Falenas stood outside of the Soldado's house with his mask off, waiting for Griffin and Ishani to return with the potion. Of the group, only Verik had followed the elf out, claiming that things between him and Grau were awkward. Alexander was helping Tayce cook dinner and Viera monitored Brienna in case anything happened. Although Verik tried to talk, Falenas didn't really pay attention to his former foe. His mind was too occupied on a far more important matter that he would need Griffin for.

It was almost an hour before Falenas spotted Griffin, talking to Ishani on their way back. The noble looked toward the house and blinked in surprise to see two of his companions standing. When the pair finally made their way to the entrance, Ishani was the one to speak up.

"Did something happen while we were away?"

"Nothing as far as I know," Falenas answered quickly with his eyes focused on the noble. "Griffin, we need to talk."

"Whatever it is can wait," Griffin said. "Right now, there's a sick girl who needs help."

"Then let Ishani give her the potion," Falenas told Griffin firmly. "Again, we need to talk."

Ishani glanced back and forth between the two. "Maybe I should take the potion, Griffin?"

Griffin sighed and pulled a vial of green liquid from his pocket. He handed it to Ishani, who carefully walked past Falenas and entered the house, closing the door behind him. Verik leaned against the house's wall, looking at both Falenas and Griffin.

"Is this supposed to be a private conversation?" Verik asked. "I can go back in if it is."

Falenas shrugged, not glancing toward Verik. "It doesn't matter to me. I'm not asking anyone to keep any secrets nor will any come up."

"Then what's the big deal?" Griffin asked, not hiding his frustration.

"Ever since I couldn't determine what Brienna was sick with, I've been thinking and I have a feeling for the future of Korvosa," Falenas explained with a frown. "We might be dealing with a plague."

"And why do you think that?" Griffin asked. "I don't think Brienna has had a chance to spread whatever disease she has. Her family appears healthy enough."

"You're assuming Brienna was the first to contract the disease," Falenas shook his head. "Did Tiran tell you about a ship sinking a few days ago?"

Griffin stroked his chin in thought. "He did but the details escape me. My brother tells me a lot of gossip afterall. When did you talk to Tiran?"

"Much like how you've forgotten the details of his story, you've forgotten that Tiran had me come to your house to make sure he was healthy," Falenas pointed out and pressed on before Griffin could speak up in defense. "The ship had a lantern on its figurehead. You're a smart man, Griffin. What does a lantern on a ship's figurehead mean?"

Griffin shook his head with a frown. "You already know the answer, Falenas. Just tell us."

"It means the ship is under quarantine," Verik answered, earning a surprised glance from Griffin. "I was originally from Riddleport. I know a thing or two about ships."

"He's right," Falenas said and snapped his fingers. "Now, the ship's resting at the bottom of the Jeggare River, but what if someone survived? This community is built on the edge of the river. It could be a place where someone washed up. All it takes is one touch to spread whatever disease this is. Any day now, we could see masses of people sick."

Griffin rolled his eyes. "It's just one sick girl, Falenas. You're being paranoid."

"I'm with Griff on this," Verik nodded in agreement. "Even if there's some sort of plague going around, there's three or four temples in Korvosa. They can just use magic and poof, no more disease."

Falenas laughed and turned his head toward Verik. "There are eighteen thousand people living in this city, give or take. The amount of people capable of casting a spell to remove a disease doesn't compare to that large a number. If a plague takes off, it's going to take more than magic to stop a crisis. It's going to take a cure and that's why I needed to talk to you, Griffin."

Falenas turned back to the noble who crossed his arms. "Falenas, there is no plague to worry about. We would see more people sick if there was."

"Griffin, while I appreciate your optimism, you're talking to someone who's studied medicine and health for longer than you and Verik have been alive combined. When I say that I see the warning signs relating to disease, it would do you well to listen."

"Fine," Griffin threw his hands up in defeat. "What do you want from me?"

"I need resources that I can only afford with a noble's patronage," Falenas told Griffin. "I won't be able to start on creating a cure with our only subject healthy now but when the opportunity comes we need to take it."

"That's not my call to make. With our parents away, I'll need to talk to Tiran. He's been helpful in the past but even he may have reason to be skeptical of your claims."

"I know that I sound mad but you need to trust me on this," Falenas said, hunching down to look at Griffin at eye level. "People will panic and there may be riots worse than when Ileosa took the throne, which only serves to spread the mysterious infection."

"If there are riots, we'll need to do more than work in a lab," Griffin said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We'll need to do something to help the people of Korvosa directly. We should really continue this conversation with Alexander and Viera."

Falenas resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Griffin was warned of a potential plague and only took it seriously as a chance to go on adventures with his friends. Although there was a part of the alchemist that had fun in the dangerous fights they went on, he could tell that Griffin missed the point he was making. Not only that but he was oblivious to what was happening right in front of him. There was no better time to inform him before he took off running with his own ideas.

"Viera, yes, but Alexander won't help," Falenas admitted.

"Of course he will," Griffin shook his head. "He always helps."

"He didn't help with our painter friend," Falenas reminded Griffin. "And had Tiran not offered to take his daughter under his care, he wouldn't help now. Alexander is trying to move on from our dangerous lifestyle and I don't think that we can convince him to join us."

"Fal's onto something," Verik said. "I know I've only been living with Alex since two days ago but he's not eager to jump back into the fight. And with the way he's been looking at Tayce today, he's one step closer to having the kind of life he wants."

Griffin waved his hand dismissively. "Verik, could you get the rest of our companions? We should sort this out."

"I don't think he's going to like being pulled away from cooking with Tayce," Verik said but went inside anyway.

Falenas held his hands together and stepped away from Griffin. Although there was a small chance that he was wrong and that Korvosa wouldn't be caught in a plague. Still, with both the evidence in his mind and the feeling he had in his gut, he believed that his suspicions were correct and that it would show any day. Falenas wished that his companions took him seriously, but with Griffin thinking more of the excitement of putting rebellions down and Verik casually discussing Alexander's love life, they weren't interested at all. He didn't think that he would have much better luck with Alexander or Viera, and while he believed Takota would listen, he wasn't around.

He saw Brienna's condition. Had she gone a day or two longer without treatment, she would have died. If the city became infected, the death toll would be unimaginable.

The harrowing Zellara performed came to Falenas' mind. It was generally hard to believe that cards could reveal the future, but with a spirit performing the harrowing, he was more inclined to believe it. His Choosing related to resiliency and indicated that the alchemist had a key role to play against the threats to come. If the plague was true, and if it was what Zellara foresaw, then perhaps he would be the one to come up with a cure.

Viera stayed with Brienna, keeping her eyes on the sleeping girl until the door opened. She looked over to see Tayce and Ishani enter the room and smiled when she noticed the potion that Ishani carried in his hands. He woke the young girl up long enough to help her drink the potion. Immediately, Viera could see that Brienna was no longer sick as color returned to her cheeks. Now that she was more aware of her surroundings, the girl looked around the room, confused by the presence of Viera and Ishani. Finally, she turned to Tayce.

"Mom," Brienna asked quietly. "Is lunch ready?"

Tayce fought back her tears as she smiled. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I'll bring it up to you."

Tayce embraced her daughter and Ishani glanced toward Viera. "We should let them have their privacy."

"That we should," Viera nodded in agreement. "Could I have a moment of your time before we head downstairs though?"

"Of course," Ishani said. "Let's step out of the room real quick first."

The two stepped out of the room with Viera closing the door behind them. The priestess couldn't help but feel curious about Ishani. There was no doubt that he was a good man but she wondered if he was conflicted at all with his god's teachings. Although Abadar's tenets revolved around law, Viera could see that some might be uncomfortable with the idea of having to pay for healing when one's life could be in danger.

It also helped that it had been a while since Viera talked to someone new who followed their faith as she followed hers. The Pantheon of Many had few worshippers of the other shrines but there had been little change of who was around the temple in the years that she served. Viera had no interest in trying to convert Ishani to follow Iomedae. Her place was to be one of her goddess' warriors who relied on her actions to show her faith. All she wanted was a chance to talk with another priest and talk about his religion.

"Ishani, I'm curious as to what it's like to worship Abadar," Viera started. "I understand that you weren't able to heal Brienna herself but you still stayed with your own kind of alchemy."

"I did," Ishani nodded. "I was sent to help a family in need, and though my hands were tied, I wanted to do what I could to help."

"I know that you've expended the spells that could have helped, but if you hadn't, would Abadar really have been against casting the spell?"

Ishani was silent in thought for a moment before answering. "He wouldn't have stopped me from casting the spell and I would still be able to call upon his power, but even then, there is no denying that doing so would go against his teachings. I would have spent time in prayer asking for his forgiveness. What I was able to do was just barely able to skirt around the lessons I learned."

"If only I had the power to cure her disease," Viera sighed. "I fight for Iomedae but I know that when it comes to magic, I won't be as powerful as her clerics. If I had followed that path, I would have been able to help her without any issue."

"That would have been the best possible outcome but it wasn't meant to be. Still, it's… it's interesting to talk to someone of another faith. Could you tell me more of what lessons you've learned as a follower of Iomedae?"

Before Viera could answer, Verik stepped up from the stairs. "Vee! Griff wants to have a meeting with everyone outside."

"Vee?" Viera repeated to herself, amused.

"For what it's worth, Falenas was insistent on talking to Griffin when we first arrived," Ishani told Viera and smiled. "You should go."

"Very well. Verik, I'll be with everyone in a moment."

Verik walked back downstairs and Viera wondered what the others were up to. Although she was disappointed that her conversation with Ishani had to be cut short, she knew that Griffin wouldn't call for a meeting unless it was important. She hoped that this was another sign that their group would be able to work together like they did in the past.

"Viera, if it would be alright with you, I would like to continue our conversation," Ishani said with a quiet smile. "Would you be willing to visit me at the Grand Vault of Abadar soon?"

The priestess smiled back at Ishani. At least she made a new friend today.

"I'll come by tomorrow," Viera told Ishani. "Until then."

"I can't help with this."

"Alexander, you can't be serious. If what Falenas told us is true."

"Then what do we do, Griffin?" Alexander asked.

For the most part, Falenas' claims of a plague went over Alexander's head. Although he could feel that the alchemist was concerned, he wasn't too convinced that Brienna's sickness was the start of a plague. At the very least, Falenas seemed to convince Viera that the threat was real. The priestess offered to help however she could when the time came.

It was then that Griffin brought up that Korvosa could fall into anarchy once more and that their services could be needed again. Alexander had put off telling his friends that he couldn't be an adventurer again for too long. He wouldn't forget the time they spent together and he didn't want them out of his life; he couldn't keep the truth from them any longer. When he told them that he couldn't help, he saw Griffin and Viera both taken by surprise. Falenas stood behind the two with a neutral expression and Verik stood at Alexander's side.

Alexander knew that they would try to change his mind but he had to stand his ground.

"We do what we did last time," Griffin told Alexander, unwilling to let the matter drop. "We keep the city safe, go after those putting the city at risk."

"Even if a plague does break out, we can't fight it," Alexander argued. "We don't even have the authority we had before."

"If this does turn as bad as Falenas thinks it will, Cressdia will let us work for her again," Griffin pointed out. "You know she will."

"What will we do without you?" Viera asked, frowning with a sad look in her eyes. "We might not have Takota's help as it is…"

"You'll get by without me," Alexander insisted. "It's not like I'm anything special compared to everyone else."

"If you need someone who can fight, I'll help," Verik offered. "I can fight on the front with my spear if that's what you need."

Alexander nodded. "Verik can help. The Temple of Sarenrae will want that from him."

Griffin looked over his shoulder. "Falenas, tell him that we need his help."

Falenas clasped his hands behind his back and paused for a few seconds before answering. "Alexander, we don't need your help. If the plague does happen like I predict it will, creating a cure will do much more than addressing any potential riots. Be with your family."

"Thank you," Alexander said with a smile. "I'm sorry but this is something that has to be done."

Alexander was thankful that Falenas and Verik supported his decision. He knew that Griffin and Viera would be the most vocal voices against wanting to stay away from the fight and wasn't sure what to expect from Falenas until now. Alexander was glad to see Verik stepping up as well and was glad that his new friend was taking his "community service" seriously. Viera looked away from Alexander toward the ground which he took as a sign that she accepted his choice even if it was difficult to hear. Griffin crossed his arms and frowned. It was no surprise that he wasn't ready to let the matter go.

"You're the leader, Alexander," Griffin said and Alexander gasped. "I know that I'm technically our patron, and I do a lot of work on that front, but you're the one leading us into battle."

Although he wasn't expecting for Griffin to share the same opinion Zellara had, he still didn't believe it. Griffin was more of a leader than he would admit and Viera fought on the frontline as much as he did. He was no leader and the others would get by without him.

"Griffin, you've done a lot for me, but I can't let your brother raise my daughter any longer. I have to be responsible."

For once, Griffin was at a loss for words. He leaned on his cane for a moment and slowly nodded, accepting the judgment. Alexander appreciated what Tiran could do, but at the end of the day, it was up to him to watch Silana. Viera placed a hand on Griffin's shoulder and looked up, forcing a smile to comfort him. It was painful to have hurt his friend's feelings but Alexander hoped that they would still be friends. He would try to find a way to make it up to them.

The house door opened and Grau poked his head out. "Dinner's ready."

"Thank you," Viera said. "We should eat."

"I could really eat," Verik admitted although he glanced aside, not noticing Grau's frown.

Grau stepped back into the house and Alexander followed after him. He was going to try to put this debate behind him. All Alexander wanted to do for the rest of the day was have dinner, get to know Tayce more, and pick Silana up from the Vossler estate.

A/N: With this chapter, we're at 30,000 words. With Thanksgiving coming up, I may have less time to write but I'm optimistic that with the progress I currently have, I'll be able to make the word count before the month is over.

The group is more apart than it has been before and I look forward to sharing more of the story. I've been planning this adaptation of Curse of the Crimson Throne for a while and I was glad to have figured out some of this drama to be told over the course of this story. You likely realize that things will turn out well for the group as those who read the adventure path know what's coming up, but it's not if the group comes back together, but how, that's important.

Until next time.