Ali carefully placed two cups on the table, her hands trembling slightly. As she poured the water for tea, she tried to steady her racing thoughts. The arrival of Rolly had unsettled her, fearing that he might bring news of something dreadful. However, she knew she couldn't let her emotions overpower her. She needed to find out why he had come. There was a sense of urgency in his arrival, and Ali's instincts told her that something was amiss. She had learned to trust her gut feelings long ago.
Her mind wandered back to the last time she had seen her beloved husband, Geo. She could still picture him, tall and handsome, as he packed their trade goods into the wagon. The memory of his disheveled curly dark brown hair and his smile made her heart ache with longing. Maybe she shouldn't worry too much, as he was only a couple of days late. Traveling often took longer than expected. But still, the unease lingered within her. Something felt off.
Taking a few sips of the warm, soothing tea, Ali gathered her courage. She kept her voice low, mindful of the children possibly eavesdropping. Looking down at her cup, she began, "What chased you away from your farm and chores on such a lovely day? Does someone need my herbs?" Her voice trailed off, her worry evident.
Rolly glanced around nervously, unsure of how to begin. Finally, he spoke, "I had hoped Geo and my son would have returned by now. I am not concerned about a few trade goods normally, but this year the waiting is painful."
Ali interrupted, her concern growing, " I am worried because this trip to the trading circle is generally a quick one. They should have..." She paused, her eyes pleading for answers. "What do you mean? What could be so urgent?"
Rolly took a deep breath and continued, "Geo was confident in the trip not taking more than ten days. You see, my daughter, Fern has fallen ill." He sighed; his worry etched on his face.
Ali's worry intensified, and she found herself unable to hold back her urgency, "Why didn't you send someone to inform me? I am the healer! Since we arrived in this forest, I have been treating everyone. I have herbs that could help. We should go now and see what can be done for Fern." She rose from her chair, ready to leave immediately.
Rolly gently motioned for Ali to sit back down, shaking his head slowly. "I don't know if there's anything you can do. Your husband and I agreed that it would be best if you didn't know." Pausing, his face filled with pain, he continued, "I fear she might have contracted one of the Seven Ills." Another pause, his head shaking in disbelief. "Years ago, I heard of a healer who saved an entire village during a severe epidemic. When I visited that village later, they confirmed that not a single life was lost. I would do anything to save Fern, but..." His voice trailed off, tears welling up in his eyes, yet refusing to fall.
Ali's worry intensified, consuming her thoughts and filling her with a sense of urgency that she couldn't suppress any longer. Her voice trembled with a mixture of fear and frustration as she questioned Rolly, "Why didn't you send someone to inform me? I am the healer! Since we arrived in this forest, I have been tirelessly tending to everyone's ailments. I possess herbs that could potentially help Fern. We must go now and see what can be done for her." Determination fueled her, causing her to rise from her chair, ready to leave immediately.
However, Rolly's gentle gesture halted her in her tracks, silently urging her to sit back down. He shook his head slowly, his expression filled with a profound sadness. "I don't know if there's anything you can do, Ali. Your husband and I agreed that it would be best if you didn't know." Pausing to collect himself, his voice quivered with emotion as he continued, "I fear she might have contracted one of the Seven Ills." His voice trailed off, his head shaking in disbelief. "Years ago, I heard of a legendary healer who miraculously saved an entire village during a severe epidemic. When I visited that village later, they confirmed that not a single life was lost. I would do anything to save Fern, but..." Rolly's voice faltered, tears welling up in his eyes, yet refusing to fall.
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Ali, at a loss for words, she took advantage of the moment of silence to gather her thoughts while gazing out of the window. She was angry that she was not told, but she was the healer. For now, she must put aside her emotions and focus on being a healer. It took her a few moments and deep breaths, but she calmed her mind and gathered her thoughts.
She pondered the various herbs she could bring with her, allowing Rolly the time he needed to compose himself. She thought about her childhood as her mother assistant and all the different herbs her mother had used to treat the Seven Deadly Ils. It always came on suddenly, but many herbs could be used to reduce the pain and suffering that accompanied the illness. Unfortunately, all who fell ill wasted away, only the manner of their demise varied - from a pile of ash to a pool of liquid, from a desiccated corpse to bruised blistered and rotting skin.
Her mother had been a doctor when there were hospitals and she had heard the stories about the miracles performed there by physicians. Once the plague hit the hospital were filled with the sick, yet all their medicines had failed. Ali was born into a world during the chaos and after billions had died. Ali lost count of the people she saw lost to the plague and the panicked riots. Ali wondered what had the healers missed, what plant or prayer was needed, and could she make a difference. Now, faced with the opportunity to help Fern, she was determined to do whatever she could.
Gathering the necessary herbs, Ali focused on treating Fern's fever, pain, and stomach issues. She had Kava, willow bark, ginger, mint, and feverfew - they might not cure her, but they would provide some relief and aid in her eventual healing. Additionally, she decided to take bear root and blood root, powerful medicines that were worth a try. As she rummaged around, assembling everything she might need, she also collected a hand drum, sage, cedar, sweet grass, a turtle rattle, and a pipe bag.
With everything in place, she turned to Rolly, determination etched on her face. "We must go. It has been too long since I've seen your wife and daughter. We can discuss what to do on the way," Ali declared, pausing briefly before adding, "We must find my husband and your son and pray that they have a cure. I have everything I need to help your daughter." She motioned towards the stack of items, now neatly packed inside a large bag.
Rolly, uncertain and weary, didn't respond immediately. He finished his tea, wearing a weary smile that seemed to convey his surrender. With a nod, he silently acknowledged Ali's determination. Leaving the house behind, they made their way to the barn, where Ali needed to attend to a few tasks before they could embark on their journey.
They were momentarily interrupted when Ali spotted the children walking towards her. Waving them over, she calmly explained to Willow that they were going to Rolly's farm for dinner and a prayer, intentionally omitting Fern's illness for now. There would be time to break the news later. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Ali instructed Willow and the boys to gather their travel clothes and supplies from the house. Rolly assisted Ali in caring for the animals, ensuring they had enough food and water for a few days.
Thirty minutes later the group was walking briskly down the road. Willow and her friends eyeing the adults like they might glean information if they just stared long enough. They had no idea what was really going on, but determination propelled them forward.