With a little patience we were finally admitted into the herbalist's shop. It was warmer inside than I expected, covered in jars full of powders and roots. All sorts of plants growing from every available space within Cuthbert's humble building.
Cuthbert was a little man and getting on in years but his age had not stilled his desire to help the people even though you could see how the poor folk infected with the Black Scour was pushing his abilities to his limit. All he could do was create a potion that at best would hold off the symptoms but sadly not cure the disease.
After a little time spent with Cuthbert, I had decided he was a good man, worthy or recognition but Jäger had his doubts. I had come to respect Jäger but I worried at his inability to trust. Who or what has happened to Jäger that made him this way? I did not think I would ever know but was glad to know he held a heart of gold beneath his icy chest.
In spite of Cuthbert's efforts, the Black Scour was spreading and Cuthbert told us of a potential cure that his great grandmother had written down in her book of cures. I asked Cuthbert why he had not tried to create this cure but not only were the ingredients hard to come by but he held no faith in the potion and felt it to be hoo-doo rather than a real cure. At first I was not sure whether it was worth collecting these ingredients but as soon as I thought of the poor children and families outside Cuthbert's I became ashamed in myself for even considering the option for not helping. There was really no other option than to help, even if there is a chance it will not work.
Cuthbert told us where we had to go and what it was we needed to collect;
1) Elder wood moss. It is thought to grow on the tree in the heart of the forest nearby.
2)Rat's Tail root. Cuthbert informed us that although there was no plant that grew it nearby, it is said that the witch that resides in the forest is known to have some.
3)Iron Bloom mushroom. There is an abandoned Dwarvern Monastery in the forest and that is where it can be found.
We were in luck. The knowledgeable Jäger has heard of the Witch and roughly where we could find her but not only that he knew where we could find the heart of the forest. Is there anything this brave man could not teach me and those that are lucky enough to meet him? If there is, I do not care to find out.
Jäger and I had heard enough and left the shop looking for Loral at the temple. She needed to know that the town needed help and I was sure she would want us to do all we could. I followed Jäger and his direction sense and quickly we found the temple. Jäger decided he would stay outside, mentioning something about preferring to be outside, so I entered alone. Loral, Sister of the Hammer, was up the front by the alter talking with one of the priests that resides within the temple. Loral introduced me to Lady Setherda and after some formal greetings we spoke of the Black Scour and what Jäger and I intended to do.
The Lady Setherda proved to be as wise as she was pretty, but more importantly she became a real help in our quest. With her help in looking over our caravan, Loral was able to join us to look for the ingredients. I believe she was excited to help as she kept near me as we walked back to join the people we had been charged to protect and asked me all sorts of questions concerning what we may find on our way. If I was to be honest, I believe she was just happy to be near some one who was willing to help people rather than just themselves. Lady Setherda was also able to shed a little more light on the so called witch that lives in the forest and a little more information as to where we could find her. Her name is Elizmiller and is thought to be the great great great grand-daughter of Baba Yaga herself but Lady Setherda believes that to be an exaggeration of the truth.
Once we had decided that the three of us would set off together, we left the temple and headed back to the caravan. I stopped by the local inn to buy some hot broth to take to the guards that had taken position by the entrance to Falcon's Hollow to selflessly warn people of the Black Scour before entering. They seem outwardly thankless for the broth but I knew they had to keep their mean demeanour in order to maintain a sense of authority and I could respect that. These were hard times.
The now three of us, Jäger, Loral and myself decided that we would rest for the night before heading off. With Jäger's guidance and Loral's input we were confident that we could find all three locations. Loral knew the local area a little better than even the wise Jäger and informed us of a lumber yard on our way to the Heart of the Forest. We all felt that they may have some information concerning the forest that could help us so after I spent some time making sure that the people on our caravan knew what we were up to and understood why as I checked there nightly set up, I managed some sleep myself before the early morning to save the people of Falcon's Hollow.
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