"I'm afraid it doesn't look good, Brother Caerwell. There's little we can do for him."

"It is a common enough sight," replied the lay brother, "and the others?"

Cyric rose, beckoning brother Caerwell to follow. "These three," he said with a wave of his hand, "appear malnourished, an easy enough thing to remedy, but those two," again a wave of his hand, "I'm afraid, are not doing as well. This woman has suffered a miscarriage and has bled a lot while this man appears to be the victim of a stabbing. I'm afraid the only thing we can do is make them comfortable and perhaps ease their pain. Their end is, unfortunately, inevitable."

"As it usually is, here in the slums," mused Brother Caerwell. "Tell me, Cyric, why did you come here? You are assigned as an administrator, you could spend your time in leisure at the fortress."

"It is not my way, Brother. I go where Mathew needs me."

"You are a credit to our order," Brother Caerwell remarked. "I wish others were as dedicated."

They were interrupted by a rather short man, his patchy beard covering a pockmarked face. "Brother Cyric?"

"Yes, Brother Joram?"

"You have visitors. I tried to tell them you were busy, but they insisted on seeing you."

"It seems you're popular," offered Brother Caerwell.

"Did they say who they were?" asked Cyric.

"They didn't give their names, but said you'd remember them from the Swift, whatever that is."

"That's the ship I came here on," said Cyric, "and no doubt they are my travelling companions."

"They appear to be in some distress," added Brother Joram.

"How so?" asked Cyric.

"The man had burn marks on his sleeve, and they both smell of smoke. I would suspect they suffered some sort of calamity."

"Thank you, Joram. If you would be so kind as to take them to the library, I shall join them directly."

"Certainly, Brother Cyric," said Joram, "I shall see to it immediately."

"Trouble?" asked Caerwell. "I've heard you have a nose for it."

"I remind you, Brother, that I am a Temple Knight. In addition to helping the poor, it is my duty to protect our assets."

"These people work for the Church?"

"Yes, in a manner of speaking," Cyric replied. "They helped our ship arrive here, despite being attacked at sea."

"Praise be to Saint Mathew for seeing you safely here," said Brother Caerwell. "That being the case, it is your duty to render assistance, if needed. Shall I prepare beds for them?"

"Let's wait and see what they want," said Cyric. "At this moment, I don't know if they come seeking knowledge or healing."

"Then I shall see to these patients on your behalf," offered Brother Caerwell, "though our supply of kingsleaf is running dangerously low."

"Can we not get more?" he asked.

"I'm afraid there are no funds for it," his colleague replied.