Tarian and Brandt, to your surprise, the cart is still where you left it, with all your belongings apart from the surveying equipment and the telelith still present.  The hedged in pens are largely empty, so you might be able to move the cart there and sleep inside, though there is likely not enough space for you all to sleep comfortably. Alternatively, Othmar has offered you all a place with him and Gyselle, if you wanted to partake of the offer.

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

Without knowing exactly what fluids the pump is dealing with, you are both at a loss to the exact improvements that could be made, but looking over Arc's notes, and with Thia's comments, you both have enough to show Othmar to start with, and he might be willing to share more of the apparatus , after seeing your own inquiries and ideas.

Corti lets her face fall as Gyselle speaks, "Oh... Gyselle, I'm sorry to hear that. It's a good thing to find a purpose." At Gyselle's question, Corti pauses, acting like she is focused on dressing a wound, but really taking the time to get their story straight in her mind, "We were all hired for this surveying job for one reason or another, although some of us knew each other beforehand. I was mostly a scout back in- well, back in the war, so that was probably why I got the job." As much as Corti didn't like talking about it, it was a reasonable explanation for her being there. "We've been out here for a bit now. What about this camp, have you been set up here long?"

Thia would look to Arc as he was finishing up some notes, "We may as well run these by Leeche. I definitely would need to understand more about the fluids before I could provide any additional insight." The medic would look up from hovering over her fellow artificer work to see if Othmar was available. She'd excuse herself from Arc if he wanted to keep plugging away at his drawings while she'd round up the dwarf.

Making eye contact with Othmar, Thia would gesture her head in the direction of Arc and his machine. "If you could spare a moment, I could use a more detailed explanation from the maker. We have some concepts to bounce off you."

Should Leeche approach and move to the apparatus with her, when it was safe to do so, she'd begin inquiring about the specifics of the fluids.

Nodding to Thia as she walked away, Arc did indeed keep adding her insights to the notes he had thus far, and quickly added possible connections and building points off her insights, for his other projects.

He then stood by the machine and wait for either both Thia and Othmar, or just Thia, to return with additional direction or blueprints.

“I’ve seen it as my calling to help people the way Othmar helped me.” Gyselle says nodding in agreement with Corti about finding ones purpose. “I couldn’t help but feel like that was a sign from above, like that’s what I was meant for”

Gyselle then listens intently as Corti explains why the odd assortment of travels have suddenly arrived at the camp.

In response to the question of how long the camp has been here Gyselle replies “It can’t have been more than a week yet. I don’t usually pay much attention to how long we are in particular areas. I just hope we stay places long enough for my patients to get better. Moving around constantly isn’t good for them and we seem to do that more than I would care for.” During the conversation Gyselle continues caring for those in the tent in accordance with the treatments that they need.

Othmar approaches the two artificers, and reluctantly starts to explain the inner workings of his machine: "The fluids are important for the filtration of the blood, but they don't carry any more medications other than some basic anti-septics. I use a mixture of distilled water and sugar as a substrate. See, the filtration works, because different concentrations in fluids even out. I'm sure you know this, after all it was Edgar Allenby, from the University of Wroat in Breland who published these findings over a hundred years ago, surely you still learn about him and his insights on fluid dynamics? Well, anyway, the substrate gives off sugars to the patients, while filtering out the poisonous substances that the livers and kidneys can no longer take care of themselves. It's not a cure by itself, but it gives the men days, if not weeks to get better, and thanks to the sugar in the substrate quite a lot more energetic. When their organs are already failing though, it only serves to delay the inevitable, unfortunately..." Looking over Arc's plans, he nods appreciatively.

"Hmmm, yes. I see... so you're suggesting separate filtration chambers so we can have multiple fluid exchanges going on at the same time? And to gain the necessary space your miniaturising the engine and the pumps? But how exactly will it work? Do you get enough output that way?" It is clear that Othmar is fully hooked on the technical details, giving Thia some time to deal with the medical side of the contraption. 

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Tarian and Brandt, you're interrupted in your conversation by a guard approaching you. "The Marshal wants to see you, as soon as possible. Seems there's been a development that you are involved in." You're unsure whether only Tarian is being adressed, or whether you should get everyone together to see the Marshal again.

Tarian frowned and clenched her teeth. "A... development... that we... are somehow involved in. We left Duskrock ages ago, so—"

A decided pause. Could she have learned about Durnn? Njalgas probably mentioned him in one of the reports... Maybe... But what then? Would she really take a personal interest in a single deserter?

"Whatevehr it is, it sounds urgehnt." Tarian winced a bit at her accent creeping in as she looked to Brandt and Njalgas. "At least one of us will have t' goh, so I’ll be goin', then. I trest yer judgment for what you decide t' do, be it stay hyurre, come with, or tell the others." She nodded to them both and pursed her lips in a look of grim worry before she turned back to follow the messenger guard toward the marshal's tent.

"You go see the Marshal, I'll go tell the others. 

Tarian, as you enter the command tent after the guard, you see the marshal reclining in her chair, with the telelith set up on the table in front of her, and in her hands something like a dispatch. Apart from two more guards in the room, you also spot the figure of the thin adviser at her side again, watching your every move.

"What a shame, I expected you all to be here... well, that can be arranged. Claudius, gather the others!" With a sharp salute, the guard that escorted you inside leaves, going to gather the others already being drummed together by Brandt.

"While we wait for the rest of your group, I want to take this opportunity to apologise for the welcome you have so far received. My men and I have seen some of the worst of the fighting in Cyre, and well... it makes one naturally suspicious. We had to corroborate some facts and get in touch with your employers. Fortuitously for us both, you're not simply envoys of Mr Hermes Sparks himself, but you represent some notable interests in the Corphyrean council as well, having been entrusted with this mission by the magistrate of Duskrock himself, is that correct?"

You feel as though faced with a snake, ready to strike, but for now at least her tone seems to be markedly different than when you were first introduced to her. She is now much more formal and reserved, almost cautious. 

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

Brandt, upon entering the medic's tent with Njalgas on your heels, you quickly see both of your artificers pondering some sort of schematic and engaged in deep conversation with Leech. It angers you that they are so ready to help out people that would have gladly and happily killed them just a few months earlier, but you tell yourself that they're civilians used to solving problems. What puzzles you more is seeign that Corti, who would likely have been facing soldiers very similar to these on the battlefield, is now busying herself to patching them up.

All three of them notice you step into the tent, by the sudden daylight that is cast on the various stretchers near the tent entrance.

"The Marshal called Tarian up to her tent. Be prepared for trouble."

“Trouble... I’ve never been fond of that word.” Eyeing Brandt though still believing his name to be Jeff. “What sort of trouble are you expecting Jeff?” Gyselle gives a wink toward Thia as a thank you for giving her his name. 

"I don't know, but I'm ready for anything. I didn't come here expecting to meet with a good person."

"I'd reckon that does resemble the truth, Marshal. Magistrate Corsyr was at the table when we were formally hired on by Mister Sparks's Corphyrean Rail Company to do his survey." Tarian clenched her jaw. She stood rail-still, as her muscle memory kicked in from the times her father ran drills when she was younger.

"We may not directly serve the council, but a post-war land survey would certainly be of interest to anyone, especially those looking to reestablish trade, yes? Belotrovkosk's harbor in chains is just one example of why people are interested in improved land route options."

"Good... Well, it will make the next few minutes of this conversation go a lot easier." With that, the tent flaps open, and Corti, Arc, Thia, Brandt and Njalgas are all being ushered inside by a guard. To your surprise, Gyselle, the exciteable halfling accompanies them. In an apologetic manner, Claudius nods at Gyselle and states: "Said she was responsible for those two" pointing at Shae and Corti, "and wanted to make sure that their duties in the sick bay wouldn't clash with anything new."

Arcineaux nods at the information, before dismissing the guard: "I have been in touch with Mr Corsyr and by extension the Council. He understood the somewhat delicate position your presence in my camp puts everyone in, but he confirmed the purpose of your being here. As such, I am happy to return your equipment to you. In return however, I hope you can provide me with a service, above and beyond what you're already doing for our sick. 

Magistrate Corsyr has let me know that as yet, there is no Garronian delegation present at Duskrock for the peace negotiations. I can provide you with all the geographical and engineering surveys of the surrounding lands, so that your physical presence for completion of the contract with Mr Sparks will no longer be necessary, and that you can instead help me, and a small party of eighty soldiers plus some staff to make our way to Duskrock, to represent Garronian interests there."

The thin advisor is standing next to her, completely still, yet every fibre in his body taught, as he surveys all of your reactions.

Brandt looks at the tensed-up advisor. "Something wrong, buddy?" He says in a tone of voice that very clearly indicates that he is not this man's buddy.

Annoyingly, the Marshal answers in his stead: "My advisor need not concern you. He is under very strict orders." You see him shoot you a glare, but the advisor remains silent, and still tense.

"He's looking pretty tense. I think that maybe the poor little bastard needs to go outside and relieve himself." Brandt says, enjoying how he hit a nerve with the advisor.

Gyselle stands awkwardly behind Thia and Corti, observing the exchange between Brandt and the advisor unsure of what she should do or say. 

Thia’s eyes would dart between the two, brow raised with intrigue. But there was no doubt, she was proud to be in Brandt’s company for this. She couldn’t lie, she was enjoying it at the expense of the advisor who held her.

Corti watches Brandt nervously but doesn't step in. She does, however, glance toward Tarian, interested in how she will respond. This seems like exactly what we want...