22 – Approaching Hunters

There wasn’t really much Tristan could add to our preparations for the coming confrontation.

Still, we discussed the likely outcomes of tomorrow.

Tristan had received an affirmative response from the temple he contacted, but no specifics. It reminded me frustratingly closely of the situation with Lars’ message to my father.

There might be help coming on time, but no guarantees. In other words, completely unusable for making plans.

The priest had stressed the potential fake demon hunters in his message, but that hadn’t been addressed in the answer either.

In the course of our conversation, I informed him of the things the steward had revealed to me while ‘madly ranting about his master’. The possible connection between Lady Annabelle and the demon Melchiadazal made Tristan’s recovered healthy complexion go right back to resembling a bed-sheet.

“His mistress might not have known of the former steward’s affiliation with a demon. I don’t have conclusive proof and would like to keep any conclusions drawn tentative. In the end, even if she gave orders to frame or otherwise eliminate me, I still don’t want to believe a member of my own family would stoop to such horrendous extremes. It could have been the traitor playing both sides.”

I sighed. We’d been discussing this for a few minutes already. Tristan didn’t look convinced of my ‘hypothesis’. I could tell his suspicion had been firmly pointed toward a certain duke’s second wife. All as I wished, of course. There was no way in hell I would ever feel bad for a person arranging to eliminate me in the way Annabelle had.

Even if I was actually framing her in this particular case. After all, I already knew from the donkey’s– err, Mel’s mouth that he didn’t have any dealings with William nor Annabelle. That wouldn’t stop me from slinging all the mud I could at the ‘noble lady’ in retaliation.

All carefully phrased in a way as if I didn’t want suspicion to fall on her or her family branch. With me ‘trying my best’ to ‘avoid false accusations’ of a family member I had every reason to dislike, it would reduce suspicion of my true intentions.

“But what about the ring? That man used it to steal that demonic artifact. No matter what he claimed he would do with it, how do you know he wasn’t lying? He could have intended to secret it away for his mistress, so such a valuable object doesn’t get destroyed by the demon hunters. Or even send it to her, so she could use it in another ritual somewhere else.”

I’d managed to maneuver Tristan into a spot where he was the one arguing in favor of Annabelle working with the demon. It wasn’t even that hard, he basically started as soon as I revealed the possible connection and defended her afterwards.

“But that traitor knew he hadn’t called for actual demon hunters. There would be no risk of the artifact being destroyed by his agents.”

Tristan appeared lost for words, working his mouth soundlessly a while. After an obviously agonizing search for an explanation, he lit up again.

“The Steelheart family! You said they’ll likely conduct an investigation into your death. No doubt the demonic artifact would be destroyed then, if found. That demon collaborator must have known Sir Lars possesses a way to contact the duke.”

Now it was my turn to look thoughtful.

“Good point… Still, that doesn’t prove anything. Though I can’t prove the opposite either…” I faded to frowning silence.

My narrative established to satisfaction, the rest of our conversation was less argumentative.

The priest would return to his temple soon. He’d be available tomorrow to rush over at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately for me, he couldn’t just stay here all day, since the real demon hunters might decide to visit the local temple first. If he wasn’t present then, he’d lose the chance to convey the situation before any mistaken hostilities could break out.

And anyway, even if he was here, he insisted the powers granted to him would not be useful in an active conflict. He’d instead be more of a hindrance, since I’d have to devote resources to protect him. ‘Dead priest’, even if it happened by accident, would be terrible for the situation.

Not just the immediate confrontation either. Tristan fulfilled a vital role in the town, being the primary provider of urgent medical care. Not to mention the mental benefits of hearing out the worries and problems of the townsfolk. Even if the larger temples in other cities would eventually send a replacement priest, that person would be a stranger to the community.

No telling how long it would take for the new priest to acclimate. Not to mention the time before the transfer procedures happened, where the town would be left without a priest.

Before I forgot, I brought up an important issue.

“Priest Tristan, you are capable of curing the wasting cough, am I correct in that knowledge?”

Mia perked up in the background. She’d been growing rather bored, based on her expression. Not that there was really anything for her to do but listen to the two of us talk. She needed to know the important points and it would be less efficient for me to manually relay them later.

The only counterbalance to boredom so far had been worry about the coming trouble. Which wasn’t a great motivator.

This new topic however had her focus right back in the room. Understandably.

“You are correct. Purging illnesses is not as straightforward as healing wounds, since most of the life-aligned divine powers will often worsen the condition instead of help. It is possible to receive more targeted healing, though more straining.”

That made sense, if the ‘life’-based powers empowered the bacteria, viruses or other nastiness causing an illness instead of destroying them.

“Why do you ask though? Does your personal healer not know how to cure the illness? The medicine isn’t that hard to get, if a little pricey. Not that the healing fare would be much less if you ask a priest. But to the best of my knowledge the wasting is also easily curable by a period of recuperation in combination with sufficient care, no?”

“The subject of my inquiry is of slightly advanced age and was not well-off in recent times. The disease has lasted for a long time already. I believe an intervention might be necessary for a full recovery at this point.”

“Hmm.” Tristan rubbed his sash, deep in thought. “I have heard that long-lasting cases due to lack of available care or other circumstances see reduced chances of natural recovery. Also, I seem to recall there being complications afterwards as well? I apologize, while I am a healer as part of my divine calling, I am not as well-learned on the topic as a man like your personal healer.”

He looked ashamed of this failing. “I have learned a great many diseases and how to receive the necessary blessings to treat them from my predecessor, but not other knowledge on the topic beyond that. I can see myself lacking now.”

“None of us mortals can know everything, priest Tristan. All I know about it is second-hand at best. Of course, seeking to improve your own wisdom is an admirable pursuit. The fact you can treat the disease is already beyond my own capabilities.” Not entirely true, but turning someone into a vampire didn’t really count as ‘treatment’.

“Thank you for the kind words, Lord Steelheart. I believe you didn’t bring this up out of idle curiosity though. Do you have a patient for me?”

“Indeed I do. You are familiar with my personal attendant, Mia.” I waved a hand and Mia bowed deeply to the priest. “As a condition for her accepting that role, I promised to provide for the good health of her family. She told me her mother is sick and unable to work due to the wasting cough. I would like you to cure her, at my expense.”

Tristan turned to Mia. “Please tell me more about your mother. How old is she? When did she become ill? Are her symptoms severe? Is there blood when she coughs?”

I couldn’t help it, the word blood made me lean forward and pay closer attention. Pretty sure Mia noticed. She didn’t react beyond a glance though, instead fixing her attention on the priest.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“My mother is nearing forty summers old. She became ill last year, in late spring I think. I don’t know exactly, since she hid the signs from my siblings and me for a time.” Her face was contorted in helpless anger.

“Around mid-summer, she became unable to work. That’s when I began work in the manor to feed my family.” Mia glanced at me again before continuing. “I haven’t seen any blood, but her symptoms are severe from what I know. Worst of all was last winter. We were genuinely worried she wouldn’t make it. Her condition worsened drastically afterwards. She’s barely able to leave the bed by now and struggles to care for my siblings.

“If it continues like this, she won’t make it to next year. I– I would greatly appreciate your help, priest Tristan, Lord Steelheart.” The girl swept into another deep bow.

“What’s your assessment after hearing all that, priest?”

“I’ll definitely have to take a look myself, but it sounds like your mother really needs urgent care. Normally, I would have to require quite a hefty fee for a case as severe as described. However, in light of the situation and your involvement in dealing with this demon case, I will use my discretion and only ask the price for a standard healing.”

“Are you allowed to do that?” I asked in surprise. Kalin had been under the impression that temple prices were set by the temples, not the individual priests.