Solon stood outside the door to Red Fortune's room, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. After a few minutes, Atis Voicedpapers, Fish Dissector and occasional doctor, stepped out.
“Well, she's not doing so well. It's just a broken hand, but for some reason she's refusing to drink any of the medicinal rum I brought for her. She also won't touch the medicinal beer, ale or wine.” She shook her head. “It's practically like she wants to be sick. She's asking for water!” Atis looked puzzled for a moment. “That, and she's requesting her dog skin blanket, her “special” dog bone doll, and something else that I'm not sure I want to repeat.”
Solon nodded absentmindedly. Something had just popped into her head. The fragment of a memory... something called “desalinization.” She'd have to force herself to ask Lord Legon about it. After all, it was high time he did something useful with his supposedly legendary skill in mechanics.
From the Journals of Solon Wardbridges, 1st of Hematite, 204
Long story short, it worked. Red Fortune got the fresh water she wanted, and I get to breathe a big sigh of relief. Much as Red Fortune scares the wits out of me sometimes, I'd hate for her to die. Especially since I was the one who ordered that inconvenient little collapsing channel dug. As Legon was so happy to remind me every time he went to work on the pump. Jackass.
It's summer now. I've got a feeling the orcs might be back. Ah well. Here's a toast to not dying of thirst! We've got better, more exciting things to die of here in Greatbridge.