Chapter 16

Link ran faster on the way back, but he could only push so hard. He snuck a drop of the potion, in case it might have any revitalizing effect. It did not seem to do anything, and he would not waste a bigger sip.

He ran through the night this time. The land was more familiar closer to the abbey, and he was more willing to risk a sprained ankle near the end of his trip.

He arrived, somehow, just after dawn of the fourth day. He threw open the infirmary door. Sister Margaretta sat up on one arm, holding her bedsheets close. "Don't…. Wake her," she said. Her breath was shallow, and her voice low.

Link held out a bottle of potion. "Drink," he whispered. "Half for each should do it."

Margaretta took the bottle gingerly, holding the neck in her fingertips. "I shouldn't just give her strange potions." She shook her head as if to clear it, and it seemed she breathed harder from just that exertion. "Need to test it…. Oh, right."

Slowly, grimacing, she pushed herself the rest of the way into a sitting position. She fumbled at the cork stopper, but couldn't get it loose. "Help? Please."

Link picked himself off the floor, where he had been recovering from the run, unstoppered the bottle, and handed it back.

Margaretta took a deep swallow. From the moment the liquid touched her mouth, her skin began to clear. The black wheals on her skin began to clear and to shrink, and her back straightened as she drank.

As soon as she finished, she threw off her sheets and rushed to Collette's bed. "Collette, wake up," she said, shaking her by the shoulders. "Collette, we have a cure! Here, drink some of this, please."

She helped the child sit up and dribbled some potion into her mouth. Before long, Colette took the bottle herself and drank the rest of it, greedily.

"It's gone!" Colette said. "The sick is gone. Thank you, Sister Margaretta!"

That was the first part done. Now he could worry about restoring the rest of them.

He still didn't know why he felt so strongly about the child, he mulled as he walked barefoot to Fauchelevant's shack. The wet grass helped to cool his burning feet somewhat, and it was good to let them breathe. Better to have them propped up and resting, or submerged in a luxuriant soapy bath, but there would be time for that later.

Possibly it was that she was the only young person he had come across since the fall. Children didn't survive as long as they used to, that was certain. And without children, who would bear the future of Hyrule?

Whatever the reason, he just knew she had to be saved. And she had been, from the illness anyway. The threat of Ganon still lingered. Work was never done.

He knocked on Fauchelevant's door. "Sophia been by?" he asked. "Supposed to be back today."

"Nay, haven't seen her since she fetched some maps a couple days ago."

Odd. What would she be doing with maps? "Guess I'll be after her then. Margaretta and Colette are recovering. Be ready to move when we come back with the new location," Link said.

"I don't think-"

Link left before Fauchelevant could finish talking. He could slow down once the potion-brewing was set up. He put his boots back on, retrieved his pack, and exited by the main gate. Sophia was just approaching as he exited.

"You made it," she said."When's the last time you slept? You look awful."

Link shook his head. "I'll sleep tonight, it's fine. Did you catch the plague?"

"Probably." She opened up a map and pointed out a nearby hilltop. "I've got as many as I can find gathering here. You'd better have something for them. They weren't convinced easily."

Link nodded. "I have." He traced his finger along the map until he found a safe-enough spot a couple of miles upstream. "We'll set up the brewing site here. Healed sisters can camp there too. Did you find any of the oracles?"

"Not a sign. Seems they struck off on their own to find a new site."

Link cursed. Trusted leadership for the sick sisters would have helped. But then, considering how little the oracles had participated in the battles, he wondered just how trusted they currently were.

He handed Sophia a bottle of potion. "Have a sip of this, just in case. Don't want to contaminate the healthy people here."

She sipped at it and handed it back.

"I'll go set up the clean site, then?" Sophia said.

"Hang on, let's see if we can find some gear for you to carry. This is an involved process."

Link saw Sophia off, burdened down with nearly sixty pounds of containers, pots, books, and other laboratory essentials. Then he went to check on Margaretta and Colette. He found the sister busy in the infirmary, tidying up, while Colette rested. Margaretta held up a finger to shush him as he entered, and then she followed him outside.

She clasped his hand. "I thought we were going to die," she said. "I was so tired and scared, but then you changed all that."

Link steadied her. "No time for that. There are more sisters to save. How is Colette? Can you travel?"

Margaretta scowled. "She is sleeping well now, and I'm not about to let you change that, no matter how thankful I am."

"I need you to brew more potions, and this place is too contaminated to work. I'm on the edge of exhaustion, and I reckon Sophia's not far behind. That leaves you healthy enough to brew. Do you want to leave Colette here alone?"

"Well no, but I—" She bit her lip and scowled at him. "Fine. But give her two more hours, at least."

Link nodded. "I'll see if there's anything more useful to pack, then. I suggest you do the same." He handed her the translated potion recipe. "Here's what we'll be doing. Think about what you'll need from here."

He went to see Fauchelevant next. He knocked at his door and entered.

"We're heading to a site about five miles away," Link said without preamble. "You up for it?"

Fauchelevant stayed seated, looking into his lit fireplace. "I'm not going," he said. "My home is here, with my garden."

Link shook his head. "There is no home, anymore. Everyone's leaving. What will you do if Moblins attack?"

"Hmph. I've been using this cane longer than you've had your sword. I reckon I can make it hurt for them, before the end."

Link crossed his arms. "Look, if you're concerned that your leg is going to slow us dowan, we'll make it work. You don't have be stupid about it."

"I meant what I said. A man can only go through hell so many times before it stops mattering as much. I just want my garden. One good thing I can take care of." He sighed. "Besides, I'm tired of running."

Link sighed. "If that's what you want, I won't argue." He turned to leave, then paused in the doorway. 'But I'll come back to get some of your flowers for the victory celebration, yeah?"

Fauchelevant forced a smile. "I'd better start preparing a bouquet, then."

Link took a final look back, then left him to his fate. It was up to the Goddesses now. Perhaps the old gardener would be safer than all of them.

A/N: Short chapter, but the next one will be rather heavy. Strap in!