1866-03-17: An Opportunity to Heal
An Opportunity to Heal
Summary: Laurna Tarris receives news on her son's condition…and a possible new treatment for an old illness of his.
Date: Marse 17, 1866
Related: http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/log:1866-03-06-tamlin-ford:a-thorn-victory
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Laurna  

"Your Grace?" The Master Healer Alphonse Narvaez did not speak timidly, but there was just enough hint of an obsequious manner that it was clear he recognized and respected the station of the woman he was addressing.

The Dowager Duchess Laurna Tarris looked up from the ledger she was examining and lifted a questioning brow, "You have news of my son, Master Alphonse?" Gauvain had suffered from terrible pains and fever from his injuries at Tamlin Ford. For a time, the healer and his assistants had not been sure he would survive. Master Alphonse was highly skilled, however, and his connections to his family had given him access to certain alchemicals, herbs, salves, and tinctures that another healer may lack. Laurna knew well enough the darker side of the Narvaez family's business, but if it helped save her son's life, she could live with it. Alphonse, however, had been nothing if not honest and efficient in his work. He was no stranger to House Tarris…he had saved her Husband's life more than once when he was much younger, during the Thirty Years' War. He had stitched Gauvain's wounds when he was a young Knight, and delivered Claire into this world. When he smiled now, Laurna felt a weight lifting from her shoulders.

"His fever has broken, Your Grace. I believe we have passed through the worst of it, and by all indications his mind has not been broken by the experience." He frowns, "As I suspected, it was no mere infection…I'm quite certain that at least one of the blades that struck him had to have been poisoned."

"Alphard was never anything less than thorough." Laurna could not hide the contempt from her voice, so she didn't bother trying. "So he will recover then. Thank the One…and you, Master Alphonse."

"I have only done the job I was tasked to do, Your Grace." Alphonse did bow slightly at the praise, even if he managed to just barely soothe the proud smile from his face as he did. A frown replaced it almost immediately, "He could be on his feet in a week or so. He will need plenty of time to regain his strength but…" His brow furrowed, "Forgive my bluntness, Your Grace, but I must be straightforward in my assessment, and I would be remiss as a healer if I did not mention that there is a certain…opportunity here that you may wish to take advantage of."

Laurna fixed the grey-haired man with a curious gaze and said evenly, "What opportunity do you speak of, Master Alphonse?" She mentally prepared to call the guards to haul the man off should he propose treason against her own son, though her instincts told her that was not the direction this conversation was headed.

"The Duke's penchant for strong drink is well-known, Your Grace, and while tending to him I have noticed that indulging that appetite has taken its' toll upon his body." Alphonse did not hand-wring or fidget, speaking plainly and openly. Then again, these traits were among those that had endeared him to House Tarris to begin with. "It may be wise to deny him drink while he recovers from his recent ordeal. It will, however…extend his recovery. The withdrawals will have their own effects…headaches, chills, difficultly sleeping, and possibly more. I would of course, watch over him and soothe what I could, but this would largely be a battle he must fight alone." He notes, "I know the situation for the Duchy is dire and the Duke may well be needed, but while this process would lengthen his recovery and return to the battlefields…it is my belief that he would return stronger for it, and more clear-headed. In the longer term, if I may be so bold, I feel it would be better for your House and its' future."

Laurna studied Alphonse a few moments, but only a few, as her mind examined the possibilities. "Master Alphonse, I'm recalling that Healers are not unknown to use strong liquor in their work?"

Alphonse nodded, "Correct, Your Grace. It is often provided to dull pain, to clean wounds, or used to soak bandages to apply to those injuries. Infection is often less likely to take hold in these cases. "Perhaps if…" Alphonse cut himself off, shaking his head, "Well, no sense fretting over what's done. In any case, you are correct."

Laurna smiled, though she could feel how tight the expression was, "Perhaps if my son had poured the contents of his flask on his wounds instead of guzzling it down after the battle we might not have suffered this ordeal?"

Alphonse simply turned his eyes downward, "I cannot say, Your Grace. Sometimes even the most thoroughly cleaned wound still festers. And there would still have been the matter of the poison."

Laurna nodded, "In any case, I beleive there are three barrels of whiskey in the castle storeroom here. Inform your assistants that they may remove them and utilize them as needed for their efforts in soothing the wounds of our populace and soldiers. I will inform the staff that Gauvain is not to be permitted so much as wine until…." She paused, then again lifted her brow in question towards Alphonse.

Alphonse smiled faintly and noted, "Until he stops asking for it, Your Grace…or trying to acquire it."

"Very well, Master Alphonse. See to it." She inclined her head towards him slightly and gestured for the man to return to his duties, "Thank you for your counsel and services. I have other matters to attend to."

"Of course, Your Grace." Alphonse bowed from the waist, and moved out of the room swiftly enough for a man his age, leaving the Dowager Duchess in silence.

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