[Resourceful as ever, Zelgadis immediately thinks of a solution before Rezo even needs to point out the issue. That earns an approving nod from the priest as the group briskly heads down the road.]
Very good. The horses that pulled our coach will need to rest for a while before they can be put back to work.
[His pace then slows a little at Zelgadis's next words.
While animals do process substances differently from humans, the fact there isn't any noticeable effect from what's causing a virulent sickness in the humans is incredibly suspicious. Or, it would be, if Rezo wasn't already quite sure that a curse was responsible.
He gives Zelgadis a thin smile.]
That's very interesting, isn't it? Perhaps someone wasn't being attentive to details.
[The rest of the group turns to look at Zelgadis quizzically at that outburst.
...Well, the coachmen look at him. Rezo merely just briefly tilts his head in Zelgadis's look with an expression of forced placidity, which still adds to the effect. It's fortunate that Zelgadis has second thoughts.
And perhaps Rezo should try being less cryptic than usual.]
I was speculating on the perpetrator's aims myself. If they were hoping we'd suspect a case of poisoning, they could have done a better job.
[He then shuffles a few steps closer to Zelgadis- not so close that they're touching, but within arm's reach- and quietly says:]
I know you've been working hard.
[And then, without waiting for a response, Rezo briskly moves forward.]
[ Zelgadis shunts his cowl over his head and implores the earth to open up and swallow him whole. On top of everything else, the coachmen can now assume he's one of those thin-skinned jackasses that takes everything personally.
If they knew, if they just knew his history with Rezo...! Who could blame him then? Wouldn't anyone else take it the way he did?
It feels worse to have been wrong than if Rezo had actually been criticizing him, because what he assumed his grandfather was saying is what Zelgadis was already thinking. It's such a glaring oversight! If he missed that, then what else of note has he failed to see?
His self-admonishment is interrupted by the acknowledgement of his efforts, and he can't formulate a response before Rezo walks on ahead.
It's less what he said and more that he said it at all that has Zel at a loss.
He stays silent at the back of the group for most of the rest of their walk to the stonemason's guild. At least giving off a bad impression means nobody wants to make small talk with him. When he does finally say something, it's directed at Rezo, a word of caution delivered without any particular emotion attached. ]
The terrain gets uneven from here.
[ And before long, they reach the stonemason's guild.
Zelgadis is finally in his element again. Building anything requires calculations, and that's one of his strong suits. He pulls out a scratch pad and writing utensil from a pouch attached to his belt.
It's time for math. ]
...estimate of how many gallons of water per day it takes to service a population of this size. If we have this many tanks all with a height, length, and depth of...
[Rezo isn't fully certain if acknowledgement is something Zelgadis needs or wants, particularly from Rezo, but it had seemed, in that moment, to be the right thing to do. He just hopes his instincts were correct, because the Gods know they haven't always been reliable. Particularly when it comes to Zelgadis.
The flat warning, given after such a long stretch of awkward silence, briefly gives Rezo pause. It's after a brief hesitation that he responds, not turning back but speaking loudly enough to be heard, in a calm tone of voice that's equally neutral to Zelgadis's.]
...Thank you.
[Being cordial with one another almost feels more uncomfortable than arguing. Not that there's any logical reason to want Zelgadis to be cold or angry, particularly when it might interfere with the work they're doing, but still...
Thank the Gods it isn't a far walk to the Stonemason's Guild, because this party doesn't need two taciturn sorcerers brooding away. A particularly gruff and dusty mason greets them when they enter the guild yard, with a terse "What do you want?"
Rezo smiles, seemingly unperturbed by anything.]
Good day, my friend. We're here to help with your water supply issues.
[Rezo lets Zelgadis handle the math end of things without any fussing. Besides the fact he knows he can trust Zelgadis's skill in this area, the man also has a better understanding of the local situation. Instead, Rezo handles the matter of speaking with the stonemasons (the ones that are still lucid) and talking them into handing over the supplies.
It's not difficult- dropping his own name and that of the innkeeper's is enough to assure them of his benevolent intentions.]
-And Zelgadis will inform you of the exact supplies we need, once he has finished his calculations.
[Rezo punctuates his statement by inclining his head in Zelgadis's direction, as if to say Isn't that right?]
They've achieved the bare minimum of mutual civility and Zel tells himself it means nothing. It never lasts. His past efforts to maintain a relatively non-hostile relationship with Rezo have all ended in failure. This is merely a failure in the making. Once they no longer have reason to cooperate, all scraps of goodwill will deteriorate. Second verse, same as the first.
He's sure of it. He's pretty sure of it.
Here's what he's less sure of: is that what Rezo wants?
Is that what he wants?
Zelgadis, scrawling out an equation and happy to leave Rezo to the 'acting personable' side of things, belatedly notices his cue to respond. ]
Huh? Uh, yeah, of course.
[ If Zelgadis has learned anything so far today, it's that holding a consistent attitude towards Rezo is impossible; he's bouncing all over the emotional spectrum: hostility, deference, something like the ghost of gratitude.
Uncertainty. Doubt.
Not hope. That one's not allowed. It will not be acknowledged.
Just focus on the math.
What Zelgadis settles on are three large tanks, each set up in the most population-dense areas of the town. If filled to maximum capacity, they'll serve the town for the next few days. The head of the stonemason's guild is not necessarily enthused about the amount of materials that will be required to achieve this, but the situation is what it is. ]
If we start now, we can have everything set up by tomorrow morning.
[ For Zelgadis, pulling an overnighter on this project is preferable to anything else. Watching the deterioration of the inn patients is getting to him. If he ever had any doubts before, he's certain he does not have a future in the medical field. ]
But first... Rezo, I need to discuss something with you in private. It won't take long.
[ Thankfully, he hasn't found anything new to be mad at. This is related entirely to the matter at hand.
Taking care that no one is listening in, Zelgadis says: ]
I want to talk about what happened in the inn with that woman. I hadn't thought that they could feel what they were experiencing, and now -- I'm not sure of that any longer. If we wait to break this curse, we could be prolonging a level of suffering I don't even want to think about.
[The coachmen aren't too enthusiastic about the idea of pulling an all-nighter after the heavy traveling they've been doing, but Rezo merely nods when Zelgadis mentions it. He'd been expecting to get very little sleep for the next few weeks anyway.
The request to speak alone is unexpected, and despite his best efforts Rezo is wary. Not enough to deny Zelgadis, however.]
Ah...? Of course. Please excuse us.
[After directing that last part to the rest of the group, Rezo obediently follows out after Zelgadis. Now, what's this about...?
Oh.
It's one of the eternal conundrums of medicine- do you try everything you can to save the patient, even knowing that the end result may just be prolonging their suffering? Rezo makes a thoughtful noise.]
You're not wrong. But if the patients could voice an opinion they might also wish to grasp any hope there is of survival, no matter how slight.
[The human survival instinct is a powerful thing, after all. Rezo's seen patients who begged for death, and he's also seen patients who clung to life with everything they were worth.]
[ Zelgadis heaves a heavy sigh. There's no easy solution here. Some of the patients must want to be put out of their misery, and others must want to survive at all costs. ]
If it were me, I wouldn't want anyone deciding on my behalf that I'm better off dead. ...Though that's easy for me to say when I'm not the one rotting away in one of those beds.
[ There has to be another angle to approach this conundrum from. ]
You placed the Taforashians in suspended animation. Can't do you that again?
[The mention of Taforashia prompts a surprised frown from Rezo.]
I'd need to make another Hellmaster's Jar, possibly several more, and that would take too much time.
[When it came to Taforashia, he'd been able to make his equipment in advance... because he was the one arranging the circumstances that required putting the citizens into suspended animation in the first place.
That little factoid hopefully doesn't need to be said. But regardless, the point remains that the citizens of Remedis would still have to wait in probable agony for Rezo to put them under, let alone treat them. And since the Remedis citizens are in a suspended state as-is (albeit a suspension of death rather than of animation) it's hard to say if the original spells used in Taforashia would have the same effect.
If Zelgadis were considerably younger, this would be the point where Rezo might put a gentle hand on his shoulder to reassure him. Words will have to do instead.]
We're not out of options yet. I should be able to reverse some of the organ damage on the patients with my magic.
[Recovery may not be a safe spell to use, but Resurrection should be usable.]
[ It's no shock when Rezo states the obvious logistical issues. Zelgadis knew as he was asking that if this were a feasible course of action, Rezo would have suggested it already.
There's no forgiving what he did to Taforashia, but nor can Zelgadis deny that Rezo kept his word and cleaned up the mess he made.
Pokota had even been grateful for that.
Zelgadis wouldn't in a million years call Rezo a man with a proper sense of responsibility. Responsible people don't do the things he's done. What he would say is it's not Rezo's nature to leave people wholly high and dry.
(This wretched chimeric form is stronger than his human one. He had told the truth the way Xellos tells the truth.)
A sliver of tension leaves Zelgadis' body. That's good news. ]
I should have called Amelia here too. Her white magic proficiency far outstrips mine.
[ He should have, but he's not sure he would have even if he knew days ago how bad things actually were. If the state of Remedis is taking a mental toll on him, what would it do to her?
Prioritizing one person over an entire town... Selfishness must be a family trait.
At any rate, this is no time for thinking about should-haves. ]
One last thing. Since the purpose of this curse appears to be inducing suffering as opposed to death, it's almost certainly a mazoku we're dealing with here, isn't it? One that's found an inexhaustible source of sustenance.
[Ah, yes, Amelia. Rezo hadn't really spoken with her directly at any point after Lina retrieved his jar, nor after he'd been resurrected into Pokota's body, but he'd spent enough time observing Lina's party to get a basic grip on her personality- and eventually, she had offhandedly mentioned her status as a princess.]
I'm sure her own duties keep her busy as is.
[It's still a little odd to think that Zelgadis is now rubbing elbows with Seyruunian royalty. The boy still carries himself like a common mercenary. But then, Amelia isn't the sort to put on airs anyway.]
And you certainly have the capacity to assist me with the usage of white magic, should it be needed. We'll be fine.
[Zelgadis has never shown an exceptional interest in Rezo's main area of study, but he's intelligent, diligent, and has an enhanced magic talent courtesy of his demon third. So the matter, as far as Rezo is concerned, isn't a dire one.
Now the source of the problem... Rezo exhales softly in a small, uncharacteristic show of aggrievance.]
I'd be surprised if it wasn't. It's going to be a nuisance, and very dangerous of course- but we've both dealt with worse, haven't we?
[ Rezo is probably right. White magic may not be Zelgadis' specialty, but he's got a solid grasp of the art and is capable of learning more. Wryly, he thinks to himself that you really couldn't ask for a more qualified teacher than Rezo.
Then there's the mazoku issue. Seems neither of them are looking forward to this confrontation. Zelgadis isn't sure if he'd glad or not that Rezo can't see the way his mouth twists at "we've both dealt with worse" when some of that 'worse' was courtesy of dear ol' grandpa himself. ]
No kidding.
[ Zelgadis looks off in the general direction of the spring. ]
It used an indirect method to curse the town, and has yet to reveal itself although it must know we're here. When it finally makes a move against us, I don't think it'll be in the form of a direct attack. Not initially, anyway. And if it's as intelligent as I assume it to be, it's going to try and get a read on us before going on the offensive.
[ Sussing out strengths and weaknesses... Any emotion-eater worth its salt will be well aware of the friction between Zelgadis and Rezo. That's all the more reason Zelgadis needs to stay professional. It would be just like a mazoku to try and sow more division between them.
As for killing it: ]
...Rezo, how well do you fight, these days?
[ Great sage or not, the whole dying twice thing doesn't sound conducive to one's health. ]
[Rezo, at least, is good at staying placid and unreadable even in dire situations. And their current opponent may be clever and may be strong, but unlike certain prior opponents this mazoku doesn't dwell within Rezo. So when the question of killing it comes up, Rezo merely inclines his head and smiles.]
There is no need for concern. My magic is working as well as it ever has.
[...He says this, but he might not be quite as confident as he sounds. What was it that mazoku- Xellos- had said? 'My apologies. But is that power really yours?'
No matter. He can't let the words of a mazoku bother him. In this situation, at least, Rezo refuses to let himself be a burden to Zelgadis.]
What about you? You've been attending to the villagers and have yet more work ahead of yourself. Will you still have energy when the time comes for battle?
[ There's no reason not to take Rezo at his word, at least on this matter; Zelgadis can't see any evidence to the contrary.
But he'd better be telling the truth. Zel's going to be even less pleased with him than usual if he's bluffing.
As for himself... He'll concede he's little worse for wear. If he were still human, this would already be an opportune time for the mazoku to get the jump on him.
He'll die before he admits to Rezo's face, but his chimera body's endurance is a boon. ]
I'll be fine. I'll get some sleep in when the water tanks are complete.
[ He'll pull through like he always has. Anything else isn't an option. ]
...Besides, it's not really the labor that's the tiring part.
[ As soon as he admits that, he wishes he hadn't. He doesn't want sympathy. That was just the stupid part of him that hasn't accepted it's a waste of time to try and form any meaningful emotional connection with Rezo talking for a second there. ]
No, forget it. I need to get going.
[ Abort mission. Delete the past ten seconds from your head, Rezo. ]
[Rezo nods along, seeing nothing to protest to in Zelgadis's plan of napping after the construction work is done. Zelgadis is stubborn, but he's not a fool; he should know his own limits. And Zelgadis isn't particularly delicate either, so all the more reason not to be concerned.
Thus, it's a surprise when Zelgadis mentions something being "tiring." Rezo's expression sharpens, particularly when Zelgadis immediately tries to brush it off.]
What is the matter?
[A few possibilities come to mind. That Zelgadis is draining his magic, or that yes, dealing with the unwell citizens of Remedis is psychologically draining... Or that maybe Rezo himself is the part Zelgadis is finding tiring.
And still, Rezo tries.]
Perhaps I can alleviate the issue somehow? [If Zelgadis can just tell Rezo what the problem is-!]
[ That is not what Zelgadis expected to hear. What, now Rezo gives a damn about how he feels? He probably just wants to make sure he's not going to be a liability... That's a nice, safe assumption. He'll hold onto it, so he isn't disappointed.
He tries to find it in him to brush Rezo off and walk away, and fails. God, fine, he'll succumb to the mortifying ordeal of being known. ]
I doubt it.
[ Off to a phenomenal start. He sighs and relents in earnest. ]
Listen, I'm no bleeding heart, but this? ...I didn't think I'd find it so difficult to stay detached. They know what's happening to them, and I can't do anything about it. It's... draining.
[ What he so hated about being weak was not weakness itself, but the powerlessness of being so. ]
[That is... indeed a problem that Rezo can't easily slap a bandage on, though he's relieved that it's one he'd guessed, and that it's also not "You, being in my vicinity."]
Hm...
[Rezo's head tilts, considering. He's rather used to dealing with people in pain, such that it rarely bothers him. Sometimes, he even forgets that other people might not be able to tune it out as well as he can.
But his heart isn't entirely stone. Once, a long time ago, Rezo had been new to his profession, and had built up less of an emotional callus. How had he managed at the time? And would describing it be of any benefit to Zelgadis?
After a pause, Rezo finally speaks.]
In situations such as this, a useful exercise is to pretend as though it's a hypothetical situation. For instance, that it's a scenario being described to you by an instructor. The instructor wants to know how you think a professional healer should respond. You imagine this healer, and then you act out their role.
[This is a perfectly normal way of dealing with stressful situations that will definitely have no negative repercussions on your mental health if you keep employing it in the long term.]
Of course, it does take quite a bit of practice to develop a suitable level of detachment.
[...So in the end his advice boils down to "get used to it," doesn't it? Oh dear, that's not very helpful after all. Rezo straightens.]
And do not say that you can't do anything. You have been helping them all this time. Even a little bit of help can have far greater effects than you anticipate.
[ ...He's getting advice from Rezo like it's the old days. Encouragement, even. It's surreal.
He can see the logic behind Rezo's advice; doctors and healers need to maintain a degree of detachment in order to effectively carry out their work. Though, pretending it's all hypothetical sounds a little too dissociative for Zelgadis' taste.
Maybe every wise healer has this skill in their repertoire. Maybe only Rezo does this and it's revealing of the great dysfunction in his psyche! Zelgadis does not have the medical credentials to say one way or another.
Ultimately, it takes time to develop that detachment whether you're dissociating over it or not. Ironically, it's a bit like learning to get comfortable with taking lives. The first time he ever killed a bandit, his hands wouldn't stop shaking. Now it's easy.
So, okay, he's not getting much out of this advice, but Rezo is trying. Zel can't find fault with that.
And... it does make him feel a little better, that assurance that his efforts aren't in vain. He struggles with how he should respond to that. After floundering for a few long seconds, he manages to say, to his own disbelief: ]
...Thank you. I'll... try to remember that.
[ He rubs the back of his neck. Old memories of demurring from praise, self-conscious yet grateful, stir from where they've slept. They don't hurt as much as they have in the past. ]
[The reaction is familiar. Even the long, fraught pause before Zelgadis thanks him, that's not altogether unexpected. The boy has always been awkward about receiving encouragement and praise, perhaps born out of a perfectionist streak.
Or. Perhaps because Rezo was usually too absorbed in his own pursuits to really give Zelgadis much feedback either way.
Well, Rezo's tried giving him some now, and he's genuinely astonished that so far it doesn't seem to be going all that badly. It might be pleasant, but the moment also feels fragile enough that Rezo's afraid to risk lingering in it. So he doesn't.]
...We should perhaps return to work.
[Rezo makes a polite noise and turns to go back to the stonemason's guild, but he hesitates before taking any actual steps away.]
But please let me know if you have any other concerns.
[ It's a non-committal reply, but it's not a rejection. They've made some semblance of headway here. A tentative step forward is a step forward still.
The water tank materials are carted out to the sites where they'll be built. When no one is paying attention -- at least, when he thinks no one is -- Zelgadis gives one of the mules an encouraging pat on the neck before it sets off. ]
It's a rough life, huh? Hang in there, buddy.
[ Then there's nothing left to do but get constructing.
Distantly, Zelgadis remembers when him and the others were tasked with rebuilding the Flarelord's Temple. He wonders how Filia's doing these days. With any luck, she and her kid are living a life far removed from anything like this.
As Zelgadis predicted, the work goes on well into the night, and before he knows it, the sun is peeking over the horizon. He wipes sweat from his brow. Just a little more, and this last tank will be ready for business.
About two hours past sunrise, it's all done. The sense of accomplishment that brings is quickly outweighed by the several days' worth of exhaustion that seems to come on all at once. As soon as he's sure that others can take it from here, he finds himself a spot in the shade to curl up and sleep. ]
[ Unfortunately for Zelgadis, Rezo has good hearing- but fortunately for Zelgadis, Rezo also has some sense of discretion. And Rezo smiles a lot anyway, so if Zelgadis catches a glimpse of it, well, it could easily be chalked up to his usual priestly facade.
And so the work begins. Rezo's not bad with his hands and he helps with the construction work where he's able, but the majority of his job involves carving white magic symbols into the tanks, using water magic to fill them once they're ready, and then purifying and testing the contents. He makes sure to show Zelgadis everything he's doing and explain it, just in case Zelgadis will need to do it himself at some point later on.
It's almost alarming how easy it is to slip back into the role of tutor.
The job seems endless, especially when Rezo can't keep track of the lighting conditions, but then he finds himself casting the last Aqua Create and has the disorienting realization that they're done. Or at least, done with this particular job.
The coachmen are eager to head over to the stables where their horses are being kept to catch up on some sleep. Rezo doesn't berate them for tapping out, when they've already done considerably more than the job he hired them for in the first place. ]
Thank you. I'll let the villagers know that there's safe water readily available again.
[ He also certainly doesn't berate Zelgadis for heading off either. Though he does find himself concerned- is it prudent to leave Zelgadis to his own devices when there's a mazoku afoot? But there's people in need of healing while Zelgadis is in need of rest, Zelgadis is a powerful sorcerer-swordsman, and Rezo can come running if there's any commotion.
So Rezo is off to the inn, where he'll make himself busy trying to stabilize the patients that are most at risk. ]
[ As Zelgadis sleeps beneath an overhang roof, the weather changes, and a light rainfall begins: slightly unusual for the season, and a lucky break for the mazoku that's been wondering how to handle these bothersome sorcerers. It knows it won't be able to use the rain to pull off a curse on the scale of the one it's infected the spring with, but it's a practical creature: good enough is good enough. It doesn't need to concoct a new plague. It just needs to infect Zelgadis, and then surely this dysfunctional two-man cell will break down most delightfully.
Drawing on all the negativity it's cultivated within the town, it manifests amidst the rain like a shadow stepping up and out of the ground into the three-dimensional plane.
Just then, Zelgadis stirs, instinctively aware of the mazoku's now-physical presence. His eyes shoot open as it's already lunging at him. Wet with rain -- tainted water -- it coils around his neck, constricting like a snake. He grabs at it with both hands, but damn it all, it's slippery. ]
El... me... kia...
[ "All you had to do was mind your own business."
And then it vanishes all at once. ]
--LANCE!
[ It was futile, but he had to try.
He instantly feels like a fool. It shouldn't have been able to catch him unawares...
What was it even trying to accomplish? He can't tell, at first, that anything is wrong. If it was trying to scare him, well, it did manage to surprise him. But why now, when it's spent so long out of sight?
He notices then the rain. The overhang kept him from getting rained on -- from being woken up by the change in weather.
Drinking the cursed water, he recalls, was not the only means of contamination. Just as many people were cursed by bathing in the spring. Making contact with the water. ]
...Damn it.
[ The rainwater drips down his neck, and his skin begins to sting. He swears he can feel poison seeping into his veins. He wondered how this curse might affect him, and now he's going to get to find out. ]
Damn it all to hell!
[ Alright. Alright. What now.
He's got to tell Rezo.
As soon as possible.
Zelgadis pulls himself to his feet, and notes that the rain is beginning to subside.
He has to laugh. That's perfect. What impeccable timing.
Whether Rezo has already come to check out the commotion or is still at the inn, he'll find himself met by Zelgadis, the disgust in his voice palpable. ]
There's no good way to say this, so let's get it out of the way. I let my guard down, and I got myself cursed for it.
[ In fact, Rezo had nearly gone to check on Zelgadis when he'd first caught the sound of rain. Being a chimera didn't mean Zelgadis was immune to getting wet, or cold, or sick- but when he'd told the innkeeper he was going to check on his companion she'd let him know that she'd seen him sleeping sheltered by an overhang, and since it wasn't particularly windy nor raining heavily he'd decided to leave Zelgadis be and concentrate on the patients.
Still, even as he's trying to coax magical energy through the organs of a particularly catatonic patient, Rezo can't help but keep an ear out for the weather to get worse. The weather doesn't get worse, but instead he's jarred by- ]
Ah-?
[ The innkeeper looks over from the patient she's attending to, surprised by the priest's exclamation. "What's the matter?" ]
I heard shouting.
[ "Really? I can't hear anything..." ]
I'll go take a look.
[ The innkeeper still seems dubious, but Rezo ignores her in favor of sweeping his way out of the inn. Though he does hope she's right, and he's just being overly cautious.
As ever, they're not that lucky. Rezo hears the sound of Zelgadis's heavy footsteps before Zel even speaks up, and comes to a stop partway between the inn and the place where Zel had been resting.
The explanation is brief, but it doesn't need to be complicated. ]
The mazoku.
[ Rezo just hopes it's something he can treat with Flow Break, rather than anything more stubborn. If Rezo can't make up for this mistake quickly, then... ]
Let's sit down somewhere, and I'll take care of it. Are you hurt?
There's this burning spreading from where it grabbed me. Damned thing had me by the neck.
[ They find a place to sit, and Zelgadis is reminded of being a kid again, skinning his knee or elbow and seeking out Rezo for healing. He'd do his best impression of a stoic adult (to moderate degrees of success), because crying over a scrape was unbecoming.
Simple injuries with simple fixes. Everything back then was so simple.
Zel affords himself a moment to hold his head in his hand. ]
The last thing I wanted was for you to have to do damage control because I screwed up.
[ It's an injury to his pride. It's a distraction from the worst-off cases.
And he just... didn't want to burden Rezo like that.
But this isn't a disaster. He screwed up, yes, but Flow Break will probably work.
So what's this feeling in his gut saying otherwise? If it could be so easily dispelled, the smart thing for that mazoku to do would have been to try and kill him right then and there...
Maybe it miscalculated? How, though, would it not have taken into account the presence of a white magic user on Rezo's level...?
[ The description of burning is an ominous one, and Rezo muses aloud as to the potential cause. ]
Poison, perhaps... Or something acidic...
[ Once Zelgadis is seated, Rezo digs a cloth out of his cloak from some magical fold or other, and gives it to Zelgadis. ]
Here. Wipe off your neck and anywhere it touched. It may have left a residue of some kind.
[ Once Zelgadis is done, Rezo holds out his hand, hovering it above the back of Zelgadis's neck, and silently casts a detoxification spell. Any non-magical toxins should break down quickly under the onslaught of white magical energy. Any black magic, on the other hand...
The detoxification spell hums away, completed within a few moments. And Rezo's mind is so thoroughly occupied by the matter of Fixing Things that he nearly startles when Zelgadis's next words register.
He hadn't thought of it as Zelgadis screwing up. At the very least, both of them were guilty of complacency.
And Rezo had even thought that Zelgadis might be vulnerable out in the open but, stupidly, he hadn't wanted to pester him. And Rezo had assured himself that Zelgadis's chimera status should keep him safe. Clearly not, and as the man who'd designed Zelgadis's body he damn well should have considered the angles in which Zelgadis is vulnerable. ]
...You needed to rest.
[ The words sound feeble to his own words, and Rezo decides he'd better not make further attempts at being consoling. ]
Rather than think about what we should have done differently, it's better if we consider our next steps. I'll try the Flow Break now.
[ Rezo takes a step back and moves in front of Zelgadis, holding out his hands as he incants the Flow Break spell. A star shaped light forms beneath Zelgadis, the magic buzzing and humming through Rezo and into the spell, seeking out unnatural flows in Zelgadis's energy. ]
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no subject
Very good. The horses that pulled our coach will need to rest for a while before they can be put back to work.
[His pace then slows a little at Zelgadis's next words.
While animals do process substances differently from humans, the fact there isn't any noticeable effect from what's causing a virulent sickness in the humans is incredibly suspicious. Or, it would be, if Rezo wasn't already quite sure that a curse was responsible.
He gives Zelgadis a thin smile.]
That's very interesting, isn't it? Perhaps someone wasn't being attentive to details.
no subject
[ Zero to a hundred in terms of defensiveness!
Then, haltingly: ]
...Unless you mean our perpetrator's failed at poisoning every living thing in the area. Which... is true. ...If that was their aim to begin with.
no subject
...Well, the coachmen look at him. Rezo merely just briefly tilts his head in Zelgadis's look with an expression of forced placidity, which still adds to the effect. It's fortunate that Zelgadis has second thoughts.
And perhaps Rezo should try being less cryptic than usual.]
I was speculating on the perpetrator's aims myself. If they were hoping we'd suspect a case of poisoning, they could have done a better job.
[He then shuffles a few steps closer to Zelgadis- not so close that they're touching, but within arm's reach- and quietly says:]
I know you've been working hard.
[And then, without waiting for a response, Rezo briskly moves forward.]
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If they knew, if they just knew his history with Rezo...! Who could blame him then? Wouldn't anyone else take it the way he did?
It feels worse to have been wrong than if Rezo had actually been criticizing him, because what he assumed his grandfather was saying is what Zelgadis was already thinking. It's such a glaring oversight! If he missed that, then what else of note has he failed to see?
His self-admonishment is interrupted by the acknowledgement of his efforts, and he can't formulate a response before Rezo walks on ahead.
It's less what he said and more that he said it at all that has Zel at a loss.
He stays silent at the back of the group for most of the rest of their walk to the stonemason's guild. At least giving off a bad impression means nobody wants to make small talk with him. When he does finally say something, it's directed at Rezo, a word of caution delivered without any particular emotion attached. ]
The terrain gets uneven from here.
[ And before long, they reach the stonemason's guild.
Zelgadis is finally in his element again. Building anything requires calculations, and that's one of his strong suits. He pulls out a scratch pad and writing utensil from a pouch attached to his belt.
It's time for math. ]
...estimate of how many gallons of water per day it takes to service a population of this size. If we have this many tanks all with a height, length, and depth of...
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The flat warning, given after such a long stretch of awkward silence, briefly gives Rezo pause. It's after a brief hesitation that he responds, not turning back but speaking loudly enough to be heard, in a calm tone of voice that's equally neutral to Zelgadis's.]
...Thank you.
[Being cordial with one another almost feels more uncomfortable than arguing. Not that there's any logical reason to want Zelgadis to be cold or angry, particularly when it might interfere with the work they're doing, but still...
Thank the Gods it isn't a far walk to the Stonemason's Guild, because this party doesn't need two taciturn sorcerers brooding away. A particularly gruff and dusty mason greets them when they enter the guild yard, with a terse "What do you want?"
Rezo smiles, seemingly unperturbed by anything.]
Good day, my friend. We're here to help with your water supply issues.
[Rezo lets Zelgadis handle the math end of things without any fussing. Besides the fact he knows he can trust Zelgadis's skill in this area, the man also has a better understanding of the local situation. Instead, Rezo handles the matter of speaking with the stonemasons (the ones that are still lucid) and talking them into handing over the supplies.
It's not difficult- dropping his own name and that of the innkeeper's is enough to assure them of his benevolent intentions.]
-And Zelgadis will inform you of the exact supplies we need, once he has finished his calculations.
[Rezo punctuates his statement by inclining his head in Zelgadis's direction, as if to say Isn't that right?]
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They've achieved the bare minimum of mutual civility and Zel tells himself it means nothing. It never lasts. His past efforts to maintain a relatively non-hostile relationship with Rezo have all ended in failure. This is merely a failure in the making. Once they no longer have reason to cooperate, all scraps of goodwill will deteriorate. Second verse, same as the first.
He's sure of it. He's pretty sure of it.
Here's what he's less sure of: is that what Rezo wants?
Is that what he wants?
Zelgadis, scrawling out an equation and happy to leave Rezo to the 'acting personable' side of things, belatedly notices his cue to respond. ]
Huh? Uh, yeah, of course.
[ If Zelgadis has learned anything so far today, it's that holding a consistent attitude towards Rezo is impossible; he's bouncing all over the emotional spectrum: hostility, deference, something like the ghost of gratitude.
Uncertainty. Doubt.
Not hope. That one's not allowed. It will not be acknowledged.
Just focus on the math.
What Zelgadis settles on are three large tanks, each set up in the most population-dense areas of the town. If filled to maximum capacity, they'll serve the town for the next few days. The head of the stonemason's guild is not necessarily enthused about the amount of materials that will be required to achieve this, but the situation is what it is. ]
If we start now, we can have everything set up by tomorrow morning.
[ For Zelgadis, pulling an overnighter on this project is preferable to anything else. Watching the deterioration of the inn patients is getting to him. If he ever had any doubts before, he's certain he does not have a future in the medical field. ]
But first... Rezo, I need to discuss something with you in private. It won't take long.
[ Thankfully, he hasn't found anything new to be mad at. This is related entirely to the matter at hand.
Taking care that no one is listening in, Zelgadis says: ]
I want to talk about what happened in the inn with that woman. I hadn't thought that they could feel what they were experiencing, and now -- I'm not sure of that any longer. If we wait to break this curse, we could be prolonging a level of suffering I don't even want to think about.
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The request to speak alone is unexpected, and despite his best efforts Rezo is wary. Not enough to deny Zelgadis, however.]
Ah...? Of course. Please excuse us.
[After directing that last part to the rest of the group, Rezo obediently follows out after Zelgadis. Now, what's this about...?
Oh.
It's one of the eternal conundrums of medicine- do you try everything you can to save the patient, even knowing that the end result may just be prolonging their suffering? Rezo makes a thoughtful noise.]
You're not wrong. But if the patients could voice an opinion they might also wish to grasp any hope there is of survival, no matter how slight.
[The human survival instinct is a powerful thing, after all. Rezo's seen patients who begged for death, and he's also seen patients who clung to life with everything they were worth.]
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If it were me, I wouldn't want anyone deciding on my behalf that I'm better off dead. ...Though that's easy for me to say when I'm not the one rotting away in one of those beds.
[ There has to be another angle to approach this conundrum from. ]
You placed the Taforashians in suspended animation. Can't do you that again?
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I'd need to make another Hellmaster's Jar, possibly several more, and that would take too much time.
[When it came to Taforashia, he'd been able to make his equipment in advance... because he was the one arranging the circumstances that required putting the citizens into suspended animation in the first place.
That little factoid hopefully doesn't need to be said. But regardless, the point remains that the citizens of Remedis would still have to wait in probable agony for Rezo to put them under, let alone treat them. And since the Remedis citizens are in a suspended state as-is (albeit a suspension of death rather than of animation) it's hard to say if the original spells used in Taforashia would have the same effect.
If Zelgadis were considerably younger, this would be the point where Rezo might put a gentle hand on his shoulder to reassure him. Words will have to do instead.]
We're not out of options yet. I should be able to reverse some of the organ damage on the patients with my magic.
[Recovery may not be a safe spell to use, but Resurrection should be usable.]
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There's no forgiving what he did to Taforashia, but nor can Zelgadis deny that Rezo kept his word and cleaned up the mess he made.
Pokota had even been grateful for that.
Zelgadis wouldn't in a million years call Rezo a man with a proper sense of responsibility. Responsible people don't do the things he's done. What he would say is it's not Rezo's nature to leave people wholly high and dry.
(This wretched chimeric form is stronger than his human one. He had told the truth the way Xellos tells the truth.)
A sliver of tension leaves Zelgadis' body. That's good news. ]
I should have called Amelia here too. Her white magic proficiency far outstrips mine.
[ He should have, but he's not sure he would have even if he knew days ago how bad things actually were. If the state of Remedis is taking a mental toll on him, what would it do to her?
Prioritizing one person over an entire town... Selfishness must be a family trait.
At any rate, this is no time for thinking about should-haves. ]
One last thing. Since the purpose of this curse appears to be inducing suffering as opposed to death, it's almost certainly a mazoku we're dealing with here, isn't it? One that's found an inexhaustible source of sustenance.
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I'm sure her own duties keep her busy as is.
[It's still a little odd to think that Zelgadis is now rubbing elbows with Seyruunian royalty. The boy still carries himself like a common mercenary. But then, Amelia isn't the sort to put on airs anyway.]
And you certainly have the capacity to assist me with the usage of white magic, should it be needed. We'll be fine.
[Zelgadis has never shown an exceptional interest in Rezo's main area of study, but he's intelligent, diligent, and has an enhanced magic talent courtesy of his demon third. So the matter, as far as Rezo is concerned, isn't a dire one.
Now the source of the problem... Rezo exhales softly in a small, uncharacteristic show of aggrievance.]
I'd be surprised if it wasn't. It's going to be a nuisance, and very dangerous of course- but we've both dealt with worse, haven't we?
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Then there's the mazoku issue. Seems neither of them are looking forward to this confrontation. Zelgadis isn't sure if he'd glad or not that Rezo can't see the way his mouth twists at "we've both dealt with worse" when some of that 'worse' was courtesy of dear ol' grandpa himself. ]
No kidding.
[ Zelgadis looks off in the general direction of the spring. ]
It used an indirect method to curse the town, and has yet to reveal itself although it must know we're here. When it finally makes a move against us, I don't think it'll be in the form of a direct attack. Not initially, anyway. And if it's as intelligent as I assume it to be, it's going to try and get a read on us before going on the offensive.
[ Sussing out strengths and weaknesses... Any emotion-eater worth its salt will be well aware of the friction between Zelgadis and Rezo. That's all the more reason Zelgadis needs to stay professional. It would be just like a mazoku to try and sow more division between them.
As for killing it: ]
...Rezo, how well do you fight, these days?
[ Great sage or not, the whole dying twice thing doesn't sound conducive to one's health. ]
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[Rezo, at least, is good at staying placid and unreadable even in dire situations. And their current opponent may be clever and may be strong, but unlike certain prior opponents this mazoku doesn't dwell within Rezo. So when the question of killing it comes up, Rezo merely inclines his head and smiles.]
There is no need for concern. My magic is working as well as it ever has.
[...He says this, but he might not be quite as confident as he sounds. What was it that mazoku- Xellos- had said? 'My apologies. But is that power really yours?'
No matter. He can't let the words of a mazoku bother him. In this situation, at least, Rezo refuses to let himself be a burden to Zelgadis.]
What about you? You've been attending to the villagers and have yet more work ahead of yourself. Will you still have energy when the time comes for battle?
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But he'd better be telling the truth. Zel's going to be even less pleased with him than usual if he's bluffing.
As for himself... He'll concede he's little worse for wear. If he were still human, this would already be an opportune time for the mazoku to get the jump on him.
He'll die before he admits to Rezo's face, but his chimera body's endurance is a boon. ]
I'll be fine. I'll get some sleep in when the water tanks are complete.
[ He'll pull through like he always has. Anything else isn't an option. ]
...Besides, it's not really the labor that's the tiring part.
[ As soon as he admits that, he wishes he hadn't. He doesn't want sympathy. That was just the stupid part of him that hasn't accepted it's a waste of time to try and form any meaningful emotional connection with Rezo talking for a second there. ]
No, forget it. I need to get going.
[ Abort mission. Delete the past ten seconds from your head, Rezo. ]
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Thus, it's a surprise when Zelgadis mentions something being "tiring." Rezo's expression sharpens, particularly when Zelgadis immediately tries to brush it off.]
What is the matter?
[A few possibilities come to mind. That Zelgadis is draining his magic, or that yes, dealing with the unwell citizens of Remedis is psychologically draining... Or that maybe Rezo himself is the part Zelgadis is finding tiring.
And still, Rezo tries.]
Perhaps I can alleviate the issue somehow? [If Zelgadis can just tell Rezo what the problem is-!]
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He tries to find it in him to brush Rezo off and walk away, and fails. God, fine, he'll succumb to the mortifying ordeal of being known. ]
I doubt it.
[ Off to a phenomenal start. He sighs and relents in earnest. ]
Listen, I'm no bleeding heart, but this? ...I didn't think I'd find it so difficult to stay detached. They know what's happening to them, and I can't do anything about it. It's... draining.
[ What he so hated about being weak was not weakness itself, but the powerlessness of being so. ]
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Hm...
[Rezo's head tilts, considering. He's rather used to dealing with people in pain, such that it rarely bothers him. Sometimes, he even forgets that other people might not be able to tune it out as well as he can.
But his heart isn't entirely stone. Once, a long time ago, Rezo had been new to his profession, and had built up less of an emotional callus. How had he managed at the time? And would describing it be of any benefit to Zelgadis?
After a pause, Rezo finally speaks.]
In situations such as this, a useful exercise is to pretend as though it's a hypothetical situation. For instance, that it's a scenario being described to you by an instructor. The instructor wants to know how you think a professional healer should respond. You imagine this healer, and then you act out their role.
[
This is a perfectly normal way of dealing with stressful situations that will definitely have no negative repercussions on your mental health if you keep employing it in the long term.]Of course, it does take quite a bit of practice to develop a suitable level of detachment.
[...So in the end his advice boils down to "get used to it," doesn't it? Oh dear, that's not very helpful after all. Rezo straightens.]
And do not say that you can't do anything. You have been helping them all this time. Even a little bit of help can have far greater effects than you anticipate.
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He can see the logic behind Rezo's advice; doctors and healers need to maintain a degree of detachment in order to effectively carry out their work. Though, pretending it's all hypothetical sounds a little too dissociative for Zelgadis' taste.
Maybe every wise healer has this skill in their repertoire. Maybe only Rezo does this and it's revealing of the great dysfunction in his psyche! Zelgadis does not have the medical credentials to say one way or another.
Ultimately, it takes time to develop that detachment whether you're dissociating over it or not. Ironically, it's a bit like learning to get comfortable with taking lives. The first time he ever killed a bandit, his hands wouldn't stop shaking. Now it's easy.
So, okay, he's not getting much out of this advice, but Rezo is trying. Zel can't find fault with that.
And... it does make him feel a little better, that assurance that his efforts aren't in vain. He struggles with how he should respond to that. After floundering for a few long seconds, he manages to say, to his own disbelief: ]
...Thank you. I'll... try to remember that.
[ He rubs the back of his neck. Old memories of demurring from praise, self-conscious yet grateful, stir from where they've slept. They don't hurt as much as they have in the past. ]
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Or. Perhaps because Rezo was usually too absorbed in his own pursuits to really give Zelgadis much feedback either way.
Well, Rezo's tried giving him some now, and he's genuinely astonished that so far it doesn't seem to be going all that badly. It might be pleasant, but the moment also feels fragile enough that Rezo's afraid to risk lingering in it. So he doesn't.]
...We should perhaps return to work.
[Rezo makes a polite noise and turns to go back to the stonemason's guild, but he hesitates before taking any actual steps away.]
But please let me know if you have any other concerns.
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[ It's a non-committal reply, but it's not a rejection. They've made some semblance of headway here. A tentative step forward is a step forward still.
The water tank materials are carted out to the sites where they'll be built. When no one is paying attention -- at least, when he thinks no one is -- Zelgadis gives one of the mules an encouraging pat on the neck before it sets off. ]
It's a rough life, huh? Hang in there, buddy.
[ Then there's nothing left to do but get constructing.
Distantly, Zelgadis remembers when him and the others were tasked with rebuilding the Flarelord's Temple. He wonders how Filia's doing these days. With any luck, she and her kid are living a life far removed from anything like this.
As Zelgadis predicted, the work goes on well into the night, and before he knows it, the sun is peeking over the horizon. He wipes sweat from his brow. Just a little more, and this last tank will be ready for business.
About two hours past sunrise, it's all done. The sense of accomplishment that brings is quickly outweighed by the several days' worth of exhaustion that seems to come on all at once. As soon as he's sure that others can take it from here, he finds himself a spot in the shade to curl up and sleep. ]
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And so the work begins. Rezo's not bad with his hands and he helps with the construction work where he's able, but the majority of his job involves carving white magic symbols into the tanks, using water magic to fill them once they're ready, and then purifying and testing the contents. He makes sure to show Zelgadis everything he's doing and explain it, just in case Zelgadis will need to do it himself at some point later on.
It's almost alarming how easy it is to slip back into the role of tutor.
The job seems endless, especially when Rezo can't keep track of the lighting conditions, but then he finds himself casting the last Aqua Create and has the disorienting realization that they're done. Or at least, done with this particular job.
The coachmen are eager to head over to the stables where their horses are being kept to catch up on some sleep. Rezo doesn't berate them for tapping out, when they've already done considerably more than the job he hired them for in the first place. ]
Thank you. I'll let the villagers know that there's safe water readily available again.
[ He also certainly doesn't berate Zelgadis for heading off either. Though he does find himself concerned- is it prudent to leave Zelgadis to his own devices when there's a mazoku afoot? But there's people in need of healing while Zelgadis is in need of rest, Zelgadis is a powerful sorcerer-swordsman, and Rezo can come running if there's any commotion.
So Rezo is off to the inn, where he'll make himself busy trying to stabilize the patients that are most at risk. ]
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Drawing on all the negativity it's cultivated within the town, it manifests amidst the rain like a shadow stepping up and out of the ground into the three-dimensional plane.
Just then, Zelgadis stirs, instinctively aware of the mazoku's now-physical presence. His eyes shoot open as it's already lunging at him. Wet with rain -- tainted water -- it coils around his neck, constricting like a snake. He grabs at it with both hands, but damn it all, it's slippery. ]
El... me... kia...
[ "All you had to do was mind your own business."
And then it vanishes all at once. ]
--LANCE!
[ It was futile, but he had to try.
He instantly feels like a fool. It shouldn't have been able to catch him unawares...
What was it even trying to accomplish? He can't tell, at first, that anything is wrong. If it was trying to scare him, well, it did manage to surprise him. But why now, when it's spent so long out of sight?
He notices then the rain. The overhang kept him from getting rained on -- from being woken up by the change in weather.
Drinking the cursed water, he recalls, was not the only means of contamination. Just as many people were cursed by bathing in the spring. Making contact with the water. ]
...Damn it.
[ The rainwater drips down his neck, and his skin begins to sting. He swears he can feel poison seeping into his veins. He wondered how this curse might affect him, and now he's going to get to find out. ]
Damn it all to hell!
[ Alright. Alright. What now.
He's got to tell Rezo.
As soon as possible.
Zelgadis pulls himself to his feet, and notes that the rain is beginning to subside.
He has to laugh. That's perfect. What impeccable timing.
Whether Rezo has already come to check out the commotion or is still at the inn, he'll find himself met by Zelgadis, the disgust in his voice palpable. ]
There's no good way to say this, so let's get it out of the way. I let my guard down, and I got myself cursed for it.
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Still, even as he's trying to coax magical energy through the organs of a particularly catatonic patient, Rezo can't help but keep an ear out for the weather to get worse. The weather doesn't get worse, but instead he's jarred by- ]
Ah-?
[ The innkeeper looks over from the patient she's attending to, surprised by the priest's exclamation. "What's the matter?" ]
I heard shouting.
[ "Really? I can't hear anything..." ]
I'll go take a look.
[ The innkeeper still seems dubious, but Rezo ignores her in favor of sweeping his way out of the inn. Though he does hope she's right, and he's just being overly cautious.
As ever, they're not that lucky. Rezo hears the sound of Zelgadis's heavy footsteps before Zel even speaks up, and comes to a stop partway between the inn and the place where Zel had been resting.
The explanation is brief, but it doesn't need to be complicated. ]
The mazoku.
[ Rezo just hopes it's something he can treat with Flow Break, rather than anything more stubborn. If Rezo can't make up for this mistake quickly, then... ]
Let's sit down somewhere, and I'll take care of it. Are you hurt?
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[ Gingerly, Zelgadis rubs his throat. ]
There's this burning spreading from where it grabbed me. Damned thing had me by the neck.
[ They find a place to sit, and Zelgadis is reminded of being a kid again, skinning his knee or elbow and seeking out Rezo for healing. He'd do his best impression of a stoic adult (to moderate degrees of success), because crying over a scrape was unbecoming.
Simple injuries with simple fixes. Everything back then was so simple.
Zel affords himself a moment to hold his head in his hand. ]
The last thing I wanted was for you to have to do damage control because I screwed up.
[ It's an injury to his pride. It's a distraction from the worst-off cases.
And he just... didn't want to burden Rezo like that.
But this isn't a disaster. He screwed up, yes, but Flow Break will probably work.
So what's this feeling in his gut saying otherwise? If it could be so easily dispelled, the smart thing for that mazoku to do would have been to try and kill him right then and there...
Maybe it miscalculated? How, though, would it not have taken into account the presence of a white magic user on Rezo's level...?
We'll find out soon, won't we. ]
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Poison, perhaps... Or something acidic...
[ Once Zelgadis is seated, Rezo digs a cloth out of his cloak from some magical fold or other, and gives it to Zelgadis. ]
Here. Wipe off your neck and anywhere it touched. It may have left a residue of some kind.
[ Once Zelgadis is done, Rezo holds out his hand, hovering it above the back of Zelgadis's neck, and silently casts a detoxification spell. Any non-magical toxins should break down quickly under the onslaught of white magical energy. Any black magic, on the other hand...
The detoxification spell hums away, completed within a few moments. And Rezo's mind is so thoroughly occupied by the matter of Fixing Things that he nearly startles when Zelgadis's next words register.
He hadn't thought of it as Zelgadis screwing up. At the very least, both of them were guilty of complacency.
And Rezo had even thought that Zelgadis might be vulnerable out in the open but, stupidly, he hadn't wanted to pester him. And Rezo had assured himself that Zelgadis's chimera status should keep him safe. Clearly not, and as the man who'd designed Zelgadis's body he damn well should have considered the angles in which Zelgadis is vulnerable. ]
...You needed to rest.
[ The words sound feeble to his own words, and Rezo decides he'd better not make further attempts at being consoling. ]
Rather than think about what we should have done differently, it's better if we consider our next steps. I'll try the Flow Break now.
[ Rezo takes a step back and moves in front of Zelgadis, holding out his hands as he incants the Flow Break spell. A star shaped light forms beneath Zelgadis, the magic buzzing and humming through Rezo and into the spell, seeking out unnatural flows in Zelgadis's energy. ]
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a wizard is never late etc
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