Pandora Unchained B1C27 - Slippery Snake

The audience began muttering loudly at Marcus’s mention of Sorin’s occupational change. The change had not been well-received by the populace. It seemed a pity for a perfectly good doctor to change his career and become an adventurer – ignoring, of course, how the situation had practically been forced.

“How you address me doesn’t matter,” Sorin said to Marcus. “Poisons Master is an apt descriptor of my profession. I just noticed that you were talking a lot about improvements to your facilities and your ability to treat higher level cultivators. But I notice you made no mention of the current undertreatment of non-cultivators, specifically as it relates to corruption.”

“Ah,” said Marcus. “We will of course be providing services to these individuals at an increased capacity.”

“At a steeply discounted price, I hope?” said Sorin. “Because as I understand it, clinics tend to receive a stipend from the governors. A per capita amount per customer subsidized by the state government and intended to cover the full costs of treatment.

“I ask this because while we were operating this Temporary Medical Relief Center to accommodate the ‘cross training’ of your staff and preparation for your grand reopening, many clients stated that they were turned away for lack of funds – something I find disturbing and in gross contravention of the physicians code of ethics. Perhaps this is some sort of misunderstanding?”

Marcus’s expression fell. “Turned away? Not on my watch!” There was no way he could admit to such a thing in front of a large crowd. “As for charging, it is in my understanding that physicians have always charged for such services in the Bloodwood Outpost. Physician Lim does, at least.”

“Only a nominal amount,” said Sorin. “And back when I ran this clinic, as I’m sure many remember, I always matched that amount, or charged less if I could. I also happen to know that Physician Lim won’t charge if his customers can’t afford it, and I didn’t either. At least as it concerns non-cultivators.”

“On that note, I notice that you’ve brought in three one-star physicians and a few apprentices with you. I must say that I am relieved. I’m sure that with a two-star physician and three more one-star physicians to help out Physician Lim, there will be no need for the Adventurers Guild and Mages Guild to set up temporary clinics in the future. I’m sure everyone that requires prompt medical treatment will receive it.”

“It is as you say,” said Marcus, smiling brightly. “We’re here to grow together with our community and hope to see each everyone live bright lives to their full potential.”

He continued his speech, but Sorin didn’t bother listening to the rest of it. Marcus was much craftier than he’d suspected and wouldn’t give him much of an opening. In the end, the entire conflict between the Medical Association and the Adventurers Guild had all been a clever cover for his greater scheme: sabotaging Sorin at every opportunity, just like the Kepler Clan intended.

“Pack it up,” Sorin said to Leffen as he arrived at the temporary clinic. “We’re done here.”

“That’s it?” said Leffen, looking confused. “Wasn’t there supposed to be some sort of epic showdown or physician standoff?”

Sorin shrugged. “Marcus is a two-star physician, Leffen. He doesn’t need to prove anything. He’s also clearly collaborating with the Governor and the Alchemists Guild. One could argue that by opening the temporary clinic, we brought attention to the Growing Branches Clinic. It looks like we won, but in the end, he did.

“But we forced him to open up again and treat our people,” said Leffen. “I also heard from the vice-guild master that the medical association, having ‘realized the severity of the situation’, is no longer pressing charges.

“That’s all we could do with what we were given, Leffen,” said Sorin. “We forced him to act and start treating our adventurers again, but in the end, he’s making it sound like he’s the good guy.” As an added bonus, they’d advertised life mages as an alternative to healing potions for nonserious injuries. Combined with their low treatment costs, they’d fixed a low price in everyone’s mind.

In Sorin’s mind, this was a win. But from the guild’s standpoint, this was just another lull in the perpetual war over influence they all fought.

Sorin had to admit that he was more than a little disappointed. But that was life. People weren’t stupid,

“Well done,” said Haley, appearing behind the tent just as Sorin was leaving. “You did a good job out there, Sorin, no matter what you might think.”

“I hope the guild master didn’t have sky-high expectations,” said Sorin. “Looking at your attire, you weren’t exactly expecting a fight?” Haley was wearing casual clothes, but a careful inspection would reveal an array of weapons tucked into her clothing and undergarments.

“Unfortunately, there’s only so much that can be done when the governor, the highest-ranking physician, and the Alchemists Guild are in bed,” said Haley. “To get them to give up on their aggression and to provide normal, non-discriminatory care to our members again was the realistic outcome.

“As for a fight – well, I’m sure you know that Marcus has much better ways of targeting you. Don’t be too surprised if the Alchemist Guild finds itself too busy for custom orders in the foreseeable future.”

Sorin sighed. “It seems that if I need cultivation resources, I’ll need to find them myself. Or at least something to trade for them. I don’t suppose you have back-channel access to key resources?”

“I do, but that service comes at a premium,” said Haley. “What are your plans going forward?”

“I’m not quite sure,” said Sorin. “Marcus has done a really good job in strangling my growth opportunities. Are there any good missions to be had?”

“Maybe in a week’s time,” said Haley. “But you should visit the guild on a daily basis just to be sure.”

Sorin said goodbye to Haley and continued toward the Adventurers Guild. It was just after noon, so there were many people outside for lunch enjoying the last warm days of fall.

But Sorin wasn’t in the mood for lunch, and neither was he in the mood for people. He settled for a cup of coffee at a rundown café in an alley a few blocks away from main street, then he slowly sipped on his cup of coffee as he waited for news from his accomplice.

A half hour later, he heard a familiar squeak. Lorimer scurried down the alley and climbed onto Sorin’s table, then started lapping at his coffee. “Hey! No pets on the tables!” shouted the owner.

“Sorry about that,” said Sorin. He placed his coffee cup on the ground and petted Lorimer as he drank. “How was it? Was Lawrence’s map accurate?”

Lorimer squeaked that the map was completely useless, as expected. But Lorimer was a smart mouse and knew what to look for. He’d eaten many delicious things. In fact, he’d broken through to the fourth level of blood thickening!

“Excellent,” said Sorin. “It’s not quite peeing in his coffee cup, but it’ll have to do.” Then Sorin sighed. “It’s too bad you’re so small. Otherwise, you might have been able to steal me earth flame crystal.” Lorimer froze when he heard this and transmitted a thought. “You’re asking what those crystals look like? I’m not sure – orange and red? The size of a fist? They’re a kind of variant mana crystal. Very useful for alchemists. You… you’re saying you ate one?”

Lorimer shook his head. “You didn’t eat one?” asked Sorin. Another shake. “You mean you ate more than one? How many did you eat exactly?” To answer, Lorimer drained the coffee cup. “All of them? Are you insane?” Lorimer licked his lips as if asking for more. “You’re insatiably greedy, Lorimer. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to afford feeding you.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t him that paid for the food, but Marcus. Moreover, Marcus wouldn’t be able to admit to the Alchemists Guild that the earth flames had gone missing. For someone of his stature, it made much more sense to order some from Dustone to replace them. He also would never suspect Sorin, because Sorin had been right there in front of him. He had a perfect alibi.

Sorin ordered two more coffees, one for him and one for Lorimer. Today was a wonderful day. A fruitful day. He kind of wished he could have goaded Marcus into attacking him in public, but there was nothing to be done about it.

If only Lorimer was bigger, thought Sorin. Or maybe I could get him to wear a satchel? No, that would be too conspicuous. A rat with a satchel would be immediately noticed.

He was about to take another sip of his coffee when a thought suddenly occurred to him. “Lorimer? Do you remember that trick you did with the mana lamp crystals?” Lorimer looked up from his coffee and nodded. “Do you… do you think you could warm up my coffee?” He held out his cup to Lorimer expectantly.

Lorimer was quite smart, and immediately knew what to do. He began to glow orange-red, and Sorin’s coffee cup, which was only made of cheap ceramics, exploded from the sheer amount of heat.

“Hey! Watch it!” said the owner of the café. “And don’t think I didn’t see that. I’m adding that cup to your tab.”

Sorin slapped a couple of gold coins on the table. “I’m in a good mood today,” he said to the owner. “Thanks for putting up with Lorimer. Keep the change.”

“Any time!” shouted the owner, one of the few that would tolerate a pet rat in his establishment.

Having confirmed that Lorimer was now essentially a living earth flame, he stepped out of the alley and made his way to Main Street. His next destination? the Alchemists Guild.