“There! You should be good to go. May I show you out the door?” he
glanced at the door, soon realizing that, all too soon, the sun had
now set. The doctor frowned upon remembering the state of his late
patient, pondering on what he should do with the somewhat immobile
man,
“Well,” he chuckled, “it seems to have gotten dark fast. How would you
enjoy staying here for tonight? I would not want you stumbling home
through the dark.” Remy looked up from his blood-soaked arm, a wide
grin on his face.
“Really? oh thank goodness, I’ve got no clue how I would’ve gotten
back this late. Thank you, Emil, thank you!” He dove in to embrace
Emil, but he flinched away with an awkward smile,
“Now now, I do not want to get the plague either.” Remy gave a pout,
crawling backwards to lay his head on the pillows. Emil gently patted
his shoulder,
“If you need anything, I will be up those stairs,” he gestured to a
flight of stairs,
“Just give a holler if you need me, I will be sure to hear.” the
sickling hummed to confirm, closing his reddened eyes.
“Sleep well, Remy,” Emil whispered, blowing out the candlelight, “may
you have sweet dreams.”
Remy woke from a cold sweat, drenched in his perspiration. He took a
deep breath, which he would soon regret, as he spiralled into a
hacking cough. Blood trickled from his chapped lips, dark blotches
landing on the unfamiliar sheets underneath him.
That was new.
Last night came back to him, the horrible walk, the kind doctor and
the odd herbs he had given him, and the offer to stay. Ah, that’s why
he was here, the sickness. Remy’s gaze shifted to the window, early
morning light trickling from the windows, illuminating a figure in the
corner.
“Ah! You are awake!” A familiar voice spoke, gliding over to the bed.
Emil greeted the man with a warm smile,
“Did you sleep well?” Remy sighed, mumbling,
“No, not really, Lots of night terrors.” the priest clucked his tongue,
“Symptom of the sickness.” The doctor stated. Remy groaned, sitting up
in bed. He met Emil’s gaze, noticing a steaming cup in his hands. Emil
noticed the man’s gaze,
“Ah, this is for you. Thyme, mint, and horseradish tea.” He pressed
the warm liquid into the other’s hands. He hummed in thanks, taking
the tea to his blood-stained lips.
“I thought you may want to head home soon,” the priest stated, “before
the mid-afternoon rush.” Remy nodded, delicately placing the finished
cup onto the side table. He swung his legs to the edge of the bed,
attempting to lift himself to his feet, plopping back down due to the
pain in his legs.
“Erm, a little help here?” The weak man rasped, holding his pale hand
up. Emil grasped his fingers, hoisting him up and resting his arm
around his shoulders. He let him lean up against his side, awkwardly
supporting the tall man’s weight. The duo hobbled out the door into
the cold morning air, resting for a minute before Emil asked,
“So, where are we heading? I do not know where you live.” Remy
grunted, tilting his head towards a filth covered street,
“Down that street, turn left at the baker’s, right at the
blacksmith’s, five doors down you’ve got my house.” Emil nodded,
steering them towards the cobbled road. Unlike the mainly stone
hospital, the houses on this street were small, consisting of a timber
frame, mud and twig lattice within the gaps. As they walked through
the neighbourhood, Emil picked up on things he would have never
noticed before, rats everywhere, frail peasants on every corner, and
the amount of human waste. His leather shoes squashed into the
rubbish, ruining the polished sides. The unpleasant smells lingered in
the doctor’s nose, foul and putrid. Much to his delight, hey were soon
engulfed in the sweet smell of pastries and bread, signalling they had
reached the bakery.
next part will be short