A Cup of Cure
Morning sun falls through the gabled dormer in the attic room illuminating a small spot over the bed where Danby and his daughter Nua are sleeping. Danby awakes, his head still heavy from a night of drinking to numb his pain. Bleary, his eyes chase the beam of light moving across. He notices the rest of his body had only stopped aching for the night.
After Danby and Nua have both gotten up and packed their little belongings they head out. They had made rest in a little village just beyond the southern border of the Metheglin Meadows. Where they saw distant lights the evening before a settlement lies hidden behind a veil of mist on the coast. They take a small trail leading northwards. Dew drops glisten in the sun as they continue on the arbored path past orchards, farms, and fragrant flower meadows. Wandering farther afield hills start to appear on the horizon. A towering stronghold sitting in the middle of the hillside.
Eventually Danby and Nua reach the gate, the sun nearly at its zenith. A guard eyes them carefully before asking: "What brings you to the Reserve?". Danby extends his arms forward, palms facing the sun, like a beggar collecting alms as he answers: "I fear the plague has befallen me. Word is the people of the Metheglin Meadows have found a way to deal with the sickness. We come here to beseech help from your healers." "Pay up then." the guard replies. Danby looks confused. "No entry without token." the guard says with a faint smile while tapping on a metal disc with the letter 'G' on it he's wearing around his neck.
Begrudgingly Danby pays the man. Now wearing tokens lettered 'M' they enter. Another guard points them to a long queue. Hours go by as they stand in line. Danby wanted to step out for a moment to buy a drink but all side streets were blocked off by guards. Finally they reach the end of the queue and are lead into a dimly lit antechamber.
"From?" the To'resk sitting at the desk before them asks. "North-Feann." Danby answers. "More specific, please." the scribe demands. While Danby gives their name and address Nua takes a look around. A doctor wearing a pointy mask. To the side a long shelf with flasks, bottles, and various utensils. Behind a doorway a long hall with multiple occupied beds.
The masked one approaches Danby: "Let me take a look at you." After a short examination and asking Danby what ails him the doctor shines a lantern at Nua, studying her pale skin before turning to Danby again: "Drasean mother I presume?" – "Yes." – "Feels well?" – "Yes." – "Been with you since you fell ill?". – "Yes."
The doctor nods thoughtfully while fetching several items from a cabinet: A disc inscribed 'I', a piece of paper and a cup. He hands the token to Nua: "Wear this instead." before taking a bottle from the shelf and filling up the cup.
"Is this the Metheglin?" Danby asks.
"It's a Metheglin. Any such preparation is a Metheglin but this is the one you need." the doctor replies giving the cup to Danby.
Danby lets the concoction run down his throat, honey sweet with a herbal bitterness and peculiar nutty aftertaste. His pain starts slowly subsiding as if sucked out by leeches. His mood brightens. "Better, right?" the doctor says. "To complete the process you will travel eastwards along the river. It's safer for your daughter to stay here. Sign this document. We will care for her.".
After signing and saying goodbye to Nua two guards lead Danby through a backdoor and out of the city. He feels lightheaded. Each step forward beclouding his mind. The guards help him walk before sending him on his way.
Suddenly, he feels cold. Leaving the stronghold behind he steadily moves on, past a monastery where local monks produce the honey for the Metheglin. Occasionally their weary eyes meet his gaze. He comes by a fishing village. The worn boats laying there quiet, as if they haven't been used in a long time.
The sun begins to set. A strange sensation of calmness takes over him as he reaches a settlement on the coast. He feels at peace. Only three words on his mind as the waters of the river the guards had thrown him in carry him out to the sea: "Nua is safe".
