dG Collab - Peter's Flu

[Kai NRG]

Note: I wanted to do justice to the collab with a fairly well written and comprehensive story, so be aware, it’s pretty long. I hope you’ll enjoy it, but just to warn you don’t try and read it while you’re cooking an egg or something! Also, each picture links to its corresponding build’s thread. And last, I had to work around what others had posted, so the story does not reflect exactly the sort of things I’d want to write about. In other words, I personally would have preferred leaving out elves and love (at least the way it ended up), but it was kind of unavoidable!

Disclaimer: Please note that most of the builds are not mine!

A balmy breeze blew through the Avalonian treetops. A bird twittered as he hopped from branch to branch. Peter didn’t notice. He hung his head out the window, clutching his stomach. His pale face told its own tale. Aunt Marian put a hand on his shoulder. “Not feeling well, Peter? You’ll get better soon.” She turned to finish sweeping the front room. As she brushed the dirt out the door, Lauri, the town gossip, came along.

“What’s wrong with Peter?” she inquired, noticing his sick attitude.

“Nothing.” Marian replied brusquely. “Just a little queasy.”

“You sure it’s not the plague?” Lauri’s eyes grew wide. “It’s a terrible disease. You know it’s been going around. It starts just like this too.” Her voice grew low and mysterious. She glanced at Peter over her shoulder. “First just a little pale, a little queasy feeling, then your stomach heaves like…”

Peter doubled over at the bare mention of such a possibility. Marian rushed over to clean up the mess. “How do you dare mention such things in front of a sick boy?” she exclaimed indignantly. “What do you know about plague? Why you…”

Lauri shrugged. “Not much, I guess. But my Uncle’s boy died of it. Went green in the face, sick in the stomach, just like…”

“You keep your comparisons for yourself!” Marian spluttered. “We’ve got enough to handle! Don’t need your nasty…”

Grumbling, Lauri sauntered away.

“That… how could she! Why…”

“Do I really have the plague, Aunt?” Peter asked in a sick voice.

“Of course not, dear! Just a little flu! You’ll be over it in no time! I do hope Lauri doesn’t make trouble though…”

“Trouble, sister?” Peter’s father, Arthur, showed up at the moment.

“Oh, it’s nothing, I’ll be bound. Lauri just took it into her head that Peter has the plague, which of course is nonsense. But I don’t suppose she could do much harm even if she told half the town.” Marian shrugged it off and the trio went inside.

* * *

“Edith!”

“Yes, Uncle Arthur?”

“Did you pick those carrots?”

“Of course!”

“And the spinach?”

“Yes.”

“What about the brocco… what’s that noise?”

“Sounds like yells,” Edith answered unconcernedly.

Arthur nodded. “Wonder what they’re celebrating. Well, I was asking you…”

“Yes, I picked the broccoli too. And the parsley, and the cilantro, and the weeds!”

Arthur laughed. “Well good job then. Boy are they making a ruckus out there! Marian? Do you know what’s going on?”

Marian’s voice trailed in from the next room. “No, I don’t know. Maybe Anne could tell.”

“Anne?” Arthur’s wife came rushing in with a frightened look. “Anne! What’s wrong?”

“Look yourself, dear. It seems they’re afraid Peter has the plague!”

Annoyed, Arthur stuck his head out the window. “What on earth is going on?”

“You’re son has the plague!” one yelled. “You’re going to contaminate us all!”

“What nonsense! He’s just has a cold!”

“He has the plague! He has the plague!” the crowd yelled. In the panic and confusion, someone threw a torch at Arthur. It went far wide of the mark, but landed on the dry hay. Flames instantly started upwards. In minutes the roof was ablaze. The crowd, frightened now at the mischief they had caused, dispersed quickly. Inside the house, there was a stunned silence. No one seemed to realize what was happening. Suddenly Edith sprang to her feet.

“We need to get out!”

Instantly everything was a bustle. Anne grabbed little Eleanor and rushed out the door. Arthur and Marian made a dive for Peter. Edith, not seeing anything else handy, caught up a jar of cookies. A minute later they stood outside, watching in dismay as their home burnt to the ground. The hiss and crackle of the flames sounded like a funeral dirge to them as they watched the fire wrap itself around their dwelling. A few timid but sympathetic neighbors ventured to peek out of their windows, but most were too busy dragging their belongings out of reach of the fire to even look.

Suddenly Eleanor exclaimed, “Bon! Bon! My dog!” and rushed thoughtlessly into the house. Horrified, Arthur sprang after her. Anne and Edith, without thinking, were about to follow when suddenly the roof and wall fell in a blazing heap at their feet. Aghast, they sprang back. Stunned, they watched as the last few remains of their house were turned into charcoal. Not until there was hardly a vestige left did they turn to go – and then they realized that Marian and Peter weren’t there! No sooner did they make this discovery than a large cart, followed by a sizable group of people came at a trot down the road. Unresisting, they allowed themselves to be carried away in the rush.

* * *

“Seems awful quiet,” Alfric commented. Little particles of dirt fell from the hoe he carried slung across his back. His easy, swinging trot displayed his youth and activity.

“It does,” nodded Gavin, quickening his pace ever so slightly as his eyes roamed the street. It wouldn’t have taken a genius to discover that Alfric and Gavin were brothers. They both had the same darting look, the same easy pose, the same powerful build. Alfric’s hair was lighter, and his expression less mischievous, but the likeness was unmistakable.

“Look at that house,” Alfric pointed to the building on the corner of their street. “It looks half burnt!”

“You don’t suppose there’s been a fire on our street - do you?” As if by mutual consent, both boys broke into a run. But neither was prepared for the dreadful sight that met their view as they turned the corner.

“It’s… gone!” Gavin found his voice at last.

“What’s worse – they’re gone!” Alfric exclaimed. The brothers looked around in dismay.

“What will we do?”

Alfric put his hand to his head. “We have relatives in Calder.”

“We do?”

“Distant. Third cousin once removed, or something.” There was a constrained silence.

“Well?” And so they started on their long trek.

* * *

Along the street of Brevis came trundling a long line of refugees. Plague and Drow raids had made people wary about where they were staying. Some were moving to a larger town; others, from country residences into the village. On one side of the street stood a row of neat looking houses, on the other, the charcoal remains of burnt dwellings. From one of these a creaking sound was heard – much like a mouse in a cabinet. At last a blackened beam gave way, and a trapdoor swung open with a groan, revealing Arthur and Eleanor – and the dog.

Arthur’s heart sank as he beheld what the fires had left of his home. Even worse, where was his family? What had happened to his three sons, Peter, Alfric, and Gavin? Where was his wife Anne?

“Father?” Eleanor asked plaintively, her voice trembling. “What happened to our house? Where is Mummy?”

Tears were rolling down his cheeks as he hugged her. “It’s all right, Eleanor,” he tried to comfort her. "It’s gonna be all right…someday…”

* * *

“Aunt Marian?”

“Peter?”

“Where – where are we going?”

Marian suddenly stopped walking. She looked around her with a bewildered glance. How long had they been walking along? Where were they going? And where on earth were Anne and Edith? And why was Peter clinging to her as if for dear life? With an effort she collected her thoughts enough to remember the burning of the house. She vaguely remembered a large crowd coming through. She must have started following without thinking! And Peter must have tagged along!

“Aunt?”

“Ah… yes… I… really…” Well, thought Marian, we plainly can’t stay where we are! Might as well as make that stone building up ahead our destination! “See that house over there? That’s where we’re going. They can probably tell us what to do!”

As they reached the building Peter quickened his pace. He had been lagging a bit, but the prospect of a rest revived him. Marian pushed the wooden door open with a bit of hesitation. What if this were a… well… She screwed up her courage and walked in.

“Yes, ma’am? How can I help you? What sort of herbs can I get you? Is this boy here sick?”

Marian felt rather relieved, under the circumstances, to say that he was!

“Right in here then, I’m sure we can find a comfortable spot for him! Do you know what it is?”

“It’s a boy… ah! Yes… no… I mean, that is… someone said… really I can’t tell!” Marian trailed off hopelessly.

The herbologist smiled quietly to himself as he quickly checked the boy over. “Looks like just a common cold ma’am, no need to worry. He is a bit overly excited though, but a little rest should help that. Been having some rousing doings?”

Marian muttered something about “stirring times.”

“Yes, indeed. Well, you’re welcome to stay here for a couple days. If I may venture an opinion, you look pretty tired yourself. There’s an extra bed there,” he gestured.

“Thank you, I believe I’ll take it,” Marian sighed.

Chuckling to himself, the herbologist turned away to another patient.

* * *

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, an apple a day…”

Gavin, from the side of the road, looked at the young girl mumbling on the porch steps, unimpressed. His look turned to one of disgust as he glanced around at the miserable crowd gathered around the healer. A single glance showed that his parent’s weren’t here – and he was glad! Little children were running around, screaming and crying, adults were out of their mind with sickness or distress – Gavin shuddered. He turned to find Alfric. Rather to his surprise, he saw him still standing a little behind, staring at the girl on the steps much as though he had never seen a girl before! “What’s wrong with you, Alfric?” Gavin asked.

“So… so… lovely… and… and… she handles it so well,” murmured Alfric.

Gavin gave him a wry smile. What on earth had come over his practical brother? “Come on, they’re plainly not here!”

Alfric, a bit ashamed of himself (but not less in love), drew himself together and glanced around (though, truth be told, he didn’t see much). “Yes, you’re quite right. Perhaps if we stay for a day or two, they’ll…”

“Are you kidding?! Stay in this crazy place? You’re coming with me!” Exasperated, Gavin grabbed Alfric by his arm and dragged him down the road.

“Hey!” Alfric exclaimed, in a more normal voice. “Really, you seem to have forgotten common courtesy. We should at least stay for a few hours, to help out.”

“Now you’re talking a bit more sensibly,” Gavin nodded. “I guess we could help out a bit. But we’d better be in Khandar tomorrow.”

Alfric nodded, and the brothers went to work.

* * *

A bright overhead sun glinted through the rustling tree tops. Birds, perched on a convenient branch or soaring on a wing, surveyed the scene. Little squirrels and chipmunks darted hither and thither. Only an occasional falling leaf or cracking twig broke the breezy sound of the forest, until a dog came bounding gleefully through, glad to be free, racing and gamboling around the trees. “Bon! Bon, you silly dog!” exclaimed Eleanor as she bounded into view, with Arthur right behind her. Eleanor rushed towards the dog, which had stopped and cocked its ears upon hearing her voice. But no sooner did she touch him than he bounded away again! “Come back, come back!” Eleanor shouted, running after him. Arthur looked on in amusement. Round and round in circles went the dog, until finally, in desperation, Eleanor threw herself forward on top of him – and missed! She laughed, and sprang up again to resume the chase. Arthur joined in, too, and for a quarter of an hour they chased the dog, who seemed to regard it all as a play got up especially for his amusement! At last, panting and disheveled, they paused for breath.

“Look! Oh, look!” cried Eleanor. “A giant eagle!”

“What a beautiful bird!” exclaimed Arthur.

“Arf! Arf!” Bon added.

“Let’s follow it!” Eleanor said impulsively. And without waiting for an answer, she ran off into the forest.

“Wait a second! Where are you… oh, nevermind,” Arthur shrugged, then picked himself up and started following, along with the dog.

The eagle flew on and on and on, seemingly effortlessly. At last, when Arthur felt he could go no farther (he had long since had to carry Eleanor), it alighted on a giant tree. Wondering, Arthur looked around him. Suddenly he shivered. The tree… that tree… there was something… it couldn’t be…

From around the side of the tree an elf appeared. “Good day, sir,” he said. “I am Davor the elf. What would you like with us?”

“Perhaps you could give us shelter for a few days?” Arthur asked.

“But of course. Welcome!”

Inside, Arthur and Eleanor found an Avalonian couple. The husband seemed well, but the lady was quite sick. After a little rest, Eleanor offered to carry some water to help the second elf brew more medicine. For the next few days, Eleanor assisted with odd jobs, and Arthur helped Davor with the gardening.

______

But Arthur wanted to move on. And so one day they took a kind farewell from the forest elves, and proceeded on their way.

* * *

Bloodleaf Shrine. The very name conjured up ideas in any Historican’s brain. Site of a legend, medical research center, mushrooms… such an interesting place! No wonder Anne and Edith, when they heard of it as they wandered through Avalonia, decided to visit it.

Somehow, Edith still had a few cookies left, and she generously shared some with her Aunt. Anne was pleased to have visited the landmark, but she was a deal more concerned than Edith with finding the rest of the family. Now that they weren’t moving, Anne was on thorns. It was so hard to know what to do or where to go! So far, they had been heading towards the city of Calder, but who could say that that was a more likely meeting place than any other? While Edith reclined on the ground and took things easy, Anne paced anxiously up and down. Doing nothing was getting on her nerves!

At last Edith remarked, “You seem to be a bit preoccupied. Have another cookie?”

Anne, not noticing the last part, exclaimed hastily, “I am! How can you just sit there, when it’s so hard to know what to do?! I don’t…”

“That’s why I just sit here,” Edith interjected.

Anne, ignoring her, went on, “I don’t know if we should keep going to Calder, or stop here, or try to go to Albion – though I think that’s closed – or maybe we should…” In desperation she wheeled around and started pacing the other way. At last she came to a stop. “Come on! Let’s go!”

“Where?” asked Edith unconcernedly, slowly and deliberately putting away the rest of the cookies.

“North-west!” Anne exclaimed, tapping her foot impatiently. Now that she had decided, she was eager to be moving again!

“North-west?”

“Calder.”

“Okay.” Edith shouldered the jar of cookies and picked up the bottle of water, and the duo started, at a brisk walk, into the forest.

A couple days walking brought them to Calder. As they passed the town hall, Edith stopped to admire it. A departing official brushed past them. With one foot on the step, he paused and looked at them a bit more closely. He turned and hurried inside, where he found the governor.

“Have you executed your commission?”

“Not yet, sir. I was going to tell you though, sir, there are two ladies just outside. They don’t seem to belong to the town. I dare say…”

“They would be useful? Probably. Holder!”

A guard stepped into the room. “Sir?”

“See if you can find the two ladies that were just outside the hall. Not from this town. We could use some more volunteers,” – putting particular stress on the last word.

“Yes, sir,” Holder said hastily.

As he passed the door he called another guard to him. The started off down the street at a run, keeping an eye out on either side. “That them?” The helper motioned down a side street.

“Haven’t seen them before, myself. But it could be.” They turned down the street and soon caught up to Anne and Edith. “Excuse me, ladies. The governor would like to see you.”

“See us?! What on earth for? We’re perfectly law abiding!” Anne exclaimed.

“I believe he merely wishes to ask you a few questions,” the second guard put in. “We’re just doing our duty here, you might as well come with us.

Seeing no help for it, Anne complied. Presently they were back at the town hall. “Just a minute,” Holder said. He pushed his way to the governor at the far side of the room. “Here they are, sir.”

“Good. No force used, I hope?”

“No – just the power of the spoken word.”

“Well, I suppose it will do.” The governor looked Anne and Edith over quickly. “The older one looks like she knows something of this sort of stuff. I am sure I hope so. Right now we have a bunch of ignorant boobies. The younger one… well, I suppose she could carry water.” He raised his voice, motioning Anne and her niece closer. “I hope my guards have treated you well.”

“Tolerably,” said Anne, a bit stiffly.

“I am really very sorry, but in times like these we can’t afford to be ceremonious.”

Anne raised her eyebrows.

“The truth is, as you can perhaps see, we are using this town hall as a hospital – of sorts. We could use someone who knows a bit about such things. Did you have anything particular to do here in Calder?”

“Ah…” Anne thought for a moment. She mentally ran over a list of possible excuses… she was going to meet her husband, who was a sailor expected in the port any day now. Well, that was a lie. She was going to help out a friend of hers who owned a grocer’s shop. That would have been true, except that her friend lived in Khandar. After all, she thought, if I turn this job down, what would I do anyways?

“Your – daughter?”

“Niece.”

“Niece – seems to have caught on quickly.”

Anne half turned, just in time to see Edith shoving a few drops of medicine into a screaming baby’s throat – and spilling a good deal more. “All right, I’ll help you,” Anne decided.

“Good,” the governor sighed. “Now, if you know anything about making soup…”

* * *

“Milk and cheese! Milk and cheese! Buttttteeeeerrrrr!”

“Fresh fruit and veggies! The potato, the potato, the potaaaato!”

“Broccoli, broccoli, broccoli!”

A cacophony of discordant sounds rang though the air. Famers roared their product, housewives praised their produce, and a miscellaneous congregation of children, cows, and chickens made as much noise as such things could be reasonably expected to make. Gavin looked around in amazement. Never having been out of Brevis before, or having seen anything beyond the tiny ‘Farmer’s Market’ there, the multitude at this fair astonished him. Alfric, who had been to such things before, hurried him along. “Come on, come on! We don’t have time to waste! Let’s find a ship to Calder!” With an exasperated sigh (and a bit of mental sarcasm as he remembered a slightly different occasion), Alfric grabbed his brother’s arm and dragged him down the street. Gradually the noise of the market grew softer, and presently the boys rounded a corner and beheld the ocean!

It was a novel sight for both of them. For several minutes they stood staring in admiration, until Gavin said, “A ship!”

“Look! Is that the owner, coming toward us?”

“Looks like it!”

“Sir,” Alfric began hesitantly, “Are you going to Calder?”

“Why, yes, in fact!” Kha smiled kindly at the two boys. He wondered what two farmer’s sons – as they obviously were - were doing on the wharf in Khandar.

“Could you give us a passage, please, sir? We have no money, but we could work it out.”

Kha stroked his chin thoughtfully. He could use a couple active boys, even if it was just for one voyage. “Yes,” he replied, nodding, “I can take you. Are you ready now, or do you need to get your belongings?”

“We’re ready now, sir,” Alfric responded jubilantly.

“Well then, come aboard!”

* * *

“But… but you have to let us pass! We need to get to some sort of shelter! I can see the town of Calder from here – we can get there easily!”

“We have orders to let no one pass,” one of the guards said gruffly. “Don’t want the plague spreading.”

“But we don’t have the plague!” Marian pleaded.

“How should we know that?” the guard shrugged.

“Here’s how.” A Kaliphlinian merchant, overhearing the conversation, tossed a small bag of coins over.

The guard shuffled his feet. His comrade said, “Our orders were not to let anyone with plague pass. The two of them don’t have it, clearly,” he argued.

“I say we open up,” suggested the third guard. The first guard nodded, and the group drew back, letting Marian and Peter – and the Kaliphlin merchant – pass by.

“Thank you so much!” Marian exclaimed.

“You’re welcome, your poor boy there looked quite tired. Has he been sick?”

“Yes, he had a cold the last two days, but he’s getting over it. That’s not the worst of it though,” replied Marian, and she went on to explain the circumstances of the fire and her time with the herbologist.

“Oh, how terrible!” sympathized the merchant. “I’ll tell you what. I heard you say you were going to Calder. I have a house there, come and stay with me. My wife will be sure to make you comfortable, even before she hears your story.”

“Oh, no,” Marian said, “That is really too good of you. But no, we really can’t trespass on your kindness.”

“Did you have a place to stay planned in Calder?”

“Well, to be honest…”

“Then you really must stay with us! My wife would never forgive me if I let you go not even knowing where!”

“Thank you very much,” Marian responded, seeing that the merchant really meant what he said. “We’re very much obliged to you.”

“That’s no problem. Did you know that De Gothia has closed Benoic? He’s being careful to keep the plague out. And speaking of sickness, there’s an old man in Calder who might be able to help your son out. He studied medicine in Kaliphlin…” And so, chatting on various subjects, the merchant passed the time as they walked the rest of the way to Calder.

* * *

“Where are you from?”

“Brevis.”

“Destination?”

“Ah… that little hamlet over there?”

“I’m afraid that won’t do,” Anders said, with a slight smile. “We’re here to make sure we don’t let people with the plague pass. You two look healthy enough, but can’t you give a better account of yourself?”

“We’re in rather unusual circumstances,” Arthur replied evasively

Anders stroked his chin. “I can understand that, but I don’t think I can just let you pass. What do you say, Paul?” he asked, turning to his fellow guard.

“I think you’re right, Anders.” Paul turned to Arthur and Eleanor. “How would you mind waiting here until the patrol from Calder comes up? They could escort you to that city, and we’d have done our duty,” he suggested kindly.

“I guess Calder is as good a place as any other,” Arthur nodded. “We’ll wait.”

* * *

“Good morning, boys!” Alfric and Gavin’s third-cousin-once-removed-or-something greeted them heartily.

“Morning, Uncle,” they both replied in unison. The word ‘Uncle’ just seemed to come naturally to their lips.

“Had a good night’s rest after your journey? It’s so good to see you again. Let me look at you! Hardly got a chance to do that last night!” Daren looked at them both approvingly. In his booming voice he continued, “I was thinking about you last night. Seems to me the best thing you can do right now would be to go help out this guy named Coel. He’s an old guy with quite a reputation for treating sicknesses. I don’t say that you’d find any of your family there, but if they came to Calder, that would be the place they would end up, sooner or later! And I know Coel’s been looking for a couple of active boys. You’d just fit!” Daren smiled at the boys, pleased with his solution.

Gavin nodded. “I think that would work well, Uncle. I know Alfric here has been dying to learn more about a healer’s duties,” he said with a wink.

Alfric winced slightly at the reference, but expressed his readiness to fall in with his Uncle’s plans.

“Then consider it settled! He lives three blocks to the left and four to the right. You can go there after you finish your breakfast, I’ll go see him right now to get him prepared! And don’t forget, I’ll be expecting you to dinner!” Daren nodded jovially and left to set things up with Coel.

“He’s so nice, isn’t he?” Alfric said.

“Sure is,” Gavin responded heartily. “So is this breakfast. I’m really glad we made it here. Everything would be just perfect if we could find our family!”

Alfric had his own thoughts on what would be perfect, but he kept them to himself.

* * *

“There’s a guy here in Calder, named Coel, who’s quite a renown healer. If you would just take this note over to him – your niece is welcome to go with you – I’d like a recipe from him. If you could stop by the market on the way back, and get the ingredients, that would be great too.”

“All right,” Anne replied. “Edith? Come on, let’s go.”

* * *

The heavy tramp of booted soldiers came down the road. Arthur, carrying Eleanor, walked up close to the captain. “I’ve never been to Calder before. What is it like?”

“Oh, it’s a pretty nice town. Right now, of course, everyone is a bit scared because of the plague. By the way – I don’t suppose you need it – but if you ever have any sickness, look up Coel, the healer. He’s quite famous this a-way. He’s helped people get over lots of diseases most healers would consider fatal.”

“Hmm,” said Arthur. “I wonder where he lives?”

“Now that I think of it, Coel’s house would probably be as good a place to take you as any other. I don’t really have any orders, as far as you are concerned. I’d say it’s pretty obvious that you don’t have the plague, but since you couldn’t really tell the guard where you’re going, they did the right thing sending you with me. But if I give you a place to go, there’s no reason to take you to the governor, right?” the captain asked with a grin.

“Makes sense to me! Maybe this Koel could use a couple helpers!”

“I dare say he could find something for you to do, easily enough. Here, he’s just down this street three blocks, and over four. I think I’ll leave you alone from here – it’s kind of out of my way; the town hall is to our right a couple blocks.”

“Thank you very much!” Arthur said, as he turned down the street with Eleanor.

* * *

“And now, before I head to see our customers here, I think I’ll show you the way to Coel’s house – you know, the healer I was talking about. He’ll probably have room for you there, but I’ll be sure to check back. Not that we wouldn’t be happy to have you here, but it would be nicer for the boy, I’m sure.”

“Thank you,” Marian said warmly.

“No problems! Are we ready to go?” Five minutes in the merchant’s luxurious carriage brought them to Coel’s house. Peter in fact wished the ride were a few minutes longer! The merchant quickly had everything arranged, and left them with a cheery good bye, promising to come back and visit!

Peter submitted to the old man’s inspection, but was glad when Coel pronounced it just a common flu that was already almost gone. He eagerly explored the healer’s rooms while Marian and Coel talked about various natural remedies. Suddenly, in the downstairs entryway, Peter froze. Who – whose voice was that?! Peter held his breath, trying to distinguish the words.

“He said, three blocks to the left, five to the right! We’ve got one more to go. Look at these houses! Do they look like healer’s houses?”

“Well, I don’t know. When was the last time you saw a healer’s house? Oh, don’t tell me – but believe it or not, they don’t have to have grass on their roofs. And we’re going to see some old guy – Coel somebody or another, not a…”

“Will you please stop bringing that up?” Alfric responded in irritation.

“All right, all right. But I’m positive he said three blocks and then four.”

Alfric was about to respond, when suddenly Peter came bounding out of Coel’s house, shouting, “Aunt! Aunt! Here are Alfric and Gavin!”

From behind Peter a voice called out, “My son! My son! Peter, is that you?”

“Mother!” cried Peter. But before he could even turn around, Eleanor came racing out of the alley, followed by Arthur!

The hubbub and confusion of questions and answers and stories that followed is indescribable! At last Coel, who for quite a while had been attending to little boy who had had a pretty serious fall, noticed the commotion and made them all sit down. Even then, there was hardly one who could talk coherently, and it was days before everyone’s stories were told!

After things settled down a bit, the entire family moved back to Brevis, where Arthur found that, apart from the burning of his house, his farmland was still in a good state. They were soon able to rebuild, and move in to a much larger house than the original. Alfric and Gavin both got jobs on board a ship, but it wasn’t long before Alfric retired with enough to buy a small farm and marry – who else but Susanna the healer!

And until this very day, the whole family remembers the eventful ordeal of Peter’s flu. Sometimes, as the once again reunited family sits around the fire, Gavin remarks that, “It almost seemed like it was arranged beforehand!”

To which Arthur usually remarks, “Perhaps it was!”

Story Parts:

Phase One (Posted June 10th):

A Black Day - Bregir, Cat B

Quarantine - Niku, Cat A

Evacuation - Thomas, Cat B

Phase Two (Posted June 11th and 12th):

House of Healing - Yooha, Cat B

Overwhelming Susanna - Kabel, Cat B

Forest Refuge of the Order of Eden - Robuko, Cat B

The sanctuary of Bloodleaf Shrine - Gabe, Cat B

Phase Three (Posted June 12th, 13th, and 14th):

Drafted! - Kai, Cat B

Aiding the Refugees - Gideon, Cat A

Defending the Coast - Kayne, Cat C

Roadblock - Qiadris, Cat A

Phase Four (Posted June 14th):

The reunion - DeGothia, Cat B

[Tomsche]

Great story, love the way the whole story is progressing and being presented during all the phases!

[Scaevola]

Thanks, this is quite a useful way to organize the entries

[robuko]

Absolutely awesome. What a great write up and doesn't it look fantastic! The only thing I would suggest is to add a line or two so you can use the full dramatic majesty of Kayne's build.

[Lord Vladivus]

Great story to tie them all together!

[de Gothia]

You should really write my stories in the future! This is one good story!! Love it!

[Bregir]

Great story - really binds it all together!

Great builds all around, collaborators!

[kabel]

Great work Kai, I really love how you tied them all together, thanks a lot for so much awesome creativity!

[Kayne]

Excellent write-up Kai, thank you for taking the lead on this story! Your idea was fleshed out brilliantly by a group of builders I had a blast working with. I hope we can do more of these types of projects as it was probably the most fun I've had in GoH ever! (Other than Inside Kaliphlin )

[Gideon]

Great job writing all of these builds together and filling in the blanks (not least the ones left by us who didn't write enough...)!

This successful collaboration shows the power of the creative group gathered here in GoH, I really hope we get to see more like this!

Edited June 23, 2014 by Gideon

[Torgar]

Nice job tying all these mocs together! The collab in all the titles makes much more sense now.

[Gabe]

Great story Kai, you have a real talent for writing! Great to see all the collab mocs together like this. Thanks so much for all your hard work on this project, not to mention coming up with the idea in first place. I had a blast being part of it!

[Kai NRG]

Thanks everyone! I enjoy writing, so it was a pleasure!

Excellent write-up Kai, thank you for taking the lead on this story! Your idea was fleshed out brilliantly by a group of builders I had a blast working with. I hope we can do more of these types of projects as it was probably the most fun I've had in GoH ever! (Other than Inside Kaliphlin )

I agree, collabs are a blast!

Great story Kai, you have a real talent for writing! Great to see all the collab mocs together like this. Thanks so much for all your hard work on this project, not to mention coming up with the idea in first place. I had a blast being part of it!

Thanks Gabe! And for all your organizational work!

...Great builds all around, collaborators!

I second that, we had a really good showing here!