Lodric and Bowen aid Kaela as the young woman drains the infection from Aislinn. The young Dornish girl cries out at times, although it is uncertain if she is in pain or in delirium.
Keep the young wench quiet or you will bring the Shadow down upon us! Ibor sneers at Kaela. For the first time, Murdoch replies to Ibor, standing to match the scarred one's gaze, his voice steely, his bearing remarkably regal. Keep your tongue silent Ibor, or I will silence it myself. Do you understand? Ibor scowls at Murdoch and continues to sulk, sitting on the table in the corner.
With the sores drained, Aislinn drifts into a deep slumber, unresponsive to Kaela's ministrations. Looking over Kaela, Bowen sucks in air between her teeth. Young Kaela, look at her eyes! Methinks the infection is here as well. Pulling back Aislinn's eyelids, her white eyes leak a milk white liquid mixed with crimson. In the corner, Fallax sidles up to Ibor, the two lost in low talk. From the occassional phrases that drift from their conversation, the two are apparently discussing Fallax's theories on his archealogical findings in the north and their connection to Aislinn.
A knock sounds on the stone door down the steps that lead into the sewers under Baden's Bluff. Immediately Murdoch inspects the door before returning upstairs with the Erenlander Ensin, the rogue throwing back his hood and whispering to Murdoch, his intense gaze on the Heroes.
Murdoch turns to the Heroes solemnly. Taking a deep breath, Murdoch informs the Heroes of Ensin's news. Jodya has been found on the Worm Docks intact. Your story is true, sent by the Blue Sky Traders if my sources are correct. I am pleased. Honest folk such as yourself are far and few between in this Age of Shadow. Murdoch wipes his mouth with his hand before continuing. However, we may have a problem. Cerano, High Legate of Baden's Bluff, has driven his forces hard the last week. Extra patrols. Inspecting old buildings, seeking our hideouts. The old man seemed more intested in his horrific experiments than in us. Now, I think we know why. Murdoch pauses, chosing his words carefully. Thune the Widowmaker was spotted this morning on the Worm Docks. Supreme tracker of Shadow, his appearance is a terrible omen for us. Never have I heard of him in Baden's Bluff. I wonder if his appearance is tied to you? Also seen entering Cerano's Temple of Shadow was Theiv the Black, a beastly legate of horrific repute. I have heard of the Dorn spending his time in Theros Obsidia, never in Baden's Bluff, but word has drifted to us that he has been scouring the north, looking for some weapon or enemy of Shadow. Still, I don't think either of these two have upset Cerano more than the appearance of Arwen the Raven, Merciful Mother of the Sisterhood of Tender Mercies. She walks with demons, demons that feast on men's souls, they say. I have no doubt that Cerano and Theiv fear her and conspire against her. Our sources say she is keeping her distance from either of the two other legates. She obviously have wind of Theiv's appearance, and possibly what he is searching for. Thune rarely owes allegiance to any, but our sources say he has been seen in the company of Theiv. And you are here as well. I do not think this is any coincidence. And I do not think you can understand the power of the forces arrayed against you.
Murdoch lowers his head and walks back and forth in thought. Your charge, the young Dorn girl, may be something more than all of us realize. I suggest two options. One, we dare the Shadow. Take her to the Elven representative of Erethor. She could inform us of our best course of action and provide us aid. Or, two, we don't risk losing the girl and flee from Baden's Bluff. But where? With what aid? Do any of you have sources, friends, that could help? Either way, we must decide quickly. Three powerful legates and their insidious minions. We must move quickly and decisively before our opponent's chess pieces are arrayed against us! She is your charge. What course of action should we take?
