Papa says Seeker Larus has chosen to devote his entire life to the well-being of the Realm, and that’s abundantly clear from his small hut. Aside from the basic furniture, the hut holds almost no possessions. Seeker Larus doesn’t actually spend very much time here. When he isn’t eating or sleeping or hosting Council meetings, he’s busy with Seeker duties.
The few objects he does possess are entirely from the Realm. A single shelf attached to the wall above the stove holds some of the most priceless treasures I’ve ever seen: a sarvalur tooth, a phoenix claw, an entire jar of unicorn hairs. Seeker Larus, more than anyone else, knows their value, but he displays them almost casually, in the same way other people would position their sugar bowls or cooking pots.
Seeker Larus has just finished distributing tea to me and Seeker Ludvik when a quick rap sounds at the door, and Seeker Freyr strides in without waiting for a response. His dark hair is windswept, and his satchel is missing. Ari is right on his heels, his eyes wide with an expression I’ve never seen on him before. Whatever Seeker Freyr said, or whatever emotion Ari’s picking up from him with his empathy gift, it isn’t good.
“Well?” Seeker Ludvik asks without preamble as Seeker Larus sits beside him.
“It should be impossible,” Seeker Freyr says gravely, “but it’s true. The dark plague has returned.”
I catch Ari’s eye. Dark plague? I mouth silently at him, but he shrugs, looking as confused as I feel.
“Surely that can’t be possible,” says Seeker Ludvik. “We eradicated it completely—I’m certain.”
“I didn’t want to believe it either,” says Seeker Freyr, “but I saw it for myself. The gyrpuff Seeker Ari found today has all the symptoms, and the eyes are completely black. It resists my healing in all forms, and it… well. You know what it does when one tries to heal it.”
Considering I was the one who actually made us try to find the gyrpuff in the first place, I’m not sure why Seeker Freyr left me out. So I say loudly, “Excuse me, but we don’t all know, actually. Could someone please explain to me and Seeker Ari what’s going on?”
Seeker Freyr scowls at the interruption, but Seeker Larus nods. “Of course, Seeker Bryn,” he says. “It’s unsurprising that you and Seeker Ari are unfamiliar with this plague, given that it happened several decades ago. We were young Seekers ourselves then—Seeker Freyr had only just joined the Council, and your papa was not yet a member. It was Seeker Oskar who led us back then, and who first discovered the plague.”
“What plague?” I ask.
“It causes many symptoms, across many different kinds of creatures within the Realm,” Seeker Larus says. “But its most telltale sign is that it turns an infected creature’s eyes completely black, just like the gyrpuff you saw today. This plague acts slowly, but it is always deadly in the end—infected creatures don’t survive unless they are cured. But there are several reasons why we fear this plague above all others. It is the worst that we have seen during our time as Seekers.
“First, it is highly contagious and affects all magical species. During the original outbreak, every known type of magical creature in the Realm contracted it at some point, and it spread rapidly. Half the Realm was infected before we had fully realized what we were dealing with.”
“Half?” Ari asks, and I gulp. That must be hundreds of creatures, if not thousands. “How did you stop it?”
“Well, I’m getting to that. The second thing that makes the plague so deadly is that there is no known cure, and it seems to be resistant to all types of healing. You see, what’s unique about this illness is that it… well, it drains energy. In fact, it seems to feed on magic. The more magical a creature is, the faster the illness seems to affect them—it feeds on their very life force, on the magic that gives them their power. And when we tried, with healing gifts, to cure the creatures, we found that our gifts merely provided fuel for the plague. It fed on the energy of our healing.”
“How is that possible?” Ari asks. “Something like that… How did anything survive?”
The Seekers exchange glances. “Unfortunately,” Seeker Larus says softly, “we never found a cure. When we realized how rapidly it was spreading and how little we could do to stop it, we made a difficult decision. We used boundary spells to create quarantine zones in areas of the Realm—spells that none of the Realm’s creatures could cross. We confined the sick creatures within the boundaries, separate from the healthy ones. This way, the plague stopped spreading, and the creatures who had not yet contracted it were spared.”
“But what about the creatures who had the plague when you created the quarantine? How did you cure them?” I ask.
A heavy silence fills the room. It’s Seeker Ludvik who finally breaks it. “We… didn’t,” he says softly.
“Didn’t?” I repeat.
“They died, Bryn,” Seeker Larus says quietly. “The creatures who were infected did not survive the plague. It was all we could do to keep it from spreading to the rest of the Realm.”
“Wait,” I say. “You’re telling me that half of the Realm was wiped out in a plague a few decades ago? Why have I never heard about this?”
“We decided to keep the extent of the damage a secret from the villagers,” Seeker Larus explains. “We didn’t want to cause a panic until we had found a solution, and in the aftermath… Well, it didn’t seem necessary to reveal what had happened.”
“But my papa never mentioned it,” I say. “Did he know?”
“The Seekers who have joined our ranks since were told about the plague at one point or another,” Seeker Larus says, “though, again, we did not disclose all of the details. There seemed to be little point in doing so, since the plague had disappeared.”
Ari looks at Seeker Larus. “Did you ever find out what caused it? Was there a source?”
“No,” responds Seeker Freyr. “We were never able to trace its origin. But after the creatures in the quarantine zone had passed, we carefully inspected every inch of those areas to ensure that there were no remaining signs of contamination. We let the creatures back into those areas slowly at first, one at a time, to ensure that the plague was truly gone. When they did not catch it, we concluded that the plague had been eradicated.”
I’m not sure I believe what I’m hearing. “You just sealed half the Realm off and left the creatures to die?”
“It wasn’t quite so simple,” protests Seeker Freyr sharply. “We were working to find a cure, I can assure you. But we never managed it—not in time to save them. And once the plague was gone, we no longer had any way to test a cure. But we truly believed that it had died out—perhaps one of the Realm’s dragons or sea wolves contracted the illness from the sea and spread it to the other creatures. We have seen no sign of the plague in the Realm since… until today.”
“How would a gyrpuff get it, then?” I ask. “Gyrpuffs don’t travel very far from the island, even when they’re on the water.”
Seeker Larus glances at Seeker Ludvik, but neither of them speaks.
“We don’t know what has caused this,” Seeker Larus says finally, “but that is hardly the most pressing concern at the moment. To prevent the same kind of tragedy we witnessed before, we must act swiftly. Seeker Freyr, did you secure the gyrpuff?”
“Yes,” Seeker Freyr responds. “Seeker Ari and I placed a boundary around the cliff. But I would appreciate your help in strengthening it, Ludvik.”
Seeker Ludvik nods. As the only one of us with a defender gift, he’s the expert at boundary spells.
“But what about—” I start.
Seeker Larus doesn’t hear me. “We will just have to hope that this gyrpuff is the only one,” he says, “and that the plague hasn’t spread too far yet. We will keep the quarantine zone small for now, and expand if necessary.”
“Wait,” I say, louder so they won’t ignore me again. “Are you saying you’re just going to leave that gyrpuff there, with a deadly and highly contagious illness, and quarantine the whole cliff? What about the oth
er gyrpuffs that live there? It was right next to another nest where we found an egg with a hatchling inside and a mama gyrpuff. They’ll catch the plague if we don’t do something.”
There’s another beat of silence. “It’s likely that they already have been exposed, Bryn,” Seeker Larus says softly. “And we can’t move the infected gyrpuff without risking further spread of the illness. Our only hope is to prevent any other creatures from entering that area and to prevent the potentially infected ones from leaving. It’s the only way to stop the spread of the plague before it’s too late.”
“But that means we’re just leaving all those healthy gyrpuffs in the quarantine zone to die,” I say. “Can’t we save them?”
Seeker Freyr shakes his head sharply. “The plague is a slow death, and it takes time for the symptoms to develop. Some of the creatures who seem healthy now might already be carrying it and could spread it to others. For now, we can’t allow any creatures to travel to and from that cliff. We will also have to begin monitoring the surrounding cliffsides. If the illness has already spread there, we will have to quarantine them as well.”
It makes sense, but I still can’t believe that this is our only option. “So that’s it, then? That’s all we can do?”
“Of course, we will also try to find a cure for the plague,” Seeker Larus says. “But containing it must be our first priority.”
“If it hasn’t spread to the other cliffs,” Seeker Freyr adds, “then the gyrpuff population will bounce back quickly. There are many more nests along the southern coast.”
“The Realm’s creatures are adept at recovering from events like this,” Seeker Ludvik adds. “We saw that last time. Despite losing so many creatures, the populations replenished themselves within a few generations.”
“But what about this generation?” I say. “We’re Seekers. Protecting these creatures is supposed to be our job. Why doesn’t anyone else have a problem with just abandoning those gyrpuffs to die?”
“Bryn,” Seeker Freyr says sharply, “I find it odd that you are choosing this moment to argue, given how flagrantly you broke the rules this morning. Just because we have more pressing matters to discuss does not mean we’ve overlooked the fact that you and Seeker Ari found this gyrpuff while exploring the Realm by yourselves and ignoring our clear instructions not to do so. Clearly, you are not ready to enter the Realm on your own; nor are you equipped to help us handle this crisis.”
I can’t hold back my anger. “But if it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t even know about the illness. You’re going to punish us for alerting you to the plague?”
“No,” Seeker Freyr says, “but I think any Seeker who cannot be trusted alone in the Realm should not be allowed in it. Your trial period should be extended.”
“What?” I say.
“You knew the rules,” Seeker Freyr says firmly, “and you chose to break them. Until you can be trusted to conduct yourself more maturely, I don’t think you should enter the Realm again, unless under direct supervision.”
I look helplessly to Seeker Larus. As the most senior member on the Council, surely he’ll decide to overrule Seeker Freyr—
Seeker Larus shakes his head. “I understand that you have been eager to assume your full Seeker duties, Bryn, but Seeker Freyr is correct; you broke the rules that we asked you to abide by, for your own safety and that of the Realm. For that reason, I think we need to extend your training period. Shall we have a vote?”
Seeker Freyr nods curtly. After a moment, so does Seeker Ludvik.
Larus continues. “All in favor of extending the training period for Seekers Ari and Bryn and restricting their access to the Realm during that period?”
Seeker Larus and Seeker Freyr both raise their hands. Seeker Ludvik seems a little reluctant, but then he raises his hand too.
Seeker Larus nods once. “Motion passed,” he says. “Now, let’s return to the emergency at hand. Seeker Freyr, please show Seeker Ludvik where the gyrpuff is located so that he can begin setting the boundaries. I’ll monitor the other cliffs and then join you.”
Seeker Freyr nods once. “Ludvik, are you ready? I will show you.” The two of them rise and exit the hut quickly, and just like that, the meeting is adjourned.
“Seeker Larus?” Ari asks quietly. It’s the first time he’s spoken up in ages. “I have a question about this illness.”
“Of course,” Seeker Larus says, nodding.
“Can it be passed to humans? Or can humans pass it to others? Is there a chance Bryn and I might get sick after being exposed to the gyrpuff? Is there a chance we could spread it to our families, or to our dragon?”
“Oh, not to worry,” Seeker Larus says. “We determined last time that the illness doesn’t seem to affect humans; nor do we seem to transmit it. It appears that this illness is one that feeds off magical energy. The creatures of the Realm are vulnerable because they have so much magic. And while we all have our gifts, they are nothing in comparison to the magical energy of the Realm’s creatures. Humans simply don’t seem to have enough magic for the illness to feed off. If this is the same plague we faced before, we have nothing to worry about on that front.”
Ari nods. “Thank you, Seeker. Is there anything Bryn and I can do to help from here, while you’re in the Realm?”
“I suggest the two of you spend this time resting up,” says Seeker Larus. “If the illness has spread farther than we’re aware of, there will be a lot of work for all of us in the coming days. You’ve done very well in alerting us.”
I open my mouth to make a sharp retort, anger building in my chest, but Ari places a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you, Seeker Larus,” he says. “Please keep us informed if you find any more infected creatures.”
“Of course,” Seeker Larus says. “And please, don’t say anything about the plague to any of the villagers—not now. We don’t want to cause any sort of panic, and we don’t know yet what we’re facing.”
“We won’t,” Ari promises.
I open my mouth again, but Ari gives my arm a sharp tug. He can sense exactly how I’m feeling, and he knows I’m about to explode. “Good day, Seeker Larus,” Ari says, and he hauls me out of the hut.
The minute we’re out of Seeker Larus’s hearing, I explode with rage.
“Did you hear them?” I fume. “I cannot believe this.”
“I know you’re upset,” Ari says. “But…”
“Aren’t you upset? They’re banning us from the Realm! In the middle of an emergency!”
“I told you we shouldn’t have broken the rules,” Ari says. “We’ll just have to go along for now, to prove that we’re not going to be reckless.”
“But there’s no time for that. There’s a whole cliffside full of gyrpuffs who might be infected. There must be a hundred! And the other Seekers don’t know how to save them. They’re not even trying!”
“But what can we do?” Ari asks. “If the illness doesn’t have a cure—”
“I should’ve known,” I say with a huff. “Should’ve known you’d take their side over mine.”
“What are you talking about? There are no sides, Bryn. We’re all just trying to do what’s best.”
“But they didn’t even listen to me,” I say. “Didn’t you notice? It’s like this every time.”
Ari frowns, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “It’s like what every time?”
I point back to Seeker Larus’s hut. “Nobody listens to me in there. Every time I say something, they dismiss me or talk over me or ignore me. It’s been happening since the very first meeting. And haven’t you noticed how they talk to me? They don’t compliment my work like they do yours. And they call me ‘Bryn’ instead of ‘Seeker.’ Even Seeker Larus did it just now. They don’t take me seriously.”
“We’re both still getting used to being Seekers,” Ari says calmly. “I’m sure it’s an adjustment for everyone to remember to call us that.”
“But they never forget to call you Seeker.”
“
Well…”
“And they don’t listen to me. We’re being sidelined when we could be helping! We have to find a cure, some way to heal them, or—”
“Bryn,” Ari says gently, “are you sure you were listening to them? There’s no cure. How do we cure something that feeds off healing energy? If we try to heal them, we’ll make it worse. The other Seekers have seen this plague before. We should trust their judgment.”
“What about our own judgment?” I cross my arms over my chest. “Is that what you think we should do? If it were just me and you, would you decide the same thing?”
“Well…,” Ari says again, hesitating.
“You and I are official Seekers now. That means we get just as much of a say on the Council as they do. They shouldn’t be able to just decide without taking everyone’s opinions into consideration. They can’t just ban us from the Realm like this. They’re not treating us like Council members.”
“But we’ve only been Council members for, what, four weeks?” Ari says. “They have, like, a decade of experience each. We should be taking their advice and learning from them.”
“Maybe so.” I glare back at Seeker Larus’s hut. “But that doesn’t mean we should just sit back and do nothing. I’m right about this. I know I’m right about this. A Seeker’s job is to protect the creatures of the Realm. We have to do that, even if they don’t want us to.”
“All right,” Ari says, throwing his hands up in defeat. “All right. We’ll bring it up again at the next meeting. I’m sure everyone’s a little on edge right now, finding out about this plague. When everyone’s calmer, we can discuss our options rationally.”
I roll my eyes. “Right, just like they’ve listened to my opinions rationally in any other meeting. You really don’t see it, do you?”
Ari just looks at me, and I sigh. “Whatever. Let’s just go.”
As Ari and I head down the path, I glance back at Seeker Larus’s hut.
They might have experience with this plague, but that doesn’t mean they’re always right.
Legend of the Realm Page 5
