by Pirateaba
Memory.
It hurt. Erin bit her lip, so hard she nearly punctured skin. She stood up and sighed. Swaying on her feet, Erin frowned. She was still waking up.
“…not now. But it’s Christmas time. Time…?”
The mumbling attracted attention. Erin heard the creak of someone descending the stairs and saw Lyonette rubbing her eyes as she walked down. The young woman froze when she saw Erin standing in the center of the room, but then she relaxed.
“Oh. I thought—”
Erin nodded at her. Lyonette silently stumbled down the steps. Both girls stood in the room, staring at each other. Without saying anything, a consensus was reached that it was far too early for anything resembling conversation.
Erin sat back down. Then she stood up with a groan and went into the kitchen to prepare food for the masses. Lyonette went outside with a bucket for water.
Some things were easiest to do on autopilot. Erin mechanically made crepes in a batter and fried them up. She was munching on a buttery crepe before she properly woke up. The hot food was burning her hands, but it was food so she didn’t care.
The sun was coming up. Now Erin could think, she wandered back into the common room, leaving a heap of crepes in a bowl covered with a towel. They could always be reheated, and she had too much work to do to stay in the kitchen.
“Time to get to work.”
“Huh?”
Lyonette paused mid-bite, a piece of crepe halfway towards her mouth. She blinked blearily at Erin. The young woman waved at her [Barmaid].
“I said I’m going to work. A lot. Today’s going to be busy, Lyon. I think you’ll have to stay in the inn most of the time, but I’ll be running around like a chicken with its head cut off.”
The young woman sitting at the table nodded. She paused, frowned, and woke up a bit more. Then she thought about what Erin had said.
“Do they actually do that?”
“What?”
“Chickens. Do they really run around when you…I mean, if you…”
Lyonette gulped. Erin paused.
“Maybe? I dunno, I’ve never actually tried it. It’s just what people say where I come from.”
“Oh.”
The two girls stared at each other. After a second, Erin coughed.
“We don’t do that all the time. It’s just…”
“No, I understand.”
“Right. Well then…I’m off to the city!”
Awkwardly, Erin edged out the door. She came back in to grab a money pouch and fill it with coins. She was feeling the rush of sugar and adrenaline now. She put a smile on her face and fixed it there.
“Do we need anything, Lyon? I mean, Lyonette?”
“Um. Lyon’s fine I guess. We need some more flour, a few tomatoes if you want to make that ‘cats-up’ stuff, and some salt. I think we’ve got enough for tonight.”
“Alright, got it! Oh, and one more thing—”
Erin poked her head back through the door. Lyonette looked at her expectantly.
“Christmas is coming.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a holiday! Everyone’s going to get presents and have fun, so…think of some gifts for people, okay? You’ll have to get presents for uh, two other people. It can be food, something small or fun or anything like that. Just think of something nice to give someone else.”
“Okay?”
“Thanks! I’ll explain the rest later!”
—-
It was just a smile, but Erin wore it like a shield. Smiling helped. Smiling made you think the day might not be horrible after all. Not that she thought today would be horrible, but she had a lot to do, and she was going to do it cheerful or she’d kill herself.
Or someone. Like the sleepy guardsman at the gate. The Drake on duty just stared at Erin as she stood outside the closed gates. After five minutes he managed to get them open enough for her to slip through.
“I have so much to do!”
Erin groused to herself as she stomped across the streets of Liscor, trying not to slip on the snow-covered paving stones. There was practically no one up yet, but she found Market Street at least partially occupied. While pedestrians had yet to hit the streets, the shopkeepers were setting up, miserably trying to stay warm while they opened their stalls.
Erin found one familiar Gnoll grumbling to herself as she dusted snow off of her counter with a paw. Krshia Silverfang turned before Erin could call out to her. The Gnoll sniffed and smiled as Erin approached her small stall.
“Krshia!”
The young woman beamed at her. The Gnoll smiled and beckoned Erin closer. They huddled beneath her stall’s flimsy walls from the wind while they chatted.
“Erin Solstice. It has been far, far too long since we have spoken properly, yes?”
“Yes! How are you doing, Krshia? I know we talked a bit at the party, but there’s so much that has happened!”
“Indeed. We must catch up. But first—have you business with me?”
“I do! Here—oh wait, I don’t have a list. But I know what I need.”
“Hmm. Let me fetch a piece of parchment and charcoal, yes?”
Erin chatted with Krshia as the Gnoll wrote down her shopping list and told her it would be delivered to her inn by the end of the day. Erin put a few coins on the table and got three bronze coins in change. Then she took a deep breath and got to the real reason she’d sought Krshia out so early.
“Krshia, I know Lyonette’s um…well, I know she did a lot of things while I was gone.”
“That is so. Hrm. You say you have done much in Celum while you were away, yes? Well, Lyonette has…also done much here.”
Erin peeked up at the tall Gnoll’s face. Krshia’s expression was hard to read, but her ears weren’t flat. That was a good sign.
“I know you didn’t want her back in the city. But she came in, didn’t she?”
Krshia paused, and her ears did twitch then. But her voice remained level and calm. Or seemingly calm.
“She was allowed back in the city by Zel Shivertail, no? What is a Gnoll’s pride before the famous hero of the Antinium Wars? We will do nothing to her, not when the Council is against us.”
“I’m sorry. But she came back to—”
“Save the child Mrsha. I know. It makes it better, no?”
“No. Well, yes. Maybe. But she only did it because of that. She won’t come back otherwise. And I had a chat with her, and…well, she’s sorry and she’ll try to make amends.”
“So I have seen. But her debt is large, Erin.”
“I know. I just wanted to say that she’s going to try and stay out of the city unless it’s an emergency. And a bit of the money she gets paid—once I actually pay her—will go to you for your shop. It’s not much, but it’s what she can do. What I can do.”
Krshia blinked down at Erin. She didn’t immediately reply. Erin shivered.
“I know it’s not enough. But she’s trying, okay?”
“Hrm. I understand.”
Krshia shook her head. She looked tired as she flicked a bit of snow that had dared to land on her counter off onto the ground.
“That Human child is odd. Odd, but I see her trying. It is not enough, but it will do. Let us not talk of such things, Erin. You have just returned—again. Let us talk of good matters, or as much good as there is on such cold days.”
“Okay.”
Erin smiled at Krshia and saw the Gnoll bare her canines in response. After a second, Erin frowned.
“Krshia, what’s the Council? That’s the group that rules Liscor, right? Who are they? I’ve never seen them.”
The Gnoll shrugged. She glanced hopefully up and down the street, but Erin was her only customer. A few Drakes were starting on one end of the street, but it would be several minutes before they got to her.
“The Council is made up of important people in the city. It is a Drake thing. The foremost people sit on it and decide what must be done from time to time.”
“Really, who
are they?”
Another shrug. Krshia frowned a bit as she replied, which made Erin think that Gnolls didn’t get much of a place on the Council.
“The head of the Adventurer’s Guild, the foremost [Mage], usually head of the Mage’s Guild…hrm, the Captain of the Watch, Zevara, the head of the Merchant’s Guild…Olesm…”
“Olesm!?”
“He is chief [Tactician] in the city. He must advise on matters that may be military. He has a voice.”
“Wow. I had no idea he was actually that important!”
“Well, it is a civilian council. While the army is away they leave such people in charge. You know Liscor’s army is a mercenary one? They are a power unto their own, but they rarely return to the city.”
“Huh.”
Erin thought about that for a second. Then she stared at Krshia. The Gnoll wasn’t shivering, but she looked miserable, standing in her small stall waiting for customers as the snow fell down again.
Miserable. Perhaps it was her stall. It was too small. Erin remembered how it had looked before, how many wares Krshia had had on display. Now…
“I’m sorry about your shop. Did I say that before? I’m really sorry about it. I know it was hard—and I’d like to help if I can.”
Krshia blinked at Erin and shook her head.
“You say it as if it was your fault. It is not.”
“But I need to say it. I hired Lyonette, and I know you were upset. It must be so hard—if I can do anything, I will. That’s what friends are for.”
The [Shopkeeper] just shook her head.
“I must have new wares to sell, and that costs money. To sell I must buy, and I have less coin than I did. My friends in the city and those from my tribe aid me. They lend me coin and I buy and sell with that. It is enough. It is not as if you can give me more business—unless there is something like those hamburgers I may sell?”
She looked inquiringly at Erin, but without any real hope. Erin hesitated, and then smiled.
“I do have some ideas. Maybe not things I can make, but—I’ll try.”
“It is all I ask, yes? But where does this spirit come from?”
“I did a lot of thinking. Well, mostly on the wagon ride to Esthelm and back. I think I can help, and not just by giving you a bunch of coin or anything. I just—I want to make sure my friends are doing okay. Which reminds me, where’s Brunkr? I heard he was sick from Klbkch!”
Krshia paused. She had been smiling a bit at Erin. Now the smile vanished into the cold.
“My nephew? He is poor. He rests in my home, Erin. He will…be better after he gains the courage to do what must be done, I think.”
“What’s that?”
Krshia looked uncomfortable. She shook her head and glanced around the street.
“Better if you see for yourself. I would let him explain or you see, but not say it. Hrr. Perhaps there is time before more come to shop. Would you like to see?”
Erin hesitated. Krshia was clearly upset. If she wasn’t saying…
“Sure.”
It was a quick walk to Krshia’s apartment. Erin opened the door and recognized the cozy home. Nothing much had changed since her last visit, save for what looked like a heap of rugs on Krshia’s couch. Then someone groaned and the pile of rugs turned into Brunkr, wrapped up in blankets as he lay in Krshia’s home.
“Brunkr? I have come back, yes? And brought someone to visit.”
Krshia spoke quietly to Brunkr. He made no reply. He was lying with the blanket wrapped around his huge frame. Something stank horribly. Erin made a face and suppressed the urge to gag. She peered at Brunkr, but couldn’t see anything, cocooned as he was.
“What’s wrong with him?”
“Go away, Human.”
Brunkr’s voice was muffled but distinct. She saw him roll and then two dark brown eyes glared malevolently at her.
“Leave me, Erin Solstice. And take your cursed doombringer far away from me. Leave her yourself unless you wish to end up as I do.”
Doombringer? Erin frowned and then realized he meant Mrsha. Krshia frowned at Brunkr.
“Nephew! Be silent. Do not blame bad luck on the Mrsha child.”
Brunkr ignored his aunt. He sat up with an effort, groaning as his legs slowly unfolded and he shifted the blanket. The smell grew worse. It was the smell of…Erin’s stomach roiled and the crepes threatened to come up. The Gnoll warrior was breathing heavily and sweat was staining his fur as she stared at Krshia.
“Is it time to cut it off? Is that why you have come?”
“Cut? Cut what off?”
Erin blinked at Brunkr. He stared incredulously at her, and then snarled. He tore off the blanket from his frame and thrust his right hand at her.
Both Human and Gnoll recoiled. Erin saw yellow dripping pus, oozing around red broken skin covered in horribly stained fur—in an instant she realized where the smell was coming from. The blanket Brunkr had tossed to the floor was also covered in dried yellow gunk.
It was horrible. And disgusting. Erin swallowed hard and forced her stomach to stay still.
“What’s that? How did you…?”
“Your cursed one bit me.”
Brunkr snarled at Erin. He cradled his hand, unable to touch it as more yellow pus dripped slowly out of the infected injury on his arm. Erin couldn’t look away from the horrible sight.
Whatever Mrsha had done, and Erin vaguely recalled her biting Brunkr only a bit, that small injury had turned into a full-scale infection that had taken over a good portion of Brunkr’s forearm. It was horrible, and clearly not healing.
“That’s bad.”
Both Brunkr and Krshia stared at Erin. She gulped again.
“That’s real bad. Um, Brunkr. Mrsha did this? Have you—I mean, I’m sorry, but she didn’t mean to do that. Have you had that looked at by a [Healer]? Or gotten a healing potion or something? If you need to, I can pay for—”
The male Gnoll made a sound of fury and turned away violently. Krshia pulled at Erin’s arm and whispered to her as the two stood by the door.
“It is not something curable with a healing potion, and the [Healers] cannot fix such an injury, Erin. Not ones from Liscor—and not ones from Celum, I fear. It is too far infected now. Only magic might save it, and few know healing spells for this.”
“Oh. Oh no.”
Erin didn’t know what to say. She understood the problem. Maybe Brunkr would be okay in her world, but here a healing potion and [Healer] were the only types of medicine available. And neither one was specialized in fighting diseases or infections.
“It is my doom, brought upon me. It will fall on the rest of you as well.”
Brunkr stood in a corner, holding his arm, not looking at the other two. He had heard every word they had said with his acute hearing.
His arm. It was a ghastly sight, but Erin couldn’t look away for some reason. She kept waiting for Brunkr to turn so she could stare at it again.
Her right hand twinged. Erin stared down at it, and remembered a similar sight. She looked at Krshia questioningly.
“Back when my hand was all cut up Klbkch gave me a healing potion. It worked, even though it was sort of infected. Are you sure a healing potion—a good one—wouldn’t…?”
Krshia shook her head instantly.
“Light infections, perhaps. The body will fight it off in the end, yes? So a healing potion makes it faster. But deep rot such as this…no. It will only speed up the infection.”
“So what can you do?”
Krshia didn’t reply. But she stared at Brunkr and Erin saw the Gnoll’s entire body tense up. Erin went pale.
“No. Really?”
“He must—”
“No! Not yet!”
Brunkr’s voice was full of anguish. He bent over his hand, making a sound that was more animal than word. Erin saw Krshia staring at her younger nephew with deep sorrow—but also something cold in her gaze.
“It must be soon, nephew. Erin, even she can see yo
ur hand is gone, yes?”
“No!”
“No!”
The echo came from Erin’s mouth. Both Gnolls stared at her, Brunkr turning his head to look. Erin was shaking her head.
“No, Erin Solstice? But you see his hand. It must go or the rot will consume him as well.”
“No, it’s—maybe something can be done. Krshia, let me—I think something can be done.”
“Truly?”
“Impossible!”
Brunkr snapped at Erin, showing his teeth. Erin felt her heart beating faster, but not from fear. She stared at Brunkr’s hand and thought of doctors, hospitals. She had no idea—only a vague recollection of taking tablets and getting shots, but maybe…
“Let me try to help, okay? I think I have an idea. I’ll come back—”
“Do not lie to me, Human.”
Brunkr glared at Erin, seemingly more infuriated by her offer to help than his aunt’s words. Erin held her ground as he stumbled towards her. Brunkr’s voice was slurred by pain and grief, but he was still a warrior of a Gnoll tribe. He towered over her as he glared and Erin saw Krshia staring warily at her nephew.
“Humans—hrr. I hear Humans say try and give up in an instant. What can you do that my tribe—my aunt cannot? Can you save my hand? Tell me. If you lie, I will know.”
“I can try.”
Erin looked Brunkr in the eye. He stared at her. The anger was replaced by dull resignation in an instant.
“You will fail, and say you did all you could. Your words are empty.”
“I don’t give up that easily. Here.”
Erin stepped past Brunkr, to a pile of rags that smelled horrible. She found a bucket of water and washed the rags briskly as Krshia guided Brunkr back to the couch. Erin wrung the cloth and pressed it on Brunkr’s head. The Gnoll groaned and lay back. Erin turned to Krshia and silently the two females left her apartment.
“If you can help, I will give all to save his hand. But is it possible?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know, Krshia, but I know who I can ask.”
“Who?”
“Ryoka.”
That was all they said on the matter. Back at Krshia’s stall, Erin stood in front of it, feeling heavier than she had when she’d just woken up. She couldn’t get the image of Brunkr’s infected hand out of her head.