Doctor Simeon’s Research Notes

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The plague seems unstoppable. I’ve tried many things: bloodletting; excising the tumours before they grow; infusions and salves of all kinds. Nothing works!

People are dying by the dozens. Skender does what he does best – kills whoever shows signs of affliction, only adding to the death toll. No, if this keeps up, there’ll be no one left in the valley.

(…)

Today I examined a young girl. Twelve years of age, at most. Pustules and boils on her, bigger than my thumb. Vomiting blood, strong migraines. Pain all over her weakening body.

Tried my best, but it wasn’t enough. Again. The last thing she saw was that damned mask I wear for my own protection. She was mumbling something about an angel of death coming for her soul.

I’m so tired.

(…)

As many others, I was sceptical at first – but the vrakhiri were true to their word. The plague is gone! And with it, many other afflictions I’ve been battling as a doctor – the flux, the sweating sickness. Leprosy! The babies born from blood-fed mothers are the healthiest I’ve seen in years.

Astounding!