The Plague Doctor Book 2 Chapter 45 Part 1 (Flute)

Book 1: (Desperate to save his son, Kenneth, a calm and nonviolent doctor accepts a deal offered to him by a strange creature. However, the price he must pay is to abandon everything he holds dear: his wife, children, and world as he attempts to share his knowledge of healing and medicine in a world entrenched by violence. Yet, in such a place, how long can his nonviolent nature remain if he wishes to survive?)

***

After the whole incident with the fermentation tank explosion and subsequent search for the wounded bystander, everyone had come up short, finding no one. 

There had been talks of Kenneth making it all up, but the blood and footsteps were undeniable proof that some attributed to a bad fight with no one to supervise. 

But even so, why wouldn’t they just come forward? It didn’t make sense. 

After a while, there had been nothing left to do, and Kenneth had returned to his mold-growing station only to find everything he’d bought from the merchant ransacked. 

With as much stuff as there was and the fact that he’d used some of the items, it was hard to figure out what had been taken, with Split simply saying that this was the result of him forgiving Nokeehutro. 

The idea being if anyone were ever to be brought to trial for this, he’d be too soft to follow through on punishment. 

Her word had annoyed him more than the thief, since as far as he could tell, none of the important stuff had been taken: medicine, honey, syrup, poison, and mold or anything really. Whatever had been taken could be kept, since he doubted even if he did relay this to Nokuji or someone else, the thief wouldn’t be found, especially in this world without cameras. 

That's not to say measures wouldn’t be taken to ensure a future incident wouldn’t ruin his work.

Eventually, everything had more or less returned to normal, and life went on as if nothing had happened. Kenneth still spent his days healing and teaching, but the longer it went without making progress on the translation of the book, the more he felt a looming dread of stagnation, as roots slowly and continuously burrowed under the stones, threatening to settle in this place, eventually.

‘I can’t avoid it forever,’ He sighed. 

“You have something to say again?” Split asked.

He let out another sigh, this one filled with frustration as opposed to anxiety. “Honestly, after everything you and I have been through, saving each other’s lives, having a heart-to-heart, or the closest thing to, why can’t you just have a little trust in me?”

Split leaned forward in her seated position, “It’s the commander’s orders I have to keep watch.”

“Yes,” Kenneth said, rubbing his brow and clenching. “But does that really have to include watching me on the toilet?”

“You are watching me.”

“Because you take the seat in front of me,” Kenneth groaned. “There are no windows; you could just stand guard outside the door.”

 “I have to watch you, we both have to shit,” Split replied. 

“I have an almost all-meat diet. I know nothing about this is elegant, but I’d prefer to have the few times I actually do get to go in here, to be less intrusive,” Kenneth almost begged. “Do you know how hard it was to find a time no one else was on the toilet. Being caught with my pants down and slapped on my back is an experience I don’t want to repeat.”

Split looked at him, the sound of a ‘plop’ echoing over the running water, “You have seen me more vulnerable.”

“You're dragging me down to the nest so you can lay an egg; that one’s on you, and I looked away,” Kenneth countered.

“That’s you, this is me.”

“Urg… honestly, talking to a wall would be more productive.”

It was a frustration he had to live with, but one he was annoyingly getting used to.

At least this intrusion on his privacy was not one Kolu had to share, Kenneth keeping Split and any other out while he went. Nokstella, he was a bit more certain, could handle it on her own, despite how obscene the concept seemed to him; it was a part of the social norm for bathrooms to lack stalls, be unisex, and a place to chat.

When everyone was finished it was time to leave.

Out on the street, everyone was buzzling, more than normal, it seemed, with barely anyone coming up to him complaining about having ear problems, and he doubted it was because of the time or route he took. Normally, he’d meet at least ten; now it was only two.

And most oddly of all, the doors to the nest were wide open, guarded, of course, but with women carrying eggshells out gently. 

“Are they cleaning out?” Kenneth asked. 

“They are,” Split replied. 

“So is it spring cleaning or what?” 

“It’s the tail end of fall.” 

“Really?” Kenneth remarked. “I can hardly tell the difference between it and summer; must be spending too much time down here.”

“Shel, it tradition,” Nokstella piped up. 

“Are they taking them for something?” Kenneth asked, with Nokstella giving an eager nod back. “Well then, do tell.” 

“They get many shel, put all, all place, then music, song, games, stories, sad, fun,” Nokstella excitedly said. “Noktato, yes, it tradition, her hatching.” 

“Sounds fun, I bet you are excited, so what exactly happens in this tradition?” Kenneth asked, wondering if it might be a chance for an opportune moment. “I hope it isn’t like with the full moon.” 

“It’s a celebration of life, not love, with everyone coming together later, those who play, play music or games,” Split said. 

“I do in fact play a few instruments…” he trailed off for a second. “…myself, maybe I should see what you have and give it a try, I’m a bit rusty, but great on the flute.” 

“Flute…?” 

“You know, a long tube with holes you blow… oh yeah, I guess you lot can’t, you got lips that cover your fangs, but I guess you can’t really use them all that well,” Kenneth, slightly muttered. 

“What it sound like?” Nokstella asked. 

“A little like this,” Kenneth wetted his lips and whistled a gentle, happy tune, with Nokstella and Kolu looking up at him with awe, unaware he could make such a sound. 

Of course, that included everyone in the vicinity. All of them looked around with some freaking out at the unfamiliar noise, at which point he stopped. 

“Again, again!” Nokstella cheerily yelled. 

“Now, now, let’s not scare anyone; most of them didn’t seem to like it,” Kenneth replied. “Hopefully you can hear more later, but first we've got to make a stop.” 

Talking to Noksuza and the other blacksmiths was the same as per usual, but they would do the job for a high fee, since it was a rush order, involving sore wrists, lube, and anything else he could get them of a similar nature.

They sure would be popular at the next full moon orgy. 

But with that taken care of, there was nothing that stopped him from… going topside, ready to teach healing. 

It would be a while before his students arrived, so in the meantime, he did his work with the mold, while Kolu and Nokstella entertained themselves by finding something to play with from the horde. 

He only managed to chart down a few specimens’ growth when approaching familiar footsteps echoed into the small, dark room, signaling what he knew to be the beginning of an awkward conversation. 

She was wearing that dark red sleeveless overcoat-looking attire, with the golden brooch on her chest, the same as the first time they met. 

“Hi, umm… good you could come again,” Kenneth said, already feeling his insides freezing. 

“I try never to miss it,” she answered quickly, but not in an angry or cold tone, more so neutral, devoid of most emotions. 

“That’s why you are my best student,” Kenneth said loudly just as Nokset walked in and took his seat. He had clearly heard, but the only part Kenneth knew he’d contest would be the last word. “Now, are you both ready for the exciting lesson on prostate exams?. Anal without any of the fun.” 

‘Christ in heaven, what am I saying!’ 

He was a forty-year-old man who possessed a below-average amount of shame, but even so, he didn’t have the stones to have a conversation with a woman. Probably one of the many reasons his wife wanted a divorce, but that was neither here nor there. 

The lesson was as informative as ever, went smoothly, though he couldn’t say the same for the gloves Nokset and Nokoovo had to put on. His ability to create things with the bag was normally an easy process, though changing his mental picture of a five-fingered glove to one with three big ones wasn’t easy. But nevertheless, there was some success, with the day's lesson ending a bit sooner than normal. 

“I hope I haven’t ruined your appetite with all of that,” Kenneth said with the slightest hint of apologeticness. 

Nokset, taking his gloves off, replied, “I’ve eaten worse.” 

“Yeah, didn’t think so.” 

“If that is all, I will get back to my duties,” Nokoovo said, inspecting her glove extensively. 

“Actually, Nokoovo, could… could I have a word?” Kenneth asked. 

She looked away from her glove and met Kenneth’s gaze. Nokset had been more than ready to leave, but he, with a smug expression, took a seat on the table near the exit, enjoying the show but ready to escape. 

“What is it, Kenneth?” 

“I… I…” Kenneth said in a long, drawn-out manner. ‘Oh, you spineless jackass, just grow a pair!’ 

“I wanted to talk to you, see how you were doing.” 

“I’m doing well,” she replied. “Mother seems to be content now that I’m taking less time away from my duties.” 

“That’s… good to hear,” Kenneth internally sighed as he decided to rip the band-aid off. “Actually, I wanted to talk about that conversation a while back with your mother about the whole life partner thing. I just want to say I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings; it wasn’t my intention.”

She tilted her head slightly in an expression of confusion. “You haven’t hurt me.” 

“I haven’t?” Kenneth questioned in similar confusion. “But it’s just, you seemed different lately, you are not as vocal in class.” 

“I was only being respectful, aside from the times I couldn’t hold back my questions,” She admitted.

“Respecting me?” Kenneth repeated in a confused tone.

“After my mother  asked you to become my life partner, and…” She began explaining before trailing off for a moment, looking a bit uncomfortable. “Afterwards, in class, you were different. I guessed I had done something wrong by asking if you would so publicly and decided to keep my distance.”

“What, no, you did nothing wrong,” Kenneth quickly said. “Your mother just sprung all of that on me, I was in the wrong for not just talking to you and being spineless. You didn’t deserve that.”

“So I can ask questions again?”

“As many as you want. Hopefully I can answer them all,” He chuckled as he watched her scales darken slightly. “I’m glad there’s no bad blood between us.” 

“There could never be…” 

Well, the first band-aid was off, now for the second.

“Listen, there's actually something more I want to talk to you about as well,” Kenneth began, still feeling a little tense. “You see, it’s about--"

“You want the work on the book to continue,” Nokoovo guessed. “Between my duties, learning, and sleep, I have some time I can devote to drawing the pictures and writing down.”

“I guess that was a predictable question, but I can’t have you burn the candle at both ends, your drawings are fantastic and incredible,” Kenneth paused, maybe putting it on too thick, even though he meant it. “But--"

“I see, you want to continue with another,” Nokoovo figured out, her expression unreadable and tone unshaken.

“I just think it’s too much work for only the two of us; bringing in another would help lessen the load.”

“Yes, it is wise,” She said, never once looking away from him. “Then I recommend Nokhavadoo… his calligraphy skills are impressive, for one not taught like me, I doubt you will find anyone better around here.” 

“I hope you are okay with this,” Kenneth asked sincerely. “We began all of this together, so I hope you don’t take it as me pushing you out or to the side.”

“I don’t want to be the reason you can’t keep working. I’ll stand aside for that,” Nokoovo told him, though she looked a bit hesitant.

It did not go unnoticed. “Please don’t think of it as you stepping aside, we are only getting someone who joins in on a project near the end, and still gets to put their name on all the work.”

He tried to make it humorous, but she didn’t laugh.

 “Your time is valuable and I’m already taking up so much,” He said warmly in the back of his mind, hoping he hadn’t made her a workaholic helping him with all of this.

“I… I like spending my time with you, it’s… it’s,” The words were getting stuck in her throat as she tried to say something, for the first time looking away from Kenneth, but only for a moment before looking more intently into his eyes. “I like talking to you; otherwise, I would be silent. That is why… I want you to know I would never want to come between you and your life partner. But if you want, I… I could be your mistress.”

Kenneth felt himself freeze as the words left her mouth. “Listen--”

“I shouldn’t have asked, I’m sorry, please could you forget I said it,” Nokoovo quickly and a little desperately said, somehow becoming even whiter.

“ It’s flattering and probably a lot of old scumbags' dreams to be offered something like that, but I’m almost twice your age,” Kenneth said. “Don’t you want someone around your own age, someone you can connect to?” 

“Who?” She almost chuckled. 

Kenneth glanced around the room for a second, looking at Nokset, who very much enjoyed watching all up until that point at which he turned pale white and silently gestured, ‘Oh please god no!’ With speed that would put the world champion in sign language to shame, before bolting out of the room the moment Nokoovo turned to look at him. 

“Who indeed,” she sighed. “Everyone is like that around me, all except you.” 

“Oh, please, maybe people haven’t seen the real you.” 

“The real me,” She looked at her ivory hand, for some time, enough time for Kolu and Nokstella to come and check, with her running up to Nokoovo. 

“You sad?” She asked. 

Her bluntness caught her off guard, “No, I…” 

“Be happy, hatching, Noktato, music, playing,” Nokstella excitedly said. 

“Well, I guess you have two people who see the real you,” Kenneth said with a smile. “She's looking forward to tonight. Why don’t you join us? I could use someone who explains things a little more clearly.” 

He thought of Split. 

“I… I… will think about it.” 

As the day turned to evening, everyone got ready for the tradition or festival, whatever it was called. Of course, Split, being as uncompromising as ever, handed him over to Muity, Clingy, Squeezy, and Bitie, despite the fact that she was more than welcome to join him. Her only response was that she had plans. 

It was probably something to do with Noksafgro; maybe it was part of the tradition to be with family, or she simply didn’t want to be near Nokoovo, despite having seen more of her than most. It would be something to see everyone else’s reaction, but she was such a sweet girl when you got past the odd parts that Kenneth had witnessed himself. 

Escorted down below, the street brimming with people, eggshells with crystals inside glowing all around them, with some celebrating already, people playing games, some more child-friendly than others, those being what was essentially a fight club, but even so, children did take part, but it was clearly all in fun, no bruises or broken bones. 

Aside from that, many people were gathered in a circle around certain people who held and played music with drums, a three-stringed guitar, and a number of other instruments. Kenneth couldn’t even begin to figure out what they were meant to be, and even barbershop quartets.

The hum of every imaginable rhythm and harmony filled the air, stimulating everyone’s sense of hearing, while the widespread aroma of meat took care of wetting the appetite. 

‘Nokandrite had had me in the pot for a bit longer than usual. Probably the reason why.’ 

“Now, no running again,” Nokemera said in a commanding tone. “We won’t have our scales peeled.” 

The two others nodded in agreement while Nokamber rolled her eyes. “If I remember correctly, it was all of you who left and had me watch him.” 

“Oh, from what I hear, you are as guilty as we and got to have all the fun, but none of the peeling! Do you know how much an early shedding itches when you can only bathe in sand!”

“That cream I gave you helped, didn’t it?” Kenneth interjected. “Now, why don’t you all pipe down and let them enjoy?” 

Nokstella could barely contain herself, looking around wide-eyed, her scales the darkest he’d seen hers. She ran around not even noticing how far she was getting from Kenneth, luckily Kolu was there holding her hand and getting dragged along, at least keeping the rains on her a little, but even he couldn’t have his mind focused with the smell in the air and the music playing, dispite the fact he was wandering among giants, scared and intrigued at the same time. 

‘As long as I can see them, it’s fine,’ Kenneth thought, but he couldn’t help but notice, at least among the older crowd, there were some odd looks. 

“It should be starting soon,” Nokamber said, looking toward the center, where most were beginning to conjugate. 

Kenneth had noticed this barren area a few times before, but he had imagined it to be a fighting ring in the shape of a triangle, not a stage for a play with Nokuji in the center. 

Slowly, everyone began to quiet down, only the faintest sounds of music in the distance audible as Nokuji spoke. 

“Upon her hatching, we celebrate. Upon her life we celebrate, the greatest and first champion. Upon her death, we mourn with smiles. All we have lost, their names we remember, as they evoke grief, but remember not only their death, but their life as well, celebrate it, celebrate life itself, for every new child that has hatched, for every new parent that has been chosen, for the lives that everyone, warrior, father, and mother! Celebrate the joy they bring or have brought and cherish the sorrow they bring us, for it is that which proves the bond of love between each and every one of us!” 

It was unexpected, but her words actually struck a chord with Kenneth. 

“Let us celebrate them, everyone, and let us not forget for whom we owe the tradition, the first champion Noktato, and her piercing spear! Let us remember her life as everyone else’s!” 

Suddenly, people went up on stage, a woman fully nude except for a mask, and two carrying what looked like a giant egg. 

“We know not from whom the great champion was laid, we only know of her mother, Nokyhola! A woman of common birth who Lorizo deemed fit to be her mother!” 

The giant egg began to hatch as a child came out looking a little older than Nokstella. 

“From the onset, Noktato was endowed with great physic, crawling in the sand for only a few moments before standing up and choosing her mother, leading her out of the nest! In the summers to follow, she would stand up to any challenger, winning easily!” 

The play ramped up following Nokuji’s words, very precisely showing the exact seconds with new actors in very short sequences. 

“None could stand to her, and despite her commoner standing, rose to be the strongest fighter in the army, but tragedy would strike when away from her mother, vile heretics attacked her home, killing without mercy!” 

The part of Aki and or Sil was played by children, who chased around adults. 

“In her grief, she buried her mother as well as all the other victims, or what remained, but despite her sorrow at losing everyone she loved, she did not despair, but celebrated the life they had lived, an act that would become the tradition of which we celebrate still! It was for these reasons, her strength and love, that she was granted the power from the gods to not only be theirs but our champion! She was given visions of a horrible future of what was to happen and warned the foolish noblewomen and men, and  royals of the past, who all believed her a fool until it was too late and the heretic Weakies attacked in devastating force!” 

‘This story sounds… familiar.’ 

Many were killed among them, the king and royals, but Noktato would not let it be our end, and in our darkest moment, rallied the people in a counterattack, sending the frail Weakies running with their tail between their legs!” 

Most laughed with a few clapping.

“But she knew it not to be over, and led the people, helping them rebuild, and when the time came, led the charge to defend us once more against the vile gods' monstrous creation, the weakie champion!” 

“Fast as the wind, soldiers were carved open on the ground of the ‘Flatlands’!” 

The blood was just red confetti of sorts. 

“With the vile black blade, no man or woman stood a chance until Noktato engaged in single combat!” 

“I Noktato champion of the Nok Will not stand for these injustices, vile heretic!” The actor playing Noktato yelled. 

“I will watch you… Your blood runs!” The actor playing Akina said, a child. 

They engaged in battle, which was little more than the adult stabbing slowly with the spear and the child running around on stage, slashing her all over, eventually having Noktato fall on her knee. 

“As it is recorded, Noktato battled fiercely, but even though Weakies only die with a single good attack, it matters little if she could not hit, but the battle was not over yet, for this faint weakness was part of her plan.”

“Surrender and you may live to see your people’s e… eradi… eradimation,” the child said, probably meaning eradication. 

“I will never surrender!” 

The child playing Akina ran forward, and then suddenly Noktato stabbed with her spear, or more so, poked the child’s shield, piercing it. 

“What this foolish Weakie Champion did not know was that not only had Noktato been granted the powers of a champion, but her spear, too! It never dulled, or broke, and would always cleanly pierce metal, stone, flesh, and bone!” 

Noktato held up her spear in victory as Akina lay dead on the ground, the child scratching their snout before suddenly remembering they should be dead. 

“But tragedy would not be avoided!” 

An arrow suddenly hit Noktato, killing her.

“The cowardly bow attacked at Noktato’s weakest, but despite this, the army would not despair; they fought hard and defended their home, reaching a stalemate and carrying Noktato home on her shield. She was embraced by Amito. All would cry. All would celebrate. From her own death, this tradition was spawned in eternal celebration of her life, sacrifice, and death.” 

In the moments to follow, deafening silence filled the air, done so out of obvious respect. 

Of course, Kenneth wouldn't break this tradition, but he wouldn’t be heard thinking. ‘So that is their story. I remember Nya telling me it was the other way around, they were attacked, Akina wasn't listened to, and she won the battle only to be killed. Such few changes, I wonder what really happened.’

As moments passed, sound slowly but surely began to return, and some from the crowd began to break off, wandering out into the underground village. 

“So, did you like the performance?” Kenneth asked. 

“Yes! Yes!” Nokstella eagerly said. 

Kolu, however, didn’t share the same level of excitement: “I didn’t know what was happening.” 

“Just a simple story,” Kenneth replied, as he clearly heard the sound of six stomachs growling. “Why don’t we get something to eat?” 

On that, everyone could agree. 

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