Nikolai followed them through the inn and down a narrow flight of stairs leading to the basement. The passage was poorly lit, with only a few oil lamps fixed against the stone walls,
At the end stood a single room.
Veyl opened the door and stepped aside to let the physician enter.
The room was modest, with a wooden bed against one wall, a small table beside it, and enough space for a few people to move around without getting in each other's way.
"He's still asleep?" Nikolai asked as he put his bag on the table.
Viktor nodded.
Nikolai approached the bed and took a closer look at Kaavi.
"How old are you?"
"12" Viktor answered quietly.
Nikolai gave the boy a brief nod before turning his attention back to the patient. He pulled a chair closer to the bed and began his examination, first checking Kaavi's breathing and pulse before placing a hand against his forehead.
"He's certainly running a high fever," he remarked.
He opened his bag and took out a few small instruments, then continued examining Kaavi. His attention moved from the man's face to his neck and hands. At one point, his fingers paused briefly near Kaavi's forehead. He remained still for a moment before continuing, his expression giving little away.
Veyl watched from nearby.
"Do you know what's causing it?" he asked.
"Not yet. I need to finish examining him before I can say anything."
The passage was quiet with the sounds from the common room above reaching them only
Nikolai continued his work, occasionally asking Viktor how long Kaavi had been unwell and whether he had shown any sign before losing consciousness. Viktor answered what he could, though most of the time he simply explained what he already heard from Veyl.
After a while, Nikolai closed his bag and stood.
"He had a high fever, and his body is clearly exhausted. He'll need rest, and I wouldn't recommend moving him again until his condition improves. I can't tell you exactly how long that will take, but it may be a few days before he's fit to travel."
"Is there anything we can do for him in the meantime?" Veyl asked.
"You can, keep him warm. Spoon feed him some warm water and don't try to make him drink it. Just small sips at a time."
He glanced towards Kaavi hands.
"Also get a little oil as well. Warm it gently. And rub some over his hands and feet. It may help him keep comfortable."
Gavril looked towards the bed. "And the fever?"
"I'll prepare something for that. I have some herbs at my accommodation; there's one in particular I'd like to bring here. It should help with his recovery, though I'll need to see how he responds before deciding how much more treatments he requires."
"Of course."
Gavril rose from his chair, though he took a moment to stretch his legs before heading towards the door.
"Anything else?"
"Just make sure the water is warm, not hot. And ask for a clean basin."
Gavril nodded and left the room.
Nikolai began packing his instruments back into the bag.
"Would you mind accompanying me, Veyl? I could use another pair of hands carrying everything back."
"That's fine."
Veyl glanced towards Viktor. "Stay here with him. We'll be back shortly."
Viktor nodded and pulled the blanket a little higher over Kaavi.
Nikolai picked up his bag and checked that everything inside was properly secured. He then moved towards the doorway, allowing Veyl to step out first,
The passage was quiet with the sounds of the common room above only reaching them faintly.
"How long have you been travelling through this region?" Veyl asked.
"Long enough to know most of the roads," Nikolai replied. "I usually stay in one settlement for a few weeks, treat whoever needs help, and move on when there's little more, I can do."
"Must be difficult finding work in smaller towns."
"Not particularly. People get injured everywhere whether there's a physician nearby or not."
Veyl gave a faint nod. He was about to ask another question when they approached the stairs leading back to the inn's common room.
Nikolai slowed slightly.
"By the way, is there anything else I should know about your grandfather? Any previous illness or injury that might help me understand his condition?"
"Nothing that I know of. He's been unwell for some time, but this is the first time I've seen him in such a state."
"I see."
They continued towards the stairs.
Veyl had just begun to step forward when Nikolai suddenly moved with astonishing speed, catching Veyl's arm before he could react. He twisted it sharply, then drove him against the stone wall. Veyl tried to pull free, but Nikolai was already moving, shifting his weight and knocking his footing away.
Veyl struck the wall hard with his leg. Trying to twist around and reach for his weapon, but Nikolai caught his arm and forced it behind his back. The movement was too quick for Veyl to understand what had happened. Only moments ago, the man had been calmly discussing with him.
Now he was trying to pin him to the ground.
"What the…"
Veyl drove his shoulder upwards, hitting Nikolai's chin managing to loosen hold for an instant. He attempted to turn and strike, but Nikolai shifted aside and forced him back down.
The struggle was brief but violent. Their movements sent a small wooden stool scraping across the floor, followed by the sound of something striking the wall.
Nikolai kept his weight over Veyl, trying to restrain him without allowing him to reach his weapons. Veyl, however refused to stay down and tried to throw Nikolai off balance.
Neither noticed that the noise had reached the room above.
Gavril had just reached the top of stairs and was speaking to the innkeeper about the water and oil when he heard the sudden commotion below.
He stopped.
Another heavy thud followed, along with the unmistakeable sound of a struggle.
Gavril turned towards the staircase.
"What in the…"
He left the innkeeper mid-sentence and hurried back down, one hand already reaching for the axe.
As he reached the bottom, he saw the two struggling.
Nikolai was holding Veyl down, one arm pressed against back while Veyl fought to free himself. For a brief moment, Gavril Couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
Gavril pulled his axe free and threw it towards Nikolai.
The weapon spun through the air.
Nikolai released Veyl and turned toward it.
Then, with a movement so quick Gavril barely followed it, he caught the axe by its handle.
He stood there holding it as though it had been handed to him.
Gavril froze.
For a moment, he simply stared at the weapon in Nikolai's hand trying to make sense of what he had just witnessed.
Oh, shit...