Thar Shaddin

Jameson tightened his grip on his hostage's wrist when Ree tried to leave with her, causing her to cry out in pain. A passing stranger, hearing her cry, stopped and shot the model a disapproving look. Noticing the stranger, Jameson offered him an apologetic smile. "Sister's not right in the head; always trying to run off. Don't want her getting in trouble, you know?"

The passerby remained still and looked them over suspiciously, then continued down the street, casting one last glance over his shoulder before turning the corner. Eltana narrowed his eyes as he watched the man leave. This was becoming far too much trouble. He knew it would be wise to walk away and find another supplier, but he wasn't about to let this uppity nurse get the better of him. This was a battle, and he'd be damned if he was going to back down like a weakling.

“You're not being very fair!" Eltana pouted and crossed his arms. "I'm trying my hardest to be nice – really, I am – but you just keep shutting me down. You won't make any friends if you aren't willing to compromise. I promise I'll be on my best behavior, so let's -- "

He trailed off, suddenly feeling light-headed. The strength left his legs and he staggered back into a nearby wall, barely stopping himself from collapsing to the ground. Dammit, not now!

Jameson's grip kept her moving away. Ree opened her mouth to say something, but Jameson interjected. The good citizen looked on suspiciously, but didn't bother to interrupt. He must have assumed Ree was there to care for the "sister" who was not quite right in her head. Ree closed her mouth and grit her teeth, ready to dig in her heels.

Had the town really degenerated so far? Was it really so big that neighbors no longer cared about the welfare of each other? What was it going to take? Masked vigilantes doing the duty of good citizens to deter the crime rotting the core from the entire infrastructure?

Ree's fists balled up. She was no fighter, but she wasn't without recourse. If these criminals could get away with breaking the law, so could she.

And, then, Eltana faltered.

Was this some trick? Ree hesitated, ire churning in her gut and burning in her chest. But...

...
...

The healer in her won out.

Ree moved forward and reached for him, to help him stand with the support of her own body. She was built like an elf, sturdier than she looked. This close she smelled like ... sunshine, sweet grass, and mint or sage, something subtle, soothing, and nice. It certainly was not a heavily perfumed, fake smell.

"You're the one who...," she muttered, reaching for the man's wrist to check his pulse.

In one breath, she rushed the required words. "I am a registered healer, approved for use in standard and alternative medical practices." Here, she made an effort to lift her other hand to show the sigil on the inside of her wrist as much as could be done without putting him at risk of falling.

"You have the right to choose standard and alternative magic-based care. I can help you, if you let me."

His own illness had surfaced while keeping a sick old man from his medication, and now he was at the mercy of the woman responsible for derailing his plans. Frustrated as he was, even he appreciated the irony.

Eltana backed away from her and struggled to his feet, leaning against the wall for support. He'd be damned if he would let this obstinate fool help him; not after she ruined what should have been a simple meeting. This entire confrontation had been a mistake: If he had hired some thugs to rough up the girl and never gone out into this filthy, rat-infested outhouse of a city in the first place, this never would have happened.

Speaking of the brat...

He glanced over at Jameson, who was staring at him like a dumb mutt worried for its master. As he suspected, the girl was nowhere to be seen. No doubt the moron released her when he saw him collapse. Eltana would have been surprised, but he didn't exactly hire his models for their smarts.

“I'm fine,” Eltana told her icily, his feminine, playful tone gone. Despite his assertion, his limbs were trembling and he still wasn't standing on his own. He then glared at his model. “The goods are no longer important. We'll contact the steer this evening. If our dear little friend doesn't want to cooperate, then perhaps she'll be interested in making a contribution to science. Now help me up.”

Eltana grabbed his servant's arm and gave Ree a cold glare. His breathing was noticeably slower, and the color had drained from his face. “Which leaves the question of what to do with you. I don't appreciate others interfering with my work. Do I come into your hospital and bother you while you're trying to help your patients, Doctor Sehkhara? I had an arrangement with that little tramp, and I was only requesting what was rightfully mine.”

Ree reached for the man, but he refused her help. Her hands fell to her sides. She shrugged slightly.

"By the sounds of things, you were coercing that girl. And, whatever the subject of your agreement, it seemed questionable as well."

Ree sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"You probably won't understand this, but this town is my home and its people deserve respect. I will always do what I can to help them."

Ree looked directly at him now, her pupils were oddly dilated. "I know I can help you, too." She tucked one hand into her pocket and turned toward the market.

"If something happens to that girl, I'll report you." Ree lifted her hand in wave goodbye as she walked away.

"And, yes, yes, I'm sure you'll be seeing me."