...and action

The young man’s face looked rather blotched up as if his nose had been recently broken and reset. Two large bandages covered forehead and nose, making him look rather ridiculous.

“No, no… It's fine…”

'Do you want some water, Sir?' Beongarn offered the man help, but he all-too-hurriedly set himself to turn on his heel. His right foot caught his left heel and spun him around, knocking himself down on the ground once more, landing hard. But this time! He managed to catch himself with his hands before his face met stone wall.

Neremnes laughed from across the courtyard. "He's definitely drunk. Can he stay?"

Beongarn shot Neremnes a stern look, and the girl shoved her hands in her pockets, looking at the ground trying to suppress a laugh. He offered the stranger a hand, but he pushed himself up onto his feet not saying a word. He hurriedly walked past the individuals around him. Beongarn walked after the man and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Sir, where are you going?”

“He seems stubborn…” Amyilyn murmured.

The stranger’s hand instinctively slipped to the pommel of his hand-and-a-half sword as he received quite a jump. He swallowed, loudly. Beongarn calmly moved his hand to the hilt of his own sword.

“I've got someone to see...” The stranger stuttered, “Erm… The doctor, I have to see the doctor.”

A small group of people watched on as Beongarn tried to calm the man. Anglaraen stood with Neremnes, who was grinning widely at the amusing scene before her, and Amyilyn stood a little distance away, watching quietly.

“I just hope that fool won't do a mess over there.” Anglaraen shook her head.

“I hope so too…” Amyilyn bit her lip as she watched the men.

“Yes - we know a good doctor here.” Beongarn said, “We are just worried about you – since you’ve hit your head so many times… perhaps it would be wise.”

The stranger remained calm of face, but cursed inwardly. He pursed his lips into a thin line as he glanced at the man and his regalia, not to mention the impressive sword on his belt. He was about to leg it, when he saw someone he recognised.

“O - Ollia! Hello.”

Beongarn turned around, seeing familiarity in the new arrival also. “Greetings, Ollia. You know our friend already?”

Ollia was running around as usual, and stopped in time to see a few faces she knew. Seeing that Beongarn was distracted, the stranger took his chance. He turned on his heel and stepped towards the wall, successfully clearing it in one bound.

Neremnes glanced to her right. "Hey, Anglaraen." She managed some fleeting glances to Braiden, Beongarn and Ollia with an amused grin. “Look at the stranger.”

Anglaraen ignored him and walked close to Neremnes and whispered to her, "Nemmy, do you feel ready to sneak into the doctor's house? As Madelief couldn't be here I think it will be your turn..."

Neremnes punched the air in front of her, momentarily turning her attention from the opposite side of the courtyard. "Definitely!"

The stranger managed to jump over the wall with little problem this time, as if his bout of clumsiness had passed. He made his hasty way towards the middle of the road, playing out the momentum when suddenly he glanced to the left side. An oncoming horse rushed towards him and his features fell into a defeated expression. "Oh shit..."

Amyilyn turned her head, and Beongarn noticed the movement to his right. Neremnes stood on tip toes to see the stranger who had thrown himself backwards towards the wall, the horse clipping him very lightly against his right arm. He rolled to the wall, on the ground in a heap and seemingly losing the will to get back up. Neremnes burst into peals of laughter and had to quieten them by holding her cloak to her face, and giggled all while running towards Ollia, whose jaw had dropped to her neck. Ollia slowly closed her lips and welcomed Nemmy with a pat on her shoulder.

“So?” She smirked, “Are you getting my future husband killed already?” She glanced towards laying down Braiden whom she happened to meet not so long ago.

Neremnes raises a brow. "Husband?" She grins, "And this wasn't my fault, it were his own. Ye know, he's the clumsiest sack of potatoes I've ever seen on these streets."

“Anglaraen, can I get your help please?” Beongarn urgently beckoned her over.

Anglaraen turned her head at Beongarn's call, "What the hell happened over there?" Then seeing the man had disappeared, ran towards Beongarn.

“He was hit by a horse, it seems.” Beongarn peered over the wall, then quietened his voice, “Do you have the potion?”

Anglaraen gave a subtle nod. The stranger just groaned on the floor in a rather pathetic manner. Anglaraen jumped over the wall and closed to the man. "Beongarn, come closer and see if this man is injured.”

“I think he could use something to drink.” Beongarn leant down to check if the man was still breathing.

“Fine! I'm fine! I'm okay! It’s okay! Nothing to see here!” The stranger’s muffled voice protested, “Go away please.” He remained where he was, faceplanting the cobblestones.

“You should see a doctor.”

Anglaraen knelt beside the man while picking the potion from her pocket then spoke lowly to him. "Sir you'd better drink this, you'll feel better soon.” She offers the bottle to him.

His head turned to the side as he glowered at Anglaraen through narrow slits of eyes. “And that’s right eh? Take a random substance from a complete stranger.” He sighed and put on a sweet, sarcastic tone, clearly irritated, “Fine, thank you.” He took the vial and drank.

Anglaraen smiled to the man "Don't worry, it's just a tonic."

The man planted his forearms beneath him, his eyes closing as he shook his head, trying to re-orientate himself. “Wha… u… mmh…”

Ollia and Neremnes watched from a close distance, chattering and giggling.

“You… what is…?”

Anglaraen looked at Beongarn while speaking loudly, "This man may have seriously injured his head! We should call a doctor!"

“Ssh... mmh...” The man’s words slurred into babbling, “Yer'shhh.. Poissshonnshh…”

“Aye, indeed. I heard there is one nearby.” Beongarn responded with a nod of his head.

“Poi... mmh...” He started to cackle in a manic manner, “The doorknob says hi…” He rabbled more nonsense for a while then just slumped over with his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

Neremnes stared at her feet trying not to laugh.

“Sit down my friend - you shouldn't move too much with your head injury.” Beongarn waved a hand then talked softly to Anglaraen. “Do you think we should send Neremnes or Amyilyn in?”

Anglaraen whispered to Beongarn, "I think Neremnes would be better."

They watched the babbling stranger and exchanged glances.

“… Mmhsh… Turtshh…” His fingers curled into his palms as he tufted up dirt and loose grass.

“I’ll fetch her, then.” Beongarn waved at the young girl, “Neremnes, follow me please.”

Neremnes looked up with a grin. “What are we doing?” She followed Beongarn eagerly, even without explanation.

“You know what to do, then?” Beongarn and Neremnes approached the doctor’s house.

The girl nodded.

“Good, wait up the stairs. If I can get the doctor out, check the rooms.”

Neremnes went to move up the stairs.

“Oh, and – ”

“Hmm?”

“Please be careful.” Beongarn smiled reassuringly at her.

She stuck one thumb up, then pulled a face at him before disappearing up the stairs. Beongarn knocked at the door. No answer. He knocked again, a bit louder.

“Is the doctor home? We need his help!” Another few knocks landed on the wooden door.

The door swung open, revealing a frowning man holding a candle out at the man at his doorstep.

“Greetings there. I heard you are a doctor, is that right?”

“Well, I might be, yes… but no arrow wounds are blade festering.”

“A man fell down twice, and was hit by a horse, and now he speaks in a strange way. I’ve never seen it before.”

“A strange way?” The doctor scratched his head. He muttered, trying to get rid of the visitor.

“Please, we need your help. I spoke to him before, and he is new to Bree, and knows nobody here. We cannot leave him on the street.” Beongarn spoke a bit faster to seem worried.

“I don’t see why not sir. These days there are many people who don’t watch themselves.”

'He is not one for the beggars, he looks from his cloth like someone who is from a wealthy family. I am sure his family would appreciate any help he receives.” Beongarn raised his brows.”

“Well, alright. But do not make this a habit. I have very pressing matters to attend to. I will grab my bag.” The doctor disappeared inside for a moment.

“Thank you, sir.”

Their footsteps hurried down the stairs. Neremnes waited for the sound to fade.

Neremnes glanced around, seeing no one. She attempted the door handle, and to her relief it was left unlocked, as Beongarn managed to get the doctor to hurry. She grinned mischievously and turned the handle, slipping inside.

“Ooh…” The house was kept very tidy and fine paintings lined the walls. She spotted the bedroom and headed there first, quickly searching through piles of books on the table. Nothing caught her eye, so she turned to a chest on the floor, tugging at the lock. She growled and kicked the chest before investigating other parts of the room. A sturdy pack at the foot of the bed caught her eye. Neremnes open the buckles and found that it had been recently packed.

“Where’s he going? Hiking, perhaps…” She shook her head and returned the pack to its place.

Neremnes wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, moving away a thin line of sweat. She was stressed, but her mind was focussed. Her eyes scanned the table contents and spotted a compartment in the desk side. She raised a brow and tried to open it, but it was firmly shut.

“Ruddy… piece of… ergh!” She brought her hand down on the table in anger. “Pry it open?” She rubs her temple, then snaps her fingers and heads to the fireplace to find a tool of use. She picks one out and tugs at the door, but the damn thing it too large. Her muscles tensed and she returned the tool

Neremnes returned to the fireplace and puts it back, trying not to toss it. The table seemed to hold more useful items – a knife and a fork. She snatched these up and headed back. After several attempts she managed to pry the compartment open, although it was rather damaged at the edges.

Neremnes frowned, and placed the knife on the table. She took out a key sitting at the back. "The chest, perhaps?"

Neremnes fit the key into the lock and tried to turn it, and to her delight, the lock opened with a click. She creaked the chest open and peered inside, finding some scrolls bound together. “Sweet!” She pulled them out a spotted some lettering. “Wha…?” She shrugged at the lettering, but some pictures on the scrolls made her heart drop with dread. “Weird…” She rubbed her temple again, feeling time was getting short. Neremnes hastily tucked the scrolls into her pockets, locked the chest and returned the knife and fork to the table before rushing to the door.

A soft breeze brushed her face as Neremnes poked her head out the door. She flinched, and ducked back inside. She shook her head and looked around outside. She breathed deeply, her heart racing. She couldn’t tell if anyone saw her leave or enter, so she kept her head low and sprinted up the Scholar’s Stair, thankful there was no one – that she knew of- at that time of night. Neremnes slowed and caught her breath, trying to walk as casually as possible to the Western gate.