Page 37 of Potions & Pints
“Are you okay?” Tan asked. “If you’re hungry we’re almost there.”
“Not hungry,” Vir said. “Tired. So very, very…tired.” He laid down. “Just let me rest a minute.”
“No!” Tan cried out.
They hadn’t even gotten to the market and things had just gone from bad to worse. Extremely worse. Of course they would land in Gamin Ait in the midst of a sleeping sickness outbreak. What else could possibly go wrong?
“Stay awake,” he shouted at Vir, already knowing the answer to the question.
Everything.
18
“Vir!” Tan could hear the strain in his voice but it was too late now to pretend he didn’t care. His actions on the ship had already proven he did.
“Vir, you need to stay with me,” he said again, as the worried crew gathered round. His words seemed to just barely be recognized by the drowsy orc.
“Where else am I?” the orc mumbled. Tan wasn’t sure if this was in answer to his question or simply the incoherent ramblings of the sickness.
“Help me get him sitting!” Tan called to the rest of the crew. There was no way they’d get him fully upright, but at least sitting up it would be less tempting to slip into deep sleep.
Garu, Sori and Ogen — the only ones strong enough to help with such a task — managed to pull Vir up, with a little reluctant help from Vir himself.
The orc was slumped in the sand now, but Tan could see his eyes were still heavy with the sickness that threatened to pull him into unconsciousness. Tan had come across the sickness before, not to mention his fair share of concussions — though now that he thought about it he’d never caught the sleeping sickness himself. He figured he was somehow immune. Concussions on the other hand, he’d had plenty of.
In any case, it meant he knew the risks of letting Vir fall into sustained sleep. He also knew they couldn’t stay on Gamlin Ait any longer than they already had.
“We have to get out of here,” he said to the crew, keeping one eye on Vir who was still drifting in and out of consciousness. “The longer we stay here, the more risk there is of others catching it.”
“Wait, does that mean we can catch it from Vir?” Sori cried, jumping back from Vir and wringing his hands as if they were suddenly unclean. The other orcs followed suit and the crew members too, suddenly giving Vir a wide berth.
Only Tan and Pili remained where they were. They knew better.
“No,” replied Tan, shaking his head. “It comes from the foliage. The sickness spreads amongst the trees. You’re either susceptible or you’re not.”
He glanced at a nearby tree and realized Vir must have brushed up against it on their walk along the beach. Silently he cursed himself. He’d told the group to stay between the vegetation and the shoreline. He should have told them why. The others relaxed a little, crowding back around the almost-sleeping Vir.
“Hey!” screamed Ogen suddenly, jolting Vir into wakefulness for just a moment.
When the group stared at him, he shrugged. “Just trying to help,” he said, gesturing to Vir.
Tan sighed. “Thank you, Ogen, but we can’t just scream at him all day. We need to get him help. There might be something on the ship that could cure him. I’ve heard certain foods can help keep the sickness at bay, but it might be a case of trial and error. Plus, we’ll have to get him awake enough to eat.”
But at his words, Tan noticed many of the group became stiff and nervous. The crew cast their eyes back the way they’d come and when Tan followed their gaze, it was clear why. One particular section was narrow and with Vir the way he was, it would take all three orcs to carry him back to the ship. There was no way they’d be able to pass by without brushing against the leaves and Tan knew the waters on this section of the beach dropped sharply into deep hollows, just beyond the shoreline.
Tan sighed. “Okay, I agree. It’s too risky to head back, and it will take too long, besides.”
His words came out steady as he desperately tried to maintain control of the situation but inside he was panicking, terrified of what might happen if they didn’t find a solution and fast.
“I just want to lay down,” mumbled Vir, but the orcs jumped in and managed to stop him from doing so until he gave up and slumped forward again.
Pili spoke up then — the first time since Vir had contracted the sickness.
“I’ll go collect some of my tribesmen,” he said gently, looking down at Vir. “It’s the only chance we have right now.”
He cast a glance at Tan who nodded quickly. Whatever it took, Tan was open to it, even if it did mean asking Pili for help. The water elf turned swiftly, taking one step in the water before diving into the depths of the sea he knew so well.
Tan could feel the knot forming in his stomach, knowing that all he could do now was wait. Wait and keep Vir conscious for as long as possible.
