On the first day of the camp, the Northern Gate buzzed with activity as tents were set up, supplies were brought in, and volunteers went about their work under the strict guidance of Lucas and Serena. The camp was structured with clear areas for treatment, consultation, and rest for the exhausted workers.
Serena and Lucas walked through the camp, speaking with medical staff and making sure everything was running smoothly. The air was tense, with the reality of the disease spreading, but there was an air of determination in the camp too.
After a while, Lucia came to join them, determined to do what she could to help, even if it was simply offering support.
"Mother, I'm here to help," Lucia said, walking up to Serena, her voice filled with resolve.
Serena turned to her daughter, her expression softening. "I'm glad you came, Lucia. We all need to work together in this. Let's focus on helping as many people as we can."
Lucia nodded, rolling up her sleeves, ready to begin working, and Serena gave her a proud smile. Both of them worked tirelessly, wearing masks and protective gowns, attending to the ill who poured into the camp. They were exhausted, their bodies aching from the constant movement and care, but they couldn't stop. There was too much at stake. The camp was alive with activity, and the urgency was palpable. They treated and tended to as many people as they could, trying to ease their suffering, their hearts heavy with the weight of the situation.
Finally, as the night grew quiet and the camp seemed to settle into a temporary lull, Serena retreated to her tent. The air in her tent felt heavier, the stillness almost suffocating after hours of frantic movement. She needed a moment to breathe, to collect her thoughts. She walked over to her desk where several books, recently given to her by visiting healers and physicians, were stacked in a neat pile. One book in particular caught her attention—a small, worn volume written by a physician.
Opening the book, she scanned through the pages, the light of the nearby candle flickering softly. As she read, her eyes widened. The symptoms described in the text mirrored those of the disease that was wreaking havoc on the Duchy. It was influenza—high fever, suffocation, and a bedridden state that rendered people unable to move. The physician had described the progression of the disease in detail, offering insight into its pattern.
Serena's heart raced as she continued reading, realizing this could be the breakthrough she needed. They had been treating the symptoms without a clear understanding of what they were truly facing, but now she could begin to formulate a more specific course of action. The physician in the book had even outlined possible treatment and precautions.
Serena hurried through the night, her cloak trailing behind her as the camp lanterns flickered in the wind. She didn't stop until she reached Lucas's tent, her breath short and hurried. Pulling back the flap, she stepped inside—only to find both Lucas and Lucia already seated, reviewing patient reports under the soft glow of a lamp.
Lucas looked up sharply. "Mother? What's wrong? Did something happen at the camp?"
Lucia, equally concerned, stood from her chair. "You're pale. Are you alright?"
Serena raised a hand, catching her breath. "I'm fine," she managed, then took the empty seat beside them. Her fingers clutched a thin, leather-bound book to her chest. "But I found something."
The siblings leaned in.
"I was going through the books I received from the healers and physicians stationed here," she began, her voice steadying, "and in one of them—this one—I found a description that matches the exact symptoms we've seen. High fever. Breathing difficulties. Complete exhaustion and immobility."
She laid the book open on the table, flipping to the marked page. "The disease is called influenza. It's highly contagious, as we already know."
Lucas furrowed his brow, reading over the faded ink. "Are you saying this book has a cure?"
Serena shook her head. "Not a cure. But a possible supportive treatment. The physician who wrote this mentions elderberry extract as something that helped manage the fever and respiratory symptoms. It won't stop the disease completely, but it might help the body fight it."
Lucas sighed, rubbing his temples. "We can't be sure of this, though. Relying on a single mention in an old book could be risky."
"Of course," Serena replied. "We'll investigate the physician who authored this—see if any of them knows of him or his work."
Lucia's expression softened with hope. "If this helps even a little… it's worth trying."
Serena and Lucas nodded. Both of their eyes gleaming with hope.