A Series of Events that are regularly repeated in the same Order

I know the way this illness progresses, at least if left untreated. For an entire week's time, I've done nothing but care for Mother. I've watched her cough up her last blood. I've watched her fever recede. But something is terribly wrong here.

Mother did not recover, not fully at least. She is very much alive but has become catatonic or comatose or something of the like. I do not know the difference between the two, if there even is one. She reacts to nothing, almost like a doll.

She's become completely helpless without me. I have to feed her, forcing her to even swallow. I have to wipe her down, since she just soils herself now. Any and all light has left her eyes.

I donated the rest of the medicine to the others that need it. I needed to see if I had picked up the wrong red medicine or done something wrong during its application. Both these theories proved to be false, however, as every other afflicted person made a full recovery with these pellets.

Had the fever progressed too far for her to recover? Is the lingering damage to her body from the mines just too great for her to recover? Or has her spirit already left her? I don't know...

What I do know is that even with her in this state we cannot remain here any longer. So I'll have to start preparing for our departure.

First of all, I have to bury Eleanor. I've talked it over with Loren, and he'll dig a hole for me close to the oasis, the only place where nature can prosper in this godforsaken desert. It's not quite a cabin by a lake, but it'll have to do. I'm sorry I can't do any better...

I didn't have the courage to enter her room until now. But Loren should be close to finished by now, so now's the time.

Entering the very same room I placed her in that evening, the smell of decomposing flesh hits me once more. For some strange reason, however, it doesn't faze me in the slightest. I think I understand now how she managed to endure the smell of her mother...

While most merchants quickly picked up their wares and left when we took the city, some of them weren't quick enough. One of them was apparently a perfumer, judging by the nicely smelling concoctions he cradled as he died.

I took all of them for myself. No one attempted to stop my doing so. Was it out of respect for what I did in that hall or out of fear they might meet the same fate? I couldn't care any less.

I soaked a few of the nicest linens that still remain in this city in these perfumes. I wrap her cold, lifeless body in them. While they don't quite mask the smell, I think I've done something good here, nonetheless.

I take her on my back one last time to bring her to her final resting place.

It's not a large distance from the apothecary to the oasis, yet this short walk still feels like an eternity. Loren already awaits me there, the hole ready. He helps me lower her down.

Once she's buried, an awkward silence lingers between us. I should say something...

"That eyepatch suits you."

I don't know where, but Loren found an ornate leather eyepatch with golden lining. It's a bit tacky, but it does help sell that whole battle-proven general look.

"You think so? Someone gave it to me. Though I don't want to know from which corpse he looted it, I have to agree it's certainly better than just putting bandages over it."

He tries his hardest to appear jovial and uplifting, but I am well aware of what conundrum this man now faces.

"I think I'll be leaving soon, taking Mother somewhere else. You should join us."

The conflict in his mind is clear for all to see.

"I can't."

"The city is going to fall within a month at best."

"I know. But these people look to me for guidance; I cannot just abandon them now. I'll have to see what we can do. I might just take those that'll see reason and lead them somewhere else."

This man truly has no plan. But he decides to remain by his people regardless. While it does sadden me just a tiny bit that he'd rather stay with them, I have to respect his resolve. You might just prove to be the leader these people need, after all.

"Just tell me what your plan is. And don't leave without saying goodbye, you hear me?"

I hear you loud and clear, you big oaf. He heads off, most likely taking care of someone who needs it even more than me.

Now, for my second stop today. I still need to get that 'inheritance'. According to the redhead, Jesha said its contents will prove useful for me once the rebellion is over. The man has a tendency for cruel jokes, but I get the distinct feeling this might not be one of them.

I need to go to that room with the lever again if I am to make my way down there, so go there I shall.

Walking the streets, I realise once more that things are still largely the same. The only difference is who occupies which side of the wall.

The only true winners of this rebellion would be the elves that didn't fight but also weren't claimed by the plague. Everywhere you see people grieving those they lost, either due to sickness or battle.

The humans that weren't killed outright were captured and thrown beyond the wall to serve as slaves with the humans that were already there. Now they get to mine salt in a desperate struggle to survive.

Loren seemed pretty unhappy about it as well, but he can't really speak out against those elder elves that spearhead this undertaking. One can only remain a leader as long as people heed one's voice. I guess that's what he meant by taking only those that'll see reason: those that actually want to build a new life instead of just enacting revenge against their oppressors.

I reach the room with the lever. They placed a makeshift rod in the mechanism; it seems like they couldn't find the actual lever after I threw it out.

Down in the tunnel everything is just as I left it; no one has been down here.

Now, just what exactly did you want to tell me, Jesha?

"Hello Isayah, if you are reading this letter, you are still alive. Congratulations!"

Of course I am, you dumbass...

"I'll keep myself short. Since your father is most likely going to die in the ensuing struggle, I will be the one to inform you of your inheritance. While positions within the guild aren't hereditary, as they are supposed to be earned through merit, mere membership to the guild indeed is. As you might've guessed by now, your father was a member of the guild. Thus, I recognise you as a fully fledged member. The accompanying document and ring shall be proof of it."

Indeed, the letter is accompanied by both a familiar gryphon ring and a document with a seal, roughly stating that I am a member recommended by Jesha. But my surname's empty...

"I've left the surname blank. Fill in whatever you like. Maybe even your father's name; someone might still carry debts towards it."

Thinking about it, I've never asked Mother what my surname would be. Furthermore, using an elvish one would only invite trouble.

"I've also left you one of my robes; it should make you look presentable. It might be a tad too large right now, but you'll grow into it. I've even had a seamstress fashion another shawl with the same design. As long as you use it to hide those ears of yours, you should look human enough to fool everyone."

Sure enough, that extra cloth is hidden inside the neatly folded robe.

"That evening before I left, I had intended to adopt you and raise you as my son, but seeing as you still had things to protect in this city, I decided against it. I hope we can meet again one day as fellow merchants."

Why the hell are you pulling that sentimentality now?

"A final word of advice: I highly recommend you pay dear old Zareth a visit before he kicks the bucket. It might prove to be an enlightening experience."

So he wanted me to find out in the end after all. Jesha, you are truly an enigma to me. I cannot say I understand you. But I am thankful for this, nonetheless.

I truly despise Zareth; cursed be his soul. But I will take on his name for as long as it benefits me. After that I hope his name drifts into obscurity until no one still remembers him. I'll have to look for some ink later to fill out this document.

If I am to travel as a merchant and want to take Mother with me, I'll need a carriage. Thankfully there seems to be a surplus of abandoned carriages within this city right now. Scouting my options, I find the perfect one rather quickly. A few horses can be found in the stables as well; I'll just pick those that look the strongest.

If a normal carriage is to be likened to a normal car, this thing is an entire camper van. It even has a bed inside. One could comfortably live on the road with it.

This beauty must've belonged to someone quite rich to afford such a thing, but not quite rich enough to have sent other people to travel for him.

While it must've looked very glamorous once, it is pretty beat up right now. One of the wheels is missing too. Thankfully, Loren was eager to help me to fix this thing up. It won't look all too pretty, but it'll be durable. We managed to be done with the repairs in only a few days.

Salt and water are the two things this city can still give me, so I fill it to the brim with these two. I think someone might be willing to buy these from me.

After placing Mother in the bed, I visited Eleanor one last time. On her grave a bed of shining white flowers had grown. I'm sorry to leave you behind here. I hope you too will be reborn, hopefully in a life much easier than this one.

Loren waited at the outskirts to send me off himself; he gave me a tight bear hug again. This time, however, I too tried to crush him with all my might.

"I'll see you again, right?"

"You will, kid. You will."

I leave this accursed city of salt, heading northwards. I need to find these seeds and a way to cure Mother. There has to be a way to cure her, somewhere out there.

I will see her smile again, even if I have to set fire to the whole world to do so.