We all do as he says and mounting the giant Stancimis. She sets out, descending into the thick depth of floating Mybyncians, heading straight for the FH’s lowest level.
Chapter Thirteen: Dilly
It takes about twenty minutes to load up all three barrels which are made of stiffened seaweed and stand as tall as Sampson. He and the boys do the majority of the work, moving the Dilly closer to Gala as Pratt, Mae and I assist Clarence with tying the barrels to her cratered back. Mallup stands nearby, watching the Rogues transport the barrels from the end of the dark basement-like room to the mini Docking Station on the other side. Once we’re finished, and we’ve cleaned the FH of all the available Dilly, we head back the queen’s chamber where Qippert is waiting for us, several seaweed-woven bags in hand.
“Ah…” he watches us climb off Gala, already freeing the barrels from her back. “You have brought them. I have a few bags we can fill to start the next round of dosages. We can keep the remainder in here.”
“How’s the chancellor doing?” Sampson dismounts the giant Stancimis.
Qippert sighs. “He is as he was.”
“And the princesses?” I ask.
“I am not sure. I have been with the queen, the chancellor and Princess Varille in the Great Hall, trying to keep everyone calm.”
“We should go check on them,” I turn to Sampson. “And Tucker too.”
He nods. “Pratt, Mae—if you could stay and help Mallup administer some of the Dilly, I would appreciate it.”
“You got it, Fychu,” Pratt nods, heading to grab a bag from Qippert. Mae follows, and right after her, a sullen faced Mallup. Qippert passes out a bag to each as Sampson pries open the first barrel, distributing the Dilly.
“I’ll take the kids back to the attendant’s chamber,” Clarence says, leading us toward the Great Hall. When we reach it, we find nothing has changed—sickly and healthy Mybyncians fill the room until there’s no available space. Clarence carves a path through the crowd and we all follow until entering the attendant’s quarters.
Sansa is still out, but Tucker is awake and sitting beside Princess Ariana’s bedside, the two leaning close to one another. They’re in deep conversation and barely notice as we enter. Clarence clears his throat.
“How’d it go?” Tucker jumps to his feet. “You get a lot?”
“All three barrels,” Clarence nods.
“How are you feeling?” I move toward the princess. She’s gotten a little color back. “Better?”
“Better…” she blushes with a deep inhale. “Tucker has…” she gulps, “most graciously… been keeping…” another gulp, “…me company.”
“And what about you?” I direct my question to him. “You’re awake and moving around. That’s good.”
“Yeah…” he rubs the back of his head. “Woke up a little after you left.”
“Good to see you, man,” Reid claps him on his shoulder.
“Sorry I wasn’t able to help.”
“You didn’t miss much.”
“It looks like you had a nice time here, though,” Jace grins, sitting on the bed with a large exhale. “Jesus I’m tired.”
Mallup flies through the door, one of the woven bags in her hand. She looks from Clarence to Reid to Ariana. “The Fychu advised I should assist both princesses.”
“I think that would be good,” Clarence agrees.
Smiling at Reid, Mallup passes him, crossing the room to the coral beds and begins feeding both princesses the Dilly. A little while passes before Chancellor Keller arrives with an arm around Queen Ravan and Sampson. Mae and Pratt enter behind them, carrying two empty bags.
“Alright, we’re ready for more.”
“Pratt and Mae have done an excellent job,” Sampson beams. “But we need another two bags out tonight. Any volunteers?” he glances around the room. “How about…Tucker? You seem to be well rested and moving. And…Reid? If you’re not too tired. Think you could manage another sweep of the Docking Station and Great Hall?”
“Not a problem,” Reid says, moving for Pratt’s bag. “We’re still working from the first barrel?”
Sampson nods. “Nearly to the end of it already.”
“I’ll take the Great Hall,” Tucker takes Mae’s bag and heads for the coral door, Reid on his tail and the two disappear from the room.
“And Mallup,” Sampson turns for her, “why don’t you take one to Qippert and Princess Varille. They’ve been watching over Salva, Maris and a few of the guards. I’m sure they could use some more on their end.”
“Of course, Fychu,” Mallup bows eagerly, rushing out of the room after the boys.
Ignoring her eager departure, I take a seat next to Ariana, where Tucker had been previously sitting. After a bit, Qippert arrives with an exhausted Reid and Tucker behind him. The Dofinike makes his way to Sampson’s side while the Rogues keep to the front of the room.
“All done,” Reid sighs.
“And?” Clarence probes. “How is it? Quiet?”
He nods, hooking his hands on his hips. “Better than earlier.”
“They’re tired, I think,” Tucker adds.
“Good,” Clarence nods, clearing his throat. “Everyone is settling in for the night. Since there are extenuating circumstances—and half the city is out there mingled together—we’re forgoing the separate sleeping quarters. Until order is resumed,” he adds.
“Of course,” Reid nods with an inconspicuous glance to me.
“So we’ll all be bundled up together.”
“Well, not all,” Qippert says, “the queen, Chancellor Keller and I will be sharing Princess Varille’s quarters. Fychu,” he turns to him, “the offer still stands.”
“And I think I will have to decline.”
“Go on,” Clarence nods. “I can take care of things here. Besides, it’s too crowded as it is.”
Sampson looks from Clarence to Qippert to the chancellor and finally to the rest of us. With a deep sigh, he nods. “Very well. Everyone get a good night’s rest—today was long and strenuous. I have no doubt tomorrow will bring the same exhaustion. Chancellor?” he turns, helping drape his arm around his shoulder.
Qippert rushes to the other side, helping hoist up the chancellor as the trio leaves the room, Queen Ravan on their tail. Once they’ve left, Clarence turns to us. “Alright, you heard the Fychu—lights out.”
Pratt yawns as Mae heads for one of the coral beds near the princesses. There are only two structures left so after Mae climbs in one, Pratt jumps in right behind her, already snuggling. Mae pulls the blanket over them and I stand staring at the last available bed.
“Fallon,” Jace sighs, “you know it’s yours. Take it before I do.”
“You sure you guys don’t mind?” I bite my lip, glancing between the Rogues. My body aches from everything today as well as all the action from yesterday, but it’s not fair to claim the bed just because I’m a girl. The guys must be just as tired—if more so—than me, so why should I get it?
“Even if we did,” Werzo says, “there’s no way Boss would let us take it. Seriously, get in before I do.”
I look at Reid and he’s nodding.
It feels wrong, but somehow, my feet are walking their way over. “Okay…” I climb into the deep pink linen. “Thanks.”
“I’ll crash on the floor,” Clarence mumbles, slumping to the ground as he leans against the wall. “If you want to share the bed, it’s yours,” he says to the Rogues.
Tucker, Jace, Werzo and Booker look at one another, all slow to nod as they make their way over. Reid stares at the enormous central bed that’s quickly filling with Rogues before glancing at me. Finally, he slides to the ground at the head of my coral structure. Leaning against the wall, he crosses his arms over his chest and closes his eyes.
“You all did good today,” Clarence yawns. “Real good…”
***
“Helen, please. It has not been easy keeping this from you.”
“Then why did you?” The woman in
the red bandanna inhales on her cigarette, the orange tip lighting up. “You know what? Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“It was to keep you safe,” Granny Ruth says. “You don’t know the beginning of the danger…”
“The less you knew, the better,” the man reaches for Helen’s hand, squeezing it in both of his. “It was protection. It was the only thing I could do for you. And will continue to do for your children…”
They fade and in their place, she emerges once more—the white-haired woman. She stares at me with wide, silver eyes, reading mine.
“You must awake now, Fallon.”
Her mouth never moves, but she continues to pierce me with a magnetic gaze.
“Awake... you must awake.”
Her silver eyes blaze.
“AWAKE FALLON!”
“Alright kids,” Clarence’s voice rings overhead. “Everyone up. Another big day.”
I blink a few times and it takes me a minute to remember where I am. I know we’re in Mybyncia, in the FH, but I’m not in the bed from last night. And Pratt and Mae aren’t beside me. I’m in a smaller, tighter structure with soft, padded walls surrounding me. Trying to remember how I got here, the events from yesterday flood back—all the dead Mybyncians, the entire FH filled with sickly miyons and mayans, and Perio’s piercing eyes at the chancellor’s nearly fatal rescue.
The plague!
I sit up, panicked with fear at the grisly images of the gray, sunken bodies… until I find Reid sitting against the wall, deeply asleep. He’s next to my bed, arms still folded with his head slumped onto one shoulder, facing me. My chest swells at the sight of his serene face and I hate to disturb it.
“Hey…” I whisper, and he stirs. “Reid… hey, wake up.”
“Come on, kids.” Clarence calls, walking around the room, shaking the Rogues awake. “Time to get up.”
Reid’s eyes flicker open, finding mine first.
“Hi.”
A sleepy smile crawls across his face. “Hey.”
“Are we distributing Dilly again?” Mae yawns, sitting up and stretching both arms overhead.
Pratt follows, rubbing her eye. “What time is it?”
“Early. And yes, they need help passing out food and Dilly.”
“Well I’m hungry,” Werzo’s stomach emits a loud growl. “When do we get to eat?”
“Right now,” Clarence tosses out packets of Vair, the Rogues each catching one. Pratt and Mae fumble, grabbing theirs from the ground where they landed. Clarence sends two flying our way and Reid catches them both, handing one to me first.
“Chocolate?” Werzo whines.
“Yes!” Pratt exclaims, digging into hers with eager fingers.
“This is just to get you started. We’ll have some Jiji in a little bit,” he stands with a long exhale. “Sampson and I are heading out. Seeing what we can do to clear out the city. You guys will need to stay here and help administer the Dilly.”
“Is there a plan to get the anecdote?” I ask.
“Yeah, still working on that,” Clarence scratches his head. “Right now we can only deal with what we have. Alright,” he’s heading for the door, “eat your Vair and then meet Qippert in the Great Hall. He’ll have the food ready to pass out. Let’s get everyone fed by mid-morning or so and we can start distributing the Dilly.”
“We handing out Jiji?” Reid asks.
“And Wormin. Jiji and Wormin.”
“Yum,” Jace mutters.
“I’ll see you soon,” Clarence leaves, the door closing behind him.
Mae tears into her Vair packet as the boys begrudgingly open theirs. It’s too early for something so sweet, but if it’s the only sustenance available, I guess it’s better than nothing. I peel back the top layer and start eating, Reid doing the same. We eat our chocolate breakfast in silence and after finishing our packets, we move to the Great Hall as requested, finding Qippert in the back.
He’s gathered with Chancellor Keller, Princess Varille and a fleet of attendants. Mallup is among them, standing close to Qippert and smiling as we approach. Qippert and the chancellor shuffle between the two groups as Princess Varille hands out bags.
“In each you will find bowls and a large sack of Jiji and Wormin. Please distribute sparingly as we want to feed everyone. The FH is not equipped to supplement a crisis.”
“Is there a crisis going on?” Jace offers a sarcastic frown.
Varille ignores him. “It would do well to have this gone by mid-morning at which point the Dilly will be administered.”
“Question,” Werzo raises his hand, speaking before anyone really gives him leave to. “Since we are guests, when do we get to relax? We were going all day yesterday…”
“Didn’t you sit out on retrieving the chancellor?” I ask.
“That was to help administer the Dilly!”
“Exhaustion must be killing you.”
“Everyone,” Qippert raises his hands, grabbing for attention. “Please… the bags? We have a horde of hungry, ailing Mybyncians. Please assist us in keeping them fed. I know I speak for the chancellor when I say we all greatly appreciate your efforts.”
“It is probably best to work in pairs,” Varille motions to the bags. “One to pass out the bowls, the other to fill them with Jiji and Wormin.”
Pratt immediately flies to my side, grasping my hand in hers. “Partners!”
Reid looks momentarily dismayed until Tucker roams over with a slight shrug. “How about it, Boss?”
Just as Reid nods in agreement, Werzo claims Booker, who seems less than thrilled at the joining. Mae stand off to the side, pulling her fingers as Jace saunters over, offering up that charming smile.
“Want to partner up?” he asks with a playful wink.
“S-Sure…” she manages a nod, blushing profusely as she pulls at her fingers.
“Ready, Fallon?” Pratt asks. “Qippert said we should go this way,” she indicates the left side of the hall, “and cover all over there. Come on.”
“Right behind you,” I follow. Offering Reid one last glance, I make my way with Pratt to our designated area and start the process. Pratt retrieves the bowls, handing them out while I move behind her, filling them with the Jiji and Wormin.
We work for a few hours, break for our own portions of Jiji, and continue on again into the second half of the day. When we’re not distributing food, it’s bags of Dilly, which are rapidly disappearing.
At some point in the afternoon, Sampson and Clarence appear, moving through the Great Hall and toward Chancellor Keller, Qippert and the queen. As Sampson speaks with the chancellor, Clarence glances around, spotting our team broken into pairs. He waves us toward the tunnel and to our quarters from last night.
“What do you think it’s about?” Pratt asks, retrieving a bowl from a couple on the ground. “Maybe they found more Dilly?” she’s hopeful.
“Maybe…”
I watch Sampson shaking his head, his shoulders slumping in a defeated shrug as the queen and chancellor accept the news. Qippert’s eyes are on the ground, nodding next to them while Clarence signals the others around the room.
Coming from all different locations in the Great Hall, we head for the tunnel that leads to the attendants’ quarters and when Pratt and I arrive, we find Werzo, Booker, Jace and Mae already there. Ariana’s sitting up along with Sansa, the two in strained conversation.
“How many bags you go through?” I ask the others.
“Almost a full bag of Dilly,” Jace crosses his arms, proud.
I turn to Booker and Werzo. “And you guys?”
“I don’t know…” Werzo shrugs, “… how many did you go through?”
“Bag and a half.”
Booker nods. “About the same.”
Clarence, Sampson and Qippert arrive through the solid coral door, immediately followed by Queen Ravan, Chancellor Keller, Reid and Tucker. Once they’re all inside, Tucker closes the door behind them as Sampson takes the center of the group.
> “Okay,” he claps his hands, “how’d we do today?”
“Think it was a pretty good day,” Jace grins, folding his arms behind his head as he leans back against the wall. “I enjoyed myself.”
“Glad to hear it,” Clarence rolls his eyes. “But how about in terms of the food and Dilly. Any problems? Did we run low?”
“On which?” Tucker asks.
“Either,” Sampson turns to him. “How are we doing on our resources?”
“Pratt and I used up our entire supply of Jiji and Wormin. It also looks like everyone went through about a bag and a half of Dilly.”
“Okay…” Sampson nods, “that’s not bad.”
“But we’ll be running out quick,” Reid crosses his arm. “There a plan to get more?”
Sampson, Clarence, Qippert and the chancellor exchange looks. They’ve discussed it, but haven’t come to a conclusion yet.
“Well…” Sampson starts with a large exhale, “what we’re passing out is diluted. It’s helping, but it’s not straight from the source. After a while… it won’t do much.”
“So ‘straight’ Dilly will do the trick?” Werzo asks.
“Until we get the antidote.”
“Which is where?” Reid narrows his eyes.
Sampson, Clarence and Qippert exchange glances again, their troubled expression returning. “Still working on it,” Clarence clears his throat. “Look, we’re going to try for pure Dilly, see how that’ll work. If not… we have a few ideas.”
“And what about the water?” I ask. “Is there any way to clean it?”
“It’s a temporary toxin… should take about five to seven days to clear it out.”
“A week.”
“A week,” Clarence nods. “But… the pure Dilly might not be strong enough to help those infected survive that long.”
“Well,” Qippert interrupts, “let us not ignore it completely. It might end up being the only chance we have.”
“Well how do we get it?” Reid asks.
Clarence and Qippert both look to Sampson to address this one. Even the chancellor turns to the Fychu, waiting for his response. But instead of an explanation, he takes a breath and turns to the queen, pleading.
Plague of Mybyncia Page 19
