There was a cure!

I tried to keep the excitement off of my face as I nodded to Val. “It’s cured.”

There were gasps and whispers in the meeting room as the people there began to talk to each other. Winey started doing a victory dance, which mainly seemed to embarrass Fyga and Narder.

I moved over to Val. “Do you know what this means?!” I lowered my voice.

“Not here.” Val smiled broadly, “Winey, I’m sure you know that this process will be of great interest to the Bokor. If you would be willing to share the process with us..?”

“It would be my honor, see a few months ago we found these strange crystals in the mine.” He tapped on the glass then licked the tip of his newly burnt finger. “Anyway. I started doing some experiments…” He smiles, “The rocks around here give a little kick to my brew, and I was trying to see what effect this new one would have.” He nodded at Helru, “Anyway a little over a week ago Elger got bit while they were Wrangling.” He shook his head, “They needed something to clean the wound with and used the potion made from my brew!” He puffed out his chest. “He didn’t turn. Didn’t have the sweats or anything. Well, he still had a bite mark, but until two days ago, you’d never known he’d been bit.”

“What happened two days ago?” Val looked over at the young Wrangler that had started to cry.

“Elger was on watch.” Helru took a deep breath. “We found him dead in the tower. Someone had slit his throat.”

That must have been the blood we found.

“Dodged death only for it to visit him in a different form.” Winey shook his head.

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I waited the silence out for a few minutes before it had to be broken.

“Who knew about his…” I searched for the right word, “Condition?”

“The whole town.” Winey shrugged, “We celebrated and sent a runner to the Island to let the Bokor know about our discovery. That is why you’re here, right?” He eyed us.

I was about to tell the truth when Val cut in. “Of course! Our orders were simply to investigate what you found, so we weren’t sure what we were walking into.”

I looked over at the redhead. She couldn’t see my glare under the bandages, but it was there.

“Have you tried it on a living sample?” Val looked at Winey.

“We’ve talked about it, but it’d be too risky for us to tie one up and throw it in a barrel of the stuff…” Winey looked at the shriveled heart, “And I don’t think we should do it in town.”

“Do you have enough of the solution?”

Winey’s face beamed, “I’ve got three barrels of this stuff. Started brewing it almost exclusively. The Wranglers have been drinking it before they go out, just in case…”

“Alright.” Val looked at me, “If you’ll bring…” She seemed like she was trying to gauge how much they’d need. “Half a barrel of that to the gate, then my partner and I will bring you a live Zombie to throw in it.” She looked at the container that had held the heart, “Probably should bring the lid too.”

Winey was bouncing as he ran for the door with Narder and Fyga on his tail. “It’ll be there!”

Val turned to the rest of the people there. “If this is alright with all of you?”

They looked at each other for a moment. Helru cleared her throat, “We appreciate the Bokor considering us in this. We are happy to help in whatever way we can.”

“Then we’ll see you in a few hours.” Val slapped me on the shoulder, “Pack it up.”

I grabbed the cured heart and threw it back in the bag, then took out my fire stick and lit a few places as well as my hand. I let the fire burn on my hand until it started to hurt, then wiped it off on my pants.

I hadn’t realized that I still had everyone’s attention until I slung the bag over my shoulder.

“Eveth can show you out.” Helru nodded to her daughter.

The blonde woman gave a small bow, then headed out of the meeting hall.