Sauragia: Journey to the Red Mountain

Chapter 23

The sun rose over a foggy morning in the Elderwood Forest. The low-hanging clouds from the days before had fled, leaving a clear, purply blue sky in their wake. The soil was still damp, though, causing deeper impressions wherever the Saurahallers walked. “Great for tracking,” as Bard said. Which, following a quick breakfast, was just what the four Alvarosaurs did.

Arro, despite his rambunctious nature and general cheekiness, was a great help to the Saurahallers. It was he, for instance, who had found the abandoned cart in the little clearing the day before, thus confirming that they were going the right direction. As Bard was examining the tracks around it, Arro pointed out to him the smaller ones amid the adult ones. The three Saurahallers acknowledged the youngster’s good eyesight and let him lead as they hurried on to catch up to Oric. The lad was intimately familiar with the area, having grown up just a little to the west, and led at a very brisk and energetic pace. The older dinos had a hard time keeping up, especially Bard with his mended leg, and requested that he slow down.

“I say, youngster,” spoke Rob. “Do take it down a jot. We’re not all as accustomed to such laborious treks as you.”

Arro liked Rob and tried to slow down for him, but was too excited by the feeling of adventure he was experiencing. He had never done anything like this before, and the idea of capturing a band of k********g outlaws appealed greatly to his imagination. He could easily picture himself taking on two or three at a time, despite the adults’ warnings that it would be very dangerous. He was born for danger, he’d said, and made all possible speed. The others, sustained by thoughts of vengeance and rescue, did their best to keep up on the trail toward the mighty River Andarus.

A crowd of onlookers had gathered round the King of Cardolin’s room to hear the word on his condition. Though Alyssa had tried to keep news of this mishap limited to the most important staff members of the Palace, somehow it seemed that all of Saurahall had learned of it within the hour. The princess stood among them and Johnny guarded the door as Wulfstan examined the king. For although Alyssa was renowned as a skilled healer of wounds and minor ailments, her abilities were actually quite limited when it came to more serious illnesses. Her mother had not been able to teach her much about them before her death, and thus the princess required the expertise of someone far more experienced to make an accurate diagnosis on this occasion.

In tense silence they waited for many hours while the local physician and priest examined and treated the monarch. Finally, in the wee hours of the morning, he emerged and was instantly beset by worried bystanders.

“How is he, sir?”

“Is the king all right?”

“Will he get better?”

Johnny, who had found their presence a nuisance and distraction from the start, shooed them away brusquely.

“Stand back, everyone! Give the good dino some room. Go on, clear off the lot of you!”

Sullenly they obeyed and half-heartedly returned to their chores, casting backward glances at the doctor all the way.

“Thank you, kind sir,” said Wulfstan.

“Well sir, how is my father?” asked Alyssa, wringing her claws.

“Not well, I’m sorry to say, Your Royal Highness. Not well at all. And I fear it may get worse yet.”

“Why? What’s wrong with him?”

“I cannot say for certain,” replied the healer hesitantly.

“What! Why not?”

“Well, I wouldn’t want to make a wrong pronouncement…”

“Please sir, just tell us,” spoke Johnny.

With a sigh, Wulfstan made his diagnosis. “I’m afraid it’s the Grey Fever.”

“The Grey Fever!” exclaimed Alyssa.

He nodded. “Indeed, my lady. I believe so.”

“What’s the Grey Fever?” asked Johnny.

“It’s a dreadful disease what done killed King Henrik’s grandfather, sir,” replied Martha, almost sobbing. “It’s an ‘orrible sickness!”

“Martha’s right, I’m afraid,” spoke Alyssa. “Grey Fever is a terrible affliction from all I’ve heard, and highly contagious if I am not mistaken.”

Wulfstan nodded. “Indeed, my lady. It is quite possible that there are others within the Palace, or even the rest of Saurahall, who may be afflicted already. It has a nasty way of striking all at once.”

“Then we must do something immediately!” exclaimed Johnny with alarm. “We must find the cure!”

“That is easier said than done, unfortunately,” stated Wulfstan.

“And why’s that?”

“Because, sir, the only cure for Grey Fever is a medicine made from the leaves of the hemmis plant, something which does not grow around here.”

“Hemmis!” repeated Johnny with excitement. “You mean like the kind that grows in the Northwest Territory?”

“Indeed, the very same. It favours the cooler climate of pine forests like they have in the north.”

“Yes, I remember old Lieutenant Rorke was from the Northwest Territory. He used to tell us about life there, and how they ate hemmis all the time in their cooking.”

The healer nodded vigorously. “Oh yes, it’s quite common there. They grow up consuming the plant. That is the reason Grey Fever does not affect dinosaurs who come from that region.”

“Then it looks like I’ll be making a journey to the Northwest Territory,” said Johnny matter-of-factly. “How much of the plant should I bring back?”

“Well, for the king alone it should take about three leaves. But should others take ill in the meantime, who can say?”

Even as he spoke there came a clamour from down the corridor. One of the maids came running towards them in a state of wild upset.

“My goodness! Oh, help please, sir. Lizzie’s ill. Oh, do come quickly!”

“Calm down now, Bess, dear,” spoke Martha soothingly. “What d’you mean Lizzie’s ill? What ‘appened?”

“Well, marm, we were just cleaning out one of the rooms like usual, and she said she felt rather tired. Said she needed to rest a bit.”

Johnny and Alyssa exchanged looks of alarm at the familiar symptoms.

“Go on, Bess,” urged Alyssa.

“She sat down in a chair to rest a bit, then she started complaining about how warm it was,” continued the young maid. “When she tried to rise a second ago, she couldn’t. Oh, dearie me!”

“All right, dear, go fetch some water right away,” spoke Alyssa. “We’ll be with her in a moment.”

Bess scrambled off to carry out the command and they turned to the healer.

“You see!” said he. “Already it’s beginning to spread. Oh, this is simply dreadful!”

“So we see,” spoke Johnny. “Which means there’s no time to lose. I must make for the Northwest Territory as soon as possible.”

“But Johnny, what about Saurahall?” questioned Alyssa. “Who’ll be in charge of its defence?”

“I’m sure you can manage well without me for a while, my lady, though I can appoint some temporary officers if you’d like. Besides, if I don’t go for the plant, there’s a good chance there won’t be anyone left to defend Saurahall, right sir?”

Wulfstan nodded vigorously. “That’s right, Lieutenant. Grey Fever starts with the old and infirm, but it would kill us all eventually if we stayed. Creator save us!”

“Very well,” Alyssa relented. “You’d best make your preparations immediately then, Lieutenant.”

“Will do, Your Highness,” said Johnny with a bow. He hurried off to tend to his affairs while the rest rushed to tend the ailing Lizzie.