After riding for hours, we approached the village checkpoint. Gale held out his hand for us to take it nice and slow. A town guard approached and asked what we were doing here. Gale responded by explaining our situation and showing our Guild status as proof. He examines the sigil and soon signals his comrades to let us through. With a nod, we enter, pass the checkpoint, and make our way to the center of town.

"Let's get Caleb and Lukia treated. Then we can restock our supplies with the money for the job and set out when they are ready." Gale motions for Yann and Herk to take us to the local physician. My condition had been steadily improving, but the fever had persisted. Lukia held out as best as she could but quickly passed out during the ride to the village.

"There it is, here, help me get her down," Herk said to Yann. They gently carried her to the ground, and Yann held her in his arms. Herk placed his hand on my back, and we moved into the office. Several people were waiting for treatment as we entered the clean building. The smell of herbs and medicinal plants reeked along the walls. Sage of herbs had been burnt to erase the smell of blood or other foul stenches.

One of the nurses was the secretary for the patients and noticed us enter. She approached us with a paper in her hand. The small streaks of blue in her hair weaved around each lock into a braid that lay past her shoulder.

"Oh my, she is burning up. How long has she been like this?" The nurse asked us. Her soft green eyes continued to examine her.

"Just about a week. She's been having trouble sleeping, and we had to travel through a horrendous storm which she caught this illness. If you can help her, we will be willing to pay for any treatment." Herk spoke up front to the woman. She turned her attention to me, placed her hand on my forehead, and pressed her own to her forehead.

After a moment of analyzing, she removed her hands. "You're a little inflamed, but you seem to be recovering better from it. If you please, I'll alert the head doctor to see you as soon as possible." She turns around and swings around the back to ask for someone or something. Once she returns, she shows us to a private room. "Wait here for a moment. He will see you shortly."

With a long sigh of relief, Yann lays Lukia on the bed, and I am placed in the one next to her. It's been a bit since being in a bed. My body relaxed as soon as it touched it. Yann and Herk sat in a few chairs and allowed the time to pass.

Several minutes occurred during our wait before a large man with glasses slowly walked into our room. "Now, I've heard we have several adventurers from up north visiting. Seems like you ran into a bit of trouble. Let me see your companion closely. It won't be long." Silent, we watched as he checked Lukia during the entire visit to determine her condition. Snapping his fingers, he turns to us before sitting in a chair to write his report.

"I have a remedy for the both of them that should work. It's one of the first things we acquired when we opened this clinic. Common colds and fevers were everyday cases in this village. Give me but a moment, and I shall have the nurses bring the remedies. Let them stay overnight for bedrest and see how they are doing afterward." Standing up, Herk and Yann don't say a word. Just caught in the moment of someone who is very skilled in this field.

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"What is your name? I don't think I've heard of anyone with such a high degree in medical remedies and treatment in this part of the region." Herk asks while holding his holy artifact. The doctor stops for a moment and turns to speak.

"Just address me as doctor, or if you want to be more formal, the name is Rys. Now, if that is all, I have other patents to tend to." Adjusting his long white coat and glasses, he leaves the room softly, closing the door. His footsteps grow softer with each step before they become completely silent.

"Have any of you heard that name before?" I ask. Yann and Herk turn to each other and shake their heads before sitting back down. I look over to Lukia and see her soft face flustered red. I close my eyes and let out a sigh. Moments later, the same nurse enters the room and kneels beside Lukia.

"Doctor Rys told me to administer the remedy to your friends. I'll be quick and let you continue to rest." The nurse lifts her head and slowly pours the contents into her mouth, allowing her body to swallow every drop. After emptying the bottle, she turns to me, kneels next to my bed, and helps me drink mine. The fluid of the remedy was bitter and had a honey-like texture. Gross feeling, I held back any gag reflex and swallowed all of its contents. My stomach felt warm, and my body relaxed soon after drinking it all.

The nurse left after I had finished drinking the remedy. Yann and Herk stayed for the next hour until they left for Lukia and me to rest. The room was dimly lit, and the bed was more than cozy for a clinic. Whoever this Rys was, he surely had the resources to provide a high-quality space and medicine to those in need. It wasn't long before I began to rest fully, letting my body purge the fever.

*

Gale entered the village's local tavern to secure any possible rooms. He approached the barkeep and flicked a silver coin his way. The barkeep leaned against the beam of the counter to give his attention.

"What can I do for ya lad?" The man's voice was softer than his appearance. His balding head, with his large frame, made him pretty intimidating to look at. Gale gleamed close and set a couple more silver coins on the table.

"Do you have any rooms available? I have a party of six, including myself. Mostly a couple days at least." The barkeep took the coins and looked at them closely before examining Gale. He read his posture and stance before speaking.

"Sorry lad, rooms are full in this place. Lot of traffic due to the war and a lot of other parties have taken the chance to stock on rooms for potential jobs that occur daily. Not that it seems you are low on the coin at the moment; you may find something to do to pass the time."

"I'll think about it. Mind letting me know if there is potentially another place, I can acquire any rooms?" Gale spoke with a hint of determination. He didn't want to fail at securing rooms for everyone, even if he had to spend a little extra to do so.

"No local establishment has enough for your group, I am afraid. But I heard there is a man who recently commissioned a home in this village for shelter. He's been taking in refugees and the homeless. It's not exactly private, but it is a roof over your head. That's your only option, lad."

"I see. Well, I appreciate it." Gale steps from the counter to think for a moment.

"Mind taking a drink? It's on the house." The barkeep lines a mug on the counter and presents it to Gale.

"Maybe next time. I'm trying to cut back unless it's a special occasion. Thank you for your time; I'll be back." With a simple wave, Gale heads out to search for this shelter...