[IRP] As Firm as a Mountain

[Lavi]

After dismissing Theodore, Cecily closed the door to her room behind her and let out a sigh. Of course it was highly optimistic that she would be able to convince Bern on her own, though it would have been extraordinarily helpful if Randolf had at least guaranteed that Bern will help…

"… but the greatest profit comes when the harvest is reaped at the right moment…"

Bern was paying attention. They are considering their policy in regards to Lycia. A grin etched itself on her face. It was far from a guarantee of support, but more of an offer of consideration. If the time is right, Bern will move.

She took a step into her room and immediately froze. The smile disappeared as quickly as it came. Although Cecily could not admit to being the tidiest of noble women, the mess she makes was organized at the very least. The collar should be pointing to the window at the bed side and the hem of the skirt at the foot of the bed. The collar is out of place.

Footsteps brought her attention to the side and she felt the sweet blade lick her shoulder as she moved. Once she had enough distance between herself and the assailant, she got a good look at her attacker. Of course, his dress is fairly non-descript, but she could recognize the dagger he used anywhere. It is a Lausian dagger: not from the royal forge, but one of the lesser kind. The guard of the hilt had a curvature typical of Lausian metalwork.

She only had a moment to cry out before the assassin was at her again. Her high heels betrayed her balance and she thought it was over. At least, until it took too long for the blade to strike her heart.

Theodore's face filled her vision as she allowed herself to open her eyes again. Her vision blurred from the collecting moisture.

"Thank you," she said.

"We cannot remain here, milady," Theodore replied.

"I know," she answered in turn. "Let's find the refugee camps. We should be able to find help there."

But she felt light-headed: standing was a challenge within itself.

"Poison…" she whispered as Theodore steadied her.

"I'll find--" he began.

"At the camps," Cecily cut him off.

----

The refugee camps were nothing particularly notable. A labyrinth of tents were erected on the open grounds with signs only pointing in the direction of essentials like water and restrooms. The camps were an organized venture once, until the incoming refugees poured in faster than volunteers could be pressed into service. Because of this, documentation on who is in the camps grew unreliable.

"I need a doctor!" Theodore shouted as he carried Cecily in his arms, with a bandage wrapped around her wounded shoulder. "Is there a doctor anywhere?"

He could hear Cecily's breathing growing more labored. He might not know what kind of poison was afflicting her, but his own knowledge poisons indicated that she won't last a few days without medical help. Her health is going to get much worse if he cannot find help in the next half-hour. It was irritating that many of the refugees looked in his direction but didn't offer anything to help, but at least they didn't pretend that they knew how to help.

"Hey, I'm not a doctor, but I am an alchemist," a refugee approached him.

The alchemist is very overweight: evidently lived well before he came to the camp, which was oddly comforting to the rogue.

"What's wrong with her?" the alchemist asked.

"Poisoned weapon," Theodore explained.

"I'll see what I can do," the alchemist replied.

----------

"I'm not going to pretend I know any medical procedures to remove the poison, but I can give her some meds to counter the side-effects," the alchemist said.

"Anything will do," Theodore said. "As long as it keeps her alive long enough for a proper doctor to arrive."

A crowd was gathering outside the alchemist's tent, curious as to what was going on.

Cecily could faintly hear them murmuring among themselves, but she couldn't focus enough to decipher what they were talking about. Her entire body felt like it was burning, despite the layer of sweat that covered her.

"Water…" she rasped.

"Oh! I completely forgot!" the alchemist exclaimed. He offered her a small bowl of water, helping her drink. The water had a nasty tinge to it, catching Cecily by surprise. She instinctively tried to cough it out.

"You know: they did say that a few cups a day keeps the doctor away, or something," he joked.

"It's… apples…" she corrected him.

"Ah, my mistake," the alchemist bowed his head in apology.

"If you can look after her, I will be looking for a doctor," Theodore said.

"Thank you for your hospitality, sir," he offered the alchemist a deep bow.

"No problem, no problem!" the alchemist waved away the pleasantries. "I was getting bored to tears anyways!"

The retainer pushed his way past the crowd on his way out of the tent. Although he would ideally remain behind to protect his liege, he had to make sure that a doctor came to treat her. Either way, Theodore knew he was in a difficult situation. If there were any samaritans among the present expatriates, he would be incredibly grateful.

"You seem to be taking this rather well, miss," the alchemist noted. "I'd expect someone your age to be in a panic."

"I… am…" Cecily murmured. Even with her life at stake, Cecily didn't look like she was going to freak out, courtesy of her training in court life.

"Did… Theodore… leave…?" she asked.

"Yep, he's looking for a doctor for you," the alchemist offered her more water.

"There are… other… attackers…" Cecily forced herself to speak.

"I'm not surprised. Sorry to say, but I'm no fighter. Yer going to have to rely on the publicity you have to stay alive," the alchemist answered.

"Comforting," Cecily sarcastically smiled. She couldn't blame Theodore for the decision he made: it was her best chance of survival.