The Visund has arrived at Joth at the same time as the edge of the Rains rolls over the Great Valley. The ship must somehow be unloaded and safe shelter found for the crew, but Eriana is indisposed and medical help takes priority. A nearby establishment may be just the place to take her.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

104 - At the Clinic

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2025 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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At the bottom of the ladder they were greeted by a man who, dressed in the customary enveloping wet-weather gear, looked just like everybody else.

He shouted, "Welcome back to Joth, Mistress Ursula."

The voice was familiar but in the dim light under the gatehouse - and the light outside being little better - she struggled to remember who it might be.

She shouted back, "I must apologize, dressed this way and in this light, everyone looks the same. Who are you?"

The man bowed. "I must in turn apologize, Mistress. You may remember me, I am Count Luthan, we have met before. If you would climb aboard the wagon, please. We have already loaded Her Highness and some few other women. Inside the warehouse it will be easier to speak."

"As you wish, My Lord."

So much water was coming down that the feet of Ursula's boots were already covered by the excess which was flowing out through the gate and towards the river. She turned to find that, backed partly under the gate, a covered wagon stood beside the ship. Several faces could just be seen aboard who might have been the other women from the crew. Tyra helped Ursula climb aboard and then followed. There she found, beside the stretcher bearing Eriana, most of the women except Bennet and Semma, with Hashim's family squashed against the front along with Kaldar.

With most of the wagon being outside the gatehouse arch the noise from the rain was deafening. Wondering if the roof would withstand the downpour she looked up to find the whole wagon body was made of carefully-crafted wood panels, well able to withstand the forces involved. Luthan waved a hand and the wagon lurched into motion, traveling a very short distance before entering one of the warehouses which were situated either side of the Dock Gate. Once completely inside the noise eased somewhat and men came forward to help the occupants out.

Ursula turned and studied her surroundings as the others climbed out. The warehouse was long, the ground level being completely empty apart from the reception committee and the Visund's crew, everyone clad in the customary yellow waterproofs. As yet there appeared to be little water coming into the building from the doors. Covering about three-quarters of the floor space, and reached by a ramp, a mezzanine could be seen in the dim lantern light. This was about five strides up, supported by brick columns and appeared to be packed with sacks and crates.

Luthan joined them, his gear streaming with water. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the pounding on the roof. "If you would all join the others under the mezzanine, please."

"Mistress?" That was Tyra. "What about Her Highness?"

"Leave her in there for now," Ursula decided. "It is obvious we cannot remain here for long."

"As you say, Mistress," Luthan confirmed. "If you would join the others yonder, it will be easier to speak and be heard."

Under the mezzanine the goods above, and the well-built roof above that, muffled the rain sufficiently that normal conversation was possible. Luthan walked forward, removing his cape and hood, and gestured for everyone to gather around him, particularly beckoning Ursula to his side.

"Mistress, if I may ask you to repeat what I am about to say to those of your crew who may not speak our tongue so well. I know that you are familiar with the tongue of Her Highness."

"And several others, My Lord. I will do as you request."

Luthan turned. "Friends, welcome to Joth, or in many cases, welcome back to Joth. I am Count Luthan of Hulmar, my father the Duke bade me come to welcome you to our city and to explain what we must needs do now. The water coming down outside is too powerful for anyone to travel any distance presently, even inside the city. It will relent somewhat but only perhaps in two to five days time.

"Until then we have arranged for most of you to lodge with the fisher folk of Foti Lane who reside close enough to safely reach today, many of whom I know you already account friends. Later, when the tumult outside reduces to that of a mere storm it is possible that many of you could move to other lodgings in the city should you so desire.

"For now I will make arrangements with Mistress Ursula here for you to help bring your belongings inside the warehouse where they may be stored above, away from the flood. For this we will use the wagon you see just inside the entrance."

Luthan remembered who was still in the wagon. "Ah, to discover that Her Highness is not well, that is unexpected. She is presently laying in the wagon and I must find out what we can do to help her before the wagon can be used for any other purpose."

He turned back to Ursula. "Mistress, if you would explain what has happened to her."

"Her Highness is not injured but has had what I would describe as a mental breakdown," Ursula explained, loud enough for everyone to hear. "She has had too many matters to manage, she has suffered too much stress. I had to sedate her - give her something to keep her quiet - because she was about to do something which could have threatened all our lives and risked the ship. She will recover but it could be a long process."

"I understand, I have seen it affect men when we were fighting those of Yod. But she cannot remain here, I deem. It is not a suitable place for anyone's patient."

Ursula cast a glance around. "I agree. What about the Clinic? That is, what, four streets away? Could we reach that in the wagon?"

"The Clinic! I had forgotten about that!" He looked doubtful. "Aye, that is about as far as I would risk the wagon. I do not know if anyone is there now or what may be there, should anyone require the services of a healer. There may not even be any food or firewood stored there."

"I cannot believe that the Clinic would be left unoccupied over the Rains, My Lord. After all, people are still going to have accidents and so on. Besides, the wagon has to come back here whether we stay or not so if the Clinic is empty we can just come back with it."

Luthan nodded. "As you say, Mistress."

She gave him a small smile. "Oh, and while we are here, calling me Mistress is fine but you should know that I am now a senior officer of the Federation Navy and my rank is Director of Welfare."

"Do you tell me? My apologies, ah, Director. For Her Highness, it would be better if she was taken as soon as possible, despite the delay it will cause in unloading your ship. By your leave, I must needs ask for volunteers to haul the wagon to the clinic and back."

Ursula held up a finger. "My Lord, that will not work. If we are going to the Clinic those who are going - and it could be a number of us - could be stuck there some days, by your account. We would require at least a change of clothing and some of our other belongings. I for one will want to have a good wash when I get there and I am sure that many of our other women will too."

Luthan frowned. "Other women? Surely you and your maid would be all that attend Her Highness?"

"My Lord, it is not that simple. Tyra is now more my companion than just a maid and may even be entitled to call herself a woman-at-arms. Her Highness now has two maids of her own and she has also adopted a boy who is twelve years old." Ursula paused, thinking. "We could probably manage without her own armswomen, Bennet and Semma, and my journeyman healer, Karan, could probably remain here with the others as well. Oh. I have just realized a point which may become important to you and to those who live in Joth."

"Director?"

"Our company now includes a number of new travelers who come from other lands. Some of those are Yodans who, I might add, have all given Her Highness their oath. That includes her two maids and my journeyman as well as," she counted up, "four others, two of whom are members of my staff. All of those want no more to do with Yod but your people may not see matters the same way."

"Yodans! Maker, I did not expect... Never mind, we must needs deal with that another time. How do you advise that we should proceed, then, in moving people?"

"My Lord, the ship needs to be emptied so that we can all find our belongings and take whatever we need, or Her Highness needs, with us. I suggest that, with the aid of our men that can be done fairly quickly. We can then load up what will be needed to go to the Clinic and get that journey out of the way. Perhaps while we are transferring Her Highness some of the men could be helped to their lodgings. I do not know if that is possible."

Luthan nodded thoughtfully. "You are good at this, Director. Aye, I agree. Let us do it while we are all still fresh enough."

Orders were issued and Eriana's stretcher was carefully lifted out and placed to one side. A number of Norse then climbed into the back of the wagon. Locals went to the front of the wagon which Ursula now saw had a drawbar which was fitted with four crossbars, meaning eight men on foot could pull it. The wagon was turned in the empty warehouse and headed out the double doors into the rain.

Ursula took the time while they were waiting for the wagon to reappear to check Eriana's condition. The Princess appeared to be sleeping deeply and could not be roused.

I only roughly estimated the dosage. I wonder if I overdid it? I do not think that anything bad will happen if I had but she might wake up with a hangover.

Wouldn't be the first time!

She also had a word with the other women, all of whom had gathered together away from the men. The children made another small group nearby, under the watchful eye of the women.

"Matta, Vellana, you heard? We are going to take Her Highness away from here in that wagon to a place called the Clinic. This is a new establishment for the sick and injured of Joth but for now I doubt there are many people there. If you go with her you'll be away from most people in Joth who would of course all be strangers. What do you say?"

"We will come, of course, Mistress," Matta replied. "She will need us to attend her until she is well again, and again afterwards. What is this place like?"

Ursula had to think about that one. "I can tell you but I doubt that either of you will understand the description. It is a converted weaving loft four streets away from here. There are three floors but, like this place, I imagine that the ground level will become flooded like this warehouse will be, so will be empty. The middle floor is where patients recover until they are well enough to go home and the upper floor is offices, storage and where we will actually do some of the difficult parts of healing when required. Her Highness will likely remain on the middle floor the whole time."

They both frowned. Vellana asked, "Will we have to climb up and down stairs all the time, Mistress?"

"No, there are ramps and I doubt you will have much reason to go to the other floors anyway."

"We'll come," Matta confirmed. Vellana nodded.

"Thank you." Ursula turned to the others. "I have no idea what facilities are there so, to begin with at least, I do not want to take too many more. I will take Kaldar, for reasons you know, and probably Ketko. For everyone else it looks as if His Grace has found room in Foti Lane although you'll probably be split up." She grinned. "Don't worry, all the housing is in two blocks and the dwellings in each block are connected by a deep covered balcony. You might sleep in different dwellings but you should all be able to visit each other easily and under cover. Bennet, Semma, are you happy with this arrangement?"

"Director, our commands from His Majesty are to remain with Her Highness," Bennet replied, "but the circumstances are unusual. I did expect to be back in the palace by now! But I can understand what you suggest and I am content to reside in Foti Lane until called for."

Semma added, "As she says, Director."

"Thank you. I'm sure Lord Luthan will inform us when it will be safe to transfer to the Duke's Mansion and there you can resume your duties as before."

"It is not so, Director," Bennet disagreed. "Her Highness now has maids for her personal needs and we will all be safe inside the Mansion. We will, of course, be required should Her Highness venture into the city or beyond but otherwise I imagine we will spend much of our time training with His Grace's men."

"Oh. Yes, things will be different, won't they? I'm sure we'll manage."

Semma said, "Director, if we may travel with you to the Clinic. We may not desire to stay there but you do not yet know what or whom is there. There may be trouble. We can always return with the wagon once it is known to be safe there."

Ursula grimaced. "I was trying to avoid taking too many people, Semma, since we'll have chests as well as people aboard this time. You do raise a good point, though. Let us see what space there will be when we load the wagon."

It seemed that some time passed before the wagon reappeared, water streaming from both the wagon and the men who had pulled it. Once completely inside the warehouse the Norse, who had kept dry inside the wagon and beneath the Visund's awning, climbed out and began unloading what they had brought. Ursula walked over to them.

«Did you have any problems?»

Tor replied, «No, Director. There is a little water inside at the stern but it has not affected any of our belongings. The man from the Mansion,» he pointed to the yellow-clad figure supervising the unloading, «asks us to empty the ship so it will be easier to move. We will need at least another journey to do that. Can Princess wait that long?»

«I am not sure that she will awaken for some time, Tor. Do what you need to. I will look after her.»

«Yah, Director.»

«Uh, did he say what they were going to do with the ship? I cannot imagine that anyone will remain aboard so it is going to be abandoned in the rain, possibly for some weeks.»

Tor nodded. «If the awning does not collapse then the Visund will be moved outside the walls, Director. They have moored some of those pontoons to the wall in such a way they will rise as the river rises. The Visund will be berthed to those pontoons.» He added with a shrug, «If too much water gets in and it sinks, we should be able to salvage it when the river level goes down again. It wouldn't be going anywhere except down.»

Ursula thought about this and then nodded. «They probably have a number of vessels stuck here when the Rains come, so must have procedures for dealing with them.The only difference is the Visund is an unusual shape and big.»

«Yah. Okay, time for next load.»

Ursula smiled. «Okay?»

Tor shrugged. «Princess Garia's words are everywhere, Director. Makes sense, too.»

He moved off to issue instructions and Ursula watched the proceedings. The unloaded material had been placed away from the entrance, under which water had now begun spreading across the floor. Others of the welcoming committee were taking the items and carrying them up the ramp to be stored safely away from the flood.

"Mistress, should we be checking what they take above? We might need some of those chests."

"Of course. There is no point taking them up if we have to bring some of them down again. Let's go."

Some conversation to the men meant that the items they might need at the Clinic were separated and stashed at the lower end of the ramp while everything else was carried to the top. The wagon reappeared as they were finishing and the next batch was unloaded, the wagon then disappearing again. When it arrived once more it was full of oars, some spare cordage and the rolled-up canvas of every scrap of sail the Visund had carried. Tor came over to them.

«We were told to bring it all in, Director, since the oars could get lost and the sails would surely rot.»

She nodded. «A sensible precaution, Tor. They must do this kind of thing every year, after all. Will the sails be looked after, do you know? Left in here, with water all over the floor, the sails could still rot.»

«Yah, Director. We will be able to come down later on and air the cloth out, even with water below.»

With the ship emptied, the wagon was filled with the nine chests Ursula thought they might need and Eriana was carefully placed aboard on top of them. The selected few climbed in and found room to stand, sit or squat. Outside, only Ursula remained as Luthan called for seven volunteers, who all turned out to be Norse crew members.

"Seven? An unusual number, My Lord."

"I will be the eighth, Director. I must needs go since none of your crew will know the way. The wagon has a seat for the wagoneer but if I sat there I could not tell those at the front when to turn or stop, so I will be one of those at the front bar."

"Are you sure? I know the route is reasonably flat but in this rain..."

"Aye. Ask me when we arrive, Director. If you would climb aboard now."

The wagon was less crowded than when they had transferred from the ship but the chests made movement awkward. The front and back had tarpaulin curtains which were mostly closed, allowing a small amount of light to enter under the overhanging roof while keeping the water out. There was a shout, a jolt and then the wagon was turning, rolling through the open doors and out into an unbelievable level of noise.

Now I know why Luthan couldn't give instructions to the pullers. Wow! I just hope nobody's hearing is damaged by all this.

Looking out through the gaps in the curtains showed absolutely nothing front or back. The rain hid everything.

How is he going to find where we want to go? I am amazed by the bravery of that man.

The wagon seemed to rumble along the half-drowned street for ages, stopping several times, once for what seemed like a long time and she wondered if there had been some problem. Eventually it turned off and rumbled along another street - she supposed - before halting again. This time there was a longer wait before another abrupt turn, a short ride and then they were suddenly into blissful silence.

The tarpaulins were twitched aside and a female voice called in, "You can climb out now."

The passengers all laboriously climbed out, most removing their capes and headgear with relief. Nearly all had remained completely dry, having transferred from ship to warehouse and from warehouse to clinic without suffering the deluge at all, which meant that they had become sweaty inside their rain gear. By contrast their team of pullers were leaning against the walls, too exhausted to even remove their dripping gear.

Ursula managed a quick look around the single gloomy space, expecting it to be empty except for the ramp climbing above, but finding that it was partly filled. The carriage had disappeared, doubtless to somewhere safe from the rising waters. Instead, filling the back half of the space was a grid of odd, box-like containers resting on the floor, each loosely roped to the ones around it. These containers were each filled with a stack of cut firewood.

Ah. Those will float up with the water as it rises. No need to make them navigable, they are just for internal storage so can be a simple structure and yet they will keep the contents dry.

"Oh! Mistress Ursula! Welcome back."

Ursula turned to the woman who had spoken, discovering a strange face. "Mistress, I do not know you."

"It is true, Mistress, but all in Joth now know you at least by sight. I am Healer Hanida, one of Senia's colleagues and I welcome you and those with you to Joth's clinic. My Lord there tells me you bring a patient to us, is there any need for urgency in their treatment?"

"It is Her Highness who is our patient, Hanida. She suffered... something like a panic attack during our journey and I was forced to give her something to calm her."

"Oh. Then -"

Luthan joined them, his face showing the strain of their short journey. "Mistresses, if I may suggest that we ask everyone to climb the ramp, I do not know how soon the waters will rise in this part of the city."

Hanida started. "As you say, My Lord!" She turned and frowned at the pullers. "Maker! These are Her Highness's men, I deem. Do they yet understand our tongue, Mistress?"

"Most now do, Mistress, but some of them may not speak so easily yet," Ursula replied. "I will translate if needed. Do we take off our wet weather gear down here or above? I would not want to carry the water up with us."

Hanida pointed. "As you say. We have provided pegs along the ramp there, to hang waterproof attire on. If the water rises so far then we can always move them higher, they will have dried by then."

"Ah. Thank you."

Ursula relayed this information to the Norse who began to slowly take off their waterproofs. She saw that many were so drained that they could barely hold their garments, so asked the girls to collect them and hang them up for the men. The Norse then began slowly making their way up the ramp.

There were two men with Hanida and they managed to extract Eriana's stretcher from the wagon and start taking it up the ramp as well. The healer looked at what was left in the wagon and turned to Ursula.

"So many chests! I did not expect... Do all of you intend to remain here in the clinic? We might struggle to provide for so many."

Ursula shook her head. "No, Mistress, the men who pulled us here are going to take the wagon back to the warehouse beside the gate so that the others in the crew can be taken, with their baggage, to Foti Lane until the rain slackens. You may recognize Guardswomen Bennet and Semma, who normally travel with Her Highness, they came with us in case there was any problem here but as all seems peaceful they will return with the wagon."

Hanida nodded to the two. "Welcome back, ladies."

Ursula considered her next words carefully. "By your leave, I would prefer to remain here with Tyra, my companion, along with Vellana and Matta," she gestured, "who are now Her Highness's personal maids. We have also brought the young boy there, Kaldar, who Her Highness has adopted, and also Master Ketko, a traveler from a distant land who has joined Her Highness's company. Will that be too many for you?"

"Personal maids? A traveler? Curious." Hanida smiled at Ursula. "Yes, we can find room for those you name. We have days of hard rain, doubtless you will find time to tell me what I need to know about these new folk. We will have plenty of bells to fill, after all."

"As you say."

Bennet and Semma pulled out a chest and began lugging it up the ramp. Ursula looked at Tyra.

"Can we manage a chest, do you think?"

"Some of them are not too heavy, Mistress. If we may try one? It will save the men and Bennet and Semma some journeys."

Hanida looked at the pair. "Are you sure? It is not a woman's job, I deem, but the days of the Rains are strange days."

"We'll manage," Ursula assured her.

"Then, by your leave, I will go above and start some water boiling. These fine men should have a hot drink before they pull that wagon away."

As Hanida walked away Ursula turned to Kaldar and Ketko, who had stood nearby, not knowing what to do.

"I do not know if you two can manage it, but could you carry my basket and bag up the ramp, please? We might need them above but we will be carrying a chest which I don't think either of you should be doing yet."

Ketko made a slight bow. "Of course, Honored Mother... ah, should I call you Director this time?"

Ursula smiled. "I do not really mind, Ketko. Let's get all this above so that the water cannot reach it."

By the time that Ursula and Tyra had carried a second chest up the ramp and stacked it tidily along with all the others the pulling crew had revived somewhat and all were now standing around the corridor in the middle level with steaming mugs in their hands. There was also a basket of fresh fruit from which Hanida encouraged all to take from, saying that it would help their energy going back and also prevent the fruit from possibly being wasted.

"You see," she explained to the others grouped around her, "we must needs exist on what foods we can store before the Rains come, since, as you now know, it becomes impossible to go out and collect more once it begins. That means eating the fresh food first before any of it goes off, and whether we can eat it all depends on how many are here. Of course, once the torrent slackens then it may be possible to go forth and obtain further supplies, and I know that His Grace," a nod towards Luthan, "will send boats around the city to provide for those whose stocks were small or already used up."

Ursula asked, "So whoever is here, then, has to exist only on the food stocks actually in the Clinic when the Rains start? For some time?"

The healer nodded. "As you say, Mistress. His Grace knows that sickness and injury do not stop when the waters start, so we are well provided should new patients be able to come here during that period. We have grain for breakfast, though we must needs make our porridge with water, we have flour for bread, fresh and preserved meats, cheeses, vegetables and fruits and a certain amount of wine, small beer and clean drinking water. Oh, and of course sufficient wood for any cooking and washing we must needs do, provided we are careful."

"Oh. That is a relief. I did not know how much this place had progressed after I left Joth. I was not even certain we would find anyone here at all."

"But Mistress! We knew that since you suggested it the Clinic would become an important place for we healers to use, and so it has proved. I doubt there has been a single day when we have not had some injury or other brought here to be treated. Even now we have two, who must needs remain here until the waters calm sufficiently."

They have treated my suggestions like words handed down from on high, which was not what I intended!

Still, if it works, good enough. That is Russian way.

"I am relieved to hear that, Hanida. I was half afraid that it would be left empty with people not knowing what to do with it."

"It has proved very useful, Mistress. We may keep more potions and other materials here than we can carry in our usual baskets and we have stocks here of many of the herbs needed to make more if required. Being able to treat patients in a familiar open space instead of a cramped bedroom or other chamber helps, too. The only problem we face is bringing the patient here in the first place, since the journey might cause their injury to worsen."

Ursula nodded. "It is a problem where I came from as well, but there may be ways around that. I will speak to you about our procedures once we have settled in and helped these fine gentlemen to depart."

One of those men turned at a sound and then addressed Ursula. «Director, Princess awakens.»

«Oh, right. About time!» She turned to Hanida. "It looks like Her Highness is reviving, I must attend to her."

"If I may assist?"

Ursula briefly thought. "There is nothing physically wrong with her, she has just been overburdened with everything that this voyage has involved - and the Rains hitting us has pushed her over the edge." She had another thought. "Yes, join me, you might need to attend her when I am... busy elsewhere or resting."

"As you say, Mistress -"

"Call me Ursula, please. We are healers doing the same work in the same place, there is no need to be so formal."

"Why, thank you... Ursula. It makes life easier if one can speak as to a friend."

Each went to different sides of the bed which held Eriana. The Princess moved as though disturbed and her eyes were only part way open, staring at nothing.

"Eriana. Can you hear me?" Ursula asked.

"Unh." The eyes moved, but covered the ceiling rather than those standing either side. The voice was slurred. «What place is this?»

Hanida frowned. "What did she say?"

"It is her birth language. She does speak ours very well but I would expect her to regress under these conditions. She should understand everything we say, though."

"Ah, as you say. Highness, would you like some water?"

The tongue came out a little to explore dried lips. "Yah. Water." Her eyes closed again.

Hanida went to fetch a beaker of water. When she returned she said to Eriana, "I have water, Highness."

Between them they managed to lift her up by arranging pillows behind in order that she could drink a little. Afterwards she sighed and relaxed, her eyes closing again.

Hanida looked puzzled. "She sleeps too much, Ursula. What exactly did you give her?"

A grimace. "It was all done in haste, Hanida. We were attempting to pass the Cauldron but it had changed since we went upstream weeks ago. Her Highness became terrified we would lose the ship and everybody on board would die. We had to hold her down while my basket and some water was fetched. I put some tasan into a beaker of water and made her drink it."

The healer made a sharp intake of breath. "Tasan, you say?" Her look was intent. "Did you measure it into the beaker?"

"In a ship which had just gone over a small waterfall and was navigating between two Cauldrons? No, Hanida. I had to do it by eye. I did suspect that I had given her too much but, even so, she should have revived by now."

"A waterfall? Two Cauldrons? Maker, no wonder you are all exhausted! I must needs hear this tale, I deem, but first... Did you have no anoteris root with you? That would have been safer."

"Anoteris? No..." Ursula then remembered Senia using it when they operated on Mamoot all those weeks ago. "Senia had some which she used when we needed it for Mamoot. Why? Should I not have used tasan?"

"It acts differently, Ursula, so we have observed. Anoteris usually lasts about two to three bells and is reasonably safe to use but tasan has a deeper effect on the patient's body. We tend to use it on badly injured patients who must needs be moved to somewhere safer before treatment - for example, if someone fell from the city walls and yet survived. But surely you knew this when you added the tasan to your basket."

"I was given the tasan in Bibek, Hanida, by one of the Margrave's healers. I did mention that I had nothing with me that could be used to render a patient unconscious if I needed to. They have slightly different ways of making up some of their potions and salves and we spent some time talking about the differences. I probably have a note somewhere but I have not had the time to review my notes or decide what if anything was important."

"Ah. What is done is done, I deem. She may be very confused when she does wake up." Hanida looked at the Norse. "What of these men? Do you think they are yet recovered enough to depart?"

Ursula smiled. "If I were to ask them they would all answer yes but I think they should wait a little, even though it is going to cause delay the other end." She turned to the men. «Boys? I want you to rest a little more before you go out into that rain again. I know there are people waiting the other end but I want to make sure you are going to get there at all. That rain is unbelievable.»

There was a mutter of agreement from the men.

«Do you need more food or drink before you go? I know that last stretch in the ship was difficult.»

Eirik stepped forward. «Director, you know it was. If there is food to eat, it makes sense to have some more before we leave.»

«I'll ask.»

Ursula turned to Hanida. "I have suggested they eat and drink some more before they go. Pulling the wagon through that torrent is hard work. What else is available apart from the fruit? Is there any bread?"

"There is bread," Hanida replied with hesitation. "but including your own party, these... eight men and the two women-at-arms will eat everything we have, since we had not planned to have so many here during the worst of the weather."

Bennet looked at Semma, receiving a shake of the head, and then turned to Hanida. "By your leave, Mistress, we did not pull so we are not in such a need of extra food - yet. Feed the men, we will wait until we reach our assigned billets."

Ursula added, "Hanida, you need not feed those who are going to remain here either. We can eat later on."

Hanida nodded. "That is a little more manageable, then." She waved a hand. "If you would all follow me. Ursula, if you would remain with our patients while I feed this crowd."

"Of course, Hanida."

The men moved off towards the front of the building leaving Ursula, Tyra, Kaldar, Ketko, Matta and Vellana standing in the cubicle which held Eriana.

Matta asked, "Mistress, if you could explain this place. it appears very complicated to my eyes."

"Actually, Matta, I can't tell you all about it since they were still building the partitions and offices when I departed Joth. I can tell you what I do know, though." She gestured around and across the corridor. "These cubicles are where patients will stay while they are recovering from whatever brought them here. I see that there are six over there, I assume there are the same number this side. I don't know how they are ordering them, whether it will be to just use any one as needed or, for example, to have women one side and men the other."

Vellana objected, "But there are no doors, Mistress!"

"That is deliberate, for two reasons. Firstly it will allow anyone walking past to notice if a patient needs immediate attention and secondly to prevent them becoming completely isolated. They can see healers walking around and maybe even talk to people opposite."

"But what happens when they want to dress or undress? It would be unseemly to do that in front of strangers."

"Agreed." Ursula looked at the top of the partition. "Oh, there are supposed to be curtains which can be closed when someone needs privacy, such as when a healer is examining them or they need cleaning up, changing clothes or having dressings changed. Perhaps I didn't tell them that? Hmm. Maybe I need to make a good inspection when we have some better light."

"They would permit you to do that, Mistress?"

"This whole building is my idea, Vellana. Before I arrived all patients would be treated in their own homes, usually in an upstairs bedroom where they would be left on their own for most of the day. If they had serious injuries, or something else that needed a healer's attention, sometimes a bedroom is not the best place to do anything about it."

They are both village girls who probably have no idea how any of this works. It is not surprising they find it all complicated!

"As for the rest of the building, at the front, the whole width of the building should be a large room where patients who can move about can sit and talk to one another or merely just rest in the sunshine - when there is any. Behind that are two smaller rooms where healers can speak to patients and examine them in private. At the back," she gestured, "should be a toilet, a special bathing chamber patients can use and a kitchen to feed everyone from.

"Upstairs... I mean, up the second ramp, should be store-rooms for healer's supplies, offices for the healers who will work here and perhaps places where they can rest between sessions. Right at the back, where the weaving looms used to be, is where we will perform any major work which has to be done to a patient - such as amputations, for example."

I'm not going to go into detail, they wouldn't understand it and I might just frighten them.

"That chamber has large windows to get the best of the light and also chandeliers for when it becomes as dark as it is today. If someone has a bad accident just as the sun sets we would not want to wait until the following day to have enough light to work by."

"As you say, Mistress."

Tyra asked, "Director, you mentioned a toilet. If we may investigate where it might be?"

"You have a need? Of course you do. We have been on that ship a while since we departed Ferenis. Oh - they hadn't even built a toilet or bathroom when we were here last. I remember the plumber arriving just as -" Ursula paused.

"- Just as Lord Mathenar arrived," Tyra completed the thought.

"Yes. I wonder where he is now? Matta, Vellana, Tyra and I will go and discover the facilities at the back of this floor and use them. I'm sure you'll need them soon enough. Can you keep an eye on Her Highness while we are gone?"

"Of course, Mistress, that is our duty."

"Any problems, one of you go to the front and fetch Healer Hanida."

"Aye, Mistress."

The toilet was a larger chamber than Ursula had expected.

Of course, they may have to maneuver patients in here sometimes. Perhaps Maralin gave them some advice about dimensions. He must have had at least some experience of visiting a hospital in Chicago.

Ursula and Tyra did what they needed to and cleaned up. A kind of hand pump with a long lever was used to flush the toilet which made Ursula frown.

I wonder where the tank is? Is this using their fresh drinking water? Probably not, not with all that coming down outside. These buildings appear to be more sophisticated than I remember from before.

"While we are here, let's look at what else is this end."

The bathing chamber had a raised bath, still big enough to accommodate eight people, but with the interior split into two levels to permit semi-mobile patients to be cleaned up safely. On the other side of the rear door was a large kitchen space which had an impressive range and a brick bread oven. Ursula had noticed the range when they had been there previously but the oven was new. One side of the kitchen was stacked high with chopped firewood while many sacks of various food items nearly filled the rest of the floor space.

A lot of this will disappear soon enough, especially with so many here. But the Rains will last two months or so...

Ursula briefly opened the back door to discover that it was now completely dark outside. The rain roared down, making speech impossible, so she closed the door swiftly again.

"Hmm. At least the balcony appears to be dry enough to walk along if we have to get out that way," she remarked. "But there is nowhere to go at the moment. Okay, let's go back to the others so that they can use the toilet if they need to."

Back at Eriana's cubicle they relieved Matta and Vellana who walked fairly rapidly off to the rear. Ursula looked at Kaldar and Ketko.

"There is a toilet back there but you'll probably have a line of women wanting to use it first," she told them. "I suggest that if you cannot wait, then in an emergency you could open the back door and do your business from the balcony behind these buildings. The rain will soon wash everything away. The balcony has a roof but it is very noisy out there so don't stay too long."

"Your words are my instructions, Director."

Hanida appeared then. "Ah, Ursula. Have any of you yet discovered our toilet? Bennet and Semma desire to make use of it but I thought I would ask you and your people first."

"Tyra and I have been, Hanida, and I have sent Her Highness's two maids off in that direction. Is there only one toilet in the whole building, for everyone to use?"

"Indeed not, Ursula, there is another toilet and bathroom installed upstairs. Tenant Maralin, as he was then, advised us what would be required and suggested that, after any healers had used the... operating theater, is that right? ...they would require their own place to clean themselves up, so a toilet and bathroom were installed upstairs as well."

"That is good to know. If you have enough patients here to fill all these beds and the healers to manage them, then one toilet would not really be enough."

"Indeed, that is what he said. Now, tell me, are you any good at baking bread? Because -"

Eriana groaned. Everyone turned to look at her and then surrounded her bed. She opened her eyes, rubbing them with a hand, and then turned her head to inspect all those who were around her.

«Where am I? What is this place? It does not look like Valhalla, Asgard or even Midgard.»

Ursula, the only person there who could understand Norse, replied, "Highness, you are in Joth on the world Anmar, which is part of Midgard."

Eriana regarded Ursula with a frown. "Who are you? Where are my thralls? What is this place?"

"I am Healer Ursula, Highness. I have traveled with you on your ship as far as Bibek and back to Joth. Your maids have gone to the toilet, they will be back in a few moments."

Eriana's frown turned to a grimace. "Maids? I do not understand. Bibek? You make no sense. My ship? It is lost." The grimace turned to pain, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "All my crew are dead. Why am I still here? I need to join them in Valhalla."

Ursula said, patiently, "Highness, your crew is not dead and neither are you. We have all survived and are resting in safety, out of the storm."

Her gaze sharpened and fixed on Ursula. "Liar. I remember the sea - it was too much for us - the sea took us. Leave me alone. Go away."

Eriana turned on her side away from Ursula, closed her eyes and began sobbing.