Percival is also aware that something unusual is going on. He sits down to take care of some bookkeeping and sees that he is having problems keeping enough tonic on hand.
Percival runs out to check his stall and just like his records suggests, he is running low on tonic. “I should visit the clinic and request more tonic,” Percival reminds himself.
Gavin is unnerved by the symptoms exhibited by these new patients. Seeing a need for more strong tonics, he goes to the craft table to check on his ingredients. Again, he has to go out and collect more herbs for his tonics and salves.
On days like this, Gavin wishes that he had more staff to help out at the clinic. It is impossible for he and Jolene to see all of the patients, keep the craft table stocked and make sure there is a fresh supply of medication available at all moments.
Gavin is on his way out of the clinic when he hears his son Godfrey descending the stairs.
“Good morning son!” He greets him, glad to see that he has slept well.
“Good morning father. I was hoping that you had time to take me fishing today as you promised.”
“Oh son!” Gavin says feeling deeply sorry for continuing to let his son down. “I am so sorry. I cannot take you today, the waiting room is full of sick patients and I was just on my way to gather new herbs for tonics and salves.
Godfrey tries to be understanding. “No worries. I understand,” Godfrey says, but Gavin can see in his eyes that he is saddened that is father is once again too busy to spend time with him.
“I shall make it up to you son…I promise,” Gavin says, wondering if it is wise to promise the boy when he has no idea what is going on with the health of these refugees.
Percival arrives at the clinic and is shocked to see it so full. Nurse Jolene is no where in sight. I am sure that she and the doctor are very busy, Percival thinks to himself.
As he is about to leave, Percival overhears two villagers talking. “I am afraid that we are facing another deadly pandemic,” the first says.
“I know. Half of the new refugees are sick and it is only a matter of time before the sickness spreads to the rest of us,” says the second villager.
Percival, bothered by what he has heard, decides to return to the clinic later when nurse Jolene is available. Right now he hurries to the market. He will ask around to find out what he can about the new refugees and the sickness that seems to be spreading quickly.
Meanwhile, Gavin finally leaves the clinic in an attempt to locate enough angel weed and lord leaf to restock his supplies and craft new strong tonics and salves.
Behind the clinic, he locates a bush of herbs that he had yet to discover, but it contains none of the herbs that he needs for the tonics and salves.
Gavin returns to the clinic and is happy to see that nurse Jolene has returned. She spent the morning by the docks waiting for a shipment of the mysterious tonic from Gavin’s contacts from the East.
Jolene moves in for a hug, but stops when she sees the concern on Gavin’s face. “What is it Gavin? What has you so troubled?”
“It is this new illness. It does not appear to be very serious, yet those affected are convinced that it is deadly and that they will die.”
“I do not know Gavin, from what I have seen the yellowed clammy skin, swollen tongue, and blistering fever combined with eyelid warts is nothing like we have ever seen.”
“Yes, maybe you are right…”
“I shall go out and find one of the villagers ailing the most and examine them. Maybe I just have not seen everything yet.”
