Thessalandra gives a low chuckle: "Well, we'll keep an eye out. As far as sharing loads go- care to help me with this?" and with that, she points to a large keg, one of the last remaining pieces of the supply shipment to be brough ashore.

"My pleasure" as he goes to lift the keg

When the patient would speak up, Shae’s blue eyes met his, giving him her full attention. She’d listen patiently with a warm smile resting on her lips to encourage him to continue as he could. Her expressions would shift with empathy as he’d tell his story, nodding in thanks for his share. The woman’s eyes soften and quiet falls for a moment. Then, she speaks softly, “Shame should be reserved for the things we choose to do, not the circumstances that life puts on us.” The medic gently dabs the sweat from his forehead. “Although the mission did not conclude favourably, there’s still valuable information that’s returned with you. Hope is not lost.”

After the arrival of the others and the briefing, Mulligan’s ‘warning’ was met with a sheepish smile from Shae. There was already plenty of self-pressure. She’d have to take a deep breath to calm some anxiety. She appreciated the gesture of reassurance. Her whole goal would be to complete the procedure as efficiently as possible with a focus on reducing the pain and stress on Thaum.

When Reng would lean in to quietly say her piece to Shae and begin to step back to provide space, she’d reach out and place a hand on her arm pause the warrior. “Please stay.” She’d offer a small smile. Her strength gave her comfort. Shae appreciated all the help she could have to make this as successful as possible for Thaum. Though, she knew she could be asking a lot of someone, to hold someone else down as they writhe in pain.

Once Thaum was prepared, Shae would debrief the team once again. She’d ask Reng to stand at the head of the bed to be available to hold/restrain Thaum’s upper body should he be unable to keep still during the procedure. The belt would be available for the patient to bite on. It was imperative that they not bite their tongue in a surge of pain. The medic would then have Mulligan positioned on the other side of the patient with his hands free. She’d instruct him to be ready with his healing methods for when she purges the necrosis, and insists that he be prepared for the transition. Blue eyes meet his to encourage him to hum or sing a melody with her to keep everyone calm and focused. This could take time.

In position, Shae would do one last ready check with her assistants and then most importantly, their patient. Once Thaum gave them the okay, it was time to begin. Anyone watching the medic could visibly see her inhale then exhale a deep breath to steady herself. Hovering her hands mere inches from the wound, Shae would begin to hum a low melody. The feathers in her hair would begin to glow while sparkly pink essence would flow, spiralling down her arms peppered with her own scars, filtering through her fingers. Wafting over the wounds, the magic sizzles and steams as it begins to penetrate the surface of the necrotic skin. The purging begins.

Casting: Guidance if possible, then Lesser Restoration 
Medicine: 8 + Guidance: 4
(rolled with Adv due to help)

     Mulligan follows Shae's lead unquestioningly.  As she hums he takes up the tune and adds his own rhythm and harmony to it, providing Inspiration to Shae before she even begins. (So she should have an additional D6 to add to that roll, if she wishes!). Mulligan looks from Shae to Reng to Thaum, striving to convert confidence, competence and strength even if he felt little of any of it.  But he is good at putting on a performance so Inspiration all around! 

     At first Mulligan would need a look from Shae to direct him when to use his limited knowledge of mundane healing techniques or to apply his more magical means, but after a bit he would be more comfortable with the rhythm of the procedure and be more anticipatory of what was needed.  He would even find time to give Reng a smile or two to show his appreciation of her not allowing the patient to move or just his comfort in having someone there who was less comfortable than he was.  For the patient themselves, and really all present for the procedure, Mulligan had not just his suave attitude, performance of calm and self assurance and healing magics, but he also had a way about him that was able to Calm Emotions and make everyone relax...

(BI: 1)

Reng steels herself and does her best to hold him still, in a comforting way, so that Shae can do her work. She casts prestidigitation repeatedly to instantly clean the "operating table" surface and, if she can, the actual wound. On a high enough perception check, you might even hear her absentmindedly humming along to Mulligan's song.

It's exhausting work. Finding the right balance between moving slowly and carefully but increasing the duration of pain for Thaum and moving quickly but putting him under more strain is a difficult one to reach, but between Reng keeping Thaum steady and strong, Mulligan trying his best to ease the pain of the procedure and assist in any other way he can, and Shae tapping into the well of magic and her wealth of knowledge of healing practices, the procedure is completed after almost two hours. You're all covered in sweat from the heavy concentration and the humid air, but Thaum is sitting before you, propped up and freshly bandaged to allow natural healing to do the rest. He smiles weakly to you all: "I can't thank you enough. I don't know whether you're followers of Tyr, but today you surely were his instrument. I knew it wasn't my time to put down the shield just yet, but I wasn't strong enough on my own. Thanks to you all, I'll be back on the battlements before the month is done."

Reng lets go his hand, and claps him gently on the shoulder. "We were just here to help this one," she says, nodding at Shae. "Her 'instruments' as it were. She's the one you ought to be thanking. But don't discount what you did. It takes guts to endure. Easy to give up. You didn't. Speaks well of you."

She pulls out a small flask, beaten up but once shiny, really a decanter of endless water and pours some water for him to drink. She then stands up and offers to fill any reserves the camp needs with pure water.

Having spent hours securing the outside of the camp, and more helping Shae save a life, Reng takes a break, conversing here and there with people, both party members and soldiers. Trying to get a feel for the place, and also asking what the plans are now that the party's arrived and bolstered the camp.

Glasses:

Worn out but happy after a long day magically enhancing the fort’s defenses with the Kenku, the Professor sits with his journal and various maps and papers trying to map out the immediate area, focusing for the moment on the path of the missing patrol and the Grippli encampment forty miles to the south.

History or Investigation:  21

Talking to the members of the camp and consulting with Commander Breakbones, you quickly find out that the patrol took three flatbottomed boats to carry on down the shallower estuaries down south to the Aldani basin. Usually, the trip is routine work, as the camp has started to trade more regularly with the grippli to the south, since they keep large crabs within the murkier waters of the basin that they live off of.  Ever since they started trading with the Camp, they had set up additional crab farms and a small trading post, about a day or so north of their village and on one of the few islands that stays dry regardless of the flood level. The fact that the patrol didn't return for days  begs the question what happened to the trade outpost though.

Breakbones gives you all an old map with the river route down south on it.  While it's possible to try and map an overland route, Breakbones is quick to add that they've so far only ever used the river and they don't know what the terrain looks like off the river.

Shae exhales a large sigh of relief as Thaum humbly thanked them. The patient endured an indescribable amount to arrive at this point, and he still remained conscious, sitting up at that. The procedure was a success. A part of the medic was stunned from the marvel of their efforts, and the other part of her was beyond grateful for the time energy and effort spent as a team to return a brave warrior to his post. 

It was when Reng would speak that Shae would feel warmth build up in her cheeks when she was directing the praise to Shae. “It was a team effort.” She’d insist, her eyes meeting Reng’s and Mulligan’s. There were no words, but she did radiate appreciation. However, Reng was absolutely spot on that Thaum should not cut himself short, for it was his strength to endure that spoke volumes of the procedures success. “You are very welcome. It was my pleasure to be a part of restoring your strength.” A warm smile rested on the medics lips, and with that, she’d encourage others to give him space and excuse herself to allow him to rest and complete his healing. 

Taking her leave, Shae wavers. She’d hold a hand out to steady herself. The adrenaline must be wearing off. Shae had been prepared that it wasn’t going to be a walk in a flower field, considering this was a new technique she was studying, but she was coming to the realization she was quite exhausted post procedure. The medic would correct her posture, inhale a new breath and push through the dizziness to carry herself out of the tent for some fresh air. She’d pad her way to find some water to splash on her face and perhaps freshen up.

As the sun sets on the camp and the watchfires begin to illuminate the darkening sky, Commander Breakbones invites you all to join him and his staff for a meal to honour your arrival and to treat you to some hospitality before sending you off, further into the wilderness. Despite the spartan accommodations and the stifling humidity, the affair is rather pleasant, with a simple but tasty meal of wild potatoes with some sweet corn and baked goat's cheese and a few mugs of ale. Despite the repeated thanks from the staff and the commander, the evening still leaves room for the occasional joke and ribbing comment, and before long, the dinner has carried you over into the early hours of the next day.

Is there anything in particular you would like to do or discuss before going to rest? Or are you all ready to set down south along the river for the grippli trade post come morning?

Berrus has himself a couple of ales but otherwise is mostly quiet thinking on his conversation with the captain.

To Shae...."ye look exhausted. Is ereting alrigh?"

(Fang is ready to proceed in whatever manner the group decides is best. They have after all delivered the goods as requested.)

After freshening up, Shae welcomed the hospitality and enjoyed the energy. She’d offer to assist with any preparation or clean up should it be necessary. When it came to indulging, Shae waited to serve herself last, guilty of sneaking on a few extra bites to her plate. She’d take a seat, settling herself where she’d have the best view of the sky. With the sun setting, she was preparing to gaze upon the stars and for her skin to drink up the moonlight. Unsurprisingly with her head in the clouds, Shae had been holding on to the same mug of ale she was provided with her meal when Berrus would pipe up next to her. 

“Hmmm?” Shae would blink herself back to present, turning to look at Berrus. She’d offer a small timid smile, then a gentle nod. Some rest was probably all she needed. “The procedure required a lot of concentration and more energy than originally anticipated due to inexperience.” She admits. Berrus could tell that there was no disappointment projected with those words, simply fact. It was a stepping stone for the medic. “Thaum will make a full recovery.” There was maybe even a hint of pride. “He will be able to continue to carry his shield and return to his line of duty.” Her lip would twitch, pulling into a more modest smile. 

“I’m glad we were able to boost morale, and defence, of this camp.” Shae would say softly, breaking a lull of silence. “I hope we can continue to make positive contributions despite the challenges that lie ahead.” She was genuine and sincere with those aspirations. 

Shae would glance down at the liquid in her mug. After a little swoosh of it, small chuff would leave her nose as a memory flooded into her mind. She’d reach with her freehand, hook a bead with her finger and spin her bracelet around her wrist. She’d exhale. Looking up from her ale, Shae reaches it out and offers it to Berrus. She wasn’t going to drink it. “Copper for your thoughts?” Shae was more curious if there was something on his mind. She’d insist with the mug.

Watching her he responds " eh jus tinking o tha path ahead an tha trail behind. Nuthing much." He laughs.  "But ye did a good thing. A good thing indeed"

He would take the mug

Almost a whisper "i ken ne'er go back tis only for'ard"

"Hmm." Shae would respond simply to Berrus' initial response. He was never a man of many words, or detail. She'd settle for the vagueness he'd give her. Then a slight nod to his whispered words, removing her hand from her bracelet.

     Mulligan was exhausted.  Mentally, physically, magically and spiritually.  The day had been a lot of a lot.  What scant energies he did have remaining were spent marveling at Shae and Reng and the soldiers - These Women and Men of Purpose.  Soldiers, adventurers, warriors and the most damned determined people he's ever met.  He couldn't help wonder if he belonged here or not, and not for the first time...  But he was here so he was determined to give it his everything.  He wasn't born for this, trained for this or ever even wanted this... He had no doubt he'd come up short in the end... Until then, though, he could at least be stubborn and and suck up his doubts and do what he can.

     Thaum's words, as well as those of Reng and Shae just washed over him.  He gave a nod or a look of acknowledgement but he was too exhausted to register much more than the fact that they were done.  That Shae had succeeded.  Of course she had.  That girl is a miracle...  And that thought did manage to break through his utter exhaustion and it was with a warm smile that he looked up to find Shae.  To find he leaving...

     Mulligan's smile faded as he watched her go.  She stumbled a bit and he rose up to his feet and was stepping after her but she had already caught herself, corrected her posture, and moved on.  Once again he felt like the opportunity somehow slipped by before he could seize it.  He felt he should be frustrated and angry, but he just didn't have the energy to do more than mentally complain that it was never this difficult back in the city...

     Not even the gathering was enough to invigorate him.  The food and the drink did refresh but Mulligan never fully awakened, his mind never came alight.  It was the perfect opportunity to try out some of the stanzas he had started putting together earlier in the day... Or to talk and joke and gather more snippets to use in their composition.  It just seemed like too much at the moment.  So Mulligan ate and drank, he talked and made the small talk...  But the real Mulligan would have tried to make the gathering a party but tonight he just waited for an appropriate time to make his excuses and depart to his bunk.  Surely sleep would refresh...

First only Berrus could hear the light hum coming from Shae. Her eyes closed, she brings cupped hands to her mouth and blows. Inside her palms began to glow and flicker with warm light. Opening her eyes, blue hues looked ahead. Starting soft and low, Shae'd begin to sing.

"How did we end up wasting all this love
And sacrifice the things we're dreaming of
When in the end it's time that limits us
But we can't fight it, no, we can't fight it
It's funny how we're always wanting more
Without us knowing what we're aiming for
We keep on spending more than we can afford
'Til we are broken, 'til we are broken."

As she sang, Shae's voice could be heard by sensitive and willing ears. She opens her hands to reveal the butterflies fluttering in her palms as the source of light. Flexing their wings, they'd take to the air.

Glasses:

The Professor smiles and watches Shae’s performance.  Realizing that improving morale and providing hope are just as important as the healing, mending, and fortification done earlier in the day, he expertly weaves in dancing flames form the lit torches and puffs of air as the butterflies brush past to augment the caring woman’s encouraging performance.

Every time she repeats “rain”, he causes a light mist to spray from the various beverages around the room—not enough to make anyone wet, but just right to be coolly refreshing.