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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Dara, Sophiette and Mercy take a few days to recover from their recent encounter with Deathwing, and this proves to be too much for Gidwin. He strikes off on his own… and does not return. This does not bode well for a young paladin in the Plaguelands. The three girls and Tarenar begin the search. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Eastern Plaguelands
Chain: Light Guide Us
Three days after their experiences with Deathwing, the three women reunite to resume work at Eastwall Tower.
Dara walks out of the tower, and flinches at the sky. She takes a deep breath, and goes to find her companions.
Mercy waits with her usual still solemnity, looking much the same as usual. The strange flush and expressiveness from last time they spoke is gone.
Sophiette moves immediately to Dara's side. She's been especially hovery since the whole being turned to ash and bones thing.
Hugo is not present. Sophiette escorted him back to Stormwind City as soon as he was well enough to travel.
Dara looks around, and leans casually against Sophiette. "It seems quieter today. Have you seen Gidwin this morning?"
[Sophiette]: I've certainly heard him.
Mercy's mouth quirks up at one corner.
[Dara]: I haven't since breakfast. Maybe he's over by Fiona.
Sophiette has also completely replaced her armor, the old suit having been fused and ruined by Deathwing.
Dara's robes are also new. Her black-and-white have been replaced by blue-and-grey.
Mercy's saronite has a few blackened accents now, but she is still wearing it.
Dara waves at Fiona.
[Dara]: Have you seen Gidwin lately?
Fiona says: I tried to tell him to wait. But these past few days, it was just too much for him.
Sophiette sighs. "Oh dear."
Fiona says: He ran off to the north, all alone. Tarenar, you should have known better! Gidwin gets so impatient sometimes, and you only egg him on. If Giddy gets into any trouble, I'm blaming you for this.
Tarenar looks both chastened and worried.
Tarenar says: Don't worry, Fiona. We'll make sure he gets back safely.
Dara follows Tarenar a little off to the side to discuss.
Sophiette peers at Tarenar. "I don't suppose you have any idea where he's gone?"
Mercy stays close, but doesn't chime into the conversation.
Tarenar says: I would assume Northdale? But you know Gidwin, he might've gotten waylaid or distracted, or…
Tarenar says: Damn that dwarf. He's always getting me in trouble with Fiona. Look at her! She won't even TALK to me!
Tarenar says: I'm going to stay here and try to mend my friendship with our worgen friend. Would you mind going out and making sure Gidwin is alright?
Mercy looks to Dara.
Tarenar says: I'm sure he's fine; he knows how to take care of himself. He can't have gone far by now. Northdale is home to a few ghosts and banshees. Nothing ol' Giddy can't handle.
Sophiette nods, perhaps a little too enthusiastically at the notion of leaving Tarenar here. "Of course. We'll find him."
[Dara]: Yes, don't worry. It'll be just like that first time we met you both, I'm sure of it.
The three women head towards Northdale.
[Dara]: They do tend to wander off, don't they?
[Mercy]: Young men can be restless.
[Dara]: I really think a bit of a break was needed, considering the circumstances.
Mercy nods.
[Sophiette]: A pity Gidwin didn't see it that way.
[Dara]: Well, here's Northdale. I suppose we can just wander around and look?
Mercy points toward a book lying on the ground.
Dara peers at where Mercy points. "What's that on the ground in front of that doorway?"
[Sophiette]: A rat…oh no, a book?
[Mercy]: Someone dropped it, clearly.
[Dara]: It's… it looks like a prayer book.
[Mercy]: Hm.
[Dara]: Does it have a name on it?
[Mercy]: Retrieve it and see?
Mercy doesn't seem inclined to touch it.
Dara leans over and grabs the book, flipping through to the front cover.
[Dara]: Oh dear. Gidwin Goldbraids.
[Dara]: I hope… there's no body in there?
[Sophiette]: He's not in here. Damn.
[Mercy]: A paladin would not lightly drop his prayer book.
Dara nods, her brow creasing with worry.
Sophiette shakes her head.
[Dara]: We should probably let Tarenar know. It at least gives us an indication he was here.
[Sophiette]: Let's hope he hasn't gone far.
[Mercy]: Gone far? You think he just dropped his book and went for a stroll?
[Dara]: If something took him, then at least it didn't kill him right there.
[Mercy]: How do you know?
[Dara]: There wasn't a body.
[Mercy]: This is not a land where bodies lie around.
Dara's eyes widen.
[Sophiette]: Still. No fresh blood, either.
[Sophiette]: It's a hopeful lack of evidence, at least.
Mercy has no comment on how hopeful things appear.
Dara bites her lip nervously.
They head back to the tower to talk to Tarenar.
[Dara]: Tarenar? We found… this. *she holds out the prayer book.*
Tarenar says: But you didn't see him? Where could he have gone then?
[Sophiette]: We're not sure. This is the only sign we found.
Tarenar says: I don't see why he would leave that behind.
[Sophiette]: Perhaps…he meant for us to find it?
Tarenar says: Oh…
Tarenar says: By the Light, what have I done? I should have paid more attention to him, not let him go out alone.
Mercy continues to have no comment whatsoever. She sits on her horse like a city square statue. Of some creepy city somewhere.
Tarenar says: This is my fault. I… I ignored his warnings, his complaints, everything. I just assumed he wouldn't go far, that he would wait for us…
Tarenar says: Argus has been keeping watch from the top of the tower. Can you ask him if he's seen any sign of Gidwin?
Mercy dismounts.
Mercy hangs behind the girls as always when it's time to talk to any of the veteran Crusade members.
Sophiette climbs down from Charity. "Of course."
They climb up to the top of the tower, where Argus surveys the land.
[Dara]: Argus! Have you seen any suspicious movements of the Scourge from up here?
Mercy keeps her face turned away.
Argust Highbeacon says: Oh? Oh yes. There was something of a skirmish to the north. Then the forces moved off to the northwest.
[Dara]: Oh dear.
Argust Highbeacon says: What is it?
[Dara]: Gidwin Goldbraids has gone missing. That's where he was last seen.
Argust Highbeacon says: Hm, that is troubling. If he's still alive, he may have been kidnapped and taken along.
[Mercy]: Why would they keep him alive?
Sophiette winces. "If there's a death knight among them…he might be food?"
Argus turns to face Mercy, and stares at her unflinchingly. "Can you think of no reason a living captive is more interesting than a dead one?"
[Mercy]: To a death knight, perhaps. But I have not seen death knights in the area.
[Mercy]: I suppose it isn't out of the realm of possibility.
[Dara]: Well, if there's a chance, we should try to find him. One way or the other.
Mercy nods.
[Mercy]: As you say.
[Mercy]: Destroying those Scourge will be a service regardless.
We head back down to Tarenar.
[Dara]: Tarenar! Argus saw them heading northwest.
Tarenar says: If that's our only lead, that's where we'll head.
Tarenar says: Northdale and the Argent Crusade be damned! We're getting Gidwin back from those Scourge trash.
We step over to the caravan and find Fiona there.
[Dara]: Fiona, we're heading with you to Northpass Tower. We're hoping to find Gidwin in the area.
A more subdued team gets in the caravan and we head on our way.
Tarenar Sunstrike yells: I can't believe I let Gidwin run off like that!
Fiona says: It's not your fault, Tarenar. He ran off on his own will. None of us could stop him.
Argus Highbeacon says: We can't be certain that he was killed or taken. Maybe he escaped and ran off somewhere.
Tarenar Sunstrike yells: No, he'd never just leave his prayer book behind! He was always nose-deep in that book, studying.
Tarenar Sunstrike says: He was always studying, always trying to get better.
Argus Highbeacon says: Even more reason to believe that he's still alive.
Argus Highbeacon says: A paladin like Gidwin makes a fine death knight. Any member of the Scourge powerful enough to defeat him would know that.
Argus Highbeacon says: It's likely that he's being held somewhere, awaiting a death ritual.
Fiona yells: Really? That's great news!
Fiona says: Well, actually, that's pretty bad news, but considering the alternatives…
Argus Highbeacon says: If we're to find him, we're headed in the right direction. It's likely that he was taken to Stratholme, or potentially to the Plaguewood.
Argus Highbeacon says: Both are places of great evil. This is the leg of my journey that I shun the most.
Tarenar Sunstrike says: I'm not sure I'm ready to go in there alone.
Fiona says: You're not alone, Tarenar. You've made allies along the way. And besides, you're a skilled paladin in your own right.
Tarenar Sunstrike says: Me, skilled? No, no, Gidwin was the good paladin. He's the one who stayed up for hours every night practicing…
Fiona says: …yet it was you that continually kept up with him. Without practice.
Fiona says: I've watched both of you fight, Tarenar. You've got natural talent - more than Gidwin ever will.
Argus Highbeacon says: Perhaps that's why he left without you.
Tarenar Sunstrike says: What do you mean?
Argus Highbeacon says: Perhaps he felt he needed to prove that he was as talented as you.
Tarenar Sunstrike says: This is all my fault. I've got to go find him, to set things right.
Argus Highbeacon says: I wouldn't say that it's your fault, Tarenar. But don't let that stop you from saving Gidwin.
We arrive at Northpass Tower and hop off the caravan.
Tarenar says: Time is wasting. Every minute we waste gives the Scourge another chance to kill Gidwin. If he isn't dead already.
Dara nods.
Tarenar says: Not that I think he is. Giddy may be a stick-in-the-mud, but when it comes down to it, he can swing the Light like a champion.
[Dara]: I sure hope you're right.
Mercy seems even more silent and glowery than usual.
Tarenar says: Okay, so… next steps. We paladins are normally taught to exercise judgment and control when dealing with foes, but this is an emergency, and I never paid too much attention to my trainers anyhow.
[Dara]: Um… what?
Mercy eyes Tarenar Sunstrike up and down.
Tarenar says: I'm going to head into the Plaguewood and find out what I can about Giddy. You deal with the Scourge just to our northeast, on the other side of this tower.
[Dara]: By deal with, you mean…
Tarenar says: The undead don't fear death, but if you beat them enough, their tongues might slip, and we may get some clues to Gidwin's location.
[Dara]: Ah.
Sophiette gives Mercy a questioning look.
Mercy inclines her head slightly.
[Dara]: That is… indeed… not a thing I would ordinarily do. But they are Scourge…
[Mercy]: They do feel pain. And I am happy to deliver it to them if you would prefer not to.
[Dara]: If it might help, then… I would still prefer not to.
[Sophiette]: I have no compunction about delivering pain to the Scourge.
[Dara]: I will keep you both safe.
As they head out, they see an elf sitting dejectedly on a hillside.
Dara peers at the elf. "Is that a…. blood elf? Or… the other kind?"
[Sophiette]: Not…sure. I can't see his eyes.
Kirkian Dawnshield says: I am a high elf, if you must know. And humans… please, I ask your help.
Sophiette blushes. "So sorry, we didn't mean to be rude."
Kirkian Dawnshield says: No offense taken. I apologize if I seem on edge. It's been a rough day.
Kirkian Dawnshield says: Something's happened to my people. Our commander, Ranger Lord Hawkspear, came upon an item of magical energy, and my friends, my family… they succumbed to its seductive power.
[Mercy]: This sounds important.
Mercy doesn't say "more important than saving one incompetent paladin,' but it's maybe in her tone a bit.
Kirkian Dawnshield says: The people at the lodge are corrupted. All of them. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to pull myself away. I nearly ended up one of them.
[Mercy]: Might I suggest we prioritize this mission, as there are multiple people in imminent danger?
[Sophiette]: It's possible this could be connected to what's become of Gidwin.
Mercy grinds her teeth.
[Mercy]: Even if it isn't. Multiple people. Imminent danger.
Kirkian Dawnshield says: Unfortunately, it’s not something that can be cured. Please, put an end to the monsters they have become. Quel'lithien Lodge is not far; it's just up the hill, to the northwest.
[Mercy]: Ah.
[Sophiette]: I see…
[Mercy]: Then I suppose we should prioritize the one who might still be alive.
Kirkian Dawnshield says: I dare not venture there, myself, but you should be able to draw near enough to stop it.
[Mercy]: But we will take care of it.
Sophiette nods solemnly.
The lodge is not far away. The girls start to see the withered forms of the Wretched as they approach. The corrupted elves attack them on sight.
[Dara]: Oh dear, they don't really look like elves anymore.
[Dara]: Let's work our way to the lodge, see if we can find that artifact?
Mercy nods.
[Mercy]: What are these things?
[Mercy]: Were they elves?
[Dara]: That seems to be what he implied, yes.,
[Sophiette]: They don't seem to be undead….
[Dara]: Corrupted by… some thing.
[Mercy]: Yes, they seem alive.
[Dara]: Here's the lodge itself.
[Sophiette]: Careful now…
Mercy eyes the Wretched elf that's just… lying on the ground.
[Sophiette]: Whatever corrupted them is likely still in there.
[Sophiette]: Light protect us.
[Mercy]: It's possible it won't affect me.
[Dara]: But he seemed to think it wouldn't affect humans so much.
[Mercy]: Ah, because of the arcane power?
[Dara]: And yes, if it does something to the living, you might be fine, Mercy.
[Mercy]: I've heard something about elves and the arcane.
[Dara]: Is this it? Glowing in this bowl?
Mercy shakes her head.
[Sophiette]: I suggest we destroy it, whatever it is.
[Sophiette]: Together, Dara, call on the Light to eradicate this evil.
[Dara]: Yes, let's.
Mercy just stands back and watches.
Sophiette draws her sword, channeling the Light through the blade as she raises it to strike.
Dara stands next to Sophiette, gathering Light in her hands.
Sophiette shouts, "Now!" and brings her sword down upon the glowing object.
Dara places her hands on Sophiette's shoulders, letting the Light flow through her.
Mercy just stares off into the distance.
The glowing orb shimmers, and then shatters, a brief shockwave shivering through the building.
Mercy stands firm.
Dara steps back. "It may be too late for those here, but at least it will not poison others."
Sophiette nods solemnly. "The Light's work is done. Still no sign of Gidwin, though. Let's hurry."
We head a little to the east and encounter a cluster of Scourge. These are the ones to extract information from, as we can.
Scourge Siege Engineer says: I will tell you nothing, human-pig!
Sophiette scowls. "We'll see."
[Sophiette]: Where is the dwarf?!
Scourge Siege Engineer says: The Plaguewood is too big! Your friend is gone! You will never find him!
[Dara]: Tell us where Gidwin is!
Scourge Siege Engineer says: I do not fear death at your hands, humans!
Mercy takes her time killing the Scourge scum.
Scourge Siege Engineer says: The dwarf belongs to our kind now, not yours!
[Mercy]: Hmmm.
[Mercy]: I suppose they did want him…
Scourge Siege Engineer says: She will never return the dwarf to you!
[Mercy]: One of them said "she" had taken the dwarf.
Mercy seems baffled by this entire situation.
[Sophiette]: Another confessed he's somewhere in the Plaguewood.
[Dara]: Hm. Who is 'she'?
[Mercy]: Perhaps one of them will mention a name…
Scourge Siege Engineer says: Foolish human! You seek the dwarf? Baroness Anastari has hidden him well!
[Dara]: Baronness Anastari?! That's… I have no idea who that is.
[Mercy]: Perhaps someone at the tower knows.
[Mercy]: They have been in this area longer.
[Sophiette]: Let's check in.
[Mercy]: Possibly a san'layn. They do like their titles.
[Sophiette]: If so, perhaps there is a connection to the corrupted elves after all.
The team makes it back to the tower and first stops by the talk to the high elf.
[Dara]: Sir? We've destroyed what must have been the artifact. And… fought some of your former friends.
[Sophiette]: I'm so sorry.
Kirkian Dawnshield says: Do not feel sorry for me. I know you did what must be done. If the artifact is gone, perhaps I can go now and do what I can to honor their memories.
Dara nods sadly.
Then they head to Fiona and Argus.
[Dara]: Fiona, we have a lead. Someone named Baroness Anastari in the Plaguewood likely has him.
Fiona says: Well, it sounds like you were successful. Hopefully this is enough information to find Gidwin.
Fiona says: Tarenar has a head start on you, into the Plaguewood.
Fiona says: He wasn't joking when he said that he didn't care about judgment and caution. He nearly took off that high elf's head as he ran into the Plaguewood, looking for Gidwin. You should go after him.
Fiona says: The Plaguewood is a big place. Good luck. I hope to see you all come out of the woods in one piece.
Sophiette turns to Argus.
[Sophiette]: Argus, does that name mean anything to you?
Argus says: Anastari… I believe that's one of the high ranking banshees.
Mercy nods.
Argus says: She's known for her powers of domination and possession. If she's our enemy, be careful.
[Dara]: I suppose Plaguewood is where we must go then.
Mercy nods.
Argus says: I would offer to help you, but… it might not be wise for a man my age to take the dangerous trip through the Plaguewood, with all this afoot.
Argus says: For my work, this is fine - I can visit the Plaguewood Tower on my next trip around the loop.
Argus says: I do, however, have a delivery that I need to get to Judkins. Since you're headed that way anyway, will you take this delivery to him?
[Dara]: Oh, of course. Certainly.
The three of them ride off into the Plaguewood.
[Dara]: Do you suppose they are going to make him a death knight? How long does that take?
[Mercy]: First they would have to kill him.
[Dara]: And it sounds like they may not have done that yet. Unless those Scourge meant he's theirs in that he's already been raised.
[Mercy]: They may wish to feed off of him for a while first.
Dara shivers.
They ride through the Plaguewood.
[Dara]: This is hardly a wood. It's all mushrooms.
Mercy brings up the rear of the procession, making certain nothing sneaks up on them.
Near the center, they spot their blood elf friend Tarenar.
[Dara]: Oh! Tarenar!
[Sophiette]: Any sign of Gidwin?
Tarenar says: Ladies! I haven't found anything but brainless undead, and plenty of them. I was just about to kill my way into Stratholme when you arrived. Did you have any more success?
Mercy frowns with disappointment at Tarenar Sunstrike.
[Sophiette]: We learned he was taken by a banshee called Baroness Anastari.
Tarenar says: Baroness Anastari holds him? Here in the Plaguewood? I'm glad to know, but it's not the best news I could've hoped for.
Tarenar says: The Plaguewood is a big place… but we will find him. We WILL find Gidwin.
Sophiette gazes distractedly up the road toward the ruins of Stratholme.
Tarenar says: I'll keep looking, and let's meet back up here later.
[Mercy]: You would think this dwarf were Highlord Fordring himself… How many will be sacrificed in the search for him?
Tarenar says: Look, death knight, he's my best friend.
[Mercy]: Everyone is someone's best friend.
[Mercy]: Everyone living, that is.
Tarenar says: I was about to say, I wouldn't expect you to understand.
[Sophiette]: Every life has value.
[Mercy]: As I would not expect you to understand that the lives of three strangers are not worth one simply because he is your friend.
[Dara]: If they do have some plan to raise him as a death knight, it's far better if we can rescue him before that, isn't it?
[Mercy]: Yes, but only so long as it is not likely to result in all four of us dying.
Tarenar says: I don't intend for any of us to die here!
[Mercy]: You did not intend a great many things, Sunstrike.
[Mercy]: I would suggest we use prudence and strategy here rather than assuming that an excess of emotion is going to automatically lead to victory.
Tarenar says: Fine, caution it is. We won't storm Stratholme from the entrance. I'll keep a low profile and look around, and you can do the same.
[Sophiette]: Tarenar, just promise me you will follow our lead.
Mercy points to Sophiette and nods.
Tarenar doesn't look happy, but he nods.
[Sophiette]: Mercy is right. We need to keep a cool head.
[Mercy]: Thank you.
Mercy looks somewhat surprised to have someone take her side in the discussion.
Sophiette smiles at Mercy.
[Dara]: Okay, maybe we can head further west, see if we find anything around the tower.
They arrive at Plaguewood Tower, which does seem to still stand amidst all the general undead and mushrooms and decay.
[Dara]: Here it is, still safe and sound.
[Sophiette]: Light be praised.
Mercy points at Argent Apothecary Judkins.
[Dara]: Oh goodness. Is that Judkins?
[Mercy]: I am guessing that would be our … apothecary.
[Mercy]: It is a particularly… Lordaeronian word.
Dara approaches somewhat nervously.
Sophiette notes the Argent tabard, but remains visibly tense.
[Sophiette]: Ahem…are you Apothecary Judkins?
[Dara]: If so, we have a delivery for you from Argus Highbeacon.
The Forsaken man straightens and looks between the two of them, and then gives an eerie smile.
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: Whew. Every time Argus comes plodding through that Plaguewood, I fear it to be his last. It's good to see that he's wise enough to send youngbloods like you in his stead.
Mercy tilts her head.
[Dara]: Have you… been with the Argent Crusade long, then?
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: For a while, now. I once worked for the so-called "Banshee-Queen", Sylvanas, as an apothecary. I used to admire her, but something's changed within her. She's not herself anymore.
Mercy studies the Forsaken from underneath her hood.
Dara stares at him, puzzled.
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: Once I realized that, I broke my vows with the Forsaken and joined the Crusade. Now, I use my knowledge of alchemy to seek a counter-plague agent. And the Plaguewood is the perfect place to do so.
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: Will you be in the Plaguewood for a while?
[Mercy]: Likely.
[Dara]: I suppose it depends. We're looking for someone.
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: I need to resupply a few reagents, any of which can be found within the Plaguewood. I'll pay you if you find any of these items. *he holds out a sheet, first towards Sophiette, and then veers over to hand it to Mercy.*
[Mercy]: I'm somewhat familiar with alchemical reagents. I'm sure I can be of help.
Mercy looks at the sheet.
[Mercy]: Then again…
[Mercy]: These are… not ingredients I am familiar with.
[Dara]: Oh, is it something dreadful?
[Mercy]: Yes.
Dara scootches over next to her to peer at the sheet. "What on earth's a rotberry?"
[Mercy]: I am more concerned about "flesh giant foot scrapings."
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: I love the smell of fresh foot scrapings, don't you?
Mercy stares at Judkins.
[Dara]: Sure. *Dara steps away*
[Sophiette]: I never expected to hear one of them talk about Sylvanas that way.
[Mercy]: That one is… eccentric, but he is a member of the Argent Crusade and so he is to be trusted. Whatever he needs these ingredients for, it is nothing sinister.
Sophiette nods.
[Mercy]: The Forsaken do have free will, and so there is… variance among them in opinions.
[Dara]: I was told we'd be working with Forsaken sometimes.
[Mercy]: When I was alive, I objected strongly to this. It is one of the reasons I — disagreed with Sir Black.
[Sophiette]: You didn't want to work with Forsaken?
[Mercy]: I did not.
[Mercy]: As I suspect you would have difficulty, given your origin.
[Dara]: It's not something I looked forward too, either, that's for certain.
[Mercy]: Sophiette may have more personal feelings about it.
Sophiette sighs.
[Dara]: If he's sworn to the Argent Crusade, I suppose I at least must trust him as I do you, Mercy.
[Mercy]: It is different for you, Dara. You did not see some of these very people destroy your home. They are not occupying it.
[Sophiette]: I'm doing my best to trust in the Argent Crusade. I confess…it is through gritted teeth.
[Sophiette]: And yet, you're a death knight, and you've been nothing but faithful.
[Mercy]: Thank you, Sophiette. I am doing my utmost.
[Dara]: I've been kind enough to the orcs, I think. And them, they have and they did. For a while.
[Mercy]: You don't remember, though, do you?
[Mercy]: That was more than twenty years ago.
Dara reaches out to touch Sophiette's arm in comfort.
[Mercy]: Twenty-eight, actually, for the southern folk.
[Dara]: The First War. The Second was a little more recent.
[Dara]: But you're right. I know about the invasion, but I've no memory of it.
[Mercy]: Did the second war affect the southern lands?
[Mercy]: I was too young to remember, but I was told they came from Stormwind up to Capital City.
[Sophiette]: I was just seven years old…but I remember.
[Mercy]: How old are you now, Sophiette?
[Sophiette]: Sorry…I mean the undead. You were talking about orcs, weren't you?
[Mercy]: Yes, my last comment was regarding the orcs. The undead, we both remember.
Sophiette nods.
[Dara]: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to derail. And Mercy's right, it's not the same. They've been a presence in my life in the Second War and after, but they weren't overrunning Redridge since the First War.
[Mercy]: I was too young, when the orcs came north, to remember any of it.
[Mercy]: I suppose that is why I have less… "baggage" regarding orcs.
Sophiette nods. "The same for me.."
[Sophiette]: To answer your question, I'm twenty-seven now.
[Mercy]: Interesting… I am younger than you are.
[Sophiette]: Oh? You give the impression of someone a bit older.
[Mercy]: I have had… a great deal of experience that has aged me.
Sophiette nods.
[Dara]: Younger than I am as well, then. I'm of an age with Sophie.
[Mercy]: Strange.
[Mercy]: I… Hm. I'm not sure how to calculate my age.
[Dara]: How old would you be, if you were still alive?
[Mercy]: I was twenty-four when I died.
[Sophiette]: Do you even age anymore?
[Mercy]: No.
[Mercy]: I stay the same, physically.
[Sophiette]: I suppose that does make it stranger to claim a specific age.
[Dara]: I suppose you can choose how you want to count your years.
[Dara]: Even if you're not getting older, you'll get more experienced.
[Mercy]: I suppose I just think of myself as twenty-four. It isn't as though anyone will be celebrating my birthdays.
Sophiette gives a little shrug. "I'd celebrate with you."
Mercy does not respond to Sophiette's comment one way or the other.
[Dara]: Oh, look, there's a … giant disembodied foot. *Dara gulps.* Yay.
[Sophiette]: Oh…yuck.
[Mercy]: Count us fortunate it was not still attached to the giant.
[Dara]: That does make our work easier.
[Dara]: Let's get it back to the tower? I'd like to not have this in my bag any longer than I need to.
[Mercy]: As you say.
They head back hurriedly to the apothecary.
[Dara]: We have your things. I hope they're… useful?
Argent Apothecary Judkins says: Indeed, if we're going to find a cure to the plague, we need to get creative with our ingredients. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to get back to work.
[Dara]: Well, no sign of Gidwin yet. Maybe we can regroup here and then go meet back up with Tarenar?
Sophiette nods.
[Dara]: I just hope we're not too late.
The team heads into the tower.