(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

[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