As Aylin had promised she was at the well by noon the next day. Calisto was late as she suspected would happen, and as usual he appeared with a grand entrance. He came dressed in his shining armor and a sword at his hip. He stood out like a piece of silver in the dirt.
Calisto greeted Aylin as he arrived "Good afternoon Aylin."
"Good Afternoon. I think it is best if you leave the armor and sword back at your lodgings." Aylin advised Calisto.
"But it is for protection." Calisto responded with a look of embarrassment on his face.
"You won't be needing that kind of protection. We will be talking to the sick, and if you go into people's homes looking like that, you will scare them."
"Talking?"
"Yes, talking. That is how we will find the origins of this disease. Since I have more experience in this subject matter, I advise you to take my lead."
"I understand your point, but could you be more polite with your words?" He paused and then continued speaking "I'll be back in a few minutes with more appropriate garments."
Calisto walked away. Aylin stood there frustrated trying to hold back her anger, but she collected herself and set aside her feelings in favor of professionalism. After a few minutes Calisto returned wearing a fine tunic and trousers.
"Good, you look more approachable now." Aylin said jokingly.
"I can't tell if that is supposed to be a compliment or an insult." Calisto said with a smirk.
"I'll leave that for you to decide." Aylin paused, "Anyways, how much do you know about the situation?"
"All I know, I have heard from Sir Ellias."
"So probably not much. This disease going around is called Siccara. It causes those infected with symptoms of fever, coughing, cold sweats, vomit, and diarrhea. They become dehydrated because they can't retain fluids and eventually die."
Calisto had a disgusted look on his face hearing about the disease when he responded "That's gruesome."
"It is. That's why it is best we handle this quickly. I made a map the other night of those who I know have been infected. There is a concentration of those infected not too far from here. I think it is best to start there."
"You seem to know what you're doing the best. You lead the way."
Aylin started walking and Calisto followed. Aylin was surprised by what Calisto had said. She thought he would try to take control of the situation based on his past actions.
The two arrived at one of the homes and Aylin knocked on the door. A child answered.
"Hello" the child said timidly.
"Hello, are any of your parents home?" Asked Aylin.
The child nodded then ran back into the house and returned with his father. The father looked disheveled as if he had not been taking care of himself.
"Hello Aylin, what brings you here today?" The father asked.
Aylin explained the reasoning for the visit. She paused and looked into the house then looked back at Mr. Landsher and asked "Is Mrs. Landsher not here today?"
"Well … first come inside and sit down."
Aylin and Calisto followed Mr. Landsher inside and they all took a seat around the kitchen table.
"Who is this young man with you Aylin?" Asked Mr. Landsher.
"I am Calisto, The son of Lord Grey." Calisto responded.
"And by Lord Grey you mean the Count of Woodshire."
"Yes, the Count of Woodshire is my father."
Aylin looked surprised as she did not know this about Calisto.
"So how have you been Mr. Landsher? I haven't seen your wife in a while. Is she doing better now?" Asked Aylin.
"She passed away a week ago." Mr. Landsher said with a melancholic expression.
"But the last time I checked on her she was making a good recovery. What happened?" Aylin blurted out shockingly.
"I'm not sure she got really sick one night and didn't make it to morning."
"I'm sorry to hear that I should have been there."
"I tried to find you but you were already occupied at Sir Ellias's home that same night."
"Oh I see …" Aylin paused for a moment "Could you tell me how she was before she passed? Did she go anywhere or what kind of things she was doing?"
"She didn't do much since she was recovering, but she would still go out and fetch some water. She wanted to do that at least."
"And what have you and your son been doing?"
"My son has been going to school, and I to work."
"And Where is work and school?"
"I work at the mill on the far east side of town and the school is on the edge of the village north of here."
"Thank you for answering my questions. We'll take our leave now."
Aylin Stood up and started walking to the door then stopped and turned around.
"I'm sorry about your wife. I wish there was more I could have done." Aylin said, and then turned around and left with Calisto following her.
The two continued on visiting a dozen more homes asking them all how the infected person had been doing and how the state of household members' health, and where they had been. Eventually night befell and the two stopped their investigation for the day.
"We collected a lot of good information today, but it is still not enough. Will you meet me back at the well tomorrow at the same time?" Aylin said as she was looking at Calisto.
Claisto leaned towards Aylin and softly spoke "Yes, I gladly will, but before you leave me for the day, would you accompany me for dinner?"
Aylin took a step back and answered with "You want to get dinner with me?"
"Yes" Calisto said with a smirk. "We have had a long day and I'm quite hungry and I'm sure you are as well."
Aylin looked away as she said "I'm good with the food I have at home."
Calisto stepped back into Aylin's sight and spoke to her. "It'll be my treat. Also, you deserve something nice after all that hard work you did today."
Aylin was hesitant at first but replied "Alright, I'll join you."
Aylin was unsure why she agreed. It is out of character for her. Maybe because she was tired, but whatever the reason was she thought there would be no harm in one meal.