Lightfoot's Apothecary & Thaumaturgical Supplies
The public area of this shop in Rephidim's Merchant Quarter is rather small. An L-shaped counter separates the front of the store from the storage shelves that take up the bulk of the space, and also runs down along one wall holding various over-the-counter products and remedies. Two small circular tables and a few chairs occupy the corner next to the front window. A small cabinet rests against the wall beneath a large cork bulletin board covered with notices of Mage Wanted and Job Wanted ads. A large beaker of tea is kept hot on the cabinet, which also holds cups and a basket of pastries.

A visit to one of the public Temple services has not left the Karnors feeling any more at home. Aside from the obscure references to historical events and the ambiguous moral of "follow our authority even if you know it's wrong," the fancifully decorated service hall and calls of veneration for the First Ones didn't give them much confidence in dealing with the Temple.

"It's a mish-mash of nonsense and worship of ancient technology," Dr. Zerachiel suggests as he pours himself some of the complementary tea. "It reminds me of those cults that popped up when the first Sifra archaeological sites were discovered."

"I was expecting something more… militant," Akkers notes. "And from what I've seen of the structure, I really can't say if the Temple is the Ark or not. It's been so overgrown with extra construction now."

Remiel is quiet as usual, and only comments, "I wonder what myths have taken hold on Abaddon after all this time. What's the point of taking the crystals there if they're just going to be set up in some shrine?"

"Are you rethinkin' 'eading to Abaddon, then," Tasha inquires as she sips at one of Aaron's tea drinks, a 'Rash Raspberry' flavor she said sounded a bit like her. "Or, do you think we can 'andle it some other way? Examine them ourselves? Try an salvage ol' technology?"

"Abaddon is still our best bet," Akkers says. "I just wish we had more information on what it's like there now."

"Well, I suppose you could ask someone who's been there," Aaron offers from behind the counter.

Tasha sips her tea again, frowning in thought. After a moment she offers, "I was jus' abou' to say tha'. Trade between Abaddon and Sinai is becomin' more an' more common, especially in the metals market, an' the organics. We could' ask someone in those markets an' narrow it down to someone who 'as been there. An', the closer we are to Gateway the more information will be available."

"If this city is the hub of trade it's made out to be, there should be someone here who has visited the world at least," Zerachiel suggests.

"I know of one fellow who has," Aaron mutters. "But he can be hard to contact. He usually drops by if he's in town though, to go drinking."

Nodding to that, Tasha offers, "Then our bes' bets are the scholars, the tradesmen, or the adventurers. Maybe even the religions types, bu' you're goin' to get more o' the Temple-sort tha' way. Scholars ought an' be near the colleges; both doctors coul' claim to be scholars o' ancient matters themselves, an' try an' get an audience. The others we can jus' approach directly. They'll be at the docks."

"There are few mages who worked on Abaddon… well, in a part of it anyway," Aaron notes. "Spring Meadow might know who they were, or can find out."

"Then we ought an' decide if we should split up or go together," says the Vartan. "I'm o' the mind you all still need time to adjus', an' lettn' you go alone anywhere migh' raise eyebrows if you say the wrong thing. 'Course, mos' will jus' think your barmey, bu' a few migh' see more to it – 'especially scholars and Temple folk, like Technopriests an' Inquisitors. I say we jus' visit each one by one until we find wha' we're lookin' for."

"Errr," the Lapi goes, as the Karnors seem ready to do just that. "Once you've visited one, chances are the others will know about it quickly, and that could get back to the Temple," he cautions.

Tasha's brows raise. "Are they really tha' connected, Aaron? They'll report us jus' if we ask abou' Abaddon an' its people?"

"Well, it depends on what you want to ask about," Aaron notes. "Scholars tend to specialize, and I'm not sure if we'll be able to find one that focuses on the Gateway Worlds outside of the Temple. There's very little known publicly about those worlds, and what information there is comes from first or second-hand accounts of people who've been there. Plus, things have probably changed a lot already since the first visitors from Sinai made it there."

"Well, oi." Tasha puts her glass down and glances towards the window. "Who's this man o' yours then, Aaron? Wha' will we do if we can' reach 'im, any ideas? All I know o' the Gateway worlds is tha' they exist, an' tha' some trade is lucrative, if you can get the righ' charters – an' we're no' the righ' people to get the righ' charters."

The Lapi tugs on his black ear, and says, "Well, that's the thing, see? My friend was one of the first people from Sinai to make contact with people on Abaddon, and that was pretty much in the middle of a war from the way he talked about it. Now, Springer had a friend who went there much more recently, but it'll be second-hand information and may not have the details you really need."

Tasha nods, then offers, "'Ow abou' we talk to Springer, so if you can' find your friend, we at leas' 'ave somethin' to go off?"

"Well, I planned to get in touch with her anyway, since we need to find a good Life Mage to check on the Karnors," Aaron notes. "She usually just shows up to work on her garden."

"Then lets settle in to wai', an' if your friend's aroun', e's aroun'. If no', we'll go with wha' we gots. We've worked wit' less an' done more, I'm confiden' we'll be alrigh'," the woman insists. She then gives the three Karnors a smile, and adds, "We'll find somethin'. Don' you worry."

---

People seem to converge on the townhouse all at once. Tasha, Aaron and the Karnors return just as Layth and Aisha return from a brief visit to Anisa's Gym – just long enough to assure Aisha that everything is still running properly. Calligenia has gone off to see her trading partners and arrange deliveries, so hasn't returned as yet.

"I told you that you need not worry so much. Worry will only make your ears sag," Layth chastises Aisha as the pair return. "Anyone who runs a business would make sure that it was left in good hands should they need to go on a trip. Or … do you not trust this Anisa?"

"Migh' as well 'ave some o' those leftovers an' wait in the garden. We can make a pick nick o' it," Tasha offers to the Karnors as they enter. She pauses as Layth enters, then waves to him. "O, Layth! We're 'ere to wait for Aaron's bun garden, see if she's got any information abou' Abaddon."

"Yes, it's just that I like to see things for myself," Aisha notes. She'd spend her entire visit 'going over the books' as she put it.

"I did not know Master Lightfoot grew Lapis in a garden," The buck quips to Tasha in reply. To Aisha, Layth comments, "And people have called me … dull. You worry too much over numbers."

"Numbers make the world go around," Aisha comments. The two Karnor doctors also nod in assent to the sentiment.

Aaron lets everyone in, and seems momentarily lost as to what to do next. "Oh, right," he says. "I'll just pop over to the old Collegia Esoterica campus and leave a message for Springer."

"Only if you attach importance to them," Layth counters as walks through the townhouse towards the back garden.

"Why don' you set up some sort o' picknick out there, layth? Looks like Aisha needs to calm 'erself, an' we're goin' to 'ave some leftovers. Got to keep me wolves fed," says the Vartan, who reaches over and pats Dr. Caravelli's belly.

The back door is right at the end of the hall, next to the basement entry and the laundry room. Upon opening it, Layth sees that he can save Aaron a trip, as there's a gray-furred Lapi doe on her hands and knees attacking weeds with a spade.

"A picnic in a yard?" Aaron mutters.

Tasha reaches over and pulls on Aaron's ear. "It'll be good for you! Nice weather, food to eat, we can enjoy the settin' while we're still 'ere to do it. Soon we'll be in cramped quarters an' Gateway shacks."

"Apparently Master Lightfoot does grow does out here. There's a gray one out here now. If Master Lightfoot considers her a weed, I can remove her," Layth jokes as he steps out into the garden. Approaching her, the large buck asks, "You must be the one called Spring Meadow?"

"Auggh!" the doe shrieks when Layth speaks. Dirt goes flying as she spins around, dislodging her straw sun-hat. She also gets her tail soiled when it lands in the flower bed. "Who! What! DON'T YOU KNOW NOT TO SNEAK UP ON A MAGE!" she chides.

"LAYTH, STOP TERRIFYING THE LOCALS," Tasha can be heard to yell from inside.

"No?" Layth offers. "And I hardly snuck up. In fact, I made no attempt to conceal myself," he adds as he pushes his lop ears back. And without even asking, he then goes over and effortlessly picks Spring Meadow up and sets her hack on her feet.

"You're an Amazonian!" the doe accuses as she's lifted up. "Did… did Calligenia bring you?"

Moments later, Tasha arrives outside with the Karnors behind her. "We need to ask 'er questions, no' give 'er a 'eart attack," Tasha berates the buck, shaking a finger at him before tugging his tail puff. She grins, perhaps to show she doesn't really mean it, then goes to fetch Spring Meadow's hat.

"What is wrong with being an Amazonian? And no, she did not," Layth says, then swats at Tasha's roving hand. "Would you like me to clean your tail?" he then asks.

Tasha, hat in hand, walks over and tries to put it on the doe. "Oi, 'e swats my 'and then e's out to 'clean tail.' I think I may be a bad influence." She waves Akkers to come out, and tells him, "Good thing I 'ave so many good influences."

"What?" Spring Meadow replies, her eyes wide at the sight of Tasha and the wolves. "Questions? I didn't do anything! I wasn't even near where whatever it is happened! I don't know whoever you're looking that owes you money or… anything! I'm just a garden mage!"

Just in case Spring Meadow tries to make a run for it, Layth puts a firm grip on her arm. "No one is accusing you of anything. At least, I do not think they are," he says.

Aaron pops out next, and smiles to the doe. "Hey Springer, I'm back. So's Aisha," he notes, gesturing to the golden furred doe behind him. "That's Layth, he's with Aisha. New bodyguard. And the loud one over there is Tasha – long story. The Kar- Jupanis here just wanted to know about Abaddon."

"Lapi are so jumpy," Tasha sighs. She pats Layth's arm, adding, "'Cept you. You're like a rock." She glances back at Aaron as he arrives, letting him explain the matter for now.

"Please… what?" Meadow asks, turning on Aaron. "This isn't one of Xander's tricks, is it?" she demands.

"I just see no point in generating alarm at every little thing. Nothing here has threatened anyone, so no reason to get excited," Layth observes with a mild grin. "It is not as if we are going to throw this doe over our shoulders and carry her off for some unspeakable ritual."

"No, it isn't," Aaron says, rubbing his forehead already. "You told me your roommate went to Abaddon and… I forgot the rest. I hope you haven't?"

"Oh… " the doe goes, and takes off her dirty gloves. "Why didn't you say so in the first place then? Honestly, Aaron… "

"I like to think the unspeakable rituals are behind us," Tasha quips, grinning. "Bu' I'm sure there's more madness ahead."

Layth releases Spring Meadow when she appears that she is finally calming down. To Springer, he whispers, "He's a bit distracted due to worry about Anisa. Please be gentle with him. He tends to be … fragile."

"Fragile?" the mage asks, giving Layth an odd look. Then she goes over and gives Aaron a hug. "Welcome back, by the way."

"'E's a worried wart alrigh'," Tasha agrees. "Now, we're 'ere to ask you abou' Abaddon, Spring Meadow. Me a' the Jupani 'ere are goin' tha' way, an' we 'ope tha' you can 'elp us with a bit 'o information."

Straightening out her robes, the doe looks to Tasha suspiciously. "Well… this isn't about my friend right?" she asks.

Tasha raises a brow, putting a hand on her hip. "Wha' friend is this? Why is everyone lookin' at us funny when we ask abou' some place?" She glances at Akkers and asks, "Am I no' dressin' respectable enough? Is it the loudness?"

"Maybe you should just ask me what you want to know," the mage says, crossing her arms against her chest.

"Tasha wishes to go to Abaddon and probably wants to know the easiest way to get there and what she should bring," Layth comments as he starts cleaning up random clumps of dirt.

Returning her gaze to the mage, Tasha says, "Layth's go' some o' it, bu' we need more than tha'. We wan' to make contact wit' some o' the … countries or factions, wha'ever they call themselves, an' we need to know wha' they're like an' 'ow to reach them," clarifies Tasha.

"Oh, well… you go through the Gateway," Spring Meadow says. "And… dress warm. They sell Abaddonian Cloaks. I don't know what's special about them, but you need them. And then… uh… you get on a train."

"Well, they 'ave trains," Tasha offers to the Karnors, then asks Spring Meadow. "Do you know o' any of the groups? Imperial-types, like Naga? Humans an' Jupani? Bats an' Vartans an' other fliers?"

"That sounds promising," Dr. Zerachiel comments to Akkers.

"Umm," the doe says, closing her eyes in thought. "It was over a year ago so… let me think. There are humans called the… Camp-fez-groupies… or something, that all wear masks. They control the Gateway and talk in Bosch. And you take the train to different places… I think. My friend went to New Zion, which is the human and Jupani city. It had lots of super-tall buildings, and motor-carriages, and moving pictures and… working… compu-somethings. Expedition stuff. Oh, and that's what the called themselves too, The Expedition."

Tasha's ears perk at that. "'Ow abou' tha'? The Expedition," she tells the Karnors hopefully. "Is tha' more like it?"

"Computers? Their computers still work?" Akkers asks, leaning forward. "Do they have a research center? A… university?"

"They had a museum," Spring Meadow replies. "It had lots of stuff in it, and giant iron dragon."

"A Titan," Tasha asks, brows raising further. "There are Titans still aroun'? Big metal people-like things?"

"What about the lunar base?" Dr. Caravelli asks. This and the Titan question just gets a blank look from the rabbit. "Uh… my friend didn't tell me about anything like that. Just that the Pit of Himar was going to be a new 'Life Dome' and that some magic still worked in it, but not anywhere else on the planet."

"Sounds like New Zion is the place to start, then." Tasha smiles, then reaches over and adjusts Spring Meadow's hat in to a better position. "Thank you, Spring Meadow. Did you wan' to eat with us? It's the leas' we can do."

The doe looks at all the carnivores, and wilts a little. "Do I have to? I mean… " she says, "You've got food to eat, right?"

"Aaron and I are here too," Layth points out, "Unless you dislike eating with Amazonians and half-Amazonians."

"We're no' goin' to eat you," Tasha scoffs, "we jus' wan' to pay you back for your 'elp. 'Sides, I've been to Amazonia too, an' I know wha' buns eat."

"Well, okay, just… just don't trample the vegetable garden, okay?" Meadow asks. "If you're still going to have a picnic, I mean."

The two doctors look to Akkers to have the final word on whether or not to eat outside. And he looks at Tasha.

"We can 'ave it inside, jus' for you. I've known enough buns to know no' to put them in any more stress than required," Tasha says, after a moment's pause after all the wolves look at her. She waves everyone back inside, and heads for the dining room. "Layth, 'elp me with lunch?"

Layth absently starts brushing dried dirt from Spring Meadow's back and butt. He's probably saved from being slapped by Tasha's request, because he goes to join her inside.

"First Ones, Aaron, why do you have such weird friends?" Meadow whispers as she passes by the exasperated buck.