Big City Darkened Nights
#23 - healing magic

“Alright,” the mage displays the divided jewelry, “are you ready to replace out what’s here?”

Spitting food Junior utters, “Yes.”

Displaying a few necklaces, the mage informs them. “We’ve got three amulets. One for protection, one for agility and the last one is a mind shield. It’ll provide protection from spells like sleep, fear and suggestion.” He pushes two rings, “There’s three rings, Dell has the regeneration ring. There is also one we could have used earlier a ring of healing. And this thick ring will increase your strength.” He picks up a bracelet, “This little trinket is supposed to help improve your luck.” Setting it down he pokes at the remaining collection, “The rest of it is just how you see it precious stones and metals.” Cornelious sits up, “The book of magic and satchel of things is a great reward for me you men should divide the rest up.”

Sounding fair Avilo points out, “I have interest in only one thing” Picking up the Amulet of mind shield, “I seem to be drawn to this trinket. Maybe one day it’ll keep me from clucking like a chicken. You guys can split the rest. Leave something for Paul.”

“Sure.” Dell considers his comrade, “Actually I can live with my ear as it is.” Taking the ring of regeneration off he leans over and slides it on Paul’s finger, “I think Paul may appreciate getting his eye back more.”

Carr asks the group, “If it’s okay with yous. I’d like the ring of healing as I’m usually far from home or healer when I get seriously injured.”

No one objects so Carr takes the ring.

Almost unnoticed Dell takes the ring of strength and replaces a finger it fits.

Looking for the ring of strength Junior doesn’t see it on the table anymore, “Hey, Carr did you take the ring of strength too?” He catches Dell displaying the new ring, “Oh you took it? Sorry Carr?”

Carr just shrugs, “A few days ago I might have.”

Thinking of what’s left, Junior decides to take the delicate bracelet, “I could use this.”

Jesting with him, Dell remarks. “Because it will go well with your dress.”

The room chuckles slightly as Junior defends, “No we’ll get our pay soon. There’s surely to be a game going on somewhere.”

“That better not be why you’re always borrowing coin.” Avilo points out to them, “There’s still the two amulets. Who gets those?”

Cornelious suggests. “Paul’s ring may be little use to him after. He should get one other, plus his share of the jewelry. We don’t know if he’ll be able to carry on. Carr found and opened it he should get the second.”

As they think about it, Carr says, “I had a necklace of protection. My healer says it’s not going to help me. The agility enchantment could certainly help all my skills.”

“How’s that?” Inquires Avilo.

The mage explains, “He climbs, jumps, tumbles, moving quietly, picking locks, even fighting. It helps your muscles perform better, even quickens speed.” Laughing to himself, “To me I’d feel twenty years younger.”

“Oh yeah,” Avilo asks the wizard, “why don’t you take it for yourself.”

Cornelious pats his chest, “I’ve got a much nicer medallion.”

Wanting to go out and test himself Dell shares his opinion, “Carr and Paul can have the amulets.”

“Fine with me.” Junior feels his face, “I think I’m healed now.” He starts unwrapping his head to see.

Taking the agility amulet Carr passes the last amulet to Dell to leave with Paul.

Now getting tired Cornelious is hoping to clear out his tower soon, “How is the jewelry to be divided?”

Carr suggests. “By approximate weight. You must have scales up here.”

Right under the table the mage grins, “I do,” Sliding it out he piles the jewelry on a scale tray.

Captain Avilo firmly states. “Do not count my share. I can’t take more than I have already.”

“Okay.” Carr thinks about it and not being able to wear a protection enchantment, “I was about to say no to my share as well. But I have to repay the good cleric for healing me. As he seems to be a man of strong moral fiber, he most likely will not accept gratuity.”

Cornelious backs up the thought, “That’s right boy. He won’t. It’s against his code of honor.”

“My cleric shares similar views,” Carr tells them, “she will take payment. But she will give that payment to those who need it. So, I would like to, donate, my share to his church and flock.”

Seeing something admirable in Carr’s gesture Avilo changes his mind. “Excellent thought Carr. I too want my share and it to be donated to the temple. I hear he plans a winter pilgrimage.”

If Avilo is to be noble so shall Dell, “I too wish to donate my cut to the temple.”

They all look to Junior who was thinking about a fun week of gambling, women and booze. “Me too but I want to keep a couple of the jeweled pieces.”

Thinking it fair they just put it all back in the jewelry box for Gaylord. They look to him but he’s engaged in saving Paul’s life. Junior keeps two expensive necklaces; Dell thinks about a lady he has an eye on and takes a simple ruby pendent and chain.

Boldly Carr comments, “Oh, Dell’s got a sweetie somewhere in town.”

Not answering right away Dell fakes a quick smile and tucks it away, “I do and I’d rather not discuss her.”

“Fine,” Carr notes, “just looked like the perfect piece to give a woman. Attractive and valuable, but not enough that they question where you got it.”

That makes Cornelious laugh speaking to Carr, “Not only have your skills in fighting and thieving. But you have knowledge of the female heart. That takes some men a lifetime to never understand. You are certainly a rogue in my eyes. If I had a daughter, I wouldn’t want you anywhere near her.” He laughs some more.

Dell and Carr laugh as well. Avilo is more curious by Junior’s face as two strips of dying skin fall away.

Finding it all amusing Junior wants to see his face, “How bad am I?”

Avilo comments. “I can’t fully tell your face is covered in blood. But the wounds have closed up.”

“Great,” Carr unravels his wrap, looking at Junior, “I think you’re going to have scars.”

“Alright,” happy to hear, Junior mentions, “I’ve been waiting for some outstanding scar. The way she got me should look perfect.”

All raise a brow of concern but Carr agrees, “Oh, well those will be good ones. You’ll be able to say you took on a grizzly or tiger.”

“Nah,” Junior sees the truth as the best, “it was the Hag.” He apologizes for the future, “If I have kids, one day. I’ll be telling them I took her on alone. Just so you know.”

“Okay Junior,” Avilo studies Carr’s face as he reveals it, “It seems you have no scars.”

Wanting to see his wounds Dell removes the bandage, “My ear doesn’t hurt anymore.”

The mage looks over, “Yah, it’s healed over. Regeneration isn’t going to help you now.”

Seeing his men’s condition Avilo gives out his final order, “Alright, like I said, first thing clean up and pay your mothers a visit. Then you can disappear for the week with clear conscious. Dismissed. And thanks for your help.”

“Yes sir.” Junior gathers his things.

Happy to see he’s healed with no scaring Dell salutes, “Yes sir.” Quickly he picks up his gear.

Junior shakes Carr’s hand and arm, “Good luck Carr. From what I saw you fought okay.”

“Good luck to you too. I’m glad we didn’t have to fight each other.” Carr thinks it’d be sad to kill him.

Locking arms Dell apologizes, “Sorry Carr. I had you figured all wrong. I think you could easily take Junior.”

“Thanks. Most have me figured for the common criminal type. It’s the scale armor.”

“He couldn’t take me,” Junior defends himself leaving the tower with Dell. They can be heard bickering down the stairs to the bottom.

Avilo speaks with Carr, “I thought you handled okay. I still wish to have seen your fight with Lord Kapigorn.”

“That you would have liked,” Carr informs them, “I wasn’t thinking with a clear head, down, wherever we were. The smell was distracting. And it seemed more of a bad dream. I never expected one female to easily handle so many trained fighters.”

Cornelious enlightens them, “She was emitting a smell. It causes lesser people to become fearful. It was masked by the stench of Hell. I think the only one fully effected might have been Paul.”

“I’m younger than Paul,” Carr thinks aloud, “I wasn’t scared, just not focused.”

“Your obviously more skilled the Paul,” The mage jests, “and Dell and Junior.”

“Well thanks,” Carr addresses the remaining men, “I am grateful and fortunate to have encountered you on my path in life.”

Avilo jests. “Wow a complete thought. I think you could take Dell but Junior can surprise even himself.”

Cornelious inquiries about proper protocol, “When do you have to give your official report to King Halford? Better yet do I need to be there?”

“No,” smiles Avilo, “I think my word will be sufficient. Besides I think he’ll understand you need your rest. He knows we’re back and alive. He wants to meet in the hall late this afternoon.” He does look at Carr.

“Yeah, I figured me too.” With time to wait Carr doesn’t want to waste it sitting around, “Can I slip into the city and see how my new armor is going?”

Scratching his head Avilo shrugs, “There’s no reason for you to run. And you’re waiting in town anyway. Can’t hurt, why not. Just return to the main entrance midafternoon and have me summoned.”