The Founding Sisters #1 The Damned

Chapter 13

PORT ROYAL, NOVEMBER 1697

Long Shadow knew it was bad when she came into Port Royal. Europe was under quarantine with every major port locked down. An outbreak of yellow fever was spreading like wildfire. It didn't matter so much where it started. Quite frankly, it could have begun anywhere and had the same affect. She'd seen the state of Europe's cities. They were a breeding ground for outbreaks. The Caribbean wasn't that much better but at least there was an ocean in the way. She hoped that would be enough to prevent the spread.

She was wrong. The quarantine flags were flying from every rooftop it seemed. Interceptor met her at the harbor entrance. "If you were anyone else, I'd turn you away." She said. "But with your unique status, I'll let you pass."

"Thanks for that." Long Shadow grunted. "When did this start?" She asked.

"Two days ago. A merchant brought it with her." Interceptor replied. "Most of the fleet is down and getting sicker by the day."

"And you?" Long Shadow's senses indicated the brig was fine. She seemed to have some protection from the disease circling her.

"I'm young. And like most of the young ships in the fleet, I've been inoculated." Interceptor replied.

"Inoculation? What is that?" Long Shadow had never heard of such a thing.

"It's a new thing Exeter is trying. I don't fully understand it myself but it basically puts the disease into your system at a slower rate than normal infection would be. Which gives me time to react to it." Interceptor explained.

"Thus giving you immunity." Long Shadow nodded. "Clever. Any chance I could get that?" She asked.

"Just being around me is inoculation enough. You've been exposed to it now, whether you realize it or not. I might not be able to get it but I could pass it along." Interceptor warned.

"Duly noted." Long Shadow winced as she sensed a shift in the bond with Britannia. She inquired about the flagship and knew her hunch was right when she saw Interceptor's face.

"She's in bad shape." Interceptor said. "But Exeter can tell you better than I can."

"Fine." Long Shadow went into the healer's dock. Exeter was busily trying to find some combination of herbs that would hopefully help her patients. Long Shadow always brought some back with her from Europe and now was no exception.

"Need these?" She handed over a bundle of stems.

"Oh, thank you Long Shadow." Exeter about cried in relief as she took the offered herbs. She set to work at once as she went through them.

"How is Britannia?" Long Shadow asked. "Interceptor told me she's one of the worst cases."

"Yes. She's quite the unusual one as well. When one catches yellow fever once, they become resistant to it again. But we've never had a flagship live as long as her before. Perhaps over time that resistance fades." Exeter sighed. "It's also odd in where she's having the most trouble. In most cases, the disease attacks the liver and kidneys but with her, it's gone for her lungs."

Well that explained the slight soreness that Long Shadow felt in hers. She mentioned as much to Exeter who rubbed a wire to her face. "You might be the only ship who can help her, Long Shadow. Go to her now. She's been asking for you."

Long Shadow thought she was prepared when she went inside the flagship's berth, but she was wrong. Nothing could prepare her for the sight of her beautiful, proud Britannia lying on her side barely able to breathe. The ferryman could sense how close death was to her. Circling her and every second sinking its claws deeper into her. She whined and that whine woke Britannia who opened her eyes.