Medical profession.... I hadn't considered that. I'd been so focused on the historical/mystical side of this disease, I'd forgotten that it is still a disease. Maybe we should try that angle, as a big city like Val Razua's gotta have better medical resources available than Braston here. To say nothing of better historical records, and better experts on religion, and of course, more mages, if that route proves viable.
The more I think about it, the more that seems our best option.
EDIT: Assuming of course, like I, and Nary, said before, we can find a faster ship than the normal 'week-long' affair, that's time we can't afford to waste. I don't know if we'll find tengu or not (and personally I hope not, because that probably means Aya, and I cannot stand Aya. Hatate and Momiji? Sure, no problems there. Aya, I'd be tempted to pitch her over the railing once we get over open water), but hopefully there's SOMETHING here we can use.
But on the other hand, a tengu SHIP, now, that's a different story. That, we can steal. That'd be kinda neat, actually.
>"On the other hand, I'm prepared to accept that your boss may not be able to help me. I don't LIKE it, but it would be in keeping with my track record so far. Now, you seem a decent enough fella, and you know what's at stake. You're not certain Kamishirasawa can help me, and you probably wouldn't keep saying that if you thought there was any chance. So tell me about the medical services of Val Razua."
>Hold up a hand. "I know, I know, that's not your field of expertise. But from what you've seen, the city's gotta have more resources in that field than Braston, right?"