Enduring the Cure

[Halethala]

Ye GODS . . she means to KILL Letha, I swear! Nothing so vile could be any true curative . . .

*Leaning over the wooden bucket to once again heave what simply wasn't there to heave, Letha pushed back her now stringy, damp blonde hair from her face, and looked up in sheer misery to Lady Laurestina. She'd warned Letha that the mixture she'd concocted would wreak havoc with her tummy, but assured her it would only last 24 hours. Her assurance that it would drive any stomach worms from her system had been somewhat less certain, though surely no worm could survive the storm-tossed, raging walls of Letha's gut . . .

They'd barely made it to the infirmary before Letha had begun her efforts to rid the contents of her innards . . the problem was, she'd been disinterested in eating for so long now, there was nothing to lose . . except the brew the Healer had given her! In no time at all, it was no longer a part of Letha's constitution . . yet somehow enough must have absorbed the lining of her stomach that it's "curative" powers kept working . . and working . . and working!!

Just as she despaired for her very life, it began to subside, and she collapsed in total exhaustion in the Healers tender embrace . . . Not wishing to be elevated off the lowest point of the floor, she beckoned for her to drag the bedding down off the cot in the infirmary. Easing herself down onto the clean smelling blankets, Letha groaned as another spasm threatened . . after it passed, she simply wanted nothing more than to sleep . .

She would have to thank Lady Laurestina later . . it was all she could do to simply rake in yet another breath. Her last thought as she drifted off into dreams was a hope that any worms that may still have thoughts of inhabiting within should seriously seek another host!

[Lady LaurestinaOOC]

((oh just what I always wanted to cure...WORMS?... Laughing... I will have to get back to you this eve Hon... and anyone else that wishes to add to this before I do...go for it...*just shakes me head.. thinking this will be good* Wags my finger at you * wicked grin*))

[LadyLaurestina]

Looking at the lovely Lady Letha, and how on earth she ever managed to get out of her bed and join all in the Main Hall, was beyond her. It was clear, the Lady had lost weight, as in her own words she had lost a few stones..! Her face pale as she bent over and wrapped her arms around her stomach, and there was no question that the Lady was in great distress. Walking to her side, questions were whispered and in the course of the conversation, the lady was convinced her own cooking of the oxtail soup had indeed made her ill.

Ladies often experienced such symptoms of the stomach, but never did she expect to hear what was then uttered from Lady Letha’s almost blue lips. “WORMS!” Why she never heard of such a malady, but aye she had heard of the horses in the stables having such. As she paced a bit, listening and tying to delicately side step the real concerns this healer was really thinking. She discreetly asked Letha if she had been a bit to close to Sinold. She didn’t wish to come out and say it, but it seemed preposperous that the lady would have worms, but rather some other condition that had led to her continuous wrenching. The lady was most explicit when answering her soft probing questions, that indeed she was NOT in any way shape or form close physically to her suitor. She made this very clear!. So the healer stopped dead in her tracks when she asked the lady if she had seen any strings of white in the remains of her stomach's cleansing. Again, the lady was sure it was WORMS, and all she knew of such was when she had been in the stables, Perren had feed the horses a potion consisting of wood ashes, pulverized pumice rock and then suspended it in a liquid resembling milk.

* Holding her hand to her cheek, she really had reservations about dealing out this concoction to a delicate and refined lady, who was nae half as big as a horse. So, placing her hands on her hips, she stood and watched as Letha tired her best nae to let her see the wrenching of her stomach, but nothing came forth, and it was then she told the lady she had a remedy but it would be most excruciating, and nae an easy cure but it was all she knew until she could concur with other healers of how to treat parasites of the internal variety.

So, going to the infirmary she placed some wood ashes from the hearth in a pedestal. After searching the infirmary cupboard high and low, remembered she had a stone which seemed to do wonders on the feet of those who had built scales on their feet. She took the hand sized pumice stone and chipped of a small piece. Placing all in the mortar and pedestal, ground it into a fine dust, and nae able to find milk, found instead a bottle of the strongest brew. It was used to treat wounds, an analgesic she often poured into the mouths of those who’s moaning was so horrific that she found the strong spirit did wonders to place peace into those where vexed in pain. She smelled it, and was taken back a bit knowing its potency, but knew it was all she had to mix with the ashes and the ground stone.

Walking into the main hall her hand shook a bit as she tediously handed the small cup to the lady reeling in pain. Then she explained to Letha that she needed to drink the brew down as quickly as possible, and that the brew would kill the worms and their eggs, but that there was to be no relief from the vexing uncontrollable wrenching until the worms had been expelled. She warned the lady that she would be violently ill, and for 24 hours she was not to drink anything, and then the next step would be to drink water and then again the emptying of her stomach would begin again, but she would be free of the worms that were eating away at her.

Aiding the lady after she drank the potion, astounded as she watched as the ever so brave lady pour it down her throat, mading a face that certainly was nae complimentary but expected.

Gently she helped Letha up onto her wobbly legs... with her arm around her waist led her to the infirmary. where she and Olaf would sit beside her and comfort her though her hours of anguish. Olaf took each bucket out side as instructed, and once all was emptied from her stomach, she would ask Olaf to place some dried bough and wood upon the spot where he would set fire to the ground and make sure the worms were nae to return to life. This was most distasteful to her, and though she had a hard time controlling her own stomach while watching and holding the lady though her most rigorous contractions of her body, she remained steady fast and found herself grabbing her own stomach as she watched Olaf walk to and fro, bucket after bucket of the vile contents.

There were more concerns now, as another, especially one that had been in close contact with the Lady, could catch these worms and her thoughts now flew to Sin old, and possibly others who had shared closely with the lady and what of those who ate of her supposedly bad cooking. * Looking to the massive beams she prayed it would nae be so, but her fears would soon be realized.

In agony the lady had slipped off the cot and onto the floor where seemingly she felt the best… as she curled her body into the fetal position and then again got on her knees and elbows…trying to ease her pain…it was all becoming a bit worse than this healer had expected and half thought of sending for Sinold in case she did nae make it. * Oh heaven forbid*
….now finding herself praying as she got on the floor on her knees and held the lady as close as she could, trying her best to keep her warm and reassuring her that soon she would be rid of this pestilence…
+

[Robin of Loxley]

(OOC) *Applauds the posting by both characters......great stuff *VBS*..............

Waits for the next post with anticipation..........and walks off feeling Sooooooooo........Queasy *LOL*

[Dream Loxley]

ooc....... agrees totally... wonderful descriptions!! yucky *LOL* I have seen worms........*shudders* ewwwwww. Poor Letha

[Sinold Bragasson]

(OOC: And I'm not here to look after Letha. Shame on me! *goes to drink another horn of meade in in her honor* )

[Halethala]

She was walking beneath the orchard, the green leafy boughs studded with apples, pears, cherries, plums . . succulent fruit within the easy reach of her grasp . . beneath she skipped over lovely mud puddles of chocolate pudding, the road the lovely color of caramel between them, and tipped her head back as a gentle rain showered down refreshing sweet mead . . She noticed the bark on the trees looked suspiciously like slabs of toasted fresh bread, and the grassy floor beneath the trees like fresh spinach, carpeted with flowers that looked of spun sugar frosting . . Peering off in the distance, she spotted mountains topped with cool ice cream. A sudden movement in the bushes, and a tender young boar came into view . . a vision of hams and bacons and sausages . . she reached for her sword to slay him, which turned out to be a nice long slender stalk of rhubarb . .

The gelatinous mountain erupted into a lava flow of thick, hot soup, oxtail, of course, and the horror of it prodded her to sit bolt upright, an unwise thing to do on a completely empty stomach! She passed into blackness again, her ears crackling and popping. Soon again it cleared once more . . She opened her eyes carefully, not seeing anyone around, though knowing they surely were. She lay quietly, craving and longing . . wishing to either walk in dreams again, or be allowed a simple sip of water, at the least.

She turned and saw the lovely flower Becca had brought . . wondering how it tasted, wondering if she could drink the cool water it sat in . . wondering what Becca was having for HER breakfast . .

Finally, the Healer appeared, having caught her movements out of the corner of her eye. Letha stiffened in fear, knowing the woman meant only good, yet always and forever would she tend to associate wretching with sweet Laurestina . . unfair though that might be . .

Letha gathered all the charm she could muster, as if begging for the life of someone who probably didn’t deserve it, and formed her face into a sweet smile, she whispered hoarsely, “Is it over now, M’Lady? When may I eat again?”

[Dream Loxley]

((Wonderful ! ....makes me think of the Beatles song....."Tangerine trees and marmalade skies....la la la" ))

[LadyLaurestina]

(( WOW... what a sight letha.!!! GREAT writing!! AND .. poor ol' Stina may need to cook... *sighs* Thinks she is going to have to send to the south seas for some exotic fruits ...hum... I will get back to you... and then hopefully you will get over your fear of the dear sainted lady.. * BOL* ;D :)

[LadyLaurestina]

After an unceasing, relentless 24 hours of perpetual worrying. She found herslef quesioning, weather indeed the potion she has conjured up was either too strong or not the correct remedy. All she had wished for was a total evacuation from the lady’s heavily infected abdominal area of the terrible malady. Further more, she prayed for the Lady to be restored to her normal spirited, lively nature. Breaking into a bright, full smile, she plesantly filled with joy as Letha’s face formed into a sweet smile. When she heard the words that the lady whispered hoarsely, “Is it over now, Milady? When may I eat again?” Her heart was once more at peace, knowing that by the sight of her sweet smile, the answer to her long night’s prayers had been answered.

With happiness and joy revealed in her every movement, she rushed to Letha’s side. She had prepared a cold glass of water, mixed with a bit of ground up prunes and honey previsouly, anticipating this reuturn of health, to the lady’s outstretched hand. Looking closely at her skin color and the whites of her eyes, she was pleasantly surprised that the lady was doing much better than previously anticipated. Taking Letha’s hand she checked her finger nails and noted that the moons were nae the color of the silver orb in the night sky but rather a bit red, and softly pinching the skin on her inner arm noted that it not have the elasticity that would also indicate that she was nae quite up to par. So, she deduced, the lady needed more fluids now, as the wrenching had now subsided. It was time she was feed some good wholesome foods. Not having responded to the lady’s question she was now ready to say with accuracy what was now the final step to her full recovery.

“Mi Lady tis over, the last of thy stomach’s contents have finally been disposed of and thee are now indeed ready to partake of some nourishment.” * lowering her eyes* she knew that this was a most embarrassing time for the lady, and she had no intention of intensifying the lady’s embarrassment. However, she knew deep down inside that Letha, as much as she trusted this healer, did indeed have a look of worry upon her brow. This Healer, then knew, she had to do all in her power to show her that indeed she was nae trying to cause the lady more distress with her grievous remedies, but indeed held the lady’s best interests in her heart. As she softly caressing her fore head, taking a linen dipped in rose water.. careflly, removed the remains of the rigorous wrenching from her delicate features.

Speaking again softly, “I shall set out a basin of warm rose water for thee to clean up in. However I would please ask thee to remain seated while doing so. I would aide thee in this, but feel you have enough strength to cleanse yourself, but may nae be strong enough yet to be able to stand up without the stars coming into your eyes.”

Gracefully the healer rises from the side of the cot and taking a clean chemise, and several fresh linens to the foot of the cot, the healer returns to pick up a small table and place it nearest to Letha. Both watched while Olaf set the basin of warm rose water and more fresh linen’s upon the small table. Olaf knew then it was time for him to head to the servery since the lady needed her privacy, and he had visions of talking with Mollie and Millie, and sampling the baked goods and foods being prepared for the day.

This Healer, now had a task at hand, should she now go and make a delicious but nourishing foods for the Lady? She place her hands behind her back and paced at bit before leaving the infirmary. she was nae sure, but most would know she was nae much of a cook. And from what she gathered, the cook was not preparing the foods she thought would be appropriate for the sensitive nature of the Lady’s stomach. Her thoughts flew from fish broth to fruit soup, the later being a favorite of the Norse. She would need to think upon this, and how best to obtain the much needed ingredients as soon as possible. Taking a peek in the Servery, and seeing the rising stream from the stew laden with grease, she shook her head. For, she knew this was a job that may call for much assistance. * scratching her head…wondered how she would be able to get to the village quickly, and find a fish merchant. *

* pacing back and forth * near the infirmary door off from the main hall, keeping an ear open to any call or unexpected noise that may come froth from Letha, before she undertook this great challenge.

[Halethala]

Though not in full possession of her thoughts, the wretching and dehydration taking a heavy toll, she could not help but note the gentleness and kindness the good woman expressed with every move she made . . surely one did not take on the profession unless there was a heart within to do good . . though, of course, their cures were often misconstrued as sheer torment at times. Letha gained a new appreciation for the Lady's skills and her obvious love for her position . .

She then thanked good Olaf for his efforts, and smiled to the Lady. "I will be forever in your debt, I fear . . . It seems your potion has done the trick indeed. Forgive me if I long to never undergo such a cure again, however." Letha laughed and tried to sit up, waiting for the shower of stars to pass by. How she longed to ease her entire body into a warm bath, but she eyed the warm rose water and clean linens as hungrily as she soon would food . .

"I shall call if I need you, thank you dearly* She spoke as the Lady also left. Dipping the linen in the scented liquid, she let it trickle down in rivulets along her skin before dabbing off the accumulated salty sweat . . slowly, savoring the sweet warmth, using every last drop . . nothing felt as good as feeling good again . . except feeling clean . .

and feeling full . . she hoped the Lady would choose well . . though knew that nothing seasoned food as effectively as ravenous hunger.

Struggling into the clean chemise Lady Laurestina had provided, she settled back onto the pillow, and sighed contentedly . .

[LadyLaurestina]

She trudged through the apple orchard, picking up all the pruned dread branches that were scattered about. Having taken a few spills her herself, she tripped over the hidden wood in the tall grass, she was growing very weary and famished for just a simple handful of water. Though it had been some time since had set out upon this task, she had herself been set back with the complications of worms. She endured her own cure without mention to anyone, as she found it most embarrassing and distressing, but Olaf had seen fit to take care of her and keep her condition under covers so to speak. Having little to eat or drink herself, now much thinner of face, pale and trembling she forged on to make a fine kettle of fish.

Before being seized with worms, she had found some beautiful big fish down by the pond that she surmised must have been caught and forgot by some villager or perhaps even one of the servants. Nae sure, she picked up the slimy still wiggling fish, and carrying them in each hand by their tail fins… *making a terrible face,* she walked ever so slowly to the kitchen. Having hoped to slip in and make a kettle of fish soup. However, Cook seen her and making his usual growling noises, she grabbed the fish from the counter, in her haste she dropped the, fish into the first barrel she could see. whipped her hands on her skirt, she ran back into the main hall. She couldn’t stand to see the poor little fishes gasping for air, and in need of their water thought the barrel was indeed water.

Surprised!... It wasn’t much later and it was noted by Lady Andrea that some Meade was needed in the main hall, and sneaking into the servery she inquired where the Meade was kept, and the cook expounded with his hands waving wildly that it the barrel was right in front of her…. And looking into it…seen the fish swimming around, she gasped and covered her cheeks with her hands. Calming down a bit, as she looked at them, they actually seemed to be enjoying their new home. They rolled and frollicked about, onto their back with their bellies up.

Though it became less clear to her that eve as to how she was going to get the fish back out of the Meade to make her concoction…as she did befall to the worm malady, and took to the solitude of the infirmary while she healed herself. While enduing the cure, with much trashing about and moments of unconsciousness, she did remember some who had come into the infirmary to seek things for others in the castle, but no memory did she have of such things as the healing proceedings.

She had given Olaf an extra silver piece if he might be able to conjure up a small caldron, and gather the now pickled fish among a few other necessary items… and bring them out to the back of the castle not far from the gardens where they would make up the fine kettle of fish soup, meant to return health to all who had suffered, and mainly Lady Letha was on her mind. She wondered how she had faired as of late.

Pulling her skits up, and placing all the gathered wood in her hand made cradle of skirts. She walked to where Olaf stood holding the caldron and all the contents concealed inside. Together they made a primid of wood and Olaf took flint and managed to set a birds nest on fire while he made a make shift tripod of wooden spears, and readied a hook where the kettle would hang over the blazing fire. Not knowing much about cooking real food, but only how to make potions and healing remedies, she forced her self to stop breathing while she pulled the smelly fish out of the caldron. Olaf went to fill the caldron with water and hung it over the fire, while she looked over all the ingredients, first she threw the fish in, heads, tails, fins and all, and hand full of thyme, tarragon, rosemary and dill into the now bubbling water. She wondered if perhaps she should have gutted the fish first, but thought, ah..!!!It will make for more nutritional value. Taking some turnips, didn’t even bother to wash them .. she did not see the worms that had been inside of them thankfully..... but took her small knife from her thigh and sliced big chucks of the smelly roots and tossed them into the caldron.

Olaf stood back in awe so she thought she must have been doing a mighty impressive job. Taking a hand full of leeks, root stems and all threw them in along with some mustard and other green leaves she seen in the garden. They were all the vegetable section so she counldn't go wrong and knew they were also high in iron, or so she thought. Things were going well as the kettle began to boil and suddenly scales scoured the surface, so she took and ripped of a section of her underskirt and took a branch and make a skimmer of sorts…. And whipped off the scales and flung them in the wildflowers, to the sides of the fire, while Olaf stood back in astonishment. Now she was sure, she was doing an excellent job.

Peering into the caldron now could see everything rolling about into a massed frenzy and the smell of Meade could be strongly detected, as well as the sweet chives and horseradish. "Horseradish, * covering her hand to her mouth* OH…MY!". Dear… I think I have stumbled onto the best cure of all. * Grinning she waited for the fire to die down, and when the caldron did cool, she asked Olaf to bring it into the Servery, where they both began to ladle out the fish soup into wooden bowls and had high hopes of serving everyone in the castle her delicious soup.

Olaf didn’t seem to be too impressed, as he shook his head from side to side and whispered "Mi lady don’t ya think ah, the yer best be sampling yaw own brew here/"… "Itz ... is burin’ mi eyes mi lady*

The healer just chuckled, and with such confidence she spoke to him. “It will do them all good … heal them of all their ailments, in this I trust!” * Speaking softly* she asked Olaf to deliver the first bowl to lady letha, and as he walked away holding the bowl carefully in his large hands he mumbling to himself… and shaking her head vigorously, while his nose began running and his eyes watered he did not say what was really on his mind but he sure thought about it. Walking into the main hall, reached the lady and handed her the steaming fish brew, and bowed his head when standing his full seven feet tall and as broad as an ox.

“ Fer ye mi Lady…. shaking his head furiously… tis from the healer and make for thee first …and then I am to give all a bowl… *clearing his throat*, Tae are the first one she said should have it, she thinks it is a honor. …*. Mumbles under his red tears stained cheeks…. * she says it will cure any ailment there is… but… ah..I have ta … well I have ta …* coughs* listen to ‘er ya know,,,, so.. Please do the honors mi lady?”