1629, Fire Season, Illusion Week, Wildday
Context
After being allowed into the Yelmalian encampment, Maalira has to talk to Lady Beneva about what healing might be needed there. Session S5.O-16.
Events
The work of a White Lady is never done. While the Humakti took off to rest with their Regiment, and probably swap war stories and get a little bit drunk, Maalira has another ordeal ahead of her; tea with the High Healer.
Maalira tidies herself up as much as possible and makes her way towards the High Healer.
Of course, ‘as much as possible’ would be more if she were not almost entirely out of magic. Until her spirit is at least somewhat refreshed, there’s going to be that handprint on her dress. At least it’s obviously blood.
The High Healer’s tent is the Hospital Tent, of course, but it is almost entirely empty, with the sides rolled up and the bedrolls being aired. A small cluster of very expensive white dresses is waiting in ambush for Maalira, around Beneva, whose face she knows.
Maalira gives a little wave, attempting to attract Beneva’s attention.
Beneva floats over in person, gives Maalira’s clothes a glance, and then gives her an approving look. “Hello, our camp’s little heroine,” she says with a touch of wryness. “I thought you should probably say anything you are going to say just once. Come sit with us.”
Maalira smiles gratefully and goes to sit down, fidgeting with her belt-ends.
On the way back, Beneva murmurs, “I turned down an offer from the Ernalda of Kallyr – King Jandetin – to have you be his personal healer. I assume I did right.”
As well as being seen coming to greet Maalira, an honour in itself, Beneva is subtly warning her about other honours; important people have noticed her1Maalira passes Intrigue..
“Oh, yes, thank you,” Maalira says hurriedly. “It would be a great honour of course but I have responsibilities here.” She gestures vaguely in the direction of where Berra probably is.
The bevy of middle-aged women who are clustered around make way, and Beneva sits down at a table where there is room for them all. “So, the Yelmalians. I am sure there is no disease, but if they let us into the camp, what will be needed?”
Maalira purses her lips. “Less than a quarter, but more than half that, have minor or moderate wounds that need seeing to,” she says. “They are mostly not from the last battle.”
“Aiiih.” Beneva winces. “Of course, there were a few skirmishes, and… well, we can handle that. Most will just need the right magic, and as we have not been called in, we have that. We merely await the call.”
“It’s good to have it from the horse’s mouth,” one of the other Healers says happily.
Maalira winces slightly. “Zebra,” she mumbles.
“Praxian, dear,” murmurs someone else. Beneva looks polite about everything. “Do you want to go back in, or would you prefer to stay out here, if we’re asked to help?”
“I will happily go and help wherever’s needed,” Maalira says. “It will depend a little on my companions – I am not sure how long we will be here.”
Beneva gives a slightly pained look. “I do not know all the details,” she murmurs. “But it is likely that our valued High Sword will send his left-hand dagger to find out the truth among the Locaem.” She beat-pauses. “South Sartar.”
“It keeps the Priest away from him while he’s still in a foul temper at her,” murmurs someone to someone else in the crowd.
Maalira covers her hand with her mouth and pretends not to have heard the latter.
She looks at Beneva and nods. “I believe you are right. And where the dagger goes…” she gestures at herself.
“He’s in a foul mood with everyone, you old bat,” comes the good-natured reply to which Maalira is definitely not listening.
Beneva talks smoothly over the interruption anyhow. “Where wounds will be, salve must follow.” It might be a Sartarite aphorism meaning more than just White Ladies going where needed. “I did not hear what the Loaem have done that requires such an august personage to be represented there.”
“They have made some… unwise and, uh, provocative, decisions,” Maalira says cautiously, glancing around at all of the listening ears.
“Oh, hence Berra.” A voice from behind a clay beaker of herbal tea.
“No, he wants her at Wilmskirk.” A sharp whisper from across the big table gets too much attention, and Beneva looks over there, curiously.
Maalira looks also, raising her eyebrows.
“Do go on?” Beneva suggests.
The woman with rosy cheeks does not take the hint. That is, she goes on. “Surely she has to go make sure of his shrine there?”
Beneva coughs. “Not quite what I thought you meant, Randora. Do you know the news from Wilmskirk, and indeed from the skies, dear Maalira?”
“Ah… news has been sparse on the road,” Maalira hedges. “I’ve heard some things?”
“It’s true that Kallyr killed Gunda,” Beneva says.
“Kallyr makes decisions for many reasons,” she says cautiously2Failed Homeland Lore and INTx3. No idea who that is..
“And dozens of Wolf Pirates, to hear it,” someone tells a friend.
“That one would have been easy for her,” Beneva says. “Wolf Pirates marched into Sartar from the South, and Kallyr flew back.”
“Rode on a sunbeam,” murmurs an editor at the other end of the table.
“Uh.” Maalira says.
“I’ve got a nasty boil I need to see to later, Effeni. Can I borrow you and your lancet?”
Again, Beneva manages to ignore the chatter. “She effectively killed Gunda and returned. The pirates fled.”
“That… might be what happened,” Maalira says non-commitally3She definitely remembers Harrek and the death of Jar-eel..
“Of course, dear, but you know what I charge for ransom,” Effeni replies to her friend.
Beneva gives Maalira a look now. “Whatever you may have heard, Kallyr said that it was so.” The ‘or not heard’ hangs silently.
“As you say,” Maalira says diplomatically
“No, I do not think he would be concerned with his own shrine.” Beneva gets back on track. “He was barely concerned with his own family.”
“So she’s really just going to see to the Locaem?” The rosy-cheeked woman looks confused.
Beneva gives a tiny, compressed shrug. “Perhaps he wishes for news from that area, but then again, he can have that anyway.”
“So it’s good we’re sending one of us.” Rosy-cheeks turns a big smile on Maalira. At least this was not the woman who was talking about gift-zebras.
“I will do my best to serve,” Maalira says with a smile in return.
“There may be curious calls on resources in the area,” Beneva notes. “As Wilmskirk is likely to be rebuilding.”
“That is a good point – I should restock my herbs before we go on.” Maalira looks absent as though she is rummaging through her supplies in her head.
“We can open up the dispensaries to you. Now, tell me about your Fire Season?”
Around them, the chatter grows.
Maalira is careful about what she says, but polite, for the rest of the little social meet-up.
- 1Maalira passes Intrigue.
- 2Failed Homeland Lore and INTx3. No idea who that is.
- 3She definitely remembers Harrek and the death of Jar-eel.
