However, the fact that it is the popular apothecary Vanessa turns a few heads.
The gallows for Goldshore are located towards the seaside grottos to the south. The hanging of criminals facing the sea was meant to be farthest away from the cathedral, offering the condemned back to nature. Corpses would not be cut down but rather left for various critters that come out from the stones at night to nibble on them. It can be quite gruesome. As of recently, there haven't been many a hanging. The hangman seems to be a bit rusty as he prepares the scaffolding.
First, the condemned is led up to the platform overlooking the blue yonder, facing south. The bag is removed from Vanessa's head, showing her the faces of former patients in the town she had treated. The apothecary no longer looked so dignified, as she had obviously been crying, sleeping poorly, and without a proper bath. The faces of the people reflect various expressions of disbelief, distrust, and some growing anger.
Next, the sheriff reads out the list of crimes alleged. In a loud, but droning voice, he lists Vanessa's primary crime as having targeted the very health of the populace for her own profit. He subsequently also reads out the names of those harmed, and it isn't that short.
As he does so, the anger of the mob grows and they begin to shout and point. Vanessa doesn't face them, wishing she could just disappear already than face this humiliation.
She is led towards the step that will drop her. The noose is affixed to her neck. She finds she squirms a bit against the hangman's grip. He growls at her, and she stiffens.
"Now, good people, any objections?" The sheriff announces at last, "Before we send this soul back to the sea?"
The angry voices drown out any doubt. Fists are raised in the air, clenched in anger.
"Wait!"
Vanessa turns with a start as that one voice stands against the many and Alfyn practically fights his way onto the stage. The sheriff doesn't look too surprised.
"Don't do this!" Alfyn shouts as he manages to hoist himself onto the platform, "She could still help out with her medicine! She's still got the skills of an apothecary!"
What is this idiot doing? Vanessa finds herself wondering. No doubt many others watching had the same question. He's standing up for her? After he put her in jail?
"Who's to say she won't do it again?!" Someone shouts.
"Yeah! I say let 'er hang!" Another jeers.
"I know it's hard to just forgive someone, and I ain't asking for that!" Alfyn pleads, "Just please consider an alternative!"
He's like this strange little green voice against a sea of red anger. Vanessa can't tell if he's being reasonable or just an idiot. She finds she can't even speak. She can't believe this person is actually petitioning on her behalf.
"If you just kill 'er, she ain't got a chance to prove she can still help!" Alfyn says.
"A woman who poisons children can't be helped, boy," The sheriff scoffs gruffly.
"Right you are, sheriff."
All heads now turn to the voice that calmly enters the fray. Knights Ardante flank Father Donovan as he steps forth with Ophilia at his side. The sheriff promptly nods in acknowledgement as the holy man steps forth.
"Lia..." Alfyn looks to Ophilia. The cleric gives him an apologetic look.
"Her wrongs against this town are great... thus, it is only right that she never return," Donovan announces now to the populace, "I am proposing exile in place of execution!"
Alfyn's eyes widen. Vanessa's do as well. A hush falls over even the earlier dissenters.
"Her blood will not be on Goldshore unless she steps foot in here ever again. She will forever be a blackened memory in this town. And she will remember that we spared and marked her with this great crime!" Donovan says with powerful timbre, "Good people, I beseech you to consider this alternative if you will not consider allowing her to prove her healing arts!"
The sheriff holds his breath a bit. Slowly, in the crowd, murmurs rise. Donovan's presence is not to be underestimated. He also has a considerable following as it is in this town... and so people slowly begin to nod in consensus.
"Then it is decided," Donovan now looks to the sheriff, then to the shocked Vanessa, "Exile it is."
Alfyn is absolutely dumbstruck. A salty breeze sprays over, lightly sprinkling them all.