The harsh and bitter storm had all but subsided to a delicate flurry in time for the party's arrival at Kho'Gul, and much to their spite, not a moment earlier. A towering stone wall surrounded the city and its inhabitants, crude in appearance yet steadfast in purpose. Above its lofty height loomed a gradient of grays. A mere few hours had passed since the four adventurers found the lone survivor they kept in tow, but his closeness to death in the midst of an unrelenting blizzard made the journey seem long and arduous.
As they entered through the gate, the snow-covered silence welcomed them. Though it was only late afternoon, the stone-paved streets were clear and quiet, save for the din of music from local inns, and the pounding of hammers as blacksmiths toiled away by the warmth of their forges. The stillness gave the group a sense of calm, despite the urgency of helping their new constituent.
They continued down an alleyway until they reached a door with moss growing around the frame. Above it, a decrepit wooden sign hung from a rusted chain, creaking and swaying in the gentle breeze. Chipped white paint spelled out Healer with long-faded floral depictions beneath. Deventh shot Anna a questioning glance.
"Yes, this is the place," she said, urging him forward. After a brief hesitation, he turned the door handle and gave a push that was met with an unexpected amount of resistance. The heavy wooden door coughed up dust as it scraped open, carrying with it the pungent odor of herbs and mildew.
They stepped in, their snow-blinded eyes guided by the light of nothing more than a few small candles. Were it not for the sound of a strenuous cough drawing nearer by the second, they'd have presumed the building unoccupied. Clumsy, muffled footsteps rumbled beyond the wall, where a door opened to reveal a brighter room. In the threshold appeared a hunched and bony robed figure with a full head of white coils. The old man, Mezthrin by his broad facial features and dark olive skin, greeted them in a voice hushed from likely a century of strain.
"Greetings, young travelers," he said, squinting in an earnest effort to identify each of them, "What brings you to my infirmary?"
Anna moved with purpose to a nearby bed and set her ward down on it before turning to the man to explain their presence.
"We found a cart that was attacked on the side of the road. No one else survived, and I'm surprised he's managed to hang on," she said as she pointed out the red stains on the victim's clothing. "He's been badly injured on his chest and arms."
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As she spoke to the doctor, Tatsidi sat himself upon an ottoman, legs crossed, and surveyed the room with his eyes. Jessa and Deventh wandered, inspecting their surroundings with fascination. Bookshelves lined the entirety of one wall, filled with volumes of medical knowledge, healing spell tomes, and alchemy books regarding both potions and poisons. Along another wall lay an assortment of tools spread across a long table covered in rags and cloths, all stained and well-used.
By the time Anna concluded her precis with the doctor and they were ready to move on, Tatsidi had already dozed off where he sat. The other two had sated their curiosities with the objects around the room and settled into their own seats.
"I would take great joy in meeting your friends, but introductions aren’t in the best interest of time,” the old man said. “Let's get him to the back." With a firm nod, he turned around and beckoned the Helbrund to follow him. The rolling motion of his shoulder left him winded, but he managed to find the strength to continue hobbling along to the door.
Enough time passed to rouse concern over meeting their contact before the day’s end, and so Deventh and Tatsidi moved on to the Oath’s guild hall. Jessa remained to descend into a light sleep. After some time, Anna and the doctor emerged from the back room. Anna’s hands were covered in blood and what appeared to be alchemical ingredients, and as she spoke to Jessa, she wiped them with a cloth from the table nearby.
"It was a fight, but we believe he's set to make a recovery," she declared, her eyes sweeping the room for the two who had left. “Where are Deventh and Tatsidi?”
"They went ahead of us to meet with our contact. Deventh didn't want to keep them waiting, and Tatsidi was tired of sitting around."
"Right. I’d almost forgotten the original purpose of our entire trip.” Anna wiped the sweat from her brow and tossed the cloth back onto the table. “This young man is quite lucky. He took an axe or a hammer straight to the chest – somehow only his ribs broke."
"Oh," Jessa said with a slight gasp.
"Oh, indeed. Had it gone any further, his lungs would have been punctured. He had some deep, feathering burns as well, most likely from lightning magic. Some healing spells helped to fix the bones in place, and some of the doctor's wonderful alchemy helped with the pain and fever. All he needs now is to rest as much as he can."
"And he can stay here as long as needed. It's always a relief to save such a young life," The old man said, slumping his shoulders forward.
"Hopefully he stays stable. I would like to wait here a bit longer to see if our patient comes to. Jessa, would you go and find the others in the meantime? Report to Deventh on our patient, perhaps?"
"Are you sure? I can stay here and help if needed."
“Thank you, but all we need is time,” Anna said. “I’m sure it will pass all the same with or without help."
Jessa puffed her cheeks, the thought of her first task alone causing her to freeze. Still, she stepped up to it, wanting nothing more than to prove herself trustworthy on her own. Steeped in the warm reassurance of Anna’s smile, she set out to give her first report.