Chapter 202: Wrong eye.
Silence claimed the air and space around them. Even the lights seemed to flicker nervously. Sienna’s chest heaved, her fury radiating like heat.
Finally, she used lethal strike to send the coins Cadelaria had thrown at her feet flying.
The elders gasped, stared at her, stunned.
Sienna turned to them, her voice cold and commanding. "I don’t want to hear any excuses. I don’t want any cowardice. Anyone that is nor ready to contribute should retire from the council of fox elders right now and go home. Those who are ready to help should open their coffers and start drawing plans. How do we save these cubs? I heard someone say something about old stories, did they happen to mention any herbs that could help?"
Before the elders could respond, Timothy received an update that he relayed to Sienna. "One death already, in the returned."
She grimaced.
The elders exchanged glances, shame heavy their eyes. Even Lady Cadelaria’s arrogance shattered.
Sienna straightened, her fury cooling into resolve. "We don’t have time for this. Everyone should move or get out of the way."
By the time midnight arrived. the refugees were settled. Beds were assigned, soup was served, and the surroundings of the hospital smelled like disinfectant.
A big fire was still going at the back, burning all food and drink brought in by the refugees.
Sienna wiped sweat from her brow. She looked at Lady Cadelaria who still seemed unconvinced.
"You see?" Sienna said smugly, "Order out of chaos. If we has spent less time arguing, we would have finished much sooner."
Lady Cadelaria stiffened, refusing to admit that Sienna had been right. "I still don’t agree with your decision to have these sick people returned to the city. You are just lucky that you made preparations early to contain them. But, should one escape, you will see my wrath."
Sienna snorted. "This place is guarded tighter than Fort Knox, you should worry more about other things, like how to change your attitude." She step on the steps leading to the flying ship, leaving her mother-in-law behind.
But she was not going far either, she planned to spend the night on the ship. The old ship had been replaced with the Linus 300, more of them hovered in areas around the hospital. That is where the elders, guards and other personnel were working and sleeping.
Sienna barely made it through a bath. She fell asleep within minutes, beside a snoring Ali.
***
Come morning, Sienna was forced to open her eyes because of the scraping against the window of her cabin. It was a hand robot, melting snow from the side of the ship.
Ali was curled against her chest, awake, but weak. Her eyes were much clearer than before, though she she clung to Sienna’s neck as if afraid she might vanish.
Sienna stroked her daughter’s hair, whispering, "You are stronger today."
The door hissed open. In swept Mija, her self appointed best friend, carrying a tray of steaming breakfast. Behind her trotted Eli, the look in his eyes accusatory.
"Mama!" he barked, pointing at Sienna, "Bad woman. You left me at home, and didn’t even call once. That’s discrimination. I can sue you for this."
Sienna raised an eyebrow. "Discrimination?"
"Yes!" He jabbed a finger at his face. "I am sick too. Look at my eye!" He covered his left eye dramatically.
Sienna snorted. "Wrong eye, Eli. It’s your right eyes that’s bruised."
The boy froze, switching his hand immediately, but it was too late, Mija and Sienna were already laughing at him. Even Ali was giggling weakly against Sienna’s chest.
Red faced, Eli stomped his foot. "I am going to tell great grandma Byra." He spun on his heel, storming out, tail thrashing behind him.
Mija sighed, setting the tray down. "Ignore him, the cub thinks everything is a conspiracy. I bet he is telling Old Byra that we are plotting against him."
Sienna smirked. "He will grow out of his suspicious nature--or into it. Either way, it is entertaining." She focused on breakfast. It smelled of home" spiced rice cakes, honeyed teas, porridge, roasted pine nuts, fresh buns, lemon cakes, oat cakes, and eggs.
Sienna dug in, encouraging Ali to eat as well. The little one had half of her normal appetite back. But even as she ate, she refused to let go of Sienna.
"I am much better than Serenya aren’t I?" Mija asked. "The queen would not cook and bring you breakfast in bed."
"I am sure you didn’t cook this," Sienna replied. "But, I appreciate your efforts to lie to me and carry the tray over. You are a spoiled princess, I don’t think you have ever carried breakfast for anyone. I guess I should be privileged that you are willing to lower yourself for me."
Mija smirked. "All I heard was that you love me more than Serenya. I am your real best friend." She left the room in smiles, hissing a joyful hum.
Sienna and Ali enjoyed their meal, every thought focused on the deliciousness they did not enjoy the day before.
Just short of finishing breakfast, a knock came and the door slid open. Timothy walked in, accompanied by a doctor in a white gown with a sigil of the beast medics. His face was grave, but his words carried a dash of hope.
"The cubs who were nearly terminal are doing better this morning. That herbal remedy recommended by Elder Vinira seems to be working. Their fevers are breaking."
Sienna’s heart lifted. "And the others?"
The doctor hesitated. "Fifty confirmed to have the plague, but the symptoms are early. The man who died yesterday did not die of the plague, but a weak heart. We released the report last night, calming the people. Our team is already researching its own vaccine."
Sienna nodded, her jaw tight. Fifty was too many--more than she expected. But there was hope.
When Timothy and the doctor left, she sent Ali to her mother for a bath, and called Elias. This was one of those days when she needed to know how soon he would come home. How long would she have to hold the fort on her own?
