Passive...er, Aggressive?

[Darastrix]

Hat-ib stalked into the Shrine of Growth, looking around for a senior priest. She'd just spent a very trying hour splinting the ankle of a temperamental Worgan acolyte. Apparently, the young man had been mortally offended by a wall and decided to teach it a lesson. One would think that nearly breaking a bone would have taught him a lesson, but nooo. He'd tried to strike HER when she caused some additional pain in tying the splint. Granted, a lot of people seemed unusually irritable of late, herself included, but there was NO excuse.

"You there!" she shouted, pointing an accusing finger at a green-robed priestess. "I've a bone to pick with what you're teaching your acolytes now! Attacking walls because you're a little put out is bad enough, but trying to hit the healer tending you is completely unacceptable!"

"Er...miss?" The priestess blinked, confused. "We teach no such thing. Strength and perseverance, yes, but attacking someone coming to your aid isn't something any of us would tolerate. Give me the acolyte's name, and I'll make sure he's disciplined."

"Don't patronize me!" Hat-ib shouted suddenly, fists clenching at her sides. "Just because I'm an Efilian doesn't mean--"

Whatever it didn't mean, the priestess didn't get a chance to find out. The healer broke off her words and just rushed forward, clawing and kicking at the bewildered woman.

[Kender Bard]

One of the Fists nearby was quick to break up the fight, grabbing Hat-ib from behind and simply lifting her in the air. "Enough!" he bellowed. He didn't put her down, quite yet. "Listen to me, healer. There is something strange afoot. Many people are lashing out in ways unbefitting of this temple. I don't know why, but it must end soon. Now I'm going to put you down and you're going to leave the temple. Understand?"

[Darastrix]

Hat-ib growled wordlessly and struggled in the Fist's hold, giving no sign that she'd even heard the man. She continued to kick her feet wildly, and the priestess she'd accosted darted forward to hold the woman by the ankles.

"I don't think it's just the temple, brother," she stated to the Fist as Hat-ib howled like a banshee and tried to lunge forward to bite the priestess.

[Kender Bard]

"No," the Fist agreed and tightened his hold. "I haven't the slightest idea of what to do with her either. There's rumors that there's a plague abound - do you think this is a symptom?"

[Darastrix]

"Well, I don't think this is normal, the priestess replied. "Look how slight she is; she's no fighter. Do you think you can knock her out without hurting her too badly?"

[Kender Bard]

"Something like that," the Fist replied and attempted to apply force to a pressure point that would put her to sleep or knock her out, depending on how you looked at it.

[Darastrix]

Hat-ib soon ceased her struggles and lay limply in the Fist's arms, unconscious. The priestess, Odette, let go and blew her bangs out of her face, scratching her head in confusion.

"I've never heard of a sickness or plague that only causes people to act strangely," she mused. "And everyone seems fine aside from that." Odette looked at the Fist. "What if Autus' water's been contaminated? Or the food?"

[Kender Bard]

"Avalon will think of something," the Fist, Aldrick, rumbled and shifted Hat-ib to a better hold as he carried her. "I'll put her with the visitor cots and hope she wakes up in a better mood."

As he started to walk away, he paused suddenly - Avalon was approaching the primary shrine and priests were running about to round up whoever they could. She had an announcement.

"On second thought, I will stay here for the moment," he ammended, and turned to face the shrine.

Once those who were rational enough to attend the meeting were there, Avalon stated, "Brothers and sisters, we have a crises upon us. It is not just Autus that is suddenly plagued with violence - word has reached me that all the clans of the Beastlands act the same; including gentle Seere. While I am still unsure of the cause, for now I am ordering everyone to remain in their rooms save for food and other personal needs. This is for the protection of all - infected or not - until we can determine more."

[Darastrix]

"What should we do with this woman in the meantime?" Odette asked, indicating Aldrick and Hat-ib. "She's not of our temple, but she appears to be infected."

[Kender Bard]

Avalon gave a sigh at that, frowning. The citizens of Autus were more of a problem. She could easily govern her temple but beyond that...

"Would anyone happen to know where she lives?" Avalon inquired of all present.

[Devon]

Ray'banu sat in the meeting looking irritated by those around him. No one had to worry about whether or not he was sick, since he usually looked as if he didn't want to be bothered. "I doubt anyone here knows the woman. Just put her under guard for now and we can deal with her later if she gets out of hand."

[Darastrix]

"She went with some of us to Khelek this past spring," another Fist spoke up, recognising her, "but I don't know where she lives."

~Okay, I think I'm talking to Autus now,~ a voice suddenly said in Avalon's mind. ~If you've got a bunch of cranky, violent folks on your hands, the treatment is salt. Salt water bath, rub salt into the skin, breathing salt vapours, you get the idea.~

[Kender Bard]

Avalon tilted her head as she listened to the voice in her head. Worg? she wondered. No, unlikely, but perhaps good fortune had been sent her way.

"I have an idea," she said suddenly. "We shall use this healer to test a cure that I've just been informed of. It's not harmful to her so I believe we can try this in good faith without worry of damaging her. Someone fetch salt. Two large handfuls."

A priest dashed off to their kitchens and returned with the salt carefully cupped in his hands. At Avalon's insistance, the salt was dumped into a bucket and mixed with water. Then Avalon herself wetted her hands in the solution and began to bathe Hat-ib's face and arms in the stuff. It wasn't a full bath; she wanted to see if this would suffice.

[Darastrix]

Hat-ib came to gradually and stared in confusion at Avalon. "What happened?" she asked, her expression slightly dazed. "Did I faint?"

[Kender Bard]

"She's not shouting," someone pointed out, unnecessarily.

"You were raging," Avalon explained, and gestured to the Fist that had been holding her. "He was forced to render you unconscious. We have tried a potential cure on you - salt water rubbed into your skin. Do you feel angry at all? Annoyed?"