Percival returns from a trip to the village deeply disturbed. “Who are all of these people?” He asks a guard referring to the individuals who are lying on the ground near the path to the village.
“I believe they are sick refugees who were trying to get to the clinic to see the surgeon.”
Bodies are all over the place like litter on the ground. Percival wishes he could stop and see about them, but he is on a mission.
Percival went to the village after getting a letter back from his contact in Crafthole. Apparently, many in Crafthole are also suffering from the mysterious illness –
We have become wary of trade. We believe that these infirmities have been caused by a shipment of corrupt grain. However, if you can deliver to us a bundle of wheat, we will trade you a sample of our suspect grain – reads the letter from the Crafthole Merchant.
Percival went to the village in order to purchase wheat for the trade. Now he is on his way to the docks in order to sale to Crafthole.
Now that he sees all of the suffering refugees, he realizes that his trip is all the more important.
At the clinic, Gavin is once again feeling defeated. “The streets are lined with bodies Jolene. If I cannot stop this thing, we will see a death toll like no other. What is causing this?”
“Do not give up Gavin. A cure is coming. You will figure this out!” Jolene assures him.
“What would I do without you?” Gavin asks grateful to have such an understanding wife.
Percival takes to the docks. He will load his shipment of wheat to exchange with the merchant in Crafthole.
If the grain in Crafthole proves to be infected, then maybe Surgeon Gavin will be able to use it to come up with a cure.
Meanwhile, Gavin turns to his archive once again. From his research he learns that if he can find the source of the illness, he can use it to come up with a successful anti-virus.
While he is researching, Nurse Jolene sits and attempts to write down a few ideas of her own, based on her past knowledge of various ailments.
Finally, Gavin puts away the books and the research and turns to prayer.
“Holy Watcher, I come to you today asking for your guidance. Please help me deliver your people from this sickness.”
The ship returns to dock. Despite his hunger, he takes the time to unload the infected grain.
He must get this sample to Surgeon Gavin as soon as possible.
Gavin is almost at his wits end. He sits down to a bowl of stew but can barely taste it. He is worried that this sickness may get the best of him and the whole village.
Right at that moment, Percival arrives. “Surgeon Gavin,” he calls to get Gavin’s attention.
“I think I have the answer to our prayers,” Percival reveals.
“What is it?” Gavin asks.
Percival reaches into his pocket to find a small sample of the grain.
“I just returned from Crafthole where I traded for this grain. They have also had an outbreak of this mysterious illness and they believe it to have originated from this grain.”
“If that is true, and the grain is the cause…I could use it to create an anti-virus!” Gavin says, finally feeling the hope that he lost a while back.
“Well you had better take this then…and if you do not mind, could I have a bowl of that fine smelling stew there in the cauldron?”
“Of course!” Gavin answers already on his way downstairs to his craft table.
Gavin, feeling a fresh surge of innovation, picks out the herbs that he will need to begin crafting an anti-virus…
While Percival helps himself to a bowl of stew.
