A Minute With: An Ilindith Healer

By the Stars! Sir, let me help you; I'll carry your things, you can lean on me. Please, come sit. Easy now, this chair should be comfortable.
Let me take a look at you. These bruises are horrible, and there's so many! What happened?
You were at House Jhulyr? Was it one of the animals?
Oh. Oh dear.
Ah, I should have known. She...does have a tendency to play rough. But you're the first human I've ever -- You know, that's irrelevant. I shall prepare a few poultices; in the meantime, I'm afraid I will need you to remove your outer garments. If you wish, those can be attended to as well while you're here.
Take this cup of tea. The warmth will help relax you, and the tea will help numb any pain, as you will require a few stitches. We'll start by cleaning your skin with a nice medicinal soap. I make the cakes myself. It's a process I learned long ago; very common in wood elf circles. Let me know if the cloth is too rough, or the water too cold.
Ha, you are correct: I am not drow. I am moon elf. My name is Saoirse. No, I don't mind you asking. The first time we meet, those of us who once lived above always exchange our stories, if we can bear it. I think it helps most of us stay grounded, in a way.
I have been here in Ilindith for ten years now. But in another life, some adventuring companions and I met a fine traveling showman in Lakewynne, in the south of Shiva. As it happened, we both completed our business in town at about the same time, and both had the town of Glaenarm as our next destination. He had room in his covered wagon, and since we were all heading the same way, we all agreed it would be both safer and more pleasant if we journeyed together rather than alone.
We set out just after sunrise the next morning; but an hour or two in, one of the handsome pair of horses drawing the wagon lost a shoe. The magnificent creature was able to go on, but we had to slow our pace considerably to avoid causing both horses harm. An hour past midday, we we had the great fortune of coming upon a village with a farrier who was kind enough to craft and fit a new shoe. Shoeing a draft horse is a lengthy process; by the time the work was completed, we had lost much of the daylight. We decided to press on, blissfully unaware that we had just sealed our doom. It is no good to dwell on what is past, but if I could change but one thing...
Hm. The water has grown a bit cool. One moment while I change it for you.
Is that better? The soap does work best when the water is warm. We're just about done with this part; I hope the tea is doing its job well thus far. Oh...the story? You wish me to continue? Are you certain? This is a place of rest and healing; I would not -- ah, it takes your mind off of your injuries. Ha, you do know how to make an argument. Very well, then.
Sunset came quickly, followed by a clear, moonless night. Even though stars crowded the sky, they gave too little light to be of much use. Still, the evening was quiet, warm and comfortable, and we were all in good spirits. Maggie, the sorcerer in our group, produced two small orbs of magical light for the wagon's lanterns to better light our way. The showman regaled us with tales from his life on the road, while dear Enris, the finest recitative singer I have chanced to meet, accompanied him on his lyre. We could see the warm lights of Glaenarm in the distance, a steady glow of welcome in the gloom.
It was all so fast. I remember hearing Maggie and the horses scream, though the sound of her voice ended abruptly. Brave Dez, mercenary veteran of more trouble than anyone should go looking for, cursed emphatically as he and Dagr, stalwart cleric of the Black Knight, drew their weapons and leapt from the back of the wagon, which overturned but a moment later with Enris and I still inside. I remember us calling to each other, reaching...
I awoke in chains in a cage in what I now know was the drow city of Nydril. Enris and some of my companions were still with me, but the news was grim. A massive party of drow had raided Glaenarm that night and left it engulfed in flames. The town had been their intended target; but as we had the misfortune to be on their path, we became a unexpected bonus. Poor Maggie had taken a fatal crossbow bolt to the throat at the start of the attack on our wagon. Shortly after we had arrived in Nydril, a troop of enforcers from the Church had come and hauled Dagr away. There had been no sign of our captors' intentions for the rest of us.
Having since seen what becomes of clerics of other gods in the Dark, I can only presume Dagr was declared a blasphemer and met a similarly horrific end on an altar. Even for a dwarf, he was stubborn; and strong in his faith in Polius. I hope the Black Knight had mercy upon him and did not let him suffer.
Perhaps a week later, Dez was sold to the arena to be a gladiator. The showman was taken as well, with the intent of making him call the match. When it became clear that he had no skill in the drow language, he was held down while his tongue was burned. I do not know what became of either of them, or of Enris after that, for I was then sold to a lesser noble who brought me here to Ilindith.
Fate can be cruel in its irony. I eventually gained my partial freedom by saving the life of one of House Jhulyr's highest-ranking warriors: as part of another raiding party, he received a grave wound that soon became infected. The drow go to great pains to avoid owing favors, and so the House took me from the lower-ranking noble and set their own terms for me. I cannot leave Ilindith, nor can I leave District 5 without an escort from the House; and I am permanently at their call. However, I have the House's patronage, I am permitted my own housekeeping and the ability to trade my services as I see fit, and am otherwise allowed to live more or less freely. It is not ideal: my heart aches still for the sound of Enris' voice, and to walk with him in true freedom beneath the light and warmth of the sun. I despair of ever doing either again. And yet, it is so much better than what most in my circumstances get. I try to remember my relative good fortune, though I must admit, it is not always easy. The darkness here is not only due to a lack of light.
There, everything is cleaned and ready. You should have a second cup of tea: this next part will be far too unpleasant if it wears off too soon. Very good. Let's begin; I promise to do my best to work quickly.
The circumstances of your injuries are...regrettable; but if it had to happen, I am glad it was here. The city has many non-divine healers and alchemists from lesser families in service to House Rauveld and, more recently, Zilyr. Let us just say that sometimes, a cure is far, far worse than the disease. I do not mean to speak ill of either House. It's just that both are heavily rumored to casually experiment on their patients from time to time. Imagine going in for a cut, or a headache or a minor broken bone, only to emerge with extra appendages; or suddenly sprout horns, fangs, or a tail a week later. Have these things happened? I can only say I have seen things here that I cannot explain.
You came through that very well! There's little else I can do for the bruising, and I'm afraid you will be a bit sore for some time yet. But the stitches on the bites should heal cleanly, and have you almost as good as new in a few days. Just...do your best to stay out of her bed. And perhaps away from her altogether. At least until you've recovered.
One silver will do for services rendered; I enjoyed talking to you enough to call it even. However...there is one other thing, if it wouldn't be too much? When you have completed your affairs in Ilindith...would you see if you can find out what became of Enris? It would ease my mind to know. He is not quite six feet; lean of build; with the singing voice of an angel, as he has their blood...