Rel: Well, at least it wasn't anything too serious. You sure you don't remember what happened, though?

Virno shakes his head. He and Rel were on his way to the arena, now that Faya's fight had most likely ended. Virno walked with a slight limp from his injuries, but he seemed fine otherwise.

Virno: All I remember is getting my ass kicked. Next thing I know, I'm home...

Rel: And that's all...?

Virno hesitates for a moment.

Virno: And that's all... Well...

He remembers Faya's words... How he could trust Rel.

Virno: Actually, I remember hearing the doctor. He was in there, too... I'm guessing he showed up shortly after that fucker kicked my ass.

Rel: The doctor sure seems to gravitate towards you a lot...

Virno nods, but doesn't say anything else. In front of them, two men were chatting fervently about something... Virno recognized them -- it was Jargen and Punjo, from the orphanage.

Jargen: I told you it'd be worth the coin...! What a show, what a goddamn show!

Punjo: Hahahah, who'd'ave thought it'd be so one-sided...! Poor guy, I 'ope he makes it.

Jargen: Faya seemed kinda groggy when she left, too! Wonder what happened to her...

Jargen and Punjo notice them.

Jargen: Oh! Rel and Virno, you two are buds now?

Punjo: That's really 'olesome, actually. Betcha today's fighters won't be makin' amends that easily...!

The both of them laugh.

Rel: Guys... What did you say happened to Faya?

Rel was serious. Virno, Jargen and Punjo were all surprised with his sudden shift in tone.

Jargen: Oh, well Barr brought some razor weapons from the outside, one of them scraped Faya's side. Nothing major though! She still beat him by a landslide... You should've seen his state by the end of it!

Rel: But you were saying she was groggy...?

Jargen: Ah yes, just as she left the arena she wasn't walking so straight anymore... But I'm sure whatever it is the doctor will handle it. Nothing to worry about, so turn that frown upside down, boy!

Punjo nods. Rel starts running towards the orphanage.

Virno: HEY! What's the hurry?!

Rel: The doctor isn't coming today...!

Virno looks at Jargen and Punjo. All of their expressions had changed to match the severity of the situation. Virno tries to follow Rel, but his injuries kept him from keeping up with his pace.

Punjo: Jargen-

Jargen: Of course. Let's go.

Punjo: Hold on, Virno.

Punjo grabs Virno with Jargen's help, and the three of them hastily make their way to the orphanage, after Rel...

Tyssa: Where do you think you're going?!

Rel: GET OUT OF THE WAY, TYSSA!

Rel had made his way to the orphanage, only to find Tyssa blocking the entrance to Faya's room.

Tyssa: Cabdan said-

Rel grabs Tyssa by the collar, bringing her close to him.

Cabdan: I don't give a SHIT about what Cabdan wants, he's the reason she's in that state to begin with!

Virno: Rel, calm down-

Rel: You're wasting my time...!

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Rel shoves Tyssa to the side, and barges into the room. Inside, he sees Faya laying down on a bed, unconscious. A nurse was tending to her, but she clearly seemed nervous.

Rel: HEY! What happened to her?!

Nurse: What are you doing here?! You must leave at once!

Rel: I'm not going anywhere, dammit! So either tell me or...

He looks at Faya's torso. On the side, Rel notices a strange cut with a terrible look...

Rel: Guys...

They see it too.

Jargen: Oh boy... That doesn't look good...

Punjo: Do ya think she was poisoned...?

Nurse: I'll fetch one of mister Cabdan's men, you cannot be in here...!

Rel: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! SHE CLEARLY NEEDS HELP!

Virno: Rel, calm down...! She's probably trying her best...

Rel: Well it's not good enough, that wound looks terrible...! How are you treating it?!

The nurse dry swallows.

Nurse: I-I'm not equipped to treat such wounds... I have been administering nothing but painkillers...

Rel's eyes widen.

Rel: You can't be serious...!

He bolts out of the room.

Jargen: Ahh crap...

Punjo: Rel, hold on lad!

They follow him outside.

Virno: What are you going to do?!

Rel: I'm gonna find that fat idiot and get him to help...! I don't buy it for a second that he doesn't know about this!

Jargen: Rel, calm down! Nobody even knows where he is by now, where're you gonna look?

Rel: I don't know, but I can't just sit here and do nothing... I have to do something!

Virno: Why don't we try and get the doctor? I'm sure he can help!

Rel: Only Cabdan can summon him... We need to find him, no matter what...!

Punjo: That might take too long... She needs more 'elp than just painkillers now, fellas. Isn't there anyone in the slums who can 'elp...?

Virno recalls Sadduccee's conversation with his mother, regarding her past... Maybe she knows something about treating these types of wounds, especially with how she always loved plants. It was worth a try.

Virno: This may be a shot in the dark, but maybe my mother can help... We should split up, guys. Two of us go find Cabdan, while me and someone else go back to my place. We'll meet up at the orphanage as soon as we got something.

Rel: Sounds good. Jargen, can you accompany Virno?

Jargen: Of course.

Punjo: I'll 'elp ya look for Cabdan, then.

Rel: Yeah, let's go. We'll meet back at the orphanage!

The four of them split up into two groups, each with their mission. Virno and Jargen hastily make their way back to his home.

Jargen: So, your mother knows about treating this type of injury, Virno? That's pretty handy!

Virno: Well, I'm not sure... My dad and she used to be some kind of explorers, so I'm sure they had to deal with poisonous animals or traps at least once before...!

Jargen: Well, let's hope your intuition's right...

When they arrive, they see his mother on her way out.

Anya: Oh, you're back! I was just on my way to work... Is everything alright?!

Virno: Not exactly mother... I need your help!

Immediately she seems concerned.

Anya: Are you okay?! I told you not to strain yourself...!

They explain the situation to her.

Anya: I... Cannot make any promises, but I can at least take a look. Take me to her!

As Virno and Jargen take Anya back to the orphanage, Rel and Punjo scour the slums in search of Cabdan.

Rel: It's no use, we can't just go looking around the place randomly, we'll never find him at that rate...

Punjo: From what I 'ear, there's a building that might be worth searching 'round... It seems Cabdan spends quite a lotta time there. But... It ain't exactly a nice place...

Rel: Who cares! We have to find him, no matter what.... Please lead the way, Punjo!

Rel follows Punjo into an especially grim part of the slums.

Rel: My father always told me to never come around these parts... Where exactly is this place we're going...?

Punjo: Should be 'round here somewhere... I'm not a big fan of bein' 'round 'ere either, but some men speak about it often enough that I got it memorized... It shouldn't be hard ta miss.

The homes seemed more run-down than usual, all except for one large two-story building...

Punjo: That should be the place...

The entrance was guarded by two large men, most likely working for Cabdan. Strangely enough, only well-dressed men seemed to enter and exit the building. The two of them approach the entrance.

Gorilla: Where do you sewer rats think you're going? This place isn't for you. Get lost.

Rel notices some familiar faces leaving the building... Young girls from the orphanage, some much younger than Faya. They seemed... Emotionless. Some even had red, puffy eyes, as if they had been crying just moments before.

Rel: Punjo... Is this place what I think it is...?

Punjo: I, uh... From what I know, this is where some of the girls from the orphanage work, when they ain't there. It's... Not pretty, Rel.

Rel turns to one of the goons.

Rel: Look, we have to speak with Cabdan. It's important, tell him it's Rel.

The man raises his brow.

Gorilla: Rel? Never heard of that name.

Rel: He'll know, just tell him!

Gorilla: Look, kid, take your fat old man with you and get lost, you're scaring the customers away. Cabdan's not even around here today, so you're shit out of luck. He had to take care of one of his best fighters and hasn't returned yet... Apparently, the injuries weren't pretty.

Rel: A wounded fighter...

Punjo: Barr, for sure!

Rel: But... Why would he take care of him personally? If anything he'd take him to the orphanage...

Punjo: No way Rel, with those injuries nobody there would be able to 'elp him! That poor guy is a goner, unless that magical doctor takes care of him...

Rel: The doctor...

His eyes widen, as he pulls Punjo away from the entrance to speak with him.

Rel: What if he took Barr to see the doctor in some secluded place? Cabdan could be trying to purposefully keep Faya from being treated by him...!

Punjo: But why'd he do that...?

Rel explains to Punjo what happened between Barr and Faya the day before.

Punjo: Lord... That is...

Rel: Pretty messed up, to put it lightly... But it's a strong possibility. Faya may be a good fighter, but she's a pebble in his shoe... This would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of her.

Punjo: That makes things 'arder for us... There's no way we can know where he took him...

Rel: Yeah...

Rel thinks for a while.

Rel: We gotta go back. Virno and Jargen are probably at the orphanage already, we should fill them in on what we've learned... Maybe they'll have good news for us.

Punjo agrees, and they make their way back...