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Continued... "She promised she could bring the baby, without pain. She had this list of requirements, but it was just so long, and I didn't exactly have a lot of time to read them, so I just... signed it." "You didn't... not in... blood?!" She nodded mutely, staring at her white knuckles where they held a death grip on the teacup. I watched as a single tear escaped her control and fell with a splash on the table. "Ok" I said, "Nothing is unsolvable. Tell me what we're dealing with here." "She took him, Asha. She took my baby right out of my belly. No knife, no birth, just *POOF* as if I was never even pregnant. But I can HEAR him screaming in my dreams, and I just know she has him. I know it. You can't imagine what it's like to hear your baby crying, and not be able to do anything about it." The tears were flowing freely now, and I handed her a bit of cloth for her face. "Got it. It sounds like that apothecary and I are going to have a little 'chat'." I said, as I started checking my sleeves and pockets, giving myself the once-over for weapons and supplies. "Are you insane?" Ellie grabbed my favorite knife away. Not exactly a bright thing to do in the best of times, and in that moment, I was highly focused and very tightly strung. It took everything in me not to slash the hand with my other blade, but I didn't. For Ellie, I'd do anything. "Look." she said staring into my eyes, this woman is DANGEROUS. You don't understand what she can do." "Oh, I understand", I said. "I understand more than you realize. Where do you think that wench got her starter stock from? Remember that job I did in Sanhae? I sold most of the proceeds to her for capital, but I kept a few of the best things back. Things that are just too good to share. Along with, of course, the antidotes for each of her little poisons." I resumed my weapons check. I don't normally do wet work. I'm capable, I just choose not to. But Ellie? Ellie is my one exception. The apothecary lives in the old armory, 4 generations and a hard day's ride from my little cottage on the outskirts of Nagnang. "You stay here," I said to Ellie, "I'll be back in a few days. There's food in the pantry, just don't answer the door if anyone knocks." I closed the door behind me, and went to saddle my horse. A day later, I passed out of the dark forest and into the clearing outside Nagnag's armory, but found myself confronted with a sign: ==================================== || Home of Majhum || || Protector of the valley || || Appointed by King Yuri || || No entry, by order of King Yuri || ==================================== I stopped short. If I was cold before, now I was ice. The idea of Koguryo trying to claim control over any part of Nagnang... it doesn't bear discussion. I don't care how far on our outskirts it may be, last I checked it is still OUR outskirts. Lucky for M'hul though, I had a job that took precedence. He would just have to wait his turn. Then again, maybe not so lucky. That would give me more time to plan. Tying my horse to a tree, I took two small pouches from my pocket. The first held a cream which I rubbed carefully over both hands, being sure to cover every bit of skin. The second was a very fine grey powder. This, I sprinkled very lightly on my right hand. Just a bit here, a little goes a very long way. Rewrapping both pouches and storing them in my pocket, I proceeded on to the armory. ::Continued... | |