[color=95A5A6][b]> "Let's spend the day here, I need help."
		[Reduce harm from major to moderate: stabbed shoulder] <[/b][/color]


[hr]

	Despite only just beginning your march home today, it would seem that returning to your client to collect your payment simply couldn't come soon enough. Even so, the sting in your shoulder beckoned you to stow your impatience. [color=95A5A6]"I- ah-"[/color] you winced at the sensation, interrupting yourself. A slow shake of your head from side to side dismissed the prospect of hitting the road again as you continued. [color=95A5A6]"I gotta get my arm looked at, at least while we're in town. No need to waste one of my potions just yet."[/color] A concerned look came from your companion, who then cast her gaze across the road toward the buildings that lined this street. [color=7ea7d8]"Yeah, there has to be someone who can help us, a doctor or maybe even someone who knows some healing magic..."[/color] she trailed off as she read the names of each establishment in eyesight. You helped direct her focus with the tinge of impatience from earlier though, stating [color=95A5A6]"Someone with magic would certainly be faster. Hopefully not terribly more expensive, though."[/color] One last [color=7ea7d8]"Mhm,"[/color] came from Aika's pressed lips. [color=7ea7d8]"A church it is, then. Can't imagine that there isn't one around here."[/color]

	It only took another round of stopping folk on the now less dense late afternoon street to acquire the directions you needed. A simple stroll placed you and Aika in front of a taller structure than the one-story market fronts you had been walking through for the past few minutes. From the outside, the gentle drape of snow atop the slanted roof was distinct against the thicker piles that sat on the flatter tops of the rest of town. A small flight of stairs before you acted more as decoration than any legitimate elevation into the structure's main hall, a cozy single hall of mostly wood construction. Candles lined small and low-placed shelves to the sides, upon which a few individuals knelt in isolation. In the middle of the room, several benches gave audience to a central podium from which sermon was likely read. No session seemed to be held at the moment though, the mostly hushed mumbles of prayer around you set a somewhat formal undertone as two people seemed to be wrapping up conversation before the podium.

	Both of these individuals dressed the part of priests, though it would appear to two different faiths. On the left, an older and balding human was cloaked in white and grey with wide tassels of bright red draped over his shoulders, a motif befitting the banners decorating the hall. On the right, an inhumanely thin figure towered over the daldoran priest, sporting what looked like a greenish undertunic beneath a black hybrid of clerical robes and traveler's coat, accented by a large puff of white fur as a collar. Protruding from this collar was a long, serpentine neck which culminated in a draconic looking head, and coiling on the floor behind him a similarly winding tail. His silvery scales just barely reflected the amber candlelight within the church, giving him an even more supernatural glow about him as he tapped his staff against the floor lightly.

	In what you were now beginning to think was her typical bombastic fashion, Aika drew quite a bit of attention to you both as she elevated the average volume of the church greatly with her voice. [color=7ea7d8]"Hey!"[/color] she called to the two priests. [color=7ea7d8]"Either of you know any healing spells?"[/color] Her pace towards the two of them matched her eagerness to get you help, and if you were any less injured you might have felt some level of embarrassment as you more calmly caught up behind her. The eyes of both men turned toward you two, as well as a few heads turning from the corners of the hall. You rolled the bad shoulder, more tactfully addressing the point. [color=95A5A6]"Excuse my friend, but yes, I've seen better days and could use some help."[/color] By now, you at least weren't bleeding everywhere, but the damage was still quite visible beneath the patchwork that you and Aika fashioned to control the wound a bit. The dragonborn was the first to reply, succinctly stating [color=6fc1bb]"Why yes, we both do, in fact."[/color] His voice had a bit of raspy quality to it, a pitch above medium-toned which carried into a thoughtful [color=6fc1bb]"Hmm..."[/color] as he tilted his head down to examine the injury. His pondering was interrupted by the human clearing his throat and interjecting, much less friendly sounding. [color=DCC1CA]"Er- Yes, for a small donation, I'm certain that Udhir's blessings would-"[/color] [color=6fc1bb]"Nonsense,"[/color] the dragonborn stole the moment back. [color=6fc1bb]"The whims and wills of the gods aren't swayed with coin, fellow cloth of the earth."[/color] The dragonborn leered to his side at the human who shrank from being called out for his greed, but soon returned his eye to you. [color=6fc1bb]"I shall see what I can do. Come, sit with me."[/color] And with that, he beckoned you to follow him to the nearest bench, much to the disapproval of the other cleric.

	[color=6fc1bb]"So,"[/color] the darker-clad cleric lowered himself beside you. [color=6fc1bb]"If you are feeling at all generous, I would only ask for your names as payment."[/color] You pulled your cloak down, and shed just enough of your armor and tunic to grant him ingress to the troubling site of your shoulder, during which your companion took the chance to introduce you both. [color=7ea7d8]"My name's Aika,"[/color] she spoke with a much more setting-appropriate volume this time as she sat on your other side. [color=7ea7d8]"And this is Verity."[/color]

	[color=6fc1bb]"Aika, and Verity,"[/color] he repeated back with a nod. [color=6fc1bb]"And mine is Yachir. It is a pleasure,"[/color] he completed the formalities and then turned his attention to your arm. He began to speak softly to himself, likely the beginnings of some incantation as he lifted a clawed finger to your skin. [color=95A5A6]"Likewise, though it's not every day you see one like yourself this far west. Don't suppose you're of this church, are you?"[/color] Yachir completed his spell, pulling his hand away from you with a small chuckle. [color=6fc1bb]"How astute, you'd be correct. I am a traveler of sorts, as I can only guess you two are as well."[/color] As he withdrew, you felt the stinging begin to subside. Not as quickly as a potion, but noticeable at least. You verified his guess with a nod as you stretched your arm and covered it once more. [color=95A5A6]"We've quite a bit of traveling to do, so you'd be right."[/color]

	[color=6fc1bb]"Is that so? Where might you be traveling?"[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"Just on our way home, to Geland,"[/color] Aika quickly stated, leaning forward to look past you.

	[color=6fc1bb]"I see. Might you entertain the idea of another companion, then?"[/color] Yachir's hand lifted to his chin, scratching it as he wondered outloud. [color=6fc1bb]"I too would make my way there eventually, and surely it would be safer to keep one with healing magic among you, yes?"[/color]

[hr]

[color=95A5A6]
	• Accept Yachir's proposal.
	
	• Decline Yachir's proposal.

	• Say something else.
		[Write in: Briefly describe a verbal response.]
		
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