Woodsburrow

The village, even in the deep night, looked quaint. There was a road stretching from the end of the village they were approaching extending to what Venus was pretty sure was west. Soft candle light poured into the road from cabin windows. And overall it looked pretty cozy.

As they approached something occurred to Venus, seeing the road as they approached. “What were you doing off alone in the middle of the woods anyway?” She asked Bwen.

Bwen shook himself a bit before answering. “Oh, sorry getting pretty sleepy. I was hunting for rare herbs and mushrooms. I usually take at least a day when I come around here to go look for some. They sell well and if I get lucky with what I find I can make a healing tincture.”

“Any luck?” Venus asked.

“A little, a couple rare flowers and weeds that will sell alright, but unfortunately not enough of anything to make a tincture or balm actually of use.”

“Sorry if this sounds stupid, but why not just heal yourself with magic?”

Bwen gave her a sideways look. “Do I look a cleric or druid to you? Why would you think that’d be normal?”

“Oh I’m just now getting used to the concept of magic… never saw it where am I’m from. Is it rare?”

Bwen shook his head, clearly finding that a little unusual, but deciding not to interrogate her about it. “Magic isn’t too rare. Plenty of people have a magic ability or two they discover at some point in their life or, if you’re wealthier than me, plenty of people pay for magic items or training. Healing is more rare though. The only places I know to find it are from people with divine power or people who can use nature magic.”

“Oh… huh” That presented Venus with something she was going to have to look into more. Were her abilities divine, natural, or something else altogether? Bwen didn’t seem like an expert, she expected she’d need to look elsewhere for answers.

New Quest! Learn about your powers! Unlock 5 abilities (2/5 found)

Reward: Hidden

Venus jumped a bit in the dark.

These notifications are startling when everything is dark and it’s quiet! Reward: Hidden, I wonder what that’s about. Are all my abilities going to be… of the same persuasion?

“You ok?” Been asked concerned.

“Yeah I’m fine,” Venus reassured him “just caught my ankle on something. Hope I didn’t startle you.”

“All good.” Been replied. “Hey, by the way, where are you staying tonight? The tavern?”

“Oh that’s definitely something I should have thought about… Shit, I dont really have any money.”

Her anxiety began to amp up as she realized she may have to sleep outside.

“No worries, you can stay with me and my uncle. He won’t mind and we have the space. And we can help you out with whatever you need in the morning! Can’t let my savior walk away without a reward.”

They passed a raucous sounding building with music and shouting.

“That the tavern?” Venus asked.

“Yep. Nice place when you’ve got some coin for it.”

As they got closer Venus saw a little sign carved out front, it read ‘Woodsburrow Inn.’

Guess the village is called Woodsburrow. Neat, seems like it’s fitting.

Eventually Bwen walked them almost out of the town to a larger property, which Venus took to be his uncle’s. It had a cabin bigger than the ones they had passed so far, it was two stories and had a very well maintained garden. As well as what looked like stables in the fenced in field behind.

“Your uncle has done pretty well for himself it looks like?” Venus asked noting the place.

“Huh? Oh yeah uncle Ern did pretty well as a merchant in the city when he was younger. Moved back out here when he retired.”

They entered the home, carefully cleaning their boots. A shorter man walked in from another room to greet them. He had a thick gray mustache and a pair of spectacles close to the tip of his nose.

“Hello boy! Glad you made it back. I was worrying after you didn’t come ‘round before dark. Were you at the tavern then? Who’s this fine lady? Another traveling musician you pick up you sly devil you?” He said with a wink in Venus’ direction.

Bwen’s face lit up scarlet in response.

Bwen can get it huh? Good to know.

“No Uncle Ern, this is Venus, she helped me out when I was in a spot in the woods. She doesn’t have enough coin to spend the night at the tavern. I offered her a spot to sleep here.”

“Oh that so.” The older man turned to Venus “How are you miss? What brings you to our little town? And in such unique attire!”

“Hello Ern! I’m actually here looking for someone for a friend. Do you know a Pan, goes by of Ray.”

“Yes, actually! Interesting fella, very nice and likes to share a smoke with me, long as I offer hehe.”

Bwen piped up. “Uncle Ern, you know you shouldn’t be smoking. Not with your difficulty.”

“Difficulty?” Venus asked concerned, looking to Bwen.

“He’s got a real bad cough and loses his breath quick. Had it for awhile, but it’s been getting worse lately.”

“Where I’m from I was studying medicine. Would it be ok if I take a look?”

Bwen looked at Uncle Erin who looked at Venus and shrugged before speaking. “Sure, I guess. Bwen, go put a kettle on. I’ll want some tea before bed.”

“Alright Ern. Be nice with Venus now, she saved my life today.”

“Aye lad, I’ll be patient.”

Venus looked Ern over. Making him take his shirt off and putting her ear to his chest and his back, trying vainly to make do without a stethoscope.

There’s definitely something in the lungs, could be infection but I’m worried it might be cancer.

“How long have you had symptoms?” she asked Ern.

“Oh going on over a year now. It comes and goes, but it’s gotten worse over time. The cough is annoying, but what really gets my goat is how tired I get.”

She frowned then placed a hand on his back and asked him to breathe as slow and deep as he could comfortably.

This is not good. Wish there was something I could about it, but I’m not even sure what it is.”

New Ability! Cleanse! Cleanse will heal a creature with a touch, removing non magical disease at the cost of 50 mana.

Quest: Learn about your powers (3/5) progressed.

Would you like to use Cleanse?

Yes/No

“Um, Ern. Would you mind if I try something that may help? It may be a bit uncomfortable though.”

“Oh uh…” Ern peered out making sure Bwen wasn’t in view. “Sure Venus as long as you don’t think it’ll hurt hurt.”

Venus mentally accepted the Cleanse prompt.

She felt immediately drained, like a dizziness on steroids, as energy seemed to leach from her body and pour into Ern. It looked like a translucent chrome cloud left her and entered Ern. But if he could see it, he wasn’t reacting.

The cloud then moved through Ern and came out the other side no longer a shiny in spots, but covered in rust colored or sickly shades of green and purple.

Again Ern didn’t really react.

“Ern can you try breathing deeper for me?”

He seemed nervous at that, but after a moment did as she asked.

His eyes lit up and she worried he was in pain for a moment as tears welled at the corner of his eyes.

“What did you do?” He asked in awe, standing and turning to look her in the eye. Tears now fully flowing. “I feel incredible.” He tested his limbs and breathed deep in wonder. He even seemed to stand up a bit straighter.

Venus quickly placed her head on his chest again. Even without her stethoscope she could tell his breathing was much less wet and ragged.

She smiled at him and a tear came to her eye as well. This was an ability beyond her wildest dreams. An ability to help even more than she could normally as a doctor.

Also I’m very glad this ability doesn’t require the… intimateness of the other two. Sexually removing disease doesn’t sound pleasant.

Suddenly Ern began throwing on a coat. “Thank you Venus! Thank you! I feel you saved both Bwen and me this glorious day!”

As he turned to head somewhere, Venus stopped him and asked quickly “wait a moment please. You started saying something about Ray, before Bwen mentioned your condition?”

“Hmm?” Ern asked, distractedly “oh yes I saw him a couple days ago. Came into town bought some wine and cheese and headed back on his way.”

He threw on a hat and and grabbed a cane before giving it a second thought and putting it back down again.

He yelled toward the kitchen “Bwen. Never mind the tea! I’ve decided to go get ale with the lads at the tavern!”

And then he nearly bolted out the front door.

Bwen walked in with a teapot, befuddled.

“Huh, he must have really liked you.”

“What? Why?” Venus asked confused.

“Uncle Ern doesn’t really care for ale, that’s just the excuse he uses whenever he visits Eme.”

“Who’s Eme?” Venus asked

“Best whore in town.” Bwen replied flatly.

Then realized what he said.

“Ugh… not that I would know.”

“Sure Bwen, sure.”