3.1 - Healer's Gamble

We continued on. No one spoke, no one needed to. Brynn's absence was almost palpable. Even Vicejaw seemed to be on edge, instincts picking up on tension he was unable to identify. It took a short while before I noticed that I wasn't carrying my pack. In the rush to get Brynn to safety I left behind at the bottom of the cliff, and Brynn's pack was left where we fell. The loss of resources could be troublesome, but truly there was no other choice, we certainly couldn't go back for them and throw away his sacrifice.

Thankfully it was not long after that we came into view of Timberhold. Smoke rose from the buildings and the sounds of work and daily life began to come to us as we approached. It wasn't until we reached the walls that we discovered something was amiss. A guard at the gate was logging the names and business of everyone entering. There had been attacks around here as well, and they were looking out for anyone suspicious.

We explained that we were hired by the Ward of Harrowfen, to the North, to take out the raider leader Hakon Varr. The guard studied us then for a moment at that, but offered little comment. He made note of our names and warned us not to get into trouble, the people were all on edge and strangers would be the first to be suspected of any problems. Once inside the walls we decided what to do next. Our priority was finding someone to tend my wounds, but we were also short on provisions after losing two packs. The Commander decided to head toward the market area and try to procure another pack and more rations, Sera and I would try to find a local leech.

We searched for a bit but had to ask a local for directions. This proved difficult though, as most avoided our gaze and the rest pretended not to hear when we called out to them. We passed an alleyway and Sera took a moment to lean against the wall of a building. I hadn't noticed until now but she was wincing slightly with every step, she had twisted her ankle in the descent down the cliff face but hadn't said anything. I called Vicejaw over and used some rope to fashion a harness on him which I attached her pack to. I then turned and knelt, and told her to get on my back so I could carry her. She protested, and I thought she would refuse me, but eventually she agreed. I braced myself as I hefted her weight and stood up, knees and chest and arms threatening to all give way.

As I carried on she wanted to hear more of my past, so I told her of a time I followed my mother out to a river near our house when I was a child. I tried to help her bring in fish traps, but nearly drowned instead. Eventually we found a house with bundles of herbs drying in the doorway, and it seemed likely as any to be a place to find help. I set Sera down, matching her wince as weight settled back onto her ankle with my own, and knocked on the door. After a minute or so and more knocking a shrewd old woman opened the door partway. She initially refused us, the same as everyone, but ultimately she opened the door and let us inside.

While she worked examined our wounds she told us that two weeks ago several men had come through, claiming to be traders whose wagon had been attacked by raiders. They had seemed ragged for traders, but then it might be expected if they had been attacked. That evening several fires were set and while people were trying to put them out a warehouse was raided. The overseer wouldn't commit his guard to go after them, so the townspeople formed their own watch. Her son joined them.

He was missing now, he had set out to search for the raiders along the old quarry road, but was supposed to come back two days ago. She agreed to treat us if we would go and find him and bring him back. It was agreed. He wore a bone pendant that his father had made for him as a boy, if we couldn't bring him back we would at least bring back the pendant.