JP - The Keep - Seeking

Alex walked the halls eager to return to his room. Xo had proven to him that the building needs to be investigated and if it would get them away from the castle that would be a bonus. Entering his room he grabbed his bag, filling with necessary equipment before heading to the door. Turning back he grabbed another vial and left, forgetting to hide the box as he did so.

Meanwhile Bai was eating a light breakfast in the Main Hall and debating in his head between staying at the Keep to make sure nothing happened with the newborn twins, or going to the Village to work on that Black Raven Tavern.

🐩 *******
"High elf girl she's been living in her high elf world" Rook sang to himself as worked inside his forge. He already finished more of his request and was ahead of schedule so he decided to begin working on the brace that he had promised. "And when she's casting she's low looking so fine."

Bella leaned in and looked at Rook, sniffing. Cute dog ears twitching, she let out a whine and barked at him to get his attention.

Rook turned and smiled at the girl "You're more than welcome in my workshop Bella just be mindful of some stuff don't want you getting hurt."

Bella walked in on all fours and crouched near him, sniffing toward him. She pointed to what he was doing like she was wondering about it. What was the dwarf man doing?

"This is a medical brace," Rook explained as he showed her the contraption. "A cousin of mine designed it quite the combination of a blacksmith and a healer. It's designed to help Yehudit walk without a cane."

Ears perking, Bella’s tail wagged and she gave a happy bark. If Yehudit could walk without a cane she could get the food she actually wanted all the time!

"Yep just need her to try it on so I can make some final adjustments" Rook chuckled as reached over and petted Bella on the head.

When Yehudit limped over to the smithy, she was not alone. Her best friend Sileas Spenser was with her, her bright red hair shining in the sun. Questa came along too. Yehudit was not entirely sure why Questa was tagging along; she and Questa did not get along terribly well.

Rook had her sit down and explained everything as he strapped it on. "Alright let's give it a try."

Yehudit, skilled as she is, stood up and managed to trip and faceplant without taking a single step.

Questa snorted.

Sileas sighed and knelt to see if she was alright. Yehudit’s nose was bleeding again.

Rook made a minor adjustment "try it now but make sure not to fight it, think of it like an extension."

“Okay!” Yehudit was very excited about this, despite her nosebleed. She was used to nosebleeds, afterall. She got up again and the brace seemed to be doing its job. Yehudit smiled.

Then suddenly, for no apparent reason, Yehudit’s good ankle gave out and she crumpled to the ground again.

"I'll get started on a second brace" Rook sighed, grabbing his tools.

Sileas strangely looked guilty as she helped Yehudit up off the ground and gave her the walking stick.

“I don’t get it- my good ankle has held up fine all this time!” Yehudit glared at her not-so-good ankle.

"Perhaps it finally gave since you've had to focus your weight on it" Rook replied.

“But I finally took most of my weight off it. It doesn’t make sense.” Yehudit said, leaning on her walking stick.

Sileas was looking more upset than Yehudit. “Difyr should look at your ankle…”

"Exactly it had a moment of rest for everything to catch up on it" Rook replied.

“I guess.” Yehudit said, not entirely convinced. “Thanks anyways…”

Sileas let Yehudit lean on her.

"Come back later after the healer has look at you" Rook replied "I'll have it done by then."

“Thanks again.” Yehudit nodded, letting Sileas help her out.

Questa muttered something about a millstone as she stretched and walked away from the smithy.

Of course when Sileas and Yehudit got to the healing room, Difyr was not there. The healer was making her rounds. Yehudit sat down to wait, but Sileas said she had to do something.

Sileas left the healing room and went to find Bai.

🌟 ***

Bella had seen the others around Rook and slipped away. She had also noticed Alex leaving and turned her attention to the rooms. Sniffing around a decent amount, she found where his room was and, with a glance around, snuck in. Traversing the maze of scrolls and books was a bit of a nightmare for her - some she fell over, sending papers everywhere, and others she just knocked over by accident.

There was a strange scent in the room, though. It smelled nothing like paper or the mage. All mages had specific and sweet scents, though Alex’s smell was tinged with something rancid and dark. Sniffing along the floor, she followed that odd rancid stench and found herself looking under the bed.

Blinking and tilting her head, she reached beneath it until her hand touched something solid - a box!

Pulling the box out, she stared at it before opening it. What were these odd vials of black liquid? Taking a moment to open one and sniff it, she jerked her head away in disgust. Growling because she knew a poison when she smelled it, she closed the vial and the box. Picking it up, she got on her feet and tumbled her way to the door.

Once out of the room, she rushed off to find Difyr.