Absolution (closed)

[KieranSoares]

When Kitty and the children arrived, the house was empty, but many of Vincenzo and Valentina's belongings were gone along with a large supply of medical items, and Vincenzo's horse. A note was left on the kitchen table for Kitty in Vincenzo's hand, telling her that he believed Valentina might have a serious illness and he was going to quarantine her at Carmena's home. He simply wrote that if the sickness was what he thought it was, he and Carmena were already immune.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kitty felt her blood run cold when she read the letter, worried out of her mind with what it could be that Valentina had.

“Love, ride to Carmena’s and talk to Vincenzo.” Kitty asked Brogan, knowing that he and Boar could make it there quicker than any of them could.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan didn't question his mother, heading outside for one of the horses to head southeast toward Carmena's home. Boar ushered the twins inside, hoping to keep them from worrying as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kitty fed the twins and Boar, getting them settled for the evening and trying to encourage them that everything would be alright. Kayla insisted on sleeping with Ashien, scared for her little sister and needing some kind of comfort. Kitty put a pot of tea on to boil and waited by the window, wondering when Brogan would return with news and hoping that Vincenzo had simply misdiagnosed Valentina.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan came riding back well past midnight, carrying another note from Vincenzo with strict instructions to search the house for signs of mice or rats, and to give everyone a thorough bath including Ben and the horses, and a full check-over for fleas. He also enclosed directions for putting together a concoction that, when smouldering and smoking, would ward off most insects.

He finally explained all of the panic at the end. Valentina had contracted bubonic plague. It was not contagious between humans, but it was carried by fleas and some insects, and those insects were carried by animals and often rats especially. Vincenzo specifically instructed that Ben was to be shown to any signs of rats, as he would be the one to hunt and kill them most effectively. There were also rat traps in the garden shed should Ben not be enough.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kitty was reading the note and she knew that Boar and Brogan could see the panic on her face. "Do as he says and start cleaning everything. Don't wake the twins." She said, her heart pounding as she thought about Valentina.

"If anyone else comes down with symptoms, they are to go to Carmena's straight away." She knew that Valentina very well might die from this and she was beside herself with worry and grief.

 

[KieranSoares]

The two prepared to do as she asked, but Brogan could see how deeply bothered Kitty was. "He said it wasn't contagious, Ma," he reminded quietly. "Y'can go see Val if you need to. We've got th'twins handled."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will in the morning. We have too much work to do here." Kitty said as Brogan told her to go to Valentina.

Kitty took care of Ben, washing the cat as he patiently waited for her to do what she needed to do. As Boar took care of the horses and Brogan looked for any signs of rodents, Kitty also started to burn the herbs that Vincenzo had suggested.

 

[KieranSoares]

The smoldering herbs, set by the front door after being wafted through the house, had a sage scent that filled the air quickly, and Ben entirely avoided going near it unless absolutely necessary. Brogan and Boar set several traps in the garden, finding no sign of rats in the house. It was well past midnight before they finished cleaning and searching and finally went to bed after baths and checks of their own.

 

[heartofcourage]

"If she dies, I'll have failed everyone." Kitty said softly to Brogan as they sat in the living area well after Boar had gone to bed. "I promised Ashelin that I'd keep her safe."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ma, you can' blame yourself fer somethin' absolutely no one could've prevented," Brogan reminded softly. "Even Vincenzo couldn't, an' he's dealt with plague before."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm sure that he's a nervous wreck." Kitty said, knowing Vincenzo's background with the plague. "I just hope that she holds on for us all."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Get some sleep, Ma. This next week 'r so is gonna be tough." Brogan rose and kissed her cheek, going to check on the twins before he went to bed himself.

 

[heartofcourage]

The next morning, Kitty was up right and early. She made sure that the children were fed before she had Brogan hitch up a wagon to take her to Carmena's house. She gave strict instructions to the twins and Boar that they weren't to cause mischief and they needed to keep an eye out for all of the things that Vincenzo had warned for.

 

[KieranSoares]

When they arrived at Carmena's home, they found Vincenzo in the yard carefully inspecting his horse after a bath, making sure the mare didn't have any fleas herself. He looked up as Kitty and Brogan pulled the small wagon in, and Kitty could immediately see by the shadows under his eyes. He hadn't slept the previous night.

"Cara mia," he murmured, stepping over to help her down. "Any sickness among the others?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Not so far. We all seem to be just fine." Kitty said as Vincenzo helped her down from the wagon and she wrapped him up tightly. "How is she? I've been worried sick all night since we got your last letter."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not well. She can't eat or sleep and she has a terrible fever." Hugging Kitty tightly, he sighed quietly. "She's been crying for Ashelin all night... I don't think she's quite lucid."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We're here to do what we can for her." Kitty said as Vincenzo hugged her tightly. "Brogan and Boar can take care of your hours and the twins. I'm staying here."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I have to finish with my mare. Go on inside. Mama is with her." He sent her toward the house, welcoming Brogan to help him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kitty nodded, leaving Vincenzo with Brogan as she stepped into the house. She saw Carmena rocked Valentina in the front room, the little girl crying on her grandmother's shoulder. She paused and took in a deep breath, steadying herself.

"Mummy..." Valentina whimpered again, her dark brown eyes dull and unfocused, begging for the one person that couldn't help her right then.

"Hello, little love." Kitty said softly, brushing her damp hair aside.

"I want my mummy." Valentina said again, her eyes turning towards Kitty as Carmena quit rocking.

"I know, love. I do too." Kitty said as she crouched down next to her. "But your mummy is gone. Remember?"

Valentina went quiet for a long moment when Kitty said that, tears falling as something in her brain registered that Ashelin had died.

 

[KieranSoares]

Carmena sighed softly, pressing the back of her hand to Valentina's forehead to check on her fever. "Do you think you can manage some more water, bambina?" She asked softly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina nodded as her grandmother asked her about water, Carmena's hand cool against her forehead. "Cold water."

Kitty moved aside, holding out her arms for Valentina. She took Carmena's spot in the chair, holding Valentina tightly as the little girl fretted.

"It's alright, little love." Kitty said softly, kissing her burning brow. "We're going to get you all better when this is said and done."

 

[KieranSoares]

Carmena returned shortly, bringing cool water from a barrel in the cellar. She helped support Valentina and helped her drink as much as she could manage.

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina drank a little before she was exhausted, leaning against Kitty's shoulder as Kitty held her tightly. "Where's Papa?"

"He's outside checking to make sure that no one else gets sick." Kitty said softly, brushing Valentina's hair out of her eyes. "Close your eyes, little love. We're all here. We just need you to rest."

Valentina rested her head back on Kitty's shoulder, struggling to get comfortable. Kitty gently crooned to her, not really talking about anything in particular. She could feel Valentina trying her hardest to relax and when it finally happened, the little girl drifted off to sleep.

 

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo eventually entered with Brogan, immediately checking on Valentina. "She isn't developing any of the swelling some people have around their neck and chest... That's a good sign," he murmured to Kitty and Carmena. "But the fever is getting worse... and it doesn't seem like she can keep down anything but water in small amounts... Any medicine I give her just makes her nauseous."