Chapter 2: Encounters
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	Driel wandered through the streets of Kohlingen, carrying a variety of
packages in her arms.  As she checked off her list, she noticed she had
managed to find everything her brother mentioned, and tried to decide what to
do next.  She still had a good three hours before she would have to return,
and wondered if she should try to find some more books for her collection,
or perhaps try to collect some herbs outside the city.  She doubted she would
find any new books, so she headed for the gate.
	As she reached the gate, she stopped, briefly turning toward the
direction of the port, because her arms were still loaded with supplies, which
would hinder her as she searched for herbs. Shrugging, Driel turned back
toward the gate, just in time to nearly collide with a young man whose feet
seemed rather unsteady.  He pulled himself straight, or at least tried to.  He
looked a bit dazed as he said, "Your pardon, I..."  He paused, and Driel
waited for the rest, trying to compose her own words of apology, but she never
got the chance, because the man then proceeded to collapse to the ground.
	Almost as soon as he fell, the crowd began to push closer, as people
tried to see what was going on.  With her arms still full, Driel couldn't push
people back, and they didn't listen to her as she told them to back off.  Her
face darkened briefly, and she dropped the supplies to the ground and shouted,
"WOULD EVERYONE JUST BACK OFF FOR A MINUTE?  Give the poor man some air!"
Most stepped back at that, and the ones that didn't she pushed away.
Muttering about "stupid rubber neckers" to herself, Driel knelt down, now that
she had the room to, and looked over the young man.  His skin was clammy and
cold to the touch, and when she pulled back one eyelid, his eye was dilated.
And upon closer inspection, he had many cuts and bruises all over his body.
	Hoping that he didn't have anything contagious, she lifted up her
patient and heaved him over her shoulder.  She pointed to a child and said,
"Grab my stuff, would you please?"  As the wide-eyed girl complied with her
orders, Driel started down the street.  Rather than try to lug him all the way
to her ship, she headed for the inn.  When she got there, she asked for a
room, then climbed the stairs.  By this time she was panting rather heavily,
and began to curse the innkeeper for giving her a room at the far end of the
hall.  Setting the ill man down, she fumbled with the key and opened the door.
After that task was accomplished, she pulled him into the room and set him
down on the bed.
	As she tried to catch her breath, Driel turned to the girl, who had
managed to follow her.  "Thank you, you've been a big help.  Here's a couple
of coins, you can buy some candy with it.  On your way out, ask the innkeeper
to come here."  When the girl left, Driel sat down heavily on the bed.  In a
few minutes the innkeeper entered the room.  "Oh good, there you are.  Look, I
need you to send someone to the ship Leviathan's Pride.  Have them tell Jared
that I need my herb bag and the first aid kit in my room.  Oh, Jared's the
captain."
	The innkeeper nodded, then said, "Do you want the local healer too?  I
can send someone else to get him."
	Driel sighed, then replied, "Not unless his magic still works.
Otherwise I should do just as well, if not better.  I've been a ship healer
for five years now.  It's a good thing I was never very good with magic, hmm?
Wouldn't do me any good now.  Oh, goodness, just get a move on, we shouldn't
be talking while this poor man lies here."
	The innkeeper nodded again, then rushed out the door.  Driel sat on
the bed and looked at the man and tried to figure out what was wrong.