To Darra, it felt as though her world had stopped. She did not fully understand what Trisha had said, however the gravity of her situation could not have been more apparent to her. Even though the weight she felt initially by the many elders in the room had lessened. A different more profound anxiety filled her.

"What about… what about my husband? Is he sick as well? Is he going to be okay?" She looked up at Trisha and then to the elders. There was a frantic anxiety in her eyes. They all looked back, unsure what to tell her.

Would he be okay? Would you be okay? Tahmel? Trisha? Everyone???

None of them were sure.

The fire attuned elder who oversaw Adria's family line was the first one to break the silence.

"Darra, we will be doing everything we can to help all who are sick get better." He then directed his attention to all the elders in the room. "Tapestry has been around since the beginning of time itself. It has faced countless hardships and trials through the years."

All of the elders grit their teeth.

"If not for the Ancestor passing on his heritage to us, we would not have survived the desolation of the world."

"Since then though!" His voiced pierced into the minds of everyone present. The fire energy lines on his body surged with color and strength. "We have continued to live, survive, and thrive! All on our own power!"

That's right. They had indeed done so. Although the City of Tapestry may seem a very peaceful place. In the histories, across an eternity, there have been countless calamities of various scales. And yet, here they are.

Gradually the atmosphere grew livelier, the elders began discussing precautions that should be take and actions that will help reverse the situation.

Trisha and Darra too both felt better. Even if they themselves were too late to save, ultimately their job was to pass the heritage of The Ancestor on.

Dying now or dying later. What difference does it make? As long as the species survived.

However, when Trisha's mind wandered back to her husband who was still tied up in their home… she felt an ambiguous dread. This dread though was quickly suppressed with the rest in a small portion of her mind.

At this time Porose stepped up onto the stage. He had entered the hall earlier while Trisha had been checking Darra's soul. He did not want to interrupt such a delicate situation, so he chose to simply wait quietly by the side.

Exhaustion could be seen in his posture. Usually Porose is one who always stands tall. Now though it seemed that the weight on his shoulders was beginning to take its toll.

"Elders," All eyes were on him. If anyone knew the extent of the sickness at this stage, it would be him.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Porose. He had been brewing soup for a while now and had seen more of the sick than anyone else.

"I regret to say that no one who has contracted the cough has made a full recovery. Although many report they are feeling better, I believe the soup has only been masking the degree of their illness."

The elders all nodded. There was still no direct evidence that the cough was related to what happened with Tahmel. Although it seemed the most likely cause, especially with what Trisha had found in Darra's soul.

"As a safety precaution, I asked the miners to watch over those who we think or know to be sick. If anything, untoward is to occur, they were instructed to report to an elder right away. The various foremen are organizing it."

There was another mumble of agreeance amongst the elders. Porose was truly on top of the situation. Elder Azelle stood up and clapped his hands.

"Very good. Firstly, we must find Liter. He was sick with the cough a year ago, however he got better within a week. It may not have been the same thing, however, if it was, the I assume he is already working on a cure.

In the meantime, it is important that we identify everyone who is sick and separate them from those who are not." He thought for a moment mentally working through the space of Tapestry.

"Clear out one of the warehouse rooms and turn it into a sick bay. Have the Miners start moving cots in." After another moment of thought he turned to another elder.

"Can I ask to leave the logistics of this to you?"

"Of course, Elder Azelle." The woman stood up and quickly departed, wasting no time.

With her departure, all of the elders began to get up left the hall. Everyone knew there were things to be done. Porose too left to go continue his work. Whether or not the soup was truly helping, they could not say. However, he felt it important he continue to cook, it was better to have too much than too little.

Trisha and Darra both continued to stand in the center of the hall. Darra was shaking, small uncontrollable tremors. Despite her best efforts, she had not been able to contain them. Trisha stood near her to offer support if she needed it.

"Darra, I think you should go back to your husband. Soon they will come for you both, you should go explain to him what is happening." Trisha's voice floated into Darra's ears and immediately her trembling slightly eased.

"Mm, Trisha you're right. I can't be like this. Like the elders said, we will get through this. And even if we don't… this is much bigger than me." Darra looked from Trisha to the door. After an encouraging nod from Trisha she began towards her own home with haste. On her mind was her husband, and beyond that, all of her friends who she knew had been receiving soup from Porose.

Trisha finally let out the breath that she had been holding in, like expelling the bad air. She felt better once Darra was on her own way. Trisha knew she was barely holding herself together, being relied on by another for support was quickly going to shatter her already fragile existence.

Elder Azelle who had not yet left the hall stepped up onto the stage to stand next to Trisha. He had watched as Trisha helped to refocus Darra.

"Trisha, with your ability with people… we are going to have to rely on you through this. I hope you can understand." Inside he felt very sorry for her. Right now, she was dealing with much more than anyone else. However, if things got out of hand, then who knew how many would suffer?

With Trisha's abilities revolving around the soul, she would be extremely helpful in refocusing people so that a panic would not ensue - like she had done with Darra. When a person is overwhelmed or anxious, the best thing you can do is to give them something to focus on.

The anxious energy that builds up in a person would quickly become fuel for them to do whatever task you focus them on. This was wisdom the elders had built up over many years. To Trisha though, it felt extremely instinctual.

"Of course, Elder. No matter what… we must get through this." In her mind though, all she could think of was the smile she had seen on Tommy's face.