Pick Your Poison Who: Brennan Wulfe, Lee Wyland, Loïc Arkaitz, Imenry Barras, Signy Dagna, anyone else in G1 who wants to herb it up Where: Redcliffe. When: 30 Molioris, 9:45 Summary: On her last stop before some fun-for-the-whole-family herb gathering Lee runs into Signy and the dwarf's trusty posse who seem interested in helping out. Rating: K In progress
With her woven basket clutched securely to her chest Lee carefully navigated the hilly slope back down to the center of town, doing her damndest not to slip. She had practically tumbled down it earlier in her near sleepless state and she had no desire to repeat the performance.
Behind her she could hear Loïc’s sure steps as he trailed sedately after her. She felt bad; it was already late afternoon and she had been leading him around since dawn, first to the chantry to make and distribute more potions and then all around the village when she realized they were running low on herbs, checking to see if anyone else had any and somehow picking up requests for potions as she went. Most of the townsfolk and guards had wanted simple healing poultices but there had been a few requests for salves and a surprising number had asked after any poisons she could brew. It made sense, she supposed, but a part of her doubted any poison she could concoct would be effective against the darkspawn. What good would her poisons be against a walking, breathing disease?
Ahead of her a woman, not much younger than Lee herself, walked up the path with her young son, smiles branded on both their faces even with the threat of the darkspawn hovering just out of reach. Then bright eyes landed on the swirling red robes of an enchanter and that cautious joy turned to fear. A trembling hand yanked her protesting child out of the mage’s path and hurried past as quick as could be. Face shuttering, hurt locked away, Lee carried on, shoulders straight and chin held high.
Coming to the edge of the square she paused and took a moment to look around, trying to remember where exactly the blacksmith was located. Those in the castle had directed her there, telling her that Signy and some of Lee’s other companions were there and the enchanter thought it best to see if any of them were in need of potions since she seemed to be taking orders.
Catching sight of the smoke from the forge curling through the air she took off in that direction. Normally she might have cursed herself for blindness but the village had been full of smog and the acrid smell of darkspawn since the fires had begun the night before. The stench had seeped into everything and there had been a number of people who had poured into the chantry that morning, complaining of feeling ill. Luckily the cases seemed to be more an issue of nausea than any pestilence from the darkspawn themselves. It was a small mercy.
Stopping outside the blacksmith’s shop she knocked once, still unsure how one was meant to act with stores, and carefully pushed the door open. Stepping in her voice rang out, “Hello, I was looking for Miss Signy. Is she,” cutting off she smiled as she caught sight of the young dwarf by the forge. Off in one of the corners sat Imenry and the man from the other night, talking.
Dipping her head in greeting, face bright she continued speaking despite her small pause, “Good afternoon. I was about to go collect some herbs. The supplies are running quite low and we need more but I seem to be taking requests for potions and poisons first. Was there anything you needed to be brewed? A lyrium potion, perhaps? Or some salves?”