#fenixtj

"I'm.... um, glad for you, Fontaine. Listen, is it possible for you to travel?"

"Oh yes, I can leave my anchor. I just need to ready a husk. Won't take too long. Where do you need me?"

"Sunkissed Waves. The Baron is poisoned, and I have Otem looking for a cure but I need time."

"I will bring a liter of the waters with me, it will help I am sure" He says

"Thank you. See you soon."

"Yes. I'm going to have to wear pants, aren't I?"

"Probably for the best."

"A healer's burden" A nod "On my way. Shall I hand this back to Diego?"

"Yes please."

And she will brief Diego briefly on the current situation.

Diego answers "I never liked Tidemarch, but the fact he took an arrow trying to protect you must gall you so I'll do my best over here. The important question I think is who is in charge over there for the next two days?"

"For now, me. Once I have the necessary stuff to make a cure and I see Tidemarch is at least stable, I'll figure out next steps."

"Sensible. You reealize that makes you kind of trapped there in the short term?"

"I'm at Sunkissed Waves, not Sonora." dryly.

"As soon as you leave, some ambitious noble will take over behind your back, hold a secret court and start their agenda. I don't like Tidemarch, but held that place in check more or less. With him gone, abmitious nobles will set intrigues in motion"

"First things first, Diego. Thanks."

"None the less, I'm sending some of your loyal thanes or at least a knight there by your side. You need someone you can trust"

"Thank you. I'm sure that will help. Give Otem all the help he needs, too."

"Otem seems to think this is HIS people's job to fix. He's as stubborn as a troll"

"Still. See what you can do. Thanks again. I need to check on the Baron."

"You're welcome ,and... good luck"

The call ends

Jess puts the phone away and turns to Vaeltilde. "Let's go see the Baron."

She nods and moves along side her, snapping to the stance of confidence and surity even little sidhe girls can manage

And so they return to where the Baron is being treated. "How is he?"

Wort looks back "He will not die today"

"Good. I have help on the way, I hope you don't mind. The Nunnehi who poisoned him suggested an antidote and I have Fontaine from Fenix coming to help."

"I've never been so proud as to let it deny a patient of mine help, your excellency"

SHe nods. "The sign of a true healer."

"Is he.. can he talk?" Vaeltilde asks "Master St. Johns?"

At that the troll healer shakes his head at the little girl "He non responsive"

"Sit by him, hold his hand, and talk to him. Perhaps read him a story." she gives St. Johns a glance before continuing "He may not be able to respond, but perhaps he can hear you. It would comfort him, give him strength."

Wort St. Johns nods, "There are signs that a voice can help, interaction helps. And he knows you. It will not be an easy duty, Baroness Vaeltilde. It is no small task."

"I don't fear it" Vaeltilde says "I shall have a chair set next to him and read him stories like he's read to me"

The healer mmphs and nods ,but Jessica hears in trollish ("Well done, Countess. It gives her a sense of helpfulness")

She nods. "Thank you, Vaeltilde." She settles in to wait for Fontaine.

Fontaine arrives. He moves stiffly. He's always had trouble 'breathing' but away from his anchor he wheezes, but he is here, and.. he's wearing pants

"Fontaine. Thank you for coming; what do you need?"

"To see the patient" he says

She nods and leads him there.

Jessica soon finds herself out of her element, the two healers, realizing each others skills, begin talking in medical lingo interspaced with latin, greek, and, of course, shamanisms

"Gents, I'm going to go .... um, be busy." and she withdraws to check on the prisoner.

the prisoner is under watch, unharmed, gagged

"Keep him bound for now, but offer comfort every hour; food, water, a blanket, um.... the necessary...."

One of the thanes speaks up "he may have KILLED our liege"

She fixes the Thane with an ice-blue eye. "Your liege lives. If that changes, I have plans for him; plans he will not enjoy. Until then, do you understand your orders?"

"Yes, your excellency" He bows his head

"Thank you." more gently "If you come to a point where you feel you cannot follow them, let me know and I'll find you other duties; no loss or shame in it. And, I'll do this for anyone who can't do so."

He and the other guard bow again at that

"My personal thanks for understanding." she adds, and steps inside with the prisoner.