A Potion for a Paladin (Closed)

The Herbal Magick is a clean and tidy store, with narrow shelves with a variety of medicinal salves, potions, and tonics. The main draw of the store is, for the town, the 'Miner's Delight' tonic, a curative for the painful Miner's Lung that people suffer due to inhaling copious amounts of rock dust as they work in the tunnels. Recently, the store has also acquired a small candy selection, as well as gentle sedatives in syrups to help with colicky children. The store has become somewhat popular within the town, as the proprietor, a man with bloody-red hair has been a resident for some time, and has proven himself quite helpful.

Said proprietor was currently rearranging the shelves within the store, setting up for a new stock of inventory that he was working on. The season was changing, and bringing with it an increase in hay fever and other common allergies. So he had shifted from the wintertime remedies to those focused on dealing with the increase in pollen in the air - he just hoped that his customers would come in in time to prevent their allergies from preventing too much of their normal lives from occurring. Nevin pushed some of the loose hanging strands of vibrant red hair out of his face, tucking them back behind his ears as he studied the results of his efforts. Yes, these were properly placed to catch customers' attention as they walked in -now hopefully, they would use them and not just leave them at home.

Nevin looked around the store as he adjusted his sleeves back up above his elbows. The villagers had been a bit thrown when the traditionally guarded alchemist had stopped wearing his gloves and had started wearing shirt sleeves that didn't cover his whole arm - though when they saw the network of red lines that covered his skin, they had understood. Understood, but reprimanded him for not showing them off sooner - the majority of the townsfolk had come to know and, while not love him, accept him a long while back, so having what looked like tattoos running across his body wasn't going to throw them off. The store itself was somewhat quiet at the moment - the children of the village were in lessons right now, so none of them were in his shop pestering him for candy.

And he had given Ezra the day off. The girl had been acting strangely of late, like she had a lot on her mind, and he wanted her to rest and think through whatever was bothering her. She had given him a strange look when he said that, but after making sure she was welcome to come in if she wanted to, had retreated to Nan's house. So at the moment, Nevin was alone. Bottles arranged, the redhead returned to the counter and began to wipe it down, just to give his hands something to do.

Valino was sick. The young man was not sure if he was simply sea sick or more of a “eaten some bad fish” kind of sick but he was certainly sick. Nausus, exhausted and woozy, Valino's head swam, his body ached and his stomach felt like it was trying to grind up a bunch of rocks. On wobbly legs he walked along the unfamiliar dirt roads of Stonevale, having just spent the last four days on a commercial fishing boat from the now distant lands of Salvar. If there was any sort of silver lining to the situation it was that at least now he was back on dry land.

It was windy that day. The winter months had brought with them a sizable cold front whose clouds worked diligently to dim the sun's normally harsh rays and whose winds stirred up the seas. Even with the docks now firmly in the distance behind him Valino could hear clearly the waves slapping against the piling. To the ailing paladin this coldness was actually a slight comfort as it reminded him of his home up north.

As he made his way through the town it began to occur to the lad that he did not have even the faintest idea as to where it was he was trying to go. The Sway had told him in a dream that he was to travel the world and shine their light for those who had yet to see it, or so he believed, but they had failed to show him any sort of path to follow. Perhaps they meant for him to find his own way or perhaps the young paladin had made a horrible mistake. For a second he considered turning around back towards the docks and using what little money he had left to buy passage back him.

However, before he could act upon that thought another wave of nausea and stomach cramps hit. Valino audibly groaned as he quickly moved to the side of the road. A second later the heaves started and a second after that he vomited up a dark, chunky, foul smelling sludge all over some previously pretty flowers. He was alone in a strange, unknown land, far away from home with little money and no guidance and sick as an old dog to boot. Not barely four days into his journey and he was already doubting himself and his decision.

“Sway help me.” he thought meekly as he slowly regained his composure.

It was purely by coincidence then that he noticed a very particular sign just few blocks away. Herbal Magick it read, its big bold letters almost acting like a beacon to Valino who breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing it. While he was certainly no fan of witchcraft he figured a shop with such a name was bound to have something that could cure whatever ailed him and following that same train of thought he decided that he should, at the very least, cure himself first lest his discomfort cloud his judgment before deciding if he was going to carry on with his journey.

Valino took a moment to straighten himself him and wipe the vomit from his chin. Then he slowly, but with sure footing, made his way towards the Herbal Magick store.

The gentle chime from the door made Nevin look up and over his shoulder. The first thing he saw was that the person who had come in looked absolutely dreadful - there was some kind of black smudging around his mouth, and across the sleeve of arm arm were traces of the same stuff. He'd been vomiting then, upheaving something quite nasty from the look of it. But that wasn't what Nevin was truly focused on - no, no. He was focused on something that had once plagued his nightmares, had chased him from his family and homeland.

The young man who had just entered the shop, sick as a dog, was bearing the symbols of the Ethereal Sway. Nevin's attention was raptly locked onto the symbol that had haunted him for so, so long once. He fought to keep the trembles from his hands and his face as he helped the young man sit at one of the stools, and calmly walked around - letting his hands fall below the counter so they could shake.

"I - well. I wasn't expecting to see anyone from... Salvar, down here in Scara Brae." Crimson take it. He couldn't keep the hesitation out of his voice. Even of the boy was younger than he was - well. He still bore the heraldry that he had so long despised. The alchemist cleared his throat and stared at the boy for a long moment.

"What - what is a Paladin of the Ethereal Sway doing so far from home? And more immediately - what in the name of all that is good has happened to you? That detritus - forgive me. I'm a bit thrown by one of the Sway being here." Nevin coughed and shook his head before moving to one of the shelves, and pulled down a thin blue bottle that he handed to the boy.

"That's an astringent, made with a couple kinds of mint. Swish it around in your mouth, it should clear some of that gunk from your mouth and let you feel like death hasn't taken a dump there." Nevin turned abruptly, facing away from the boy as he busied himself looking through the shelves.

"And don't worry. There is only plants in that, nothing magical." Merciful crimson. He couldn't keep the bitter note out of his tone, just keep it suppressed. He hoped the boy was feeling poorly enough that he didn't catch it. Nevin was torn inside. He wanted to tell the symbol of hate to get out of his store, to leave and go back to those damn frozen wastes where the people were as cold as the snow around them. But he couldn't - because the young man so clearly needed help, and as of yet, he had done nothing to Nevin.

So he bit his tongue, and returned to the counter, not quite looking at the boy.

Despite his best efforts to remain stoic and composed Valino wandered into the medicinal shop looking like a fresh corpse. It was quite fitting given how he felt at the moment though he would likely never see the humor. Luckily he was the only customer at the time so that meant he had the shop keepers undivided attention.

The shop keeper greeted him warmly enough but seemed to become somewhat uneasy when he noticed Valino's clothing. Valino however thought very little of it at the time as his attention was more far focused on trying not to throw up again. In fact was not until the shop keeper called him a paladin that he really payed much attention to what the shopkeeper was saying. But those five words, Paladin of the Ethereal Sway, rang like cannon fire to him and made sick looking young Salvarian tense up.

“Please don't call me that,” said Valino uneasily, “I'm not a paladin anymore. Just a vagrant.”

It was still hard for Valino to admit it but it was true. Four days ago, without a word to anybody else, he had gathered his meager belongings and paid off the captain of the fishing boat to take him away. Another wave of nausea hit him and he instinctively grabbed one of the nearby shelves to steady himself as he fought off the urge to vomit again. The glass jars filled with strange ingredients that lined the shelves rattled slightly as they were inadvertently shaken by his actions but thankfully none fell over. Valino doubted he had enough to fully compensate the shopkeeper should anything have been broken.

“Think I just ate some bad fish,” answered Valino when the shopkeeper asked him what was wrong. It was a fruitless attempt to remain strong and stoic looking.

It was then that the pious young man was given a bottle filled with a blue, minty smelling substance by the shopkeeper along with instructions on what to with it. Valino sniffed it first then shrugged and took a large swig. It didn't taste great but he'd certainly tasted worse. Most of the medicine he'd the church used tasted like unwashed feet. The young man did as he was told, swishing it around his mouth before swallowing it when he was done.

“Sway bless you sir,” said Valino out of habit. No thought was given as to how that particular shopkeeper might react to those words.

It was not until the shopkeeper made the comment about the magic that the paladin turned traveler finally began to put the pieces together. The realization actually saddened him a little though he made sure not to show it. This man was yet another person who'd been hurt by the church. Why else would the mere presence of a possible paladin cause somebody so much unease? Until now Valino thought the effects of the corruption were only felt in his homeland but here he was, separated from those Salvar by countless miles of land and ocean, and still he had managed to run into one of its signs.

“The Sway never said using magic was forbidden, only that it was not to be used selfishly. Making medicine is hardly selfish,” said Valino. He doubted anything he had to say would put the shopkeeper at ease but he felt as though he had to say something.

Now that he had been made self conscious of the fact that his mere presence was causing the shopkeeper some distress, Valino felt uncomfortable. This man was a stranger to him and as such Valino never meant him any sort of harm. He decided it was best if he ended the transaction and went on his way, lest he do any more harm. Slowly Valino reached into his cloak and pulled out his coin pouch.

“How much do I owe you?” he asked.

Magic is not to be used selfishly. Nevin couldn't help the bitter laugh that fell from his lips at the boy's words. It seemed like the paladin - sorry the 'vagrant' - was one of the lucky ones, one who hadn't been exposed to what the church was really like. Nevin's fingers drove into the wood of his desk, anger rippling through him.

"They say that. They say that, and then if you don't bow down to the Church, you're ostracized, and the target of the next convenient Witch Hunt that the nearest priest wants to organize. They say that, and if you don't join the Church and heal those they want you to heal, then you're a freak, a target. They say that - and if you want to learn to help others and not join them, then you get thrown out of your family and home in the onset of winter." The alchemist's voice came out in a furious hiss. Nevin took a deep, shuddering breath, his body shaking as he turned around, his eyes dark with suppressed anger.

"There is no charge for a former countryman in need - but never, ever use that name to bless me. The Sway is nothing more than those bastards who cost me my family and my home." Nevin strode over to the shelves and began flicking through them. So the boy had food poisoning from bad fish. He could concentrate on the medical ailment, and not think about the chill of winter stinging him from his memories. He could avoid thinking about his father telling him he would cover for only a few days, but only that much and no more.

There. A stomach calming potion. He snatched the thick green bottle from its shelf and slammed it down on the counter in front of the boy. Heavy footsteps carried him back behind the counter and he took in a very, very deep breath, his chest swelling as he tried to calm himself. This, this was a time where he needed someone to distract him. And there was no one, no one but the wandering Paladin.

"That - that medicine. It should help with the lingering nausea, wanderer. It might taste familiar, one of the herbs used is actually native to Salvar and we - we used it in cooking frequently." He shivered as he looked away. Thick Flow. He didn't want to remember anything happy from that cold land - it made the bad ones hurt more.

Valino could not help but listen closely to the words of the shopkeeper as he went on his passionate, pain filled tirade against the church and The Sway. So closely did those words mirrors the thoughts and feelings that the young man had been grappling with for months but had been able to speak of for fear of punishment. There was just one key difference. Valino had only seen corruption the of the church. Every time he'd been able to watch safely from a distance in a pew or a court yard. This man had actually survived it.

“You really think I don't know of what you speak? That I haven't seen the corruption?” sighed Valino.

Back in Salvar, in the towns and cities where the church was the law, such words would have been considered heresy. Valino had spent all his life in such places. He had seen men, women and even children hang from a tree for far less. Stonevale was different. The shopkeeper had just shown him that. Here he could speak freely of the things that had been eating away at him for so long. The flood gates that had held back his own words had just been opened.

“Do not talk about The Sway and the church as if they are the same. The Sway are right and pure. The church is run by a bunch of fat hypocrites who don't even understand the meaning of the words written right in the FUCKING BOOK!”

Never before had Valino cursed like that nor had he meant to shout but he could not help himself. The anger, confusion, sadness and guilt that he had been trying so hard for so long to suppress and hide had come roaring to the surface. Intentionally or not, the shopkeeper had just helped him take the lid off the proverbial pot so that they could escape.

Valino walked over to the counter and grabbed the thick green bottle tightly by its neck. The former paladin took a deep breath so as to try and calm his rattled nerves. He then looked over at the shopkeeper with tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes.

“I know it doesn't mean much but I'm sorry for what happened to you and your family. It was a senseless tragedy that should never have occurred. I know some magic of my own. I cannot undo the damage that has been done but I can help you find feel a bit of relief. I'll be on my way now. Thank you for the medicine.”

With that Valino turned to leave.

"Just.... Just sit down, boy." Nevin's shoulders sagged down as his vitriol was matched. He pointed back at the chair that Valino had stood up from. "You're in no condition to leave yet, the medicine hasn't had a chance to work yet." He sighed, a tired, worn out sound. He shook his head slowly.

"I'll be back in a minute." He trudged into the back and began heating water. When it began boiling, he started rummaging through his cabinets, looking for something. He had on box of this tea blend - and he had never, ever intended to use it. It had been purchased as a memento of a life gone by - but now, now there was a vivid reminder of that life in the front room of his shop, and he carried with him symbols of that hateful past.

There. A Salvaran tea blend. Common on the snowy lands, rarely seen down here in the south where it was warmer - people here liked mellow teas, not strong, spicy ones. He set the tea into the kettle and let it start to steep as he carried it and a coaster to put it on. The redhead set it down on the counter by the boy, and set two cups on the counter beside the kettle. He took in a deep breath, the scent of old, old familiar spices bringinga sting of tears to his eyes.

"My name is Nevin, now. When I was born, it was Tollak Anders. There was no tragedy that took me from my family, just the church and its stranglehold in Salvar. My father's standing as headman of the town was more important to him than I was." Nevin popped open a flask on his hip, and poured a measure of the potent alcohol into one of the glasses. Then he poured tea over it, and knocked the entire concoction down his throat. He cracked open his eyes again, and stared steadily at the boy.

" They don't just ignore the book, boy. They rewrite it as it pleases them. I know how you, a paladin of their faith, managed to see the corruption - but, I am.... Glad. The more people who spread word of the atrocities of the Church, the less power it holds. So. Fresh off the boat, confronted with the corruption of those you revered. What will you do now, countryman?" Nevin voice was soft, strained, but stress as he watched the boy.

Valino had made it about half way towards the door when the shopkeeper, who he would soon learn was named Nevin, beckoned him to stay. The former paladin hesitated for but a second, unsure of how to respond, before deciding to take Nevin up on his offer to stay. With both men having vented their mutual frustration with the affairs of the church, the atmosphere within that warm, aromatic medicine shop had become considerably more inviting. Besides it was not like Valino to ignore the advice of a doctor.

The young wanderer walked back over to the counter and took a seat in the chair that had been provided for him by the red haired shopkeeper. A moment later, when that same shopkeeper offered him a cup tea, Valino smiled. The former paladin took a long, slow whiff of the fragrant tea. He appreciated the not unpleasant burn of that the warm, yet earth spices provided. The beverage was strong but not to strong. As the young man brought it to his lips and let a bit of the beverage cool itself upon his tongue he noticed it had a slightly sweet after taste. He swallowed slowly so as to allow it to trickle down his throat as opposed to simply letting it rush its way to his stomach. The pleasant burning sensation followed it all the way down.

“Angelica, Nettle Seed, Northern Sweet Grass and just a pinch of Cinnamon” said the young Salvaran in his best attempt to guess what was in the tea.

“Valino Darashan, third of my name,” he continued with a slightly more formal tone. “I apologize for my outburst earlier but it felt good to speak of those things out loud. I'm sure you've seen what can happen when one says such things in the wrong parts of Salvar. Not even the paladins are safe.”

Valino took another slow sip of the tea as he listened closely to what Nevin had to say about the church. When the medicine man mentioned his surprised that a paladin of all people could see the corruption all Valino could do was chuckle.

“It's funny. I think I only saw the corruption because of my faith.”

To prove a point the young man pulled out an old, leather bound but well weathered copy of the The Book of the Sway, a book that many believed had been written by the Ethereal Sway themselves. Those who heeded it's words were to shown the path that would take them to paradise. The former Paladin placed it on the counter.

“My father made me read this book every night for as long as I can remember. He would beat me if I didn't. Nobody who truly believes what is written in here can possibly do the things the church as done.”

Then Valino grew silent for a second. The young man looked down at the ground with a look of worry on his face before he looked back up at Nevin.

“But to answer your question I...” he sighed “...I don't know,” he answered. “The Sway told me that I should leave Salvar and see the world but they did not say where to go nor what to do when I get there. I think they want me to figure that part out on my own.”

He suddenly smiled in an attempt to lighten the mood and prevent things from becoming overly dour.

“I guess for now I'll keep wandering the world until I do.”

Nevin watched quietly as Valino enjoyed the tea. He was glad the boy could at least - the warm mug in his hand, the smell of spices filling his nose - they were stirring unpleasant memories. He tightened his grasp on the mug as he tried to fight them down. It wouldn't do to fall into painful memories when the boy was still here, still speaking to him. So he rallied, and listened, trying to concentrate on the boy's words. "No... no one is safe if you aren't some high official within the church." Nevin's hand nearly cracked his mug as he set it down rather forcefully.

"It seems Salvar men of the Church really don't make good fathers." His own father, beating him with a belt in public, because a priest of the Sway told him to. The memory burned, but he forced it down again. He sighed and sat back, staring at the steam rising from the mug of tea, still undrunk.

"But you're right, and wrong. You'd be surprised, young Valino, at just what faith can blind people to. It's easy to overlook misdeeds and misgivings, if someone pretties it up with the words 'It's for our faith'." Nevin drummed his fingers on the table. Then he gestured, one long finger pointing to the shield, and to the emblem on the armor.

"I'll give you some advice. If you wish to wander the world, and not have people who have dealt with the Church's Hunters in the past react like I did, remove those symbols. I'd actually suggest, looking through your book there, and seeing if there was an older symbol, perhaps one that has since fallen out of use within the Ethereal Sway." He ran one hand through blood-red hair. "Those symbols are known far and wide across the nations as emblems of prejudice and hate. And you, seem like you have a good head on your shoulders, not to have bought the line they feed people." Nevin abruptly stood up and stared into the tea from above, then his dark eyes traveled up to Valino.

"I don't have many countrymen that I can speak to without wishing to kill them. If you ever find yourself needing a friendly face - I run not only this shop, but one in Radasanth as well. I tend to travel between the two - my apprentice watches this store when I am not here, a lass named 'Ezra'. She's also likely to treat you without judgment, so you might find a friend, or at least an ally, in her." He rubbed his chin as he thought. Then one long finger reached up, and pointed towards Valino.

"Hold a moment, you said you have magic of your own? Were you then, an Empowered Priest?" Nevin stared at the boy, his eyes slightly wide. "How in the name of Crimson did you get away? I thought they held onto their Empowered sect with an iron clasp."