"Let's not rush to containment. I'd rather risk the plague than face another angry rabble.
"I have no more desire to provoke another fearful crowd than you do." Alice says, looking shocked. "This is different. We've seen this plague spread. We have to try to prevent it."
"Have we seen this spread?" you ask. "We know that she took the life of a monk at the shrine. That doesn't mean she caught the disease while caring for others."
"Still," says Ioco, "this is the most likely outcome. Why take that risk, Francisco?"
"Give our patients the dignity of the family, the community", declares Merilda. "Thank you, Doctor, for seeing reason."
"Reason?" Ioco chokes. "No, Francis does not speak for us. We carry the authority of the Crown as plague doctors, and the sanctuary hall will be closed to visitors." He looks at Alice, encouraging her support.
"I... I'm on Ioco's side," she says, "I'm not happy to deny that to our patients, but as long as there's a risk of infection, it's necessary."
"You have no rights. This is the property of the deity!" Merilda declares, slamming her fist on the bench. "Abbot Quelm has the final word here."
Quelm sighs. "If I deny them that, they'll send the mayor's militia to chase us. If not her, then the baron's soldiers. It won't stop." He looks at you. "To deprive those in our care of anything makes me sad, but I thank you, Francisco, for speaking on their behalf. Merilda, at the end of this meeting, you will instruct the monks to close the sanctuary hall to all visitors.
She makes a disgusted noise, but doesn't say anything else.
matter is decided
Ioco is on his feet again. His words come more slowly, and you see him rub his eyes before he speaks. The late hour is taking its toll.
"I'm sure some of us are unhappy with this result, but a decision has been made. I believe we will all be able to work through it." He hesitates for a second, not sure whether to continue with his remarks. "There's…another matter. I've been talking to the workers who transport the dead to Thornback Cemetery. I'm led to believe you're still burying the deceased."
"That is correct," says the abbot. "Returning people to the ground is one of our most sacred rites."
"And I respect the deity's custom," replies Ioco. "However... it might be prudent to consider burning the dead. The chance of infection..."
The noisy soup bowl makes you jump. Merilda's pupils are dark with anger. "This is heresy! Abbot Quelm, there can be no more talking after this grave insult."
Quelm rises and stands beside his prioress. "You go too far, Ioco," he says. "But it's late and tempers are high. I won't hear more about it now." Along with Merilda, he leaves the basement. You hear muffled footsteps and sharp, indistinct words in the hallway. The sounds disappear as they go up the steps.
"Handled with sublime delicacy," says Alice. Noticing Ioco's frown, she raises her hands, mimicking a shield. "Sorry. It's late, and that broth barely counts as a meal. You did well. The burials had to be taken care of, I'm glad you brought them. I figured I'd have to be the one to do this."
"I like to find a compromise with the deity's custom where I can," the surgeon replies, looking pained. "You know I do. But this matter... I don't see any other solution."