Summer 2020Traveling to cities and other warrens always made him a wee bit nervous. Granted, he had been to Gummadoon a few times and had even made a few trips to other cities and his clan tended to frequent Ursalia on occasion but as a general rule, Barbics were home-bodies and Buddi was no exception. He rarely left the domain of Barbic Woods, unless circumstances called for it or it was to visit family (but even then, it was to Gummi Glen, Gummadoon or Ursalia.)
Being something of a celebrity didn't make him any more anxious to leave. He had made a name for himself as the key strategist in the Gummi-Fey wars and in a majority of the skirmishes that occurred before the creation of the Gummi Dimension and gummies did not forget their heroes easily. Being a naturally shy gummi made it even worse.
However, in this circumstance, he was willing to tackle it.
News traveled fast, even among Barbic Woods, which was rather rustic compared to most of the Gummi Dimension. Word of the horrific plague that had decimated the small town of Gumikon, leaving dozens dead, had reached them within the past few days. Yet, with the news came news of hope as several healers had headed out that way, with news that they had the plague contained and were even making strides towards eradicating it. Buddi had noticed right away that attention in particular was given to a specific healer, one named Silverberry. Reportedly, he was known for working miracles with herbs and medicines. Grubbi had mentioned him in high regard.
So, here he was, having utilized Ursalia's Portal system to place himself a good half day's journey from the medical camp that had been set up around Gumikon. Truthfully, while he carried a large supply of Barbic herbs (ones not readily available outside large forested areas) and a supply of dried foods for the ill and surviving, he had another reason for seeking out Healer Silverberry.
He had spoken with Ursa in the past week regarding her desire for another child. Well, initially, he had told her he wanted her to be able to have a 'kid of her own' and had been rewarded with a smacked mouth and a "I have one and he's making a fool of himself." He hadn't meant anything bad by it but he knew that she always wanted more children and also knew from experience that it really was a wondrous thing to be able to create a life with someone you loved. He and Sunni had been blessed with three. He wanted his mother to have that, to be able to raise a child again and for Gritti to get a chance to be a father again, this time without any fears of "butting in." All of them had matured a lot over the years and it didn't seem right his mother was denied that gift.
He had a theory that there had to be something medicine could do for her. While Grubbi was full of knowledge, he had not been involved in nearly as much research as Silverberry. When Buddi had addressed the issue with his clan healer, Grubbi had actually recommended Silverberry, told him to go and seek him out, though with a warning that "does Ursa know you're doing this?"
Well, yes and no. She had admitted to him that she did want another child and that being able to have one with Gritti would be wonderful. She had beamed a bit when he had told her that he would love having a little brother or sister (he supposed he had been a bit spoiled as a cub on attention and would not have always said such) and when he had mentioned that medicine may be able to provide an answer, she had stated she would "think on it."
Good enough for him. He would get what information he could and hopefully have a good report to give back to her. He came bearing gifts of support for the sick and hurting as well. It hardly seemed right to come without them. From what information he had, they seemed to have things under control but supplies were always welcomed.
Sounds of gummies began to filter in not too far ahead, which told him that he was close. He supposed he could have taken Quick Tunnels or Sky Car systems but he was never very fond of them. A simple walk was not that bad.
The entrance to the town looked more like chaos right now but there was still an obvious entryway with a few gummies standing guard, probably to monitor healers, direct family members and the like. The three he saw looked to be about in their hundreds or a little younger. Made sense, as he supposed the young had the best chance of surviving the plague.
"Excuse me," he called out as he approached, adjusting the pack on his back somewhat.
The first of the three, an orange colored gummi turned and then swiftly turned nearly white under his fur. Buddi held in a sigh. This was usually the reaction he got and while flattering, it got really irritating after a time.
"Y..you're Buddi? Of the Barbics?" the gummi behind him, an aqua colored fellow seemed to recover his wits the fastest. "Commander of the Gummi-Fey Wars?"
"One of them," Buddi corrected, "And yes, last time I checked."
The third one, a red gummi lass, spoke out, "O-one of our legends? Here? Great Gum, we aren't prepared for—"
"Natur's Mercy, knock it off," he snapped a bit, "I'm just as gummi as you are!"
"Y-yes, Sir but we haven't done…haven't achieved…we aren't…"
"Look, I'm searching for Healer Silverberry, have you seen him about?" Buddi interrupted their annoying babbling. He hated to be rude and truth be told, he could almost hear Ursa smacking her forehead at it, but he had things he needed to get done and this…fawning over him wasn't helping. Plus, it was embarrassing!
The first gummi finally seemed to find his voice, "Healer Silverberry, yessir, he's in the fourth tent down that way. Sorting through medicines I believe he is…"
"Thanks," that said, he pushed his way through, still rolling his eyes. He saw a few other gummies stick their heads out of the tents and honestly, anywhere he walked, it was like the entire camp froze. People stopped in their tracks and just followed him with their eyes. Gum! This was irritating! He sincerely hoped that Healer Silverberry would be a little more down to earth.
Finding the ice blue gummi was easy enough, as like the gummi sentry promised, he was in the fourth tent, sorting through herbs and medicines, setting them in specific order or categorizing them in another. As Buddi stepped through the flap, he saw he was labeling them for specific tents. "Healer Silverberry?" he stated, simply, firmly.
"Yes, I'm just about—" the Healer turned and froze upon seeing him. Oh great, here we go again.
"Healer Silverberry," he interrupted before the Healer could say a word, "I'm Buddi Barbic, of Barbic Woods."
"…yes. Y-yes, I see." He cleared his throat, obviously trying to get his wits together, "I..what can I do for you?"
Buddi gave a sigh of relief at that. Nervous but this gummi was all professional and for that he was grateful, "I come to you bearing some herbs from Barbic Woods," he revealed his knapsack and set it on an empty table, "But I also come to you, seeking your help."
"…you're…seeking my help?" He repeated, almost like a parrot. Okay, so he was still a little awestruck but as Buddi observed, he seemed to gather his composure more and more. "I mean, I will see what I can do. Ah... What is it you require help with?"
"Well," Buddi stated, as he sat down next to the table when Silverberry did the same, "To be honest, I came hoping you could help my Mama."
Oh, he saw the faint surprise in Silverberry's eyes at that but to the bear's credit, he kept in professional tone that time, "Your mother? Ursa of the Barbics?"
Buddi nodded, "One and the same."
"Has she fallen to this same sickness?" Silverberry inquired with intense seriousness, "We believed it to be fully contained. If it has infected other areas..."
Buddi thought he recognized the same rising alarm in Silverberry's voice as others held in battle. Interesting, to find such a similarity here. Must take his job very seriously. Another good sign. "No, she hasn't fallen ill. In fact, I hope to make her healthier by coming here."
Silverberry visibly relaxed a bit and nodded, obviously wanting some more details. Buddi took a breath and spoke out, deciding that as with any healer, being blunt and forward was probably the best option. His wife, Sunni, had trained in healing arts and had mentioned multiple times that as stubborn as barbics were, you never wondered about details with them. They were direct and to the point.
"Mama is having trouble conceiving." Buddi felt a bit odd saying that aloud but it was the truth, "It's been that way for years but especially after marrying Gritti, she wants to have another child." He saw a question arise in Silverberry's eyes and addressed that first, "I'm adopted, Healer. Mama has never been able to get pregnant. She and Gritti tried centuries ago, off and on with no luck."
The healer nodded, thinking, "I see. It would be easier to speak with her on these issues."
Buddi nodded, "I know. I wanted to see if there was even a chance you could help her first. Then, I can get her down here. I have my ways."
Silverberry nodded, "As all children do with their parents. Well, Buddi…the more information I have the better."
Nodding in agreement, Buddi spoke out, "I have a lot of it, just need to know what you need to know."
"You stated she has never gotten pregnant before. Does she have any injuries to those areas?"
"No." Buddi shook his head, "No injuries. Grubbi did an exam on her a while ago and said that everything was intact. When I was born, she took herbal mixtures to bring in milk and that worked fine."
Nodding again, he asked, "Do you know anything on her hormone cycles?"
"I dunno when they are but I do remember her saying that they have always been weird."
With a firm nod, the healer asked, "You have any idea what "weird" means?"
"She never told us much but from what Grubbi said, sounds like they came at weird times and weren't consistent."
"Hmm."
Buddi eyed the healer, trying to read his expression. "Does that mean anything?"
"It could." Silverberry stated simply. "I'll need more specifics from her but it sounds like that might be the cause. It's difficult to say anything for certain, Buddi, but from what you've told me, I think there may well be a way to aid with that. How old is she?"
Buddi thought a moment, "She's…going to be 681 this year."
Silverberry nodded again, "So, older but not out of the realm of possibility." He gave a smile, though professional, to the Barbic in front of him, "Arrange for her to come see me. I think we can work on a way to give her a child, or at the very least, improve her chances."
Buddi stood, "I'll get her here. How long are you going to be here?"
"Actually, if you can arrange for her to come to the city of Gummison next week. They have some offices that are much nicer than this. Gives me more options."
Buddi nodded again and grasped the healer's hand in a firm grip, "Thank you." He pulled away, stating, "I know you're busy. I'll leave the herbs here. If you need any more, just contact us."
"I shall."
That done and said, Buddi turned and left, though managed a smirk as he heard behind him, "Buddi Barbic shook my hand…"