Gyselle looks quite shocked at being told she would be branded a conspirator and possibly killed for helping these people figure out who is poisoning the soldiers. The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind.

Then Gyselle has an idea ... maybe not a good idea, but an idea nonetheless. “What if I inspected his tent by myself?” She begins timidly. “If I’m caught, I can say I lost my bearings and walked into the wrong tent or something. Any idea of what I should look for in Hadrari’s quarters?” Gyselle watches Othmars reaction carefully when she finishes wanting to know what he thinks of her idea.

Thia wouldn’t turn around. Her shoulders would slump in disappointment hearing Tarian justify Arc’s suggestion before she could leave. But medic still wasn’t having it. And if Gyselle wanted to sign up, who was she to stop her? If the artificer could leave this time. She would. There was nothing for her in this tent. 

Brandt, although Thia seems genuinely upset about the seeming disregard for the suffering soldiers, you notice a glint of determination in her eyes, which you only ever saw before she was planning to do something courageous or dangerous.

Othmar is somewhat upset at seeing Thia leave, since he's built a rapport with her and probably hoping that she might help him make inroads with her party. Swallowing, he turned to Tarian and Arc instead, to address Gyselle's proposal for all: "Gyselle, my dear, ye know that I wouldnae want you gettin' hurt... but yer right, there'll probably be less consequences if ye were found in the arcanist's tent. Plus, with the new ones here, it's likely that they'll be watched, makin' yer job easier in turn." He paused, trying to gaige everyone's reactions, before slowly continuing.

"I don't know what he could be hidin', but I agree that he'd need help, so some indication that he's been communicatin' with people outside the camp, or that he's been bribin' members of the Crimson Guard."

He then looks to the group again. Facing Brandt, he says: "I know ye still look at us as enemies, an' I don't bear a grudge fer that. Could be, that attitude can serve as an advantage. By not helpin' an' by stayin' clear from us, yer signallin' the Marshal that there's no love lost between yer group an' us. Maybe even better, she might start believin' that yer group is divided. Anythin' ye can do to make her focus on what we want her ta focus on will make the work of uncoverin' what's going on that much easier. Tarian an' you could do her best ta figure out what's going on in the environs, takin' Arc with you once he's helped me with me machine.

Corti, yer help would be very much appreciated in the sick bay, and from what I've seen, you could do a lot of good there. Addin' to that, the Marshal will likely think she's got her trumps under control."

A few moments of silence followed, and he quickly added: " I don't mean ta tell ya what ta do. But ye seem determined to help us, and to make sure ye get back home. To my mind, figurin' out what's goin' on here is a good way of makin' sure of both."

His throat having gone dry, he grabs a drink and takes several large gulps, anxiously waiting for your replies.

After Othmar finishes speaking, Gyselle heads out after Thia. “Where you headed off to?” As she catches up to her “I’m supposed to watch you and I don’t want no trouble with the marshal. ... she scares me” 

Gyselle nervously starts taping her foot. The silence from Thia making her uncomfortable. “Well? Please don’t get me in trouble...”

Gyselle’s foot tapping caught her attention. Thia was on the tip of irritation, and it wasn’t Gyselle’s fault. She’d want to palm her own face but instead would stop look to the cleric, “Isn’t it obvious? Somewhere I can think.”  The artificer would sigh from her own brashness. Gyselle barely knew Thia. And by the way she’s been acting, Thia was no peach. If she was, she feels like she’s gone sour and distasteful. “The medic tent.” Thia would say softly nodding her head in it’s direction. Maybe where she could do some good... 

Gyselle visibly looks hurt at Thia’s outburst. “I didn’t mean to offend” she says meekly. “I suppose the medic tent would be okay.” Then perking back up, “May I join you ...” then remembering the outburst says more quietly, “or would you rather be alone...” 

Thinking she knew the answer would start to head back into the tent with everyone else. Unless stopped by Thia. 

“I would enjoy the company...” She was surprised Gyselle even offered it. Her circle was getting smaller.

Gyselle turns on her heel and has to stop herself being too loud “I thought for sure you would say no.” Back to her bubbly attitude you say when you first met her. “Let’s go!” as Gyselle skips along slightly ahead of Thia. 

Thia would let out a bit of a soft amused chuff as Gyselle would so easily switch gears and maintain the same energy. "I swear I'm not always a grump..." She'd mutter under her breath. The medic would follow Gyselle more calmly, taking her time as she'd complete a scan of the status of the camp on her way to the tent.

Othmar's suggestions left a lot for Tarian to process. She was in the middle of running through scenarios when Thia left, followed shortly by Gyselle.

Tarian frowned. "I don't think convincing the Marshal that we're divided is going to be a problem." As she rubbed her forehead, she added, "We'll see what we can uncover about your poisoning issue."

Tarian looked to Njalgas. "Please advise Magistrate Corsyr that we are in the care of Marshal Arceneaux for now, and that our equipment was confiscated for a while but returned. Since our movement as a group has been restricted, our survey progress reports may be... reduced... or something. Make it sound official. Hopefully he'll be able to figure out that our messages may not be safe anymore."

She turned to Arc. "While you're fixing the machine, I have other things to mend." Tarian sighed. She's probably either reading books or helping people, and I didn't see a library about, so... Tarian briefly looked to Othmar. "I'm going to take a little walk to your clinic-tent-thing."

Corti watches uneasily as Thia, then Gyselle, then Tarian all left the tent. She fidgets with a tassel on her headscarf, focusing her gaze on the ground as she shifts her weight from foot to foot. She agrees with Thia and is feeling a conflict between knowing that the group needs to be subtle and wanting to help the soldiers as soon as possible. I'm glad Tarian's going after her. Our division can't afford to be anything other than an act. 

She glances up at Othmar as the tent flap closes, "You mentioned checking water sources? I could do that, if you have some method of testing. You could say you needed me to get medicine for you." It wasn't an airtight plan, she knew, but she wanted to help somehow.

Othmar, somewhat hesitant by parts of your group leaving, is glad for Corti's question, and his focus returns to you. "Hmmm, that's a good idea. Unfortunately, I don't know how to test for the poison yet, I don't even know how it's made. Thia might have found out more. I was simply thinking to check the sources and there surroundings. Judging by how sick these soldiers are, I'd expect to find some dead plants and animals nearby."

Thia, the sun is starting to set, as you leave Othmar's tent and head for the field hospital in the two large tents across from the opening of the camp. You overhear an argument between some soldiers near the gate, and you can see by their unit patches the group of returning soldiers wear red patches, like the one you saw in the cave, whereas the other group that were currently manning the gate have a white unit patch. It doesn't take long for an officer to step in and send the group that's returned away to get cleaned up and get some food.

Not wanting to invoke the notion that you're spying, you turn towards the tent and continue on your way, when you and Gyselle see Tarian walking up to you.

--------------------

Arc and Brandt, you're still inside the tent. Anything you wish to do or to discuss for now?

Brandt will leave the tent and go off to find Thia.

As you head outside, you witness the group of Crimson Guards walk past on their way to their tents. He overhear one of them mutter: "Damn cowards! All but surrendered! A shame...Would have been nice sheep too."

As you look around, you see Thia, Gyselle and Tarian all making their way to the field hospital.

Thia would open the tent flap and hold it open to offer Gyselle to go in first. She'd glance back a little surprised to see Tarian, then further back she'd notice Brandt had left as well. The artificer would turn her head and duck into the tent to hide the small smile tugging at her cheek that came with the sense of comfort of seeing them. Then a pang of guilt would hit her for leaving Corti there. The redheads palm would find her face. Poor Corti. Thia knew she would be okay, and she was more than capable of handling any situation, but it didn't change the fact that she felt like a booger for leaving before her friend had a chance to speak. Womp. She'd finally move her hand from her face and take a deep breath.

The medic would be quickly reminded where she was. Her eyes would scan the medic tent before looking over to Gyselle. As she stood there and reflected on her interactions with the cleric and her pleas to not get her in trouble, something clicked. Thia could remember back at the library, she was so scared to break the rules to get into the restricted section. She felt like she had so much to lose. But here. Now. Thinking about it, and everything that's changed, what did she feel like she had to lose? What was she actually protecting now? It's as if she lost it along the way. Was she unhinging and becoming reckless because of it? Thia had not considered what someone else might have to lose. What Gyselle may have to lose. "I'm sorry Gyselle." She'd let out a soft sigh. "I'm just really frustrated. I feel powerless." The alchemist would look at her hands. "I know what I believe in. I know the facts are certain. I know how to fix it. But can't seem to find means of getting it done. The theory is clear as day, but applying it in practicality is just... pfffbbtt." Thia would make some deflating sounds. She knew she was rambling a bunch of riddles to Gyselle, but its how she thought. And she truly believed that besides Corti, Gyselle would understand, and maybe even cared. Thia felt like that part of her was in danger of slipping away.

Gyselle nods along with Thia’s speech trying to show genuine concern without saying anything. After she’s finished speaking “What is the problem? And how do we fix it to help the soldiers not be sick any longer?”

Thia would blink. She was speaking about the poisoning being the problem. The artificer would sigh at herself and pinch the bridge of her nose. Something she swears she picked up from Tarian. "Depends on the approach we're willing to take. There's going to be risk either way Gyselle." She'd answer honestly. "Othmar is wise and he's put words to my jumbled thoughts." The redhead would let go of her bridge. She'd make sure her voice was low enough to only be heard by the Cleric. "That Ishmael rubs me the wrong way. He gives me the heebeejeebees. Honestly, Gyselle. I was debating on investigating him on my own tonight. I still desire too." Thia would look to the cleric as if to hint that her continuous pleas have been tugging her away from committing to the reckless decision. Endangering the medics in this situation, both whom she respected, would be a consequence Thia wouldn't want.

She'd start thinking out loud to Gyselle. "I was hoping Arc would entertain the Marshall. He'd be the easiest distraction. It'd be a bonus if her pet was at her side. Tarian would be the next one I'd think could do that, or go with him if he's too afraid to accompany the Marshall on his own. I imagine Brandt would be able to keep an eye on the guards. Maybe even strike up a conversation." Should she count on that one? Did he care enough? "There were some guards with different patches outside arguing. Tarian could do that too." Thia would shrug. Honestly, she believed Tarian could do everything, and would be good at it all. "If Othmar's on the right track, there could be something worth discovering there." She was so narrow minded on the Marshall's pet, Thia hadn't considered outside help. "I would do the snooping and sneaking, not only because I was already committed to the idea, but because I would also make the most sense." She was an outsider who ran her mouth, and was held by the arcanist. That'd be enough of an excuse whether Thia knew about the poisoning or not. "You and Corti would remain safe here. Tending to the soldiers. Unaware of where I went." She'd pause. Knowing that it could be expected and that she wasn't the stealthiest of the bunch.... she had already planned a back up. "Should I fail, I'd cause even more of a distraction where, should both of you choose, could potentially get a better look."

Brandt approaches Thia and overhears some of her planning with Gyselle. "I can keep an eye on the guards for you. I don't think that you want me to have a conversation with em though."

Gyselle stands next to Thia politely listening to her monologue unsure of what consequences her ideas might have. Startled by the appearance of Brandt looks at him, “I got the impression you didn’t like Garronians, why are you so keen to help now, Jeff ... Brandt?” Still unsure of if it was better to call this man Jeff of Brandt. 

Looking between the two of them adds, “I just want to help the soldiers not be sick ... and not get in trouble in the process”