Bobby
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Hearing that Amaryllis was getting better was great news. He didn't know her condition before, but hearing her describe what she remembered was quite enough. It seemed like poison to him since no one else was contracting this illness, and it gave him a slight bit of hope until Josephine said that Amaryllis dreamed of a flower. 

He cleared his throat then pointed to Amaryllis laying on the bed, "This woman. Bedridden with fever and probably poisoned dreamed of a flower to cure herself in her fitful sleep, and you sent a man to fetch it?" He looked between the two of them again. 

He clearly was much less hopeful or trusting of her vision. It sounded absolutely mad when he said it out loud, but it was obvious that he was alone in that opinion. "The others who are suffering from this has had no luck in a cure, I'm assuming?" 

The situation seemed pretty hopeless from where he was standing. They had men out on the quest for a magical flower, Amaryllis was recovering but who knew how long that was going to last, and there didn't seem to be any known cure. Putting their faith in a magical flower was making more sense by the second.

"We have two options," He said, reminiscent of the choices he gave Amaryllis when the shifter attacked. "We can either sit here, wait for the magic flower..." He looked between the two of them. "Or, we can see if there is anyone else recovering from this kind of attack. See if they have a less... Difficult.. Cure."
Eddie
Rolf,
The Wilderness Near Iron Gate

Wide eyes. They were throbbing and horrified. Sweat ran freely down the dark, near ebony skin of the man, the rock and pebble flew quickly past his blurred gaze streaming tears. His thick lower lip was trembling under the rattling sound of teeth gritting. Rolf stopped next to one of the pine trees scattered down the last slope of the mountain. He fell, a slump of flesh and steel that rustled and banged, to his knees. His right hand felt the roughness of the trunk beside him and his head turned to peer back behind him.

"No. No! Stay away!" He cried out, face ridden in terror. The memories of his past took form in the cave, fragments from the whole he wanted to forget. What he saw plain on the landscape was a woman, lithe and curvy, striking ebony complexion and bruised face. Her right cheek was open at the cheekbone's outer edge. Her left cheek at the inner. There were purple marks on her jawline and cheeks, her nose was broken. Blood trickled down one of her nostrils slow.

The Amorothian ran for his sanity, if there was any there. He turned his eyes forward and ran, ran as far as he could. She had to give up, right?
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col, and Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant

Amaryllis glanced at her friend with a look of concern. She knew that Josephine was worried about Tagus and the mission she had sent him on. The two of them were so close... She could only imagine how heartbroken Josephine would be if she were to lose Tagus, and even more so if she lost him because of a mission that she had sent him on.

Col's ridicule probably was't helping anything either. "It's our only hope," Amaryllis replied firmly. "I know it sounds crazy, and maybe nothing will come of Tagus' quest, but the lives of hundreds rest upon a cure. None has been found yet. No one in Iron Gates has survived it. Some have clung to live longer than others, but it is only a matter of time. They worsen every day..." She shook her head as the images of the horrid sickness ran through her mind. Perhaps it was better for those suffering if their lives ended, especially if no cure was found soon...

"You're welcome to go searching for someone that has survived though, Col," She continued after a pause. "I don't hold out hope that you will find one, but you can try. I don't... I don't understand why I'm still alive.. When so many others are dead." She shook her head and closed her eyes once more, though no tears came. "Some think I'm a witch... Because of my dream and my survival... If you can find someone else that has survived, it would make this all seem less strange."
Eddie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

The young noble had read of visions and dreams, of people that could reach into the future and interpret it for owner to understand. However, the experience made her confident, along with the fact her friend was the one who had dreamt and spoken of the flower. Josephine believed Amaryllis as much as she believed Camira and her stories. The naive girl was too trusting, some would say, but then they were never trusted to see her like this. Glad, but concerned. Happy, but sad. She felt both not because Ryllis was her friend, bt due to her condition. Had the shepherdess not been ill, she'd be the utmost happy barred of the ugliness of the world.

"The gods may have well spoken for her!" She said, loyal to the dogma of the land. Faithful. Col's skepticism was understandable. It was not the first time she met someone that didn't believe such things. They were rarer to exist, of they did at all, but Josephine believed her father and knew magic was real and that it was very dangerous. Clovis even made her promise. "I shan't study magic." She said back then.

"Tagus will be here soon, Ryllis. I know he will!" Josephine was trying to cling to that reality. The thought of him being away for so long, especially on a quest that could be hollow. "We will help the afflicted!"

"When we left the apothecary at the outer rim, the streets were filled with refugees. People attacked by the wolfmen in other towns and villages."
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col, and Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant

Col didn't believe in anything. Even being raised in the hub of religion, his beliefs were grounded firmly on the earth and things he could prove. Witches or Gods... Neither bothered him because he didn't have a firm belief in either. He exhaled a bit because it was obvious they believed so strongly in Amaryllis' dream. He wasn't a big talker to begin with, so he knew when it was time to just shut up. When Amaryllis said she didn't understand why she was alive he shrugged, "You're lucky for that." 

Josephine said the gods may have spoken to her, and he didn't really have a reply. They put their faith in this Tagus, so the only thing he could do was wait with them and try to keep Amaryllis alive until he got there. It seemed like neither of them were focused on just Amaryllis getting better. When Josephine said that they wanted to help everyone that was afflicted he said, "That's a noble quest." 

He wasn't sure what else he could do for them, so he finally just sat in the chair next to Amaryllis' bed that she offered him earlier. He wasn't accustomed to feeling useless.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col, and Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

Amaryllis was silent for a few moments, having sensed Col's discomfort and Josephine's worry. After some time, she finally looked up at her friend and said, "It will work. Don't worry. I'm sure Tagus will be back by morning."

She then turned her attention to Col and said, "And what of you, Col? What happened after you left? I... I hadn't really expected you to stay, but I didn't expect you to leave so soon either. I... Well, thank you for everything you did. I wouldn't have survived without your help. Nobody else came to help me, certainly. I hope you haven't had any run-ins with shifters since then!" She smiled somewhat teasingly at that, but there was little doubt that she hated shifters and any subhuman creatures. "And is there anything that I can do for you? I owe you..."
Eddie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

What a day.

It was about to turn worse as evening fell.

Roderick left the citadel with Maverick and Hausel as his wings. He walked the fine cobble of the inner rings of Iron Gate, mindless of the design of the front and windows. To each their own, and it was common sense in true knighthood to not give in to the trivialities of things. Fashion didn't bother him, gossip was earned in value and reliability. Petty things were left for petty men.

They arrived at the Gallant Pheasant. There were two torches that lit the entrance, each at a side of the oaken door. There was "Welcome" Carved on its center, fine calligraphy on the wood. Roderick pushed the door open and entered the bar area past the greeting hallway. The inn was comfortable with its different sections, but the building was rather large. The bar was just on the right of the entry hall, where Howitzer was waiting for them and the others.

"Lord Roderick." Howitzer acknowledged the presence and rank of his senior and nodded at him. His eyes were locked with the Knight Commander's.

Roderick was concerned, doubly so after he asked Howitzer how the trip to the apothecary go. There were some details left out or added in, natural of mouth to mouth and perspective in the reception of the message. But the facts were there was a plague, which he already knew about, and Amaryllis had it, but survived.

"Josephine will want to wait for her complete recovery." He spoke out loud, but truly to himself. "Where is Rolf? Is Tagus upstairs with the lady?" Roderick wasn't necessarily overly concerned, but he did want to get a full update on his group's movement. Perhaps they could be more leisure now that Amaryllis was recovering. But they couldn't flaunt their duties.

"It so happens that Amaryllis dreamed of a flower that may help against the infection, or whatever it is." Howitzer said as he looked down at his superior. Literally, being the tallest of the group. "Tagus and Rolf went to try and find someone that knows where it is and get it."

"She doesn't look like a *Witch*." Hausel added. "But she reeks of it." He said with a sneer.

"If she is a witch, we made a powerful ally!" Maverick said, enthused.

"Her kindness is a mask!" Hausel retorted. He wasn't really convinced, but he hated her. He hated her for being a peasant smearing a pure lady with her dirt and shit.

"I *Still* Am not convinced." He spoke true, but there was always a mystery in the back of his eye. Roderick was a man of secrets, like many others. What his own were, well. "I will go upstairs and talk with our Lady. Rest easy, but-" His words sharpened like knives. "Ensure order and safety."

Morning? Hopefully, yes. But morning?! She wanted Tagus there now and she could be thinking of her eyes swelling, but they didn't. She was relieved that the worry wasn't affecting her so, but her mind couldn't help but think she should have gone with him. But then who would stay with Amaryllis? Tagus was wounded as well, but he could walk and fight. Maybe. Gods, she was so stupid sending him like that, wasn't she?

Josephine grounded herself to the conversation, to Col Jude's answer and to Amaryllis. She managed to fabricate a smile of empathy towards the two and their bond. She really loved meeting others and the way sometimes it was so spontaneous made her heart swell and chest warm up. Of course, she didn't think about the good without the bad. But the bad didn't take place in her mind. It didn't last long. Amaryllis was so giving and thoughtful of others. Col saved her life. Josephine might have felt like that in the same shoes, but it wasn't something she wanted to dwell about. She had her feet and Ryllis had hers. And she was happy they could walk together. Or ride a horse!

Josephine let the two talk between each other, though the silence around them was deafened by the loud knocking on the door. Steel gauntlets hit the wood and bearer announced the name.

"It's Lord Roderick, my lady."

Josephine was twisted in her emotions, reactions to the return of the Knight Commander. She was glad he was back, for it gave her a sense of protection, not alone, accompanied by the sense of his well being. But it also meant protocol, to be less herself, she felt, to be the noble she needed to wear the guise of, although she was. Josephine walked to the door and opened it. She unlocked it first then pulled on the iron knob. Roderick bowed.

"Good evening, my Lady. How are you and Amaryllis faring?" He peered over the shoulder of the lithe woman and saw the man, a figure and a face he didn't have a clue about. Roderick wasn't pleased about letting just anyone into the bedroom of the Lady, for the rumors of her being in Iron Gate were surely hit Raunkastel at some point. The last thing they needed was stupid gossip about shirking her duty. The story was point. They followed the caravan and guarded it until they arrived in Iron Gate. Sure, she was wearing traps, but *That* Sticks out more in high end society. It didn't matter away from that. "May I inquire as to who is your guest, My Lady?"

"Oh! His name is Col and he saved Amaryllis from a shifter!" She said, with praise.

Roderick believed it. Amaryllis told Josephine this, Tagus included, but not the other knights. They knew she had a limp on one of her legs, usually forgetting which. She was attacked by a shapeshifter then, and that knight e side her was her savior. Her hero. It was lucky that they met now that the shepherdess was performing another survival miracle, with the first being Col Jude's timely arrival. Roderick grew the half hearted idea that Amaryllis was a lucky charm. He didn't truly believe it, but she was surviving all the chaos so far, and was fighting for Josephine. It was enough evidence she could be anything, but she was Josephine's friend too. No, it was a miracle. Or something. He had to not care, ultimately, as long as she was getting better.

"May I come in?" Roderick asked.

Josephine nodded, her face swept from the smile speaking about Col to a more rigid expression. She walked to the side of Amaryllis and introduced Roderick to the other knight.

"Col, this is Sir Roderick. He's the leader of the knights accompanying us."

"Greetings." Lord Roderick nodded at Col Jude, but he wasn't inserted in a formal way. "Let us be at ease." It had been a long day. For the first time, Josephine saw the Knight Commander relieve himself of protocol.

The moon peeked from above the buildings.
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Amaryllis asked him what happened, and he dreaded that question. He wasn't sure how to answer honestly without sounding like she didn't matter to him. They were relative strangers, but he did feel a connection to her. He felt somewhat protective over her, he knew what is was like to be cold and alone as well. He didn't want to see anyone suffer through that. He looked over at her, a little stone faced from being put on the spot. He eventually mustered up a reply, "You really shouldn't thank me anymore than you have, and I've already told you what you owe me." He was serious when he told her to stop crying and don't die. 

"I tried to come back," He said while adjusting in his chair to face her a little more. "I was still in training, and I wasn't in a position to leave without permission. I wouldn't have been able to come back if I did something like that. I had to make a choice." He felt awful for admitting that to her, but it was the truth. He was silent for a little while before he said, "If it helps, in my head you recovered, got married to the local pig farmer and finally had someone to take care of you." 

Josephine's silent panic was lost to him in the moment because he was so focused on Amaryllis. She had every right to hate him. It seemed she found a good friend, a Lady. She didn't need him. He would have understood if she told him to leave.

The knock on the door made him turn his attention away from her. Josephine went to answer it, but he heard Lord Roderick announce himself from the other side of the door. They made eye contact when he looked over Josephine's shoulder at him, but he didn't say anything until they were introduced. Col returned the nod then stood when the man came in the room. He appreciated him asking to be at ease, "Aye." It had been a long day for him, but the past few hours felt longer than his entire journey so far. He had so much further to travel for the tournament, but he couldn't leave her twice without knowing she would actually survive this. 

So far, Lord Roderick seemed of the human variety. Col felt at ease being in the room with him, so he didn't immediately leave when they had protection even though he was exhausted. At that point, he wasn't going to leave unless Amaryllis wanted him to.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Amaryllis listened to Col's explanation with interest, though before she could say anything to him, Roderick came into the room. She gave Col a tired little smile, hoping to assuage any fears he might have for her response, then turned her attention to Roderick as she said, "Hello, sir. Have you heard any more news of what's going on in Iron Gate? Are there any more survivors yet? Col was wondering if anyone else had survived and started getting better, like me, and if so, what helped them." She didn't mention his lack of belief in her vision. Admittedly, she didn't quite believe it either! 

It took her a moment to realize that Roderick was less than happy about a stranger-at least to him-being brought into the room, but as soon as she did, she added quickly, "And I'm sorry for bringing a stranger into the room." She bit her lip for a moment, remembering what Josephine had said about the gossip of nobility. What a bunch of cackling hens! Still, she could understand the concern, for Josephine's honor and, well, purity was likely important to her position at court. "He saved my life when the shifter attacked, and I never got the chance to thank him. I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

She reached out and took Col's hand rather impulsively. Her hand seemed so tiny and small in his, and while she knew that it would likely make him feel quite awkward, she did it more as a show of solidarity than anything else. 

"I know how it might look, sir, but I can assure you that I'll take the fall, if need be. He's my guest, and I'm sure the... The others would believe worse about me than of Josephine, and with ease." She was rather afraid that he would send Col away before she got to speak with him, so she continued in a pleading voice, "Just please don't send him away..."
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Col was quiet while Amaryllis explained the situation, and when she took his hands he just let her. He couldn't help but smirk as the idea of him tainting a Lady's reputation came up in conversation. He took a look at Josephine, she was beautiful. He knew what he looked like, and the thought of a Lady falling for him was pretty laughable. He was scarred, battle-worn... Nothing like the Lords or anyone high born. He scoffed when Amaryllis was finished speaking then looked at Lord Roderick, "If all else fails. You can just have whoever is gossiping take a look at me. That will immediately dispel any attacks on the Lady's character."