My mind after reading this
Though it is a little more grim, is also funny. Like imagine being the assassin and then you hear that the assistant of the Wordsmith almost kill her by accident while you tried to kill her for ages. The assassin quits after that jsjsjs
But in a more serious tone, that would be horrifying to hear as a bug, a sound that you not know what it means that is horrible and sound like something dying and they don't know how to help her because she isn't like any bug that they have seen! (She isn't a bug at all).
YEAAAAHHH
It is very grim. So far the story has been rather lighthearted (at least in terms of mature content) though I do want to reach more horror toned stuff, especially when we get to the nitty-gritty of dealing with the Infection. I’m a huge fan of horror and I love writing a terrifying excerpt. I’ll include content warnings in the chapter notes if it ever comes to that.
Anyway! Back on topic of your ask.
Plants like poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak are called that because they produce an oil called urushiol. It causes an allergic reaction in most humans (some people don’t have a sensitivity to it) and is also eaten by a large variety of bugs. Even without medicine, Wordsmith could deal with a skin rash just fine, even if annoying and painful… but eating it?
The rash would occur inside the throat.
A harsh hacking noise coming from a creature you have no way of ensuring is healthy? Whom won’t let you get close enough to even try?
Horrific.