The Olympian Sisters #3 The Gilded Age

Chapter 14

SOUTHAMPTON ENGLAND OCTOBER 1918 "MAURETANIA"

I made my way along the row of sick ships. The list grew longer by the day and I hoped that Olympic would come through with that cure soon. Berengaria was still here and had gotten much worse, Lucania had given her some tansy and poppy seeds to ease her coughing and help her sleep so she was resting quietly now.

Aquitania was just as bad. I kept a close eye on her condition as her coughing grew worse. But for now, she was asleep. "Rest easy, sis." I whispered, nuzzling her.

Carmania, although not as bad, still refused to accept any herbs from Lucania or Adriatic. She hadn't slept a wink since her sister, Caronia, died over a month ago. "Carmania you need to sleep." I growled. She glared at me. "Why? I don't see you sleeping." She snapped.

Her dark green eyes, once so bright and cheerful, were now dulled with sadness. "Carmania, my sister is sick too, yet I'm not moping like you are." I said. "At least Aquitania is still alive, Caronia's not." She replied. "There was nothing more we could've done to save Caronia, you know that." I said gently. She nodded, tears forming in her eyes.

"What do you think Caronia would say to you if she were here?" I asked. "She'd tell me to turn that frown on its keel and smile like the pretty sister I am." She replied. "Come on then, just one little smirk." I encouraged. The corners of Carmania's mouth twitched before she gave me a little sweet smile. "That's more like it." I praised her.

I shoved Lucania's herbs towards her. "Eat these, you'll feel better." I ordered. She sniffed the herbs and made a face. "Ugh, why is it that the things that'll help you smell like they'll harm you?" She asked. I laughed. "You'll have to ask Lucania on that one 'cause I really don't know." I replied.

"Now eat!" I ordered. Reluctantly, she ducked her head and scarfed down the herbs. "Good girl, now sleep." I said. "Don't need to tell me twice." She yawned, relaxing against the dock. "Goodnight, Mauretania." She said. I nuzzled her. "Goodnight, Carmania." I whispered. She gave me that pretty little smile of hers again before she sighed and fell deep into sleep.

I turned my attention to Ausonia. The elder ship had steadily been getting worse. As I approached her, I sensed that something wasn't right. She was completely still, not even breathing. She was dead. I bowed my head to press against her side. "Goodbye, loyal one." I whispered. "May you find good waters in the land of the Ancients where there is no sickness, no pain."

Ausonia's sister, Saxonia, was on the verge of death herself. Her breathing was coming in small ragged gasps, she was struggling to just stay alive. "Lucania!" I called, careful to keep my voice down so as not to wake Carmania. "I'm here, Mauretania." She replied.

She took one look at Saxonia and shook her head. "Can't you do anything?!" I cried. She sighed. "I can try, but I'm afraid there isn't much more I can do for her. She's in the hands of the Ancients now." She replied. "I'll check my herb store and see what I've got that might help." She raced off.

A few minutes later, she returned. Before she could rouse Saxonia and give her the herbs, the liner gave one last rattling gasp and fell silent. "No." I whispered.

Two ships in one night, it was just too cruel. Not her, please not another. I begged. My prayer was answered.

After a minute, Saxonia coughed and opened her eyes. They glowed crimson for a few seconds before the glow faded and her eyes were back to their normal tropical blue color. "Mauretania?" She whispered.

"Yes, I'm here." I murmured, leaning forward. "I saw an Ancient." She said. This roused Lucania's curiosity. "Who?" She asked. "Lusitania?" I suggested. "No, she wasn't a Cunarder as she flew the White Star flag." Saxonia replied.