The Talan trade ship sailed steadily towards Kotana, the sea calm after the recent skirmish. Aro, still shaken from the pirate attack, was keeping a close eye on Kylar Vaas, a friendly deckhand he had befriended. Kylar had taken a severe wound during the battle, and despite the confusion, Aro hadn't noticed the extent of his injuries until now. Shrapnel had pierced his skin, and he was bleeding out rapidly.
Aro’s heart sank as a vision flashed before his eyes. He saw Kylar lying dead in a pool of blood, his eyes, mouth, and skin covered in moss and seaweed, his lifeless body consumed by vegetation. The image was haunting, and Aro knew he had to act quickly if he wanted to prevent this vision from becoming reality.
Kneeling beside Kylar, Aro pulled out some of the shrapnel, working quickly but carefully. He tore pieces of his own shirt to use as makeshift gauze, sterilizing the wounds with the last bit of his ale. Kylar’s condition was dire, but Aro managed to stabilize him, though he began coughing up algae and moss mixed with blood.
"We need to get you to a healer, Kylar," Aro muttered, his voice filled with urgency. "Just hold on a little longer."
Throughout the remainder of the journey to Kotana, Aro stayed by Kylar’s side, helping him sip water and trying to keep him comfortable. The hours dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity, but finally, the ship arrived at the docks of Kotana.
As the crew disembarked, the quartermaster approached Aro, handing him his pay. "Your pay’s cut, Fluke, due to your mishap with the cargo," he said curtly. Aro accepted the reduced payment with a nod, his mind focused on finding help for Kylar.
Kotana’s docks were bustling with activity, but as Aro guided Kylar through the streets, they encountered a scene that sent a chill down his spine. The first road they took was encrusted with algae and kelp-like vegetation. The buildings, ground, and even the citizens were covered in patches of this strange growth. It mirrored the algae Kylar had been coughing up, and the air tasted foul.
Aro covered his mouth and nose, urging Kylar to do the same. "Stay with me, Kylar. We’ll find a healer soon," he promised, his voice muffled through the makeshift mask. They navigated through the sick part of Kotana, the eerie silence broken only by Kylar’s labored breathing and the squelching sound of their footsteps on the vegetation-covered ground.
As they turned a corner, Aro spotted a sign for an apothecary. Relief washed over him, and he hurriedly guided Kylar towards the small shop.
Bursting through the door, Aro called out, "We need help! He’s badly injured and needs immediate attention!"
The apothecary, an older woman with a calm but focused demeanor, quickly assessed Kylar’s condition. Without hesitation, she beckoned them inside. "Lay him down here," she instructed, pointing to a wooden table.
"This isn’t new to us," she said, her voice steady as she gathered herbs and tinctures. "We’ve seen this before. We’ll do what we can."
Aro watched anxiously as the apothecary began treating Kylar with practiced hands, applying poultices and administering potions to stabilize his condition. The room filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, mingling with the ever-present odor of the algae outside.
"You did well to bring him here," the apothecary said to Aro, her eyes briefly meeting his. "Now, let’s hope he has the strength to fight this."
Aro nodded, relief mingling with the lingering tension. He had done all he could; now, he had to trust in the apothecary's skill and hope that his friend would survive.
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