Chapter Eight
A Plague on Both Your Houses
Dedication - To the eternity, because her reviews always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. ::fangirls the eternity::
And thanks again to fantasyfan for her helpful nitpicking. Couldn't do it without you, darlin'.
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Scanra
The mage closed his eyes, humming a long-forgotten tune as he conjured the evil spirits that dwelt in shadows. He muttered a few words, gathering the dark energy and allowing it to enshroud him like a cloak. A mirror of darkness formed in front of him, its surface clouded. Concentrating his powers on the mirror, the mage clarified the image until he could see the form of a tall girl with short brown hair grooming a large strawberry-roan gelding. This girl, this pathetic, contemptible wench, had managed to defeat the most powerful necromancer in Scanra and his nightmare devices. This girl had to pay.
She was a threat to the Scanran kingdom. Having defeated the source of their most powerful weapons, she was greatly feared, and was dangerous to Scanran victory.
He began to chant an ancient spell, sending wisps of dark magic into the mirror. A plague. This plague would defeat not only the girl, but all who resided with her at the fort. They would no longer be troubled by her valourous attempts to bring destruction to the Scanran nation.
The mage bared his teeth in a feral grin. This was just the beginning.
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New Hope
"Oh, look there. A book."
Neal reached out an arm--it was difficult; there was very little space under Skye's bed because various clothes and papers and what appeared to be a rock collection all made a home there--and grabbed a book that was nestled half-beneath a piece of cloth. Curious, Neal also picked up the piece of cloth. His eyes widened as he realised that it was a breastband. He cleared his throat and glanced around guiltily before remembering that he was under the bed, and the only witnesses to his discovery were the rocks. Come to think of it, that rock did seem to be glaring at him.
Shaking his head, Neal tossed the breastband away from himself and turned his attention to the book. It was Ethical Contrasts of the North and South: Part II. He had wanted to read this sequel, but then the war had begun, and he lacked the time to read anything, much less a book on philosophy. Of course, when one is under a bed, there isn't much else to do. His interest sparked, Neal opened the book and began reading.
He had gotten to "Chapter 4: The Role of Deities' Regularity in Building Sustainable Local Economies in the North", when the door slammed and soft footsteps neared the bed. "Neal? Are you still under there?"
Neal wriggled to the edge of the bed and poked his head out. From here, he had a perfect view of--
"Neal! Why are you still under my bed?" Skye demanded.
He shrugged. "You didn't come back."
"It's been two hours!"
"Well, why didn't you come back?"
"I was healing the man."
"It doesn't take two hours to heal a few broken bones."
Skye blinked. "I forgot."
"About me?!"
"Well…yes. What are you doing under there?"
"Reading." Neal wriggled back under and picked up the book again.
"Neal." Skye knelt by the bed and peered underneath. "I'm sorry I didn't come back, now will you please come out?"
Neal gave a dignified sniff, but didn't look up from the book.
"Neal?" Skye sighed. "Fine, stay under there. I'm going to dinner."
"Dinner?" Neal brightened. "My dear girl, why did you fail to mention the fact that the hour of dinner was upon us?"
"You just seemed so content, beneath my bed, with your book, and…is that my breastband?!"
"Oh. Um. Yes. It…er…attacked me."
"Neal, come out from under my bed," Skye ordered through clenched teeth.
Neal meekly obeyed.
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Kel looked up to see Neal and Skye enter the mess hall. She waved them over to sit with her, Dom, and Merric.
"As I was saying," Dom continued. "After falling down three flights of stairs, Neal just stood up, and walked away, as if nothing had happened. It was really quite amazing. Well, actually, it probably would have been more impressive if he hadn't walked into a wall as soon as he stood up…"
"What are you telling them about me?" Neal interrupted suddenly.
Dom grinned. "Nothing but the most highly complimentary tales of your earlier adventures, of course."
"Of course," Neal said dryly.
"And then there was the time he gave Mother a toad for Midwinter," Dom added. "He thought--"
"I think we've had enough of this conversation, Dom," Neal cut in. "You're boring Merric. Am I right, Hollyrose?"
Merric looked up abruptly. "Hmm?"
Skye sat down. "Well, highly complimentary tales or not, I'm hungry. I'm going to eat." Neal slid onto the bench next to her.
" 'Scuse me, lady knight?" said a timid voice behind Kel. She turned to see a petite, tired-looking refugee woman holding an infant while two small children clung to her skirts.
"Can I help you?" Kel asked politely.
"Would you mind watchin' the twins whilst I feed m' baby? If it's not too much trouble--thank you so much!" The woman hurried away before Kel had a chance to open her mouth, much less reply.
The twin boys stood unmoving, staring wide-eyed at the group of adults, until Kel sighed and motioned for them to sit. They complied, still looking rather frightened.
Merric appeared troubled. "Kel, you shouldn't let them take advantage of--"
"Hullo, there," Dom said cheerfully to the children, cutting Merric off. "And what might your names be?"
He was rewarded by an uncomfortable silence and the same solemn stares.
"Right," Dom continued. "So, then. Ahem. How do you like the food here? I think it's quite well. At Mastiff, it's much better, but the company is more enjoyable here…of course, the cooks' venison doesn't compare to the way my great-aunt used to make it. Do you have any aunts? I have four. Of course, Neal, my cousin there, he only has three. Don't ask how that happened. Actually, the truth is, one of them refuses to acknowledge his existence, due to certain...escapades. It's a sad story. Well, it's really rather amusing, though I wouldn't advise asking him about it. But you wouldn't want to hear about that, now would you. And then of course, there's the weather--"
"Dom, you're frightening the children," Kel pointed out.
Dom looked at the children, whose expressions had remained the same throughout his one-sided conversation. "Well, I'd like to see you try," he retorted.
A loud choke surprised the group. Startled, they looked over at Neal, who was rapidly opening and closing his mouth in a manner somewhat resemblant of a fish.
"Neal…what's the matter?" Skye asked worriedly.
"I think I swallowed a chicken bone," Neal explained, his voice hoarse, before gagging again. "It's lodged in my throat."
"Great Mithros, we were so busy watching the children, we forgot to watch Neal!" Dom exclaimed. "I told you he needed a keeper," he remarked to no one in particular. Neal managed a glare before doubling over, coughing. "Should we let him choke, or should we help him?" Dom asked the rest of them.
The children's eyes had gotten so large, they nearly bulged out of their heads. One of them tugged on Kel's sleeve, inquiring in a soft voice, "Is he goin' t' die?"
"No one's going to die," Skye said firmly as she reached over and pounded Neal vigorously on his back. He let out several more gags, then gasped as the offending chicken bone flew out of his mouth and across the table and plopped into Merric's soup. As Merric inspected the new addition to his dinner, Neal slumped forward, breathing shakily.
"Well, I think I'm done eating now," Merric announced, looking disturbed and pushing his bowl away from him.
Just then, the doors to the mess hall flew open as a distraught-looking male Rider hurried through the doors. After glancing around the room, he walked briskly over the the table where Kel, Neal, and the others sat. Nearing the table, he addressed Neal and Skye.
"I think there's something you healers better come take a look at."
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Hours later, Neal ran his fingers through his hair and sighed tiredly. The Rider had taken him to the barracks that housed the remaining refugee families where a man had fallen suddenly and mysteriously ill. After long periods of examination, he had discovered that the disease was not isolated in the case of the single man, but was rapidly becoming wide-spread throughout New Hope. The victims of the plague suffered from various symptoms including a ridiculously high fever, dry cough, and laboured breathing.
He had spent much time conferring with Skye, but neither of them could determine a origin for this plague. And until they could determine the source, they had no way of preventing further cases. And this affliction was like nothing Neal had seen before. The malady seemed to resist every attempt of healing. As more and more patients came into the infirmary, he could do nothing but watch helplessly and make them as comfortable as possible.
And the disaster had come to its climax when he tried to discuss quarantine methods with Kel. He had hardly finished his first sentence when she slumped in her chair. Inspecting her, he discovered she was infected with the disease as well. He had watched Dom carry her to her room with a faint sense of defeat. If Kel was vulnerable, everyone was.
Trudging to his quarters, Neal collapsed on his bed, staring at the ceiling with blood-shot green eyes.
TBC
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A/N -- So, did you like the chapter? Did you like the plague twist? Did you? Eh? Well then, review and tell me! It was actually reading Romeo and Juliet in my lit class that gave me the idea, hence the chapter name. Also, sorry about the formatting issues in the last chapter. Apparently, deleted all the little spacers I put in to separate scenes. Hopefully, though, I've solved that little problem. Ah, yes, the last chapter. sigh I do believe this story is turning into a Kel/Dom. I'm ashamed of myself, truly I am. I'll also apologise for switching from light humour to…more serious themes so quickly. Yet again, my story is having mood swings. Yes, my story. Not me. I'm really starting to think that I need to see a psyhcological specialist or something…
Starlit Niphredil - She sings. With rockstar dreams. Doesn't realise. She's already a super-star. To me.
KelDomFoverer - I do so hope you revived in time to read this!
Annoying Chaos - Briar/Tris, eh? Well, I'm not quite sure how you managed to stumble across this, but I'm glad you did, and thanks for the review! Even if I do prefer Briar/Rosethorn myself…
daughter-of-faeries - Oh no, what if I've become even more twisted! Wait…I think I have. I've added yet another twist to the plot! Glad you like so far, and tell me what you think!
Helkardowen - To answer your question, just watch out for the next chapter! I might have to bump up the rating…
RisuMusume - I completely agree. I never liked Yuki. Always thought our Neal deserved much better…
dreamerdoll - Funny you should say that. Did you know, I almost turned this into a Kel/Neal at one point…and then Dom just popped up and I couldn't resist…
fantasyfan - I'm so glad you finally updated your story! I really love what you have so far and can't wait to read the rest!
the eternity - Dear thing, I couldn't help but give you a dedication. Every time I post, I keep checking my email, hoping for an eternity-review. And every one of them just makes my day. :) And are you ever planning to write more? In all seriousness, I will hunt you down and threaten you with Kel's glaive if you say no.