'I- I…'
Arin waited for madam Seren to stop stuttering and answer him. Siel also remained where he was, frowning lightly up at the old lady.
Then,
Whoosh-
'Whoa!' Arin rushed forward to catch the woman before she could collapse to the floor. He made it just in time.
Holding up her bony frame by the shoulders, his checked for her pulse, then sighed in relief.
If what he'd learned from those shows he'd sometimes watched was somewhat correct, madam Seren had just fainted.
He sighed again, then lowered the lady to settle her back down into the nearby chair. He tried propping her up as best as he could, but when her head lolled back for the fourth time, he gave up and left her there.
Pulling away from her limp form, he sighed for a third time.
Well, that was a bust.
Siel had also straightened up in the meantime, and was dusting something off his oversized clothes. Meeting Arin's awkward gaze, the younger tower magician shrugged.
'I truly hadn't considered that that might happen,' he said. 'I suppose it's a good thing we didn't get around to trying any of those other methods I'd been suggesting.'
Arin didn't respond immediately. He looked back down at the old maid, still slumped there with her eyes and lips both tightly sealed.
They hadn't gotten all the answers they'd wanted, and she probably wasn't going to be getting up anytime soon.
Still, Siel wasn't wrong.
If just being a little bit pushy had made her collapse…
He probably wouldn't have been able to live with himself if the woman had suffered a heart attack midway through them tossing snakes at her head, or whatever else Siel had said.
Even with the unsatisfactory results, looks like he'd still at least managed to pick the better option.
Yet another win (?) for the good-cop bad-cop routine!
…
Presently, Siel asked, 'What now, brother Rin?'
Uh…
'We… should probably bring her back to Silvershade,' Arin answered, voice uncertain.
Then, suddenly remembering he was Rin, he deepened his voice and continued a bit more confidently, 'We must keep her within sight, lest she escapes.'
'I see,' Siel nodded. 'And once everything has been settled in Silvershade, she can lead us to where those other unfortunates lie buried.'
Arin quirked a brow. Even though one might consider madam Seren's overreaction and distress at his accusations to be proof enough, it still astounded him how easily the younger tower magician would just… believe, and go along with whatever he said.
'Precisely. And we'll have to report the matter to the Willowshade authorities first. They can help arrange the… transportation.'
After all, he couldn't exactly just traipse out the main gate with an unconscious old woman casually slung over a shoulder.
…Right?
Arin still wasn't too certain of what was and wasn't considered acceptable in this strange world.
*
Back in Silvershade, sir Veylor had been working at full tilt. For the first time since Arin had seen the village, the streets were busy with activity. And while the activity itself mainly involved moving the incapacitated villagers out of their homes and into a common area, he had to admit that there was something welcome about it all.
'It seems sir Veylor has managed to assemble quite an impressive workforce, given the short notice,' observed Siel as they walked towards the empty marketplace. A man - carefully floating along two mattresses, along with their sleeping occupants - had directed them there.
'I wonder if he's fared as well with inviting the healers…'
As they rounded a corner, Arin saw sir Veylor gesticulating wildly as he talked - no, argued - with a lanky individual draped in flowing robes. The person, seemingly noticing their approach, shook their head from under the lowered hood of their cloak, said something briefly, and then turned around and left in the other direction.
Sir Veylor ran a hand down his face, looking somewhat angry, until he noticed them walking his way.
'You are probably wondering what that was all about, then,' he said with a wry chuckle when they finally reached his side.
Arin gave a silent nod, while Siel exclaimed, 'Indeed! I simply cannot understand why some people choose to wear their hoods lowered to their chin like so. What a strange and inconveniencing way of dressing.'
For just a moment, both Arin and sir Veylor stared at the younger tower magician, whose oversized clothes flapped gently around him in the late afternoon breeze. Then, they exchanged a glance, and Arin quickly asked, 'Was that a healer?'
The tired-looking man nodded. 'A wanderer, simply traversing these regions in search of… something. He heard of our situation, and accompanied some of the willing hands on their way to Silvershade, but… '
'He has conditions?' Arin guessed.
'He inquired about the compensation offered, and seemed dissatisfied with it. Currency, tools, possessions… nothing appeals to him. But when I ask him to name his price - to tell me what it is that he seeks! - he refuses to elaborate!'
'He desires some certain thing, but won't tell you what that is?' Siel frowned.
Arin frowned too. 'And the reason you are so keen on recruiting his aid, in particular -'
'It's because his talent - if his claims are to be believed - is particularly strong. He can restore health to at least a hundred failing bodies. A hundred! At once!'
Arin huffed. Of course, there'd be a powerful healing magician, who also just so happened to conveniently be about right when they needed help, and ofcourse, he'd end up being some demanding, eccentric dumbass.
Looking at that stupid hood, he should've known.
'Well, we cannot be expected to cater to his wants and whims at such a time. Leave him be,' he said with a shrug. 'What of the others?'
'A handful from the surrounding villages. A few more to come by nightfall, and a group arriving even later, from the city where I work. Not all particularly strong, and not enough for…'
Not enough for everyone in the village.
'You've done well, sir Veylor,' said Siel. The younger tower magician paused for a moment to think, before turning to look up at Arin. 'I believe I might be able to offer some assistance here, senior brother.'
'Good,' Arin inclined his head. He wasn't sure what exactly the boy was hoping to do, but knew it'd be more than anything he himself would be able to offer. 'Then, I'll be leaving to take care of something else. Do what you can, in the meantime.'
After Siel had left with sir Veylor, Arin turned his footsteps in another direction.
He still needed some help deciding on the best course of action for tonight.