Nodding, I reached for the ribbon around my wrist to tie my hair. “I’ll come now.”
“But, Your Highness!” Mae blurted. “The Queen—”
“Will surely understand when I explain myself to her later.” Focused, I gathered my hair into a bun and secured it with the ribbon. “Please, Mae.” I turned the trembling servant. “Will you go and inform Queen Cora that I will meet with her later? Tell her one of her servants may be gravely ill, and if this spreads through her kingdom, thousands could die.”
Mae swallowed, but thankfully after a few short breaths she nodded.
“Thank you, Mae.” I squeezed her arm, then hurried after my Corlixin friend.
The servant wasn’t far, and he’d also stayed true to his promise to stay exactly where he was. Though the latter was hardly surprising considering he was struggling to stand against the mango-coloured wall of the corridor.
“How did you find him?” I hissed to Ivy as we neared the servant.
“I was just taking a walk around the palace,” she panted. “And then when I found this hallway I noticed him sort of stumbling around. So I asked if he needed any help, then the poor soul almost fell on top of me! That’s when I saw the black and white marks on his arms.”
Black and white marks.The tell-tale sign of fishpox. My stomach tightened.
As we approached the hunched over man, we both slowed our running to gentle steps.
“Hello, sir?” I asked tenderly. “My friend here sent for me to check on you. How are you feeling today?”
The man groaned, sweat pouring down his aged face. “I’m fine,” he croaked. “I just need to sit down for a moment, then I’ll be alright. I’m needed in the kitchens.”
Ivy slid me a nervous look.
“May I see your arms, sir? I’m a healer. I can help.” While I reached for his arms, I tried to ignore the concerning thought that if this man was a chef, he could’ve very easily already infected half the palace by now.
“If you must,” he grumbled. Then he rolled up his sleeves, holding his arms out to me.
My jaw hit the floor. Huge spots covered his arms, from his wrists to his shoulders. Each one was black or white, but none of them were oozing.Thank the Ancients.
“It’s definitely fishpox,” I confirmed.
“It’s what?” the man sputtered.
Ivy exhaled, scrubbing a hand over her face. “I have my books with me and my ingredients chest.” She chewed her lip, thinking. “But what worries me is just how much medicine we’ll have to make.”
“There’s no need to worry.” I turned to her, releasing the man’s arms. “I remember the lesson well. As long as the spots aren’t oozing, it’s not contagious. So we’ll make enough for this man and then some spare for his family, just in case they catch it during his recovery.”
“He’s not contagious?” Ivy’s eyes widened.
“Not as far as I can see,” I confirmed, before returning my focus to the hunched man. “Listen to me, sir.” I lowered myself to meet gaze. “You are to return home immediately. Do you have someone there who can look after you while you recover?”
With a thick swallow, he nodded.
“Good,” I continued in a calm tone. “Fishpox is not usually fatal, but it can be without proper treatment. So my friend and I will make you a powder which you’ll need to take as per the instructions we give to you. Is there someone at the palace who can deliver it to your home?”
After exchanging all the necessary information, and assuring the now panicking manmany, many timesthat he was not going to die from his illness, both Ivy and I watched as our patient hobbled away to recover at home. When he disappeared around the corner, I couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at my cheeks.
“You’re not supposed to be enjoying his suffering,” Ivy teased.
“You know it’s not that.” I swatted her arm. “It’s just… rewarding, I suppose. Knowing that we’re helping someone.”
Ivy smiled wistfully. “It is…” Then she straightened, adding in a serious tone, “We’ll have to check the kitchens too, make sure no one else is sick there.”
“Yes.” I nodded. Determination blazed in my chest. It was as if someone had creaked open a heavy door in my mind. All the healing knowledge I’ve had to cast aside for the past few weeks spilled out like a gushing river andAncients, was I ready to dive in.
“Come on.” I linked Ivy’s arm in mine. “Let’s go and make some medicine.”
