private [GURPS] A Path to Heroism

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Doc Ginger,

 

Ragnar nodded as he followed Lance out of the building.

 

"Yes, I think the smithy is probably the best place to start. I've passed by a few times and I know it's been around a long time. It's as good a place as any to begin our search. I believe it's this way." He pointed down the street with his talon. 

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance nodded and began to walk in the indicated direction. Still planning on visiting the library by the end of the day, if for nothing else to smell the musty of tomes one last time before this adventure got underway.

 

"So um, Ragnar.. What brought you to this town anyways? Originally I mean. Not a whole lot here for an ah, Arms inventor."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Doc Ginger,

 

Ragnar shrugged. He didn't really know the answer to that himself.

 

"Well, I'm honestly not sure. I guess I just got tired of living in the big city. This place is definitely a change of pace from where I'd been living. It reminds me a little of where I grew up."

[Neikos 968]

[Not sure if you were waiting for me, if you were, sorry about that.]

 

As they approached the Library they were able to see that it seemed to be quite an active place as well. At least 5 ponies were actively discussing in front of it. You managed to catch a few pieces of their Conversation, "got away..- rare..- poor thing..-" It seems the discussion wasn't really cheerful. They weren't in front of the door though, so one could pass by without interrupting them.

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance nodded over to Ragnar, "If you dont terribly mind I ah... Im gonna check the Library out. You can continue on if you wish.. I won't be too long."

 

Lance turned towards the Library and slowed his pace so he could spend several moments within earshot of the conversing crowd, stopping by the front doors even to hear the subject of their talking. 

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Doc Ginger,

 

Ragnar shrugged and followed him towards the library.

 

"I might as well go with you. It's not like we're really in any hurry or anything, right? Besides, there's still a pretty good chance of finding something useful in the library if we look in the right sections." 

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance laughed a little bit, "You can always find something usefull in a library... Just, it might not be ah, relevant to our current goals. Just watch, someday you'll use something we learn here right now.."

 

Lance looked towards the group of ponies infront of the library as he passed, looking and listening for anything that stuck out at him or sounded familiar

[Neikos 968]

As Lance slows down he managed to catch more of the Conversation.

A light yellow unicorn was currently explaining something to the others, "She is stable now, we managed to stop her bleeding... Who ever did this had all intention to kill her", her voice was low but audible enough. "We have no idea though what caused it. It seemed to have just been a burglary, reports show that only a book was missing. Which is quite strange as to risk things like this for a single book.". Another pony asked: "What was it about?

- Just a few letters, arranged for printing." she told him.

Her view then wandered over to Lance, and she rose an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance blushed at the eye contact, and lowered his head and quickened his pace. Then after a few paces he suddenly stopped.

 

'Sorry Ragnar, i have to do something.'

 

Lance walked timidly up to the group of ponies. 'I... ah... I am terribly sorry ma'am but I ah... about your friend, Could i assist her? I am.. welli am rather well versed in taking care of trauma..' Lance turned a little to show his cutie mark. 'I think i could help her.. if you wouldn't object i mean.'

 

Lance tried putting on a reassuring smile trying to look more confident than he currently felt. He had not dealt with serious trauma in some time but was sure that he could help inbetween his skills and magic. After all, as a guard, how could he not help a pony in need?

[Neikos 968]

The pony had followed him with her eyes, as he came back to them and spoke she listened and was also the first to speak up. "And what makes you qualified to help a critically injured pony? You are new here, what tells me you are speaking the truth?" She then looked at him intently, waiting for some kind of proof.

 

The other ponies, which were a blue earth pony, a white pegasus and a zebra all looked towards him, they were waiting as well, silently.

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance became even more nervous, and his eyes dropped to the ground for a second before looking back up, trying to sound confident and prideful as he explained his abilities

 

'I am... i am a medical pony with the Royal Guards, skilled in both the trades of medicine and medical healing as well as blessed with the magics of healing. My cutie mark should provide enough evidence that i am skilled at what i claim.'

[Neikos 968]

The Unicorn listened to him, her suspicious look vanishing. "Hmm, Very well. It seems we have no choice. I watch you closely though. Do you want to bring your friend as well or?" she nodded towards the Library. "Here is what will happen. I will bring you to the pony in question. You tell me what's wrong with him, and I will decide how to act upon that. Alright?", he had managed to convince her slightly, but the doubt still stays.

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance nodded, 'I promise she's in good hands. And ah, yes. My friend will join us. So um.... Please lead the way to your friend and i will tell you what i would do if you decide to let me ah... save her.'

 

Lance stood aside to let the pony pass, and quickly went over his medical assessment and treatments in his head so that he could compose himself inside. This was his chance, he wanted to help ponies and here one was. Plus if he were to travel with Ragnar he wanted to appear as competent as possible.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Ragnar shrugged and followed the others inside. He wasn't really sure why Lance wanted him to come along, it's not like he was going to be any help with this. Besides, it seemed like the ponies didn't even want their help in the first place, so why bother? Of course he didn't bother to say any of this, since he didn't really have anything to lose either way.

[Neikos 968]

The mare led them to the private parts of the Library. One could smell the faint odor of strong alcohol, probably for disinfecting. The unicorn stopped by the door and gestured for Lance to enter, she then said to Ragnar. "The same thing counts for you. I don't want to see one wrong move." With that she then stepped after Lance, a slight worry on her face.

 

 

In a corner one could see a pony in a bed. Both were damaged in some way, but the pony in a different way. One could clearly see reddened bandages around his neck. "This is Erik. Whatever happened to him made him burst a part of his vein just under the jugular. We have tried everything we could so far to close it. But the moment he moves it just starts bleeding again."

Once closer, it was clear the pony was awake. His eyes running around wildly, trying to see who is next to him. His breathing also accelerated. "So, what do you suggest?"

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance leaned in close to Erik, scanning for any rips in the muscle or any extra damage.

 

'If his carotid or jugular is indeed damaged the body won't heal on its own. Ill have to use magic. However im going to have to proceed carefully to avoid damaging him permanently.... someone hold the area around the vein together ill try to use my magic to knit the vein together. That should stop the hemorrhage. And once that's stopped we can finish up.. or let the wound finish healing on its own.'

 

Lance looked up. Realizing that he just spoke rather too directly to the strange ponies he quickly finished. 'I ah.... thats if your okay with me saving him... otherwise... ah.... the hemorrhaging won't stop till there's no more blood... sorry'

[Neikos 968]

There was nothing else, just a slowly dripping wound. He knew that the moment he moved it would be instantly a mess and he will probably faint.

"Are you sure Angelica? Do you trust the stranger enough to let him touch Erik? He's your coltfriend, I know, but wouldn't it be his decision? ", one of the other ponies raised his voice.

Erik was just looking between Lance and Angelica, having no idea what is going on. Or so it seems.

"I don't know... I-", she lets her ears droop, "I guess you're right. If anyone should be allowed to make a decision here it's Erik.", she nodded, probably trying to convince herself and went over to the injured pony. "Erik, this is Lance. He claims to have Medical experience. You know that you were the only pony around who was able to do so as well. Would you let him try to heal you? I know you can't move or speak, so just look at him if you agree."

One could see that Erik was thinking, and he came to the only logical conclusion that he had and looked towards Lance.


Lance would see something else though. Erik's eyeball wasn't white, but instead started to slightly grow red. Whether he notices it now or not, it would get more intense by the minute. The others don't see that though.

Edited March 27, 2013 by Neikifly

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance gritted his teeth at these ponies indecision. This colt was in a position where he could die from just carelessly looking to the side and his friends had no concept of the damage. 

 

Lance touched the wounded colt on his foreleg gently and spoke softly, 'Erik, can you hear me? I'm sorry your hurt. But this wound is far to dangerous to let heal on its own. You may have lost too much blood and if it reopens you may bleed out. I am sorry but this needs to be fixed. Though It will hurt, do you get that? I'm going to need to hurt you to fix you. I have to move the wound so that I can close it properly with magic.'

 

Lance also noted the Red eyes, and searched through his memory for anything that could cause that to happen. But refrained from mentioning it aloud to avoid alerting anypony else. 

 

'Angelica, could you and a few of your friends assist me, I have no idea how he will react to the magic re-knitting his wound. and It would be very, very bad if he thrashed about. So could a couple people hold him steady and somepony else stand by in case I need pressure on the bleeding? Grab something absorbent. just in case.'

 

Lance began mentally recite any spells or healing magics he knew he would need, including his Vitality and Energy spells in case Erik dropped into shock and his Cure Wounds spell.

Edited March 27, 2013 by Doc Ginger

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Doc Ginger,

 

Ragnar shook his head.

 

"I don't think that's a very good idea. Aside from the fact that I have no training or experience with such things, I'm afraid my talons would just make his injuries worse. Of course, if you really need me to help, I'll do whatever I can." 

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance paused. And mentally face-hooved himself, Of course Ragnar had sharp talons. Lance felt foolish for calling his new companion out like that only to have him stand there observing. Lance did however file that information away for whenever he might have need to make an incision. 

 

"Oh, of course. Sorry Ragnar. I just ah... Well. Nevermind."

[Neikos 968]

A few ponies took his bed and gently pushed it to the center of the piece so as that Lance had ample space to do what ever he planned on doing. Erik having given his consent Lance had Carte Blanche. Angelica gestured for a few of the present ponies to help him pin and hold down Erik should he struggle for what ever reason. She in turn didn't stay though and went to the next room with a worry on her face. Everyone in the room looked towards Lance, awaiting instructions.

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance looked around again, suddenly even more nervous than before. All eyes were on him he knew, and his reputation throughout the town and this group of ponies would be effected by this act. Whether he be remembered as a murderer or selfless hero-type. Lance closed his eyes, recalling the healing spells. 

 

Then he opened his eyes and leaned in close to Erik. Lance made sure everypony was ready, and then he wiped the congealed blood off the side of the cut artery, so that the tissue would knit cleanly. and quickly cast his healing magics, focusing the energy on the artery itself so that the pony would not begin to hemorrhage again.

[Neikos 968]

The questions Lance asked himself were indeed justified. Either way, as he started to channel the heal spell trough his horn he might be able to see that both of Erik's eyes appeared bloody red. Once the magic hit the Pony though something happened. It... bounced off. A gasp could be heard from the ponies present, after all why would he suddenly become magic immune? That wasn't the only thing that happened though. Erik started to bleed heavily from the vein. The blood was thick and more brownish then red which apparently made one of the ponies feel bad enough to quickly leave the room. It looked like Erik was about to faint.

 

( If you don't know what to do now, tell me and I will change a few things to make it easier. )

[Doc Ginger 87]

Lance immediately regretted foregoing mentioning the red eyes and began to chastise himself as he applied pressure to the neck, holding it in hopes to quench the bleeding as he thought of what could possibly be causing this. A poison? toxin? bacterium? virus? darker magics? 

 

Lance gritted his teeth and barked out, "Somepony get me some gauze or absorbent material! We need to stop the bleeding!"

Lance then cast his Lend Vitality spell in the hopes that it wouldn't bounce off Erik again and keep his body from digressing into shock.

[Neikos 968]

While Lance felt the mental and physical drain the Lend Vitality spell puts upon him it didn't seem to flow into Erik.  The pony that ran out to go fetch something absorbent came back with a few sets of towels. "There is nothing around here that works better..." he said, worried for his friend's life.

 

Erik seemed to have passed out for now, his blood loss just too big for now. But that wasn't the only thing though, he started to slowly bleed out of his mouth as well. It didn't seem to go all too well for him.