The Great Crestmaster

Aldrich couldn't avoid that so he didn't trouble himself with needless worry. Besides they actually helped Ebrict, it could be considered a favor for the lord.

But things didn't always follow the most obvious and clear answer, the lord may not think of it as such a good thing.

He was very well aware that people may not like help they didn't ask for, even if it helped them the hearts of men were unfathomable.

Aldrich down return to the inn, instead he asked about the two Crestmasters who were known for selling their services.

After asking some passerby he was guided to a two story house with a nice view of the Umbra island. The house had a sign in the front that read: the Tomund brothers at your service.

Aldrich knocked on the door three times and looked at front yard, it wasn't exactly in the best shape to say the least. 'Are these two Crestmasters short on money?'

The door opened and a young man looking to be in his late twenties seized him up, "hello, anything I can help you with?"

"Ah, yes, yes," Aldrich was taken back by the funny smell coming from inside the house, "actually, did a young girl, called Emma come here afternoon for poison treatment?"

"Ah, you're with her?" The young man looked suspicious, "weird, she didn't say that she was with a Crestmaster…"

"Ah, well, I just advanced recently…" He could see how suspicious that answer was but was the truth, hopefully it was enough.

'Wait, my crest is hidden how did he know?' Aldrich tensed up, this scholar might not be a simple person, no Crestmaster is simple.

"Well, come on in, she's almost done anyway. Ah, my name's Guthbert. I'm a Glyphmancers and a scholar."

"I'm Aldrich and I'm about to become an adventurer, nice to meet you."

"Yeah, yeah, here. You're little friend here suffered from a little bit of poisoning, it's not a big deal. The fee is 14 coppers."

"… fine, here. Thank you for taking care of her." Aldrich squeezed a smile and tried to remind himself that it was not a good idea to argue with someone who healed people.

Besides he may need their help some day so it was not a bad idea to cultivate a good first impression.

​ "Well, you seem like a sensible young man." Guthbert took the coins and gave him a flask made of glass as tall as his index finder, it had blue powder in it.

"This is a general antidote, it may not resolve all the poisons you might encounter but it will suppress it long enough until you can get real help."

"Oh, thank you." Aldrich stashed it in his pocked and wondered if he should but some for all the party members.

"By the way," Aldrich decided to ask to spend the time until Emma woke up, "I've been curious about something…"

"Well, ask away now, don't be shy," Guthbert seemed unconcerned.

"I was wondering what two Crestmasters are doing, setting up shop here?"

"Haven't you heard me when I introduced myself? My brother and I are scholars, it's obvious we're here like may of our brethren before us came here to study for the clues regarding the Umbra monastery."

Scholars? Why did that word give him a bad taste?

"The Umbra monastery? I heard it's a legend…"

"It is, but many scholars are still attracted here to try their luck out every once in a while. We probably won't stay here for too long either, maybe half a year at most."

"Why is it so important for scholars?" Aldrich was very curious about that, since it was to the point of making people spend so much time on it.

"Have you heard of High scholar Neimander? He supposedly established the monastery, which attracted knowledgeable and talented people here." Guthbert explained.

"That means that an immense amount of knowledge once existed here." Aldrich concluded.

"Yes, and even more for the inheritance of the High scholar himself!" Guthbert suddenly exclaimed with a wild look on his face. The change was too sudden causing Aldrich to step back.

Suddenly the door opened and another man that had similar looks to Guthbert entered, only this one had a pale complexion and a repulsive presence.

"Heleste, look how late it is!" Guthbert angrily scolded, "how many times have I told you, the island is extremely dangerous in the night."

"It's fine, if we are to uncover the secrets of old then how can we not take risks? That makes no sense!" Heleste answer as if he was expecting the lecture.

"It's good to be eager but one must take things one step at a time, didn't you hear master's words? Knowledge must be consumed slowly lest it consumes you." Guthbert reminded.

"Eh, that old geezer can't even read a book anymore let alone lecture me about what to do."

"Y-you how can you say that!" Guthbert was clearly about to snap.

"Hahhah, relax I was just joking. It's a bad joke. Look we have guests let us not do this now."

After saying that Heleste went to the second floor and left Guthbert not knowing what to do. Aldrich felt like he intruded and didn't know what to say, fortunately Emma chose to stir at this moment.

Aldrich helped her up and thanked Guthbert one more time before leaving, of course he had a carriage waiting for him outside. It wouldn't be appropriate to let Emma walk in her weakened state.

They both returned to the inn, and Aldrich told the others to rest and take it easy, he also reminded them that they might have to talk to the watchmen tomorrow about what happened today.

In his room Aldrich cleaned up, meditated and wrote the report detailing what happened during the quest. Of course he omitted some things to make the matter easier on him.

After dinner he enjoyed some cold beer and went to sleep. However just before he fell asleep he couldn't help but think that he forgot something.