Griznuq Gaming

Ashe swallows as if trying to digest what just happened. he speaks soothingly, "uh, the jar of Belladona. it's on the midshelf to the left. Worry not young one, they'll be okay, rest assured of that. after you get the jar i think it would be a good idea if you get some water in the kitchen. there's food there too if your hungry. Laren, if you want some water and food it's in the kitchen."

Ashe says, "After we dress the bite wounds we'll have to put some blankets on them so they can sweat out the toxins. we must constantly keep them hydrated. the Belladona will drive up their temperature and they'll sweat...alot. it will also attack the ailment. it's all part of the healing process. Laren, could you find and expose the bite's on the other two? Kit, thanks for the jar. Step out and get some air for a bit."

the cool air massages away the heat of the moment. you look across the river to see the tall cliffs of The Foot decorated with the budding trees. resting on the cliffs you see the Spike of Fire spewing it's massive flame to the heavens. in front of the Spike you see another Tower falling into ruin. further beyond on a tall point you see the winged staue of Havigaard with his sword held out before him, ever watching. the sound of the Fogveil offers you some peaceful sounds to drown out the cacophony in your head. you smell food coming from within Ashe's house.

when i described them coming out of the cave i was describing specifically to Jarmok. he was closest and had the vision for it. as they went closer to the snares Maal would have maybe heard something faintly or have even saw shadows moving but by the time that would have happened Jarmok had lit the torches.

Fraz, i entered my intros and descriptions in italics. would you please make the fluid adjustments integrating Johans' edits?

you absolutely read my mind! i had actually come on Griznuq tonite to ask you and others what you just explained! good work!

And yes, Mercer would take the skins to Stagdrake's. Stagdrake would then pay Mercer in trade.

"shhhhh, they're all sleeping" Ashe says in a hushed voice. you enter a smoky room that smells flowery. you see in the corner an ornamental brazier with smoke dancing up from it. Ashe is sitting at his lab table crushing something in his alchemy bowl. his table is filled with jars and beakers and as he works the bowl he's reading a book.

Ashe says matter of factly, "lavendar incence. lavendar helps sooth and relax. i figured that would be good considering the fever that these boys had. What brings you around here good Laren and oh, by the by, thanks for your help last night. it was much easier with you and Kit helping me. it's not often that i get help any more in my line of work. take a seat...you're obviously here for something, yes?" Ashe looks at Laren with his spectacles pushed to the end of his old nose.

"yep all night. she's funny... she snores just a little bit. just this tiny grunt and whistle. it's actually kind of cute. but, if you want to learn more about herbs and plants i'd be happy to teach you. once the spring has hit full force it'll be easier for you. this area is pretty plentiful with all kinds of plants. and being near the Valley, well, let's just say that Mahiya is quite generous. if you want to learn of them and you've got some reading time i've got a book here that will give you some of the 'what's what' about the plants around here...you interested?"

While grinding the already fine dust in his pounding bowl Ashe says, "you do know a bit. to what extent would you like to learn this craft? buying herbs is different than harvesting them yourself you know. it's not always as easy as it may appear. it requires patience to find them in the wild. i do grow some here but they need the natural world to gain their potential. Many of my summer days are spent searching for them. there are patches of them around but you must leave some to insure that they will continue to grow...you can't be greedy. it does require you to study the skin of the land to find where they grow. and even more in order to bring out their qualities. but if you want to learn then by all means let's start. first you must know how to use them. come with me."

Ashe gets up and approaches one of the fevered boys. "come on...". he says to Laren. Ashe undresses the wound on young Rasthaven's arm. "this is a tricky ailment that Kyle has. it's not like a fever from bad weather or your normal infections from a cut, no. this is more insidious and harder to drive out. it requires constant attention and some this..." he lifts the the bowl up and shows Laren. "this is belladona, wolvesbane as it is known. i thank Mahiya that there is not much of a need in Threshold for it. if you would please fetch me a mug of the water near the hearth, oh, and a clean rag from the chest to the right of the hearth. we must constantly clean the bite wound to prevent the filth from festering."

"thanks." Ashe soaks the rag in the mug of hot water. "now, the technique is to dab the at the wound...never scrub. you'll only rip the growing skin be doing that. let me show you..." Ashe dabs at the wound cleaning away some of the grey puss around the bite. with an arched lip Ashe says, "you must also have a strong stomach sometimes."

"i was surprised at how much she knew about how to work in a lab, given her age. she knew more than anyone her age would...remarkable" he says nodding towards Kit you is continuing her snort and whistle rythym. "now we mix a bit of water with the belladona so as to make a paste. here, put two spoonfulls in there."

As Laren calls out to Garret he can smell some meat and onions being cooked in the back. Garret, smoking his longpipe, looks up from his book and says, "Ah, Master Laren! how was your night's rest? After what you guys did i think a good rest was much deserved...much deserved it was. So, what would you like for morning feast? Eldan is in the back cooking up some morsels right now and it would be not a smidge of bother to put some on for you. What say you?"

Y'know, that one of my favorite dishes!"

Garret gives Laren a pint of dark frothy stout. then goes into the kitchen. Eldan comes out "Laren! great to see you in one piece! we heard about what happened with the kids...strange thing it is...them changing into rats. were there only three?" Garret sniifs, "are you burning the food?" "oh, my Sardior let me get back to the kitchen!" Garret continues on his pipe and says, "so Garret, where are you from originally?"

"nay, no one asking for you. Kurr is a goodly distance away...what lead you and hopefully your father here?"

Garret leans forward and says, "if that ring you wear is any indication of what your father did for a living did then he didn't necessarily work for the city, methinks."

Garret pulls up his little right hand and shows Laren the exact same signet ring on his middle finger. The black metal ring has the outline of a hawk on it's round face. "do you know what secrets dwell behind these rings? if you don't, my guess is that you soon will, my friend. what was your father's name?"

Garret looks at Laren, "yes, i do know him. the three of us joined the 'Order of the Hawk' about your age...Eldan, your father, and me. it was our adopted family...he was like my brother. i remember seeing you when you were born. i would give my life for your father. we went through much together. you have much of his look." with concerned eyes Garret continues, "is your father in trouble? when was he to arrive?"