McIan
Journeyman
"What we have here is the result of one disaster creating another," the healer/physician explained. "The mongbats are ingesting some of the material left by the disintegrating corpses of... well... the undead corpses that are appearing randomly and are being dispatched. There is a substance, or residue, from the dead things that is mixing with their saliva causing their bite to be infectious, and dangerously so," he concluded. "We have seen five deaths from it."
Itannar and several of his closest advisors, including Abbot Imladris, stood listening. "Just what we need... another plague," he commented.
The healer shook his head. "No your Excellency, not yet. The bite alone causes the disease but there is no evidence it is transmissible from one bite victim to anyone else. The problem is the undead issue, and, by extension, the mongbats."
"What are the symptoms of the disease, and does it cause the mongbats to be more aggressive, as if they could be?" the Abbot inquired.
"It behaves like a poison. There is a fever, system weakness, chills and some muscle spasms. If the victim has eaten anything, or tries to, there are some... digestive disturbances as well."
"Meaning?" Itannar asked, seeking clarification.
"Bowel irregularities: nausea, cramping, loose movement, explosive flatula..."
"I get it," Itannar cut him off. "What about his other question?"
"Well, we have had to slaughter the infected mongbats, but they do seem to be more aggressive. I attribute that to their feeling sick also. I suppose it poisons them too."
Itannar rubbed his chin. "The key then, is to keep the mongbat population down, though that is what we have always tried to do. We never know when one of these attacks will come, but if we can reduce their numbers before and after the attacks, we may be able to limit the danger at least until this undead problem is solved."
"That seems wise," the Abbot remarked. "What about the royal guards? What is wrong with the few we have here?"
"I spoke to them earlier. They got very angry with me; they said they are doing their jobs as best they can. When I tried to describe how they looked and acted when these attacks come, they just stared at me as if I was insane. I truly believe they have no idea what is happening, or else I would have to conclude they are in on these assaults also. I refuse to believe that is possible."
"They may be under some kind of hex or spell that renders them impotent. They are not attacked, but they do not attack, either. Whoever, or whatever, is behind this planned it out very carefully, taking into consideration how the guards would frustrate their aims, and found a solution," the Abbot suggested.
Itannar nodded. "Whoever is behind it is cunning, for sure, and committed. No matter how many times we rebuff their assaults, they keep coming. I wonder if this is a smokescreen for something worse, sort of a testing phase, or a distraction - keeping us busy so they can move and act unhindered for some greater, deadlier, purpose?"
"These things are beyond my expertise," the healer confessed. "I will do all I can to assist with the present threat of the disease. You will have to handle the rest."
We are NOT handling the rest... we need to find out who is behind this... and quickly. The Crown must act soon; the entire realm is imperiled and nothing substantive is being done! Itannar mused. "I will give the order to the wardens and any citizens who wish to help, to exterminate the mongbats. I normally would never agree to such a thing; I have no desire to make any animal species extinct, but in Yew, this must be the case."
As he finished speaking, he heard warning horns sounding from several directions, all at once. He and those with him strapped on their helmets as they rushed outside to repel the latest undead attack.
Itannar and several of his closest advisors, including Abbot Imladris, stood listening. "Just what we need... another plague," he commented.
The healer shook his head. "No your Excellency, not yet. The bite alone causes the disease but there is no evidence it is transmissible from one bite victim to anyone else. The problem is the undead issue, and, by extension, the mongbats."
"What are the symptoms of the disease, and does it cause the mongbats to be more aggressive, as if they could be?" the Abbot inquired.
"It behaves like a poison. There is a fever, system weakness, chills and some muscle spasms. If the victim has eaten anything, or tries to, there are some... digestive disturbances as well."
"Meaning?" Itannar asked, seeking clarification.
"Bowel irregularities: nausea, cramping, loose movement, explosive flatula..."
"I get it," Itannar cut him off. "What about his other question?"
"Well, we have had to slaughter the infected mongbats, but they do seem to be more aggressive. I attribute that to their feeling sick also. I suppose it poisons them too."
Itannar rubbed his chin. "The key then, is to keep the mongbat population down, though that is what we have always tried to do. We never know when one of these attacks will come, but if we can reduce their numbers before and after the attacks, we may be able to limit the danger at least until this undead problem is solved."
"That seems wise," the Abbot remarked. "What about the royal guards? What is wrong with the few we have here?"
"I spoke to them earlier. They got very angry with me; they said they are doing their jobs as best they can. When I tried to describe how they looked and acted when these attacks come, they just stared at me as if I was insane. I truly believe they have no idea what is happening, or else I would have to conclude they are in on these assaults also. I refuse to believe that is possible."
"They may be under some kind of hex or spell that renders them impotent. They are not attacked, but they do not attack, either. Whoever, or whatever, is behind this planned it out very carefully, taking into consideration how the guards would frustrate their aims, and found a solution," the Abbot suggested.
Itannar nodded. "Whoever is behind it is cunning, for sure, and committed. No matter how many times we rebuff their assaults, they keep coming. I wonder if this is a smokescreen for something worse, sort of a testing phase, or a distraction - keeping us busy so they can move and act unhindered for some greater, deadlier, purpose?"
"These things are beyond my expertise," the healer confessed. "I will do all I can to assist with the present threat of the disease. You will have to handle the rest."
We are NOT handling the rest... we need to find out who is behind this... and quickly. The Crown must act soon; the entire realm is imperiled and nothing substantive is being done! Itannar mused. "I will give the order to the wardens and any citizens who wish to help, to exterminate the mongbats. I normally would never agree to such a thing; I have no desire to make any animal species extinct, but in Yew, this must be the case."
As he finished speaking, he heard warning horns sounding from several directions, all at once. He and those with him strapped on their helmets as they rushed outside to repel the latest undead attack.