《Rise of the Green》


 Chapter 1

    As the walls of Omri came into view, a woman of middle years with dark chestnut hair with a sprinkling of grey, but unlike most, it was no longer than her shoulders. Her brown eyes sparkle with excitement, and with a bit of jump, she hopped down from the wagon. She tumbles a little, but for some reason, she didn''t fall.


    "Look, we are here, Jara!" Mela exclaims to her lagging husband.


    Standing behind her is a large man with hazel eyes and a full beard, with his broad arm out to stop his wife''s fall. Smiling a toothy grin and strong laugh lines lighten up his face as he embraces Mela and holds her in his strong arms. Her hair smells like lavender, one of their shared favourite flowers. Kissing her lightly on the head, Jara loves his wife with all his heart, but she is excitable at times.


    After months of travel, they heard that Omri was severely affected by the plague as Eastern March city. Like all who believe in the old ways, faith and belief will always see them through.


    "Yes, Love, we are all here." Jara points out.


    He looked at his wife, her brown hair, the dimples that he loved and that gracefulness of her walk is why he always will love her. This starts a rolling laugh throughout the caravan of healers. "I never understand why you are excited. We are coming into a plague-ridden place."


    Mela laughs at that, as she always did. "Jara, you''re an old stick in the mud and a worry wort. This is where we can do the most good. Bring back that spark that was lost during the dark times."


    Jara knows what these dark times were. In the Massacre of Magic, their ancestors were hunted because of their connection to the divine and healing magiks. After that long century of destruction and murder, the survivors hide their beliefs and thus started the Age of Disbelief.


    One of the small boys, a runner for the back of the caravan, a half-human, runs up and grabs Mela''s arm but suddenly withdrew it with a slight gasp.


    Mela looks down at the small boy, see it was Timothy. An orphan that joined up with the healers a while back. A shock of emerald flashes in front of Mela''s eyes, and the boy no longer stood there but a little impish creature with blood dripping from its claws. As soon as the green light fades, only the half-breed boys were standing there.


    Jara felt the tension in his wife''s body, and he looks down at the boy and only sees a boy. "Timothy," Noticing that the boy''s hand is now tucked away. What could be seen as red and blistered skin. "what happened to your hand? Show me."


    The boy tried to pull away, but it seems that another thought came over him, and a tear rolled down his cheek. Showing his hand, it was inflamed and blistered as he put it in a fire.


    Mela dropped to her knees and reaching for ointment in one of her many healer pouches. "Come here, Timothy, I will make the hurt go away?" The boy shied away from Mela. "Timothy, it is alright; it is me."


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.Mela smiles, but Timothy kept stepping back. Jara reached over and grabbed the small container, and step forward. "My dear, I can handle this. Timothy, come here, and why are you here from the camp?"


    Not like seeing anyone in pain, Mela''s eyes started to well up, but she nods and walks away to talk to another healer.


    Timothy shoves his hand under his arm and calls out to Mela. "Jara, the rearguard has spotted something."


    Jara tried to reach for the hand again, but Timothy skipped back. "Come on, Timothy, that hand needs to be treated."


    Shaking his head. "Your brother sent me; he wants you to come back to the camp."


    Jara''s brow furrows, shaking his head. "I can''t; Martell can handle any issue."


    The boy holds out his hand. "It is bad, like this, Jara."


    That stirred anger in the ample belly of Jara. His tone flattens as he applies the ointment to the hand.


    She places her hand on the small boy''s head, which he ducks out of the way. "Um, thank you, Timothy." Looking at her husband, an upspoken thought passes between them. Jara nods. "Could you take Jara back with you?"


    Keeping out of arms reach of Mela, Timothy was still in the iron grip of Jara. Noticing the pain on the boy''s face, Jara lets go and then a little pop like bones going back to their usual position.


    "Sorry, Timothy," Jara''s eyes droop in guilt.


    The boy holds and rubs his hand. Mela places her hand on Jara''s head. "We know you didn''t mean to do that." Bending down, she kisses him on the cheek. "My love, you should go and find out what Martell knows."


    Standing up and facing Mela. "Are you sure? Would you need my help to set up?"


    "We have enough hands to set up the triage tent. Go and see what the issue is." Mela replies.


    Jara kisses Mela on the lips, much shorter than he wanted. As they break contact, Mela starts back to the wagons, and they continue to the city.


    He turns away and looks at the boy. "Did he tell you anything else?"


    A smile breaks out on Timothy''s face as soon as Mela walks away. "No, Jara, but it looks bad. Martell looked worried."


    That woke up Jara; his brother is the warrior while he was more of a scholar. Even though they both train, Martell was naturally talented at anything physical or academic. While Jara had bulk with an extended belly but didn''t have the grace of his brother.1


    As Jara looks at the rest of his wife''s followers enter the city, he turns to Timothy and says. "Come, let us run back to the rear guard."


    Timothy smiled, without a care in the world. His blue eyes and red hair seem to be light with curiosity. Jara never wished on the young, but this community and their parents go, so do the children.


    To ensure that the plague never touches the children, they set up camp half a day away at the rear guard.


    Knowing that it will take some time, Jara nods at the boy, and they start to run.

 Chapter 2

    Mela walked up to the barricade across the gate and another behind them, Militia with cloth wrapped around their nose and mouth stop Mela with long spears. "Hail, this is quarantined city of Omri on the orders of Marquess Barric. Leave, or you will be arrested!"


    Mela knew that these men were only doing their jobs and a dangerous one. More likely, they were healthy men press into service by an officer of the Marquess. She smiles, spreads her arms and bows.


    "My dear, we are healers from the far west. We wish to help the sufferers of this terrible illness. We have treated this type of sickness in four other cities and seven towns. Please let us help."


    If it was a catch of light, the guard seemed to see a flash of white and green coming from this woman. He lowers his spear and orders. "Let them through; you are the first from the Core''s Medical Institute to come and help. We sent a request months ago."


    "We are no¡­."


    Mela''s apprentice, Eloise, grabs her sleeve and steps in front of her. "Yes, we are from the University''s Medical Institute, and we have groundbreaking techniques that have shown promise in many a city."


    The guard breaths with relief and then bows to the two women, "My name is Gurion, Sergeant of this ragtag bunch of Militia. Where do you need to be set up, my Ladies?"


    Eloise smiles at Gurion. He is in awe of her radiant glow and beautiful eyes. His knees tremble in her presence. Mela is standing confused, not understand why her apprentice stops her saying that they are from a healing cult from out west.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.Eloise asks. "Kind Sir Gurion, could you take us to an accessible area near fuel for the fire and freshwater?"


    She holds out her hand gently toward Gurion. He pulls down his mask and is a young lad with scars crisscrossing his face. What makes him even more youthful is the abundance of freckles strewn across his face.


    He brushes his lips over her hand like he has seen gentlemen do. Then motions her to follow him. "This way, my Lady." Gurion sees that his lads haven''t moved the inner blockade yet. "Move those logs, men! I am sorry, my Lady, this will not take too much time."


    "That is fine, Sir." As he takes command of his men, Eloise turns back to her master, kneels with her head bowed. "I''m sorry, Mother-Sister, but it was necessary for the lie."


    Mela smiles and waves her hand in front of her apprentice. "No matter, we have entered into this forsaken town, soon we will bring light to those dark places."


    Considering the eyes of Eloise. A green glow envelops Mela, the stream of energy that cascade off her is like leaves falling in the fall. "To penance this lie, you shall be nice and welcome to Gurion. Support the man in his future; I have seen a tether that your fates are in twined."


    Eloise grasps; only very few have seen the miracle of Mela''s sight. She only rarely displays this ability, but that is why she is the Mother-Sister of the cult.


    "Your will, Mother-Sister."


    Mela smiles while Eloise dotes over her future husband. One of the self-imposed missions has been mentally ticking off in Mela''s head. She starts to see over the organisation of her people once the barricade is removed.

 Chapter 3

    Thinking of his wife, Jara knew she had secrets from him, but he will trust her vision of the path. Timothy and Jara have been running for nearly two hours, sweating, but breathing is steady as they understand the pace for this trek. This comes from running and doing callisthenics, as fitness is a prime edict of Mela for it helps keep people healthy.


    He is stunned by the camp. Everyone is running around grabbing bits of food and clothing. A stream of people has started leaving, moving towards the city. This is not what was planned. The children and elderly will stay away from the illness. He turns to Timothy. ¡°Where is my brother¡¯s tent?¡±


    ¡°This way.¡±


    Timothy starts to run again, avoiding the scared people leaving camp. Jara knows it would be better to get the information on what is happening from his brother, Martell.


    As they both navigate the camp, Martell was in his leather armour, yelling directions at people gathering supplies. ¡°¡­no, leave that we don¡¯t have time!¡±


    Jara strides toward Martell. ¡°Brother! What is going on?¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Martell demands; this is unusual for him. He is always so clear-headed. Unlike his brother Jara, Martell is not stocky but tall and muscular. With short, light, ash brown hair and blue eyes. They had different fathers but saw each other as true kin.


    ¡°Timothy came to us and asked for me to come back.¡±


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report itAs he mentions Timothy name, a hysterical laugh comes from the boy. ¡°Your Timothy died three days ago on the trail to this city. We just used his body to get you here!¡±


    Like a wet rag doll, Timothy¡¯s body convulses and slumps to the ground. Martell, Jara and everyone in earshot stop and stare. The body blackens and starts to have grown pustules as form and inflate, burst forth, covering the closest people. Jara grabs an oil container and a nearby candle, as he throws it on the boy, and with a flick of his hand throws the candle, a flame shoots towards the boy, and he takes to light.


    Martell stands there shaken. He knew the boy from birth. Jara grabs him by the shoulders. ¡°Brother, wake and face the light. The plague is in the camp. We need to quarantine this camp!¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t do that.¡± He points to the horizon. Jara squinches and see a tremendous amount of dust being kicked up. ¡°An army is coming. We must flee towards the city!¡±


    ¡°Brother, I told you that we should have hired at least one Charter.¡±


    Jara looks at the dust. ¡°We need to worry about that,¡± Jara points to the dust. ¡°and that. Everyone who has any fluids on them removes your clothing and throw it on the fire.¡±


    Jara looks sadly at the burning remains of Timothy. He looks over to his brother. ¡°we need to move now.¡± As he too strips off his clothes, adding to the growing pile on top of the bonfire that was Timothy.

 Chapter 4

    Mela watches while her troop start setting up the triage tents. She then watches as Eloise and Gurion giggle and flirts with each other. She smiles with that sight; it is the circle, you are born, you find love and create the next generation.


    In the corner of Mela''s eye is a flash of green. She has seen these many times. Most are just feeling like the connection of Eloise and Gurion or when she met her husband, Jara.


    That flash again. This concerns her; usually, the message is simple and over as soon as it happens. Mela mumbles to herself, "I need to meditate."


    Mother-Sister walks over to Eloise as she is touching the arm of Gurion. Ah, destine love. Eloise sees Mela, and drops her hand and forms a triangle in the middle of her chest.


    "Mother-Sister, um, Gurion is just helping."


    Mela laughs at this, a beautiful song that is loved by all. Everyone stops work and joins in with the mirth. "Do not worry, my apprentice. This is your circle. What I need is a quiet place. I have had some flashes."


    Eloise snaps and looks around. Most of the tents have just been started. "Gurion, is there a place nearby for Mela to prepare for healing?"


    "Um, yes." He points at a building close by. His voice deepens, and a small sob comes out. "That has been empty since the beginning."


    Mother see this reaction, a small insight pops into her mind. That was where Gurion lived with his family there. He was the only survivor. She walks up to him and embraces him. "Let it go. It is just the circle. You did have happiness?"


    At first, Gurion is shocked by this, as he looks over to Eloise, something he never thought he would feel since this sickness took his wife and child while he was spared. Eloise smiles, and they both know that they will be together forever.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Gurion returns the hug and weeps into Mother-Sister''s shoulder. Mela strokes his back and nods towards Eloise. She comes over. "I will respect the past, but now go with your future. Much talk is needed."


    Leaving the two, she crosses the town centre and moves toward the house. Mela smile and signs the triangle at her followers, there, in turn, return the salute.


    Mela asks. "How are the tents set up going?"


    Jamela, a young wisp of a girl with dirty blond hair, runs up to Mela. "The carts have been unpacked, Mother-sister. My brother and his friends have been overseeing the tirage tents."


    "Very good, Jamela, is it? And who is your friend?"


    "Mother-Sister, this is an old friend of my family, Caterina. I haven''t seen her since we were very young."


    Mela looks over at the other young lady, curly mousy brown hair and freckles strung across her pale face. Just underneath the bob of her hair, Mela noticed her ears are jobless.


    She smiles and asks. "Is your mother of elven descent, Caterina?"


    Caterina blushes; she looks at Mela. "Yes, umm, Mother-..."


    "You are not of the order. Just Mela will do, my dear." Mela interrupts.


    She blushes even deeper red; her whole face is bright with embarrassment. "Um, Mela, my mother is not of elven descent. From her stories, she meets father while she was in our old town."


    "No need to continue, my dear. That is enough questions. Jamela, could you give your friend here four days of rations from our stockpile."


    Mela turns to Caterina, reaches up, touches her cheek, and then moves her hair to reveal a half-breed''s pointed ears. "My dear, if you or your mother need anything, please come and see us."


    With that, she signed and mumbled a little sermon to the two girls. Jamela returns the sign. Caterina looks on and bows to Mela.


    With that, Mela moves off to find her head Healer, an old gnome by the name of Barth Cooper. She wanders through the tent city being set up; fires started for boiling water, coth being prepared with ointments for the sore from the plague. Incense being hung to ward off the invisible air-borne illnesses. Mela always loves the fragrance smell, a mixture of Jasmine, sweet pea and a few more ingredients. All her worries go away, even though that it indicates illness. Mela allows herself just to let her reservations float away with the gentle scent of Jasmine.

 Chapter 5

    Jara is watching everyone scramble to grab everything they can. A few men have headed in the direction of the dirt cloud to judge how much time they really have and the numbers that are coming.


    Even though he is not a warrior like his brother, Jara understands the history and how warfare impacted it. Even with his large, robust frame and tremendous strength, Jara preferred to be inside reading and learning, everything he could get his hands on.


    While his brother, Martell, had the perfect athletic frame, unlike his very stocky brother. He mixed agility with strength and could master most sports or fighting styles after only a few sessions of doing the activity.


    Martell returned from the advance scouts, breathing heavily. Jara holds up his hands and points to the water bucket. "Brother, drink and collect your words."


    Jara grabs a ladle from a nearby water bucket. Allowing Martell to catch his breath. After drinking two scoops and pouring another three over his head and back, Martell''s breathing had calmed. This shocked Jara. He has never seen his brother so out of breath; even after winning a running competition, he had merely a sheen of sweat and a smile.


    "Jara, this is no band of rogues. It is an army. Many thousands strong, all with a symbol that I do not recognise¡­."


    Jara holds his hand to stop his brother''s report. This symbol has intrigued him. This could explain Timothy and this massive army. "Martell, what did this mark look like?"


    Martell always respected his brother and knew that this was critical to the answers that they desperately need. Martell draws his knife and squats down., Jara joins him and watches as his brother starts to draw a long stick with a weird shape on top that looked like a gem.


    "This is what the banner looked like, a red rod with a ruby on the top. There is no noble that we have had contact with that has this as his coat of arms."


    Jara stands and starts to pace back and forth. His brother knows this state. While his brother thinks, he turns to the rest of the camp. He knows that there is no way they could pack up and travel to the city before the army in upon them.


    Before Martell voices a decision that would shape the rest of his life, Jara speaks up. "Martell, you swear upon our community that it was a red rod with a ruby on top."


    Martell nods slowly. At the same time, Jara''s face loses all colour, and he sways on his feet. Just before he falls, Martell grabs his brother''s arm. "Jara, what is important about this coat of arms?"


    With fear in his eyes, Jara says. "That is no coat of arms. That is the unholy symbol of Amordous."


    At that moment, Martell knew his decision would be the one that he had to make.


    The scrambling camp is a mixture of panic and chaos. Martell and Jara are doing everything they can to make the panic as efficient as possible. Still, with this news of an army of devil worshippers, the need to flee is the only thing on everyone''s mind.


    With only half of the children loaded, the rest crying and scared due to feeling the fear of their parents. Martell has been arming some menfolk with shovels and other tools for the chance of holding off the army. This is foolish as whoever stays behind will be a dead man. This is causing more fear of rising in the group. Some are whispering to long-forgotten gods for their salvation, but nothing answers the call.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.Jara''s looks around his mind are filled with confusion, not knowing what the best solution for this situation is. He has been surprised by the reveal of the army''s motives, but why here and why now? He ponders to himself. If it weren''t for his brother, this camp would be a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off.


    Martell comes over to his brother just standing there. "Brother, it is the time that you leave."


    Jara blinks owlishly at his brother. "What, what? No, my job is to make sure everyone leaves and, if needs be, block that army!"


    Looking at his brother, understanding that he would do that exactly. Jara''s desire to protect and care for his people is one reason why Martell would follow his brother to the ends of Amsul.


    He laughs at his brother. "To the forgotten, you are a stubborn person. Your purpose, Jara, is to heal, not to fight. If you leave now, this information, you can prepare the city for the siege to come."


    "What do you mean siege?"


    "You don''t bring these many men for such a small group. You bring these many men to make sure that city falls and us with it."


    Jara looks at Martell, about to argue the points. Martell knows his brother too well, a simple ''Yes, brother, you are right! I will leave now.'' It just wouldn''t happen, so Martell made it happen by smashing his fist into Jara''s temple.


    He staggers a little; being a large man, Jara can take a hit, but this one was a bit of a shock. First, he throws a slow punch back at Martell. Then, deftly, he dodges and strikes again to the side of his brother''s head and follows up with a punch to the gut.


    Bending over, gasping for breath, Martell comes over to his brother to deliver the finishing blow. But, knowing that he might not be the fighter his brother, Martell, is, Jara can still fake his status and take advantage.


    As Martell comes closer, he raises his fist and says. "You will thank me later."


    Leaving himself open, Jara springs and tackles Martell bearing him to the ground. This is where Jara has the advantage as he weighs much more and is physically stronger than his brother. Jara headbutts Martell, but his brother shifts his body and slams Jara face into the dirt.


    With practice viciousness, he slams his head twice more into the hard-packed ground, knocking his brother unconscious.


    The group standing around watching this violent spectacle, Martell holds and dust himself off and calls out to two elders. "Take him back to Mother Mela, and when he wakes, say I am sorry."


    The two elders understand that this isn''t just an apology but a goodbye. Then, with the help of three older children, Jara''s slumped body is pushed onto a cart.


    Martell watches the cart leave, knowing that he will never see a nephew or niece or even his brother and beautiful wife again. He made this decision for the group, for the community, for the ideals that he follows.


    He calls out. "Men, gather up, and we will delay the enemy so our children, wives and other loved ones can make it to the city of Omri. We only have our lives to give, as they can never have our souls. Pray to the long-forgotten gods of our ancestors, our faith in their ancient practices and each other will see us through!"


    With the only sword in the camp in his hand, Martell gestures to the group. Then, on his command, they start to march towards the army, knowing their fate.

 Chapter 6

    Mela sees her apprentice, Eloise, without her escort of Gurion and folding bandages. ¡°Sister Eloise, have you seen Brother-Healer Barth?¡±


    Eloise finished the bandage in her hand. ¡°No, Mother-Sister, I have not seen him or his apprentices. He could have headed to the quarantine area already.¡±


    Mela ponders on this; her instructions were to move the ill to the tents, not to enter the condemned area. In the tents, they could control the spread of the plague.


    ¡°I will be having words with Barth! I am heading over there. Please finish setting up quickly as Barth might require medical attention once I get my hands on him!¡±


    With all her effort, Eloise tried not to laugh. Mela has a gentle soul and could not even harm a fly. To even think she would do anything was hilarious to the community. Only her husband, Jara, had the nerve to laugh in Mela¡¯s face with her ¡®violent¡¯ statements.


    Eloise asks. ¡°Did you want me to come with you, Mother-sister?¡±


    Mela waves her off and starts to move towards the quarantine zone. Eloise understands that she doesn¡¯t want more healers at risk because of the small rogue group.


    As Mela walks through the streets of Omri, she can see that the residence is a hard push due to this illness. She stops and looks at some of the children that cross her path. Most flinch at her touch and run away. This nearly brings tears to Mela¡¯s eyes, seeing so many in pain and destitute.


    The closer she is arriving in the apparent quarantine zone, the evident lack of sewage and essential water treatment. It is strange being in a city far from the Core. So many marvellous devices to make everyday living easier. From the look, they don¡¯t even have peat as their street lighting. Also, they have only paved the wealthier parts of the city too. The streams of rubbish and sewage are apparent why the illness has spread to these levels. Mela has noted that she will speak to this Marquess after her group removes the threat of this plague. If they update some basic hygiene, then these outbreaks would lessen.


    Mela approaches the barricaded area. Four guards are there between two barriers. Each militiaman is armed with a spear and a repeater crossbow at the side. As she comes, one notice. Two moves forward with spears ready, and the other two draw the crossbows.


    One calls out. ¡°Halt! You approach the Quarantine zone. If you do not stop, we will be forced to fire!¡±


    Mela put her hands in the air and called out. ¡°Please, I am here to help. I have some of my colleagues in the quarantine zone already.¡±


    The soldiers stop and look at each other. Then, finally, the ¡®officer¡¯ turns back and replies. ¡°There has been no one who has passed this checkpoint. Do you have papers to prove you are a medical doctor?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and a document stating that we have permission to be here as well.¡±


    Mela pulls out a scroll canister and pulls the two letters, and hands it to the guard. The guard pulls out a set of half-moon glasses and set to task reading the letters.


    After a few moments, he looks up and says. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the miss understanding. I am Corporal Higgins. Open the barricade.¡± He set aside his spear and bows towards Mela. ¡°I didn¡¯t realise a Master Doctor was going to be sent. We are desperate to be saved from this sickness.¡±


    ¡°That is alright, my son. But, unfortunately, sickness creates fear, and we mortals succumb to our base instincts.¡±


    As Mela moves through, she nods at each one. ¡°How many checkpoints are there?¡±


    Higgins answers. ¡°There are four major streets, with checkpoints all small exits have been blocked with 3 metre stone walls with glass sticking out of the mortar.¡±


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.¡°That seems to be a bit barbaric. Was it the Marquess who ordered this?¡±


    ¡°No, it was the previous mayor trying to subjugate the poor side of town fifteen years ago. Only the barricades are new.¡±


    ¡°I might want to have a chat with your ex-mayor after my visit here; money could have been used to creating basic sanitation for your city. This illness would have been dramatically different if he had. Pity.¡±


    Mela knew it wasn¡¯t the fault of the Corporal for these draconic class subjections. He could have come from a poor area and now watching his family die because he has a duty to the rest of the city. The smell of this area is horrid; Mela wondered to herself what would have happened if they put a little bit of care for their fellow Favinonians?


    As she turned into the central part of this area. The sight of the quarantine area brought tears of anger to Mela. So this is the poor district. They must have gathered the sick and nailed up every exit. Each door and window has been boarded up with no gaps. How are they supposed to eat? Or even have fresh water. Some wouldn¡¯t have been sick, just in the wrong area at the wrong time.


    From the smell, most people in these death traps are already dead. You can save the living but pray for the dead. Her old ma used to say that to her, even if Mela didn¡¯t quite understand what prayer was. The access of the research and her husband, her faith in something larger than herself became part of her life.


    Suppose they knew that lumping these dead together with the open sewage could cause huge issues to the water supply to the city. They need to block the water flow to contain the infection in one area.


    Mela turns another corner in the warren of houses and hovels. She spies her group of healers attacking a building with a crowbar and hammers. There is Barth, looking over some victims of this sickness.


    ¡°Barth, didn¡¯t I tell you not to come in here until we had a status report from the healers of this town?¡±


    With a mask on, only his aqua frizzy hair, long pointed ears, and height gave away that he was a gnome. Not even looking her way, he calmly says. ¡°Yes, you are right, but I wanted to see with my own eyes on the incompetence of this town¡¯s so call healers. Look at this, sewage mixing with groundwater...¡± He shuffles over to a building. ¡°¡­ Look at this, the dead have liquified. Clean up crews need to be assigned to this area, or the next outbreak will be worse than this one.¡±


    If Mela didn¡¯t already notice this when she was coming in, it would really shock her. ¡°We are here to help, not to fix every issue and to limit the spread of the illness. So, what have you been doing here?¡±


    ¡°We found some people alive inside; this will give us the best example of the illness in full effect. It is strange today that they trap people inside of a building.¡±


    Mela ponders over what Barth said as she hears the last crack of the wooden beams being pounded on by Barth¡¯s assistants. A large man crashes through the last of the wood barrier. His body covered in pustules, and his eyes red with madness. He grabs one of the assistants and embraces him with several of the boils bursting to let off a pungent smell.


    Mela was shocked as more people poured through the gap. They look like they will attack anyone until one looks and points right at Mela. ¡°The light is there. Our Lord commands your death!¡±


    Barth moves in front of Mela without thinking, which seemed to be a comical sight as he barely reaches her waist. Wielding a crowbar too big for his tiny frame. He yells at Mela. ¡°Mother, run!¡±


    Barth and his assistants block the rabid people, and Mela¡¯s stands there too stunned to move...

 Chapter 7

    "Why are you still standing there! Run!" Barth screams at Mela.


    Something about this possessed mob, something Mela noticed within them. She can''t put her finger on it, but it seems to be familiar. Two of the sick people break away and charge Mela, looking out and feels something different. An energy surge, when she opens her eyes, the two people that attacked her are on the ground with no evidence of being ill at all. Mela looks around, and each of the rabid people has stopped, and they too have no erupting pustules. Everyone is standing around stunned, not understanding what happened.


    Mela tries to find her voice, but it fails. So again, she attempts, and a little whisper comes out. "What happened, Barth?"


    "We don''t know. All I saw was a flash of green. Then, the light washed over us, and everyone was healed. There must be a medical reason for this happening. I will find out how this occurred."


    Freaked out a little by the situation, Mela says. "Let''s move back to the main triage area. Bring this group; we have more instrument there to know what just happened."


    Barth standing there, breathing heavy. "Why didn''t you run, Mother Mela! There was a real danger, and I for certain do not want to tell Jara that you lost your life."


    Mela has a nervous laugh while each assistant is looping arms under their previous attackers'' shoulders. "Jara would be upset, but he understands the circle of l. In death, there is new life. There will be sadness but nothing more."


    Barth shakes his head, thinking Mela is blind to Jara''s over-protective nature. He would possibly hurt or, even worse, anyone who brings harm to his beloved. "Come, Mother, let''s get back to the camp." He looks sadly around at the other board buildings, knowing that there could be more people alive. Still, the risk on Mela''s life is too significant. "These are the only living people here."


    Mela gives a radiant smile, like life itself is smiling upon you or the touch of the sun rising in the east. Always a beautiful sight. "I am curious what happened here; yes, Brother-Healer, let us head back."


    As she helps another person move, she can tell that the sickness robs them of much more than their sanity. The body itself seems to be massively undernourished like it was more akin to a parasite than a disease.


    As they around the corner, there again is the barricade. Corporal Higgins sees the group approaching and motions to his other guard. Furthermore, they take up the same stance as before. He calls out. "Return to your homes. If you continue to come forward, you will have to use lethal force."


    Mela moves slightly closer to Higgins. "Corporal Higgins, what is your first name?"


    "Robert."


    Mela smiled at her new friend, Robert. "Please, Robert, we have stabilised these people, but they require more treatment. Therefore, as a Master Doctor, I implore you to step aside and allow me to save this town."


    Even if he wanted to, he has his orders, and his worry is his family. If this sickness moves beyond this area, dire straits will happen. "I''m sorry, but please return to your homes. But, doctor, I can''t let you through either. The chance of spread of the illness is too great."


    Barth has been watching this exchange. His anger has hit its boiling point. Not only did Mela''s life was in jeopardy before, this town yokels think that they can boss them around and threaten Mother''s life again.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.He moves forward in a surprisingly loud, deep voice. "You will let us through! The town is already contaminated because you are stupid! Look." He points to the open sewage. "That is why your deaths are certain. If you let us through, we could save your loved one, here we will be healthy, and you would be dead."


    Robert was taken back by Barth''s candour. The healer of this town told them this would save them. "Enough, this is your last warning. Return or be fired upon."


    All the militia raise their repeater crossbows, each with their finger on the trigger. Barth scoffs at this. He turns and shakes his head at Mela. "They won''t fire; we are their best chance."


    Mela could see what is about to happen as Barth moves a little more forward. All four crossbows let loose their bolts, each striking Barth in his chest. He is thrown several metres from the impact, a vast amount of blood is expelled from his mouth.


    In his last word. "I guess I was wr¡­." His head slumps, with no life in his eyes anymore.


    Each guard pumps their crossbow to reload. Corporal Higgins says. "Please, no more. Return to your homes."


    His voice is cracked; Mela can tell this is the first time he had killed someone. Finally, Mela mealy says to Robert. "I am disappointed in you, Robert."


    She then turns to her long-time friend, tears streaming down her face. She moves over and looks sadly at Barth. Each tear that falls seems to be hitting each of the bolts. Mela''s eyes are now a-washed with tears and grief. Her entire vision is filled with the blurriness of the weeping. More tears splash onto Barth''s corpse.


    A noise of a popping sound followed by another and again another. Four in total, Mela wipes her eyes and looks down at her friend. The crossbow bolts have been expelled from his wounds, the blood has stopped flowing, and suddenly Barth takes in a substantial wet sounding breath.


    As he sits up, each of the assistants does the sign of greeting to Mela. This time it means more, like the respect of old faith-healing. The healed people stunned all bow down in front of Mela. The men behind the barricade drop their crossbows and stand there astonished.


    Barth coughs, and some clotted blood comes up. He looks wearily at Mela. "You save my life, I saw just darkness, and then a light, a pure white light, with a mixture of orange, blue and green on its edges, came to me and beckoned me to return to life. As I opened my eyes, you were enveloped in green light."


    Mela stands there speechless as Corporal Higgins kicks open the barrier and says. "All of you can move to the healer''s camp." He comes over and takes a knee. "And I apologise to you both for my rash actions. To make up this, my life is yours!"


    Each one of his men kneels and mutter the exact words. Finally, Mela looks up and smiles. "Be kind and thoughtful. What you did was due to fear of your families. I forgive you, and Barth here does as well. Your service is not needed, but if you could help us take these fragile survivors, the help will be most welcome."


    Barth grumbles at Mela''s statement but stays quiet. Robert turns and says. "Your will be done."

 Chapter 8

    Waking up from his brother blow, Jara looks around. Every face has the colour drain, the cloud that hangs over every head, the smell of fear and desperation is obvious. He can see that they have spread out to make as much speed towards the city.


    The convoy moves towards the city. Even if they have travelled a few kilometres, they can still hear the fighting and screaming behind them. Jara doesn¡¯t know how many people stayed behind to give their lives to protect the rest of the community.


    As the gates come into full sight, Jara starts to shake off his knocked-out state. He looks around and sees that he is with women, children and elders. In the same wagon is Elder Helen. She has been with the group since its formation in his grandfather¡¯s time.


    He turns to Helen. ¡°Where is my brother, Martell, Elder Helen?¡±


    She looks sadly at him, her withered blue eyes filled with tears as her son and grandson stayed behind to protect the convoy. ¡°He stayed behind to give us a chance.¡±


    At first, he didn¡¯t understand what she was saying. It starts to dawn on him the atmosphere in the wagon. His brother gave his life for him, Jara¡¯s anger starts to rise, but he calms himself. This is not the time.


    ¡°Elder Helen, how many did we get out?¡±


    She pauses and looks around. ¡°All the children, womenfolk and us elders. Two hundred in all.¡±


    Jara did a quick mental count, at least fifty men! That means not only his brother but also Helen¡¯s son and grandson. ¡°That means every able body man stayed behind, except me.¡±


    His cowardice would sicken him. If he fought off his brother, he would be there protecting the convoy. But again, Martell had to defend him. Jara thinks, just because I am a scholar doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t handle myself.


    Elder Helen, even with her loss, understands this man. He wants to protect but, in turn, is the one saved. This does not lessen the loss she has suffered but seeing this man, a leader of their community who would sacrifice his life for any one of them without a moment thought.


    As the pace slows, Jara can see men have blocked the gate.


    Jara jumps down and staggers a little with a nod, and runs to the front of the convoy to make sure that their passage happens.


    He quickened his pace to move in front of the oxen of the wagons. Jara approaches the main gate. Sergeant Gurion is there with his men blocking the path.


    Jara moves up; his breath is laboured but steady. ¡°I am a part of the medical convoy. Please let us in.¡±


    Gurion looks at this dishevelled man, blood staining his clothes and his face a mess of bruises. ¡°Unless you can prove it, by order of the Marquess Barric, no one unless with authorisation can come into this town.¡±


    With his temper frayed due to the death of so many of his people, he steps forward. For a moment there, the ground seems to shake with purpose. ¡°You misunderstand me, sir, one way or another, and I shall be opening these gates for my people. You should stand aside.¡±


    Gurion looks at him and has a similar but different feeling as he had with Mela. Unlike her, where it is an aura of peace and love, his man¡¯s is full of passionate retribution and determination. A slight orange glow seems to be emanating from him, but that could be a trick of the light.


    Even if this unarmed man seems to be forthright, he cannot forsake his duty. ¡°I am sorry, sir, but I will not let you in. My people are at risk, and if you leave and spread the sickness, then it could cause a disaster beyond our understanding.¡±


    Jara¡¯s shoulders bunch, the fabric that his simple tunic is made of start to rip at the seams. That aura of hostility has increased ten-fold. Jara moves towards the barricade; each stomp of his feet sounds a resounding boom. The foundations themselves seem to shake slightly with each of his steps.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The spectacle paralyses Gurion; his hand wavers there for the order to shoot, as he sees behind Jara, a group of children, women and old people. Now he sees that it was these people why this man has so much rage. But for whatever reason, Gurion has his duty and if he must shoot down innocents, then so be it.


    As he raises his hand to order to shoot, Eloise comes by with a basket of goodies. She stops and is stunned by the sight of Jara¡¯s anger. ¡°Gurion, please don¡¯t shoot!¡± She yells. ¡°That is Mela¡¯s husband.¡±


    At the same time, Jara sees Eloise, and that aura of retribution fades like it never existed. He shakes his head and bows. ¡°If you could accept my sincerest apologies, Captain, I have had some shocks and not of the right of mind.¡±


    Behind him comes wagons and carts filled with people; Gurion seems to dumbfound what to do. This is not his orders, letting in doctors and healers, yes, but there are children and families.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I still can¡¯t let you in for the safety of your people, Jara.¡±


    That glint of hostility returns to Jara¡¯s eye, Gurion flinches back from the intensity of that stare. He remembers being dared by his friends to stare at the sun, a stupid competition, but it showed who was the bravest. Jara¡¯s fury has the same feel. After looking at him for twenty-second, Gurion had to turn his head or be blinded but Jara¡¯s aura.


    Gurion feels a light touch to his elbow, and he looks at sees Eloise trembling. He thinks she is staring at the crowd but notices her eyes are looking beyond that to a large dust cloud. Just then, he looks at the women and children. There is fear in their eye; more are looking at the dust cloud and edging their way towards the gate.


    Elder Helen stumbles toward the barricade and says. ¡°Young man, behind us is a large army. We only escape because of our menfolk. If you do not let us in and close the gate, we will be all dead, no matter what disease that affects the town.¡±


    Gurion looks at Helen, her hands are shaking, and there is a tear line in the dirt on her face. He can¡¯t help but believe her. ¡°Soldiers stand down, let these people in.¡± He steps in beyond the town and calls out to the fighters above. ¡°What can you see?¡±


    One calls down, ¡°Not much, but from the cloud, there is a lot of people on horses.¡±


    Another yell, ¡°There! That is a glint of metal. And another. Sargent, they seem to be telling the truth.¡±


    He starts to see that the people are moving in the carts. He slips past them to have a good look himself. There are a couple of hundred people, not including their oxen and horses. This will take too long. He spots Jara and Eloise helping to move the crowd, and he looks back at the approaching cloud. Seeing that from his tours in the Northlands, that is at least a couple of thousands of soldiers coming their way, and they will be here in less than a half an hour.


    He jogs over to Jara and Eloise. ¡°You have to abandon your oxen and wagons. We need to get inside. They will be upon us too soon to wait for each cart to go in.¡±


    Jara takes a deep breath, his face red, but before he says anything, Eloise steps in. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°They will be on us if we wait too long. Have everyone leave their stuff out here that they can¡¯t carry by hand. Keep moving until you it the main square. My men will show you the way.¡±


    Jara looks back at the approaching army, wishing he could do something more. Eloise tugs on his sleeve. ¡°You should go in and tell Mela what is happening.¡±


    Another person protecting him could imagine standing in front of this army only armed with a hammer. Jara blinks away from that vision. He should do what Eloise says; like an oppressed man, he walks toward the gate without a word.


    As Gurion see the last come through, he orders. ¡°Close the gate, post watches up on the walls and keep me apprise of the situation.¡±


    With his men calling affirmative, he looks over and sees Eloise. She is comforting a small child. She looks up at Gurion. ¡°Do you think we are safe?¡±


    ¡°The gate is old, but it is strong. The walls are high enough unless they have specialised siege equipment.¡± Eloise''s face doesn¡¯t seem to understand what he was saying. ¡°We are fine, and the only issue will be food, water and the illness. We have to be stricter than before when it comes to quarantine.¡±


    Gurion stops and thinks, what if there are not a hostile force? They could be a massive Mercenary Company from the Western City-States. He heads up the stairs to have a better look at them. He is taking the word of an unknown source, even if the girl he is fascinated with trust this Jara. In his opinion, Jara seems to be the one that should be feared, but after that strange aura gone, he seemed to be quite gentle looking.


    Twelve metres, the wall is and over six thick. Nothing compared to the Western Dukedom¡¯s fortification, but this is not on a frontier anymore, only occasionally do we have trouble with the Folk from the south and the occasional bandit chief, but no army has attacked Omri.


    He turns to Eloise. ¡°Do you know anything about this?¡± As she cannot meet his eyes directly, Gurion knows that the group knows of these people in his heart of hearts. ¡°This army is here to attack you?¡±


    ¡°Gurion, we tell you the truth that we are here to help, but we have enemies. Groups that wish not for the old days to return. Please believe me, and this wasn¡¯t what we wanted.¡±


    He sighs, knowing that this beautiful woman wouldn¡¯t put his life or town in jeopardy. Even though a niggling thought that if they didn¡¯t come, this wouldn¡¯t have happened.


    ¡°Please, Eloise, could you leave the wall and return to your people. I don¡¯t know what is going to happen, but it could be bloody.¡±


    As she leaves, she watches the army spread out and start setting up for a siege.