With-in the herb filled office of Olukayode, a local doctor who had been practicing medicine for several decades, Kahina sat translating his consultations and treatments for both Victoria and Benedict. While still dismissive of the local culture, the priest's attitude had improved somewhat as of late and made some efforts to understand their local customs. Her restrained scolding seemed to have instigated some measure of self-reflection in the arrogant cleric, although his attitude was still understandably cold to her employer.
Even as Victoria took detailed notes on the medicinal paste Olukayode was producing, Kahina noticed that her attention was subtly focused somewhere distant. Marka was similarly unsettled, although the mercenary failed to understand what it was that unnerved her, excusing herself to find lunch in the nearby market as to collect her thoughts. From what she had learned from listening to Victoria and her familiars, the priest's knowledge and sensitivity towards anything other than their own understanding of light magic was limited, which explained the lack of reaction from the cleric. The relatively sudden and subdued response from two of the more supernaturally attuned members of the group were of concern to her. However, the lack of immediate action from her mistress did reassure Kahina that there was, at least, no immediate danger.
The patient consultation was suddenly interrupted by two of the town guards, hastily entering the small building and knocking over a jar filled with powdered herbs. “The Farima has ordered all doctors and medicine men to attend to a mining collapse. Olukayode, you will come with us. Bring all the supplies you would need” The middle-aged doctor slowly rose, gathering an assortment of supplies scattered about his practice into a satchel for transport.
“Will the young miss be joining us?” Olukayode asked, gesturing at Victoria. The guards confused glances prompted him to clarify, much to the well disguised annoyance of her mistress. “She is also a doctor visiting from a far-off country.” With a shrug the two guards extended their demands to Victoria, who complied without any resistance. Their escort through the busy market streets led them passed Marka, who had been returning to the office with fruit in hand. Victoria quickly asked her to acquire masks and cloth and bring them to her at the mines when she was able to. Leo was given as a point of reference for any clarification they required, as he could guess as to what purpose they would serve.
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As they arrived closer to the mines Kahina was provided with a foreign avian shaped mask, far removed in function and form from the ritualistic ones she was accustomed to. The long bird like protrusion had earned her various insulting titles from those she passed, usually contrasting her appearance to that of carrion eating vultures circling rotting carcasses. With many of the other doctor's avoiding her ominous appearance and the general disposition against female practitioners, Victoria was quickly assigned to the tent containing anyone looking to be on the verge of death.
Only a few of the sick and injured were able react to the gaunt figures entering the tent, the ongoing cries of terror only added onto the pervasive atmosphere of death. One of the more coherent miners was able to describe what had occurred, albeit between groans of intense pain. He was able to provide a rough timeline from the large pit opening up until the smoke had claimed its many victims. Little else could be gleamed as dark black marks permeated throughout the patient's chest. Benedict, who had been taken along at Victoria's insistence, began to silently pray beneath a long scarf recently purchased from the market stalls. The plume of strange black smoke had been visible from the town, upon seeing the dark omen the usually spineless priest quickly snatched up any protection the Adze had offered him.
The Duukunasi, fearing further contact with those close to death, remained on the outside the makeshift tent, leaving Victoria alone to try and cure the terminal patients. With little need to translate, beyond conveying requests to the patients, Kahina fell into the role of assistant and adviser. The herbs placed in her own avian mask had a calming effect, fortifying her against the ever-present feelings of dread. In contrast to herself, Benedict seemed mostly comfortable amongst the sick and injured. The priest seemed to have experienced similar occurrences during previous duties, and actively worked to provide aid.
“It appears that everyone present inhaled a large quantity of smoke*,” observed Victoria, diagnosing patients, with Benedict offering secondary opinions. “However, that is not the primary issue.” As she moved her gloved hand over one slave's back, the black markings seemed to bend and shift in response to whatever energies the adze was emitting. “We need to first deal with chaotic energies and then deal with the other symptoms later. Benedict, I need you to circulate your sacred blessings throughout his back.” With all prejudice against the adze put aside for the greater good, Kahina watched as he placed his hands onto the suffering patient's back. “Bless the Lord, O my soul; my entire being, bless his holy name.**” he sang, his usually gruff voice gaining a divine tone and inflection. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with kindness and mercy.”
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As the priest sang out, Victoria began to prepare incense to add to the braziers scattered around the tent. Soon the tent smelled of Frankincense which seemed to quell the maddening cries derived from the visions created by the smoke. It did not take long before the other priests arrived, initially grumbling about wearing satanic masks until they saw what the masks were protecting them from. In unison the priests sang out their prayers, individually purging the black magics from the suffering miners. “Even though I wander through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are at my side, with your rod and your staff that comfort me.**”
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“What updates do you have for me, Taiwo?” asked Bello, as he wandered between the incapacitated workers with-in the main medical tent. “So far nothing appears to be working,” stated Taiwo, the lead doctor in charge of overseeing the situation. “We've tried many of our usual mixtures and cures for all manner of rashes and disease, but none are working.” Bello paused at one of his Farai, the loyal subordinate had gotten infected pulling as many workers from the cave in as possible. He knelt down, placing his hand on his “You will pull through, I am sure of it.”
The brief moment of compassion quickly passed, his “How many dead?” At that moment Taiwo paused, “err... I don't know. We've sent those close to death to that she-vulture's tent, so we could focus on the healthier ones.” Bello quickly raised his hand as to summon a Duukunasi from their post, “go check on the foreigner's tent. People have been neglecting to check in.” As the solider left Bello and Taiwo continued their conversation, covering supplies and available space.
Soon the solider returned, covered in a faint smell that he had only encountered in his occasional visits to the local mosque. “Farima, there are no dead to report.” Before Taiwo could downplay the work of the strange foreigner, Bello interjected as he had seen a hopeful look in the slave soldier's eyes. “Should I investigate this in person?” “Yes, Farima! The doctor and the unknown priests overwhelmed and cannot send word.” More so to resolve the failings of his men who let their superstitions impede their work, the Farima decided to investigate personally. “Come, we will discuss anything else on the way to the tent.”
Instead of the expected sight of dying men and women lying prone on every available surface, Bello was greeted by a strong smell of incense and numerous signs of evident recovery. The patients now sat partially upright and occasionally retching into the provided receptacles. A quick glance towards Taiwo confirmed to him that whatever the strange woman's treatment was, it achieved far more results than their own experts were able to provide. As they watched the priests sing their religious hymns in whatever native tongue they spoke, moving between patients to cleanse the dark black marks on their backs. The two mercenaries she had hired mostly stood back until manual labor was required or a strong hand to restrain any incoming patients inflicted with the maddening visions.
Coordinating the entire impromptu treatment room was the female doctor, wordlessly coordinating her female assistants to ensure the patients were clean and had receptacles for any bodily fluids. The only woman, aside from a single female mercenary, free from the organized chaos was the translator. She had been given basic tasks so that she could give quick translations when needed. Occasionally she would be summoned to answer questions or translate thankful gestures, but most respected her need for availability and seldom called on her.
Upon seeing him enter the room the translator, wearing a less pronounced bird-like mask, approached the delegation. “Our greetings Farima, unfortunately we could not spare any of our aids as runners to give word on our efforts due to the lack of support.” Even Taiwo's expression betrayed his astonishment, that the 'merchants of death' were in practice a stark contrast to their appearance. “Understood, we will get you more men. In the meantime, can you explain your findings and methods.”
“Victoria immediately identified the smoke to have properties of dark magic, so she based much of her treatment on expelling the chaotic energies from the body.” Taiwo had already discounted the possibility of the supernatural, as there had been no signs of any evil spirits or cursed idols in the immediate area. Taiwo had been desperately trying all manner of cures, all of them failing to locate the cause. Even the witch doctors summoned to investigate failed to detect any malicious entities present surrounding the wounded, confirming their false assumptions.
“To expel the dark energy, we used the purifying rituals and incense used in the Christian Religion, which derives their faith from a source similar to Islam.” Continued the translator, translating between gaps in patient assessments. “The incense is Frankincense, something which the local Mosque should have available. The burning plant helps dispel the inhaled smoke lingering in the lungs of the patients. The priests are channeling their holy magic through their hands to cleanse the black marks resulting from the dark magic. With nowhere to go, the remaining energy is then released into the provided baskets, which will be gathered and burned once we are stable.”
“Good work” Bello nodded in approval, “What do we need to do to expand this into the main tents.” Whatever discussion the pair had was in that strange tongue from far distant shores, he could only wait until they reached whatever conclusion. “Victoria suggests buying Frankincense from the Mosque and gathering any available Imams to pray using any of the Prophet's Du'as*** should dispel the black magics. The Islamic faith follows similar teachings to that of Christianity, so the prayers should be equally effective.” “Understood, we can discuss a reward later. Taiwo, do you have any issues?” The lead doctor, having lost the arrogance of his established authority, declined. “No, I will start preparing receptacles for the incense and start briefing the other doctors.” With a respectful gesture he left, racing to the tent to spread the cure in question and leaving Bello to summon the Imams.