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Alwyn awoke in pain Immediately he felt for the severe numbness in his left arm. He could not move it and any attempt left was met with an intense stinging pain. As if there were molten streams of fire running in his veins. He did not recognize this bed, nor the room. Someone had to have put him here. Slowly the memories from his doctors visit came back.
Moving was not an option and for now he would hope it was the doctors office where he now lay. And in that hope. an uneasy sleep overcame him.
When Alwyn awoke again, he was not alone. He tröd to get up immediately but his muscles moves slowly, and his arm immediately made him lie down again. "Who are you?" Alwyn croaked. The visitor gave a chuckle. "I'd think you'd know whose place you barged into" "I am Geldon. You came by for treatment. Oh, and you have enjoyed my bed for three days now."
A hoarse laug escaped Alwyn. "Many thanks for your hospitality"
"Oh, don't mention it. You were quite the commendable subject in my experiments" At that Alwyns eyes narrowed. "What experiments?" "No need to worry. I contained the poison in your arm, then neutralised what was left. You may owe your life the young lady that was here before." Alwyn was confused. "What happened when I was asleep?" Geldon then began the tale of Alwyns collapse, the chanced discovery of fire as a remedy to a far too detailed version on how he mutilated Alwyns arm to get rid of the poison. Though, when wasked about the girl, Geldon refused. "It is bad enough I treated you, making me involved in your... business. I need you to tell me now, stranger, who are you and who is after you?"
"After me? Well. I do not know myself. And my name, I'd rather not part with" Again the doctor began to laugh. "Here you are, unable to move, relying on my skill of work and thinking you can keep secrets on the sickbed. No, you will tell me. If what I fear is true, you being here made me a fugitive also. Speak now or the pain you were spared in your sleep will find you again." and with that he brought a vial and syringe from his waist, demonstrating them in front of Alwyns face. "Guess I am not the only sick man in the room" Alwyn sighed.
"Not by a long shot" the old man grimaced. Thus Alwyn told Geldon of what perspired the day he came to the doctors place, though he deliberately left out the search for the girl. "Are you not forgetting something?" Geldon held up the satchel, round with the Gesta still inside, Alwyn said nothing. "Don't play games with me. This is why they are after you, is it not so?" "How did you come by it? And do tell me, why Morcant has disappeared. I;m sure you now who I am talking about?" Again Alwyn looked at him for a while. Neither spoke and both seemed to want to read the other person's face.
"Who are you to Morcant?" Alwyn finally asked. "An acquaintance and he is dear to my friend." "The girl?" "It's your turn to speak." "Alright, alright. You already hold the cards in your hand. Do you not know what it is?" "You tell me." "Well, not that I know much myself, but you holding it now makes your life forfeit. It's name is 'Gesta'". The old man sighed.
"Well, that is... not great to hear. So - a I involved now? Or can I still sell you out?" "You will die trying." "I don't think so. But not to worry, I'd rather not have gotten involved at all, but if I am right, then we do share in opposition. Please go on, and do tell what happened to old Morcant."
"We met. Just a day before I came here. Morcant invited me into his home. After I woke, he was gone, and somehow he appeared again, in the Gesta, and told me to hurry."
"The girl came then, and I hid, not knowing what happened that night, and why Morcant disappeared. Then I happened ypon the shadows I told you before. The rest you already know."
"And why do you have it?" "An errand, from an old.. friend. Without direction, just the orb itself." "That doesn't sound like a the full story." Alwyn gave a dry laugh. "Yeah, doesn't it? I'm just the fool that seems to stumble upon ill fate after ill fate." "Il fate you say? That may be so.. or not. But also you came upon me and Nimweh, the giel, when your life was almost gone. Now, maybe you can solve this riddle a bit more. Who is that friend that gave you the Gesta?"
"Sir Beor Elmhold." The doctors eyes sank. "Then it is true. The old Guard is awake again. As a healer I get to hear lots of things and see many a people. Do you know what binds Sir Elmhold to Morcant?" There was a questioning look in Alwyns eyes. "They were part of an order, long time ago. Fools I thought then, working against an imaginary enemy. The Old Guard, nothing but a shadow of a rumour. But now, now have they gotten to him? Are they here now, in this town?"
Alwyns ears peaked up. Geldon knew, he knew Sir Elmhold and might know about the connections, the Gesta and the city of his dream, and where to find it.
"The order, does it still exist? What are they called?" "The Welonwar. Frankly, that is about all I know. I was invited once, but I was not going to partake in their foolish games. They do not reveal themselves to outsiders. And for good reason, it now seems."
"Would the girl, Nimweh, know more about it?" Geldons answer came swift. "No, I doubt that. And do not drag her into your mess. I will help you, but you will keep her out of this." "I need to start somewhere. Though perhaps you may help me in another way. Where did you meet those who invited you into the Welonwar?"
"Danoen, I think it was." "Does it have a library?" The doctor scoffed. "Young folk. The most substantial ones in our norther lands at that." He eyed him curiously. "You should know about that".
Alwyn grew a tad embarrassed. He had long ignored learning about the history of the world, spending rather his days in training and battle. He knew where it lay, at least. "Danoen... Then maybe that is where I must go. If the order still exists, can you give me direction to how or where I might contact them?"
"I cannot. But look for the white flower. You may come to find them on your own. That is their coat, their symbol. A flower springing from the eye."