"Jasper, you're gonna fail the test if you don't study," Artie said, looking up from the book splayed out on the table.

"I can't focus right now," Jasper replied.

"At least shut the window. You'll catch a cold... or I will..."

Jasper did as he was asked, but he didn't leave his spot. He crossed his arms and watched the world through the glass. His room from the fifth floor of the college gave him a wonderful view of the sprawling city. A cascade of stone and wood rolled down towards the college, and though he had an entire landscape he could study, he was fixated on the infirmary where he could only imagine Cerana was bawling her eyes out.

No. He knew she was tougher than that.

With the the setting sun, a shadow was cast over the infirmary by the giant cathedral behind it. Jasper scoffed. How much money had that building cost? Cerana could use that money. But no - she said money wasn't the issue. It was the fact that no one knew the cure to her mysterious illness. Occasionally she would lose function of her limbs, or her entire body may be weak. Coughing up blood was not uncommon, and she often suffered from intense headaches, or she would say that her insides felt like they were being twisted.

The church had tried to help. The clerics that had been caring for Cerana had come from that very church, but Jasper couldn't help but feel angry that they hadn't found a cure for her.

"Jasper, you really should come and study. I don't want to lose both my friends here."

"Don't joke about that, Artie," Jasper said, trudging to the table and dropping into the seat.

"Cerana wants us to move on."

"That's cowardice," he said, disgusted.

"Call me what you want, but it's her wish."

Jasper stood again, sliding his chair back with a scrape. "I just want to do something."

"You always want to do, but you never stop just to think."

"So help me think of what to do!"

"Study," Artie replied. "Magic's our best shot, so maybe if we study for this 'History of Magic' test, something will come to us."

Jasper sighed and sat back down. He stared at the table, but he didn't crack open his history book.

Artie went back to his studies, absent-mindedly saying, "And if you don't wanna trust in the magic, maybe you should go say a prayer."

Jasper looked at his friend, squinting as an idea began forming. "What?"

"Go to the church and offer a prayer. Lots of people swear by it."

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Jasper looked out the window, past the infirmary to the gigantic cathedral. "Hmm... Yeah..."

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It had been months since Jasper had set foot in the tavern. Between his studies and his forays into crypts, tombs, and dungeons, he'd had little time for socializing with anyone other than Artie and Cerana. In fact, it felt a little strange to be walking in alone, but he'd left Artie at the college to study.

As soon as the door shut behind him, someone hailed him from behind the bar. A tall, weather-beaten man bearing an eyepatch grinned widely and waved to him. It was mid-day, so there were only a few patrons he had to maneuver through.

"Been a while, kid," Slade said as Jasper reached the bar. His auburn hair was done up in a warrior's braid.

Jasper reached out and shook his hand. "You charge too much, Slade."

"Bah! I know how you college kids are. First beer's on me, as long as you let me drink with you. How's that?"

"I came for your company anyway, so you've got a deal."

Slade threw his cleaning towel over his shoulder and filled two tankards while Jasper took a seat. Jasper looked around to take in the changes and improvements Slade had made to his bar. There weren't any.

"Slade, you know you'll have to put at least a copper back into this place eventually."

The tavern owner scowled as he slammed the drink down before him. "Why? Drinks are cold - that seems to bring people back."

Jasper couldn't argue with that point, so he just shrugged and took a drink.

"How's school been? Surely your fifth year is somewhat of a challenge."

"Not really. I copy off Artie as much as he'll let me for the written tests. The spellcasting just sort of comes natural."

Slade shook his head, frowning. "Damn wizards... You lot always have it too easy, with your charms and your potions."

"Now, potions aren't really my thing. Artie's pretty good, though."

"And how is Artie? Surprised he's not here with ya.'"

"He's at the college studying for us."

Slade chuckled, but it was gone fast. "Cerana?"

"Not good." Jasper took another drink. "That's why I came to see you. Got somewhere private we can talk?"

"Sure." Slade called to an orc woman who was drinking alone at one of the nearby tables. "Shiva, mind watching the bar for a bit?"

She nodded, but didn't move. There were only a few other people in the tavern, and they were all regulars.

Jasper followed Slade to a small room off of the main area. Before shutting the door, Slade poked his head out. "And Shiva - full price for everyone, all right? You're not an employee, so you can't use an "employee discount," yeah?"

Shiva grunted and waved away his words.

Slade sighed as he closed the door. "Let's make this quick, Jasper, or else I'll go bankrupt."

Jasper explained Cerana's situation as best he could while fighting the emotions that welled up. Slade listened intently, uninterrupting. Once Jasper was done, Slade took a moment to contemplate. "So what's your plan?" he asked. "I know you have one."

"Maybe... I know you're well-traveled; do you know about any magic items that cure illness?"

"Yeah, plenty - but it's always specific illnesses. No one can figure out what's wrong with Cerana."

"Then I only have one idea - I'm going to raid the church."

"Tell me you're joking," Slade said, his tone steely.

"I'm not." Jasper matched his tone.

"Robbing the church is more dangerous than robbing the king." Slade crossed his arms.

"That's my backup plan if the church doesn't have what I need," Jasper quipped.

"Why the church?" Slade furrowed his brow.

"They're all the time getting donations from rich patrons. There's got to be something that can help Cerana. If not, I'll just take some gold. Money has a way of fixing things."

"Not always... Think of something else. You don't want to make an enemy of the church, kid."

"If I do it right, they'll never know I was there."

"I thought you were a wizard. I didn't know you to be such a rogue." Now Slade looked at him as if he were a disappointed father.

"I was hoping you'd help me out," Jasper said. "You haven't exactly been secret about your past. You filled Artie and I's heads with ideas of dungeoneering anyway."

"Don't put that on me."

"I accept full responsibility. Artie would never go along with this, so I came to you for help. Cerana doesn't have much time."

Slade sighed. "I can't help you... but I know someone who can..."