Knight's Quest

Chapter XXVI: The Doctor Appointment

Inside the building is a man taking jars off the shelves and sorting them. He adds some herbs and plants to the emptying ones, replacing them on the shelves. It looks like he's getting ready to close for the night. He stands behind a counter, with some more jars on it. The man has graying hairs and a pointed beard and a balding spot. He turns in response to the bell and sees you standing in the doorway. He does not look pleased by your arrival. "What do you want?"

"I need help." I step up to the counter.

"I can see that, but I don't know if I can help you."

"Why not?"

"I don't work for free." He returns to putting the jars back on the shelf.

"I can pay you."

"Really?" He sounds surprised and sarcastic. "How much do you have?"

That's a good question. How much money do I have?

I believe you got paid 5,000 gold coins for your deal with Blade over Sarah. Which really you should have never gotten, considering how you never actually gave her to him.

Whatever, at least I have money. "How much do you need?"

"Well I'd have to have a closer look at your wounds. Different injuries have different costs. But are you saying that you actually have money?"

"Unless I'm being lied to, I should have quite a substantial amount of coin."

"Sorry, you just looked like you wouldn't have money." Eyeing your torn rags. "Come here so I can take a look at you."

I go over to him.

He moves into his back room. It has a very tall ceiling with tall windows and a staircase to an upper area. It has some beds for patients, but they are all empty. There is a table in the center. "Please lay on the table." He says as he puts on his glasses.

I lay on the table.

"Let's have a look see." He begins to take off your bloodstained clothes. They are caked to your body, so it takes some effort to rip them off. It feels good to get them off after having them on, unwashed, for so long. "Well, you certainly have been through quite a bit. You have cuts, scratches, bruises, and they don't appear to be new. What did you do?" He says while continuing to examine you.

"I was mugged."

"Then why do you still have money?"

"I have a hiding spot where I keep my money. After I was mugged, I went and retrieved the rest of my money. I used to have much more." I lie.

"So you have lots of money, but wear old rags as if you were homeless and a beggar. In fact, if I didn't know better, these look like the garb of a prisoner."

"The muggers took my clothes and threw me theirs. I had a very fine cloak, a family heirloom. What a shame it is now gone."

"They stripped you bare and beat you. Where was this, and why did they give you their clothes? This sounds like a very dangerous group of muggers."

"It was out in the forest. And how should I know why they did what they did? I'm just thankful they didn't kill me."

"I'm sorry, it's none of my business." While talking he has grabbed a few of his jars and starts to apply some yellow ointment to your cuts. It burns and stings.

I grit my teeth. "The sign outside your door."

"What about it?" The man says while he strips off some more of your shirt on your arms, which are plastered to your skin with blood like the rest of your clothes.