Tilda and Bess were washing laundry.
Bess was telling Tilda all about her relationship drama, saying, "So then I said, 'If you can't handle me when I'm this way, then you don't deserve me' and then he…"
Bess paused to catch her breath.
Tilda prodded, "Then he…"
Bess passed out.
Tilda grabbed her. Trying to feel a pulse. Then she gasped.
༻✧༺
It was morning and Delrik was worrying over his usual worries when Gordana entered his office, saying, "Sir, we have a problem."
Gordana escorted Delrik and a guard, Fabious, into a small crowded room. Bess lay on her bed moaning as Tilda wiped sweat from her forehead.
Delrik's heart was racing and his eyes were wide with shock and confusion.
The skin on Bess's neck showed the black marks of a curse.
Gordana said, "We don't know how or where it came from. We don't even know how long it has been there."
Delrik said, "Haven't you asked her?"
Tilda snapped, "Lord Delrik, does she look like she's capable of coherent thought?"
Bess moaned and turned her head, as if in pain.
Fist clenched, Delrik said, "Fine. Inform me immediately if you uncover any information."
Gordana said, "Of course, Sir."
Back in his office, Delrik sat at his desk with his head down, a dark expression covering his face. He sat up as Felux entered with a few other knights.
Delrik demanded, "Report."
Felux said, "We counted twenty new cursed victims in the Dukedom with the numbers rising daily. Some as close as market town."
"And the forest?"
Felux turned to the second in command, saying, "Morc."
Morc reported, "The situation is bad. There's been an increase in monsters within the Red Forest as well as the areas roundabout. The last patrol saw three times the amount of three-legged venom dogs. A few farmers also reported seeing cursed bear beasts and giant scaley creatures in the local fields. If we don't do something soon, they'll overrun the villages."
"I see," Delrik said as he caressed his chin.
Delrik said, "Morc, prepare the men to assemble a monster raid. Felux stay here, the rest of you are dismissed."
The group of Knights left as Felux leaned nonchalantly against a chair.
Felux asked, "You've a plan?"
Delrik said, "There's an increase of monsters. Curses are appearing out of nowhere. In towns, even within the castle."
"Aye, that's the situation it is. So, what're you to do about it? Send in the divine maiden?"
"We can't reveal Cosaria's identity as the divine maiden. It's too risky to share her powers to heal the curses."
"What about holy water?"
"It could work for a time but it won't be enough. I know it won't be enough."
"Aye, specially not when the monster raids start, so you'd better start deciding if not doing enough is better than doing nothing. Action needs to be taken now."
"I see. Very well. It's a risk we must take, for the people. We'll have Cosaria create as much holy water as she can and we'll begin supplying it to the people. We may not be able to save everyone, but we'll do our best."
Felux nodded. "Aye."
༻✧༺
Days passed. Tilda was in the market with a basket full of fruits, smelling a melon. She was glad to be out of the castle. Tensions were high there and the anxious nerves were making people snappy.
She thought, The castle has never been more busy. Curses are getting worse among those in the Arquix dutchy every day. The knight squad are constantly fighting newly arising monsters but the number of monsters keeps increasing. No one has been able to rest.
A voice brought Tilda out of her thoughts.
"Tilda!"
She turned and saw Lillis running towards her with a tear-stained face.
༻✧༺
Tilda sat next to Lillis at the bedside of Heinry, Lillis's fiancé. He was cursed. Once Tilda found out about the situation, she brought Nelly and some holy water to help tend to the forsaken soul.
Nelly handed Lillis a pot of holy water, as the bride-to-be slowly dripped the water down into Heinry's mouth.
Tilda instructed, "Make sure to put it on the cursed spot too."
Lillis's hands shook and she hesitated to pour the water on his skin.
Tilda grabbed the pot and poured the water on the charcoal black spots of Heinry's skin. She said, "Don't worry. Touching the infected area isn't harmful."
Lillis covered her eyes and doubled over in tears. Tilda patted her weeping friend's back.
Lillis cried, "How could this happen?"
Tilda said, "I don't know."
Nelly asked, "Tilda, how, uh, how to you know so much about the cursed?"
Tilda said, "This isn't my first-time taking care of those who've been cursed. The holy water will keep him from turning into a beast for now but there's not enough to fully heal him."
Lillis began mindlessly ranting, "We went out to the river just that morning. He said he wasn't feeling well that night but I didn't think. I remember there was this… the smudge. The river. The water. I think… I think it was the water."
Tilda asked, "What was?"
Lillis began connecting dots in her head, saying, "There was a black spot in the water at the river. We were fine until he swam through it. I didn't think much of it then, but Tilda, I think the river water cursed him."
Nelly covered her mouth in shock.
Tilda said, "That can't… Lillis, I hope you're wrong. If the river is tainted then everyone… I have to go."
Lillis grabbed Tilda's arm and begged, "Please, where can I get more holy water?"
Nelly said, "The servants of the castle are keeping track of those who have been cursed and are supplying holy water according to a need-by-need basis."
Lillis said, "Yes, of course. Tell the church I'm grateful."
Tilda said, "The holy water didn't come from the church."
"Then who…?"
Tilda said, "You could say we have an illegal priest and if the word got out, we could be in big trouble. The holy water is coming through the authority of Lord Delrik. That's all anyone needs to know."
"Oh… of course."
Tilda hugged Lillis, then she and Nelly left the small peasant home. Walking back to the castle, Nelly asked, "What are we going to do? The number of cursed people is rising daily."
Tilda said, "We have to tell Lord Delrik that we might have found the source to these curses. If we can hit the source, maybe we can stop the curses from spreading."
༻✧༺
Felux sat on the couch in Delrik's office with Tilda next to him. Cosaria sat on the other side while Delrik stood by his desk. It was time for another planning meeting. Tilda had just finished her report of what she heard about the cursed water.
Delrik said, "Cursed water. Could such a thing exist?"
Cosaria said, "It can, I've seen it before."
"WHAT!?!" Exclaimed Delrik, Tilda, and Felux.
Cosaria said, "I've seen it. Yes, demons need it to survive in our world."
Tilda asked, "Lady Cosaria, how do you know that?"
Cosaria opened her mouth but an image of Marley flashed acrost her mind. Marley was pleading, 'Please don't tell anyone what happened.' Cosaria closed her mouth. Then she said, "It's uh. I just found out."
Delrik said, "That isn't unreasonable. She was able to understand the ancient language without any formal training. It must be because she's the divine maiden."
Felux said, "Aye. Strange things happen with the lady."
Tilda could agree to that, but she still remained skeptical. She said, "If it's the water, we need to tell the people. Send out a decree or something."
Delrik nodded, saying, "Indeed. Felux, begin drafting one immediately."
"Aye sir," Felux said as he got some paper and a pen and started scribbling.
Delrik said, "We'll need to investigate the river as well."
Tilda said, "I wonder if it has a connection to the gate into the demon realm."
Delrik looked up and said, "That's possible. That would account for the large number of monsters on the Arquix estate in comparison to the rest of the kingdom."
Tilda said, "If the demonic energy has been released into the river, then it could mean the Lord Grysle might be getting close to opening the gate."
Delrik said, "This could turn to our advantage. If we follow the demonic water to its source, we'll find the demonic gate. We could stop the demonic invasion at its beginning."
Cosaria said, "We could close the demon gate."
Delrik said, "And end this for all."
Felux said, "These're a lot of speculations. We don't know where the gate is."
"Indeed," Delrik said.
Felux handed Delrik a finished draft as he said, "Sir?"
Delrik read over the document, then said, "Good, let's have this sent out across the land. Continue what you were saying, Felux."
Felux said, "We don't know the source of the water, could be the gate, could be a demon. We don't know."
"I see. However, either way, we must find the source of this black water."
"Aye."
Delrik said, "Get a squad together for investigation. I'll lead it myself. Felux, you'll stay to lead the affairs of the state."
"Aye."
Cosaria said, "But Delrik, without Felux, who will protect you?"
"I can take care of myself."
"Please Delrik. Take Felux with you. I'll take care of the affairs of the state with Tilda and Lady Marley. I'll show you I can be useful."
Delrik held her hand and the world stopped for the two lovers.
He said, "It's not a matter of your use, my dear. It's your protection that concerns me."
"But what if you encounter a giant demon monster and your curse acts up? You have to take Sir Felux with you."
Delrik frowned. Their moment had been short lived. Finally, he said, "Sir Felux, what do you think?"
Felux said, "I'd stay personally."
Cosaria said, "But who will protect Delrik?"
Felux said, "He'll manage himself just fine."
Delrik stroked his chin. "I think Cosaria might be right. Felux, you must come with me," Delrik said, then he got close to Felux and whispered, "If I turn into a monster, I'll need you to stop me. Use any method you must."
"Sir!"
"Only you can do this, Sir Felux."
Felux grinded his teeth.
"Aye."
Delrik announced, "It's settled. We'll depart immediately."
༻✧༺
Cosaria stared out the window as Delrik, Felux, and a knight squad, headed out of the estate. Pots of water were scattered all over the room. Tilda brought in the last pot.
Cosaria rolled up her sleeves and said, "Let's get to work."
The glow shining through the window indicated the type of work being done. It would be hours until that glow would slow.