Three days later, Danica was finally able to 'walk' downstairs to join the family for a meal for the first time. She couldn't bear much of her weight, but, with both 'Suela and Heidi assisting, she managed. When they arrived, she felt much as she had after the family had been walking for a full day and had been short of water. Still, it was better than two days earlier, when she'd needed help just to sit up on the side of the bed.
Fortunately, she'd been introduced to everyone already, though, truth be told, it was still intimidating to see everyone in the same room -- especially as they were all looking at her when she came through the doorway. Still, the looks directed at her were friendly, and they all showed some degree of concern for her well-being.
That it was true concern and not only on the surface had already been made clear to her. Five times every day, someone had carried her downstairs so that she could pray in the room set aside for such. To her great surprise, it had been the elder son Paolo who carried her for the nightly prayers. She knew that he was Christian, and a priest at that, but he had actually volunteered to help her and had prayed along with her and his mother. Before moving to The City, all she had know of Christians was that those in Soba were anything but friendly. Oh, yes, they tolerated Muslims, but they also looked down on them.
During dinner, she let the conversation flow around her and briefly answered the few questions directed toward her, but mostly she listened. She had no idea at all why Mrs. Donetti had begun to smile at her about half-way through the meal.
When it was time for prayer, Paolo again carried her. When they were finished, she caught his sleeve and asked him, "Why are you doing this for me? You're a Christian and I'm Muslim. I don't understand."
He turned to her and said, "Let me ask you a question as well. After you answer mine, I'll answer yours, OK?"
Seeing her nod, he asked, "How many gods are there?"
She began to sputter and managed to blurt out, "One. There's only one!"
He nodded. "Yes, that's right. So, if there's only one god, are we not all worshiping the same god but just in different ways? I think that if everyone really thought about it, and realized that single truth, our world would be a better place. Frankly, and this is my personal opinion not that of the Church, but I have a strong suspicion that God doesn't particularly care how we think of him. I think that God is more concerned that we DO think of him, in whatever form we find most comfortable, rather than not thinking of him at all.
"I also think that the Prophet taught his first followers to pray five times a day both as a lesson and as a hint of what more they might consider doing. It's not all that hard to go from prayer five times a day to thinking about God all day long, in everything we do.
"You're taught that even a few minutes of prayer is enough, so, consider this. What if, instead of five minutes five times a day, you prayed for one minute 30 times a day, or 30 seconds every 15 minutes. If it is sincere prayer, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"
Paolo shrugged, and looked embarrassed. "Well, that's just how I feel, which is why I help you. I think that the more time a person spends thinking of God each day, the more they can grow as a person."
He stooped, picked Danica up, and headed back upstairs. "Please feel free to discuss what I've said with your imam. If he thinks I'm wrong, or, worse, a stupid fool, well, that's the way it will be. Regardless, as a Muslim you should follow what he says. Besides, who knows, God has been known to answer prayers. Maybe you'll get an answer that way as well."
Danica nodded and did not speak further.
Later, after Heidi and 'Suela had helped her get ready for bed, she decided that she would speak to the imam when the opportunity arose. She was only 15 years old, and she knew that she needed spiritual advice from an authority when questions such as the one Paolo had raised were presented to her. They were not something she had enough experience to resolve on her own.
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Wednesday April 17 In The Year 726 AF
"Hmmm." Kaho stroked her chin several times then mumbled, "That's not right."
Danica lifted her head off the exam table and looked at Kaho, who was bending over and staring at her feet. She still was more than a little intimidated by Kaho, but her curiosity overrode her apprehension. "What are you talking about?"
Kaho twitched, then straightened and looked at Danica. "Oh, right. You're here too." She bonked herself on the forehead. "Sorry. Sometimes I get so caught up in an exam that I forget when I'm looking at a live person."
Danica definitely didn't want to pursue that train of thought, so all she did was ask, "What's not right?"
Kaho waved a hand in her direction. "Well, I'm not sure, which is why I can't say right now. I'm not even 100% sure that I was right when I said that. So... I think I'll have one of the more experienced physicians here in The City come and take a look at you. Trying to do everything by yourself, especially when you're as young as I am, is beyond stupid!
"So young lady. For now we do nothing at all but what we've been doing. Which means that I have a question for you. How's your head? I don't mean whether or not it hurts. What I mean is are you still feeling muzzy or do you feel that you're back to your normal level of alertness?"
"Oh, well, yes...that. I think I'm pretty much back to how I used to be. It's hard to say since I was so tired the past month or three."
She pouted in Kaho's direction, "No! Don't say anything. You've already told me me, several times, about how stupid I was. Even Sara brought it up twice. I've heard more than enough. Even if I didn't care about how I felt, I'd still take proper care of myself from now on just to make sure that nobody ever gets after me like that again!
"If you really want to know, ask Sara. She's been my teacher for almost a week now. Surely she can tell you how my mind is working."
Nodding thoughtfully, Kano replied, "I won't bother going into how many ways a teacher can totally miss seeing what's right in front of them and end up making wrong assessments. However, given that it's Sara we're talking about, I think I shall follow your suggestion. She almost never misses ANYTHING."
Muttering softly, she added, "She's nearly as good as Mimi."
With some difficulty, Kaho restrained herself from asking Danica why she was suddenly blushing so furiously.
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This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Friday, April 19 4:39 p.m.
Dr. Kastner stroked his chin in such a way that it was clear where Kaho had picked up the habit.
(After hearing that Kaho wanted a second opinion, and that Dr. Kastner was the best physician to provide it. Miranda had arranged for the exam to take place at a time when Danica's mother could be present so she could see that Danica's modesty was not put at risk.)
After the exam, he and the ladies went to the family parlor, where he explained what he'd discovered. "I have seen what happened, and it is clear what caused the problem. When the young lady was afflicted with the worms in her stomach, they stole some of the food that she ate. In so doing, she herself was deprived of some essential nutrition, thus, there has been some damage to the nerves in her legs.
Turning to Kaho he said, "This is why she is still so weak."
Facing the others again he asked, "Mrs. Karongo. While you were traveling, did you notice at any time that your daughter seemed to be having trouble with her balance, or that she stumbled now and then?"
"Now that you mention it, the last two or three weeks she looked to be having trouble with both. When I asked her about it, she said that she was just a bit tired and was feeling clumsy."
She shrugged and spread her hands. "By then we were all close to constantly exhausted, so I paid it little mind."
Hearing that, Kaho face-palmed. Having done so, she didn't see Dr. Kastner throw a blistering glare in her direction.
Lifting her head, Kaho's expression was anguished. "Mrs. Karongo, I offer you my most sincere and abject apologies. I realize that I've been a total idiot, but, if you would please give me another chance and let me examine the rest of your family?"
"What in the world are you talking about child? I owe you my most profound thanks. You have saved my daughter's life!"
Seeing that Kaho was on the verge of tears, Dr. Kastner interjected, "If I may Mrs. Karongo? What Dr. Fukui is speaking of is simply this: She was so focused on treating your daughter that she didn't take time to think that those others who shared the journey with her, slept in the same tent, and ate the same foods, could well be expected to have the same problem as she. Given that you have not mentioned anyone else in the family being obviously ill, it's unlikely that we have, or will have, a problem as severe to deal with...likely because all the rest of you were adults and no longer growing. However, each and every one of you should be examined in the next few days and treated if there should be a need."
"Oh. I see. Yes, indeed. That is quite reasonable. But, there may be a problem. All the others in our family are male. They'd never admit to not feeling well. Given that, agreeing to an examination by a physician, especially a woman, is highly unlikely."
Miriam hurried to add, "I, of course, will be pleased to have Dr. Fukui examine me. That way, at least we can be sure that the one preparing the food is healthy."
Crossing his arms and smiling in such a way that all the others in the room flinched, Dr. Kastner said, "Please don't worry yourself. Just introduce me to them. I'll take it from there.
"But that is that and this is this." He uncrossed his arms and continued, "First I need to explain what must be done for Danica. Because of the worms, she is the same as someone who has suffered from malnutrition for, probably, at least twice as long as you have been travelling. There is significant damage to the nerves, some of which may not ever heal, even given the best treatment.
"There are some medications that will help improve the blood flow throughout the body, but there are none that directly affect the nerves. What we can do though is to make sure that she eats foods that contain the nutrients that she has been lacking.
"Which means that your young lady, will be eating three eggs a day, every day, for at least the next six months. In addition, she will need massage to her legs twice a day in order to both improve the blood flow and to stimulate the nerves."
He focused a sympathetic look in Miriam's direction. "Mrs. Karongo, even if she responds well to treatment, it is highly unlikely that your daughter will be able to walk unaided for quite some time, possibly for several years. Fortunately, even in the worst case, I do expect that she will eventually be able to walk on her own, though she might require canes in order to do so."
Miriam collapsed onto Kaho and began to weep.
Later, when she was able to compose herself, the tears were dried, and the handkerchiefs put away, Miriam suddenly sat up straight and covered her mouth with the back of her left hand. "Oh no!"
Miranda was confused and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's my husband and my sons. I know not how things are here, but in the Kingdom, a girl who, for any reason, is unable to be married, will no longer be supported by her family."
Miranda nodded calmly, but the others recoiled in shock.
Hurrying to continue Miriam said, "It's not that anything would be done to her, but such a girl is almost always confined to the house for the rest of her life, where she will perform such limited duties as she is able.
"Alodia is a harsh land, and, if your resources are limited, as most families' are, one must put what one has toward those who can contribute the most to the family in the future. Those families that did not do this, tended not to survive."
Nodding at the others, she continued, "I already understand that things are different here, and that one need not worry about such things to the same degree, but, still, I'm not sure how my husband and sons will react. Men can be so troublesome at times..."
Miranda let out a chuckle that contained no humor. "Indeed, I have noticed the same thing. I expect that such is the same throughout the world. However, women always can find ways of dealing with men, especially if they have help from other women in the family."
Seeing puzzlement in Miriam's eyes, Miranda explained, "Danica has lived with us for over a week now. She is no longer a stranger. She is now part of our family. Of course I will help you deal with your men.
"Besides. In The City, it is mandatory that children attend school. Those who do not send their children to school will be severely penalized."
Walking over to the suddenly frantic Miriam, Miranda knelt before her and took her hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry even more. What I mean is that, if it should become necessary, we can use that as a way of 'persuading' your menfolk to do what we intend for them to do .
"So... Clearly you want the best for you daughter. Here in The City there are many worthwhile jobs open to women that may be done indoors, and do not require much walking. But! For her to qualify for such jobs, she must complete her education.
"Which is where I come in. Well, actually Dr. Kastner must meet your menfolk first. After he has terrified, uh, I mean, convinced them to be examined (and treated as necessary), you and I shall tell them about the law concerning education.
"When they realize how far it is from your home to the school, and think about how much work they would miss in transporting Danica to and from school every day, we will tell them our solution. I'm certain that if we present it properly, they'll jump at it. Don't you think?"
Miriam was totally befuddled and asked, "Our solution? What IS our solution?"
"OOPS! Sorry. I guess I didn't tell you yet."
Kaho, who had just brought Danica into the room and was now behind everyone else, rolled her eyes and would have done the "Why me?" gesture if she weren't afraid of being seen or dropping Danica. Miranda never, ever forgot to tell people things they needed to know. Sometime she was much too impressed with her own acting abilities.
Dr. Kastner's eyes narrowed somewhat, but then he grinned. This was likely to be interesting.
Ignoring both of them, Miranda explained, "It's simple actually. Since we now consider Danica a member of the family, and since the school is only a short distance away, wouldn't it make sense for her to live with the family members who can best take care of her needs? And, since there are children here who attend the same school, and who can assist her to and from school every day, wouldn't the best solution be for her to stay with us until she can manage things on her own?
"Besides, since her brothers are eight and 11 years older than she is, it's about time that she learned what it was like to be around children near her own age. She'll be the eldest, unmarried child here. As a woman is preparing for marriage, being in the role of eldest sister can help her to understand more about managing a household, don't you think?"
Hearing the phrase, "preparing for marriage" and seeing Miranda wink at her as she said it, Danica fought off the blush that was threatening to spread across her face and neck and leaned over toward her mother.
"Don't worry mother. You'd probably end up working yourself to death were I to live with you, father, and my brothers. I couldn't abide you getting ill too. I shall be content to live here with Aunt Miranda and her family. I also promise you that I will strive to become a strong and faithful woman like you. After all, you've set an example that you should be proud of."
Tears began to flow again, and this time, even Dr. Kastner could be seen to surreptitiously blot the corners of his eyes.