Inheritance: Scales of Change

Chapter Nine - The Doctor

"Ok maybe sending you to talk to him was a bad idea... " Raxe admitted once you were well on your way. Your father and Caspian rode ahead.
"You think?" You replied hotly. Then instantly felt guilty for snapping at Raxe. "Sorry. I'm still mad."
"Yea I figured that... you're gripping your reins like they're going to run away..."
You released the tension in your hands. "You know if he wasn't flirting with the Princess in the first place I wouldn't have even thought about Sir Mar in that way... "
"I'm not sure about that, you're only human, and have you seen the guy?" Raxe chuckled.
"He has no right to be upset with me..." You murmured.
"And you do? I mean... you both agreed to this separation. You both acknowledged that you couldn't be together."
"It doesn't make it hurt any less seeing him with her..."
"I know... but if it's any consolation I'm sure that's why he's so mad about the kiss. You'd feel the same way if the roles were reversed."
You knew Raxe was right, but being angry was easier than acknowledging your pain and guilt. "Whatever. Let him be mad then. That's his problem." You decided.
Raxe shrugged. "If that's how you want to handle it."

    After several hours of avoiding more than basic exchange of information, you finally arrived in a small village. You stopped and asked for directions to the doctor but he was fairly easy to find, being that he had a line of people out his door.
    You noticed many of these people had those same red spots on their skin that Nan had, some worse than others. You dismounted and went into the small house. Once again you smelt that familiar scent that you couldn't quite place back at the palace. There were incense burners hanging from the ceiling, spilling that sharp, woodsy scent all around the room.
The doctor was busy leaning over a patient on the cot in the corner. He was a short man with a long grey beard, and he wore a floor length robe.
"Sorry folks, if you came for treatment, you're going to have to wait in line outside." He said without even looking at you.
"Oh no," you responded, "we're actually looking for a woman. The herbalist from Calormen."
He looked up, "Oh? We have the same treatments here that she does. You don't need to go all the way to her."
"We don't need treatment. I just want my wife back." Your father said firmly, crossing his arms.
"Your wife? But... you're not the General..." the little man looked confused.
"No. I'm the man the General stole her from. And I hear you bought her as a slave..." your father took a threatening step towards the doctor, and he retreated with his hands up submissively.
"No! No! Not a slave sir! We don't condone slavery in Terebinthia!"
"So you didn't buy her from the General then?" You questioned him.
"I did but... oh dear. Please, have a seat in the other room. I am almost finished with this patient and I'll explain everything..." He stammered.

    You all did as requested. The seating area was small, with a few chairs and a table. Again, there was an incense burner hanging from the ceiling. A few medical books and notes were spread about the table, and you noisily flipped through them. A short while later the doctor came in.
"May I offer any of you something to drink? Tea?"
"No thank you. We just want to know where my mother is." You replied flatly.
"She lives in a small hut on the other side of the island. She is a free woman, and was the second I paid for her. It was the only way I could think to get her here, I never intended her as a slave... I promise you." The doctor explained frantically.
"So you bought her and brought her here for what, to force her to cure the sickness ravaging your island?" Your father asked.
    "Not force her, no! But to ask for her help. I heard about her from a group of Calormen merchants who were dropping off some supplies for me. They mentioned they knew of a woman who lived in the General's estate that could cure any ailment. I was desperate, I tried everything I could think of, but my people were dying... I sent word back with them saying I would pay three times her worth, and that must have been enough because two weeks later she arrived on a ship with some soldiers to collect payment. The moment they accepted my payment for her, I told her she was free, and could choose to leave if she wished. But once I explained our situation she willingly stayed to help. Wonderful, brilliant woman. It was she who discovered it was a fungus that was infecting everyone, and found a way to kill it on contact. Unfortunately neither of us could find a way to stop it once it enters the lungs... but she is currently working on that."
You all sat speechless at the explanation.
"She... chose to stay? Rather than come home? " You finally asked out loud.
"That sounds just like your mother actually." Your father said. " She would never turn her back on those that needed help. "
"How is it you were not infected Doctor? " Caspian asked, startling you by hearing his voice suddenly.
"Oh I was. Thankfully not internally but the ointment she procured took care of that. And those," He pointed to the incense burners, "took care of the airborne spores so it would stop spreading."
"That makes sense why they were all around the palace... " Raxe noted.
"Yes! Yes. As soon as she found that tea tree was the best combatant, we burned it everywhere."
"Ohh... tea tree.. that's why the smell was so familiar... " you realized aloud.
"It grows everywhere on our island. Your mother swore by that plant." Your dad added.
"So... the fungus isn't spreading anymore? " Raxe asked cautiously.
    "We still get random cases pop up the more inland you go, the fungus seems to like the humidity, but as soon as anyone notices those red spots, a dab of ointment kills it instantly." The doctor smiled proudly.
"Do you know exactly where she lives?" Your father asked.
"Oh yes. I can show you, do you have a map?"
    Your dad unrolled your travel map and the doctor pointed to the very tip of the other side of the island. "It's about a day's journey on horseback through the jungle... but I would recommend sticking to the shoreline. It will add a few hours to the trip but it significantly reduces your chances of infection."
"Shoreline it is then." Raxe shuddered.
"Do you have a few vials of the ointment we can purchase, Doctor? Just as a precaution." Caspian asked.
"Of course! But no charge. Not for the family of the woman who saved our island." The doctor smiled and pulled a few small glass bottles from his robe pocket. "Give your mother my well wishes when you see her, will you?"
"Thank you, Doctor. " You smiled at him.