RP:Trouble in the Water

Summary: The Avian senator Cerinii reports to Arien that the waters between Rynvale and Cenril are likely being poisoned because of a poor attempt at the disposal of her mechanical arm by her would be assassin. Within days, reports begin to come in from locals, of evidence that the sea life is indeed being affected.

Characters: Arien, Cerinii, Keturah, Finn

Locations: Rynvale; The Governor's Study, The Rynvale Clinic, Horseshoe Bay

Rynvale; The Governor’s Study

Arien was sitting at the large oaken desk, a litter of scribed parchments spread out before her. One in particular held her pensive gaze as eyes lifted occasionally to the door. It was to be hoped that the Senator would arrive soon, detail were required of the degree of damage to expect.

Cerinii sighed softly. She had flown when she shouldn't have, but rules were made to be broken. She limped through the doorway, not bothering to knock or politely herald her entrance. She just stepped through the doorway and spoke loud enough to hear. Exhaustion was apparent on her features, the casual clothes a sign of how weary the Senator was. The lack of metallic hand was... peculiar at most. "You asked to see me."

Arien 's emerald gaze drifted over the appearance of the senator, some empathic softening of the governor's gaze taking place, clearly, the avian had been through some misadventure. "I am pleased to hear that rumors of your demise were much exaggerated Senator, though it seems that you are not without injury to your person." she waved the parchment in her grasp gently. "I have received word, from the city's banker, and a kinsman, that you believe our city to be in grave danger..of poisoning?"

Cerinii 's peony lips curved into a wry smile. "Ein kidnapping und assassination attempt typically makes one look rough, Frau Arien." She paused, "But faking mein death was necessary, to catch the culprit." She nodded, "Ja. Mein hand was incorrectly removed und has been discarded into the ocean. More precisely the water between Cenril und Rynvale." She paused, "The toxins in the hand will escape und when they mix with the water... Well, needless to say the results will be bad."

Arien said to Cerinii, "*The elf frowned slightly* Bad.. I will need a little more detail than bad.. will there be harm to the wildlife? shipping? What will be the likely indicators that will allow for fiding the source of toxicity. I can have naval resources put to the retrieval of the item, if its location can be pinpointed."

Cerinii said to Arien, "If it spreads, ja. It should kill the wildlife, over ein short period of time. Ships... It will rot through the wood, rendering your ships useless. I suggest it is found quickly. The hand is not something that is easily disposed of, nor should it have been taken from me. The culprit is responsible."

Arien said to Cerinii, "Is..the hand dissolving then? surely something this potent, will not itself survive very long. The sea, is a powerful mistress and capable of caring for its own. You wish the hand found, for evidence of this crime perhaps?"

Cerinii said to Arien, "The hand is not dissolving, I would not make something so weak. Ein toxin is being released. It was removed incorrectly, it is in ein emergency status. The hand needn't be found for evidence, I'd like it back. After having it for over one hundred thousand years, you tend to get attached."

Arien smiled. "Of course.. Have -you- any indication of where the arm was disposed? Where I should look for signs of trouble? Or am I to wait until my fish and birds start dying to have a clue where I might begin?" The elf leaned back in her chair. "You can understand my frustration, knowing that tregedy lurks, and yet having no apparent means to stop it."

Cerinii said to Arien, "I know it is ein container, I can feel it." She paused. "Jaize is calling for me, I shall have to make this short. The water is salty, ja? Well, where the water is less salty - it should be in the area. I know that isn't much but.. it's all I can give. I shall leave now, lest you have another question?"

Arien said to Cerinii, "No, that will be all.. If I see signs of which you speak, we shall do what we can to retrieve it."

Cerinii said to Arien, "Sehr gut." Cerinii said to Arien, "Oh und... I trust you will want to speak to the man responsible?"

Arien said to Cerinii, "If was are able to identify him, yes. Granted, he did not know the consequences of his actions to the waters. No doubt you will be perusing your own brand of justice for his attempt upon your life."

Cerinii said to Arien, "I simply wish to humiliate him. I cannot fight without mein hand, und mein body requires rest - unfortunately. You may punish him if you wish, he deserves it."

A Few Days Later.. The Rynvale Clinic

Keturah :: The outside of the clinic appeared as peaceful as it usually did since the clearing of those injured during the assault. The same amber glow flickered from the windows, and without the steady trickle of patients to fill it since the nighttime hours, it was an all but silent place. Or it should have been. Within the walls, however, the Royal Healer worked in a controlled frenzy, tailed after helplessly by the nightshift. Already, the sheets had been pulled from their places upon the beds and tossed into a wash bin waiting for her. "Lady-" Nicolai began again, nudging her bucket of water toward her with his booted toes. "I do believe anything you may have smelled that offended you so was long since drowned out by the herbs you were brewing all day." To accent this, a stubby thumb was jerked in the direction of the herb room. The evidence of the druid's labors still hung in the air in the form of that sweet-herb smell. Keturah grunted, from her position on the floor. "I am not to be knowing vhet it is-" she wrinkled her nose, glaring daggers at the soapy bubbles under her scrubbing brush. "But de smell is not sticking to my clinic, yes?" The man alongside her shrugged, defeated. Mumbling under his breath, he began a slow trek to the front of the clinic, where Sally's desk had already met the hand of the petite brunette. Still, he could shuffle idly through papers and pretend to be busy.

Finn stood in the doorway, what might have passed for a looming shadow were it not for the warm glow of lantern light from the interior that warmed his bronze skin to life and caused auburn highlights to dance in his hair. He watched the druid work in silence, taking note of the way her shorter curls clung to the line of delicate jaw as she leaned over in her labor. “That’d be the fish you’re smellin’ pet..” he murmured.. “Though you must have one heckuva nose to be pickin’ it up from here.” An awkward silence would hang after his secondary comment as he realized that she might indeed have the senses to pick up the scent of what he’d come to report. Stepping deeper into the clinic, gold flecked gaze would sweep the room in casual assessment. “You work for the red elf, aye? Might be wantin’ to pass on some information that I can’t..” he glanced her way sarply, “ Not that I’m keen on helpin’ her or anythin’ s’bad for business..is all..”

Keturah kept to her work, gaze hard as she attempted to scrub away a smell that was certainly only bothering her. The other healer, nearer to the door, would be the first to notice the runner. Nicolai's eyes widened in surprise, shoulders straightened in preparation for what he assumed to be a patient. No such excitement for him it seemed, and almost disappointed, the man went about flipping through papers. Keturah jerked into a standing position as the runner spoke, turning a half-grin his way. "Evening." Her smile was not so bright as she lifted two fingers to tap against her nose for his mention of it, moss gaze flickering toward the bucket at her feet. Fish. If it were fish, no amount of scrubbing she was going to give to the clinic was likely to help it. The rag in her opposite hand was given a squeeze before it was dropped with a weak splash back into the water. Wiping soapy appendages against her pants, she stepped closer. "Ah.. yes. I work for Lady Arien." Running her tongue over her top lip, the druid tilted her head. "What information am I passing on? The smell?" Her nose wrinkled. "Fish."

Finn continued his wander deeper into the druid’s enclave. “Aye..fish, a lot of em’ and they’re dead. Looks like they’re litterin’ the beach at Horseshoe Bay on the western tip of the island, an’ some of em have been rottin’ for days. Not too many folks out that a ways so I’m figurin’ nobody knows.” The first sign of a shadow of worry colored his features. “Not sure what’s goin’ on, but something in the water is killin’ em..an’ you’d best be in a hurry to find out what before whatever it is starts killin’ somethin’ else too.” The runner was leaning idly against a wall, gold flecked gaze taking in the rags, and soap and buckets littered about. “You work too hard Pet..no one about to help you with this stuff?”

Keturah 's brows knit together with her frown, lips thinning to worried line. The news did not bode well at all. One hand lifted to tuck a stray curl from her vision, as if clearer sight might help her see Horseshoe Bay through the door and the streets beyond. She might risk a walk in that direction later. The fingers at the side of her head ruffled thoughtfully at those tresses, and in the end she nodded. "Chal." A soft laugh escaped her, despite herself at his next words. "No one can.. smell it." Again inked digits wandered to her nose, tapping gingerly against its tip. "So none were quite as enthused to be rid of it, I suppose." Her grin grew wry, and she canted her head. "There would likely be more help if I asked for it. I.. like keeping busy."

Finn smiled, a lazy sensual thing that might drag across the lycan’s senses. “That can be arranged darlin’ if it’s just keepin’ yourself occupied that’s got you goin’ so hard,” he drawled. Gold flecked gaze rested on moss green in a moment of silence heavy with memory that momentarily drove the roguish expression from his rugged face. A reflexive frown replaced his grin when he recognized the train of his thought, his voice assuming a more formal tone as he nudged his head toward the door. “Know your way to the Bay? I can take you over..if you’d like a look see. Best not to go alone, the western coves’ll be holdin’ more than waves an’ critturs, thing’s that’d make a trip that way alone for the likes of you not worth its weight in gold. But I’m sure a smart lass like you knows that..”

Keturah 's brows lofted, and she dipped her head, scratching at the back of her curls. She looked up to meet his gaze, weak smile tugging her lips into a curve. "Can it now?" He'd make a girl swoon if he kept it up. Biting against her cheek, she welcomed the more formal tone with a slight nod. "If you would be so kind to play escort." The gold chain around her neck was fingered briefly through the linen that hid it, a thoughtful shadow falling over her expression. She would not have worried at all for the coves before, but if it were true that the captain had not been seen in so long, his gifted trinket might not hold as much sway. Nicolai glanced up from his work. "You will have her sicker than a dog if you drag her near a bad odor-" came the offhanded comment from the healer. "Sensitive nose on her." She shot him a glare, lips pursed like a child being denied some treat. "I would be fine," she muttered, returning her gaze to the runner. "If you take me."

Hazel gaze flickered to the male healer present, a shallow nod of understanding dipped his way. He appreciated the heads up, surprisingly. Already his thought was addressing what could be done to ensure that her visit to the beach would not be too uncomfortable. An idea popped into mind and he turned his attention to the woman again. “Aye..I’ll take you lass. But we’ll be needin’ to stop by the shop first,” he said quietly. “We’d best be off, if we want to get there before the tide pulls out most of the evidence. Can you leave the rest of this to this lot?” Already, leggy stride was taking his lean frame towards the door.

Keturah , before Nicolai could voice the sudden reservations he was feeling, had already begun to follow after the Runner. "I would really be fine," she muttered softly, pulling the clinic door closed behind her. Quieting, the druidess clasped her hands over her stomach. The other healer had been right; she'd be ill for the smell of decaying fish. In silence, the two melted into the night, to the smuggler's shop, then to the coves.

Later that night.. At Horseshoe Bay

Finn picked his way down over the rolling dunes carefully, scuffed boots feeling ahead of himself with each step despite the ring of light cast from the lantern held aloft over auburn head. “Watch your step lass, the high tide will have washed some of the fish inland, won’t do to have you slip and fall on a rotting carcass.” The husky tone was dry with humor, and muffled by the scarf that had been lifted over his nose, clear up to his gold flecked eyes, the closer they had drawn to the Bay. There had been two reasons for his action. The first, some instinctive desire to diminish the choking scent of death and rotting sea creature that wafted in increasing intensity with their approach, and the second, his own desire to hide his identity from any who might accidentally see him wandering the Captain’s turf..with a city official in tow. His lips twitched. He’d not want to have to explain -that- particular occurrence, should the pirate captain choose to show his face in these parts again. At the base of the dune, he’d await the arrival of his escort, holding the lantern higher and swinging it that light might encompass more of this beach. “Well, this it it..if you can’t tell..It’s a right mess lass..an’ can’t be good new for most’ve us, I reckon.” A shadow of worry glinted in the highlighted hazel gaze.

Keturah seemed to have wilted just a bit as the trek progressed. Scarf aside, the scent of decay was still far too strong for the lycan's overly sensitive nose. The warning was met with a muffled snort, her hand quickly moving upwards to adjust the scarf about her nose. The image was entertaining, despite the gravity of the situation. For a desert-born to have such grace as to slip and fall on the corpse of a fish- the brunette almost chuckled. Almost. Gaze drifted from Finn to the sand beneath her feet to be sure the way was clear. She had little to worry about until they came to the base of the dune, the sheer odor that hung about the area enough to bring a wave of nausea over her. Dark brows furrowing, she lifted her eyes to take in what the lantern would reveal. The bodies of the fish caught the orange glow of the lantern almost ominously, revealing all to well the haphazard scattering of their corpses across the beach. Like an arch shaped ribbon, the spanned across the bay, and the tide had certainly brought the rotting fish far up on the shore. The druidess coughed, pressing her hand tighter against the cloth that protected her nose. "Perhaps," she began after a moment, tentatively bringing her palm from her mouth. "I should bring a few of them back, no? Kumori.. might be able to find out what is killing them."

Finn grunted softly behind his mask, “Not sure who this Kumori fella is, but if you reckon you need to take some back, I figure there’s no one here to stop you, or any that would care.” Quiet words were accompanied by a gentle shrug of his shoulder. “But whatever you’re doin’ make it quick. Don’t like bein’ in this neck of the woods..like it even less when your sort is hangin’ about. Take what you need an’ let’s be off. Just wanted you to see with your own eyes. You’ll let the red elf know, aye? An’ its out of my hands.” Already the runner was spinning on his heel, heading toward the base of the dunes again, his impatience to be gone evident. He elevated the lantern that she might see her way once more to collecting what samples she might need, if she chose to do so.

Keturah was not at all looking forward to touching a single fish corpse, and her hesitance was evident enough upon her features. One, two, three fish? How did the scientist normally go about grabbing things? Noting that Finn was quite ready to leave, the druidess hurriedly ducked down to grab for one of the bodies. It's corpse was not so decayed that the smell would make her ill on its own, and unwinding her scarf from her face with a restrained retch, the druidess conjured a touch of frost to the fish, and wrapped it quickly. "My sort." City workers? The Fold? She wrinkled her nose, brows furrowing. "I think.. I am allowed to come this way." Per the invitation the good captain had whispered in her ear months ago. Almost a year ago, she realized, with some surprise. Perhaps the invitation he had given her was worn out by now, though she had never traveled this way again. Stepping quickly after the male, the brunette pressed a hand against his back, urging him forward- though she supposed he would not need the coaxing. "Chal, it matters not. Quickly then. I would tell Arien."