Sunset: 1830
- No Greyhawk Events today
The Starkwall Infirmary and the Wasted Wyvern
Firena feels herself running. The Bandits, they’re all over. Suddenly a pain shoots through her legs and she sits up quickly. She reaches for her sword and her eyes dart around. She quickly adjusts her eye to the sunlight …wait… it was at night. At this point she realizes that she is in a bed; a bed in a castle; a bed in an infirmary in a castle. She remembers now. She was talking to Firena when they attacked. She remembers the pike swinging low, conversely from where she expected it. As she saw Nyra jump over the blade, her mace coming to her hand, the Halberd blade coming to her was quicker and higher. Through Firena attempted to jump, she could feel the blade biting deeply into her leg. She remembers the sound of steel on bone and the pain. Quickly, she pulls back the covers and breathes a sigh of relief as she sees her feet are still attached to her legs. The wound, she finds, is also well healed from what she was expected. The stiches are still in them, but the flesh has closed. By the amount of pain and soreness she feels, she beleives that the muscles and tendons are still cut. At that point she hears Nyra’s voice.
Nyra:
I’m getting a little tired or sitting up next to you in a bed recovering from your wounds!
Firena:
How long?
Nyra:
Not long. You’ve been out for about ten hours. Most of that was in the hands of the Bandits. The healer here, Senner, is fairly good. Not as good as you, I don’t think. He tended you last night and prayed over your leg. It is far better than it was. Thankfully, they swung from the front and not from the behind. If they had, you might have been hamstrung. As it was, the bone stopped the blade. Granted the bones cracked, but Senner has take care of that.
Firena nods and places her hands on one knee and forces her concentration onto her legs. In her mind’s eye, she can see the muscles and tendons split into two. The pain throbs in her head as she burrows deeper. She gets to the bone and sees the narrow slit cut into it. Her eyebrows furrow as she inspects the bone. She can see the micro fractures. Nodding, she admits that Senner has indeed done a pretty good job. The cracks in the bone are all but healed. it looks like the cuts on both legs need to be taken care of…that and the healing of the skin as well. She inspects for infection and see that there is little. Interestingly, there is some. Didn’t Senner take care of that? Even the least skilled healer would have killed any infection first. Then she thinks to herself. She was triaged by Nyra most likely. The infection was mostly killed by her. There’s not much left. Nyra did a good job cleaning the wound. Like Senner, she decides that her body can kill the infection on it’s own. However, she wants to tend to the cut muscles and tendons. She wants to leave as soon as she can.
Nyra:
Senner says that he’ll have a look at it later today, after resting. He figures that, gods wiling, you’ll be able to walk this evening. A night’s rest will help significantly.We can leave tomorrow morning, if you’re up to it.
Firena:
What time is it?
Nyra:
Just after eight bells.
...
Before Firena goes to sleep (if she’s up to it), she will attempt a healing on herself, starting with taking care of the infection, then finishing up anything that needs doing to stop any residual bleeding, close the wound, finish working on the bone, etc. When she wakes up, if she is able, she will do likewise.
...
In the morning, Firena tells the first Company member she sees (Nyra or Morven most likely) that she needs to call a conclave, as soon as possible, in as private a place as possible.
...
Firena also asks Nyra to get her field kit. She’ll mix herself an anisthetic to take care of any residual pain.
Nyra raises her eyebrows and responds: Um Senner advised that you’re to stay in bed for the day …
Firena: Which healer do you trust more? Me, or Senner?
Nyra grunts, gets up and walks to the other side of the room. She comes back with Firena’s pack and hands her her field kit.
Firena: Thank you. This won’t take long._With which, she begins to mix a few ingredients in their proper proportions.
Nyra: I gather you’ll want to have a private room near the infirmary?
Firena: Yes. Oh, and bring a quill and some parchment. And one of Lord Aphic’s pigeons.
Nyra nods: Conclave of the entire Company, or just Morven, Hanar, and myself.
Firena: Everyone, briefly. I’ll want the three of you to hang around afterward.
Nyra nods and leaves the infirmary
As soon as the pain killer takes effect, Firena gets up and looks about for a private room. The infirmay of Castle Starkwall is set within the wall near the main entrance. Several windows overlook the courtyard letting in a gentle breeze and allowing for better lighting. The room has three doors coming out of it: one on each sidewall, one leading, theoretically to the front of the wall. It has room for twenty beds, three of which are currently occupied. One of those occupants was Firena. Firena looks for Senner, but he’s not in the infirmary. Looking right and left, she heads out slowly toward the right door. She doesn’t want to open her wounds again.
Finding herself in a hallway, She opens several doors finding one full of medical supplies and another an office…most likely Senner’s office. On the walls are several diagrams of human anatomy and lying on the desk is a codex of poisons. The bandits must not always fight fairly. Apparently, even this far in the wild, the beauracrats have pushed, as she sees many forms similiar to the ones she had to fill out. Requisitions for medical supplies, counts of cases treated, etc. Next to Senner’s office (and connected to it) is a waiting room, consisting of two chairs and a small sofa. Not the best place for Company conclave. Besides it’s attached to Senner’s office.
Across the hall is a lounge of sorts overlooing the front wall of the castle. There are two couches in here, several lounge chairs and two bench seats by the windows. This will do. She looks around and spies a bar at the far side. Looking in it, she finds grog, ale, both dark and light (she smiles and then frowns as she thinks that Tar would most likely grab at a chance to have some dark ale) and some cheap wines. Obviously, this is not the Knight’s lounge. Having picked a spot for the conclave, Firena returns to the infirmary to await the others’ arrival.
After about twenty infuriatingly long minutes, Morven heads into the infirmary and after exchanging pleasantries, tells Firena that the paper and pigeons are in a lounge not too far from here. The rest of the Company is there as well. Apparently, they are in the same lounge that Firena scoped out.
Firena gets up carefully and heads toward the room. She looks around the room and counts heads. All are present. Yalinari doesn’t look wide awake … he must have been woken up recently. Everyone is present so she starts speaking immediately.
I’d like to start by thanking you all. I have no doubt that your quick thinking and positive actions saved both Nyra and me from death … or worse. What’s more, you captured a dozen enemies without any further loss to yourself. The people who own this castle are obviously less than enthused by Yalinari’s presence here, but they can’t overlook the fact that he led you in accomplishing a tremendous feat – one which will only grow in the telling. It’s my guess that they won’t openly tell us so in so many words, but you’ve earned their respect. That’s important. Tar’s company has definitely gotten off to a stunning start. You have my congratulations as well as my thanks.Be that as it may, we can’t stay here. The hostility is open and obvious, and we have a job to do. As soon as I declare myself able to stand the rigors of the road once more, we’ll be parting ways with the residents of Starkwall castle. Before we go, I plan to send an update to Lord Aphic. Does anyone have any particular message to send back?
All glance around, thinking, ut none can think of anything special to mention (other than the success of getting the Temple of Demeter to haul the water.
Firena:
In that case, consider yourselves free for the day. Stay alert. I don’t think we’re in any real danger – after all, the more quickly we are all healthy, the more quickly we are out of here, which is what they want. But it doesn’t hurt to be careful. I’ll stay here today, or at most, move to the courtyard. Nothing too strenuous. I’ll plan on using the time to compose my report, which I’ll likely send off around noon. If you have anything you want added, just drop by. I’m sure Lord Aphic will be well pleased with our progress and actions so far.
She pauses for a few seconds, to see if there are any comments. There are none, so she dismisses the others and asks Morven, Nyra, and Hanar to stay behind for a few seconds.
When the others clear the room, Firena, true to form, launches immediately into speech:
I noticed something last night that I never thought I’d witness. Did anyone else notice it?
They all look blank.
Firena:
Our Equerry? Taking charge? Leading a raid? Successfully? Is there somehow more to that vacant expression than meets the eye? Nyra, you’ve probably spoken to him more than any of us. Anything going on in that seemingly empty head of his that would indicate he would be capable of such a thing?
Nyra shakes her head:
I hadn’t thought of it. Certainly, the man is ruled by emotions, not common sense. I’ve never seen him take on responsability like he did. On the other hand, I don’t think you give him enough credit. He was very instrumental in the campaign direction of Lord Aphic. He has a good ideas, just can’t focus well enough to direct them in one place.
Firena:
Of course, it probably helps that there are few … ah … distractions for him here. We might do well to keep him isolated in the future. But you are correct, Nyra. He was invaluable during the campaign. But true leadership? I’m stunned. Happily so. Perhaps I shall think more kindly of our Equerry in the future. ... [After a pause, she continues.] So, it’s my guess that I will be able to travel tomorrow, which leaves us the remainder of the day to fill. I’ll rely on you to be mindful of our charges. Again, I don’t expect trouble, but vigilance will ensure it doesn’t find us.
All nod in agreement and then Morven speaks up:
Umm … Firena. Speaking of our charges, Vanith, it seems has a more than adequate ability to influence people. Between her gender and likability, she has been able to get a lot of toungues wagging. It seems that we’re in good luck. The Bakluni we’re looking for are near Crystalwatch, about 110 miles from here. If you can ride we can probably push it and make it in four days.
Nyra:
Nuther wood. Near the Phostwood.
Hanar:
If we follow the river, we’ll be following The Bandit Kingdom’s border. That means bandit attacks. There are few fordable places, but boats can go anywhere.
Morven:
Aren’t there patrols watching for that?
Nyra coughs at the suggestion:
Fat lot of good they did for us!
Hanar:
Aye, there’s a patrol. But, we’ll have to be on our guard.
Firena:
Excellent. ... We will be very on our guard. I’m getting quite tired of being carried into new locations. I’m supposed to be leading this Company, not burdening it. I have no intention of continuing to be carted about like the cookware.
There are smiles about, but none offer more. Firena thinks to herself that there are lots of thoughts of things to say, but all hold their toungues. She smiles inwardly. The command of the burn center is translating nicely to command of the Company. She again, thinks of Tar’s reasons for leaving. She beleives that after this trip, her quite Captain will be quite able to watch and assess without being the one to command. For some reason this doesn’t quite give her a good feeling. Taking a slow look around:, she continues:
Thank you all. Without your aid, I most certainly would not be here. I will make that clear to Sir Yalinari as well when I get the opportunity. ... Now, if there’s nothing else, we should end this little soirée.
Nyra:
Shall Hanar escort you back to your bed?
Firena:
No, I believe I’ll head to the courtyard and complete my report in the sun. I’ll find someone to help me back to the infirmary if I need it. Thank you for the offer.
Nyra:
Well, we’re still under the two person rule, so Hanar had better go with you.
Firena meets Nyra’s unflinching gaze for a few beats, then:
Damn it, you’re right. Hanar, if you would be kind enough to accompany me?
Nyra smiles broadly and Hanar accepts. The leadership of the Company (minus the Equerry) leave the room. Firena and Hanar toward the courtyard, whilst Morven and Nyra head out for a ride before lunch.
Firena and Hanar settle in the courtyard, where Firena pens a message to Lord Aphic. She holds a lengthy internal debate on how much to include and what to emphasise – what we did well, what we did poorly, how we were received, etc., and in the end decides on no more than one page of simple facts with a heavy emphasis on accolades to deserving Company members. Finally, she ties the note to one of our pigeon??s legs and lets it go.
Meanwhile, sometime earlier Yalinari has been in the courtyard practicing juggling. After twenty minutes of effort, a Cavalry Seargant rides up to Yalinari, Yalinari’s horse in tow. He bows:
Sir Knight, The Lord has heard your request. He begs your forgiveness. He says that he is an extremely busy man and the efforts of your troop have only increased his workload. He apologizes that he does not have the time to share a brandy with you in the rooftop gardens as you might be expecting. If you still wish to join him in conversation, he begs your indulgance and join us in our border patrol.
Yalinari smiles broadly and puts his beanbags away. He then executes a cartwheel and then flips backward into the saddle of his horse. With an overly large smile he salutes the seargant, says “Shall we ride?”, and then pushes his horse forward.
The seargant has obviously not ben warned about Yalinari’s proclivities and looks stunned for a second until Yalinari asks him if he is coming. The seargant, a little embarrassed, urges his horse forward and they head outside the Castle. Shortly after them, other cavalrymen start assembling. They form up into five groups of six; each one comprising one seargant and five horsemen. One group is outfitted with shortbows, one with swords, and the other four with lances. With that the Cavalry Captain and his two Lieutantants come riding out. They circle the formation and ask “Seargant Kjaryk, are all accounted for and prepared to ride?”
The seargant with Yalinari bows and replies that they are ready. With that the Cavalry Captain wheels his horse and rides back into the castle. A few seconds later, trumpets sound and The Baron flanked by Sir Morghatur and Sir Nat ride out. Without a word, the Baron rides out toward the East. The Captain and his lieutanants follow. Seargant Kjaryk barks the order to move out and the cavalry complies. The archers ride out and form directly behind the Baronial entourage. The swordsman ride out behind the archers. One group of lancers rides out quicker than most and takes point. The other three ride behind the swordsman.
Yalinari watches them with a practised horseman’s eye. All are excellent riders, probably better than him. He doubts, though, that any can do a handstand on horseback! The Sergeant. Kjaryk trots his horse forward ensuring that all are in position and then rides harder to make his report to the Cavalry Captain. Yalinari keeps up with him and then heads up into the Baron’s direct entourage.
A little thrown off his game (as was no doubt the intention), Yalinari thinks about his approach as he rides up. Apparently, knowing what is about to transpire, Sir Morghatur and Sir Nat, fall back a few paces allowing Sir Yalinari the room to approach the Baron. He bows and offers him a good morning. The Baron grunts a reply and tells Yalinari that he and his troop have greatly embarrassed his men and they are none too pleased. Now, he, the Baron, needs to ensure that all are doing their duty correctly.
Yalinari:
My apologies, your Lordship, for any embarrassment we have caused you or your troops. Such was most definitely not our intention; we were concentrating solely on rescuing our captured comrades, nothing further. We brought the captives to you, as I felt that an interrogation would yield you more positive results than our simply killing them outright. If I erred in this judgement, for that too, I am sorry.I am aware, of course, that our presence is not welcome here. I fully understand that we are an unnecessary distraction to a working castle, yet you have opened your doors, your larders, and your infirmary to us. For this I personally thank you. I will report your generosity to the Lord Mayor, and I have every confidence that he, too, will wish to thank you. It is our intention to depart this evening if my healer is up to it, at first light otherwise. We will not further inhibit your activities or distract your soldiers.
Before I go to prepare for our departure, I would beg your indulgence just once more, then I will leave you to carry out your duty. If such is available, it would be a great benefit to the Lord Mayor’s endeavors in these parts if you could provide us with a map of the area. Beyond that, we request nothing further.
Baron Cauggan:
There’s no good reason for your comrades to be so ill-prepared in these areas. Maybe they have learned their lesson. Ah well.No, you did the right thing bringing them back here. I’m sure they’ve not much information. Simply a raiding party. Such is our lot on the border. They send raiding parties and we stop them when we can. They should not have gotten across the border so close to the Castle. My men will pay for that oversight. That has no need to go into your report, no? (He looks at Yalinari, who nods in agreement. The baron then nods in assent and looks ovr his shoulder.)
Captain Showatar, please assist the Knight from Greyhawk in finding what he and his troop need to continue on with their mission for the Lord Mayor.
(The captain answers in the affirmative and the Baron turns to face Yalinari)Now, if you’ll excuse me we need to make some rounds.
Yalinari bows low, thanks the Baron again, and offers one last time to entertain the Baron and/or any of his knights or off-duty castle personnel as may be willing to attend. To his surprise, the Baron agrees and again tells Captain Showatar to assist Yalinari with the details. The Captain, as any good officer will do, sends Sergeant. Kjaryk to do his bidding. Yalinari bows low again and thanks the Baron. The Baron, however, has already moved his attention onto other things. Yalinari and Sergeant. Kjaryk wheel their horses and head back to Starkwall.