Confident that his secret is safe with nurse Jolene, Gavin leaves to search for the Eastern apothecary.
As he walks toward the town square, anxiety rests at the pit of his stomach. He is not anxious because illnesses this serious are new to him; to the contrary, it is all too familiar.
He has already seen how this type of thing can eat you up from the inside, until you are nothing but an empty shell. Unlike the plague or dysentery, this is a slow killing illness, leaving its victims helpless and in constant pain.
As Gavin approaches the Eastern apothecary, she gazes at him with eyes of contempt. He cannot blame her. When they first met, he rudely questioned her mental state.
“Madam, I humbly beg your mercy and forgiveness. I, your servant am in desperate need of this cure that you mentioned.”
Fortunately for Gavin, Apothecary Samantha is no stranger to such insults when she tells of her mysterious potion.
Fortunately for Gavin, Apothecary Samantha is no stranger to such insults when she tells of her mysterious potion.
“To prove to you that I am not mad, I will give you a sample of my potion so you may witness its healing powers for yourself. As you see of its ability to heal, you will come begging for more.”
She continues, “I have seen this very potion wipe away the gaze of sickness from eyes of the suffering within minutes. Whole villages have become immune to any and all disease because of it.”
Gavin is excited. “Say no more madam! If this potion heals as you say it does, I must have it. Please allow me a sample!”
A knowing smile spreads across Samantha’s face, but Gavin does not see it.
A knowing smile spreads across Samantha’s face, but Gavin does not see it.
Apothecary Samantha places a worn package into Gavin’s hands. “The potion must be delivered directly to the blood stream. I will wait right here at this well, because I am confident that you will soon return, begging for a shipment!”
Gavin walks away with his package feeling like a young peasant child being adopted by the queen.
As Gavin begins to walk away, he swears that he hears Samantha smirk. He turns back to her, “madam?”
“Nothing,” she quickly responds, “ I said no words.”
“Nothing,” she quickly responds, “ I said no words.”
For just a moment, Gavin is again doubting the healing powers of the potion. This Eastern visitor ‘s intentions are questionable.
However, he does not turn back. He is desperate to cure the villagers. He will press on and try the potion.
Gavin is relieved to see that the villagers have come to when he enters the clinic.
Gavin is cautious but hopeful as he approaches the first villager.
Gavin injects the mysterious potion into the villager’s arm. The villager hollers out in surprise and pain.
The patient twitches and convulses as the potion takes affect.
To Gavin’s amazement, the villager’s symptoms disappear on the spot, with no side effects and no passing out.
Before allowing his excitement to over take him, he quickly injects the second villager.
For a moment, Gavin is worried when her symptoms do not disappear on the spot.
However, time barely passes before the second villager is completely free of symptoms.
Gavin can hardly believe his eyes, “Nurse did you see that!” He says with much excitement and joy.
“Aye,” she answers. “May the Watcher be praised!”
“Indeed,” Gavin agrees.
“Indeed,” Gavin agrees.
