Saving The Enemy’s Pack

Chapter 30
The atmosphere inside Bertold’s room was filled with the scent of spices and the groans of the wounded.

Nalani moved quickly between the makeshift beds, moving quietly each time she touched a bandaged wound.

Her fingers were damp with sweat and the faint odor of infection.

It was the second day after the attack of the creature that used to be Karina’s father.

Nalani unwrapped the bandage on Thalpus’ arm, and examined the wound carefully.

However, she was shocked by what she saw.

The once red wound had turned a ghastly black, the surrounding skin swollen and blistered.

He hurriedly moved on to the next patient, ripping open the cloth which showed the same gruesome signs.

She found Bertold bent over the table, grinding herbs into a paste to fight infection that he had concocted by his experience. “Bertold, you must see this,” she said in an urgent tone and tried to remain calm.

Bertold turned around. He followed her to Thalpus’ bed and his face turned pale.

He examined the wound, his face darkening by the second. “This is no ordinary infection,” he muttered, examining the blackened edges of the flesh. “This is poison. A rare type that is almost undetectable at first.”

Nalani’s heart felt tight. “Poison? But how? Why didn’t we see it sooner?”

Bertold shook his head, frustration and despair in his eyes. “This poison is dangerous. It remains dormant, hiding within the skin tissue until it’s too late to stop its spread. I should have recognized the signs... This is the same poison that killed Kahn and Lorelei. It seems to have lost some potency over the years, which is why these wolves are still alive.”

“Is there an antidote?”

Bertold’s silence was answer enough. He finally spoke, his voice low and strained. “I don’t know of an antidote. This poison is very rare. Our only hope is that the poison will slowly drain out of their bodies through sweat and blood. We can only treat the symptoms and pray that they are strong enough to survive.”

Nalani’s eyes glazed over as she looked at the suffering wolves around her. “We have to do something. We can’t just sit here and wait.”

Bertold nodded, his jaw hardening. “We’ll make them as comfortable as possible. We’ll monitor them closely, and we’ll use every potion, every poultice, every spell we know to give them a fighting chance to stay alive.”

Nalani wiped her wet eyes with the back of her hand. “I will do whatever is necessary. Just tell me what to do.”

Bertold placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Calm down, child. I will try everything within my knowledge.”

A saddened Nalani walked out of Bertold’s residence. She was very worried about the victims, especially Thalpus.

Yesterday, Loup, Thalpus’ son, had visited his father for a while. Nalani saw the boy trying to appear strong in front of his father. However, when he came out of the treatment room, the boy quietly wiped his wet eyes.

Nalani had lost her parents who had died fighting the Inverno wolves. She could feel the boy’s sadness.

Someone held her shoulder as she walked down the corridor with her head bowed.

“What’s wrong?” Karyan, in his official leadership robes, stood in front of him.

“Where are you going?”

“I want to rest in my room,” Nalani replied.
Karyan saw the wet corners of Nalani’s eyes. “What happened to the victims of the attack?”

Nalani realized that Karyan should have been told about the poison. “Their wounds are getting worse because of the creature’s poison.”

Karyan’s face changed. “Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

“Do you have an antidote?”

“No, I don’t. But, you should have reported it to me, Nalani. I am the leader here. I will try to find a way out.”

“I’m sorry,” Nalani said. “I should have told you. I was too upset and sad. What if Thalpus doesn’t survive? What if Loup lost his father? I lost my father, my mother, and my grandmother when their camp was attacked. I know the pain.”

Karyan’s face softened. “You know I do too,” he said. “All right. I will find a way. I’m on my way to the hall for a meeting with the elders and advisors. I will seek their advice. In the meantime, stay calm.”

Nalani nodded. She felt relieved that she had told Karyan. The burden was shared, and she believed Karyan would do everything he could for his pack members.
***

After resting and playing with Kapoo, Nalani returned to the Bertold residence with Mita.

They spent the entire day trying to comfort the injured victims. Mita was in charge of preparing food and drink for them, and together, she and Nalani fed and watered them, even though the victims seemed too sick to be hungry or thirsty.

Night fell. Bertold had earlier asked Nalani and Mita to return to the castle before dark, warning them of the dangers that lurked outside at night, especially because of the angry creatures.

But Nalani refused. She was determined to stay with the patients, racking her brain for ways to ease their pain.

Mita had fallen asleep in the corner of the room, her head rested on the table.

Nalani was cutting cloth to use as wound dressings when she heard Thalpus scream loudly.

She rushed to his bedside.

The werewolf looked pale, and his injured arm had turned pitch black. The poison was spreading. Panic struck Nalani.

"Help," Thalpus whimpered. "It hurts so bad. It hurts more than any battle wound I've ever had. I'd rather die than suffer like this."

"You must not think of dying, Thalpus!" snapped Nalani. "What will happen to Loup if you die? Who will teach him to hunt and fight? Hang in there. I will compress your hand."

Nalani left and returned with a container of water and a clean cloth. She began to compress the poisoned arm.

She did not even think to call Bertold. She gently touched Thalpus's arm with her cool wet cloth, all the while hoping she had the antidote and healed Thalpus and the other patients.

Gradually Thalpus' moaning subsided and he began to fall asleep. Nalani was relieved and returned to her desk to tidy up the wound dressings.
***

Someone was gently shaking her body.

Nalani woke up. Noticing the light of the eastern dawn through the open window.

Mita was standing in front of her with a serious face, gesturing something.

Nalani straightened herself up. Apparently she had fallen asleep at the table while making wound dressings.

"What's wrong?" she asked Mita. The maid pointed to Thalpus' bed. Surprised and worried, Nalani scrambled to her feet and went over to him. But her worries were not confirmed.

Thalpus was awake and his face was not as pale as yesterday. But most surprisingly, his arms were no longer black.

***