"You may as well see this physician while we're at it," Veyl said. "If the sedative has any lasting effects, I'd rather know now than discover a problem on the road."
Gavril swallowed another mouthful. "I was planning to. Though I may leave out the part where I was fooled by a man offering me a drink. It may damage my reputation."
"What reputation?" Veyl asked.
Gavril paused with his spoon hallway to his mouth.
"Look at him. When we first met, he had been so reserved that I sometimes wondered whether he had anything to say. Now he decided that making fun of me was worthwhile use of his time. It is astonishing how quickly he grew comfortable enough to be annoying. I have to take care of Viktor; he is getting influenced."
Gavril pointed his spoon at him. "Eat your food."
"Not that I mind, it is good to see Veyl relaxed enough to joke, especially after everything we had endured. Still, I will get my revenge for the insults."
Viktor laughed quietly. The sound attracted a brief glance from a nearby traveller.
Veyl's expression softened for a moment before he returned to his meal.
While they ate, Veyl also asked the innkeeper about regular traffic between the town and Whitehold. Merchants and messengers passed through often enough, she explained, and a local clerk sometimes arranged for letters to be carried by trustworthy riders heading in that direction.
There was no fixed schedule and not every traveller could be relied upon.
Veyl took note of this, he still needed to write to Baron about the ledger, but he would not hand it to the first rider who happened to be heading towards Whitehold. He would prepare the letter and find a reliable way to send the evidence without drawing unnecessary attention.
By the time they finished eating, there was still enough daylight left to visit the market.
Viktor Returned downstairs to sit with Kaavi while Veyl and Gavril set out to find the physician.
The streets were narrow, with building standing close together on either side, People moved between stalls selling bread, vegetables, tools and household goods, while a cart laden with firewood struggled through a patch of mud near the corner.
The town carried on with its ordinary business.
The apothecary was easy enough to find. Bundles of dried herbs hung inside its front window, and several glass jars stood along a shelf behind counter. A young assistant was arranging small parcels when Veyl approached.
"We're looking for a physician named Nikolai," he said. "We've been told he's staying here."
"He's in the room behind the shop," the assistant replied. "He's seeing someone at the moment. Is it urgent?"
"Yes, my grandfather has been unconscious since yesterday and has developed fever. We'd be grateful if Nikolai could examine him."
"Oh...okay I'll let him know. You can follow me; he should be finished with his patient by now."
He led them through a narrow passage into a modest room at the back of the building. A table stood against one wall, covered with folded cloths, small instruments and several jars.
Shelves held bundles of herbs and neatly arranged bottles, while a simple bed occupied the far corner.
A man stood beside the table, examining the bandaged hand of a broad-shouldered man. He wore a plain, dark coat with its sleeves rolled back and his brown hair had been pushed away from his forehead. He seemed entirely absorbed in the work before him.
"Move your fingers," Nikolai said.
The man tried, grimacing when the movement pulled at the bandage.
"Slowly. Don't force them." Nikolai supported the man's wrist and watched the fingers move again.
"The swelling is going down. That's good, keep the hand clean and change the dressing tomorrow, don't return to work until you can close your fingers without pain."
The man grumbled something about losing a day's wages.
"You'll lose more than a day's wages if you tear the wound open again," Nikolai replied. "I can give you medicine but I cannot make you sensible. You'll have to manage that part yourself."
The man gave a reluctant chuckle.
Nikolai finished the examination, handed him a small pack of clean cloths and explained how to change the dressing before accepting the modest payment the man could afford. He made sure the man understood what to do before letting him leave.
Only then Nikolai tur towards the newcomers.
"My grandfather is unconscious; he's been that way since yesterday. And he's developed a fever also. Can you please come and examine him? We'd prefer not to leave him like that until morning, but if you're busy, we'll make other arrangements."
Nikolai's expression became more attentive.
"How long has he had the fever?"
"We noticed it during the journey," Veyl answered. "His breathing is steady, but heh hasn't woken."
"Has he suffered an injury? Taken anything" Has this been coming on for some time?"
Veyl hesitated briefly, choosing what to say.
"He's been through a great deal lately. We don't know whether the fever is connected to that or something else."
Nikolai studied them for a moment but didn't press for an explanation they weren't ready to give. Instead, he crossed to the table and began gathering what he would need for a house call; a small bag, few instruments, some herbs…etc.
"I'll come with you now," he said. "An elderly who has remained unconscious that long and has a fever shouldn't be left without an examination. I cant promise I'll know the cause straight away, but I'll see what I can determine."
Veyl nodded. "Thankyou. We appreciate it."
Nikolai finished packing and turned towards the door.
"Lead the way."
As they stepped back into the street, the last sunlight lay across the rooftops.