Chapter 17

They were not far from the next village, when they saw smoke from the distance. Mary and Bash exchanged glances and spurred their horses to run faster. But they didn't come further when a man blocked their way.

"Stop! he shouted. "Don't go any further! The road behind has already been blocked. No pass through allowed. Turn back as long as you can."

Mary just stared at the man, who was a villager apparently.

Bash cut in. "Can you tell us for what reason they have closed the road?" he asked.

Frowning, the man shook his head. "Where are you from, that you're so unaware? The plague is back! Many in the next village are already infected. We burn everything down, so no more can get tainted."

Mary felt her heart missing a beat. Lola! she thought. Lola and John lived there. She needed to help them!

"On behalf of the Crown, let me pass!" she ordered.

The man, recognizing his queen, bowed deeply. "Your Majesty! I didn't recognize you at first. But nevertheless, I cannot allow you to pass. No exceptions. The plague is already far advanced. And you don't want to get infected, do you?"

Mary got a dry mouth. "I... one of my former maids lives in the village." she stammered.

The man nodded distressed. "This is really sad, but she is probably dead. There are not much villagers left."

Mary looked to Bash, horrified. "We cannot just turn around and pretend as if nothing had happened! I need to know if she and John are all right!" She frowned when she didn't get a reply. "Bash?"

His face was ashen and Mary knew what he thought.

"When had the road to the village been blocked?" she asked with a trembling voice.

The man shrugged. "Maybe an hour ago, maybe two. Since then I stand guard here and send away anyone who tries to pass through."

"And...and you said that almost all villagers are dead? Are you certain of that?"

The man nodded. "Those, who are still alive are infected and will die soon."

Mary dug her fingers in the horse's mane and looked to Bash, who was still sitting on his horse, staring into space. "Thank you for the information. We will promptly ride back to the Castle and will consult about what to do."

"You said that Kenna and Daniel might be at Lola's place..." Bash said with a faint voice.

''I said I suspect it. She can be elsewhere. Either way, we have to go back. We can do nothing from here. And if the plague continues to spread, then they will block more roads and we can't return to the Castle." She looked at him symphesizing. "I'm worried about Kenna, Daniel, and Lola too, but we can't stay here."

He nodded. „You need to be safe. Go back to the Castle. I have to try at least..."

Before Mary could signify his intention he had urged his horse into galopp. The man dodged but didn't have a chance when Bash's horse burst through the barrier. But the man didn't surrender for long. Suddenly he pulled out a dagger from nowhere and aimed at Bash.

„Watch out, Bash!" Mary warned him, but it was too late. The dagger found his way into Bash's spine and got stuck. Blood sprinkled over his back and he slumped over.

Mary managed to grab the reigns of Bash's horse and pulled him out of the danger-zone.

„Are you able to ride back to the Castle?" she asked concerned.

„Yes..." Bash gasped under a labored breath. „It's... just a superficial wound."

She looked at him, anxiously. She knew that the wound was not just superficial. It looked really bad. „Let's hurry! I'm not sure if there are more men. I won't take the chance."

She urged her horse to turn, and the two of them headed home.

"The plague?" stammered Kenna disbelieving, when she joined Bernadette and the whore.

She rememberd how she was locked up, a few years ago, when the plague was even in the Castle. Bash had saved her at that time. But Pascal, the boy Bash had saved from the Darkness, had not survived. Her stomach stretched painfully. And she thought of the other people who had lost their lives.

"Are we safe here?"

The whore nodded. "As long as no one comes in or goes out, we are save. The infection spreads very fast. We observe each person who is in the brothel."

"What do you mean, we can't leave the house?" Bernadette cut in. "I can't stay here!"

Kenna turned to her and grabbed her arms roughly. "Don't you know what it means that the plague is in the country? Everything is contaminated! People are dying like flies! Countless houses must be burned! Not to speak of the dead bodies, whose funerals must be prepared! She released the young nanny abruptly. "And you're talking about that you can't deal with a few whores!" She looked quickly to the whore. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you."

"I don't mind." The Young woman forced a smile. "I thought so myself when I was younger. But when you're poor, you do almost anything to appease your hunger."

Bernadette stood there frozen. The words of her mistress hadn't defeated the purpose. "I... I... want to... say.. sorry..." she stammered. Suddenly, she broke off, turned around and ran away.

"She hasn't experienced anything bad yet, otherwise she wouldn't be so snobbish toward us whores." The young woman sighed. "Would you keep guard for a moment? Nobody is allowed to enter or leave. I'll be right back."

Kenna nodded. She took her place at the door and waited. It wasn't long until she noticed a noise at the door, a knock and then a desperate woman's voice.

"Please, I beg you... open the door! My house was burnt down, and I don't know where to go with my little son!"

Kenna hesitated. She had gotten order not to open the door. But could she deny the entrance, when the life of a mother and her child was at stake? She had been in a similar situation a few hours ago. She pushed the latch to the side and opened the door just a gap.

"I have received instructions, not to let anyone enter, but..." The words died on her lips when she saw who asked for shelter. Her eyes widened.

"Lola?!..."