Episode 88 - What was Left Behind

## Synopsis

The sun began to set over the Artisian cottage, as the students and their mentor settled down to rest. Part way through the night, Winsler felt someone shake him awake. In a confused and groggy state he lurched upright then immediately fell flat on his face. He brushed himself off and looked up to see Artis, who asked if they could go outside to talk.

The floorboards creaked as they made their way outside and sat on the deck. Artis asked if there was anything more Winsler wanted to tell him about his exploits the night before. Winsler told him about the hole in the wall of the Necromancy department, and the whispers and engraved rocks that Angelika had been talking about. He told Artis about the pebble that requested all of their presence in the kitchen tomorrow night.

Artis thanked Winsler for his honesty, and admitted to didn’t know what to do, he felt he was failing to keep them safe as their mentor. Winsler got up and tried to reassure Artis that there was nothing he could have done, but he was adamant that he should have tried harder. Winsler suggested that instead of fixating on his mistakes, he should think about how he could help them now.

Artis stood up, and started to walk towards a shed at the side of the house. Inside Winsler saw it was full of magical artefacts and assorted junk. As Artis started looking for a particular object, out of the corner of Winsler’s eye he saw something he didn’t expect. A half-finished crib covered up and collecting dust in the back corner of the shed.

From a holder in another part of the shed, Artis pulled out a staff with a steel cage filled with charcoal attached to the top. He handed it to Winsler and told him some rules for usage: He had to give it back as soon as they were done, he couldn’t carry it around the house, and Integrity wasn’t allowed to touch it. Artis then took it back and put it covered up next to his bed. He thanked Winsler for his advice, and the pair went back to sleep.

Over on the Wildcliff campus, Serinepth sat next to Phillip’s bed. He was still unconscious, sweaty, and with milky white eyes. The healer looked over and asked which part of his body was the first to fall into the liquid. Serinepth replied that she thought it was his head, with that the healer went to find another potion. He returned with a set of bellows attached to a jar, and another jar of what looked like glitter.

“*Whenever you’re ready, put that in his left eye, and hold him as still as you can.*” The healer passed Serinepth the jar of glitter and pushed the deflated bellows into Phillip’s nose.

Serinepth restrained Phillip’s arms and quickly dropped some of the glitter into his left eye. Immediately his eye turned a translucent yellow and he began thrashing around. At the same time, the healer opened the bellows, and the attached jar began to fill with a milky fluid. After about a minute and a few more glitter drops, the jar filled with the liquid and Phillip stopped thrashing. His eyes were now completely yellow, and he once again fell unconscious.

The healer told Serinepth they would know if the treatment worked in a couple of days, and brought a cot over so she could sleep next to Phillip.

The sun shone into the Artisian cottage, and the students awoke to find Artis had already left for the campus. Mira woke to a sharp pain from her missing arm, and a nearby Delnys looked on with bloodshot eyes.

Integrity woke and started to try and make breakfast for everyone. In the small kitchenette she found a stack of plates in a cupboard, and a bowl of old vegetables on the counter. She and Winsler went outside and started to make a fire to cook a breakfast stew.

Mira looked over at Delnys, “*I guess we should eat something.*”

Delnys looked as if she was about to cry, and apologised for not being able to help Mira, that once again she had to be saved by her. Quietly, Mira told her she didn’t need to apologise, and once again suggested they get something to eat.

As the ate, they discussed what they needed to do, and whether Serinepth and Phillip were ok. Integrity asked if Mira was planning on joining them back on campus, but after some persuasion from Delnys she decided to stay at Artis’ Cottage. Winsler suggested Integrity join him and Serinepth in the kitchen.

Mira questioned if going back on to campus during a lockdown was a good idea, and Integrity excitedly informed the group that Bailey told her the lockdown had been lifted following the ceremony for Underbough. They all decided that more people walking around the campus would make it safer for them. Mira asked her friends to stay safe, and Integrity joked, “*Mira we overthrew a government, we can do this.*”

As the students prepared to leave, Winsler walked up to Yog, and asked them to look after Mira and Delnys. Yog agreed, and Winsler grabbed the *Staff of Fire* left by Artis. Together, he and Integrity walked back onto the Wildcliff campus.

Trying to find Serinepth they went back to her dorm, finding the door open and the ground dirty. They walked I to find the mess left behind, but no Serinepth. Remembering Philip’s condition, they decided to check the Infirmary.

They made their way across campus, hearing lectures from classrooms as lessons continued. In the Infirmary they found a sleep-deprived Serinepth lying near an unconscious Phillip. Winsler passed her a croissant, which she immediately devoured. She briefly explained Phillip’s condition, and how he was completely blind.

Winsler reminded her about the pebble problem, and they agreed they weren’t bringing Phillip with them. Serinepth agreed that she would come with them, as he wouldn’t wake up for a few days. They started walking back to Serinepth’s dorm, intending to wait for night to fall, and to pack bags for Artis’ house. On their way, they heard the voice of Cyndra Sunfire, yelling about golem freedom.