The moment the realization hit the group, there was a flurry of action that was difficult for the artificer to absorb at first. There was a genuine wash of surprise, followed by some humbling emotions that threatened to overwhelm her the same time guilt did. Inhaling deep breaths and latching on to the working atmosphere of the others, Thia would spend all her energy focusing on Tarian's efforts. She'd reach a shaking hand out to rest on Tarian's for a moment when she wasn't handling anything critical. "Tarian." She'd start quietly to pause her for a moment. "I trust your skill. And you once did too." Thia's eyes would soften. "I'm sorry if I've caused doubt in you. I was wrong." She missed their confident Tarian. "Thank you Tarian." She'd thank her for her hard work in preparing everything perfectly.

As always, Corti's musical tune soothed the medic and helped lift some of the fog from her mind. She'd watch her friend struggle with deciding to keep going or to check on Gyselle. Thia knew how much Corti's comfort made a difference, and she believed more than ever that Gyselle could really use a friend like the bard. She'd approach Corti with a tender smile, offering a hand to help her up despite her condition. "Thank you Corti. For everything..." She'd pause to let her words of appreciation hang in the air before continuing. "I believe Gyselle could really use your care." Thia would glance over to the heartbroken medic. Thia's heart ached for poor Gyselle. She didn't intend for any of it... Truly. She wanted to do good.

Thia would take a seat next to Tarian, slightly leaning against her, attempting to scribble some notes and calculations. It definitely wasn't her neatest work. She was trying to take into account her weight, the volume of the solution and the overall dose available. Taking this numbers she'd plug them into a formula, running them over a few times to confirm it to the best of her ability. The medic would look up.

Thia wanted all of them to review her calculations and hear their feedback first, before preparing the dosage. She wanted the team to do it together.

Volume to administer = Dose required by patient x volume of solution / Dose available.

Corti takes Thia's hand and offer up, nodding to acknowledge her thanks. "I..." She looks around the small setup, This is truly out of my knowledge now, "You're right, Thia, okay." She pats the artificer's shoulder once more before starting in Gyselle's direction. Still hesitant to leave Tarian and Thia, she looks back once more watching Thia scribble out notes against Tarian's side. Gyselle. She shakes herself out of her hesitancy, Gyselle needs help. Gyselle can help. 

As she makes her way over to the small patch of rain surrounding her newest friend, she glances up at the clouds, all the more glad she had left her lute back near the fire, propped up against a supply pack. Pulling her scarf further over her face, she steps into the rain. "Gyselle?" Corti walks over to where the cleric sits and crouches down, extending a hand towards her. "C'mon, Gyselle, let's get you out of the rain, then we can talk."

Shortly after Corti speaks to Gyselle the rain stops suddenly. It’s unclear exactly as to why … was Gyselle controlling it? Was someone else? Regardless, Gyselle jumps up suddenly and recoils from the proffered hand. Seemingly shrinking away from the ‘human’ contact. She stares at Corti for a few minutes trying to understand her intentions. Then she finally responds, “Yes? What would you like to talk about?” Her words are clearly guarded and its obvious she is still beating herself up over what has happened to Thia…

As Corti stands, waiting for Gyselle to say something, she notices the rain stop. She frowns up at the dispersing clouds, Strange. When Gyselle starts up, shying away from her hand, Corti will pull it back slowly and slide both her hands into her skirt's pockets. She watches Gyselle's expression as she speaks, noting the cleric's clipped words, "Well, you seemed a little..." she glances up again, "Gloomy." Noting Gyselle's expression once again, she continues, "Gyselle, c'mon, I know we haven't known each other long, but I'm not going to yell at you. It's not your fault, anyway. I've done all I can back there and it looked like... It looked like you needed help. So... are you okay?"  Corti wavers, about to say more, but waits instead.

Gloomy... that’s certainly one word for it... the one thing I’ve been trying to do ever since..., tears start welling up in her eyes, ever since Othmar found me. Help people, make them better. And I nearly killed her...

Gyselle was about to start the negative spiral of emotions again when Corti would continue speaking.

Gyselle stands there staring at Corti in disbelief... Not my fault... I know I didn’t do it on purpose. But I did it. I suggested getting the uniforms. I went and got them. I had her put them on. It most certainly is my fault.

Corti’s question lingers in the air as Gyselle processes her emotions. I suppose the only thing left to do know is try to undo what I’ve done ... but what if I just make it worse ... or accelerate the whole process. Finally Gyselle gives her answer, “No, I’m not okay. I made someone sick. Unintentionally to be sure, but I’m still responsible for it. I suppose the only thing that might make me feel a tad better is if this cure/tonic or whatever we’re calling it works. Then I won’t feel quite as guilty as I do now.”

Meanwhile:

Arc, after his night with the Marshal, is back to work on his own projects. He knew that the engineers had the mill handled, as he had granted them the adequate plans previously and had their tasks assigned properly. To that end, he opted for a functional prototype to help with further construction and to base future designs on. The MECHA, or mechanicalized exoskeletal construction handling automatron.

Blueprints: 9 + 2

Settling into his "office" (a single table next to his tent), Arcius went about sketching out the projections for the materials he'd need, how they function together and what the overall product would be. The aim, in this case, was a type of construction assisted, capable of lifting heavy loads without the need for an animal or numerous strong men. It would use some of the inspirations and knowledge from his work on the prosthetic hands, and past works with his Uncle, but ultimately be a form of suit that would require a pilot/driver. The machine, in concept, would be able to lift an entire log, or hold up a wall easily. Potentially, if they could fashion a large enough ax, it could even chop the wood/trees needed for construction and carry them over.

Corti cocks her head as she listens to Gyselle, "That sounds like something Thia would say." Despite the situation, Corti finds herself smiling slightly, "If that's the case, then I think you should come help." She glances back to where Thia and Tarian sit by the fire, "I doubt Thia'd say no to another medic on this." Corti readjusts herself until she stands half facing Gyselle, half facing the fire, ready to accompany Gyselle back.

Gyselle hangs her head giving a half-hearted, “Fine.” And walks over to the fire. Staying only slightly ahead of Corti. She looks between Thia and Tarian, “How can I help?” Waiting for either of them to answer before starting anything. 

Arc, designing a system of pulleys, levers and gears made out of spoked wheels and small barrels with planks punched out at regular intervals, you design a makeshift crank that allows the working of two sets of pulleys by levers alone. You quickly adjust the arms of the machine though, and build up a total of two pulleys per arm, so that you can both bend and stretch the arms through the integrated pulleys and with the cranks. However, try as you might, there isn't a way for you to make the thing a) mobile, b) capable of lifting great loads, c) out of wood and other materials around. Deciding that either mobility or the carrying capacity could be reduced for now, you draw up two sets of plans.

The stationary plan has a strong central triangular frame, with two sets of strong pulleys running up to the top of the ten foot tall structure. They link to a strong yoke, and four pulleys that control the arms, allowing them to bend and then lift stacks of lumber to a height of fifteen feet all in one go. It is anchored to the floor with awooden platform and a central counterweight, reaching about four feet within the wooden lattice. While it could be disassembled and reassembled someplace else, it wouldn't be able to move great loads around for more than the reach of its arms.

The second design is smaller, only about seven feet tall. The chassis consists of three symmetrically arranged pairs of legs curving inwards, with four on the ground at all times and the legs describing a circular motion either backwards or forwards based on the turning of an asymmetric crank shaft from within the central plattform. Attached to the front of the contraption is a large trough-like construction, which is able to be rotated towards the central body and lifted by about five feet from the ground. Though smaller and only capable of carrying about half the load as the other design, while using propably as much rope and wooden planks to make, it is a slow, though fully mobile design.

A pully system would serve well into construction, but Arc had a desire to practice his hand at the mobile suits over simply making equipment. As such, he opts to focus on the second design. With the blueprint finalized, Arc gets to work on it, eager to test his engineering skills with the new idea, as the first step in making what he envisions.

18 + 2

Arc, you quickly realise that the woodcarver's tools will only help you if you engrave the wood with magical runes, but that you need help from some of the other engineers, and in particular their carpentry skills, to get the different bits down to the right length. Thanks to the success of the reconstruction of the mills and your improvements to the waggons, several of them are willing to help, not least because they are curious what kind of crazy contraption you are going to build next. Following your plans, the day is spent grabbing lumber, most of which was deemed unfit for use in contructing the mill, because it was too old, or had a lot of knots in it.

Using your arcane studies, you ensure that the wood is strengthened byengraving of a simplified version of the runes for mending, causing the pieces to be far sturdier than usual. Excited, you do another set of calculations to see if you might be able to increase the carrying capacity. Unable to do the same with the ropes though, as there is no way to engrave them too, you leave them be and stick with your original plans. By the afternoon, the lengths of rope for the pulleys are assembled, and much of the wood has been magically reinforced and cut to length, so some would still need to be planed or cut down to the right shape.

The next two days are far slower going, as the detailwork of the different pieces is done, most of which Arc can't speed up through arcane means. You do get to use the smithy in the hamlet though, and is able to forge a sturdy crankshaft and several of the key bolts and connecting rods. All of these, you also enforce magically through use of the mending runes on the material, though you burn your fingers once or twice, working on the hot metal with tools that heat up themselves. You also ready two dozen soft iron strips, imbued with longstrider runes. You intend to botl them to the legs, allowing for easier movement on most terrain. On the evening of the third day, all the different components are finished, and assembly on the main body of the contraption has begun. You're pleased with the project, though part of you fears that the rest of the engineers might be finished with their works around camp and the mills, before your prototype is up and running.

While waiting for an answer from Tarian and/or Thia, Gyselle sheepishly drags her feet one at a time along the ground. 

Thia would offer a gentle smile when Corti would return with Gyselle, her body visibly relaxing. It was more obvious the more one would look over the alchemist, she was beyond exhausted, every movement ached and the shaking never stopped. She'd gesture to the other seats with her and Tarian, inviting Gyselle and Corti to join them. "I've derived a formula and made some calculations for preparing the dosage." Thia would dab her forehead with her sleeve, gesturing with her chin to her scribbled notes. Some parts were smeared, but it was the clearest she could do with her hands.

Volume to administer = Dose required by patient x volume of solution / Dose available.

Thia would tuck her hands into her sleeves, holding them together to try to steady the shaking. "I would like more eyes and minds to review the work." Her expression would soften, eyes meeting Gyselle's. She'd then look to Corti and Tarian. "We have a better chance of success doing this together, leveraging all our skills." Her mouth would tug into an attempt at an encouraging smile.

Thia immediately gets Gyselle’s attention with how she appears physical and gets to work trying to make her as comfortable as possible. Using her backpack to have her slightly reclined, but more or less upright. Additionally using her bedroll to rest her head on should she feel the need.

Gyselle looked over the formula Thia had come up with after she made sure she was comfortable and not trying to do to much physical activity. It made sense to Gyselle... though how much would be required by the patient seemed to be the biggest unknown to Gyselle. She tries her best to recall any similar formulas she’s used in the last to help decide how much to administer.

Medicine: 15

Tarian sighed. “Look, what I do—I mean, what I know how to do is maybe patch people up after they’ve been knifed in the souk, and create the problems we’re trying to solve here. Inventing solutions wasn’t exactly part of my training.”

When Tarian looked to Thia, though, she knew. “I… guess we’ve all gotta learn sometime. I just wish it didn’t have to be now.”

After many moments of deep thought and pursed lips, Tarian finally voiced her thoughts on dosage. “I might be wrong, but…”

Corti takes a seat when Thia gestures, leaning in to view the notebook. She'd rub her headscarf between her fingers absentmindedly, "I'm afraid I might not be much use..." she trails off, thinking back to her time with her mentor, as well as anything she may have overheard from medics in war camps. 

Between the four of you, you corroborate the general formula. Unsure whether the concentration was right, Thia hesitantly takes a sip of the hot brew, as confident in their work as she could be. It tastes bitter, but you don't feel any adverse effects. As far as you can tell though, you don't feel any better either, though it might just take some time to work. What do you all do next?

Gyselle waits anxiously, hoping this concoction works as expected. 

Thia would offer Gyselle a soft encouraging smile when she'd review the notes. Thanking her when she was done.

When Tarian would review the calculations, pondering her thoughts out loud, Thia would look to her in return. Her eyes would soften. "We can't train for everything." She'd admit softly, it was to herself as well. But Tarian's always shown resilience under pressure, putting her best foot forward. "I appreciate you stepping out of your comfort zone to for me..." Thia would tuck her hands in her sleeves, holding them to try to keep her shaking under control. "I trust your instincts." She'd reply truthfully when Tarian would share her doubt when handing her notes back.

Thia's head would tilt when Corti too mirrored some self-doubt. "I have no doubt in your analytical and recall abilities." She'd offer a warm smile, tired eyes scanning the bard's. "I have no doubts about you, Corti." She'd rock to gently bump against Corti.

Once their collaboration efforts were complete, she'd take her sip. Thia's nose would scrunch when she'd taste the bitter concoction, but then again, what medicine or treatment is ever really enjoyable? What's that saying? 'Taste's awful. But it works!'. In this case, there was a strong desire for that to be true. Not feeling any immediate effects, the alchemist figured like most remedies, time and rest are still an important component to healing.

Thia would respectfully encourage the others to continue harvesting the materials, helping and directing in any way that she could. Maybe she'd even try to harvest some herself. Even if this batch of solution wasn't right, it didn't mean that someone else couldn't try again or perfect the method and dosage from their work. No efforts would go to waste. With what energy she had, the scholar did want to make sure she recorded the area and tree groves in detail as well. Once satisfied with ensuring she had all details related to their current finds and conclusions were recorded, Thia would finally consider taking a rest.

Laying her head down for a few minutes, Thia would close her eyes. "Corti... will you play for us?" She'd ask a little timidly in a soft voice.

You spend another hour stripping three more trees for several pounds' worth of bark, and you also cut several sapplings, which you place in one of the spare water bottles to hopefully keep fresh long enough to plant somewhere near the camp. Thia spends her time taking detailed notes on the path here and all the variables in the present batch of the concoction. She could feel the anxious looks of the others, but was trying to focus on the tasks at hand as best she could, giving them strength through her determination.

After the trees are stripped, one of the lancers, Thomás by name, adressed the rest of you: "It's getting late. EIther we make camp in the valley here, or we start making for the mountains again. We know the path now, and we should be able to make it up towards the tree line before sunset if we set off now."