Condition

Time was of the essence, but preparation was key. Many factors set into motion at once. To make the potions that would stabilize Isaac enough to travel and train, Ellen would need materials. To resume optimal function, Nahida needs repairs. They gave Sunny a set of written instructions and ingredients, and sent him on the road to search out their needs.

In the meantime, Nahida works hard at training Ellen while Harlan trains Isaac. The four are gathered in the training yard.

Nahida and Ellen are practicing different stitch techniques off to the side. Nahida does her best to coach at a distance. Ellen looks to her. “Nahida… I may struggle to understand, but… tell me what Isaac’s sickness is, what it really is.”

Nahida takes a moment to set her example stitches aside and formulate an explanation that is suitable for Ellen. “Isaac has a weakness. It’s a weakness that targets his heart, lungs, and muscles. Certain stresses cause these compromised systems to swell, burn, or in extreme cases, fail.”

Ellen looks deeply saddened. “I… had no idea that someone could suffer so from just being alive…”

Nahida focuses on her. “It is fortunate that the potion you developed counteracts these symptoms as effectively as it does. Especially with your lack of experience treating his condition.”

Ellen grips her practice stitching. “It… potions… they fix everything…”

“But not forever.“

Ellen bites her lip.

“Which is why these skills are important. Material components run out, magic runs out, your skills do not. You have shown an exceptional amount of potential and drive. You can become a healer of exceptional efficacy, no magic or potions required.”

Ellen’s mood is lifted. She’s bolstered by what she sees as Nahida’s encouragement.

Isaac and Harlan meanwhile move through the steps and motions. “Isaac,” Harlan asserted, “Remember to use your muscles, no cheating with the weight.”

Isaac corrects his stance and holds the training sword more firmly. “How could you tell?”

Harlan continues guiding Isaac through the steps by example. “I don’t expect you to match my technique perfectly, but I do know what it looks like when done correctly. When you let the weight do all the work, you don’t control your sword, your sword controls you.”

Isaac does his best to keep up. “So you can control that big sword the same way?”

“Mostly, yes, but that‘s a different matter, my boy. This is muscle conditioning. Have you ever swung a sword before?”

“Not before yesterday.”

“Then your muscles aren’t built for it.”

“They aren’t built for a lot of things…”

“Not yet, at any rate. But they will be. Think of it like this… waves roll and wear down the coastal cliffs. Unchecked, the city on the cliff will fall into the waves. Even the greatest walls will fall to time and tide if not maintained. Your muscles, your mind, your will, your edge, these are the same. Nahida has done a fine job keeping the tides at bay, but now is the time to rebuild, reinforce, and overcome the waves.”

“Waves… I’ve never been to the sea…” Isaac slows to a stop.

Harlan double takes. There is a a sadness to his gaze. He takes a breath, then kneels down to level with Isaac again. He smiles. “Perhaps… a swim would be good conditioning. It’ll be a bit of a journey, certainly not done in an hour, but… a trip to the sea could be worth our time.”

Isaac gets excited. He looks to Nahida. “Can we go to the sea? Can we?”

Ellen matches Isaac’s enthusiasm. “Oh, It’s been so long since we went, we should go!”

Nahida considers the proposal thoroughly. there were as many risks as there were benefits. She couldn’t be certain of what dangers exist in this world, but with it being similar enough to earth, earth-like dangers could well exist: shifting of tides, aquatic life that is poisonous, venomous, angry, hungry, wet rocks, and of course… drowning.

Suggesting the sea, it was more than likely that Harlan knew how to swim. It is possible that he could have taught Ellen how as well. Nahida herself, however, was not meant for the water. While she could easily perform the relevant motions, her bodily structure lacked the buoyancy, and she was only waterproof up to five meters.

She had assisted Isaac with bathing in the past, and hydrotherapy was in her functions, but it was usually performed in controlled and enclosed environments. Hydrotherapy on top of the reduced gravity of this world would be an optimal form of physical activity for Isaac, assuming he were properly attended, but as things stood.

She locks eyes with Harlan. “What is the distance to the sea?”

Harlan seems shocked. “It’s… a day and a half’s ride by carriage.”

Approximately thirty-six hours. Her power supply had been draining significantly due to the combination of casting Divine Light on herself regularly and self-diagnostics since the realization of potential contamination, she had just about burned through her power supply.

She still had two crystals left after the exchange with the healers, which translated to approximately two weeks of active time, and as low as three days depending on spell casting needs. She would need to secure a steady source of Bixite.

“Can Bixite be found by the sea?” Nahida inquires.

Harlan ponders a bit. “There are some raw sources on Suaharte. We could charter a boat there, and but one of the merchants in Farbour’s capital more than likely sells some. I could bring along some travel funds in the carriage.”

Nahida considers further. Harlan’s influence as king is more useful than previously estimated. “Isaac may go to the sea, but there are conditions.”

Ellen leaps up and cheers. “Sea trip, sea trip!”

Harlan smiles again. “Of course, we’ll work out the travel plan immediately.”Isaac and Ellen are much more excited and continue their tutelage with enthusiasm.

As they talk, Sunny travels the road to Gorse. If there’s anyone that will know about fixing Nahida, it’s the dwarves. He runs by a scuffle, what looks like a band of brigands and highwaymen facing down an orc with a club. None of his business.

Sunny slows down and moves to sneak past them. Most of them seem distracted by the orc, and for good reason! The way that guy is handling them, they would be at a disadvantage even with an arm behind his back! There’s half a dozen ne’er-do-wells scattered about already! Sunny couldn’t help rooting for the guy.

In this moment, unfortunately, Sunny overstepped his bounds, and one of the bandits spotted him. He was snatched up from behind a rock and held by the collar like a small beast by the scruff. He flailed a bit before the scoundrel tossed him up a bit and fought hom by the face, slamming Sunny firmly into their chest. They bark at the orc. “Not another move!” Sunny’s mouth was covered and he felt a sharp edge to his neck.

By the time he speaks, the Orc has downed every other brigand. He’s in the process of clobbering two of the last standing by the time the words leave the teeth of Sunny’s captor. The orc is poised to strike the last highwayman in the face, but the thief barks his command again, squeezing tighter to Sunny.

The orc stops.

The scoundrel grins wickedly and chuckles a bit. He licks his lips. “Drop the club… and get on the ground!”

The orc slowly lowers his arm, but keeps his grip firm. He looks Sunny in the eye. “That kid’s a courier.”

The criminal reaffirms his grip on Sunny. “Who gives a shit!? Drop it, now!”

The orc stays calm on the surface, but Sunny is good at reading people. He’s ready to snap like a ballista if given an inch. “That’s a royal courier, look at the colors. You do anything to that kid… your head on the block is gonna feel like a distant luxury from down in the Deep Rock.”

The thief starts backing up.“Why the hell should I give a shit? You know how many people I’ve killed? How many purses I’ve stained red? What’s one more brat to me!? Nothing!! DROP IT, NOW!” The brigand adjusts his grip only just so, but it’s enough. Sunny opens his mouth wide and chomps down HARD on the thief’s hand. The brigand screams and reels back, and the orc launches upon him, striking upward forcefully with the club. The bandit slams hard into the ground, lights out and jaw likely broken.

The orc slips the club to his side and steps over by Sunny. His hand plants firmly on the top of Sunny’s head, pivoting his head side to side and looking him over. Sunny is a bit confused. “Um… thanks for saving me, mister!”

The orc huffs and stands up. “Impressive, you got out of that without a scratch.”

Sunny giggles a bit. “That’s not the first pack of bandits I’ve had to run across. I’m a courier, after all.” He salutes. “Sunny, at your service!”

The orc gives him a smirk in return. “Rutger. You’re a clever little critter, I’ll give you that.”

Rutger steps over to one of the highwaymen and rifles through their pockets. Sunny spots his mechanical arm. He runs over. “Woah! Where’d you get that?”

Rutger glances at him. “A dwarf made it… might need some maintenance soon.” He keeps pilfering through the clothes of the thieves, picking what he can from them and binding their hands. “Tell me kid… know any dwarf tinkers in the castle town?”

Sunny shakes his head. “I’m on a mission to find one, actually, a good one. I searched all over Mistral, and there’s none here. I’m off to Gorse next.”

“You? To Gorse?”

Sunny tilts his head. “Yeah? I’ve been there and back loads of times.”

“Tough little thing… I’ll save you the trouble, kid. The guy that made this… he ain’t in Gorse. And if he’s not in Mistral, that means he’s probably gone to Farbour… ugh… just my luck…”

“Oh. That works out, I guess, probably easier to find everything else back that way, too. Thanks, mister Rutger!” Sunny runs back the way he came, waving as he leaves.

Rutger sighs. “No rest for the wicked,” he groans.