Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 68: Address for Medication~

Leora had caught a cold, according to Edward. She'd likely worked herself up from the sudden change of having her brother leave home, and the horrifying events of that day had not helped. Though, her fever had settled down a little in the morning, and Edward and Jiu helped her downstairs to have breakfast with Jiu like normal; hoping that perhaps if they treated her like normal, she'd get over it quicker.
"A small cold is all it is," Edward reassured, setting their breakfasts in front of them," She's always been prone to fevers with colds, ever since she was little. All she needs is some fluids and air, and she'll be as right as rain."
Leora let out a weak hum in response, stabbing her fork into her egg, watching thd yolk's guts spill out across her plate. Jiu struggled to take his eyes off her that morning, concerned. He'd been terrified when she'd fainted on his lap the previous night. He hadn't known what to do in that moment of time. He had to drag her into the house and desperately call Edward. The servants had luckily managed to nurse her back to consciousness, but she'd still suffered from a dreadful fever that night. Though, after some rest, her fever died down. Now it was the morning all she really had was a slightly spiked fever, which made her awfully pale, and was quite drowsy. At least, that's what Leora had said all her symptoms were, but on closer inspection Jiu found her to be awfully cold and distant.

He'd noticed it the day before, but this was much worse. He blamed that circus, and that ridiculous Ellen Blight. For that morning, it felt he was sat opposite a stranger, rather than his own girlfriend.
"Oh well, it's getting to that kind of season too, isn't it?" Soren sighed, eating," After all, in comes the cold weather, and so does all those nasty germs. If anything, it's probably best you get ill now, Leora; always nicer to get it out of the way before Christmas."
Leora let out another distant hum, staring blankly at the yellow liquid, as she moved her fork around in it. Since Henry left, Soren and Edward had started dining with them at the proper dining table; along with some other servants when they got the chance.
Jiu raised an eyebrow at Leora," Will you eat?"
Leora let out yet another distant hum, her gaze not leaving the liquid. Jiu frowned, worried; Edward seemed to notice this in an instant.
"You know, there's this medication we usually get for Leora for her colds," Edward wanted to reassure him," It does a wonder for her fevers. The only issue is, the place that sells it is in London. Henry often brings her a bottle of the stuff, but we've run out of the thing. We had to administer it to Mistress Mohan after she'd suffered that heart attack and had a fever the next morning. She had several doses throughout the week."

"I'll get it," Jiu stated, firmly," I'll go to London today, and I'll get that medicine."
"Are you certain?" Soren frowned," It seems to only be a little cold that will pass over; travelling that far."
"I'll catch a train," Jiu stated," It's quicker than way. Besides, the coachman went through enough last night, I'd hate to press any more on the poor guy."
Edward nodded," Alright then. Though, I must warn you. I'm not so sure which shop the medicine is actually in, only Henry knows. You'll have to visit him. I'll write you his address, I'm sure there'll be a cab in London that can take you. Cabs are much more common there than here in the countryside."
Jiu nodded, his gaze set in a determined glare.
"Oh...do be careful in London, though..." Soren winced, looking at a newspaper," Something dreadful happened last night."
Edward raised an eyebrow," What is it?"
"Apparently they found a murder of some woman called Mary Ann Nichols," Soren muttered, eyes wide in horror," The Pall Mall Gazette are saying that on Friday 31st August 1888; a Constable, John Neil, was walking down Bucks-row, Thomas-street, Whitechapel, about a quarter to four o'clock this morning, he discovered a woman between thirty-five and forty years of age lying at the side of the street with her throat cut right open from ear to ear. The wound was an inch wide, and blood was flowing profusely. She was immediately conveyed to the Whitechapel Mortuary, when it was found that besides the wound in the throat the lower part of the abdomen was completely ripped open, with the bowels protruding. The wound extends nearly to her breast and must have been effected with a large knife. The hands are bruised, and bear evidence of having been engaged in a severe struggle. The clothes are torn and cut up in several places, bearing evidence of the ferocity with which the murder was committed. A night watchman was in the street where the crime was committed, but he heard no screams and saw no signs of the scuffle. The body was quite warm when taken to the mortuary at half-past four this morning."

Jiu groaned at the thought. How many people had died last night? First Ellen Blight; now this Mary Ann Nichols person. Well, at least the brutal nature of the death had left Ellen's in the dust. After all, it wasn't uncommon for beast tamers to perish; if not from the beast, from the drugged lifestyle that came with circus life.
Edward winced," How horrible. Though, I'm not quite surprised; Whitechapel is an awful place to be. Steer clear of it on your journey Jiu."
"I will, don't worry," Jiu nodded.
Edward scribbled Henry's address onto the slip of paper with a sigh, handing it to Jiu.
"I'll go now, catch a train," Jiu nodded, his gaze set in a determined expression," Look after Leora whilst I'm gone, please?"
"Of course," Soren smiled, reassuringly," I'll even take her out to the garden to get some air. Besides, she wanted to add flowers to your portrait, I believe."
Jiu nodded. He gave Leora a quick peck on the cheek and she, yet again, hummed distantly in response as the general turned away and left.