Forgive this author for not posting over the weekend due to family and work commitments.
Title: Dull Shining Water
Inspired by: Chapter 37 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia, Lord Makiri, Lady Haki
Wordcount: 1067
Rating: General
The next few days I hardly ever saw the royal pharmacists or even Zen's messenger. I tried not to think about them, or even Shirayuki too much. Instead, I focused more of my energies towards giving support to the city. But it is a little difficult concentrating whenever I find myself distracted, my thoughts drift towards what she is doing.
We made the decision to increase the travelers entering Lyrias. The Allullion siblings cannot prolong its isolation. And for some three days or so, we continued to monitor the condition of the patients as well as the number of victims falling sick with the mysterious disease. For a while, we did not have any news about anyone contracting the illness and the city began to work normally again, with shops and inns becoming a little more optimistic that we have things under control.
However, just after we granted the increase of quota for the visitors entering the city, we were rattled with another confirmation that a small group of travelers carrying semi-precious minerals have all fallen sick and were immediately taken in the isolation ward of the Institute. With this blow, we immediately halted the entry of visitors and assigned physicians at all checkpoints. The physicians did a round of checks for all incoming travelers, immediately warding those who have sported signs of sickness, ranging from coughs, fevers, and flu. The city's hospitals and clinics have all banded together to accommodate patients; but we are running short on hospital beds.
"Is there no end in the horizon?" Lord Makiri slammed his fist on the table one evening as we dined late, yet again.
Lady Haki did not even flinched with the rattling sound of the goblets and cutlery on the polished timber table in front of us, but I noted a tiny flicker of concern marring her smooth forehead. She looked tired as well, the normally polished look she sports have faded a little.
I raised my eyebrows. "Patience, Lord Makiri. The researchers and pharmacists are doing what they can to read the faded texts from the book."
Maruko earlier, reported to me that there are no more books found that is similar to the one they have in possession. Thus, Shirayuki and Ryuu, together with Yuzuri have decided to dismantle the bindings of the book and try to process the pages to find traces of the texts by immersing the vellum with plant extracts to bring out the inks that have faded. They have been trying this experiment since yesterday and so far, there is no news yet.
"My Lords." There was a faint knock on the door. I sat up straight, lowering the goblet of wine I was holding. Another servant opened the door and let the messenger in. The middle-aged man hurried over to my side, handing a salver with a silver letter opener.
Opening its contents, I felt the heavy gazes of Lord Makiri and Lady Haki as I read through the short missives written by Obi. I have been the recipient of his messages of the late; thoughtfully, though I personally beg to differ about this, providing me with short, regular updates on the two royal pharmacists under his watch.
I frowned a little at the description Obi wrote. The scrawl looked unbearable to read, almost as if he only had mere seconds to spare when he wrote the message.
Disease is caused by dull, shining water. Kirito may have information on the source. Mistress and I are on our way to investigate the possible location. There may be more.
There may be more. As if I was bitten by a snake, a let out a low curse.
"What is it?"
I slapped the paper on the table. "Dull shining water." I snapped, annoyed that Obi has let his ward investigate when I could have summoned guards to go on her behalf. What the hell is he thinking? She could be in danger! They could both be in danger by exposing themselves to the source directly! "The disease is caused by dull, shining water! Gather your men! Check all the water sources of Lyrias that has dull, shining water. Tell them not to touch it, even boil or drink it!" I almost toppled the goblet I was holding earlier as I pushed the chair back and stood, snapping my fingers for my cloak. Maruko was instantly standing near me, holding out a fresh new one.
"Wahh-?" Lord Makiri's brains seemed to have short-circuited, judging by the dropped jaw and round eyes.
His sister immediately understood my meaning by giving a gasp. "Drinking water!" Lady Haki pushed her chair as well. "The City's underground water citadels may have been contaminated!"
Lord Makiri blinked before he found himself stumbling out from his seat. "By the Gods!"
"Do not let anyone touch the contaminated water! Lyrias won't be hurting for fresh water with all this snow piling up, but all the rivers, streams and canals serving this city may have been contaminated. Up to what extent we do not know. But we must find out and quickly identify what is the cause. Hurry!"
We all scrambled about. Lady Haki had already disappeared behind the door to inform the household to check their water sources have not been compromised. Lord Makiri did not wait for me, instead, he followed his sister, bellowing for his aides and his horse.
I turned to Maruko.
"Send missives to Wilant Castle, ensure that Her Majesty knows about the water being contaminated. Send an urgent message that my brother knows about it, too. After that, send out notices all over the Kingdom. We do not know whether this may have affected other parts of the country as well!"
Maruko nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."
Fastening the cloak around my neck, I hurried towards the door. I wanted to follow Obi and Shirayuki, however, my desires must be put at the backseat. The people of Lyrias are at risk and if we are not carefully, we could find ourselves facing not only a rising number of patients, but water crises as well. It is a catastrophe!
Still, while I focus on ensuring that the country does not enter wake up in utter chaos, I wished to keep track of their safety and welfare. "Inform me of their whereabouts as soon as you can." I added to Maruko. "I want detailed reports from hereon."
Notes:
Seeds used to extract ink (according to the herbalist Yuzuri)
Larcor seeds
Serios leaves
Kusunogi seeds
Kalmoer leaves
I honestly have no idea where the author got the names. But I had fun picking out these small details.