(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

 Darnell: *weak and unsteady, groaning, as he slowly pushes himself up* I-I need to get back to ((Village)). I need to...warn them...

Kalan: You need to recover first. As soon as you’re able to ride I’ll take you back to ((Village)) myself. *one Darnell’s left, helping him sit up.* You were poisoned and beaten near to death. Don’t push too hard.

Darnell: .....poisoned... *turns to Bolei* Doctor, do you know what the poison was? What did you do to counter it? *the look in his eyes is /urgent/, like he's not thinking about himself but someone(s) else*

Bolei: Of course I do, lad. *why wouldn’t he?*

Kalan: ...The people in ((Village)). Doctor. I’ll help him up. Gather as much of the antidote that we have, or make as much as you can. If more is easily gotten have Taren help you gather more. 

Bolei: *is he serious? But he nods.* He needs water and any food he feels he can keep down, my lord. *will go to do as ordered.*

Darnell: *catches Bolei's arm before he can get too far* Fifteen doses, doctor. More if you can, just in case, but at least that many. The targets range in age from five to twenty-five, both male and female. *will let him go once that's done - looks at Kalan* Thank you, milord. You and your lady. I don't know yet who's behind the poisonings, but they'll be the one who jumped me from behind the other night and left me in that field. There's a predator posing as a shadowy phantom who's preying on adults all the way down to very young children, sexually assaulting and slowly poisoning them. I don't know why yet. I've not been able to determine either pattern or motive. But this has been going on for eight months. King Sidon finally heard of the trouble and sent me to resolve it. *weak and in /pain/, but his determination and fear for those people give him strength to sit up and speak clearly*

Kalan: *nods.* I don’t like hearing about people being hurt. I’m glad to help. *will get Darnell sitting up and turned so his feet are on the floor.* I’ve some clothes for you here. *he’ll slip across the room to get the clothing. It...must be Kalan’s. It’s rather fine.* You looked about my size, maybe a bit narrower in the chest, so these should fit you well enough. *will come back to help Darnell to his feet so Darnell can dress.*

Comments

[dragondancer5150]

Darnell: Oh...ah, t-thank you, milord. *will do as much as he can by himself, but...h-he'll need help dressing*

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: *doesn't make a big deal about it. He helps Darnell dress and will get one of Darnell's arms up over his shoulders, and will snug Darnell to his side... Darnell's really, really weak right now, and will need the support to stumble down the hall.* One step at a time. Some food will help. *will get Darnell to the dining area and will help him sit.* I know it hurts, but slow deep breaths, all right? *waves to a j'har girl* Some food for my guest, Nina.
Nina: *bows* Yes, master. *she glances at Darnell, he'll likely catch her sympathetic grimace, he's a mess.* Perhaps a wet rag as well, master?
Kalan: I was going to get that, but if you would, I'm sure Darnell here would appreciate that.
Nina: *bows again and will scurry off to get Darnell a wet rag to clean up and to let the cook know she'll need a plate of food.*

[dragondancer5150]

Darnell: *leans gratefully on the support offered, sits heavily* T-thank you, Nina. *before the girl leaves*

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: *little smile at him thanking a j’har slave. You just earnes points with him, kid.*
Nina: *peeks him a little smile before she goes.* *she’ll return shortly with a wet rag so Darnell can clean his face.*
Kalan: One of the side effects of the poison. We’ve had a hard timegetting your wounds to stop bleeding. We were worried about internal bleeding there for a while. Your nose just stopped bleeding maybe half an hour ago. *the reason Darnell had dried blood on his face even after three days in a doctor’s care.*

[dragondancer5150]

Darnell: *softly touches Nina's arm, thanking her again as he accepts the rag - nods at Kalan's explanation* What are the rest of the effects?

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: Doctor Bolei said you would be weak and achy for some days from the poison alone, nevermind your injuries. Your blood would be thin, so cuts would continue to bleed long past when they should. You’ll be shallow of breath and fatigued, again, even if you weren’t injured. He said if you woke up you’d likely not much notice the poison’s effects asside from the bleeding because your injurries would hurt more.
Nina: *gives his hand a pat and will leave again to get him some food.*

[dragondancer5150]

Darnell: .....it's been a long time, but...I learned to work past this kind of pain before. *and no doubt Kalan has seen the scars he still bears to prove the claim...but for now, he just sits, breathing through the pain*

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: You’d be wise not to push too hard for a while. I know you’re worried for the people of ((Village)). Once you’ve had some food and drink, and once Doctor Bolei has the needed anount of antidote, we’ll go there and see to putting a stop to the asaults. And then I’m bringing you back here to rest and recover under the attention of the good doctor until the time he says you’re well enough to travel again. *Darnell may ne the Master Detective, but without orders directly from the king, Kalan is pulling authority here. He knows the case, and innocent people, come first, but after that Darnell will rest as ordered.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *he may be the Master Detective, but he’s still a landless peasant, albeit an inordinately wealthy one (even after money to his family, the church, and various charities) – he nods* Yes, milord. And…thank you, again. For looking out for a stranger. I owe you and yours my life.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: *smiles.* I’m glad to help. Ah. Here’s food.
Nina: *sets some food and drink before him.*
Kalan: Eat your fill, just speak up if you want more.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods* Thank you, Lord Kalan. *gives Nina a grin and nod, touching her arm again if she's not looking at him to make sure she knows of his gratitude, then will start eating slowly*

[socrowdedinhere]

Nina: *gives him a smile and will go.*
Woman: *comes in and will come settle at the table across from Darnell and Kalan.* It’s good to see you up. *she’s a pretty woman, looking only about mid-twenties. She’s got black hair...well, unless you’re a snoopy and observant detective. He’ll notice the sheen of blue if he looks, even in this light.*
Kalan: *before Darnell can speak* This is my lovely wife, Jazira. She’s the one who found you beside the road. *reaches across the table to take her hand, his smile for her full of love.* My dear, this is Darnell Barrett, Master Detective for Kind Sidon himself.
Jazira: *brows go up* Master Detective?! *impressed*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *brows go up as well when he notices the sheen in her hair, glances between them…and is grinning, nods deeply in a sitting bow* Lady Jazira. I am in your debt, yours and your loving husband’s both.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: *Darnell’s moment of shock has Kalan eying him, but then Darnell grins and bows...if it’s an act, it’s a very good one.*
Jazira: *doesn’t seem to notice, she just smiles.* Nonsense. It was inly right to help you.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *there’s nothing in his eyes that conveys anything but gratitude, acceptance, and happiness…and if anything, he’s relaxed even /more/, this really is a good place, it must be* All the same, milady, I’m grateful for my life, and your care and hospitality. *eyes darken with concern* I’m afraid I can’t stay long, though. His Majesty sent me to ((Village)) to look into mysterious assaults and illnesses among the townspeople. The same poison that was used on me by my assailant – or assailants – is being used on many of the townsfolk, including down to as young as only five. *shakes his head* I /have/ to get to the bottom of this.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: You will. I’ll just be there with you when you do now.
Jazira: But your injuries-
Kalan: I’m making him come back to recover once the assailant is caught.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *looks at him - he'd thought he was being careful enough, but his assailant was a step ahead of him and that nearly cost him his life, he could probably use someone watching his back on this one...but...* My lord, I don't want to see you endanger your life. The perpetrator is both clever and brutal. It could cost you at least as dearly as it has me so far.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: Ah, but we have an advantage. We’re expecting him, where as he is expecting you to be dead, and we’ll have numbers on our side. We’ll find the one, or ones, behind things. ((Village)) is on my land. *looks away* It troubles me that word of happenings have reached the Capotal but not me. *sighs and sits back* Or perhaps they have and I didn’t realize the severity if the problem... *looks at Darnell* Will you tell me more about your case so far, Master Detective? What made his majesty send you in the first place?

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods and will lay everything out as he eats, everything he can remember…there are a few details he’s fuzzy on, he’d written them down in his case journal…which of course went missing with his satchel*

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: ...The king sent you... to hunt /spirits/? *baffled. He’d heard a few whispers of some hauntings in ((Village)), but never really thought much of it. He’d /not/ yet heard of people coming down ill from the encounters. Nevermind that Darnell has learned that it wasn’t a spirit, it baffles him that the king would send his own detective to investigate spirits. And it troubles him that his people didn’t tell him about the illnesses. They’re not part of his household, and he’s always let them govern themselves pretty much...perhaps he’s been too aloof or something... unintentionally, but stil.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *wry grin and shrug* To hunt whatever is really going on. The victims were saying spirits. Either way, the trouble is real, and he wants me to address it, whatever the truth turns out to be.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: Hm. Interresting. Thank you, Darnell, you’ve helped me realize that I have some things I need to do differently if I’m to see my people truly safe.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *small grin and shrugs* I’m glad to know that you truly care, milord. *will finish eating – now that he’s gotten a little food in him, his body is realizing just how /empty/ it is, he’s /famished/ despite the pain and injury*

[socrowdedinhere]

Kalan: I truly do. Life is a precious thing and should be protected and defended.
Jazira: Oh, stop talking his ear off and let him eat, love. He needs to regain his strength if you’re to drag him around before he’s recovered. *waves someine down to ask them to bring Darnell another plate, he’s nearly done wirh what he’s got.*
Kalan: *chuckles.* I best leave you to eat. *pats Darnell’s shoulder as he stands.* I’ll be back.
Jazira: *will stay to keep Darnell company.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods* Thank you, Lord Kalan. *once he’s out of earshot, voice low as he looks at the woman, meeting her eyes (and paying attention to color) with small grin on his face* I’m glad you have such a safe and loving home, Lady Jazira. *slight emphasis on “lady”*

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: *her eyes are hazel. She gives him a curious look.* Of course I have a safe and loving home. *why would he say so, though? No, she’s not going to just admit to what she is.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *doesn’t expect her to, just wants her to know she’s safe with him, should she figure out that he knows (if she didn’t just do so, he /was/ trying to subtly tell her, he’s not going to just state it either) – small smile and nods* I look forward to getting back to mine.

((>,< sorry, I feel like I keep giving you dead-end tags, nothing to bounce off...but I can't think of anything else. orz))

Bbs, meeting.

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: *studies him a long moment.* ...If you are so sure my home is safe and loving, why wait until my husband has left us and only whisper it? Do you believe your words, or do you not?

kk

[neverasked4this]

https://socrowdedinhere.dreamwidth.org/349230.html?thread=7863854#cmt7863854

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *grin turns wry and he drops his gaze with a soft laugh, speaking normally* Point, my lady. Instinct to keep another’s secrets, I guess. Protecting /myself/ from the possibility of a protective husband’s ire. *shrugs* Puzzles and mysteries, I’m really good at. People . . . not so much, sometimes. *tilts his head to look up at her again, still with the wry grin*

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: *studies him a bit longer... and gives him a little smile, tone normal.* My husband and my household are well aware of what I am. I am j’har. *now it is definitely in the open. Darnell may note the few around the room shift to look, almost as if checking if she needs help or protection at all.* Your assessment is correct, Detective, my home is safe and full of love, for me, for our son, and for others. *now this is the true test. Darnell may accept that she’s j’har, but will he accept a half blood boy? She’d rather know now so things can be delt with if necessary. She has a feeling though she will like his andwer.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *hadn’t been sure if she was j’har or half-blood, just that she wasn’t human as she pretended to be – can’t help that his eyes light up a little* A son! Congratulations, my lady. *grins* I have an adopted little sister who would be happy to know another like her has a safe home just as she has.

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: *her smile warms.* I’m glad she had a loving family to raise her. Now, finish eating, you need your strength.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods* I look forward to seeing her with the rest of my family, the next time I get home for a visit. *will finish eating*

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: Is your sister a wielder? *just chatting now...kinda...*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods* Air. *shakes his head with a fond grin* She has the most amazing eyes. Silver. They’re /so/ pretty. Your son? *a wielder?*

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: *smiles and nods.* Water. His eyes are so blue they’re like seeing a painting. *a beat* I’m a Spirit wielder. *eyes him. She’s offering to heal him. She did enough to keep him alive, but hadn’t dared do anything noticable before, but now...*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *eyes widen a bit…then widen some more as the full implication of that hits him – no fear or judgment, just startled* You’re… *faint frown, curious (and a little concerned but more for himself than anything)* Are /you/ the real reason I survived, despite the good doctor’s best efforts? Considering the state I must have been in when you found me. *again, no judgment, just wants to know*

[socrowdedinhere]

Jazira: Yes. I healed your internal wounds so you wiuld not bleed to death.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nodbows from where he’s sitting* Then I am all the more in your debt. Thank you. *it doesn’t even occur to him to ask her to do more or think she might*