The palace healer arrives with Volcanon at her side. Cel-est-tia remains upright beside Mother’s Old Staff, trembling as her weakened knee bears almost no weight.
The healer is a middle-aged elf woman with a compact build, olive skin, gray hair braided close to her head, and blue robes marked with silver healing sigils. She carries a cedar case.
Volcanon
Secure this passage. No one disturbs her unless the healer permits it. She has spent enough strength already.
Avalon Palace Guard 1
At once, Commander. The stair and archive doors will remain guarded.
Silva-nus enters from the private chambers, both heads fixed on Cel-est-tia. Their wings stay folded, but their tails tense when they see the burns and the strain in her stance.
Ilyra
My name is Ilyra. Sit, please. These burns need rest and healing, and that knee must not carry you again today.
Silva-nus
Cel-est-tia, let us help you down. You need nourishment, quiet, and time, not another trial of strength.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover from the ritual injuries
“help me to my chambers, but do not try to take from my grasp I have already tried to let it go”
SUCCESS (Good Health, rolled +0)
Cel-est-tia
Help me to my chambers, but do not try to take Mother's Old Staff from my grasp. I have already tried to let it go.
Ilyra
Then keep hold of it. Silva-nus and I will support you without disturbing your grip.
Ilyra braces Cel-est-tia at one side while Silva-nus supports the other. The healer guides each step around the burns and bruised knee, never asking the staff to change hands.
Silva-nus
Lean on us as much as you need. Your strength is for healing now, not for proving you can cross this palace alone.
Insatiable appetite leaves Cel-est-tia trembling and ravenous, but Steady Caregiving keeps Ilyra and Silva-nus attentive to her pace. Mother's Old Staff pulses warmly, lending enough strength for every careful step.
They reach the private chambers without the staff leaving Cel-est-tia's grasp. Ilyra settles her onto the resting place, while Silva-nus remains close and Volcanon keeps the passage secure beyond the door.
Ilyra
Good. Hold the staff if it comforts you, and let your body rest. I will bring nourishment and begin treating the burns.
“the staff my comfort me, but I literally can't let it go, it is glued to my tails”
SUCCESS (Good Health, rolled +2)
Cel-est-tia settles fully onto the resting place instead of testing her injured knee. Her tails remain curled around Mother’s Old Staff, unable to release it, while Ilyra arranges the cedar case beside her.
Cel-est-tia
The staff is fixed to my tails, and its warmth steadies me.
Ilyra
Then we will work with that bond. Keep the staff exactly where it is, and let your body become heavy against the bed.
Hunger gnaws through Cel-est-tia’s reserves, leaving her trembling, but Steady Caregiving keeps her from forcing herself upright. Mother’s Old Staff answers with a slow warmth that supports her breathing and eases the worst of the weakness.
Ilyra cleans and treats the ritual burns in careful stages, working around the tails and the staff without disturbing either. Cel-est-tia remains still, resting as instructed while the healing salves cool her scales.
Silva-nus
You are resting, and the staff remains with you. Good. I will stay nearby, but I will not touch it or decide for you what happens next.
With Ilyra’s treatment underway and Silva-nus honoring her choice, Cel-est-tia’s trembling gradually lessens. The staff stays secured to her tails, its quiet pulse accompanying the first undisturbed rest since the ritual.
Quest Complete
Recover from the ritual injuries
Attribute Upgrade: Health Good→Great