Chapter XXI: The Unspoken Killer

                                    

                                          
Fourteen years and Five months into Morgan's reign 
I have feared this my entire life, a court infected. This happened only once to Father, only 1 died. I fear worse. I've heard stories of the infection wiping families, destroying royal lines. The disease, smallpox.
It started with a guest, small red dots, developing into oozing blisters. Now after one week, the man is dead, and the court is on edge.
I look out the window as guards start a fire pit, they throw the man covered in blisters into the fire. " This court is plagued, we must act fast sir", Dylan says firmly.
" Where is Archbishop Owen?", I ask while staring at the smoke rising. " We haven't heard from Owen in a couple of days, I have some guards riding to his home now", Dylan informs me.
" I don't want anybody harmed, I want this solved. Find me a physician, of great aptitude. Send him quickly", I say rubbing while rubbing my wrist.
The door opens, I turn around, John stands in front of me. " Your Royal Majesty, I'm afraid I have to tell you, His Royal Highness, William, is ill, with red dots", John informs me after bowing.
" Find that physician now", I scream as I run out of the room and down the hall. I open William's door, he lies in bed undercovers, with red dots everywhere.
" My boy", I say with my voice trembling. " Daddy, help me", William says shivering. I fall into tears, " It's okay Icarus, we're finding a physician, stay calm", I say crying. I shut the door and fall to the floor.
I back up against the door, trying to control my breathing. I need to be strong, for everyone. I wipe my tears and stand up. Dylan walks towards me, " Stop", I command.
Dylan stops in his tracks. " We cannot come in contact, that's how it spreads", I say. " I have a report on Archbishop Owen, he passed away from the disease, he died in his sleep", Dylan tells me.
" Okay, what about the physician?", I ask. " We found one two miles from here, we currently have a guard escorting him here", Dylan informs me, my heart slows in beating.
" When I was in Bavaria, I heard of a thing called inoculation. A small slit would be opened in my arm, and we would put the pus in my arm. It can prevent smallpox", I say.
" Okay sir. We'll get him here as soon as possible, keep everyone away from another", Dylan says as he walks down the stairs. Now, for the wait.
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" Your Royal Majesties, this is Bjorn Svinkson. He is a physician", Dylan informs me and Anna. Bjorn bows, " Your Royal Majesty", Bjorn says in a Norse accent.
" I need you to inoculate the members on the court. Me, my family, my guards and councilor members", I inform Bjorn.
" I've heard of the practice, Let us try", Bjorn says as we walk into a room full of sick courtiers. I sit down next to them and take off my blouse.
Bjorn cuts a small hole into my arm, it stings a little. Bjorn pokes a blister and scoops up the pus. " Are you ready Your Royal Majesty?", Bjorn asks.
I nod, Bjorn pushes the pus into my skin, my body tingles. Bjorn quickly sews up the wound. " Good job Your Royal Majesty, who is next?", Bjorn asks as I stand up.
" Anna", I say as Anna sits down. " You'll be okay darling. Just stay calm", I say as Bjorn performs the same acts on Anna.
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A day has passed, all of the court was inoculated. William seemed worse when I went to my room, I stayed up all night, crying. I love him, and I don't want to lose him.
I stand up and fix my hair. " He'll be better M", Anna says rubbing my hands. " I have to go see him", I say after wiping my tears. We walk down the hall and to William's room.
I knock on the door, no answer. I knock louder, no answer. I open the door, William lies in bed, his back turned. I walk over to the edge of his bed and sit down.
I rub William's shoulder, " Father", William says groggily. William opens his eyes and smiles, his face and body clear of red spots. I hug him, William grips me tightly.
" I thought I lost Will", I say crying. " I love you Daddy", William says crying into my shoulder. I rub his bare back and kiss his forehead.
22 court members died, including Archbishop Owen. I am praying for God that nothing ever happens like this again, but I know it will eventually.