We Are The Cure : The Plague Doctor's Tale.

Chapter 5

Rosalynn felt like she must run away from that man. Something wasn't right about him and she couldn't tell what. She tried to break away from him but his grip only strengthen. 

"Don't you run away, Miss. I'm a nice gentleman and I know other nice girls who will gladly become your friends."

"I-I must reject your kind offer, Sir, but actually I'm in a hurry..." She tried to get away but his hand on her shoulder didn't allow her to leave.

"Look at this cute little face of yours. The tan on your skin, the small mole under your eye, oh and those big bright eyes. So lovely." He touched her face with his other hand and she shivered. Despite the strong feeling of upcoming danger she couldn't do anything, nor brush off his hands nor scream or ask for help. All she could do was to stand there and wait for somebody to notice that something bad is happening. She closed her eyes just to not see this awful man and when she opened them again she saw him disappearing in the crowd. Confused she looked around and saw Doctor standing behind her. 

"Did you just...?" She tried to ask him about this situation but he didn't bother to answer that.

"You better do not get lost in such places. Cities like Nottingham are dangerous for young single women like you. If you know what I mean." He gave her a quick look and saw she was trembling. "Did he scare you?" She nodded still holding her bag in one hand. "Come, the faster we leave this place, the better. Oh, and hold the end of my cane. By doing so we won't split again." He lifted his cane and she grabbed the end of it with her free hand. 

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Yesterday I have received a letter from a pastor from Castleton. Plague has struck his village and he himself cannot assist the sick as he is highly wary of the disease."

"I see." She noticed the box he was holding under his armpit. "When can I wear the suit?" As she mentioned the package, he looked at it and answered.

"The time will come, worry not. First we have to reach Chesterfield to stay the night there. With your current condition we definitely won't reach Castleton today." 

"You're right..." She looked at the colourful strands and asked him. "Before leaving, can I go there and buy something?" He gave her a look which indicated he got irritated but agreed.

"Fine but make it quick. You can leave your bag here. If you want to buy something, you must inform me first. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir!" She left her bag next to him and hurried to the stands to see what the merchants had to offer. There were numerous fabrics, plants, jewellery, and of course, food. Different kinds of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, also eggs and milk were sold there. She decided to buy some cheese, butter and bread for the journey for them. It was obvious that meat would be very expensive and she didn't want to spend too much money on food. Before she came back to Doctor, she spotted a stand with herbs she knew very well. One of the herbs she has always wanted to use was the peppermint as it was very rare to acquire such plant in her home regions. She heard that the herb was cultivated only in southern parts of England. For that reason she got closer to the stand and searched for it. 

"What are ya lookin' for, Miss?" Asked a women who was the owner of the stand.

"I was curious if you're selling a peppermint."

"Here ya go. That's this little plant. Smell it and you will know that's it." She handed her a few leaves to smell and the owner of the stand was right. It had a particular smell which was hard to confuse. "It works best for digesting problems. And when you have a cold it also does wonders. But only if ya smell it."

"I will take these but in a moment." Rosalynn quickly approached Doctor and asked him to come to the stand and buy the things she told him. Without any objections, he has bought previously mentioned cheese, butter, and bread, but when she asked him to buy peppermint he became quite reluctant.

"Are you sure this plant is truly what this lady tells you?" He asked her.

"W-well, I hope so. I've never found a herb that smelled like that...-"

"So you have never encountered this plant before and you are going to give OUR money to that lady there, despite the possibility that she might sell you a weed or even a poisonous plant?" He summed up all his thoughts which by the way were right.

"I didn't think that way." She admitted. "But what if it's true? What if this herb is what it is?"

"Then it will be useful and our money won't be wasted... Fine. I will buy this herb but if it is a weed, you will use it on yourself anyway."

"What if it will be poisonous?" She asked a little bit worried with his confidence. 

"Then I will look for another apprentice. Now come and buy it." When they reached the stand, Doctor asked the lady whether she could prove that the herb was safe for humans. The lady surprised him as she ate the plant and smiled at him. After that he was convinced that it should be a peppermint. He bought few sticks and they set off to Chesterfield. 

For the first few hours, Rosalynn was amazed by her new purchase and its unusual smell. She could tell it truly might possess medicinal features as after she smelled that it was easier for hear to breath. This thought made her remind one thing.

"Doctor?"

"Yes?" He looked at her.

"Do you want to smell it?" She wanted to hand him a peppermint. He looked rather aversed.

"There is no such need. Why are you asking?"

"When I was wearing one of your masks, it smelled with lavender. I thought you might put some peppermint inside and smell it too."

"Oh, I see what you mean now. I appreciate that but I got used to lavender's scent in my masks and I would rather not change that." She looked at him disappointed. "But if you wish, you can put this plant of yours inside your own mask and smell it constantly."

"But it's not what I'm asking for."

"I know but that's my answer." The silence after that meant he has finished that conversation. 

"Why lavender?" She asked suddenly.

"It smells nice and makes me calm. Also it reminds me of my family, especially my older sister. She loves lavender in particular."

"Where is she now?"

"She has married a Scottish preacher, Reverend John Blackadder. They live in North Berwick if I am not mistaken." 

"Do you think she is happy now?" Rosalynn looked truly curious.

"I hope so." After that they spent the rest of they journey in silence. 

Having walked nearly nine hours, in the afternoon they finally reached Chesterfield. Rosalynn was so tired that she instantly fell asleep. However, her companion wasn't tired at all. He got used to walking long distances. Doctor was sitting behind the desk in his room and writing a letter. For first two hours he didn't know how to start the letter but later he wrote three short sentences and after that he folded the letter and put it inside his bag. Maybe that day wasn't good enough for writing meaningful letters. Especially to the loved ones.