Hello all,

Here comes the tenth entry to my Destiny tale. My apologies for the delay.

Amanda does her very best to help her King and Chiliarch. Her Miracle herbal remedies are prepared with great care and deep felt concern - but will they be sufficient against what ails the King and his Chiliarch?

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading, Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2014!

/ NorthernLight

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Escape From Destiny, Part Ten

Ecbatana, 324 BC

Miracle Remedies Of The Healer, Continued

Amanda was all alone in her kitchen. She diligently worked with the herbal concoctions. Soon she found that something was very strange.

It was the total silence in the house. She was seldom all alone and she missed her unruly children and the men of her household. Fortunately she knew that they were all safe and sound. Ecbatana was a calm and secure city. The wars were over and she hoped that King Alexander would take a long rest before he took on any new Campaigns.

War was a glorious and chance filled venture - but as a Healer Amanda saw its darker sides. It also meant danger, suffering and cruel and meaningless death to dear ones, both men and animals. Amanda shuddered and hoped in vain that King Alexander would abandon his warlike and violent Nature and become satisfied with all the lands he had already conquered.

Her work was important and all consuming. She continued with the herbs. The remedies were now finished and she put them in two different bottles, one with a green rim for the cooling mint cordial and the other with an orange rim for the warming ginger cordial. She watched them with an intent gaze. Then she gave them a fond and warm hug, reading a prayer of Healing to the bottles.

They would be needed sooner than expected.

Cleitus, Stefanos and Alexios came marching into her kitchen. They were huge and muscular men and the divine silence disappeared with their worried stomping. Her husband and the faithful Guards were very worried when they addressed her. Their dark brown eyes were wide from fear and distress and their hairmanes bristled. They were even trembling!

"Amanda! You must come with us immediately. The King and Chiliarch are not well. They told us to wake them up early ont the morning for all their important assignments. Now we cannot wake them up at all!, "Stefanos called out in deep despair. "King Alexander is cold as ice and his Chiliarch is burning up from a very high fever. Doctor Philip is with them now but he is at his wit's ends. He does not know at all what to do!"

Amanda gave them a reassuring smile. It was mostly to calm herself down. Her husband and the Guards had been through some very rough times during their Campaigns. They did not become easily upset or worried. It had to be something quite disastrous to put them into such a state.

"You men, you always make a fuss about things. Hopefully I know what to do, "she told them in a calming and consoling manner. "I will bring my newly made herbal remedies. They sure will be helpful to our Dear Masters, they simply must!"

She took the bottles and carefully put them into her worn and torn leather satchel. Then she followed all her men in a rush. Their house was some distance away from the Royal Palace so they rode on their horses. The Guards' fine mares Sapphire and Amethyst were trembling from worry and unrest. Even Gorgon and Megaira had been affected and the ill tempered stallion and mare snorted angrily at Cleitus and Amanda. All horses reared up in fright and worry. They had to be calmed down with sweet autumn apples before they allowed their riders to mount.

They galloped through the cobbled streets all the way to the Palace. Stable hands took their horses as soon as they leaped from them. All the faithful war horses neighed with worry and concern. It was as if even they realized the emergency of the situation. They liked the King and Chiliarch very much and wanted all the best for them. Amanda gently patted their muzzles.

"Whoa, whoa, good horses, good horses, "she confidently told them. "You just stay here in these fine Royal stables. We will take good care of Alexander and Hephaestion!"

They rushed into the Palace and tool the flight of stone stairs two and three steps at a time. The finely adorned Royal bedchamber was in total turmoil. Doctor Philip stood at the King's bedside holding Alexander's hand in his own.

"How are they?, Amanda worriedly asked.

"Not well, not well at all, "the good Doctor told her. "King Alexander is cold as ice. I am not sure if he is even breathing or has any pulse at all. The Chiliarch Hephaestion is even worse. He is burning up from a very high fever and his hearth is rushing. I do not know at all what ails them!"

Amanda could see all this for herself. She put her hand on Hephaestion's brow. It was so hot that she almost burned herself. Then she felt Alexander's brow. It was so cold that she had to blow on her own fingers for warmth afterwards. The King was white as snow and his friend had rosy red cheeks. It was no healthy roses, no, it was a sign that he was burning up from a very high fever. He was panting and gasping for air and his heart beat on with a dangerous and far too high speed.

"these are very strange illnesses, indeed, "she told the good Doctor. "I do not know what ails them either - but I have these newly made herbal remedies that I hope will cure them. One is against fever, the other is for warmth and easier breathing. "

She swiftly produced the two bottles and unstoppered them. A strangely invigorating fragrance of mint and ginger suddenly filled the Royal bedchamber. Cleitus and the Guards helped her to allow the King and his Chiliarch to sit up in bed. Then she poured the concoctions in two separate bowls and administered them to her dear patients. At first they did not respond at all. They could not drink or swallow anything at all. Then their nostrils started to flicker and quiver and they became more alert. They took their remedies and went back to a more normal sleep.

Amanda and Doctor Philip felt their brows. At first Alexander was way too cold and Hephaestion was way too hot - but soon their temperature started to return to more normal degrees. Alexander became warmer, his heartbeat was easily felt once more and he breathed more easily. Hephaestion's very high fever broke, his heart beat and breathing calmed down and he rested with more ease.

"Well, the remedies seem to be helpful. Now we just have to wait. Only Time will tell if they will make a full recovery, "the Healer told the worried Guards and all the Royal entourage standing around the King's bed.

Then they sat down for a long vigil, hoping for the very best.

TBC

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