A Sore Penalty

"Confound it!" exclaimed Fred. "How will we escape that madman!"
Astra seemed deep in thought, and shook her head. "We continue with the plan. So what that he knows about it. He is so powerful that we have to rely on his overconfidence. Ugh, Fred, what is that on your neck?" Astra pointed at an angry purple sore that had arisen on Fred's neck. It was not big, but it was gross looking, with a pus-filled head.
"Damn you Reaibn," muttered Fred, trying not to itch it. "It itches like mad! He wasn't kidding about that. Did you get one too? Oh and yes, fine, I think your plan is the wisest choice for us. Let's continue to head south. We can get some clothing in Redstone, a small village south of here."
"No, not yet," lied Astra, who has gotten her own sore, on her inner thigh. Walking is not going to be pleasant. Lord Fred noticed it, but thought it wise not to mention.

The two afflicted heroes took off to the south towards Redstone... and when they arrived both of them were afflicted by several sores. Fred had itched a couple, which burst with disgusting effluence followed by oozing with blood. Astra had so far avoided itching hers, but the one on her thigh burst from the friction of walking. Both of them were filthy, in pain, itched uncomfortably, and were hungry and thirsty.

"Follow me," said Fred, leading Astra to the second of two inns in the village, 'The Forgotten Fool'. The common room was empty, with a small fire going. Behind the bar a rotund man grinned when he saw Fred.
"My Lord Fred" he exclaimed, "so great to see you! What brings you to Redstone? " he then took in Astra and Fred's condition. "Oh heavens, forget my questions you look terrible. I will get Walter, you two go to room number one."

Fred thanked the man, whose name was Bartholomew, and was an old friend of Lord Fred's family, and went with Astra to room one, which was the only somewhat luxurious room in the Inn. It was the money maker, the only room in town that could meet up with a visiting noble's standards. Not that they would stop here in Redstone anyway, most likely would push on to the capitol, but still, Bartholomew did ok.

Bartholomew chewed his lip as he went to fetch Walter, the village healer. How much did Lord Fred know, and how had he and his companion get afflicted with those sores? He had seen those sores before, on people who displeased Reaibn, and it bode ill. So far Redstone had been spared the insanity he had heard of in other places, but having someone out of favor with Reaibn and giving them aid could bring a plague not just on his inn, but the whole village.

On the other hand, Lord Fred was an old family friend and a true knight. He could not turn his back on him. Come what may, he would help Lord Fred out. "That's that," he said, reaching Walter's home. As he reached out to knock, his wrist was grabbed by a very grimy man with a sniffling nose. He recognized him as 'Ol Roy,' a drunk who lived in the alley by an alehouse.
"Oy," said Ol Roy, "we need to chat. Seems as tho you," sniffle, "seems as tho you have displeased some people who ought not be displeased." and then Ol Roy knocked out Bartholomew with a mighty right hook. "Still got it, I do," he said, then motioned to some street urchins. "carry him indoors, we sit on em till we get orders."

Ol Roy was a drunkard, and an opportunist. When he had the dream where Reaibn offered him all the ale he could drink to be on a special 'Allarian Security' force, he had accepted on the spot. Upon waking, he had a special black armband with an eye on it. A few of the thieving street urchins showed up with the same armband. Sure enough, Ol Roy had a flask that never went dry, for the alehouse he slept by found a credit slip signed by Reaibn himself that insured he could drink his fill.

Ol Roy and his urchins got their instructions via dreams, and had so far done nothing more than keep tabs on the town. However, when Lord Fred and Astra had come in, they were told to watch the home of the healer and grab Bartholomew when he came a callin. And so they did.

Fred and Astra had each taken a bath, changed clothing, and this had helped their sore situation, a little. They knew, however, that each new hour would bring yet another one. It was a grim situation, but they were determined not to return to the castle. They would not bow to that madman. After a couple of hours (bringing new irritatingly itchy sores), Fred and Astra both grew worried. "Something has happened," said Fred, "we must go look for him."
"It's probably a trap!" said Astra. "We should think this through."

1. Fred and Astra go looking for Bartholomew
2. Fred and Astra wait a bit longer.
3. Meanwhile, the High Sorceress of Aqualaria contemplates the "Reaibn problem".
4. Meanwhile, Ol Roy gets orders.
5. And what of Walter the healer?

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