In order really reform the Day of Blakat, it's necessary to get the Yodhblakat to agree to it. Which means seeking out Rizalka, the acting High Priestess - and Alptraum's 'wife' according to Yodh tradition. Hopefully she's in a good mood.
"Or I could just kill her," Alptraum thinks. This may actually be easier than convincing her of anything. "Rizalka, where are you, you red-butted demon?" he calls out.
Something wizzes over Alptraum's head, between his ears and wings. "Who wants to know?" someone yells down from a parapet. "Oh.. is that you, Barsunala?" Rizalka asks next. Talk about shooting first and asking questions later..
"Of course it's me. The one of infinite patience and won't do horrible things to you for trying to shoot me in the head," Alptraum comments and flicks his ears. "See if I ever bother to come suggest something fun again, though."
"I've been wondering when you were gonna show!" Rizalka calls, then steps off the parapet to glide down.. somewhat. She really just uses her wings to break her fall, but still lands heavily and has to stand up straight afterwards. Then she grabs Alptraum's jaw and pulls him in for a kiss!
Alptraum goes glorblepth! He wasn't expecting that one! Wow, does she have bad breath. And an absurdly strong tongue; what does she lift little weights with it? The things he'll actually do for city unity; he kisses her back. Also grabs her butt and squeezes for good measure.
Rizalka breaks off the kiss and laughs at the butt-squeeze - she's pretty firm back there. "So, you missed me and needed another workout?" she asks, "Or are you here about the Day of Blakat?"
"Why can't it be both?" Alptraum counters as he taps her on the nose. "I've been thinking about both and had some ideas about the Day of Blakat in particular."
"Oh, both you say," Rizalka says with an arched eyebrow. Then she picks up Alptraum and slings him over her shoulder. "Let's get some privacy then!" she cackles, carrying him off into the temple.
"I am not a conquest! Or a possession!" Alptraum complains as he's carted off.
"But you can pretend for my sake, can't you?" the Yodhblakat asks. From this position, Alptraum mainly just gets a view of Rizalka's butt and where they've already been, if he can see past the woman's wings at all. "There's a proper way to negotiate with a Yodhblakat, you know."
"Get beat up?" Alptraum has to ask. "And of course I can pretend, but you forgot to bring a collar." He just likes digging the hole deeper, it seems.
Eventually they pass through several curtains that are really torn tapestries. The chamber Rizalka stops in is covered in colorful (if faded) rugs and tapestries actually, and there's even a tapestry that covers what is probably a straw mattress to serve as a bed. This is what Alptraum is deposited onto, while Rizalka starts rummaging through a chest that has also seen better days. "Nobody will hear us in here, so long as the screaming is kept low."
Alptraum oofs as he lands on his butt on the bed. Well, it's not really worse than beds he used growing up at least. "Your screaming, or mine?" Alptraum remarks offhandedly as he keeps an eye on the crazy bat. "So, about the Day of Blakat ... I've been thinking there's a way you could probably get more, and better, recruits than the current practice," he comments.
"Recruit from new police guards?" Rizalka asks, and turns around holding shackles.
Alptraum's brow arches at the shackles. "No. See, the recruits you currently get are only those whose parents couldn't afford good guards! Hardly people worthy of the honor of joining you. You should hold a contest instead; sort of like an atheltic games, where people compete to join! That way you get much better candidates!" he declares.
Rizalka actually pauses in thought for a moment. "Like.. fight to the death for the privilege of being a Yodhblakat?" As soon as she's spoken, however, she approaches Alptraum with the manacles. "Arms up!" she says with a grin.
Alptraum reluctantly lifts his arms. "Well, no, a fight to the death would be silly! You wouldn't get any recruits. More like contests to tests the skills they would need. Wrestling, thievery, drinking too much, and a disaster of a fashion sense, as examples," Alptraum offers. "So, instead of getting people who may or may not be good recruits, anyone who did will in those contests would excel!"
Click go the shackles, and the chain is then looped over a hook in the wall behind the bed. It's not enough to force Alptraum upright though, just enough to keep his hands over his head. "So.. hmm." Rizalka seems to think as she undoes Alptraum's pants. "Pile of clothes in center of arena, throw in naked girls.. see who comes out with most clothes."
"Hmmm .. that would attract all sorts of audiences," Alptraum has to admit. "You could add in a drinking contest too; test the burptitude of some."
"Drinking isn't that important," Rizalka notes, pulling off Alptraum's pants and starting to shed her own clothing. Given how many different pieces there are it could be awhile. "Although drunken brawling is a good skill. But.. not likely to get young girls for this. Are you suggesting we accept older girls - who have some skill already?"
"You have age groups! Some older, some younger!" Alptraum claims, grateful for hodge-podge clothes buying him some time. It means he can work more on picking those locks on the manacles with his claws.
"Don't want old women," Rizalka claims, shedding the last of her clothes (except for the bits of armor on her legs and arms, and a scarf). She climbs onto the bed and grabs Alptraum. Now it's her turn to knead and squeeze. "What other tests? Fighting.. well, they fight for clothes. You probably don't want there to be weapons though.."
"Well, no. Dead contestants means less members," Alptraum points out as he squirms. "Oh, I know .... makeshift weapons making. Give them pikes of junk and see what each person can cobble together under a time limit."
"Hmmm.." Rizalka considers, then decides to use her mouth to make sure Alptraum is properly ready for his husbandly duties while she thinks about it.
This would probably be more exiting if Alptraum wasn't afraid she might try to bite things off! But, even that can get a reaction! It's also really good in getting him to shut up as he can't think straight now.
There's a 'pop' sound when Rizalka feels Alptraum is ready enough (since she can feel his pulse through her tongue) and lets go. Only to straddle him. She doesn't start moving yet though, still thinking about tests. "Screaming, that's an important one. Will have to see how well they can scare people. Will need some people to scare," she suggests.
"Aha! I know how to handle that. It's a game called a haunted house. People actually pay you to go in and have people scare them!" Alptraum squeaks. "So, contestants set up and see how well they can scare people in a spooky layout ... and people even pay to go in to get scared! Believe it or not, yes, people do that."
Rizalka grins at that idea, and starts grinding to show that she likes it. "Hmmm, might work with some.. changes," she notes. "Got to scare them and take something from them. May have to do it in the Temple though.."
"Oh, well ... instead of paying they come in and you have to scare them into dropping something?" Alptraum suggests. "Advertized the right way ... bet you would get a lot of willing victi .. customers."
"Drop? So long as a trophy is taken!" Rizalka says, leaning forward now. "Maybe have a hunt too. Hide and Squeak."
"Hah, yeah! That might work too!" Alptraum says as he arches into it. "See, you can still do all sorts of things to people in these games and they'll pay for it, if it's billed right and can be made to look fun!"
"And candidates have to fight the Yodhblakat in Blakatball too!" Rizalka suggests, and starts bouncing up and down on Alptraum's hips.
"Well, you can't do too much! Maybe decide on a few things and focus on them?" Alptraum asks while he marvels at the Blakat's muscle tone on the inside. Rizalka could break a bottle. Oddly, it does feel kinda good, though, and he's pushing back against her!
"Unf, gotta test them against Yodhblakat somehow though," Rizalka notes as she picks up her pace.
"Well, yes, sure! The first games weed out contestants to the most skilled, then those play a round against the Yodhblakat," Alptraum suggests. "It would all be quite the spectacle."
"Got to make sure there's no betting on candidates though," Rizalka notes. "So nobody can know who they are before testing." She squeezes then, trying to 'capture' Alptraum.
"Erk!" goes Alptraum as he's held fast. Egad. It's almost as bad as Nicora's cramping! "Well, that's easy," he squeaks, "Final contestants are announced just before the game."
"Or we take everyone's money first!" Rizalka suggests, clearly pleased by the squeak. She does ease up some, however.
"Or there's that, too. Admissions fee, of course!" Alptraum hisses out.
"We do that for Blakatball games," Rizalka says, and leans all the way forward now, lying atop Alptraum. Her nose is against his forehead, when she says, "Now you have to buck me off. Also.. think Yodhrephath willing to play an exhibition game against us?"
Alptraum draws his feet up so that he can actually use his legs. His toes clench as he takes hold of the tapestry beneath them. "Oh, I can't imagine Koldesh would pass up a chance at kicking your butt," Alptraum whispers to Rizalka, then shoves hard with his legs and hips to try and dislodge the Yodhblakat!
"Ahaha!" Rizalka laughs at the impact. "That's it.. try harder! Bang my head into the wall! And you convince her for me."
Alptraum does indeed try harder! He also twists side to side to try and throw Rizalka off of him! "Gah, why me? Koldesh doesn't particularly care for me!" he complains.
"Because this is all your idea!" Rizalka claims, and then bites Alptraum's shoulder before grabbing onto his wrists.
This also makes Alptraum squeak! "Hey! I'm the one who bites!" he complains and keeps thrashing to try and dislodge the looney.
From this position, each attempt to throw off Rizalka results in Alptraum getting struck in the face.. by one of the Yodhblakat's breasts. At least they don't hurt. "Oh, so why aren't you biting then?" Rizalka teases.
Alptraum demonstrates he has fangs, because when he bites that slapping breast those fangs go in.
"Ow!" Rizalka purrs. Then she reaches past Alptraum's wrists to slip the shackle chain off its hook. "Now you're getting into things!" she laughs.
This also gives Alptraum a chance for a meal, so he takes it! Right along with suddenly wrapping that chain around Rizalka's neck so that he can, well, make her feel a bit lightheaded in revenge for all of this!
Being slightly choked seems to really turn Rizalka on, though. She starts bearing down more, and clenching. Yodhblakat have some kinks.
Alptraum learns something new! Though he has to be careful not to, well, kill her! So, not only is he using the chains, he starts using the shadow to keep an eye on her body to make sure she isn't in any serious danger! The side effect of well, feeling really good when he infuses her probably helps!
Of course, this means Alptraum is subject to feedback from Rizalka's body as well, and when she has her first climax from the biting and choking, it hits pretty hard!
Curse you feedback, you win this time! Because it sends the poor bat's body onto overload and well, he feels like he practically explodes! Granted he doesn't actually explode, but egad, he's seeing spots as his brain tries to shut down!
But Rizalka doesn't let up! She's pulling back toward a sitting position, which drags Alptraum due to the hold on her breast and neck. She's really grinding and squeazing and laughing in a somewhat gasping manner.
Alptraum has to let go of the chain-choke some or she might really get hurt! Boy, does he feel light-headed by this point too, through somehow his jaws manage to hand on! Perhaps muscle spasms in the jaws are helping there, who knows? The poor bat also keeps bucking, somehow. His back is going to hurt after this, though.
With the chains slacking off, Rizalka grabs Alptraum's wrists again, and bites down on the chain. She probably hasn't noticed the shadow at all, since her eyes are closed. But maybe she knows Alptraum is plugged into her in more ways than one, or maybe she doesn't care. She slams down hard enough to cause the man's pelvis to ache, and explodes again.
Alptraum actually withdraws the shadow from the Yodhblakat, because he can't take the massive feedback it's giving him. He then starts bucking again as he tries to dislodge her! At least he also remembers to stop biting...
With the biting ended, Rizalka can really smell the blood. She takes a deeeeep breath, and says, "Alright, you get to be on top now."
"Give me a minute to recover," Alptraum wheezes.
"Recover?" Rizalka asks. "Did I hurt you?" she purrs. It's a very growly sort of purr though.
"Hah, no," Alptraum says, then hooks his leg around hers and pulls to the side to roll her over so that he's on top.
"You got me all excited too!" Rizalka complains once she's on her back. "You better make this good," she warns. "Or I'll leave the shackles on and toss you in with the barinalas."
"That's not much of a threat," Alptraum points out as he pushes her down into the tapestry. Then he starts up ... there's no what he can give quite as rough of a ride, but he can use the shadow again to make things doubly intense for her. Also for him, but he'll manage.
"Hey, are you using magic on me?" Rizalka asks. This time she notices the shadow! "What's it going to do?"
"You'll find out," Alptraum says with an evil grin. Right before the shadow does its trick of making it feel like she was just licked on the inside.
"Oooo, this isn't bad," the Yodhblakat admits. "What else can it do-oooooo?"
Alptraum makes it so that it feels like to her that she has snakes squirming around inside her. In a nice way, of course. Then there are the tentacles that tickle her ears and even go the way of Gorphat's mouth ... all the while he's grunting away at her.
"Ahahaha!" Rizalka laughs and gasps, and still manages to move her hips a bit through all of the other distractions. "Should make this a test!"
"Hah, no. I couldn't manage testing that many people!" Alptraum retorts.
"Will.. will.. just use Fluffy then.. somehow.." Rizalka pants.
"Egad. That might be a bad idea," Alptraum admits. Then he tries to make her forget about that idea by using the shadow all over, even tickling her ears and giving her something to well, suck and bite on.
"Glarp!" Rizalka says as she bites down on shadow, and squirms the rest of her body.
So, Rizalka has a wiggly shadow-thing in her mouth, her ears, behind, and Alptraum is pounding on now too! This better satisfy the loony bat, darn it.
There's a flash of feedback, proving that she is enjoying it at least.. but whether she's satisfied or not depends, because she's still squirming and hip-bucking.
So, Alptraum focuses on trying to overwhelm the Eeee with sensations from both the shadow and his movement! Heck, he even uses the shadow to make it seem like he's 'hung like a rhian' so to speak with shadow overlay. Not much fun for him, of course, as he has to focus on controlling everything, but that's okay.
Rizalka nearly bites through the shadow as she starts gasping for breath! The last surge pushes her over her limit, certainly, because now the squirming is mostly twitching.
Alptraum at least spares her from the shadow-gag ... and now with her twitching, he shifts on his own enjoyment. So ... that means she'll probably stay right on that peak until he peaks! Which, given he did a bit ago means it's another good ten minutes before he does again! So, ten minutes of Rizalka stuck on overwhelming twitch.
"Cruel.. cruel man.." Rizalka hisses once Alptraum finishes. "I like it! And of course we must use Fluffy, it's the Temple mascot. A test of bravery... to be hugged by Fluffy.."
Alptraum eventually does collapse and wheezes for a bit. "Have you been hugged by Fluffy?" he has to ask agter he can, well, talk again.
"Of course, he likes to play," Rizalka says. "Besides, Yodhblakat have traditionally been the ones who fight monsters. Got to be either brave or crazy.. so Fluffy is a good test of both."
Alptraum snorts. "Well, fair enough I suppose. Can't have them all having to kiss the High Priestess of Gorphat after all," he says.
"This is for the Day of Blakat, not Gorphat's kissing booth," Rizalka points out, and then squeezes Alptraum between her legs. "Yodhblakat don't need to know how to kiss, unless they're going to be stealing them."
"Yes, but you have to admit she is nastier than Fluffy," Alptraum points out and taps her nose. "But, seems like you're interested in the contest idea. I'll find you some venues that you can use."
"Venues?" Rizalka asks. "Why wouldn't just use our usual stadium? Everyone knows where that is already!"
"Well, it might be used! Will have to see what would work best, is all," Alptraum says, "This will help build Blakat support, after all, so need to think bigger than what already exists."
"We.. are the only ones who use it!" Rizalka says, and sits up, forcing Alptraum up as well. "Is someone else using our stadium? We claimed it!" Then she blinks and asks, "Bigger? What is bigger than the stadium where we play Blakatball?"
"Bigger as in grander, not just size," Alptraum says and taps her nose. "The stadium is fine for the actual game, but the other parts of the tests will probably need other locations. We can't rebuild the stadium for each test, after all."
"But.. hmm," Rizalka grumps and crosses her arms, having to think again.
So, Alptraum tickles her. "Just keep an open mind," he requests. "Think about it."
"Nobody's using the Streets Below anymore," Rizalka grumbles. "Maybe Rat Town for hunting contest.."
"That ... might bring up bad memories," Alptraum points out.
"Yes! Most candidates will come from Streets Below!" Rizalka says. "That's where they got tough. But they need to be tough enough to overcome their old traumas! Yodhblakat eat trauma for breakfast!"
"Well, I'll think on it then," Alptraum concedes.
"Well, you find me a better Hide and Squeak and haunted ruins," Rizalka says with a grin.
"Well, that I have to concede," Alptraum grumbles.
"I'll settle for scary ruins," Rizalka says. "Otherwise I have to use the Temple, and that means disarming soooo many death-traps."
"That would just be horrible. I mean, you would have to do work," Alptraum laments.
"Yodhblakat are not good at work, unless it is holy work," Rizalka agrees. "Also, that is a duty that Acolytes perform. Acolytes do do work."
"Careful, or you may become Yodhgorphat," Alptraum teases. "Those liked to lay about too..."
"We don't lay about!" Rizalka claims, and thumps her chest. "We work out! Training, fighting, wrestling giant pigs.. that isn't laying about."
"Intimacy with giant pigs too?" Alptraum inquires suspiciously.
"Wrestling them into submission," Rizalka clarifies. "It's either that or wrestling each other, which.. we also do anyway."
"Oh, that's what I thought you meant," Alptraum says with a wide grin.
"Are you teasing me?" Rizalka asks, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Of course I am," Alptraum says as he tries to wiggle out from between her legs. "I'm allowed."
At first, Rizalka keeps her legs clamped around him, but eventually lets go. "Only because you're my husband," she claims. "Now, tell me something nice so that I will unlock that shackles."
"You're more entertaining than Koldesh," Alptraum tries.
"That is a statement of fact, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt," Rizalka says, really struggling with the word give. She gets up and starts rummaging through the trunk again. "I know it's in here somewhere.."
And Alptraum resumes just trying to pick the lock using claws and shadow while she looks. He does know how to pick locks, after all.
So it turns out that he gets the lock open on one shackle before Rizalka finds the key. "Hey, are you cheating?" she demands, wagging the key at him.
"How is it cheating that I am stealing my freedom?" Alptraum points out and arches his eyebrow.
"No, stealing would be taking the shackles with you," Rizalka claims, and unlocks the second shackle herself, sot that Alptraum can't steal them and the key. "I should keep your pants as a trophy.. but you technically count as a barblakat so I can't."
"Hah, do I? Good to know," Alptraum claims as he dresses now. "And you do realize I can make my own pants anyway with the shadow. I'm frustrating that way."
"You could also be using it to fondly yourself all the time," Rizalka points out. "But you don't, do you?"
"No, because I have better things to do," Alptraum notes.
"Mmmm-hmmm," Rizalka says. "Did you not realize it was an option until I mentioned it?"
"No. It just wouldn't be that fun. I prefer a partner over just myself," Alptraum notes and shrugs. "Half the fun of sex is having someone to be with and laugh at each other at over how goofy it gets."
"Hah! I am never goofy, and always amazing!" Rizalka claims. "Just ask.. I can't tell the barinala apart.. but there was.. wait.. no, he died right afterwards.. hmmm. Well, there's you!"
Alptraum grins toothily. "I'm half-tempted to surprise the Barinala while I'm here just to scare them," he remarks.
"They have delicate constitutions you know," Rizalka points out, but doesn't say 'don't do it' all the same. "Now that we're all pregnant they are already on edge."
Alptraum laughs. "It's scary to think of you all as being pregnant. And worse ... you asked a Yodhgorphat to make you perpetually horny to make it happen. Yes, I know all about that," he remarks.
"Well.. the Yodh should cooperate every so often..." Rizalka mumbles. "The barinala are too skittish though. I wanted to use them as nannies when the time comes, but maybe I should look into that further."
"Well, with the right hormones you could even get them to grow breasts and nurse children," Alptraum jokes.
"Bah, we'll do that ourselves," Rizalka says, and beats her chest once more. "They need strong milk!"
"Not if you keep beating your breasts like they're a drum," Alptraum points out. "Too much scarring will make them not work."
"I'll have the Yodhsunala.. eh.. Yodhrinala.. fix them!" she claims. "I only beat the left one. Right one is fine!" She throws the shackles and key back into the trunk-of-stuff, and says, "Don't wait too long before seeing Koldesh. I need to know what to plan around!"
"Right, right, I'll see her as soon as I can," Alptraum agrees and heads towards the chamber door. "Glad you seem to like this idea, I think it'll work out well for everyone."
"Could be fun, and show that we're part of the New Babel too," Rizalka says, then grins. "Don't spring any of the death traps on your way out, or you'll have to reset them yourself."
"That's what acolytes are for," Alptraum retorts as he heads out the door.
At least he got to see the path coming in, so it's just a matter of retracing it. Once outside of the Temple, he can see the refugee camp not so very far away. It seems to have moved slighter higher up the mountain since last time.
Amidst all the makeshift shelters, there's a single white tent, which deliberately stands out.
"Ah, yes, the Doctor and her child. I should see how they are faring," Alptraum mutters to himself and heads towards the white tent. If anyone in the camp stares, well, he's pretty used to it.
The people in the camp still keep pretty much to themselves, but they do recognize Alptraum as 'not one of us' and pay cautious attention. Just outside of the tent, a familiar scaled form is boiling water in a big ceramic cauldron. Since it's Swix, the Naga is staring at the water waiting for it to boil.
"Hello Swix, how are you doing these days?" Alptraum asks of the naga as he approaches. "Is your health any better?"
"Hello," the boy says, and looks up with a Naga-smile. "We have health here. Do you need health? It is the best health."
Alptraum's brow arches a little. "Do you not remember me? I do not need any help today, I am here to check on you," he says.
"Yes?" the boy asks. "I'm boiling the water for mommy. It's not for soup."
"How is your mother doing?" Alptraum asks. "Do you still see your skreek friend?"
"Wretch! See him... often? He visits," Swix says, bobbing his head. "Mommy is good. She didn't kill her friend, but she wanted to! But maybe he wasn't her friend. Everyone should be her friend."
"Can I see her?" Alptraum inquires. "If she is busy, I do not wish to interrupt."
"Not busy! Washing up," Swix says. "Washing is important. I'm boiling the water."
"May I go in, then?" Alptraum asks.
This request seems to flummox Swix for a moment. Maybe he isn't used to being asked permission for things. "Yes?" he says. "Through the flap," he adds, in case Alptraum doesn't know how tents work.
"Thank you, Swix," Alptraum says and steps forward, then through the flap and into the makeshift hospital.
There's a single lantern burning, and the need for washing is apparent from the odor. There is a bowl under a stained operating table that has a layer of dried blood in it, and there's blood in other places. This may be due to the table not having any sort of restraints. There are however several leather-wrapped bits for biting down on, but those seem to already be clean. The doctor's own coloration helps to hide any bloodstains she might have, as she scrubs her arms. "Where doess it hurt?" she asks without turning around.
"My soul," Alptraum remarks. "This place should be kept cleaner."
"The water is boiling," Sesstha points out as she turns and regards her visitor. "Antiseptic is ressserved for ssurgeries." She looks tired. Even more so than she did in the Pit. "If you are here because of that Naga.. I only ssscared him."
"Actually, I'm here to see how you are doing. Do you not remember who I am?" Alptraum inquires. "Am I that forgettable and commonplace now?"
"I know who you are," Sesstha says. "But I am alsso tired and do not know the proper way to ressspond to you. I am performing my penance. Swix is helping me today. I'm ssstill alive, as are the majority of my patients. I did not take revenge on someone I dearly wisshed to."
"Are you feeling better, if tired?" Alptraum asks as he sits just on the edge of the stained table. "Who is this naga of whom you speak?"
"I feel.. useful," the doctor notes. "That iss better than feeling awful. The Naga.. was one of those that held me prisoner asss a toy when I wass younger. He did not remember me, but I remembered him. His tail was infected. I had to remove a foot of it and burn the diseased flesh that remained. I did not turn him away or casstrate him."
Alptraum nods slowly. "Useful is good. As for the naga, it is good that you did not give into your urges, but ... you should at least report him to the guard so they can watch him ... and if he does anything more, they can act," he notes.
"He iss old," Sesstha claims. "If I report him to the Yodhblakat, they will probably kill him. Ssso, perhapss he did recognize me, but hoped I had forgotten him? The Yodh do not tolerate anyone harassing me or Swix. They are also harsh on those that make false accusations."
"I mean the actual city guard, not the Yodhblakat," Alptraum notes, then shrugs. "But, your choice. If you wish to let things go as the past and done, that is good too. Anyway, you said you are tired, which means you should get more rest. I am still investigating options for Swix."
"I am not one who can judge others for their passst deeds," Sesstha claims, and slumps a bit. "I will resst when the tools have been sterilized. I am interviewing potential apprenticess now. It iss.. difficult."
"Do you think Swix can be made normal?" Sesstha asks, with almost a hint of fear in her voice.
"Finding someone qualified?" Alptraum inquires. "As for do I think he could ... I think it is possible, yes. That scares you."
"Would he know what I've done then?" Sesstha asks, voicing her fear.
"I expect he would figure it out in time, yes," Alptraum says.
"Do you prefer him to never know?" the Eeee adds. "Leaving him as he is hurts him too, and you. This is not an easy choice."
Sesstha pauses in her scrubbing. "I want what iss best for him," she says. "I alwayss have. He wass all that got me through.. things. To have him look at me with scorn, or fear... But his memory will not change, will it?"
"No, his memories would not change," Alptraum says. "I don't know if he would see you any differently. You did what you could."
"Let me know if you think of a treatment," Sesstha says. "Please. I want him to be able to live without me. To at leassst have that choice. Or to replace me someday."
"I will. And for what it is worth I think in time your life will show that when it comes to being weighed, your acts to help people will overshadow what you did to survive," Alptraum says as he pushes himself off the table. "I know at least a few that were in your care forgave you."
"It's harder to forgive yourself," the doctor claims. "And if you know anyone with medical aptitude and no sssense of fear, ssend them my way?"
"Why no sense of fear?" Alptraum asks.
"Because the illnesses and injuries and patients can be scary," Sesstha says. "No sense of smells would alssso be a boon. Actually.. are there any Yodhgorphat that can wield a scalpel?"
"I .. do not know. You would have to ask their High Priestess," Alptraum admits and shrugs.
"Then someone from that camp, perhapsss. A Yodhrinala comes every few days to help, mosstly to restock my supplies. She says there will be more help sssoon, after the Day of Blakat has passed."
"You could go to the Temple of Gorphat and interview. I imagine the High Priestess would be fine with that," Alptraum notes. "I hear they had people recently ask to join the temple. One may wish medical training."
The reptile's tongue flicks out slowly. "That may be promising. I will asssk for leave to visit," she says.
"Just bear in mind the High Priestess herself is ... pretty vile in appearance, but she cares about people," Alptraum notes. "She uses her body to breed treatments and find cures."
"I could use ssssome of that here," Sesstha notes, rubbing the side of her snout now. "I wonder if they keep well?"
"You would have to ask there. I wouldn't know," Alptraum claims. "And I should be going so you can finish cleaning and get some rest."
"Thank you for checking in on usss," Sesstha says, then looks at Alptraum a moment longer. "Do you think I should be forgiven?"
"I think you deserved the chance to find the answer to that question," Alptraum says as he heads for the tent flap. "A parent will do anything for their children; that's nature. But, that does not spare them from the pain if it goes against what they would do otherwise. You feeling guilt and being willing to help now ... I would have to answer yes."
"Hmmm," the doctor says. "Thank you." Outside the open flap, Swix looks up and waves at Alptraum. "It's boiling!" he says proudly, pointing to the cauldron as it starts to bubble.
"Yes, it is. Good work, Swix!" Alptraum tells the boy and even offers him a smile. "Help your mom clean up and they you should both get some rest. I wish both of you a good rest and a brighter day tomorrow."