Freyja's Fire - Chapter 14 - A'mara Books

14

(Wirnday, cont.)

Seagull Public House

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Fawn awoke, feeling the man’s burning body behind her. She sat up, alarmed, felt his forehead, which was moist with fever.

She put on her dress and ran downstairs and out the door. She ran until she reached the tents of the temporary infirmary on the grass above the beach. “Doctor!” she cried desperately as she reached the first tent, noting the two men lying on the ground outside, looking very much like the man who had been in bed with her. “Where is the doctor?!”

A woman came out of one of the tents, but the maid was already looking at the men on the ground. “The man I was with last night looks just like these men right now. Burning up with fever. Last night, he was coughing and sneezing!” She felt frightened.

“Calm down, child,” the woman said. “I’m Deby. Come inside. The first thing we need to do is give you some medicine and a mask. Then, you’re going to help us find all the sick people. We have to work quickly if there’s any chance of saving them.”

The maid nodded and followed Deby inside the tent. She instantly curtseyed as she saw Prince Adrick and Princess Aurelia working with a patient.

“Please sit…,” Deby invited, gesturing at a seat.

“Fawn. My name is Fawn. Silly name, really.”

“It’s sweet,” Deby replied. She gave Fawn a tablet. “Swallow it whole,” she instructed.

Fawn looked at the tablet suspiciously.

“She works at the Seagull,” Aurelia offered.

Deby nodded. “I guess we’d better take a look at what’s happening there… as soon as you take your medicine. It’s to help fight off the sickness you’ve been exposed to.”

Fawn put the tablet on her tongue. It tasted bad.

“Drink it down quickly, love,” Deby encouraged, handing her the water.

Fawn obeyed and the nasty taste dissipated.

“Now, let’s go.”

♥

As soon as Deby and the maid had left, Aurelia listened as Doc used his radio to call the group at the convent.

“How is everyone this morning?” Doc asked.

“Everyone is well,” Marie replied. “Rachel and babe are spending most of their time in bed – as they should be. Breyind is being the perfect father and husband, taking care of them – and Bridget. It’s really sweet.”

“Anyone showing signs of sickness?” he interrupted.

“None. Why?”

“Some of the guards are sick – as well as some of the villagers.”

“You have medicine, right?”

“Some,” Doc said. “I wish we had more… but it will come in time, I have faith. Meanwhile, let us know if anything changes.”

“We will,” Marie promised.

He put the radio aside again.

“I will never get over that device,” Aurelia said.

“Medicine, your highness,” Sister Naemi insisted, handing her a tablet.

“But!” Aurelia protested, pointing to her face mask.

“You were at the Seagull last night?” Sister Naemi asked. “Where the young lady works?”

“Yes...”

“And you wore your mask last night?”

“No...”

“The reason she came to us is that the man she was with last night is now very sick with the disease we are fighting.”

“She didn’t say that,” Aurelia reminded.

“She did – not in words, mind… but she definitely said it. I must keep you healthy or your father will have my head for sure.”

“He wouldn’t!”

“Maybe not literally, but he’ll as good as tar and feather me with his words if I let you get sick!” Sister Naemi replied. “Of course, he may have words for me when he hears of you two fawning over these sailors.” She looked towards the door where Gemina had just come in, now blushing madly around her face mask.

“Nothing wrong in noticing an attractive man!” Gemina protested.

Sister Naemi smiled. “Of course not. And I’m enjoying the entertainment the two of you are providing! It gives relief from having to worry so much!”

“I’m sure that qualifies as treason!” Aurelia scoffed.

Sister Naemi chuckled. Aurelia glowered as she followed with her cousin to one of the tents now housing sick guards. She looked around at all the sick men.

“They are sick for doing their duty to us,” Adrick murmured into her ear. “Do you know any of their names?”

She shook her head. “They’re just always there.”

“And now, they need us to save their lives.”

“I will do my part,” Aurelia determined.

Adrick patted her back. “That’s a woman worthy of a crown!”

“I...”

“I told you, it’s not up to us. But you will be worthy of the throne if I have anything to do with it!”

She nodded soberly.

Doc and Deby returned with the maid. Aurelia looked at them expectantly.

“And?” Sister Naemi asked for all of them.

“It is as we feared. At least half a dozen sick this morning,” Doc replied grimly. “I’m not going to have enough meds. Not even to last until the courier gets here. And even then… I’m not sure.”

“Fawn has volunteered to help out,” Deby said more cheerfully. “Ladies, let’s make the water rounds.”

Aurelia nodded and hurried to keep up, listening to Deby explaining to Fawn what they were doing to keep the patients as healthy and comfortable as possible. Aurelia stalled at the door of the tent as she noticed Sister Naemi approaching the doctor.

“Might we have to make choices as to who to treat?” Sister Naemi asked Doc.

“I fear it may be the case,” he said glumly. “This disease wiped out about a third of the population wherever it hit in our world. I’m trying to keep the same thing from happening here, but I’m running out of options as quickly as I’m running out of medicine.”

“I pray Vasana will provide another answer then.”

Aurelia felt sadness stir in her heart, hoping that the gods would be merciful. She hurried to catch up with the others again.