Medicine | King Baldwin

56

The days crept by in the confines of the palace. Isabel, Jurian, and Aisha worked tirelessly, taking turns to ensure Simon received the care he needed.

Simon now lay weakened in the bed, his face pale and drawn. Yet, as the days passed, there were signs of recovery. His breathing, once labored and shallow, grew steadier. The violent coughs that wracked his body became less frequent, and his stomach, which had caused him such pain, gradually settled. The fever that had burned through him began to subside, leaving him drenched in sweat but no longer gripped by its fierce heat.

Despite Isabel's persistent efforts to take care of him, Jurian, Aisha, and even Agnes firmly prevented her from doing so. They all agreed that her well-being, as well as the king's, could not be jeopardized by exposure to Simon's illness.

"Your Grace." Lord Leo bowed respectfully as Isabel approached.

He had accompanied Simon on the recent journey, and when she heard of his return, she immediately sought him out for a conversation.

"Lord Leo." she greeted him. "I trust you are well after your travels? I need to discuss a few matters with you."

He straightened from his bow, his expression turning grave as he nodded.

"Yes, Your Grace. I am well, though what befell Lord Simon troubles me deeply. I am at your service, and I will share all that I know."

As they began to walk together, she questioned him about the journey, the places they had visited, and any unusual occurrences that might have contributed to his sudden illness.

"Is this all I need to know?" She inquired.

The knight hesitated for a moment, searching his memory for any other detail that might be of importance.

"The enemy, who were stationed on the other side of the river, were struck by an outbreak, according to our most reliable sources." the man explained. "But we were positioned at a considerable distance from them; there was no direct contact, so we shouldn't have been at risk."

Isabel abruptly stopped in her tracks, her face registering a mixture of shock and frustration. She turned to the man, her eyes narrowing with disbelief.

"And why was this information withheld until now?" she demanded, her voice rising with indignation. "My God." she continued. "This explains why Simon's illness came on so suddenly."

"Are you saying, Your Grace, that he contracted the disease from the enemy?" Lord Leo asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Yes. And it's possible that it wasn't just him who contracted it, but the entire Crusader army stationed there." Isabel replied, her voice laden with worry.

"With your permission, I will set out immediately to ensure that any potential infections are contained and quarantined." Lord Leo said.

"Do that." the girl nodded. "God be with you."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Lord Leo replied. He turned swiftly, preparing to address the urgent task at hand.

Isabel, her mind already racing, wasted no time. She made her way through the grand corridors of the palace and as she approached Archbishop William's chamber, she took a deep breath to steady herself, reached the door and knocked firmly.

A few moments later, a servant opened the door, and Isabel stepped inside. She was greeted by the sight of the Archbishop engaged in his daily tasks, a look of surprise crossing his face as he saw her.

"William." She began without preambl. "We have a dire situation that requires your immediate attention."

He set aside his papers and looked at her with concern. "What has happened, Your Grace?"