From Ashes To Scales

We didn't have to wait that long. Eventually, the man known as Alistair Fontaine came to greet us.

He was an imposing figure, standing tall with a commanding presence that seemed to fill the room. His brown hair, which fell gracefully to his shoulders, was meticulously groomed, and his fancy moustache added an air of sophistication to his appearance. His black eyes were sharp and intelligent, reflecting years of experience and cunning in the mercantile world.

Alistair's attire spoke volumes about his status and wealth. He wore a finely tailored coat of deep burgundy, adorned with intricate gold embroidery that caught the light with every movement. Underneath, a crisp white shirt peeked out, its high collar fastened with an ornate brooch that glinted with a sapphire at its center. His trousers were of the finest black velvet, perfectly complementing his polished leather boots that reached just below his knees.

A belt of tooled leather cinched his waist, holding an assortment of pouches and a finely crafted dagger, more for show than for defense. Over his shoulders, he wore a luxurious cloak of dark blue, trimmed with silver thread and lined with fur, a testament to his wealth and standing.

As he approached us, his demeanor was both welcoming and authoritative, a man accustomed to respect and deference. His presence alone was enough to silence any room, and it was clear that Alistair Fontaine was a force to be reckoned with in the world of commerce. Thankfully, I have someone with similar skills on my side. I’m talking about Rose, of course.

That aside, this man also took a seat before speaking:

“First, allow me to welcome you to the town of Bellvola, travelers. And I offer my thanks that you are willing to show sympathy for my predicament.”

“Oh. There is no need to lower your head. We were just passing by this town and when we heard the news, we thought maybe we could. That aside, where are my manners? Allow us to introduce ourselves. My name is Magnus. And this is…”

The moment I wanted to point at Leona Alistair cut me off.

“Leona Ironwill. The former Sword Saintess. I didn't expect to see someone like you around here.”

“Umm… do we know each other?” (Leona)

“Not directly. But your appearance was accurately captured in the memory of one of my employees… after a fit of rage you completely destroyed one of my stores.”

I leaned over to Leona.

“Did you do stuff like that?”

“Well probably the clerk wasn't helpful or something and got on my nerves. It's not my fault if I accidentally kill someone if the other party is annoying, right?”

Such an innocent smile. I see. Common sense is a rare commodity for her. That being said I really do hope this guy won't hold a grudge. So far this is not going favorably so let's try to move on.

“Anyway… this on my left is Rusalka and the one next to her is Rose. And the dazzling young woman is Saphira.”

“A lizardman, a goblin slave, a sister, a human and the former Sword Saintess. Quite the odd party you lot form. That aside, let's get to the point. What is your business?”

“Mister Alistair, I would like to examine your daughter. Perhaps I can see something others can't and I can figure out what her illness is.”

Alistair folded his arms and pondered for a moment.

“Many adventures, scholars, priests and doctors have already seen her while we are staying in this town. Nobody managed to figure out what kind of illness this is. Let alone produce a cure. So I ask of you, why do you think you would fair any better?”

“Because hubby is simply amazing!!” (Leona)

“Hubby!?” (Alistair)

“That's right! Master is the best there is!” (Rusalka)

“I have witnessed my lord achieve almost impossible feats.” (Saphira)

“As a servant of the Goddess, I can attest that he is quite remarkable.” (Rose)

Uhh… what the hell are these girls doing? Don't just lift me on such a high pedestal!! If I can't figure out what's wrong with her I’m going to look like a complete idiot.

“Ahem. That's enough girls. Pardon their enthusiasm. If I may, although I am not sure I can provide a solution, I would at least like to try. At the end of the day, what do you have to lose? If I can't help you can simply kick me out. If so many people already have seen her, what's the harm in one more?”

“You have a keen and sharp tongue, Magnus. I’ll give you that.

.

.

.

Alright. Out of concern for my daughter I will allow you to see her. Currently she is undergoing treatment so you’ll have to…”

“AAAAAAAAA!!” (???)

A scream out of nowhere echoed through the entire house.

Alistair turned pale, his face losing all color as a scream echoed through the house. "Excuse me," he muttered urgently before rushing out of the room. Without a moment's hesitation, I motioned for my party to follow him.

We climbed the creaking wooden stairs to the first floor, the sense of urgency thick in the air. Reaching the top, we hurried down a narrow hallway, finally bursting into a room where the source of the scream lay.

Alistair's daughter, a frail ten-year-old girl with long green hair that flowed like a river down the side of her bed, was writhing in pain. Her screams pierced the air, making my heart clench. Her left hand was enveloped in a dark, murky purple substance; if I were to describe it as best as I could, it was akin to a slime that seemed to pulsate and expand slowly.

Around her bed stood a priest, a doctor, and a scholar, their faces masks of worry and helplessness. The priest's hands hovered over the girl, glowing faintly with a soft, golden light as he muttered incantations under his breath. The doctor, an older man with a thick beard, was frantically mixing various herbs and potions on a nearby table, while the scholar, a young woman with glasses, pored over an ancient tome, her eyes wide with desperation.

"What's happening to her?" Alistair's voice was filled with fear and anguish as he pushed past the priest to kneel by his daughter's side, taking her unaffected hand in his own.

"It's the disease, Lord Fontaine," the priest said, his voice strained. "It's progressing faster than we anticipated. We need to find the source of this… but this is getting out of hand!"

"We're doing everything we can, Alistair," the doctor added, his hands shaking as he measured out a dose of some foul-smelling concoction. "But nothing seems to work for long."

The scholar looked up from her book, her eyes meeting mine. "There are few records of such a condition. We've tried every remedy known to us, but... it's unlike anything we've seen."

"Please," Alistair pleaded. "If there's anything you can do... anything at all..."

The priest started once more to chant. The girl's screams had subsided to whimpers, her body trembling from the ordeal.

A bright light enveloped the girl's body, and the dark substance receded slightly, its expansion halted for the moment. Her breathing steadied, and her eyes fluttered closed as the pain seemed to lessen.

"It's only a temporary fix," the priest said wearily, wiping sweat from his brow. "But it should give us some time to think. For some reason healing magic only works for a few moments but can't fully heal her."

I looked once more at the girl. Healing magic doesn't work? An unforeseen illness. Could that be…?

“Lord Alistair”, said the scholar, “Vidia’s Lifewater might be the only solution.”

Vidia's Lifewater is a renowned potion of legendary status, known for its unparalleled ability to heal any wound and cure any abnormal status. The potion is housed in a delicate, crystalline vial, shimmering with a faint, iridescent glow that hints at its potent magical properties. The liquid within is a rich, emerald green, swirling with ethereal wisps of silver that dance gracefully, creating mesmerizing patterns.

Vidia's Lifewater is not merely a remedy for physical injuries; its power extends to the very essence of one's being. Any curse, poison, or magical affliction is drawn out and neutralized by the potion's magic, leaving the drinker free from all forms of suffering and ailment. Named after the alchemist Vidia who discovered it, although the formula is known, producing one is very expensive.

Even my own father didn't have the means to obtain one. In short, it costs a fortune. It's not an exaggeration to say it's around 1 billion eris.

Alistair clenched his fists.

“If that is the only way… then I will be willing to…”

“Stop! If you do that, it's as good as giving her the death sentence!” I shouted, making my presence known. I couldn't stay quiet. Because I know what's going on with her. That is not an illness. It's something more dangerous.