Restoring a Rat

"You're calling that a needle?"

Aroura, stood in the centre of her lab presents a metal tube that is supposed to find itself in my blood. "Naturally. Have you a different name for it?"

I shrug. "I don't know. Dagger? Maybe insane? That's a good one."

She waves her hand dismissively. "The studies of the old masters are very precise in this matter. If anything, you should fret over my skills! Manifesting blood is unlike flesh or muscle. There are unseen elements to blood that could result in your blood destroying itself."

"Was... Was that supposed to reassure me?"

She smiles. "No. But that should."
She points to the side of the room with a couple dozen phials, all empty aside from one; the one I filled with my own blood when I first met her. She quickly scoots to block my vision. "I assure you they were once filled to the brim with conjured blood. But by the nature of magic, all evidence of my deeds has now dissolved."

"And you want to put rotting magic in my blood stream?" I nod and turn to leave. I'll take my chances in the Spires without blood.

She rushes over and drags me back, heaving with effort. "It means! I have practiced!"

"If it's unseen, how am I supposed to trust any practice!? If my blood starts destroying itself, how am I to survive? I don't have much left Aroura. Not to mention it'll 'dissolve' away given a bit of time."

She waves the 'needle' around in my face as though it helps accentuate her point. "Have I not said, don't fret? You are aware the foundation of healing magic is symbiosis. You will fuel your own repair until natural functions can replace the foreign patchwork! I am sixty percent sure the operation will be a resounding success."

I shrug. "What's a percent? Is that a good thing?"

She eagerly nods. "It is a large number. Similar to a score! Or a dozen."

That was too eager for my tastes. But it's not the first time she's been overexcited, so I'm sure she's not lying. I sigh. "Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you forever. What do you need from me?"

She uses her needle as a pointer as she says, "When Summer is arrived, seat yourself there. Hold out either arm perfectly still and allow my needle to glide in. I will craft your new blood and Summer will pump it into your arm."

I suppose we wait for Summer then. Aroura decides to read over the book one more time, guiding me through the process, but it's written in Swaylish so I only manage to catch one or two words. I lose track of time, but eventually, Summer shows up and makes her way up to Aroura's lab like she's strolling into her own home. Once she's surfaced over the ladder, she holds out her arms. "Far too long has it been, my friend."

Aroura giddily accepts the hug, rocking back and forth with Summer. "Indeed! We must find more time once this dreadful beastmen affair is done with."
Don't they train together daily? I suppose they don't have time to be friends while Aroura conceals her identity.

They spend a few moments exchanging compliments before Summer suggests, "So we've more time, shall we heal him and cast him out? The intricacies of your passion would certainly be lost on him."

The crazed excitement flashes through her eyes before she defends me. "I once thought the same! However, he has shown great interest in my research, even going so far as to bring up Yemuah in casual conversation!"

Summer vaguely turns in my direction to address me. "What interest have you in realm of magic?"

I shrug, "Nothing practical if that's what you're asking. I can hardly keep up with the few theories and experiments my liege throws at me, let alone understanding them. Being able to manipulate the world with such ease and grace is simply fascinating to me."
I throw up my hands as though to wave away the previous thought. It's best if she doesn't think too hard about my intertest. "But I would not want to intrude on a moment between dear friends!"
I dip my head towards her. "It seems I should extend my eternal gratitude to you as well as my liege. You're involvement in this ritual was briefly explained to me by my liege so I would be remiss if I did not thank you before hand."

Her passive smile remains unmoved. She nods and says, "For my friend and liege, anything."

With no reason to delay further, Aroura explains the process once again and I find myself in the cushioned seat Aroura had set up for me. Aroura holds up the needle above my shield arm and says carefully, "If you feel... Wrong. Do not conceal your feelings for a moment."

"Wrong how?"

"I am uncertain. The book only vaguely described a feeling of overwhelming dread."

"I'm feeling fairly dreadful right now, does that count?"

She shakes her head. "Are you ready?"

No, not at all. "Go ahead."

She feels around on the soft part of my elbow, cursing the siphon under her breath. She stabs the needle into my arm and it's surprisingly not all that painful. I have to resist the urge to scratch and tear the thing out, but it's not terrible. She waits for a moment until a spurt of blood falls out of the needle and on the sheets she set on the floor. "Raise your arm and move your mana into this."
A rosy metal orb is placed in my other hand while she cups her hand over the back of the needle's stupidly large handle and commands Summer to gently push into my veins. 

Summer's magic forces the blood into my arm and immediately my whole body rejects the fluid. I suppress the urge to panic and calmly say, "This is wrong. I feel like I'm about to be crushed from the inside out."

She nods. "Lower your arm and clench your fist."
She waves her finger around in a circle, ordering me to repeat clenching. I feel Summer's magic snake through my veins, stealing what little blood I have left then vomiting it back in. Aroura commands me to raise my arm again and she restarts the attempt. As soon as her new attempt enters my veins, the panic rises again. I slow my breathing and blink slowly in an attempt to distract myself but it doesn't slow my raging heart. Spurts of blood flow out of the needle faster and faster.
Summer and Aroura begin rushing, repeating the process a few times. New blood is removed and tossed aside like a wet rag again and again.

Through ragged breaths, I mumble, "I don't know how much more I can take. I feel like... Passing out."

Water flows out of her hand and towards my mouth. "Drink this. With haste."
I gulp down the stingingly cold water, continuing to follow her instructions. Every urge I've ever had scream and plead in my mind demanding I get away from these crazed murderers. I've come this far, I won't let panic slow me down! After one more round of bad blood, they try again and it feels normal.

"This. This feels right."
It doesn't. I feel like I've been drained of life, which I guess I have, but this batch doesn't make me feel like my insides are tearing itself apart like feral dogs fighting over scraps.

She laughs silently, resuming her work excited and relieved, if I'm reading her face right. It's hard to tell, my vision blurs and wobbles making her look more like a faded memory I'm trying too hard to remember. With her unseen variables sorted out, they proceed with filling the needle to it's tipping point and pushing it all into my veins. Gradually, my vision becomes crisp and clear. My breaths less erratic and more full, my hands and feet warmer.

It takes some time, but eventually Aroura is satisfied. She smiles, pleased with herself or the outcome as she wraps bandages around my arm. I suggest, "I can handle the bandages my liege."

"Nonsense. If I am to be an adequate healer this is the least I handle."

Summer opposes her. "Practice should be reserved for those who'll not drain you of your weapon. You've a respectable well, but much of it was drained during this process."

She groans. "You make a compelling argument..."

I suggest, "We can practice when we're not about to leave for Lunatic's Spires. Allow me to handle at least this much."

She relents and backs away. Summer adds, "Should the need arise, it may behoove us to record our actions here."

Aroura brightens and agrees, marching over to her tower of unmarked journals, glancing through each of them before finally finding the one she was looking for. Presumably her notes on healing magic. Summer strolls over, hanging her head over Aroura's shoulder acting as though she were watching Aroura write. Without prompting, Aroura begins explaining her writing. She explains that the issue she was facing was adjusting the old master's experiments to fit with elven physiology, whatever that means. Apparently they only ever tested on humans. She then goes on to explain each of the miniscule changes she made each attempt, listing out different materials she used in each attempt.

Once I've finished wrapping, I fall to one knee and salute Aroura. "It will be difficult to repay my debt if it keeps deepening like this. Thank you, my liege. Do you have any more need of me?"

She shakes her head. "I do not. You are dismissed ranger."

"I shall join the others in the castle yard." With that I retreat. It's too early to go snooping around in Killian's desk and I have more books than I can handle right now. The chains around my writs jingle, echoing through the painted halls until I reach the main entrance. The door men let me out to late dusk. Few scraps of sunlight bleed through the arch trees of Lunatic's Spires.

A warband waits in the castle's yard, reveling near the drawbridge. Despite the claim at Killian's party, they would not trust the Eclipse rangers to scout the Spire's alone. The Duke's rangers and a small group of templars, led by Stoler, mingle around a fire enjoying a small feast. Naz wanders between them all, enjoying small talk, while the rest of the rangers linger off to the side.

They all notice my approach, but Toross is the first to acknowledge it. "Hail ranger. Although I suppose I should call you Kar'Desh since we are peers as of now."

I wave my hand dismissively. "You're still a councilor, yeah? No need to treat us as equals."

"True enough. Speaking of. Maheed, would you fetch his cloak?"

Surprised, by the sudden request Maheed stammers before saying, "Y-Yes sir."
He trots off towards the carriage and returns with a dark green cloak.

Toross brags, "I've made them out of saurian leather. They'll not get caught on brambles or thorns, while offering excellent coverage. Nothing terribly complicated, but endlessly effective."

I turn to Wal. "You don't have a problem with this?"
Clearly not, seeing as he's wearing the cloak already.

"With what?"

"Wearing the skin of your kin?"

"What problem could arise from this?"

"I don't know, if I met someone wearing an elf-skin cloak, I'm inclined to believe he might turn me into one too."

He tilts his head at me. "Why? He already has one."

Do I seriously need to explain every avenue of this potential situation!? "Maybe his cloak is getting ragged and old, or maybe he wants to turn me into assless chaps. Who cares? Point is, he's murdered someone already, I could be next!"

He nods like he's beginning to understand my argument. He turns to Toross. "If he is to perish, process his skin into a noble garment such as a hat."

"I don't want my skin harvested, Wal! For any purpose!"

He glares at me offended. "Does your selfishness know no end? If you are dead, what use have you for your skin? I suppose you would ask we not consume your flesh either."
Are you kidding me? He can't be serious. Of course he's serious.

I take a deep breath and rephrase my argument. "Let's start again. Where did he get the leather from Wal? What if they are farming saurians for their skin, or are just killing them? What's to stop them from killing you?"

He blinks as though the answer should be obvious. "If anyone attempts to farm me, I will kill them."

I rub my head in frustration. I suppose I can't expect empathy from a lizard. I'll try again later. "Thank you councilor. So long as you have no plans to turn me into leather, I shall use your gift well."

He hesitates, then says, "Indeed... If you're quite finished with this debacle, tell me what you meant at Killian's gathering. In plain speech please since the chosen is not currently privy to our conversation."

Wal growls his disappointment. "Yet another secret you are holding from the chosen?"

I glance at Wal and Maheed. Wal hasn't ratted me out yet, but I'm not certain he won't share all my secrets with Aroura. I also don't have much of a choice considering Toross has brought it up so callously. Even with the revelry drowning out all of my words, I move closer to Toross and whisper, "I can't be sure, but lord Épicier might be planning to destroy the guild through force."

"That is a serious accusation, ranger. Surely you would not accuse without significant proof?"

"No written records if that's what you're asking. Épicier often summons me into his solar to issue orders to the templars I've been assigned to. So far, we've only been sent on missions that have conveniently been against the guild. Evidence has been planted incriminating the guild, action taken against the guild, and prices have been raised to absurd levels for simple and necessary food."

"That's entirely normal. Épicier has always worked against everyone in the city."

Wal adds scrutiny to my story. "How did you come across that information? Surely, he was not so liberal with his intentions."

"No. It was a suspicion at first. It was Joan who confirmed those suspicions."

Toross crosses his arms in skepticism. "The noblewoman you seduced?"

I wave my hand, denying the accusation. "It was a ploy to get us speaking. I'm still not sure why she committed so hard to the act. She informed me Épicier plans to exploit the various civil wars breaking out in the city. Starting with the guild's."

Maheed asks, "Why?"
Then realizes that's not enough, so he clarifies, "W-Why does she trust you? You're not all that... Well. Hmm. Nevermind."

"I'm not sure. We didn't have enough time to answer all my questions. What we did have time for was the guild's civil war, Épicier's plan to exploit that, and what I could do about it. One of those things was to warn a councilor. She had a few in mind, but I was certain you would be the best choice. I'm certain you have more questions, but I don't have the answers to them. You should get in contact with Joan herself."

He rubs his head in annoyance. "If only such arrangements were so easy. Fine then. I shall seek out Joan."

"And bring a guard. I'm not fully convinced she's innocent in all this."

"Naturally. What sort of fool do you take me for?"

"None at all councilor. Otherwise I would never have trusted you with this."

Wal growls, "Do you plan on hiding this from the princess?"

Fuck, of course he's going to tell her. What sort of excuse... Carefully, I say, "Not yet."

"Still you insist keeping secrets from her? Have you learned nothing?"

"What good would it do Wal? You've seen how-"
Fuck, I can't just blurt out she's our mage with Toross around! How are we supposed to hide that anyway? With wavering confidence, I continue, "-How she's handling the beastmen situation. It would not do to place another burden on her mind."

"You think her incapable? Perhaps you imagine her a floundering child?"

Damn it Wal, why can't you take a fucking hint! With a touch of feigned desperation in my voice I say, "No Wal! You only ever see the worst possible intentions behind each of my actions because you don't agree with my methods! I know you and I don't exactly get along, but did I not prove myself at the library? Did my displays of loyalty mean nothing to your cold-blooded eyes? That's not something we just do for the fuck of it."
He glares, scrutinizing me with harrowing enmity. He'll no doubt have more questions, so before he has a chance to put together a decent response, let's add some more shit to the pile. I'll need to put this in a way a cold-blooded monster understands. "Imagine this. To our liege, this beastmen situation is akin to an opponent on the field. For now it's only her and it. That's an easy victory for her. But if I suddenly put Épicier's treachery in her mind, she is now fighting two powerful foes. And while you could swat away hoards of people like they were flies on shit, we warmbloods are those flies. While she is fearing for the knife in her back, she may neglect the sword at her front."

He shakes his head. "She has many allies. One or two more foes won't be the end of her."

I point my finger at him in excitement. "Exactly! Toross, Joan, and I will keep Épicier's treachery under check long enough for the beastmen to be eradicated and she can put her full focus on each foe one at a time! I won't hide this from her, but it would be best if she keeps her eye on the beastmen."

Maheed offers his agreement. "I think it makes sense. It's not like Épicier can move very fast! I think. He was the fat one right? Wait... Am I allowed to say that? I'm sorry, ignore me."

He was so close. A shame he retreated when he did. Toross counters with, "Our liege seems a capable woman. Perceptive and quick thinking. Are you certain she can not handle the information just yet?"

"She has... A singular determination that enables her to posses great skill at any one task. But she is easily distracted. If her singular focus is broken her skill will face a significant decline."

Toross nods. "I see. I shall trust your judgement then. I'm quite certain you know her better than I."

Wal releases a growling sigh. "I relent. I shall keep your secret until the beastmen are eradicated."

I offer Wal a slight bow. "Thank you. I shall not hide this from her any longer than necessary."
Yeah right. I'll find some other excuse when the time comes. Who knows, maybe the beastmen will harass us longer than expected.

As Wal responds, Stoler shouts over him and the crowd. "Prepare to set off! The diversion will set off towards Spire's Edge! Tomorrow they cast themselves into Sol's favour and join him in the sky!"

Looks like we're leaving. Right then. Let's do this.