Francisco, how are you feeling?"
You feel gentle nudges on your ribs as your senses return. When clarity returns to your eyes, you look at the voice and see Alice sitting across from you. She lowers her foot and you notice she's holding a book in her lap.
"You were making some pretty alarming noises. Ioco suggested I keep an eye on you."
Reaching out to rub your eyes, you realize you're still wearing your wolf mask.
"Listen," says Alice, "I don't want to intrude, but... if there's anything you need to talk about..."
"I think I just met a deity."
Alice raises her eyebrows. "Well, that's…maybe you need to find a moment with the abbot. Meet us in the courtyard when you're ready. We have a lot to do today."
a new day begins
Chapter Four: Her Excellency Mayor
Alice and Ioco are waiting for you in the sanctuary courtyard. A morning frost still lingers in the grass's shadows, coating the soles of his boots with moisture. You tilt your mask up and bite into the piece of bread that makes up your little breakfast. It feels rancid and heavy, as if the mass is awash in mud and pebbles.
"This bread really works the jaw," says Ioco, noticing her expression. "But we'll be happy with that when the food starts to run out."
"Or if this well needs some repairs," Alice adds, patting the stone.
Ioco scoffs and starts turning the axle to lift the bucket. "Since we are all present," he says, "the source of this plague eludes us, and the disease seems to defy known treatment. With these unwelcome truths in mind, I believe our most immediate task... our most viable, really... is to reduce the rate of infection." Your colleague pauses to splash some water on his face. "The abbot has made his position on burial clear, but we can impress upon those who work in the cemetery the importance of burning the bodies. Wherever our sympathies lie, it's the safest choice."
"I'm staying at the sanctuary today," Alice says. "Someone should keep the patients under observation and try to placate Quelm."
"Someone wants to vie for a key to the shrine archives, you mean," observes Ioco, ignoring the gesture he receives in response. "Francis, you're welcome to join me. Although if you put some credence in the talk about miracle cures on the market, you can go after it. I've also collected several vials of urine from patients at the sanctuary if-"
You interrupt him before he completes his sentence. In fact, you're eager to question the abbot about his knowledge of this "Dweller" and how it might relate to last night's visions. But with Quelm remaining in short supply, you'll have to direct your skills elsewhere.
"I'm going to the cemetery with you, Ioco."
"So if you're ready, we can go," he says, adjusting the boar mask over his face.
Go out with Ioco
"This way," says Ioco, leading you out of the courtyard and into an unfamiliar part of the building.
You follow your companion to a small hatch-like doorway, an exit well separated from the tall arcades and decorative entrances found elsewhere in the sanctuary. Crossing over, you find yourself in a tight alley.
A compact man with broad shoulders is loading the second of a pair of corpses onto a sturdy wooden wagon. You recognize the first as the remains of Eustace, the hapless soul who fell from the tower.
"Good morning, Ioco," he says. "Care to lend me a hand?"
"Only two today?" your colleague asks.
"Spend the week with me, you'll see a lot more," replies the man. "Yes, it must have been a peaceful night. Just the two of you."
Ioco squeezes into the side of the cart and positions himself on the legs of the body. He tugs at the hems of each of his gloves, making sure they stay secure in his hands. Then, with much effort, the two men manage to drag and pull the corpse into position.
"I don't know how you do it alone, Walter," says Ioco, leaning on the wheel of the cart.
"Boundless enthusiasm for work," he says flatly. Brushing a strand of sweaty hair out of his face, Walter grips the sturdy handles of the stroller. With another grunt of effort, he lifts it up and starts pushing the contraption out of the alley.
Ioco follows, very close. "Well," he says, turning to you. "Are you coming? Walter can take us inside the cemetery, no questions asked."