Jewel of Camelot

Chapter Six: The Mark of Nimueh part two

Two days later Juliana had joined Gaius and Merlin in their chambers, examining the newest victim affected by the plague. At the moment they still had no leads on what was causing this and the body count was continuing to rise.

"What's different about this victim?" Gaius asked as Merlin leaned closer to look at the body

"Uh, She's a woman?" Merlin replied hesitantly.

Juliana rolled her eyes, "Wow, beautiful detective work there, little brother."

"Sometimes I do wonder whether your magical talents were given to the right person." Gaius chuckled as Merlin turned and stuck his tongue out at his sister, "Care to wager a guess, my dear?"

Juliana walked over and looked down at the poor woman, "She a courtier."

"Well what difference does that make?" The younger sibling questioned.

"Courtiers rarely go down and fraternize with the people in the lower towns." Juliana informed him calmly as she continued to look over the body.

"Yes," Gaius nodded, "Which suggests the disease is not spread from physical contact."

"And they probably ate different food." Juliana offered.

Merlin nodded, starting to understand, "I doubt they even breath the same air."

"So what's the only thing they do share?" The physician asked them.

Merlin and Juliana looked up at each other, "Water."

"You think the disease is spread through the water?" Merlin asked, surprised.

"Merlin, you're a prodigy." Gaius smirked sarcastically as he handed him a bucket.

Merlin grabbed it and turned to exit the room to go collect some water.

Juliana and Gaius waited in the chamber for him to return, working on some minor remedies to replenish his stocks.

Suddenly Gaius' door was thrown open and a hysterical Gwen ran into the physician's chambers.

"Gwen?" Gaius and Juliana turned to look at the young girl as she came to stand before the older man; Merlin, not too far behind, stopped in the doorway.

"Gaius." She cried.

He tried to subtly look her over, "You have the sickness?" he questioned, assuming the worst.

She shook her head, "My father. Please, Gaius, he's all I have."

"Gwen," He sighed sadly, "I have no cure."

"I am begging you..." The poor girl wept.

"I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve."

Juliana walked over and grasped her hand, "I'm so sorry, Gwen."

Gwen let out a sob and ran out of the room, Merlin and Juliana looking on in sorrow.

"Poor Gwen." Juliana sighed sadly as she looked over at Gaius, "I wish we could help."

"There must be something we can do." Merlin questioned, looking to the physician.

Gaius grabbed the bucket of water from him, "Let's hope that this can provide some answers."

"But that'll be too late for Gwen's father." The younger man protested, if he could just use his magic...

"I fear you may be right." Gaius agreed as Juliana put some of the water in a jar, and placed a flower in it.

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