Fantasy Sanctus et Foedus Sanguis

[Aron the Aron]

"Like discussed." The Cardinal said to her Inquisitor companion, watching as the white-haired head skulked off into the shadows. To keep lookout for any suspicious onlookers and to keep out anyone who might stumble into the scene, Cecilia had asked her escort to maintain a perimeter and report after if anything unusual was noticed.

The Cardinal herself, meanwhile, was in charge of investigating at least this first site they had come to visit. Confirming from a signal that nobody was nearby for the moment, Cecilia closed her eyes and reached out in a sense that she rarely found herself exercising these days, feeling the world in a way different than most could even dream of. The vague shape of Del bellow her, remaining obediently still to not disturb her, the bricks and tiles around reflecting the sun's rays, and the swaying of the breeze through the world. A fantastical way to 'see', and one of the fundamental skills for a mage wanting to do more than parlor tricks.

Perched up high like a bird of prey, the blanchette kept vigilance over her charge. The commanding view of the alleyway from on high afforded more than enough sightlines while keeping her away from an errant gaze; the ability to literally get the drop on any unwanted intruder that she couldn't shoot dead with her crossbow. Whatever investigation Cecilia was conducting, it was clearly something beyond Lumina's pedigree, and something told her that she'd lose the plot even if the Cardinal tried to explain what she was doing in detail. Not her fault that the arcane was something that evaded her grasp...

It was one of those odd times that "Felicia" found herself taking a backseat in a situation that she was participating in; one of those odd times that she was playing second fiddle to somebody else on a voluntary basis by virtue of specialization. The Cardinal technically out-ranked her somewhere by virtue of being short of the very top of the social pyramid, and this whole situation being her dance to begin with, "Felicia" had no reason to overrule and take a more involved role than she already was. If this was how non-Daemonic matters were going to pan out for the near future, then fine by her...

Feeling her way through the world around almost as though she were extending her hands to create a visualization entirely on touch, she twitched when she reached a dreadfully familiar sensation of punching through nothingness. Like extending your hand for a doorknob in the darkness, but the door was open.

Yet, as she felt around, she realized that these pockets were small and well-concealed. Far from the work of an amateur who should have known better, if Cecilia were any less experienced or in a bit of a rush she would have entirely overlooked these tiny tears in the immaterial reality surrounding them. With a nudge, Del slowly walked forward, Cecilia observing every nook and cranny of the area in meticulous detail before she was finally satisfied and called out, "Do you want the bad news first? Or the worse news?"

Seeing "Felicia" drop from the sky and land mere feet from Cecilia was like seeing an owl swoop in for the kill: silent, graceful, and beautiful in it's own way. Perhaps if her eyes were more a golden color, then the owl imagery would be more complete.

"... There a difference? ...I'd be hearing both anyways..." And if what the signs from her special talisman were to be believed, then "Felicia" likely knew what the Cardinal was about to tell her.

 

[That Lass Over There]

Seeing "Felicia" drop from the sky and land mere feet from Cecilia was like seeing an owl swoop in for the kill: silent, graceful, and beautiful in it's own way. Perhaps if her eyes were more a golden color, then the owl imagery would be more complete.

"... There a difference? ...I'd be hearing both anyways..." And if what the signs from her special talisman were to be believed, then "Felicia" likely knew what the Cardinal was about to tell her.

"... Hmph." Childishly, the Cardinal looked to the side, puffing her cheeks out and pouting with her moment ruined. Maybe not the most appropriate, but she thought to have a bit of fun now that she had someone to share her antics with, saying something that sounded straight out of a play... Her stoic companion may not have been the best prospect for someone to accompany her tiny whim, in retrospect.

Cecilia quickly dropped the act, though, and thought seriously for a moment with her lips parted before shaking her head. "... It's not something to be discussed in the open." Especially now that traces of magic use had been identified, it was best to stick with the safe plan of discussing sensitive details only in private. She had a growing doubt that scrying in particular was something to be concerned about, but such measures were still important in ensuring they wouldn't be on the losing side of the information war preceding whatever mess they were getting themselves into.



While she felt like she had gathered as much as she possibly could about the previously assumed mage, she still planned on giving the other two areas - unfortunately less specific than this particular one - a combing for traces of other sorts when they got to them. Not feeling entirely confident on her judgement, she considered before offering, "Would you like to take a look, and then we go to discuss before checking other areas?"

After all, it was probably best to let the Daemon Hunter confirm the site before voicing her suspicions.

 

[Aron the Aron]

"... Hmph."While she felt like she had gathered as much as she possibly could about the previously assumed mage, she still planned on giving the other two areas - unfortunately less specific than this particular one - a combing for traces of other sorts when they got to them. Not feeling entirely confident on her judgement, she considered before offering, "Would you like to take a look, and then we go to discuss before checking other areas?"

After all, it was probably best to let the Daemon Hunter confirm the site before voicing her suspicions.

With the request for a second, Inquisitor "Felicia" could finally determine the anomalous behavior her talisman had been warning her of. It was one of her oldest tools as a Daemonhunter: a simple iron piece tied with string and specially made for those talentless in the arcane. It's behaviour in the face of ambient magic were obscure and difficult to tell for the average layman, but lifetimes spent learning and relying on it meant an intimate knowledge on its innumerable tells.

And the tell it was giving off put "Felicia" on edge, enough to make her draw out another tool.

The device in question resembled a crude lantern from the far north, what with its wooden and hide construction hanging by a rope loop. But when the Inquisitor began to gently scan it around... It... glowed?

In truth, the "lantern" in question was something called a "faery lantern" (the name from the belief that faeries in pagan mythology appeared as wisps of colorful lights to humans): a special device that recreated atmospheric magic and represented it as light and shadows. The special powder inside glowed and behaved in tune with the magic outside, changing color and and light intensity. And what the lantern was telling "Felicia" and Cecilia only confirmed the latter's observations. The Inquisitor naturally put the lantern away after seeing enough, but something nagged at her. Her long tenure as a Daemonhunter meant she had an idea as to who... or what was likely responsible for this disappearance, but was this really what she thought it was?

The Inquisitor-turned-bodyguard began to scrutinize her surroundings more closely after she had an idea for what the Cardinal felt. She looked for anomalies, signs of something else that didn't fi-

"... Hm?"

On the sandstone wall behind Cecilia... were those... claw marks? The thoughts in Lumina's mins raced at the correlation of plausibility, and the loudest conclusion was something she didn't want to entertain:

Daemons were in Bursa.

"... The next place of incidence... we need to go there... soon as possible." The urgency in her normally stoic tone was one that could generate a panic out of flightier individuals. "... This could be worse than I thought..."

 

[That Lass Over There]

The two hurried off to the second spot Cecilia had planned on them investigating this morning, the next closest spot in a potential full round of all suspected kidnapping sites. This area was less specific in scope than the alley they had just been too, a large block of a pauper's district that the disappearance was estimated to have happened in, but it only took a few minutes for an alert Cecilia to find what they were looking for while combing the area on Del's back.



Without regard for the glances their way as the city was starting to wake up Cecilia stopped Del and her companion beside her, pointing to the traces she felt. "If you want to look for yourself... Seems to be much the same." As the inquisitor went off to investigate walls and the sand-dusted pavement Cecilia watched with a bit of interest, paying attention to the things that the blanchette paid attention to and taking mental note of the apparent process that the Daemon Hunter seemed to have. Cecilia had half a mind to get off and join asking questions, but between the surrounding people that they would have to watch words around and the expectation that things would be done by the time she managed to safely get down on her own she simply stayed a few paces behind on Del's back.

There were claw marks here too - deeper, this time. The Cardinal managed to see them amidst all the normal wear and tear on the stone and adobe by following the inquisitor's movements, but she wasn't sure she would have completely noticed them as unusual on her own.



Before long, her companion came back, not seeming quite... Satisfied, if that were even an appropriate word to use for the evident conclusion they had to draw, but it seemed there was only so much to be found. "Do you want to look at the last spot? Or shall we go discuss?" Cecilia, personally, felt like they'd seen what they needed. She only wanted to confirm now her suspicions with the Inquisitor and plan their next moves.

 

[Aron the Aron]

Before long, her companion came back, not seeming quite... Satisfied, if that were even an appropriate word to use for the evident conclusion they had to draw, but it seemed there was only so much to be found. "Do you want to look at the last spot? Or shall we go discuss?" Cecilia, personally, felt like they'd seen what they needed. She only wanted to confirm now her suspicions with the Inquisitor and plan their next moves.

"... We've seen enough."

The answer was as curt as its speaker, who held a deepening frown as she glanced back at the hidden clues and tells scattered beneath the wakening morning hustle. What the Inquisitor found only lent more credence to a conclusion that she didn't want to entertain. "... The last scene is likely more of the same... Let's go."

And as the Cardinal-and-Inquisitor duo began their march back, "Felicia" felt her hand reach inside her robes for her trusted arsenal, safely stored and strapped away to be used in a heartbeat. The cursory check told her that she was still fully-armed and prepared, with enough to last her a crisis if it ever came to it. It was a shame that she couldn't go terribly long into her new assignment without having to make use of her "unique talents".

Hopefully things would end differently than they normally did.

---

Geldhearth Inn - Cecilia's Room
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 18th, 1029
-------------------------------------------------------------------​

The moment the Cardinal had laid a line of powdered paint across the doorway, "Felicia" withdrew the same crude lantern made of wood and tanned hide and laid it on the lone desk occupying the room.

"... You can sense magic... My tools can too... We both detected the same things... saw the same marks." The blanchette crossed her arms in thought. "... go ahead... may as well voice what we're both thinking."

 

[That Lass Over There]

The moment the Cardinal had laid a line of powdered paint across the doorway, "Felicia" withdrew the same crude lantern made of wood and tanned hide and laid it on the lone desk occupying the room.

"... You can sense magic... My tools can too... We both detected the same things... saw the same marks." The blanchette crossed her arms in thought. "... go ahead... may as well voice what we're both thinking."

Cecilia remained kneeling where she laid the powder line, looking to the lantern that the inquisitor had set down with a difficult to read expression. She had been disturbed by the grim findings of their investigation earlier, but something caught her interest now that she was a bit calmed down.



"... A Daemon is in Bursa." Whatever was on her mind, she looked to her companion and started saying aloud what they had both been processing and theorizing on in individual silence the last hour or more. And the forward words of the inquisitor prompted her to throw out the thoughts she had been considering in the back of her head, a possibility too heavy to dismiss as only a chance. "Likely not wild, either. Kaya has so conveniently lost half the damn restricted section, after all." Hyperbole, but Cecilia was a little less concerned with precision of her words than the combined meaning of the kidnappings and a summoned Daemon. "They'll have more. The Father knows how many; at least one more, with eight missing people. I don't want to know how many didn't even... get to be reported."

Cecilia moved to lift herself up by grabbing the edge of the drawer in front of her, making her way over to the bed for more comfort. "Mazhar will hopefully get back to us soon, with a list of everyone who could have effected the obstruction of investigations. If I used magic, I could probably trace the Daemon, but there's no guarantee that'd lead us to the summoners, or the other Daemons. We can't afford to miss any part of this, or... They'll just run rampant when, we're gone." Having laid out her thoughts, the Cardinal waited to hear her companion's considerations while catching her breath that had annoyingly run out right at the end.

 

[Aron the Aron]

"... A Daemon is in Bursa." Whatever was on her mind, she looked to her companion and started saying aloud what they had both been processing and theorizing on in individual silence the last hour or more. And the forward words of the inquisitor prompted her to throw out the thoughts she had been considering in the back of her head, a possibility too heavy to dismiss as only a chance. "Likely not wild, either. Kaya has so conveniently lost half the damn restricted section, after all." Hyperbole, but Cecilia was a little less concerned with precision of her words than the combined meaning of the kidnappings and a summoned Daemon. "They'll have more. The Father knows how many; at least one more, with eight missing people. I don't want to know how many didn't even... get to be reported."

"... It couldn't be a Feral." The certainty in "Felicia's" voice spoke of years worth in experience. "... Ferals don't act this coordinated... most don't have the presence of mind to be so... deliberate, with their prey." And drawing from her long tenure as a Daemonhunter, "Felicia" knew that the majority of feral Daemons were stray Lesser Daemons separated from larger and more dangerous hordes.

A lone rat was easy pickings; A swarm of rats was an issue; An infestation was a nightmare.

"... Find one... and you'll find more later."

Cecilia moved to lift herself up by grabbing the edge of the drawer in front of her, making her way over to the bed for more comfort. "Mazhar will hopefully get back to us soon, with a list of everyone who could have effected the obstruction of investigations. If I used magic, I could probably trace the Daemon, but there's no guarantee that'd lead us to the summoners, or the other Daemons. We can't afford to miss any part of this, or... They'll just run rampant when, we're gone." Having laid out her thoughts, the Cardinal waited to hear her companion's considerations while catching her breath that had annoyingly run out right at the end.

"... If you use your magic... the only concern is that whoever is behind this... might detect you later."

The Inquisitor turned her head to the "lantern" she had used to confirm what the Cardinal sensed earlier. "... They don't need to hide it... if nobody can see it..." It was a conclusion that brought up some discomforting thoughts. "... Whoever's responsible... they know that nobody in Bursa before us could've detected the anomalies at the scene."

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... If you use your magic... the only concern is that whoever is behind this... might detect you later."

The Inquisitor turned her head to the "lantern" she had used to confirm what the Cardinal sensed earlier. "... They don't need to hide it... if nobody can see it..." It was a conclusion that brought up some discomforting thoughts. "... Whoever's responsible... they know that nobody in Bursa before us could've detected the anomalies at the scene."

Cecilia, resident expert of arcane in the room who was maybe a step ahead her more experienced companion without realizing, was completely confounded on why the obvious was stated. "Their knowledge of the city's capabilities only tells us as much as we had already gleaned from the influence over the guards' investigations." She had already been considering this part of the grim tapestry when she had been alerted to the likelihood of a spellcaster involved in cases that had clearly been obstructed at her companion's observation. Though, at that point, she had been holding hope that the cases were perpetrated by two separate parties - a hope she could only afford to entertain again after rooting out the Daemonic scourge in the city.

"Actually, if it weren't for the interference, as a spellcaster myself I'd consider this a moot point. I knew well for a fact that there were a handful if any spellcasters here the moment I came a kilometer outside the gates; I'll acknowledge my abilities as 'above average', but I don't think that means such knowledge would be difficult to grasp. Especially for a Daemon with any ability to sense magic."



"As for your comment about the risk of being detected myself..." Cecilia, who had been until this point looking to the ground in thought while listening, brought her clear gaze up to meet her escort's eyes in an expression of absolute certainty. "... That, and them running to hide until we're gone, are one and the same. When they realize their tail is caught, they'll cut off the Daemon I can track, and go silent. There's no reason for them to confront us. If they do, they will lose." That was her cold, rational evaluation as someone who could easily put herself in the enemy shoes.

"... It couldn't be a Feral." The certainty in "Felicia's" voice spoke of years worth in experience. "... Ferals don't act this coordinated... most don't have the presence of mind to be so... deliberate, with their prey." And drawing from her long tenure as a Daemonhunter, "Felicia" knew that the majority of feral Daemons were stray Lesser Daemons separated from larger and more dangerous hordes.

A lone rat was easy pickings; A swarm of rats was an issue; An infestation was a nightmare.

"... Find one... and you'll find more later."

"Going back to what you said about this not being a Feral..." Cecilia traced her finger on the bedsheets, returning her once again lost in thought gaze to the floor. "... I don't disagree, but if we move forward with the assumption that all kidnappings have been performed by the group we're dealing with - which I believe is what protocol demands - then the division between the two methods is strange. Three were clearly perpetrated by the Daemon, but the others are much more subtle and likely done by people. We have to... question if it's still part of the fold."

 

[Aron the Aron]

Cecilia, resident expert of arcane in the room who was maybe a step ahead her more experienced companion without realizing, was completely confounded on why the obvious was stated. "Their knowledge of the city's capabilities only tells us as much as we had already gleaned from the influence over the guards' investigations." She had already been considering this part of the grim tapestry when she had been alerted to the likelihood of a spellcaster involved in cases that had clearly been obstructed at her companion's observation. Though, at that point, she had been holding hope that the cases were perpetrated by two separate parties - a hope she could only afford to entertain again after rooting out the Daemonic scourge in the city.

"Actually, if it weren't for the interference, as a spellcaster myself I'd consider this a moot point. I knew well for a fact that there were a handful if any spellcasters here the moment I came a kilometer outside the gates; I'll acknowledge my abilities as 'above average', but I don't think that means such knowledge would be difficult to grasp. Especially for a Daemon with any ability to sense magic."

"As for your comment about the risk of being detected myself..." Cecilia, who had been until this point looking to the ground in thought while listening, brought her clear gaze up to meet her escort's eyes in an expression of absolute certainty. "... That, and them running to hide until we're gone, are one and the same. When they realize their tail is caught, they'll cut off the Daemon I can track, and go silent. There's no reason for them to confront us. If they do, they will lose." That was her cold, rational evaluation as someone who could easily put herself in the enemy shoes.

"Going back to what you said about this not being a Feral..." Cecilia traced her finger on the bedsheets, returning her once again lost in thought gaze to the floor. "... I don't disagree, but if we move forward with the assumption that all kidnappings have been performed by the group we're dealing with - which I believe is what protocol demands - then the division between the two methods is strange. Three were clearly perpetrated by the Daemon, but the others are much more subtle and likely done by people. We have to... question if it's still part of the fold."

"... What do you propose we do then? ... Besides waiting for this guard captain..." The question of the day that still needed a proper answer besides "wait". The leads they had didn't provide any concrete path to proceed, but such was the nature of stamping out problems as they brewed; "Felicia" still needed more concrete information, information that was apparently going to come from someone the Cardinal trusted.

It left an uncertain sour taste in the blanchette's mouth, putting her faith in someone who didn't have her trust, regardless of the captain's legitimacy and endorsement of trustworthiness from Cecilia.

Then again, she wasn't used to the idea of working with someone who wasn't another Daemonhunter like her... or not being the one running the show...

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... What do you propose we do then? ... Besides waiting for this guard captain..."

It didn't take a social genius to pin her companion as the type that wanted to rush ahead and solve everything, likely very unused to playing by any book not her own with how the interaction with the guard and their talk after went, so the Cardinal could only offer a wry smile as far as a 'favorable response' may go. "Chase our likely loner, which can be done at any time, and at best the greater group simply won't notice because they're that disconnected... As far as next steps go for this incident, that's the only option I can think of without the prerequisite of 'waiting'. And, well..." Cecilia shook her head, not enjoying the thought that her making this call may result in another death in the meantime, "... I'm not sure a stray is worth spooking the nest."

Cecilia sighed, unable to give her companion a response anywhere close to what she might like to hear. "It's unpleasant, but waiting does seem to be the most advisable play. Skipping a step may mean skipping a Daemon, or worse, a now experienced summoner." They could track down and eliminate what they find but this wasn't some grand epic where the evil cult was all, every single member, gathered in some dingy basement worshipping a false god.



After a moment of thought, not wanting to give her companion too much time to be frustrated about their immobility, Cecilia posited an idea that had been on her mind but pushed back among the ever growing urgency of Bursa's situation: "Just because we're stuck on one thing doesn't mean that, we have to be stuck elsewhere." Again, she had to pause to take a breath, "How about we go do some of the other things that require my attention? It's no good to sit around, after all."

 

[Aron the Aron]

The deep and long breath through the Inquisitor's nose told Cecilia a thousand words about her white-haired partner: she hated being idle.

It didn't sit right to "Felicia", not doing anything, not doing something to help herself or the people around as there was always something to do, something that necessitated action. Waiting... felt wrong to her. Not to say that "Felicia" was a woman void of patience, but there was a difference between a stake out, waiting for an opportunity to strike, and just doing nothing.

After a moment of thought, not wanting to give her companion too much time to be frustrated about their immobility, Cecilia posited an idea that had been on her mind but pushed back among the ever growing urgency of Bursa's situation: "Just because we're stuck on one thing doesn't mean that, we have to be stuck elsewhere." Again, she had to pause to take a breath, "How about we go do some of the other things that require my attention? It's no good to sit around, after all."

But the olive branch Cecilia had offered was at least, an out.

"... Better than doing nothing... Lead the way."

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... Better than doing nothing... Lead the way."

They were halfway done with re-saddling Del when Cecilia realized that her companion of few words had neglected to ask what, in fact, they were off to do.

And now that she had realized, she had quite the whimsical, mischievous inclination to keep the inquisitor in the dark. It wouldn't even be that hard, to do, with the woman seeming to favor absolute silence in the presence of others - a condition that would be quite permanent as they traveled the roads. The thought of her tiny, likely to go unnoticed prank put a smile on her lips as she nudged Del out of the stables.



"... So much to do..." In light of her little mischief, these little meaningless nothings she spoke to her long-trusted steed while petting her neck took on a whole new joy, not giving her companion anything to guess on. Well, the inquisitor was likely more bothered by the fact she wasn't currently apprehending heretics and purging Daemons than the exact nature of their digression, but acknowledging that would ruin the fun so she quickly swept it out her mind. "I wonder if the guard will have taken care of it all themselves by the time we're done with everything~"

...

How likely is it that a Cardinal, previously named candidate for Sainthood, someone rumored to have created a miracle at the tender age of seven, and so far seemingly devoted to her work a traitor obstructing Luminas' work? ... Not a very serious thought, but the occurrence of it at all showed how unintentionally effective the Cardinal's 'little mischief' was proving.



Beside the progressively ruffled inquisitor, a Cardinal had... Actually, completely forgotten about the little prank she had pulled. Her gaze went around the street in excitement as she looked at the colorful clothing of passing townsfolk and the wares displayed in shops and stalls, not getting tired of the unique sights of a new location even after more than a week after her arrival. The one time her companion thought the Cardinal's gaze had finally stopped wandering, it turned out she had simply been focusing on a duo of a dancer and a musician with a local variant of the lute, entranced from her higher vantage point for the entire approach before pulling a silver coin and tossing it to the pair with a smile.

The ladies bowed in return, the encounter over quickly as it began with the slow but uninterrupted pace maintained on the street... Though, the inquisitor couldn't help but bitterly note, the approach to those two performers was perhaps the slowest she had seen Del move - and, when subjected to her gaze, the horse simply snorted as if to deny its role in this tomfoolery.



It must've been well over an hour of them walking on the street without stated course before Cecilia saw, out of the corner of her eye, her escort starting to slip away - and realized, with some guilt, that she had completely forgotten about the little game that had been at play. Of the possible reactions she could have gotten, this silent dismissal was the least satisfying... but, perhaps the most expected, she sighed in her heart. "Wait -" She called out, barely raising her voice. Yet, the inquisitor still turned around, looking at her with a discretely judgmental gaze that she had probably been missing the last half an hour.

She wasn't sure what made her naughty inner child more satisfied; the look, or the fact that she barely had to raise her voice to get her companion to turn around and reconsider for a moment. "- just five more minutes. We're almost there, you won't regret it."

"I promise." Cecilia had a gentle smile, thus far rarely directed at the inquisitor, as she gave her word with a firm voice.

 

[Aron the Aron]

It must've been well over an hour of them walking on the street without stated course before Cecilia saw, out of the corner of her eye, her escort starting to slip away - and realized, with some guilt, that she had completely forgotten about the little game that had been at play. Of the possible reactions she could have gotten, this silent dismissal was the least satisfying... but, perhaps the most expected, she sighed in her heart. "Wait -" She called out, barely raising her voice. Yet, the inquisitor still turned around, looking at her with a discretely judgmental gaze that she had probably been missing the last half an hour.

She wasn't sure what made her naughty inner child more satisfied; the look, or the fact that she barely had to raise her voice to get her companion to turn around and reconsider for a moment. "- just five more minutes. We're almost there, you won't regret it."

"I promise." Cecilia had a gentle smile, thus far rarely directed at the inquisitor, as she gave her word with a firm voice.

Lumina disliked many things in her unfairly long and torturous life; she didn't suffer daemons, bureaucrats, and fools as gladly as her patience had its upper limits.

What really drove her up the wall however, was having her time wasted, something that the Cardinal seemed very eager to uphold.

The Inquisitor had half a mind to ignore the Cardinal and continue on her own way, her flat and unamused expression countering what she thought was a paper-thin smile at best. In fact she had already begun turning her head back to walk the path back to the inn, or perhaps off elsewhere where she could make better use of her time and energy...

"..."

... but damn her and her bleeding heart; she was under oath to protect the Cardinal.

Fed up with Cecilia for her shenanigans and herself for allowing it, "Felicia" finally spun on her heel after another three steps, marching up until she was by the steady Del's side...

... and took the reins before leading the two (plus one horse) in a different direction entirely.

 

[That Lass Over There]

Lumina disliked many things in her unfairly long and torturous life; she didn't suffer daemons, bureaucrats, and fools as gladly as her patience had its upper limits.

What really drove her up the wall however, was having her time wasted, something that the Cardinal seemed very eager to uphold.

The Inquisitor had half a mind to ignore the Cardinal and continue on her own way, her flat and unamused expression countering what she thought was a paper-thin smile at best. In fact she had already begun turning her head back to walk the path back to the inn, or perhaps off elsewhere where she could make better use of her time and energy...

"..."

... but damn her and her bleeding heart; she was under oath to protect the Cardinal.

Fed up with Cecilia for her shenanigans and herself for allowing it, "Felicia" finally spun on her heel after another three steps, marching up until she was by the steady Del's side...

... and took the reins before leading the two (plus one horse) in a different direction entirely.

For a moment, she was happy to see that the inquisitor had come back; the woman hadn't struck her as the most obedient sort, and against her better judgement she had decided to go for a force of personality approach... She wasn't actually used to said approach failing for herself, so she didn't have much doubt in at least being forgiven, but she was aware that a heartfelt smile with barely a real explanation likely wasn't the card to play there.

So, when Del's reins - normally hung limp due to the well-trained horse having many other methods of control - were stolen, Cecilia's shock was more at the fact that the inquisitor had actually forced Del forward in spite of the horse's attempt to resist the unpermitted guidance, Cecilia's primary guardian for the last several years ever so slowly losing this tug-of-war for fear of dropping Cecilia off with too staunch a resistance. The actual reaction itself, a sort of half-acceptance of her words, was a surprise in form but not in occurrence.



Regardless of how expected or unexpected this or that was, though, this was an incredibly troubling development. Her companion, only half convinced and for some reason so vehemently opposed to public conversation (except when she was absorbed in examining the second scene, the Cardinal had noticed), had decided to forcefully choose a new destination. Rather than questioning where on earth Cecilia might be taking them, or at least giving a questioning glare. The latter at least was within the realm of non-verbal signals that could have been offered.

"... Well, if I don't have your trust... then I don't have it." Though 'forgiveness' was nice, the Cardinal was actually quite set on her amended schedule for the day and wasn't up to humoring this little rebellion. She had her hands lain on a buckle for one of the belts helping her stay mounted, looking at Lumina with a cold evaluation. "I need Del if I want to make it to as many clinics and sanatoriums as possible today. Going without her will mean many missed patients, and inconveniencing someone for a return trip. Please release her reins." Her more whimsical and genuine appeal having failed, she laid her plans bare, made her determination to continue with them clear, and pointed out a very simple reason why her escort should stop manhandling a beloved companion of hers.

 

[Aron the Aron]

"... Well, if I don't have your trust... then I don't have it." Though 'forgiveness' was nice, the Cardinal was actually quite set on her amended schedule for the day and wasn't up to humoring this little rebellion. She had her hands lain on a buckle for one of the belts helping her stay mounted, looking at Lumina with a cold evaluation. "I need Del if I want to make it to as many clinics and sanatoriums as possible today. Going without her will mean many missed patients, and inconveniencing someone for a return trip. Please release her reins." Her more whimsical and genuine appeal having failed, she laid her plans bare, made her determination to continue with them clear, and pointed out a very simple reason why her escort should stop manhandling a beloved companion of hers.

"Felicia" felt her fist tremble as the leather reins she held creaked under her whitening grip, the sound alone likely audible to Cecilia if she bothered to strain her hearing. So the Cardinal had an altruistic, daresay even noble goal in mind, but she simultaneously decided that the trip didn't necessitate much more than a leisurely morning stroll?

Bullshit.

The Inquisitor and Cardinal both knew the trip for the sightseeing tour it was, and the former wasn't going to tolerate it for a moment further. Cecilia could frolic cavort for all she cared; "Felicia" had better things to do with her time and energy, especially when it was all but outright confirmed that Daemons were in Bursa.

Daemons didn't wait, after all.

It was after the tenth second of silence that the Inquisitor turned around, looping the reins over the mount's head before dropping them next to Cecilia. She was surprisingly considerate for the same horse that she had been manhandling just moments ago, but the flat glare in her eyes never went away as she held them up in front of Cecilia.

The message she didn't need to say brokered no ambiguity: No more games.

And once it was made clear that the Inquisitor had a stick up her arse when she was working, she dropped the reins in Cecilia's lap.

 

[That Lass Over There]

Cecilia closed her eyes as she saw the reins released, taking her hand off the belt buckle and calming down from the many possibilities she had been mulling over in her head. After she herself had calmed down in a few seconds, she leaned over to pat Del on the side of the neck. The horse was still huffing from its struggle against the inquisitor's forceful requisition, but it started to calm down with the comfort.

With a combination of pats on the neck and a nudge with her foot, Del turned around right back to where they were originally headed, Cecilia continuing to pet the horse while keeping her eyes closed. With her mood soured, she wasn't in the right mindset to enjoy the bustling life around them, so she simply did her best to relax with the few minutes left.



And, bullshit or not, they indeed arrived at a clinic a little shy of five minutes later; if they had been going at the more lax pace of before, perhaps they might have ran a few seconds over. Before her escort could even entertain the idea of coming to help her dismount or refuse to in spite, Cecila hastily slid off the saddle. She stumbled unsteadily with the force she hit the ground but managed to not fall over by gripping the saddle.

"Lady Cecilia? I thought you would be coming back in a month just before your departure -" The moment they opened the door they heard a nurse's voice, the young man carrying a box in his arms as he stared at them in surprise.

"Ah, was there such a miscommunication?" Cecilia pinched her nose as she thought about it, hoping that she wouldn't be receiving this reaction for the rest of the day. "... Well, it doesn't matter, since the plans have changed anyways. Can you gather and sort everyone, the same as last time?" The nurse nodded rapidly and left, haphazardly setting down the box of equipment he had just been carrying.



"That kid..." Cecilia shook her head, sitting down in a chair while things were prepared. "Even if I'm here now, they're going to need that later, aren't they?" Her whisper only barely caught her escort's ear, even if it weren't meant for her to hear. In silence, the two were left to wait alone, only the distant sounds of people talking and moving equipment to be heard from further inside.

 

[Aron the Aron]

Unnamed Sanatorium
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 18th, 1029

-------------------------------------------------------------------​

The clinic was dominated with the unpleasant cocktail of different odours, from the metallic hint of blood and old tools to the lingering putridity of rotting and unwashed flesh; from the sooty accents of lantern light to the combination of rich and pungent from herbs, poultices, and antiseptics; it was all a too-familiar assault on the senses to "Felicia" as she strode to a quiet corner of the clinic.

It perhaps spoke of her depressing lot that such smells stopped bothering her countless lifetimes ago. To grow dull to sensations that should make a grown man queasy was a quality she wished she didn't have, even if it came to be useful on many depressing occasions.

"That kid..." Cecilia shook her head, sitting down in a chair while things were prepared. "Even if I'm here now, they're going to need that later, aren't they?" Her whisper only barely caught her escort's ear, even if it weren't meant for her to hear. In silence, the two were left to wait alone, only the distant sounds of people talking and moving equipment to be heard from further inside.

Part of "Felicia" wanted to sigh at how her time was being used. Not to say that tending to the sick and dying wasn't a noble goal worth her time, and she did willingly tag along with Cecilia (albeit without foreknowledge of their destination and intent for most of that trip), but parts of her still nagged at how she wasn't being put to good use.

She was hardly a woman with healing hands, only enough to ensure she didn't get herself killed doing her duty as a Daemonhunter. What was she supposed to do besides stand around and maybe look out?

Sometimes Lumina wished for a different vocation in life...

 

[That Lass Over There]

The clinic was dominated with the unpleasant cocktail of different odours, from the metallic hint of blood and old tools to the lingering putridity of rotting and unwashed flesh; from the sooty accents of lantern light to the combination of rich and pungent from herbs, poultices, and antiseptics; it was all a too-familiar assault on the senses to "Felicia" as she strode to a quiet corner of the clinic.

It perhaps spoke of her depressing lot that such smells stopped bothering her countless lifetimes ago. To grow dull to sensations that should make a grown man queasy was a quality she wished she didn't have, even if it came to be useful on many depressing occasions.

Part of "Felicia" wanted to sigh at how her time was being used. Not to say that tending to the sick and dying wasn't a noble goal worth her time, and she did willingly tag along with Cecilia (albeit without foreknowledge of their destination and intent for most of that trip), but parts of her still nagged at how she wasn't being put to good use.

She was hardly a woman with healing hands, only enough to ensure she didn't get herself killed doing her duty as a Daemonhunter. What was she supposed to do besides stand around and maybe look out?

Sometimes Lumina wished for a different vocation in life...

Cecilia looked to her side where the inquisitor stood, only taking a glance before closing her eyes. Doesn't seem angry anymore, however much that meant. Regardless of how she felt at any given moment about the plus one that had been attached to her with no fanfare or warning, Cecilia hadn't meant to pick a fight - something that her hot head easily could have made out of the tension a few minutes prior. The inquisitor trying to steal her along on whatever headache-inducing, counter-productive antics she had planned as a sequel to blatantly stealing documents from their associates was unexpected.

Not one to take time for granted, Cecilia thought while she had these few minutes of peace, considering everything over the last 48 hours. Her companion, and how she would handle this all. Every gesture, word, action and reaction - to try and stitch together a picture.



"... Your name." Cecilia, eyes still closed, spoke up to the only other person in the room with her. "When I've earned your trust, that's the first thing that I want to know."

...

"... I'm sure it's beautiful." Cecilia, with a gentle smile much like she showed to the inquisitor, spoke to the old man while pressing her hands around his torso, performing diagnostics with a faint trace of magic.

"It really is. But I haven't been there in so long... I wonder if the draught has made it go dry." The old man, caught up in reminiscence at the Cardinal's instigation, barely noticed the pain as she prodded at his festering burn. He certainly didn't notice when those burns gave way to unblemished skin, as if he had never suffered. It was only when she removed her hands that he looked down in surprise, too slow to give his thanks before she had already stood up.

"It will be fine, like everything else is over time. Maybe, next time you visit, the oasis will have become a lake?" Leaving with her vague, optimistic reassurance, she went to the next patient and started speaking to them while performing her diagnostics once again, this time speaking about the young lady's love life after just a glance at the bronze locket around her neck. When it turned out to be from her mother, Cecilia hummed, mentioned how her own had a passion for gardening, asked if the patient's had something similar - and moved on, leaving the young lady startled with how easily she could breathe again.



"It's amazing how she does it." The male nurse had found his way, unfortunately, to Lumina's side while trying to stay out of the Cardinal's way; and the passionate young man didn't seem to realize how uncomfortable he made his neighbor, either. "I mean, we work with clerics all the time, but they just heal a few of the worst cases with barely a word and then look like they're gonna kneel over themselves. Seeing this, I can really understand how she was considered as a Saintess."

Between the two, only the inquisitor was paying attention to how Cecilia's 'kneeling' in front of patients was little more than a salvaged fall, or the wobble to her step as she moved from patient to patient.

...

"Here, take these." Besides the order for the food, these were the first words the Cardinal had spoken in over an hour, her pale lips pulled into a mischievous smile as she offloaded an arm-full of sweets onto her escort, only keeping one for herself. The ten-minute wait for all of it had been agonizing, but a sort of equilibrium had settled between them after Cecilia had visited so many places offering her services. At the very least, it was difficult to scold her for this bit of down time now.

Cecilia held the pastry to her lips, covering a frown that formed as she realized just how worn her throat was. She had held off on all but her whispered prayers with each use of Incantation to heal in the last sanatorium, but it seems it wasn't enough. At least, she wasn't planning on making any more stops after this last one.



Between the proximity of their last destination and not wanting to bother the inquisitor with helping her onto the saddle, Cecilia only whistled for Del to follow as she started walking forward. She took a tentative nibble of the sweet in her hands, but her face only grew a shade paler as she shook her head and lowered it from her mouth.

Only a few minutes later, they stumbled onto a worn looking chapel standing in stark contrast to the local architecture, an orphanage gone neglected on Kaya's balance sheets. They saw a few children sitting around outside the door, one of which being a familiar face from yesterday.



"Lady Cecile! And the mysterious lady!" Emre sprinted up to them, the other kids several steps behind him. Emre, on getting close, leaned in closer to look at Cecilia, a questioning look on his face. Before he could ask anything, though, Cecilia beckoned her companion closer and took one of the sweets to hand to him.

"I got these for you all,... but I'm afraid, one of them disappeared on the way~" She waved the sweet she had nibbled from in the air, taking another small bite for show and putting on a playful air for the booing children. "I'm sorry, keep them entertained while I check inside, okay? Just stand there and give them the pastries. They'll love you." Cecilia whispered this before slipping away with a wave, saying something about checking on the Sister.

...

"Big sis, is it hard to swing that sword?" The children had been surprisingly quick on the uptake that Lumina didn't like to be bothered, so they had yet to talk to her after thanks for the treats until now. Emre stared curiously at her sword, making exaggerated swinging movements with his arms barely more than skin and bone.

 

[Aron the Aron]

The children, bless their hearts, had seemingly understood the discomfort "Felicia" had for talking and chose to give her space, a saving grace for what had otherwise been a case of Cardinal Daube throwing the Inquisitor into a situation she clearly wasn't comfortable with, let alone prepared for. Not to say that "Felicia" would rather not be in the presence of the orphans, but children tended to be curious about things; things like the sword resting at her hip that one boy had taken a keen interest in.

"Big sis, is it hard to swing that sword?" Emre stared curiously at her sword, making exaggerated swinging movements with his arms barely more than skin and bone.

Just the mention of her sword made "Felicia" rest her offhand against it, it's heft and balance a steady comfort for her despite it represented. By all metrics it was a simple longsword, spartan by design with its shortened guard and bare handle a total opposite of the more deliberate features of her Inquisitorial robes. A plain a tool as a tool could get, and yet one that had stuck by her side through countless battles and horrors.

The thousands of Daemons she sliced and slew with that same blackened edge.

The thousands of lives she saved with it...

... and the countless more she couldn't save.

It was her oldest companion, her best tool, and the biggest reminder of why she continued to fight.

"... ... ... Yes." Her voice, though low and barely heard, drew the curious attention of the children that gathered around her. Gently, she rested a hand on Emre's still-swinging arms, before lowering the young boy into calming down. "... It's never easy."

And Father forbid the day that one of these children would ever take up the sword and learn just how heavy the burden was.

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... ... ... Yes." Her voice, though low and barely heard, drew the curious attention of the children that gathered around her. Gently, she rested a hand on Emre's still-swinging arms, before lowering the young boy into calming down. "... It's never easy."

And Father forbid the day that one of these children would ever take up the sword, and learn just how heavy the burden was.

"Huh?" Fortunately or not, the children here did not seem to have the experiences nor maturity to understand why the inquisitor had answered in such a parallel way, Emre and another boy who had been the most curious about Lumina and her sword only looking confused as they tried to puzzle it out.

After the question and befuddling answer the kids returned to not bothering Lumina, getting a burst of energy after finishing the treats gifted to them and running around playing a game. Because watching over them was so hands-off, the inquisitor had plenty of leeway to track the time slowly passing - and pass it did, with no sign of her charge coming out to sight.



When she finally lost patience for the waiting game and went inside herself, she passed through the space of worship at the front to the larger portion of the building at the back meant for the orphans - and in the hall, she found a not so unexpected mess of pink hair on the floor, curled up with feeble breaths barely sounding out from the Cardinal's collapsed form. Beside her was an unfamiliar sister seeming panicked, the stranger not seeming of the best health herself with a pallor that only looked healthy in comparison to the pinkette on the floor.

"Um -" More than anything, the Sister seemed startled by the sudden appearance of an inquisitor, alternating her gaze nervously between robes and sword. "- Miss Cecilia - uhm, the Cardinal, she had a guard with her today? She collapsed - I think it's dehydration..."



Though it was amateurish, should the attempt to discreetly extend a protective arm over the Cardinal's collapsed body and secretly reach for a dagger while keeping her distracted with discussion be praised?

 

[Aron the Aron]

When she finally lost patience for the waiting game and went inside herself, she passed through the space of worship at the front to the larger portion of the building at the back meant for the orphans - and in the hall, she found a not so unexpected mess of pink hair on the floor, curled up with feeble breaths barely sounding out from the Cardinal's collapsed form. Beside her was an unfamiliar sister seeming panicked, the stranger not seeming of the best health herself with a pallor that only looked healthy in comparison to the pinkette on the floor.

"Um -" More than anything, the Sister seemed startled by the sudden appearance of an inquisitor, alternating her gaze nervously between robes and sword. "- Miss Cecilia - uhm, the Cardinal, she had a guard with her today? She collapsed - I think it's dehydration..."

It took a split-second for "Felicia" to replace the worry in her face with stone-cold focus; she was knelt by the Cardinal's side by the time a full second had elapsed. The frantic sister opposite of her went totally ignored (though the attempt at protection was at best token to someone used to facing down threats to Humanity), the Inquisitor already hard at work with her hands, eyes, and ears looking over her charge with all the graveness of a physician saving a dying patient.

"... The Cardinal's breathing is faint, unsteady, but deep like she's almost gasping."

"... Her heartrate is higher than it should be, but its strength is... narrow."

"... Dried lips, sunken eyes..."

Little question behind the diagnosis: the Cardinal was suffering dehydration, but she was showing extra symptoms of something "Felicia" was intimately familiar with:

"... Moderate dehydration... and bloodloss."

The Inquisitor turned to the nun opposite her, as if only acknowledging her existence just then. "... The orphans are outside... Get them in before fetching clean water." She was already unstrapping and unveiling pouches and bottles from under her robes, setting them down as she carefully turned Cecilia over into a more comfortable position she could work with.

It was only when the sister refused to move that "Felicia" spoke again, this time leaving no ambiguity in her voice.

"... Decide whether you're helping or watching."

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... Moderate dehydration... and bloodloss."

The Inquisitor turned to the nun opposite her, as if only acknowledging her existence just then. "... The orphans are outside... Get them in before fetching clean water." She was already unstrapping and unveiling pouches and bottles from under her robes, setting them down as she carefully turned Cecilia over into a more comfortable position she could work with.

It was only when the sister refused to move that "Felicia" spoke again, this time leaving no ambiguity in her voice.

"... Decide whether you're helping or watching."

The sister watched the inquisitor go about diagnosis carefully, still tense and with a face that only barely avoided shouting the word 'distrust'. It was only many silent seconds after the inquisitor had delivered her final sentence that she stood up, leaving the room only because she wasn't sure she could do anything if something did happen. "There's a bed in this room we can move her to. I'll be back in a moment." After pointing to a nearby room with door ajar, she left to do as told.

The room in question didn't seem like a guest room, bed in moderate disarray and traces of life scattered about in the modest space. Likely, it was the unknown sister's room that she had rushed out of to help the Cardinal.



A couple of minutes later when she returned, however, she looked apologetic as she placed down a bucket, towel, and rough ceramic cup. "... Emre told me he saw you two together yesterday, and the children all confirmed you accompanied her here. I'm sorry for doubting you." Her apology was clipped, but she at least didn't look at Lumina with suspicion anymore. Rather, her focus was more on Cecilia now, looking quizzically over her unconscious body.

"Um, you said blood loss... Should I go get some ingredients for a stew?" Neither of the diagnoses that the inquisitor had made were fast to address, so there was little doubt in the nun's mind that she might be playing host this evening.

 

[Aron the Aron]

The sister watched the inquisitor go about diagnosis carefully, still tense and with a face that only barely avoided shouting the word 'distrust'. It was only many silent seconds after the inquisitor had delivered her final sentence that she stood up, leaving the room only because she wasn't sure she could do anything if something did happen. "There's a bed in this room we can move her to. I'll be back in a moment." After pointing to a nearby room with door ajar, she left to do as told.

The room in question didn't seem like a guest room, bed in moderate disarray and traces of life scattered about in the modest space. Likely, it was the unknown sister's room that she had rushed out of to help the Cardinal.

Ignoring the aside in favor of her current quarry, "Felicia" finally found the right object she had been looking for: a curious shape of cotton and netting to the outside observer.

The faint clink and clatter of shattering glass told the Inquisitor that the glass capsule inside hadn't leaked or otherwise damaged, and the faint scent of ammonium told her it was working. The Cardinal didn't need the smelling salts waved directly in front of her -Father above knew that the last thing she needed was her heartrate to skyrocket further- instead the Inquisitor set it down a fair pace away, still close enough that it could wake the Cardinal up before long.

A couple of minutes later when she returned, however, she looked apologetic as she placed down a bucket, towel, and rough ceramic cup. "... Emre told me he saw you two together yesterday, and the children all confirmed you accompanied her here. I'm sorry for doubting you." Her apology was clipped, but she at least didn't look at Lumina with suspicion anymore. Rather, her focus was more on Cecilia now, looking quizzically over her unconscious body.

"Um, you said blood loss... Should I go get some ingredients for a stew?" Neither of the diagnoses that the inquisitor had made were fast to address, so there was little doubt in the nun's mind that she might be playing host this evening.

"Felicia" had been quietly working on re-affixing some of her pouches and medicine bottles after another check for open bleeding (for some mysterious reason, she couldn't find any trace in Cecilia's clothes, not even a damp splotch) when the sister/orphanage caretaker returned, her offer of cooking prompting the Inquisitor to start digging through her robes again. When she withdrew her hand however, the look of complete disbelief washed out any other expression her only audience had.

Moreso when Inquisitor "Felicia" unceremoniously dropped three gold coins into her hands.

"... Red meats, eggs, fish, beans or lentils, and any leafy green you can find... Citrus fruits if you can... They'll hasten her recovery." The Blanchette was already curling her arms around Cecilia's back and knees for a bridal carry (sidenote: it looked... strangely fitting), intent on moving the Cardinal to a proper bed. "... I can make herbal tea once you're back."

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... Red meats, eggs, fish, beans or lentils, and any leafy green you can find... Citrus fruits if you can... They'll hasten her recovery." The Blanchette was already curling her arms around Cecilia's back and knees for a bridal carry (sidenote: it looked... strangely fitting), intent on moving the Cardinal to a proper bed. "... I can make herbal tea once you're back."

"I've been taking care of the children since I was barely older than the eldest are now, I know what to do." With a wry smile the sister replied to the instructions, somewhat procrastinating the realization of what she was holding in her hand. She didn't want to think about it. The Cardinal is from one of the oldest families of the modern Choir, this she knew, but holding proof of that in her hand was a different matter entirely. Even seeing the ease with which Cecilia waved around silver coins gave this humble nun a heart attack. But, gold? That, itself, is something she would have never expected to hold.

In her mind, the only individual she could imagine owning gold in the entirety of Bursa at this moment is Lady Cecilia lain on the bed; she could only assume that her guard had been temporarily entrusted with some of her wealth for whatever reason, though she was overcome with the urge to shake the Cardinal awake and make her aware of how bad an idea that had been. She scanned the inquisitor's face for a moment, woefully unable to deduce from that blank expression whether this was gross ignorance or plain sabotage.



Regardless of which it was, she still needed to figure out what to do with the gold coins of unknown mintage in her hand, too. She wasn't sure how the inquisitor would take this 'goodwill' being turned down, but it truly was something she could not accept from the bottom of her heart. Even flashing a glimpse of any of these coins at the market may very well have her and the children's throats slit come morning, after all - that's assuming the guard didn't take her in as a thief herself beforehand.

With gentle movements she laid the coins on the desk, shaking her head that had just worked itself soft through overtime, feeling like this inquisitor existed solely to tire her out. "I'm afraid this is too much... We may be of poor means but we can afford a meal, especially to someone we owe life to. If Miss Cecilia would want to pay us back later, she may, but I can't accept extra." She would put her foot down on this, greed not even a speck on her conscience compared to the principles she held (and the fear such an unattainable wealth inspired in her modest heart).



Without giving room for a response, the sister left the room, though she seemed to have been caught up just outside as she could be heard scolding one of the children for trying to eavesdrop.

 

[Aron the Aron]

With gentle movements the sister laid the coins on the desk, shaking her head that had just worked itself soft through overtime, feeling like this inquisitor existed solely to tire her out. "I'm afraid this is too much... We may be of poor means but we can afford a meal, especially to someone we owe life to. If Miss Cecilia would want to pay us back later, she may, but I can't accept extra." She would put her foot down on this, greed not even a speck on her conscience compared to the principles she held (and the fear such an unattainable wealth inspired in her modest heart).



Without giving room for a response, the sister left the room, though she seemed to have been caught up just outside as she could be heard scolding one of the children for trying to eavesdrop.

Hm, odd that the nun would turn down coinage of that magnitude, especially given that it was enough to comfortably float the orphanage for a long while if not moreso. Likely just a case of humbleness and disdain for overgenerosity, the Inquisitor figured.

Regardless, "Felicia" returned to her matter of concern, carefully peeling back the covers of the modest bedding before laying down her charge atop. One extra moment to fetch the bucket and roughhewn ceramic cup later, and everything was seemingly put in order. So far the Cardinal's condition hadn't appeared to worsen, but it hadn't miraculously bettered either with the minute-long proximity to her smelling salts. Not that much of a surprise given that it was dehydration and bloodloss, but "Felicia" still made sure to continue gently waving her concoction in front of Cecilia's face. She'd wake up in due time, and the cup with fresh drinking water would be right there for her.

Maybe "Felicia" could do more though... It wasn't as if the Inquisitor wasn't lacking in herbal remedies, though most of them were more for staving bleeding, infections, and toxins; still, she had a few leaves, enough that she could brew tea if she deemed it necessary.

... What the hell, the Inquisitor wasn't doing much else save waving around a wet wad of cotton and netting.

---

.
..
...

---

It had only been a few minutes since "Felicia" had left to boil and prepare a teapot, now steaming with freshly-brewed tea. Ginger root and hibiscus were ingredients that were relatively hard to come by (especially in places like Heiligsburg, where goods from the far east was rare at best), but considering Cecilia's... less than stellar condition, it was a worthy use to "Felicia". Hopefully the sister didn't mind "Felicia" appropriating an unused clay teapot for her use, but the Cardinal's wellbeing came first.