I moved towards the door, and as I reached out to the handle the door burst open, smacking my hand aside. Cale was being supported by Ram and Taryn, and as they saw me they called out. “Gods, it’s you. Is there an alchemist in this town we can ask for?”

“Bring him to the back, I’ll call Gen.” Tina said. “Gen! Show them where to put this man.” She called out, clearly flustered. Ram and Taryn watched her run out in confusion, turning towards the dwarf that now gestured urgently to them. I turned to them, grabbing Cale and pulling him along.

“One of the alchemists here is called Gen, this is a different Gen, just follow.” I growled, and they did. I turned to Palim. “What happened to him? How did you end up so close to Torven?” I asked urgently, looking between her and Saindall.

“We were tasked with something by the Alliance, who apparently ordered Cale to burn the instructions after and keep us in the dark.” Saindall started. “Honestly, he’d been doing this for a while, but orders were orders, and he didn’t seem thrilled about it anyway.”

“It’s the damned Republic that was in charge.” Palim said, seething. “And they went ahead and tried to kill him.” She snarled. “Figures all the honest ones get targeted.”

Saindall looked decidedly uncomfortable at that. “We don’t know it for sure…” She said. “They just jumped him, we barely managed to get to him when he cried out. Cale managed to keep himself alive while we made our way to him, but he was poisoned by several darts. We don’t know what kind of poison it is, but we brought the dart over.” She said, gingerly holding up a needle.

I took it from her, carefully inspecting the tip, there was definitely something on it… “How’d you manage to keep it on even with the dragon going at gale speed?” I asked, amused.

“Put it inside a pouch, I’ll wash it out later.” Saindall said, grimacing as she surreptitiously glanced at a pouch hanging by her belt. “We’ve been feeding him some healing potion every now and then, but it doesn’t seem to be curing him, just making him better for a short while.”

My eyes narrowed. “How’s that possible?” I asked, thinking back to what I knew of the potion. It was practically a panacea, accelerating the purge of poisons, even itself, and the natural healing of wounds. For it not to work on him… what kind of poison was it?

I walked back to where Cale was lying, leaning down to examine him. “Where was he shot?” I asked, looking over his armour. No gashes or cuts, what was the goal here… force him to move perhaps, get the poison coursing through his system… but if that was true, it’s a physical poison isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be removed?

“Arms, he pulled the darts out almost immediately after they hit him. The wounds healed when we gave him the potion, however we’re out of potions for him to use, and the poison is still in effect.” Ram said, seating himself in a chair opposite of Cale. “There is an alchemist coming correct?” He asked, rubbing at his wrists. “He needs some proper antidote, I do not know of any poisons that could have such an effect.”

I nodded. “They should be arriving soon, it’s been a while since I’ve seen him.” Cale shivered and shuddered, his body contorted into the foetal position. I hesitated for a moment, then Delved. Colour splashed onto my vision, his soul flashing into view. Something was burning at it from the inside, splitting apart and reforming at it crashed against the walls of his soul. “What the…” I gasped.

“What is it?” Taryn asked, head snapping to me. “Did you notice something?” I stopped Delving, turning over to him, but as I opened my mouth, the doors to the guild swung open with a thud. Gen hastily made his way over to the back.

“What happened?” He asked, setting down a leather and wood box that he began to open and unpack. Saindall rushed over, holding out the dart to Gen, who gingerly took with a sheet of cloth. “I didn’t hear much about the poison’s effects from Tina, try to explain it, it’s important.”

“He doesn’t seem to be healing from healing potions, they alleviate it for the moment, but then it starts up again. He’s just been like that, muttering in his… sleep.” Ram said, looking over to Gen.

“Dammit, that’s not nearly enough information, it could be a soulburst or soulrot poison, one of the various necrotoxins, or even…” He muttered to himself. I bit my lip. What the hell…

“It’s some kind of soul poison.” I said quietly. The others turned silent, looking to me. “It looks like it’s introducing some kind of volatile mana that’s straining against the rest of his soul.”

Gen hesitated for a moment, then pulled out several vials from the box, wiping a bit of the needle and testing bits of the poison with different liquids. Sometimes burning a vibrant red and others a dull orange. He nodded. “He’s right, it’s an alchemical soulburst poison, the details don’t matter right now. He’s lucky he isn’t dead yet, he must have strong willpower…” He starts retrieving more vials, pulling out a small pot. “Is there a fire somewhere?” He shouted to Tina across the room.

She nods, helping him carry the pot and some of the vials with her to the kitchen. “How did you know?” Palim asked, looking over to me. I shrugged, it was probably clear enough even without my explanation. “You’re a Sensitive.” She breathed, the others turning to regard me with surprise.

I raise a finger to my lips. “The only people who know that are my team, so don’t talk about it to anyone.” I said, leaning back onto one of the pillars. “I’ve been told it could make my life difficult if it came out, and if it comes down to it, I will kill to keep myself free.” I said, staring over to Cale.

We sat there in silence after that, as I waited for Gen to return with whatever antidote he might concoct. His soul was straining at the seams, I wondered if I could reach it and draw out the excess. Probably not a good idea. I thought, shaking my head. But maybe I should try moving mana sometime, see what I can do…

Gen hurried back a moment later, gingerly carrying a cup with him. “Get him seated.” He said. I moved forward towards Cale, firmly gripping his shoulders and dragging him up while Ram and Taryn helped hold his body. He leaned the cup against his lips, Cale spluttered, trying to get it out, and Gen grimaced. “Immobilize him, one of you pinch his nose.”

Taryn did so, and as Cale opened his mouth Gen poured it into his mouth, before clamping it shut. “Tell me once he stops swallowing.” He paused. “Let go of his nose.” He barked at Taryn.

“He’s finished it.” Ram said, and we repeated the method again for the rest of the potion. Cale’s struggles gradually reduced, and he started to breath more calmly. He coughed twice, opening his eyes tiredly to look at us.

“Thanks…” He said, sounding defeated. He struggled to speak, but fell into slumber.

“He’ll probably be able to tell us more once he wakes up.” I observed, and let out a breath. “In any case, Tina, think you can make room for him here?” I asked.

She hesitated, biting her lip. “Yes, I’ll make sure of it. I won’t be able to accommodate your friends however.” She said, turning to the others.

“That will be quite alright, we will take up residence in the Mercer Inn. Thank you for your assistance.” Ram replied. Giving a deep bow, an arm crossed over his chest. “You’ll tell us if he wakes?” He asked, facing me. I nodded. “Thank you.” He said, walking out of the guild.

“Think you could help me carry him?” I ask, turning to Taryn before he manages to get up. He sheepishly looks over as Ram leaves. “It’s fine, I figured you guys wouldn’t have thought to stay.” I gave a lopsided grin, passing an arm under Cale’s right arm and dragging him upright. Tina shows me towards an empty room, and I toss him onto the bed. I let out a breath. “Well that’s done, see you in the morning then.” I say, walking over to my room. Taryn nods, leaving by the stairs.

In my room I stare out the window, having opened it to watch the night sky. “Why did they come after you?” I whisper. Taking the shaper from my pack I set it down by my bed again, the elementals were coming along faster, the next batch of them would probably be ready by tomorrow. “Still, to have had so many in that grove… How long was that war?” I wondered, tapping onto the only empty space that sat on it.

[I estimate it to be at minimum several years.] Page answered. [That at the same time does not account for losses due to the Edratchi. The sheer number of smaller fragments is also intriguing.]

I guess so. I should sleep, I’m thinking when Cale wakes up we’re going to have trouble on our hands… I think, closing the window before walking over to the bed and sliding under the sheets. Just when I thought this couldn’t get any worse. I chuckle to myself, drifting off to sleep.

I wake up the next day to birds outside the window. I stretch a little, taking a breath. It’s nice to be able to spend time in an actual bed once in a while. I think to myself. Definitely a lot less sore…

[Indeed, we should go check on Cale now. He may be awake.] Page said.

I’m getting to it. I think with a wry smile, opening the door and heading down to the one we put Cale in. A rap on the door echoes against in the hallway. Something starts shuffling within, and I step back, leaning against the wall. It gets pulled open, and Cale stares at me from inside. “I gather I have you to thank for my life?” He asked.

I chuckled. “Not really, you can thank the alchemist later. I’ll bring you to him, but first the rest of your team will want to hear from you, and you’ll probably need to start explaining what the hell is going on.” I say, giving him an easy smile.

“I should…” He said, nodding. “Now that they’ve decided to make attempts on my life, at least I no longer owe them any further loyalties.” He remarked bitterly.

“Then it was the Republic.” I said, frowning. “Come on down, there will be breakfast for you.”

“Where’s Kael?” I heard a voice cry out as I made my way down the stairs. Right, this is why I always have my faceplate on. I thought to myself. I walked over to the table the voice was coming from, as Maria had managed to stop Frejr. “Is he alright?” She asked, concern across her features.

“Was he a tall man clad in heavy armour?” I chimed in, dropping my voice to a lower register. Maria looked over to me, seeming to shrink ever so slightly. “He’s fine, the lead he’s been assigned is taking longer than expected to chase down, but we have no reason to believe he will encounter any trouble.” I said, before backtracking. “No trouble that he will not be able to handle.”

Frejr glanced to me. “Indeed. He will return in time, from what little I have known of him he is very resilient.” She said that with just the barest hint of a smirk.

“I see. If you say so.” Maria said, not quite looking me in the eye. Qen looked over to her, as the dire wolves settled in beside me, nuzzling at my knees.

“They seem to like you.” Mulia said, looking over to me with a smirk. I knelt down besides them, running my hands along their heads.

“Keeping out of trouble?” I whispered into their ears, they whined, fixing me with a look. “Don’t blow my cover just yet…”