“She’s running a fever,” Cherubin confirmed to doctor Allmendinger.
“Heart rate is a little elevated, the swelling and the rash are a concern.”
“What is it, doctor?” Madame Monnier looked stricken, her daughter’s hand was clutched in hers.
“Crimson Spore!” A voice came from the small crowd that had gathered about the little French girl, despite Mathias’s best efforts to keep them back. A fearful murmur ran round the assembled nomads. Some of them had seen the alien disease before, but most had only heard of it. Almost no-one who came down with it recovered.
“Calm down, no-one said anything about Crimson Spore. Let the doctor see what she is doing, step back.” Mathias used the shotgun, held across his body in both hands, as a barrier to drive people back. He knew how quickly things could get ugly when people were afraid.
“It’s most likely just a reaction to the medication she is on.” Doctor Allmendinger tried to wave away the worried protests, but the idea was out there now and people were frightened.
“I know you mean well, doctor.” It was Davil Fohn who spoke now, “But you know the risk and you know what has to be done!”
“For Christ’s sake, Davil!” Ashley snapped. “She’s just a child!”
At the sound of the sudden rebuke from the usually mousy Englishwoman, several people in the crowd began to shuffle uncomfortably.
“I will sit with the child!” Joanas cut in. His tone was one that would brook no argument, “And her mother too. The doctor will take her to one of the treatment bays and we will sit with her, keep her from the rest of you people.” He almost spat the last word.
“I am afraid I have another job for you, Oberfeldwebel.” It was Knut’s voice. The old man was coming down the passageway from the treatment booths and looked thin and drawn as if he had aged a dozen years overnight.
“We still need to be sure the rest of the hospital is safe, so I will be sending two teams to sweep the building. I will need you to lead one of them.” Joanas seemed reluctant but nodded his agreement.
With Knut’s arrival, the other nomads began to disperse and arrangements were made to move Camile into a treatment booth where Doctor Allmendinger could observe her away from the nervous eyes of the other nomads. Delphine and Father Mathias would take it in turns to sit with the sick child and her mother, who refused to be parted from her.
Knut pulled Joanas aside,
“Take Davil with you.” He spoke in soft tones, so as not to be overheard. Joanas nodded, but his stern expression left Knut in no doubt that the German soldier did not approve. Still, he would do as Knut ordered, of that the older man was certain. Nevertheless, he felt he owed the soldier some form of explanation. After all, this wasn’t the army.
“I want him focused on something else. He stays here, his imagination will run away with him and he will spread more fear. Take him with you and he will be too busy concentrating on what he’s doing to cause any more doubts here.”
“I understand, yes. I will take him with me, but I get to choose the rest of my team?”
“Of course,” Knut nodded, “take two others and I’ll organise a second team of four lead by...” he paused to think,
“The policeman, Forrell. He has lead men before I think.” Joanas suggested.
“Okay,” Knut nodded thoughtfully, “Forrell it is then.”
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