Doubt besets you on how to browse, hence you weigh the various ways all the more diligent. To aid you there is one circumstance, surely Flax shan't blend with common mortals, although you have got used to the scent since, you know what to look for. It seems then that the groundwork is good, and you are free to practice - should you fail, your goals are not lost yet. Your mind labors like a draft horse, and a spell is slowly coming together.
"There in the near is a... Man..." you instruct the spirit, and before your eyes form spectres. "That which burns unlike the rest. His eyes are red. And a maiden walks besides him, protected by three... Show them to me."
First, unfamiliar faces are presented, but once you declare the full rule, you recognize the shapes.
"It is them. Where are they?"
Now you find the ones spought after, up the street they go. Triumphant, you cast the familiar in their tracks, and promptly retire the glee, to pay good attention, to whatever is to unfold.
"...all well, I cannot have that." you hear Flax speak, as the spirit starts to listen. The sun is not quite set yet, but the commotion outside settles slowly, much to your favor.
"Of course you can't." the girl mutters, then points over. "Say, that looks the part."
"Indeed so. Come on, then!"
A spacious residence spreads in sight, of wood and stone, it is a temple for sure that they head towards, somewhat different in design than what have you have been seeing. The two reach the stairs and a watcher descends to meet them.
"Hail, attendant!" Flax greets the man, and promptly hands a gesture to the stoat, who gives a modest bow herself.
"The word is, this settlement has a sickness to deal with." she says. "We would like to know more, and it is also said you handle the ordeal to a substantial extent, hence we are here. Is there anything we need to fear?"
"Well, I certainly hope not." the tender replies, scratching his own temple. "We did our best to contain the blow, and you carry no symptoms, I observe."
"And what symptoms these may be?"
"Why, fever at first, and loss of firmness thereafter. It would be thus rather difficult to hide, so, you can safely carry on, it is taken care of."
"It is also said the origin of all this is rather peculiar... How did it come to be, exactly?"
The lookout takes a pause, and scouts around, albeit somewhat tepidly. His tone however remains helpful.
"We cannot tell really, but it is no secret everyone suspects some foul sorcery at the root. It came silent as the nightfall, only some seem to be affected, and none have succeeded so far in breaking it down, or so they say."
"I suppose it helps naught no one gets to see the sick." Flax steps in, which startles the stoat, a fervid frown flies his way, but the habitant answers the words solely.
"Rather." he remarks. "I say, such a serene place we had here, and now this tumult tramps in, everyone turns restless."
"How long it's been here?" the lass resumes her inquiry, while the warrior weighs the last input.
"Why, just a couple days I recall. The moon is the same at least, as when it sprung... And we have been drudging ever since, I mean, the temple is closed to anyone but the afflicted at the moment."
"Understandably so, and I am pleased that we were spared the stay, from what you say..." the stoat begins to turn slowly, and takes out two alloy coins to toss. "For your trouble, and that of the temple. Thank you for the tidings, we will be going."
"Why, you be welcome." he takes the gift, and gestures to them a blessing. "The Fair watch over you, good fortune!"
Then they backtrack from the shrine, but do not decide a direction just yet.
"May I have a request?" the girl speaks to her fellow, in a muffled manner, but the unseen delivers their words. "Could you stay silent when I talk? I am trying to accomplish something here."
"I could." the man grins. "And I might as well, you do your thing. I'm just to watch, anyway... Carry on."
"Good. Now the story's the same, but I'd like to hear from more commoners."
"The tavern would do the trick there, I reckon."
"Quite. But there's some people still on the street, let's ask them, too."
"Alright, prance on we will."
)
