2 First Ones, 6105

After Sweet Destiny released The Siren's Tail at the Stygian Paquebot for repairs (generously funded by the de Bellefeuilles) the yacht set a course home for Rephidim. The grim journey was not enlivened by the death of Lord Dominic haut Glas, three days after their departure from the Stygian Paquebot. Elise de Bellefeuille's injuries showed some signs of improvement, but on the sixth day, Grant de Ayde took a turn for the worse, a lingering infection in the chest wound rendering him feverish and nauseous, unable to eat much, or keep down what he did consume.

But he survived until the dock at Rephidim, and was rushed to the care of Temple Life mages on arrival. Lady de Bellefeuille contacted the College, with rather less urgency, about having a mage see to Secrets – whose wing is broken, and has been unable to fly since the attack on Siren.

The two ladies de Bellefeuille accompany de Ayde to the Temple infirmary, though the Life mage attending to him politely, but firmly, insists that they wait without while he is treated. Lady Katherine sits in one of the chairs of the waiting room, her hands folded together in her lap, her head bowed over them.

Elise herself sits across from her sister Katherine, her wounds and general outfit tending to require her a bit of room when she sits down – and the empty row of chairs across from her sister serves that purpose nicely. "I am quite sure he will be fine, my sister. Lord Grand de Ayde is a strong man," she tells her sister hopefully.

"So was Lord haut Glas," Katherine replies, her voice dulled by worry. She turns her head to watch the doors to the mage's chamber. "You don't have to stay, 'lise. You need rest, too. Your leg is still bothering you, isn't it?"

"I am quite adept at resting wherever I lay, I assure you, my sweet sister," answers Elise. She tries to smile, but the smile turns in to a wince. "Just do not ask me to move from this spot soon. I think I might arrange my home and office to be set up right here."

Some hours pass with no word from the Life mage, though an occasional Temple servant wanders through to inquire if the ladies need anything. At last, an attendant emerges from the chamber. "The mage believes Lord de Ayde will be well. His spell has made considerable progress. However, the lord is resting now, and should not be disturbed for twenty-four hours, that the magic may have time to work."

Elise looks up slowly, the action renewing the dull pain of the welt the crossbow left when it rebounded off her helmet. "May They be praised," the noblewoman says, tired relief echoing in her words. With a glance she looks to see what her sister's reaction is to the fortunate news.

On Katherine's face is a hesitant smile, as if there were too much fear in her for even seemingly good news to pierce it. She nods to the attendant's words, then looks to her sister, as if to say, What next?

The elder de Bellefeuille gives her sister an uncertain response, glancing from the worker to the door then back again. As if to say she was still in the process of deciding. "Tell me," she then inquires of the worker, "has Inquisitrix Faith returned from her mission in Gallis?"

"I do not know, m'lady, but I may inquire for you," the man answers.

"Please do," Elise answers.

It takes some time for a servant to return with news, and if Elise were not a noble, she might wonder if it would not have been easier faster to inquire herself. Katherine has time to rouse from her own dark thoughts and say, "What do you wish of the Inquisitrix, Elise?"

Elise has closed her eyes while she waits, laying her head back against the wall in something that looks like the refuge of comfort only someone either tired or in great pain would take to – and in Elise's case she is suffering both. It's entirely an unacceptable way for a lady to recline most certainly. "Inquisitrix Faith performed the investigation in to Gallis at my direction. She was to be my second line of screening should our mission to rescue you come to naught. She may also have information as to who your captors would have met with," the elder sister answers.

"It hardly matters much now, does it?" Katherine answers. She stands with sudden decision. "We should go home. We have been gone too long already."

"Katherine, please sit down. I am in no condition to be hopping about so soon. Let me rest and speak with the Inquisitrix," asks Elise, who doesn't stir from her head-back position of rest.

"Katherine, I really must speak with the Inquisitrix. It is important I am made aware of any vital information. And I would like to sit here a bit more, if at all possible," says Elise. She hasn't shifted much over the hours, only adjusting her head to legs on occasion to get comfortable.

The other poodle sets her jaw. "We should have the Life mage look at you while we are here," she says, concerned. With that, she departs, presumably in search of a doctor.

Elise bites her lip after her sister departs. Well then … I suppose I should get this over with. Her eyes blink open, and she squints to adjust to the soft glow of the plate above before lifting her head and preparing to look more presentable.

At last, a young Cervani in Temple robes enters, bowing to Elise. "My lady, the Inquisitrix Faith is in Gallis at this time. Is there another who might be of assistance to you?"

Inclining her head as best she can, which is barely anything, Elise answers with, "Is her immediate superior available?"

"I do not believe so, my lady. It is very late in the evening, and the Arch-Inquisitors seldom work so late," the acolyte replies, with another bow.

"Who is available?" asks Elise, sounding faintly annoyed. Her eyes turn to focus more intently on the acolyte.

"Ah … there are some Investigators on duty, my lady, and a few Inquisitors." The deer shifts nervously. "One of them might be able to assist you, depending on what you require."

"Are any of them familiar with my case? That is, the abduction of my sister and the related matters of how that was resolved?" the lady inquires.

The Cervani blinks a few times. Elise gets the impression that she is not familiar with the details of Katherine's abduction. "I would have to make some inquiries," the deer answers.

Elise lets her head fall back and closes her eyes once again. "Yes, yes … do that please. I cannot very well discuss matters with someone who has no idea what I am referring to," she orders the doe acolyte, opening her eyes again to give the doe a brief accusing look towards the end of her second sentence.

Another bow, and the acolyte vanishes.

Katherine returns before the Cervani, or anyone else from the Inquisition, bringing with her a pair of interns and a wheeled table. The two proceed to load Elise onto the table, despite her protests, and steer her to an examination chamber.

"Unhand me," protests Elise as she gets hauled up on the table. Weakened by her wounds, exhaustion, and pain, the elder de Bellefeuille sister is in no condition to resist with more than words. So she gets picked up, and wheeled away. "This is unacceptable. I will not be manhandled and wheeled about. Katherine? Katherine, I know you are standing there. Katherine … " Her voice trails off as she gets pushed past the door.