Book 1: Chapter 103: The Beginning of the End { (2) }
Then shall we begin today's eting? Carina smiled as she t the expectant gaze of Cerberuss mbers. With everything that is to co in the next few weeks, I have to ensure theyre prepared to finish their assigned tasks while Im preoccupied with palace matters.
Lord Walter, Carina turned her gaze to the Lord Principal. Mr. Frost has successfully procured the two hospitals you listed as being the largest in the capital. He also purchased an abandoned factory inside the slums, which he intends to remodel into a working hospital within the month.
Ah? Lord Walter sat forward and cleared his throat. I must applaud Mr. Frost for having thought ahead so thoroughly. However, finding physicians willing to work within the slums will be difficult. He glanced at Lord Tobias, who snorted and nodded his head in agreent. While its true, the slums are usually the worst hit during any widespread illness or plaguethis is because of the squalid conditions its residents choose to live.
Naturally, we would not expect the noble doctors of your order to lower themselves to such unsavory conditions, Carina replied without missing a beat. She could hardly expect any noble to enter the slums when the Capital Knights no longer patrolled nor policed the area. Mr. Frost has already located two promising doctors to take over the slum hospital. He trusts you will offer them whatever aid you can to prepare for the crisis we face.
Of course, Lord Walter murmured with a tight smile. Thoughit will be hard to alleviate the expected death rates in the slums if there is no change to the environnt and lifestyle of these vagrants.
In other words, you would prefer not to waste precious dicine on those you consider beneath you. Even if that dicine was purchased and acquired by Frost.
That matter is already well in hand, Carina replied with a benign smile. Lord Seymour, if you would.
Seymore lifted a stack of small wooden boxes from the crate behind his chair and passed them out as he circled the table. This is Mr. Frost's latest investnt, which the Royal rchants Guild has already approved for sale.
Is this soap? Lady Charity exclaid as she lifted the small pink object covered in delicate rainbow flowers. It looks almost edible.
You are holding one of the prototypes that will be sold to the nobles, Lady Charity, Lord Seymore explained. The Crown Prince himself has already put in a special purchase for his He stumbled, cleared his throat, and gestured across the table. Lord Walter has the more basic, practical design that commoners can purchase at one-eighth the cost that nobles will pay.
One-eighth? Lord Walter protested. Surely Frost will suffer a loss at that price.
Not at all, Lady Ursula said with a chuckle. Rather, the loss will be compensated by the high price tag the nobles will pay for our cakesoaps.
How can you be sure they will purchase enough to cover the difference? Lord Tobias interjected in a dubious tone.
Lord Walter? Carina replied as she nodded to the Lord Principal.
Walter rose from his chair and coughed. Ah, yes, I shall be publishing an article to comnd her Highness, the Crown Princess, on becoming an Ambassador for Mr. Frosts soap stores and promoting the importance of cleanliness.
Beauty stores, were calling them, interrupted Lord Seymore with smug satisfaction.
In the article, Lord Walter continued with a note of irritation, Physicians such as Lord Tobias will expound upon the health benefits of regular washing and its relevance to the prevention and spread of illness and disease.
The spread of the plague is a little more complicated than that Lord Tobias cut off under Walters sharp glare.
The article will also cover the skin and hair benefits of more specialized soaps and conditioners that Frost intends to release in celebration of Holy Saints Day, Lord Walter finished, then glanced towards Carina as he retook his seat.
Correct, the Crown Princess and her ladies-in-waiting will provide the perfect public campaign to sell these products to the nobles and populace when they stand before the great cathedral, Carina replied.
And at the first sign of plague, the nobles will panic and buy it all in bulk, Lady Charity comnted with a smirk of approval.
We will target the nobles imdiately after Lord Walters article is published, Carina continued as she laced her fingers together and leaned against the table. If rumors happened to spread that even the Crown Princes mistress uses our soap, you can expect high sales, even from those who dont support the Crown Princess.
And the more the rumors about Lady Rosamund circulate, the more pressure placed on Nicholas to either discard his Mistress or consummate his marriage with Eleanora.
Carina unlocked her fingers and gestured to the royal rchant. Lord Seymore will manage the shipnts to all shops that deal with independent rchants and nobles. Lady Charity will oversee the soaps distribution to the commoners. We also have a large reserve of soap set aside for Lady Ursula to distribute as part of our charity effort to reform the slums before the plague hits. We will keep our identity as the organization behind that charity anonymous. And finally, Lord Austin will handle shipnts outside of Lafeara as Frost expands his trade and business to Strugna and Ventrayna.
Thats , charismatic ambassador and purveyor of wealth, Lord Austin announced as he stood and offered the group a dramatic bow. Ventrayna presents its own difficulties due to the desert heat and controlled trading routes, but Mr. Frostour mysterious leader and prophethas already provided a suitable alternative to at least mitigate any losses due to lting. He reached into the large leather pack, slung over the back of his chair, and produced two glass bottles colored blue and green.
Is it already ti to start drinking? joked Lord Seymour.
Not unless your mouth needs extra cleaning, Lady Charity replied in a satisfied tone. Lady Ursula snorted and hid a smile behind her fan.
This is a liquid soap, replied Austin as he extended one bottle to the royal rchant.
Liquid? Lord Walter exclaid as he attempted to snatch the bottle from Seymour.
It looks like dicine, observed Lady Charity as Seymour passed the bottle to her. They both ignored Walters indignant scowl as the Lord Principal leaned back into his chair.
Which is why our craftsn have clearly labeled the bottle as soap, Austin replied with a rueful grin. And why we wont be selling this product here in Lafeara. Wouldnt want soone drinking it just because they cant read.
It slls nice enough, Lady Ursula comnted as she passed the bottle to her husband. What about Strugna?
Not much difficulty there. Austin shrugged as he accepted the bottle from Sir Everly and returned both bottles to his bag. Though they seem rather keen on eting Mr. Frost in person.
Who isnt, Seymore snorted and folded his arms across his chest. Speaking of in person, Crown Prince Nicholas has put out a royal request to et our mysterious Patron.
A silence fell over the small gathering as the mbers turned their attention to Carina.
Mr. Frost is unreachable at present, Carina replied slowly as she clasped her hands together. But I will relay this information to him at the earliest opportunity. Now, Frost has already put forward the necessary funds to see these products reach wide distribution. Should any issues arise before or after its release, please bring them to Sir Everlys attention, and he will relay that information to Frost through myself or Frosts attorney.
I also helped designed the cake soap, as you called it, Sir Everly blurted out, with an awkward smile of pride.
That explains the flowers, Lord Seymour joked, though he quickly withered under Ursulas sharp gaze.
And what about the new fellow? Ursula turned her disapproving green eyes to the silent physician beside Lord Walter. Why is he here?
We cannot combat the plague with soap alone, Carina explained. Lord Tobias will help our cause by working with Mr. Frost to create a dicine to alleviate the symptoms and cure those infected by the plague.
As Lady Aconitum said, we hope to obtain the first victims that co down with the plaguemost likely from the slumsand use them to produce a radical treatnt known as inoculation or vaccination.
You intend to infect people? Lord Walter protested. Saints rcy, if the Church catches wind of this
Every bit of Frosts predictions and this organizations activities is condemnable in the eyes of the church, Tobias interrupted with a dismissive wave. The Pope and his cardinals still preach that all plagues and sickness originate from witchcraft. Even doctors must be careful how we go about treating illnesses, or we may end up being labeled witcheslike my unfortunate master.
Inoculation was the act of heresy that got your master burned at the stake, Walter replied with a shake of his head. The church has no interest in scientific experintations of any form. Not when they can bla everything on the evils of magic and witches.
Hes right, Ursula comnted as the mood in the room beca despondent. I hear the church is already looking for Mr. Frost to test his clairvoyant abilities. I, for one, am not at all surprised hes gone to ground with that sort of attention on him.
The room fell silent as the gathered mbers of Cerberus exchanged nervous glances.
I do not deny there is risk involved here, Carina said gravely as she rose from her seat. Which is why we have taken every precaution to remain anonymous. Should the worst happen, you will shift the bla to Mr. Frost and deny any knowledge of the coming plague.
If there is a plague, Tobias muttered with a wistful sigh.
Carina clenched her jaw and took in a slow breath. She needed Tobias more than any other mber in this room because only he understood how to perform the vaccination properly. Tobias had learned the treatnt under his Master, who used it to treat a minor disease outbreak so years back.
If we can prove on such a large scale that science, not faith, can cure this illness and save lives, then well be one step closer to proving witches arent to bla for plagues and other natural catastrophes.
According to Mauras mories, Tobias had successfully thwarted the plague by using inoculationbut a quarter of the population had already died, and King Nicholas himself had fallen ill before Tobias was officially granted permission. Then, as now, the Church, the Royal Family, and the Royal dical Office had been reluctant to permit such an unorthodox thod to fight the plague until they were faced with the possibility of the king dying without an heir.
At least this ti we have the support of the Royal dical Office, however secretive our alliance. Carina sighed and brushed back loose ash-brown hair.
Mr. Frost hasnt gotten it wrong yet, Lord Seymore retorted, breaking the silence as he picked up his pipe and glared at Tobias. He predicted a tropical storm weeks in advance if you rember.
Not to ntion his insight into my husbands family embezzlent that even I had missed, Lady Charity added with a painful smile. And Frost has practically funded this entire operation out of pocket. If anyone has taken the larger risk, it is our Patron.
I cant deny the power of his predictionseven if I still find them hard to believe, Lord Walter admitted reluctantly. You would have to be mad to throw that kind of capital into preparing for a disease that might not co at all. He shrugged and stroked his beard thoughtfully. In either case, what harm could co from spreading the practices of frequent washing and opening a few more hospitals. The slums could certainly benefit from a cleaner environnt.
The plague will co, Carina interjected forcefully. And the death toll will be catastrophic if we do not prepare adequately. All of Mr. Frost's investnts and planning have been directed towards this approaching calamity. If saving thousands of innocents from a faceless enemy is not enough to convince you, then rember the profits you have all gained and still stand to gain from your partnership with Mr. Frost. She swiveled her gaze from one mber to the next as she continued. You are all well aware of the impact such a plague would wreck upon every Lafearian citizen, our economy, and the security of Lafearas borders.
Lets not forget what the last witch plague did to Strugna, added Lord Austin grimly. The entire royal family died within a week. If Lafeara were to suffer the sa fate, forget paying taxes to the EmperorTharyn would invade us the mont the plague loosens its grip.
The gathered mbers of Cerberus turned their resolved faces towards Lord Tobias, who chuckled and raised his hands submissively. No need to worry. Any opportunity to study a disease and practice inoculation is a yes from , regardless of the circumstances.
Then that will conclude todays eting, Carina announced firmly. The mbers each rose from their seats as she left her chair. As always, thank you for attending and for your cooperation. If another eting should beco necessary, the ti, date, and password will be sent to each of you. She briefly placed her hand on Sir Everlys shoulder before she curtsied to the Lords and Ladies before her.
The designer rose and followed as Carina returned to the hallway. Everly unlocked and opened the first door, then shut it behind them as Carina turned to face him.
This is the finalized design for Holy Saints day, Carina explained as she held out a sealed envelope. Also, Lord Austin will be bringing an exotic package to the boutique a few days before the festivities. The contents must be kept alive and secret until after the holiday has passed.
AhhIm not good with living things, Lady Aconitum, Sir Everly said uneasily as he fussed with his laced cuff. And Ursula cant even keep a plant alive.
Not to worry, a special caretaker will arrive with them. Keep the package and caretaker out of sight until the King and Queens coronation.
Oh, if it's hiding and disguising people Everly winked as he opened the door that led to the stairwell and a pacing Stitcher then Im your man.
Back in the carriage, Stitcher pulled off his mask and studied her silently.
You wont get any answers staring at
like that, Carina comnted as she closed her eyes, folded her arms, and attempted to find a comfortable spot in the corner of her seat. It was already nearing 2 am, and she had to be up in four hours to attend to the crown princess.
Im just curious.
Youve ntioned that already, she muttered dismissively.
How do you know Mr. Frost?
Carina opened her eyes, glanced over at him, and sighed. One of the guards?
Yes, the one that slls of tobacco and fish. A sailor, I presu from his horrible accent.
Austins man? Ill have to bring that up with him next ti.
So? Stitcher pressed as he nudged her foot with his boot.
What would you do if soone told you that your future would end with a horrible death; and then offered you a way to change that future?
Id ignore their words as the ravings of a mad person, Stitcher replied without hesitation. Its more likely theyre trying to manipulate you than anything else.
So, you would ignore the warning rather than take the chance to prepare for the worst and change that future?
Stitcher regarded her with an intrigued frown for a mont. If youre referring to Mr. FrostI suppose if they were soone who was able to predict the future with notable successthen I would at least take so precautions.
His expression darkened as he leaned back and crossed his arms.
What are you thinking about? Carina asked with a bemused smile.
Just how strangethat Mr. Frost should have such an ability when it belongs to the bloodline of Saints.
Carina snorted and tapped on the window as they drew up beside the bell tower. Would you let
know when Ghost returns to Lafeara?
Surethough it might be a while, Stitcher admitted hesitantly. In the anti, get a sheath for that dagger. It has torn a hole in your bag.
Carina glanced down and muttered as she located the Witch Steel that protruded from the corner of her leather satchel. Remind your Master to provide an appropriate scabbard when handing out daggers next ti.
I dont think hes in the habit of handing out weapons or gifts of any kind, Stitcher replied with a faint smile. Safe journey back, Lady Aconitum.
Good night, Lord Hell.
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