Sarűmir's lips turn upwards in the faint appropriation of a smile once he sees Mudface (?). "Hello, old friend. I am fine, you need not worry about me. Should I buy you a drink?" Without waiting for an answer, he walks up to the bar and orders two ales and a steak.

"Of course I'll lend my hand! It's the very least I could do on Lara's behalf." Aster replies, turning to face Athalie in return.

"Though, I suppose I should also mention I'm not up to full strength myself either. We'll have to watch each other's backs. In any case, ready when you are."

Athalie nods wearily. "I know. I'm tired too. We'll have to do the best we can. But I think we should head towards Camp Dawn, at least. That's where the Silver Order is, I think? We have the afternoon to get there, we only have to be at Buckledown Row by sundown."

She nods farewell to Vervidia and to the paladins, saluting them in the formal manner, then leads the way outside to where her horse, Scarlet, is hitched. "I suppose we'd better find Sarumir first... do you know which tavern he went to? And... do you have horses? I know Lara had..." Athalie cuts herself off abruptly, her eyes red with sorrow and her cheeks red with embarrassment. The whole group may have lost their horses in the same terrible battle that ended Lara's life...

((oh! it's actually Sanna who's the bugbear! Mudface was the yellow tabaxi!))

@Sarűmir

"Oh! Uh," the bugbear looks shocked, "friend?" Sanna quickly shakes his head and hands, "No, no, I, uh, no need for a drink. I work here now - or at least I'ms tryings to be - let me do it. On me." He follows along with you to the bar. You order the food and the halfing, who Sanna introduces as Holgar, nods and takes your order. "You can takes it out my pay," Sanna pats you on the back.

"Who said we was payings ya?" Karin calls out from behind you, slinging a towel over her shoulder. "How's it again, Sar? Sorry but we don't got steak."

"Only lamb," Holgar reminds with his index finger in the air. 

"Yep, but it's sure one of the best on the house," she nudges the bugbear. "Cor!" The human woman behind the counter jumps up and begins her work. "How's your first day in Emberwood?" Karin leans on the counter with her elbow propped up and hand holding her husband's while the bugbear just stands there. "Just as you thought it'd be?"

@Aster

Hanna looks back at you and smiles, "Thank you. I wish you all well." She inhales, "I wish the happenstances weren't this way, but I am glad you are doing this for us in her name. Great people of the faith like you all don't happen very often." She smiles a warm smile once again before she takes her leave to go with the knights towards the the High Flamekeeper's mother's room. The trio disappear into the corridor, and Vervivida waves to you before heading off as well.

The Stravos also begin to take their leave. A few conversations still linger among the family and friends, but with the food and snacks running out the celebration is running dry.

Sarűmir apologizes for mixing up Sanna's name, and admits to not being good with faces or names. He grumbles a bit under his breath about there not being steak, but takes the lamb anyways. He eats in silence, not answering Karin's questions.

"I'm not sure how much use I can be until I've been healed. If I don't end up getting myself killed I could get one of you killed... or maybe all of you."

Twinkleblossum bows her head not liking the feeling of uselessness to the group she feels from the contamination.

"I'm... sorry."

@Sarűmir

Sanna shrugs, "It's alright, mate. I ain'ts never ones for rememberings things much either." After a few moments of waiting for an answer, Karin nods and backs away. "So I'll show you the ropes over here-" Karin looks over to Sanna and brings him past the door behind the counter to be joined with her husband. They start going over drinks and how to make them. Cora, the other waitress, comes out of the kitchen ten minutes later with your lamb instead of steak. 

A rat runs across the floorboards under the stool that you've been sitting on. "Sorry about just the lamb," Cora apologizes, placing the plate on the counter. The gravy drips into a pool of brown deliciousness, "Would you like another drink to go with that?" One of the humans (a man) from the tables goes and gets up and walk by the counter. "Can I get a cup of that ale?" Cora nods, "Yes, of course," and goes and gets that drink. The human turns towards you with shock.

"Oh? Don't I know you?" his face lights up, "Oh! You're the one with the priests. Oh I can't thank you and your friends enough." He grabs your hand and starts shaking it. "You saved my daughter!"

@Twinkleblossum

You seem to remember that the dwarves who rescued you had a spell scroll. Although you don't know what's on it perhaps it can be of help to your plight. There is also the Hendrix farm as an alternative. You recall the blessing performed on that sick child. 

Also, a thought comes into your head about an old witch that Emma mentioned, one who lives by the edge outskirts of town. Maybe she can be of service?

Or perhaps see what the contamination has in store for you...

Sarűmir, his mouth full of drink, makes a gesture towards Cora that seems to mean 'no problem'. When the human shakes his hand, he furrows his brow, his fingernails shifting into claws for a spilt second before he calms down. He holds up a finger, indicating that he is busy. This is true, for he currently chewing on a piece of lamb.

(Sorry, I'm using the app right now, so I can't do his dialogue. Also, how much money do I need to subtract from his inventory?)

((That's alright! It would be 2 silver!))

@Sarűmir

Cora nods back to you after the man orders from here. "On it!"

The man nearly jumps out his skin at the claws but then ends up simply giving a nervous laugh, wiping his hand on his pants right after. "Right, oh um, sorry." He takes a step back before apologizing. He sort of lingers there, taking a step to the side as if going to join his comrades at the table before tapping his finger against his arm while sticking his head out over the counter for Cora to finish getting him his drink. She gets to yours first. 

"Here ya go!" She hands you a pint of that famous Ember Ale from earlier. It tastes of nutmeg and honey with a hint of smokiness. The man opens his mouth to say something but nothing.

(Argh! I'm still stuck with usin' the app right now. I'll post some dialogue later if I can.)

Quote from AgateElk8337 >>

(Argh! I'm still stuck with usin' the app right now. I'll post some dialogue later if I can.)

 ((That's alright!!! no worries! take your time! I do))

"Maybe I can get help quicker at the farm and see if the friend I made, Cosmos is there. I missed him last time."

Twinkleblossum's hopes start to rise as she begins to daydream that it might go like last time, a somewhat quick success and then they continue on.

"I don't mind walking to this Camp Dawn, but I agree that we should see to Twinkleblossum's health." says Sanimar. She then heads outside and begins walking to the farm. 

@Twinkleblossum, Sanimar, Athalie, and Aster

 The horse of Lara's (the warhorse you rescued) waits patiently to the side of the chapel where you left it. When Athalie arrives it looks startled and turns its head, chuffing. Something about your scent feels familiar. It leans it head towards you.

You go and decide to walk towards Hendrix's farm with the horse in tow with you. The walk ends up being a 45 minute one. The lonely barnhouse is there as before alongside the 20 or so tents from yesterday. This time it is completely bustling. 

People move to and from their tents chattering. You don't spot Cosmos in particular, but the majority of the crowd are human aside from the lone exceptions of a dwarf with a beard as white as snow holding an astrolabe, pointing it towards the sun, and a goblin tending to one of the campfires. Chaplin National Flint is over by the barn talking with someone who wears paladin-like armor, the silver goblet of the Sacred Flame visible on the brass of his breastplate.

Athalie nods in agreement with Sanimar. "Let's see what other help we can find for her. It's the least we can do, with Flamekeeper Hanna so worn out." As they exit the chapel into the warm air with the day in full swing, Athalie blinks, looking around. She has really not seen Emberwood Village in the daylight yet, and though early this morning it was not too dark when she headed for the chapel, her focus was elsewhere... now, in the hazy daylight and under the somber and desolate cloud over her heart at the loss of her sister---thought of which still grips her chest painfully like a vise when she thinks of it---Emberwood Village seems to hold far less of the bustle, anticipation, and excitement then it did last night. Oh, certainly, most people are likely on their way and not frequenting the market by the middle of the day, but Athalie can't help the grisly feeling in her stomach that rather than being on to great and exciting things, many of them walk to death and destruction. She shakes her head, breathing back the tears that threaten, and goes to untie Scarlett.

Then she sees Lara's warhorse. It takes her a moment, but the animal's clear recognition of her stops her in her tracks. "Oh!" she says, with a whisper, and reaches out to stroke the great animal's head. He had been a gift to Lara when she was initiated as a paladin, Flamekeeper Macrina had taken collections all year to afford him. Lara had been so proud of him, and she named him Creed, to remind her of the oaths that bound her duty and discipline forever moving forward. "You brought back Lara's warhorse," she whispers to Sanimar. "Thank you. May I...?" And she hands Scarlett's reins to Twinkleblossum, thinking perhaps the ill fairy would benefit from riding, and swings up onto Creed's back.

The feeling of riding Lara's warhorse helps Athalie settle into her purpose. Some of the excitement and destiny she had felt stepping into her sister's shoes returns, astride Lara's steed, and the power of his muscles under her gives her a confidence that with the Flame, and Lara's example, she truly can accomplish what she needs to. Athalie even smiles and laughs with the others as they ride to the farm, looking out over the empty fields and swaths of dead timber that line the road. "Maybe one day we can save this place," she says. "And restore it to what it once was. Maybe one day... the Flame makes all things new from the ashes as its purifying Light burns away what is ugly and evil."

When they reach Hendrix Farm, Athalie looks around in surprise at the bustling campsite. No adventurers here with sword and shield and dreams of riches---just humble peasants or pilgrims in rags, gathered in songs and prayers that feel familiar, yet different. Something is strange about this. "Who are these people?" she asks, mystified, intrigued by the dedication to some higher purpose--what could they possibly find, here?--and offput by something she can't quite put a finger on. She sees a man dressed like a chaplain speaking to a man in paladin armor with the familiar emblem of the Sacred Flame.

Athalie dismounts from the warhorse and leads him over to the chaplain and the paladin. And she makes the customary paladin salute and bows. "Good day, brothers. I am Athalie Keenflow, the late Lara Keenflow's sister... her companions were made ill in the battle which took my sister's life... may she rest in the Flame... and one of them, Twinkleblossum here, is in need of healing. They tell me that some help might be had here. I've only arrived to Emberwood Village last night, it is my pleasure to meet you." Though her sadness is evident on her face when she speaks of Lara, her purpose shines through the sadness.

Twinkleblossum sits astride Scarlett and being not quite so familiar as others with actually riding decides it's best to let the horse be led instead of trying to practice her riding.

When Athalie decides to approach the apparent chaplain and paladin Twinkleblossum accompanies her and explains the symptoms she's been experiencing from the contamination and her hopes that it can be stopped from spreading and even cured like it was for the little girl yesterday.

"There is an urgent need as time is pressing and I wish to help Lara's sister... Oh! Forgive me, I forgot to introduce you. This is Athalie Keenflow, the sister of our former companion Lara Keeflow."

((creed!!!))

Creed the warhorse nuzzles Athalie upon realizing you are his master's sister. The reins still smell like her. You take them and move on.

Scarlett is a bit unnerved by a fairy riding her. The proportions not being the same as a human and all. The little pixies almost seem like flies, but she soon realizes they are not ones to flick your tail at (that lets out fairy dust that makes you sneeze). She lets Twinkleblossum stroke her mane.

Even with the horses the walk takes a while because of how far it was. You're surprised you made it here by foot the other day. Maybe it was just Emma's infectious little attitude. You make it in 45 minutes.

((horse gif credits))

Athalie dismounts from her warhorse and Twinkleblossum does the same, though Twinkleblossum is much slower than the other. It takes her a few labored breathes and a quick rest to get down. The chaplain turns his head at the sound of the greeting.

"Why hello! Good morning! Off to a great start it i-..." the chaplain starts then trails off at the sight of Twinkleblossum. So too was the paladin going to say something until he was struck by your appearance. 

"Late? She has died? You just here yeste-. Ah. Oh," Chaplain Flint sighs, "I am so deeply sorry. I wish I could have been there to prevent it. May only the Flame know why those who have the heart of justice go out so flicker out so fast." He exhales and closes his eyes. He smiles. "No need to apologize!" he says over to Twinkleblossum, "It is nice to meet you, Athalie. Your sister was an honor to come across. She just helped me perform my ritual yesterday...." He trails off again. He nods. 

"Yes, of course, I can help you." He would go out and shake your hand but he sees that even some of your fingernails are looking like they are about to fall out already. Instead, he draws you into a hug, a warm embrace. "It does not spread by touch," he reassures you.

"I- I will go get my waters!" he exclaims, suddenly very excited. Chaplain Flint nods over to the brass-plated paladin and slips over into the barn. The barn doors then slide close.

The left behind paladin looks over to you awkwardly but with a smile. "Jared Walsh." He bows.

Athalie's sorrow threatens to break over again when Chaplain Nathaniel says Only the Flame knows... but she shakes her head quickly. "I am glad you had the chance to meet her.. I..." and she too turns her attention to Twinkleblossum. "Thank you, for helping. The Flame will restore all things in the end." Quietly she strokes Creed's nose and leans her forehead on him for a minute, fighting back tears. Lara! Why??

But the show must go on, and she pulls herself back up with a smile, only to see that Chaplain Flint had run off to get some supplies. She nods to the paladin, and bows as well. "My honor, Jared Walsh. I'm still taking all this in, but..." as she looks around curiously at the farm, the tents, the pilgrims. "If you would forgive my curiosity... Who are all these people? Pilgrims of the Flame, I assume, but... pilgrims to where? Surely there are no unruined holy places in Drakkenheim anymore? And even if there were, how would unarmed pilgrims get to them?"

(Nice pixel art) 

Sanimar patiently waits as she is glad Athalie is explaining the current condition of Twinkelblossum. "I wonder if he meant getting holy water or is it some other kind of water. Perhaps we can ask for a vial if they are willing to spare 1" 

Sarűmir swallows his food, taking a quick sip of his drink. "Now, what is you wanted?" he says to the man.