Quoted By:
Starting your journey in the late morning proved wise despite your dear wishes to speak with the recovering patients face to face. Reaching Eichenwald took the better an hour and the city was already fully active with newly awake crowds coming and going, although the open road remained cozy.
Finding your way through the districts was simultaneously daunting and educative, without your dad you'd have gotten lost without a doubt. Eichenwald had a crafting district, plenty of residential areas seemingly plopped at random, two big storage neighborhoods guarded by rivaling mercs and militias, one popular eatery lane... You've likely missed a few more.
While walking through Eichenwald you were forced to take a long detour because of a pair of merchants clogging the main road with their crashed caravans, you happened across a circle of buildings within a big alley guarded by a surprisingly high concentration of mercs who clearly weren't happy with the increased volumes of pedestrians.
''Either the mercs made this neighborhood their headquarters or...'' Your dad glared at the men staring at you. <span class="mu-i">They do see me as a piece of meat.</span>
''Prostitution lane.'' You ended his sentence while sticking a little closer. ''I heard the baron didn't allow it but I suppose it's impossible to remove.''
''Not our problem. Let's go.''
Thankfully, the news of your father's brawl in the Mamonos enclave didn't seem to have spread far enough to cause any complications.
--
''Cleric of the path Rikard Vesperius and his daughter have arrived at the request of master dwarf Furibol.'' Dad hid his exasperation fairly well. ''You go run to your boss and confirm that.''
It was around noon that you nearly arrived at your destination, with a checkpoint unfortunately barring further progress. The baron manor was a small distance from Eichenwald itself, across a hill that completely cut off all visibility, guarded by a small wooden fortification plopped on the main gravel road that could easily be circumvented by walking into the nearby forest...but things had to be done properly.
''Sorry, master cleric, my lady.'' One of the men stationed next to the raised gate inclined his head. His compatriots had already disappeared up the paths at a brisk jog. ''Would you like to come inside and rest? Perhaps refresh yourselves?''
''Sure, I could use a snack and water.'' You decided to try and defuse your dad's gruff mood. The men here wore the tabards of the militias, you offered them a minimum of trust.
So came another wait, and...
''Remember guys, miracles are magical and will always evaporate after some time, especially during the hour of Justice. Exercise, good food, and sleep are the foundation of good health, anybody telling you otherwise is a charlatan. Don't rely on our god's gifts. Your health isn't their responsibility.''
