Raine slept on the second bed. She eventually fell asleep listening to the sound of a pen on paper and the occasional question. When she woke in the morning, she saw Lynn was already up, still writing. Haelith was still sleeping, and in the light that came through the window, her scales shined like gemstones. "You're up early." She said, sitting up in bed.
"Oh! It's dawn already! I was just finishing up." Lynn turned around, and Raine could see gray spots under his eyes.
"You haven't slept yet!"
"No. This was far too important for me to leave unfinished. All I need is her signature on this line here, here, and here, and they will be finished. I trust you can get that for me?"
"Of course, now go get some sleep, you old goat. You're not going to do anything useful if you can't stand up straight."
"Quite right, Miss Silverlock." Lynn was unsteady as he left the room, crossing the hallway to his own bed, where he promptly fell face first. He hadn't even closed the doors, he was so tired. Raine smiled, and closed the door for him. She went into her room, and began reading the documents, making sure to remember where he told her to get signatures.
"Let's see… medical personnel… necessary for travel… blah blah blah… surgeon… diplomatic requirements… hmm… field doctor… Dr. Haelith?"
"I slept too late…" Haelith said, sitting up. She was wearing a fine nightgown, though Raine suspected she didn't really need it with the scales. "Oh. Did he finish?"
"Almost everything. He needs some signatures. And I actually have a few questions of my own." Raine handed her the papers and showed her where to sign. "You said you studied medicine. You're an actual doctor?"
"I didn't study at a university or anything. I lived in a manor, I had access to hundreds of books about pretty much anything. I studied medicine because I have a natural talent for it, and… and because when someone else gets sick, I won't be helpless again."
"Again? Is there more to you I don't know?"
Haelith was silent as she signed the papers. "Done. I had a sister. We grew up on the streets of Durlon [Der-lawn] never knowing our parents. We were beggars for years. We stole bread to stay alive. Then, Ounal [Oh-null] got sick. Very sick. She coughed for hours at a time, threw up any food she ate, eventually coughed up blood. She was like that for two weeks. Then, I woke up one day. She didn't."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright. She's why I studied medicine. I hoped to save people from a similar fate. But I never would have gotten the chance if I hadn't tried to join her in death."
"You did what?!"
"Durlon has several tall buildings. The Templar academy has a six floor tower they use for archery training. I ran in, and climbed to the top. Brundt stopped me from going off the edge. He saved my life. Twice. Both times, he defied the Templars to do it. Standing up for me when I was just a helpless little girl who lost everything, and then standing up against Trace Legacy when I was still his little girl."
"Wow. You've overcome a lot. I'm a bit surprised you're still running."
"I'm hunted. Trace Legacy came for me specifically. He doesn't just go after anyone. He chases his targets until he finds them. I'm scared of him. You're trying to help save me, but I'm not sure a bloodthirsty lunatic will care about diplomatic immunity."
"I think it'll help more than you think. And if nothing else, you can walk around with us without fear of the Templars just attacking you."
"Are you two gonna just talk all day, or are you gonna help out?" Aidu's voice in the doorway caused both girls to jump. "Ah, back to fur I see. Well, we are busy this morning, so get your tails down here, or so help me you will learn to fear me like those Templars did!"
Raine chuckled. "I'll be downstairs. She doesn't like to be kept waiting." Walking out and down to the tavern, Raine settled into her position behind the bar, running plates of food to people, and cleaning up after they left.
"So, your new friend, she gonna join us today, or hit the road again?" Aidu said, somehow appearing from nowhere. Despite her size, she was as stealthy as Madelyn.
"Gah! Sorry. I don't know. She's not exactly the 'kind, caring, hospitality oriented' person you'd expect to be helping in a place like this. Also, how did you-"
"Honey, you've been here for a month. I know more about you than you realize, Silverlock. I know your friend sneaks out every night, and I know you broke into the factory. Why do you think I let you into my library, why do you think I pointed out the books about runes, why do you think I let you stay here for free? I have no love of the Templars. And I think ya'll can do something about it." A terrible sound came from the far end of the bar, and a man stumbled over, holding his stomach, trying his best not to hurl. "Ugh, not again! Jaune, how many times do I-"
"Looks like he's just hungover." Haelith walked over dressed in a fine dress with a nurse's apron over her front. She set the briefcase she was carrying down, and pulled out a pestle and mortar. "Would you please fetch me some ginger and water? It will smell and taste like death, but it should settle his stomach."
"Well, the doctor is in. Be right back." Aidu walked into the kitchen as Haelith gently pulled the man's head up.
"Had a few too many, eh? Nothing I can't help with, but I'd recommend against having so many drinks next time. You'll end up damaging your stomach or liver, and once that happens, I can't do much." Taking the ginger, she ground it up into a fine powder, and mixed it with water. "Drink this, lay down over there next to the door, and try not to move too much. If you end up having to throw up, I'd rather you go outside." She almost forced the drink down his throat, causing him to gag, but he listened, and did as she asked. "Drunkards. Can't stand folks like that. Corrupts the mind and soul. Now, last night you mentioned coffee?"