by J P Nelson
“Yes.”
“This is what I need you to do, if you will, please.”
Fhascully raced the team of deer back to Grindstaff as Assis got the healthy dogs back to their houses. Making sure they were well fed and watered, he dragged the deceased animal off to the side.
Loath to put the sick dogs down, he determined to care for them in what way he could. But the ones breathing the blackness … there was naught to do. Assis led each one out individually, then with dignity and compassion dispatched them in a peaceful manner.
Making a large pyre, he put all the deceased atop the wood and ensured everything was thoroughly burned.
Assis made sure the sick had water, food, and ensured the barn was well ventilated as per instructions by Fhascully. Then he ventured into the hills to harvest as much spruce needles as he could.
Pulling up to the Bon Ton, Fhascully almost ran over Ervis as he was leaving the café.
Grabbing his arm, Fhascully hastily said, “Captain, I have dire need of your favors.”
Alarmed he replied, “Of surety, Mister Fhascully, but what---?”
“You there!” Fhascully called to a pair of teen boys on the boardwalk. Pointing to the one and rummaging in his side pouch he said, “Here is a shill, my fine lad, go quickly and summon the town leaders to hence … here … very quickly indeed; understand?”
The boy nodded his head. Taking the coin he was off and running. Fhascully gave another shill to the other and said, “Drive this sleigh to the Dohdy Place and tell Mister Kravieu to return quickly. You know the Dohdy House?”
“Yes doct-or.”
“Good lad.”
Ervis was still standing there when Fhascully half ran into the Bon Ton. The first person he saw was Huffman wiping down a table.
“Huffman, sir, where is Kaeya?”
“Within the kitchen, she is.” He looked to Fhascully with a raised eyebrow of small humor. Chuckling, he said, “The lass just took to a fit of sneezing. A funny sight if’n you ask---”
Fhascully was into the kitchen and saw Kaeya. She was fighting a sneeze, then as she let go with three in a row she exclaimed with a laugh, “My goodness, I have never done this.”
Gently, Fhascully took her hands into his and asked, “Kaeya, did Maxell give you any tea?”
With a matter-of-course expression she replied, “Yes, uncle, he did. It is good, with a tasty zang, why?”
“When did you receive it?”
She thought a moment, “When he stopped in from his trip. He had not yet returned home. It was a lovely gesture. I only brewed a pot yesterday. Would you like a cup?”
Huffman was standing in the door looking concerned, Ervis was right behind him.
The proprietor remarked, “Yes, she shared cup. It is good.”
Ervis added, “I speak well of it, also. Just moments ago I finished a small sample.”
Huffman glanced to a pot on the stove, “Do you wish a cup?”
Fhascully shook his head, “No …” glancing about the room he pointed his finger emphatically, “… and no more for you, either.”
He said to Ervis, “I will return in a brief. I must gather my notes from the Qua’Korr.”
As Fhascully hurriedly left the kitchen he was heard to say, “Damn … DAMN it to Hades!”
Chapter 37
IN HIS QUARTERS aboard the Qua’Korr, Fhascully flipped open the footlocker which held his personal possessions. Rummaging through things to find his sheaf of notes, his fingers paused as they brushed the solid object, the casing on the bottom. Just over two feet long, a memento of a time long past. Its worth could buy him an estate anywhere, a facility, even an island in some places.
Why had he kept it? It reminded him of death.
For as long as he could remember, Fhascully had known death. So many times he had almost joined the darkness, but always he had won. Or had he? Had he not heard it said, to live is to embrace perpetual defeat? But his sister had not thought so. She lived for the sake of living. She was the essence of happiness.
He passed the thoughts from his mind.
Death … dying … destruction … desolation …
Where was the balance? Was it here? Was this a chance to bring life to a massive wave of death by disease? Could he this time use science to win a victory, rather than resort to violence?
Science …
He found his sheaf of notes and went through them, seeking for one article written in a small place on one page. There! He found it!
Running at top speed, he found the company he wished for within the Bon Ton. Tact was not within his skill group, albeit he was trying to learn. How to address this gathering without causing panic was to be a challenge.
He decided just to go straight at them and trim the sails as needed.
As Fhascully entered the Bon Ton, he glanced around at those who were waiting for him. Every face, save Kravieu’s, bore anxious looks. Sudden meetings such as this were most irregular. But if the physician made such a call …
Adan, owner of Adan’s Mercantile, stood a bit off from the rest and coughed into a handkerchief. Niles, a blacksmith, sneezed and was looking a bit flushed. Huffman, his wife, and Kaeya were also there. Kaeya was standing by Kravieu, her hand firmly in his with worry upon her face, and then she sneezed.
Rosey, Serge, and a couple other crewmen from the Qua’Korr walked in and stood next to their captain.
Fhascully said to Kravieu, “If you would, please interpret what I am going to say in full, so that no words shall be misunderstood. As you well know, I am not gifted with breaking words upon people.”
Kravieu nodded.
Fhascully laid it out plain and as simple as he could; the onset of the Gerardo Plague, its beginning northeast of the Jutte Mountain’s, the belief it was carried in a bundle of contaminated tea which arrived in N’Ville, how the remedy was developed in Wadsworth Keep and the cleric chased it to Kendall. There, the whole region was quarantined and the plague stopped before it reached Charlamae.
He took great care to outline the symptoms, walking about the room to look each in the eye, pausing to allow Kravieu to translate, “It is unknown how long it takes Gerardo to infect once the tea is drunk,” he glanced around the room, “but I suspect rather quickly.”
One man interrupted, “But is only by the drink of the tea?”
“No.” He held up his hands and added rather firmly, “Please! Let me finish.”
Fhascully waited for Kravieu to make the translation, but he spoke at length for several minutes. Fhascully had no idea what he said, but it was eloquent, and whatever it was it worked. He had their full adamant attention, at least for now. Kravieu nodded to him to continue.
“Once a person is infected, it can be transmitted by even breathing that person’s air. You could be in the same room and breathe their infection.”
Fhascully wasn’t completely, totally, absolutely sure about that, but he felt it was the safest way to go. He would worry about the morality of his truthfulness later, he wasn’t a shiking priest. For this moment, he was more interested in saving these lives.
“What is more important at this moment is the symptoms.
“First, sneezing.”
Several were looking at each other and Fhascully could see alarm and fear sweep through the room. He was really glad the room wasn’t full. He must speak fast, even now, or there would be panic.
“Within twenty-four hours, the next phase will be a rise in temperature.” He looked to the ones he believed already infected. “It may seem to be a simple cold, which I know is not common among you hardy folk.
“Within another twenty-four hours will begin an occasional cough.
“By the next twenty-four hours the fever will rise, sweats and chills will begin. Dizziness and fainting spells are common, but this is not always the case.
“On the fifth day … on the fifth day coughing and sneezing will be accompanied by a blackish discharge, like thick mucus.
“At any time
, from hours to as much as two days, the infected will begin breathing with black foam. Death is only hours away.”
Some of them began to speak among themselves, and Fhascully gave a loud clap and said, “Heyo!”
Startled, they looked at him as he admonished, “There is a remedy, but we must work fast. No person is known to survive once the foam sets in.”
Adan asked, “Do all take medicine make live?”
Fhascully hesitated, then thought better to make sure they were prepared, “No, my friend, not all.”
Adan coughed again, and then looked into his cloth with despair.
“The ingredients are simple, and they are here, but we must collect them with haste. We need vast amounts of Liukena Spruce needles, not the bark, but needles. We need goat butter, the richer the better. Honey, garlic, those things you call ramps, and water.” He held up a paper, “I have the recipe here.”
They just looked at him, almost dumbfounded.
“That is it, people, let us get to work.”
It was Ervis who immediately picked up the ball. Turning to his men he began giving orders. Niles offered to use his forge, and he had several cauldrons to combine the ingredients. Adan had a store of garlic and butter for the townspeople who did not raise such. The Bon Ton would act as a center for dispersement.
Fhascully backed away and watched as everyone began to take action in various directions. Kravieu walked up next to him and said, “Well done, Franklin, well done.”
Fhascully looked to him and replied, “We need to scribe many copies of this. There is no way to provide for everyone in the territory in the town boundary. We will need to send runners everywhere. If possible, this must be contained before the waters are fully melted and ships set out.”
With anxiety, he looked to Kravieu, “It would be of much benefit to know where he acquired the tea, and if he doled a parcel or more prior to his arrival home.”
Fhascully then turned to the town regent, “Sir, I implore you to make ruling no one is to leave town before this matter is concluded.”
“Mister doct-or, this is done.”
Kravieu touched Fhascully’s shoulder, “I had a thought. The lad, Dohdy’s son, he may well know of Maxell’s trek. The man was of rather frequent acquaintance to Dohdy.”
“That would be good.”
As an afterthought, Fhascully asked, “How are they, she, Dohdy?”
Kravieu shook his head solemnly, “I do not believe she will survive. She took to wheezing even as I left.”
Fhascully took off his glasses, wiped them, then put them back on and rubbed his hand through his hair. “Then we should bring them to town. You need to ensure the livestock are fed, as well … and once symptoms cease, continue dosage of the remedy … a cupful every four hours … for three days beyond. The notes say two days, but I wish to be certain.”
“And where are you off to?”
“Should the lad have needed knowledge, I shall chase the germ and pray I am not too late.”
“Franklin … you have become obsessed. Look to your health, lad. Do you not recall, you have been exposed, too? You are likely to be infected. I shall not permit your departure for, what did you prescribe, three full days, after you commence consumption of the remedy.”
Fhascully was incredulous, “You … will not permit me?”
“I am your elder, young man, and much more to the wise. Moreover, you made a promise. You are to look after me, remember? You must ensure I take the remedy as well.”
“You would refuse the dosage if I am not here?”
“Indeed, it would be true.”
“This is hardly a moment for your consistent humor.”
“Does my countenance reflect a humorous flare?”
“This is an unfair measure.”
“Yes, it is. But I make battle with my own weapons.”
Fhascully was not happy and his eyes narrowed, “Then three days it is, and I am gone.”
“Your word, Franklin, I require your word … you will tarry here for three days before departure. It is your responsibility to ensure the remedy is of success.” Kravieu held out his hand in an open gesture.
Fhascully took the hand and replied, “You have my word.”
Fhascully and Kravieu took the deersleigh to the Dohdy House. The girl was on her sleeping pad crying as the boy, Tah’Haeny, was blotting his mother’s head with a wet rag. She was holding his hand and crying, speaking words of love as she wheezed black foam in her breath. The boy had tears upon his own cheeks, but he was holding strong.
Kravieu immediately went to the girl to comfort her in her own language. Fhascully gently put his hand to Dohdy’s head, she was burning up. Tah’Haeny looked up into Fhascully’s face as the man returned the gaze. What can you tell a boy whose mother is dying at his hand. At least he was there, beside her.
She suddenly coughed a gout of blackness, then again. She looked into her son’s eyes. The three stay that way for a time, then Fhascully reached and closed her eyes. Tah’Haeny bowed his head and cried. Not knowing what to do, the man put his hand on the boy’s head.
Looking helplessly to Kravieu, Fhascully said, “We must … we must build a pyre.”
Nodding, Kravieu explained to the children. The girl was beside herself and would not be comforted, and she began to cough.
They got the girl with some clothes into the sleigh, but she demanded her doggy. Kravieu was not sure, but upon examination Fhascully said, “I do not know, but he does not have black upon his lips. It may be he can be saved. The cow is down upon her knees.”
Fhascully carried the small shepherd dog which made not a whimper, as if knowing these strange people were trying to help. Placing him into the sleigh he asked, “What is his name?”
Kravieu translated. She scratched his ears while saying, “Harley.”
Her name was Leanne.
Fhascully said to Kravieu, “Let us make a point to ensure Harley is provided with ample dosage.”
He looked to the boy, then back to Kravieu, “You go. He wants to stay and say words. We will walk the long mile together.”
With a nod, the reins were snapped and the sleigh was bound for town. Fhascully then turned to the small barn and decided it would be best to burn the whole thing. This would be a long night.
___________________________
The first of the remedy was ready by evening. Fhascully was foremost to taste the brew, and he wrinkled his face in disgust. But he drank his portion, wiped his mouth, and handed the cup to Kravieu.
Kravieu received the potion, then looked to Fhascully and remarked, “If this should be a farce of your design, we shall be off to the woodshed, you and I.”
Timing was made by sounds of the bell, which sounded by town tower, ship, and lookout. Many folk were indeed infected, many had been found deceased or dying. Among the first to show improvement were Kaeya, Leanne, and Leanne’s beloved doggy, Harley.
Adan didn’t make it; his wife reported he just couldn’t tolerate the horrible taste. She, however, drank with appreciation. Huffman did not show signs of infection, nor did Fhascully and Kravieu. But Fhascully mandated everyone in the town take the remedy, whether appearing symptomatic or not, for three days with diligence.
Huffman’s wife took sick, but began recovery on the third day.
Assis reported only one of the sick dogs passed on, but the others were doing well.
Fhascully did not have time to fret his waiting three days to retrace Maxell’s steps, he was kept constantly busy. It seemed he was in every locale at once. He was overseeing production of the remedy, tending those discovered to be infected, converting many buildings in town into hospitals, and there were many injuries resultant from falls from the plague’s dizziness symptoms.
In his notes he recorded his belief the dizziness was due to lack of food and water, not an inherent part of the plague. Ventilation was also of critical importance. The local folk raised objection to opening the windows, something about letting e
vil spirits in to harm the ill, but he got them to listen.
Tah’Haeny was one of those who showed no signs of infection, and was jumping in to give aid wherever he could. Ervis became sick, but bounced back and administered direction for the widespread dispersement of the remedy. Tah’Haeny was accepted by the crew of the Qua’Korr who nicknamed him Tiny, which was a bit easier to say, and because he wasn’t tiny in any way.
Tiny explained, that Maxell explained, that he had come upon a wrecked and abandoned cargo wagon a few miles south of Woolburg. Maxell like going untraveled routes, always looking for something new, and wondered why anyone would take a wagon up that particular trail. But he found some things he could transport in his dog sled, one being a big bundle of tea.
Fhascully asked, “Do you know if he gave any to anyone?”
Tiny did not know, but he knew of a woman down there he liked, who his mom didn’t know of, but it was a secret between us men, as Maxell liked to tell him.
Ervis said, “Woolburg is in the mountains, perhaps one hundred and thirty miles from here, not anywhere close to the coast. At this time of the year only the most audacious venture down. There are two settlements I know of between here and there, and those are only the ones of which I know.”
“Then it is this course I must set. I will need a guide.”
“And armsmen.”
“They cannot be spared, captain, they are needed here.”
Ervis threw him a wink, “We will abide by regulation,” he poked Fhascully on the shoulder, “and this shall go on the books as an away-team. You are under my jurisdiction, buck-o.”
Kravieu grinned.
“But you are not naval.”
“Ah, but six years I spent under the Vedoan Flag on combat vessel; this vessel in her frigate day, I might add, and we are under provisional contract, therefore, abiding by regulation.” Ervis clicked his tongue against his teeth and added, “So there you have it.”
On morning of Fhascully’s third day of waiting, the watchman ran to the Bon Ton where Fhascully was sitting at the table, an empty cup of remedy in front of him, his glasses dangling from between his right fore and middle fingers, head in his hands, exhausted. Huffman was at the table and Kravieu was there beside him in berating tone, “If you do not rest, you will become a casualty without infection.”
