Ptolus:Of Blood & Pox.txt
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Standing in the one room, small shack that the Lord Rau had lent me to live and work from on his small estate. I looked out on the garden that I now attend to for the Lord Rau, I think I have become a servant to my enemy, and it leaves me… vexed.
I turn my attention back to Vrea as she readies herself for sleep so she can go to work at the brothel in the evening.
“Well, I’m going to work, and I was wondering if,” I draw out my words so as to not to have to actually ask for help… I have fallen so far.
She raises an eyebrow at me questioning what exactly I am asking.
“You know… my face”, I emphasize it by waving my hand in front of my face almost like I wish I could wash it away. Vrea shakes her head, sighs and motions me over. I sit in front of her angry at the need, angry at the situation, angry just angry. I grind my teeth as I let her look at my face as she touches up certain things on the disguise. I have tried myself, but I am still not even to close as skilled as she at the subtle changes that can make a face appear... differently. Some shading here a smidge of color there can alter a person to make them almost unrecognizable. And with addition of some soap with vinegar you can make the appearance of scars and pox causing people to avoid you.
“And avoidance leads to distance which gives me time, which is what I desperately need”, I finish the thought out loud but it is only a whisper more a sharing to myself than a conversation. Still Vrea hears the words and gives me the questioning look from before.
Instead of answering the look in her eyes, I divulge my other train of thought that I have had, “I'm going to make the offer of the blood to Lord Rau.”
Vrea shakes her head in fear, gripping my hand, the terror is almost palpable in her eyes.
But I only shake my head and look away, “It is a necessary evil, I have need of the life blood that fuels man's world and that fuel is Money. A vulgar statement, but to do what I need to do I need funds, and I have nothing but this stupid job begging plants to grow. I know your concerns, if someone with power should get hold of the blood understand what it is, it could be used against me personally. It could be used to find me. Or even perhaps be used to hurt other elves. But I am not giving the blood to a person of power. Not a ritualist, or a sorceror, or a conjuror, but an alchemist. He may only use such a thing to create some kind of potions or several considering it's potency. He may even use it to pursue the legendary Grand Elixir that all alchemists seem to lust after. But I will be careful even in this, I will pass it off as something found by an associate, and this associate had wanted me to go as a middle man to sell it. He will probably see me as lying. He is not dumb after all our young Lord Rau, but I will let him wonder about the source, I think greed will overide sense, and he will purchase it without knowing the true source once he confirms its authenticity.”
I look back to Vrea she is concerned still, worried even. The fear has not left her. But she can tell, I have decided my course. She now just worries about the destination.
