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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 4-3, Your Highness

The pressing concern for Cruff's welfare had caused the group to lose some of its hesitance. Once Aodhan and Runs-on-Air had returned with confirmation that there were several resident healers in Vallara Friar Arlowe lead the call to get the injured party members there immediately, and with no time to spare. While Aodhan would have felt more comfortable continuing to scout out the town and find where the Church's forces were situated, he realized that he was outnumbered by members of the party wanting to move faster. As he approached the monk's unconscious son, he began to understand why.

Sister Aurelie, who was seated beside the grievously wounded Raccoon Dog, looked up at Aodhan, "He is pale... and breathing shallowly. I'm afraid he won't last much longer."

Friar Arlwoe nodded, "He is only getting worse. We need a surgeon."

The wolf, who had already relented the point, simply nodded, "Very well. Runs-on-Air is out seeking something we can use to create a stretcher, and as soon as he returns we will go. The closest doctor is several blocks over, but it appears he works from his home... all we will have to do is knock loud enough."

The injured antelope had recovered well enough to sit up, and apparently to also offer his own input, "But not so loudly as to attract attention-- if there really ARE men here who are after us we'll need to have tact as well as urgency."

Friar Arlowe nodded, "When we arrive at the doctor's, if he does not immediately answer I will stay with Cruffington and lock as loudly as needed."

Sister Aurelie rested a paw on the monk's forearm, "Do not lose hope before you're given reason to, Friar Arlowe... for all we know the doctor will be awake and come directly upon the first knock."

The prong horn shook his head, "No learned man in his right mind would be up at three hours past midnight... and if he isn't in his right mind we certainly wouldn't want him working on any of us."

The monk lowered his head, lowering a paw atop Cruff's chest, "At some point, even an insane surgeon will be better than letting my son go one more hour without aid."

Brother Rhys stood and moved to kneel beside the monk, resting a paw on the man's shoulder, "Have Faith, Friar."

The older Raccoon Dog looked up at him, a bitter-sweet smile on his muzzle, "I do, Brother, or else I would have given up long before we've made it this far."

The rat withdrew his paw and glanced to the door, "I'm going to go see if I can find Runs-on-Air and give him some help... he may need aid carrying--"

Aodhan stepped up to stop the priest, "No, Brother Rhys... we will already be risking much being out on the street as a group... we cannot afford to challenge our luck any further. Runs-on-Air will return and he will have a stretcher."

Sister Aurelie looked up from Cruff, "We could go as two groups."

Friar Arlowe looked to the cat, and then toward Aodhan, "Yes... that would be wiser. There is no reason to make Mr. Severna wait any longer for aid. Besides... two smaller groups will be missed much more likely than a single large one."

Brother Rhys shook his head, "No... we have a better chance of getting away if we are in full numbers. If we split up then it only increases the risk."

Friar Arlowe's concern grew as he glanced between the antelope scholar and the rest of the group, "Aodhan can take Mr. Severna, and then come back for the rest of us. Neither of them could be identified by the Church, so they would not be at risk."

Brother Rhys sighed, "I know you want to help, Friar... God only knows I dislike feeling helpless as well, but the gains are outweighed by the danger."

Sister Aurelie stood, "We cannot expect--" but the cat's input was cut short by the rhythmic knock at the door; it was the combo that Runs-on-Air and Aodhan had agreed upon. The wolf moved immediately to the portal and opened it.

The buck spoke in the tribal tongue, "The woman downstairs called it a 'cot'." He held up a light metal frame that contained a stretched bolt of woven cloth.

Aodhan saw immediately that it would work perfectly. Taking the frame from him he motioned Friar Arlowe and Sister Aurelie aside so he could set it on the ground between the bedroom's two beds, "We'll need two people to carry him."

Friar Arlowe nodded, wrapping the linens around his son, "I will take one half of the stretcher..."

Sister Aurelie didn't delay for a moment, moving to assist the Raccoon Dog in transferring his son to the cot, "I'll take the other half."

Runs-on-Air watched the two of them as they began gathering up Cruff, then looked next to Aodhan, "The healer we found... I can go watch the road for any Men of Symbol... if there are any I will find another path for the group."

Aodhan nodded, and the buck showed himself out. It wasn't without Brother Rhys' notice, however, "Where's Runs-on-Air going? We need help."

The wolf smiled, "He IS helping... he is going to make certain that the path is clear of any of the Church's men."

The rat nodded thoughtfully, "Then that leaves me..." he glanced over at the antelope scholar, "Are you well enough to walk?"

The man nodded in response, letting out a grunt as he slowly pushed himself up onto shaky legs, "Yes... I think I can manage..." he paused, glancing around, "Damned luck-- my walking cane must have--"

"Do you mean this?" Sister Aurelie held up a finely crafted wooden cane with a delicately wrought metal grip.

Despite the ever-present grimace of pain, the scholar's face was alight in joy, "Oh, thank the heavens." and he eagerly accepted it, even seeming to give it a light embrace once it was in his possession. The prong horn took a tentative step, then another, face quickly reverting to one of grave concern, but his comment was pragmatic, "I'm certain I will manage."

Brother Rhys was obviously not willing to accept that, "Give me your other arm, Sir." and, rather wait for a reaction, the rat moved to take hold of the scholar's left arm, and put it around his shoulder.

The antelope offered a half-hearted, "I'm not an invalid." but didn't bother to shrug him off. Instead, he offered what appeared to be an embarrassed nod of thanks, and added, "And no need to call me sir-- Tobias Severna."

The rat offered a calm smile at that, "Brother Rhys Barlow."

With everyone ready, Friar Arlowe and Sister Aurelie each picked up their half of the stretcher and Aodhan opened the door. He let Brother Rhys lead the way supporting Tobias, and then waited as Cruff and his two bearers went next. Only when everyone was out of the room did Aodhan follow and then, only once the door was closed and secured. He checked each of the other rooms as they passed; he had done his fair share of traveling and knew that unguarded equipment was best left locked away.

The common room of the inn was empty, which made sense considering the hour. An old four legged hound dog looked up lazily from his place at the fire while an old two legged one remained in his rocking chair, wide-brimmed hat covering his face as he made far more noise snoring than the group did coming down the stairs. Aodhan moved to the front door of the inn and opened it; the spring on the latch meant that they'd be able to leave, but they'd be stuck outside until morning. Shrugging off the consideration, he held the door open for everyone as they exited and, as before, he was the last one through.

Aodhan was given the opportunity twice in his life to travel alongside Yew Tribe hunters, and knew enough that a scout would find a way to flag any danger in the group's path. Mindful of any such warning signs, Aodhan led the group out onto the street saying only, "Watch side streets and alleys for any of the Church."

Brother Rhys offered a half-chuckle, "It isn't normal for Men of the Cloth to be up and about at such an ungodly hour."

Although Aodhan appreciated the attempt at humor, he was more interested in keeping everyone safe, "Nothing about this situation is normal."

In the end, however, the wolf caught sight of Runs-on-Air waiting under the eaves of a small, two story wooden building. It was the one they had identified as their best bet on finding aid for their stricken companion. Brother Rhys slowed as he passed by a large, white sign situated next to the walkway leading from the road to the house's front steps, "Doctor Chris Brownell, Physician, Surgeon, Pharmacist."

Runs-on-Air glanced to Brother Rhys before looking toward Aodhan, "I saw no Men of Symbol on the way... they must be sleeping, not hunting."

The wolf nodded in response and bade the rest of the group wait on the stoop as he approached the door. Glancing around once more to be certain, the wolf balled his paw and tapped the door three times. He looked back at the party then checked both directions down the street before knocking another three times, just a little louder. The entryway was bathed in light from above as a lantern was lit within one of the rooms on the building's second story. Aodhan gave another three taps to the door, much quieter.

Brother Rhys' ears swiveled toward the home, "Someone's coming down the stairs."

As if on cue, another light sprang into being beyond the door, visible through the small diamond of frosted glass just lower than Aodhan's head-height. A bolt and a lock were undone, but not before the wolf heard the sound of a chain being slid into place, and the door slowly opened. A dainty white mouse woman opened the door, brushing several errand strands of long platinum hair out of her lavender eyes, "Y-yes?"

Friar Arlowe spoke up immediately, "Please, my daughter... we are in need of the doctor's aid. One of our number is grievously wounded, and he may pass if not seen to immediately. I beg of you, please rouse the doctor."

The mouse glanced behind Aodhan to the standing Raccoon Dog, and then to the younger one carried in the stretcher. Her eyes opened a little wider, "Oh! Y-yes... of course." The door closed, and Aodhan heard the sound of her unlatching the chain before it opened again, "Please-- come in... bring him in."

Aodhan held the door open while he ushered Sister Aurelie and Friar Arlowe in past him. Sister Aurelie called up the stairs after the mouse woman, "Where should we take him? Is there an infirmary, or a healing room or--"

A calming, mid-toned voice spoke with authority, "This way, please." Aodhan turned to regard the speaker, a large gray and brown timber wolf. His clothing was of fine make, and obviously tailored to his form; a sure sign that he was a man of means. Surprisingly, however, where Aodhan had expected to see gold and silver finery, the wolf was adorned in the bone-bead and stone jewelry of the tribal folk, "I'm certain the doctor will be able to help your friend. Come... this way to the back room."

It took several seconds for Aodhan to recognize the speaker, and, only then when he walked closer to one of the low-burning candles in what appeared to be the house's dining room. At first he didn't believe his eyes when he not only recognized the wolf, but the spirit stone around his neck, "Wild Wolf?

The amber eyes glinted with acknowledgement in the dimly lit room, and man nodded, speaking in the tribal tongue "Yes... but among these people I am known by another name."

Tobias easily put two and two together, "Prince Malcom..."