Priestess of Castle D'ior - Part 06

Ursa Blacksong
Castle D'oir - Winterlunde
Year 113 - 38th Day of Midwinter

…

The lands that made up what was Castle D’oir was itself divided roughly into three parts the first of these being the main castle itself followed after by what was known as the central township that supported the castle proper and then what was known as the extended township that lay beyond the defensive walls where the common folk of the Duchesses domain lived and worked.

Surprisingly there was little in the way of gossip of any kind regarding Illness or poor health amongst the locals that she chanced to encounter nor oddly enough was there gossip regarding the misfortune of others which oddly enough was often a popular topic. Given Kristov’s reaction from earlier that morning Ursa was left to wonder if perhaps the local superstitions regarding sickness and ill health extended in some degree or other to the subject of another’s misfortunes or bad luck which would mean that most in the Winterlunde’s would not dare to speak publicly about either subject for fear of possibly catching some sickness themselves or suffering bad luck by simply speaking of another’s misfortune.

There was a certain humor to be found in the idea but then again culture’s tended to develop superstitions and social codes for a reason and it was perhaps better to not ignore these reasons and simply adopt the practice to avoid unwanted conflict.

Given the odd cultural quirks regarding illness and bad luck Ursa had been worried that her search would prove problematic but locating what she sought proved a great deal easier than she believed was possible. A group of local children more than happy to trade the information for a few coins directing her and her companions to what was known as the ‘Sick House’ located in the extended township.

Thus Ursa and her escort which included Sir Kristov and a trio of swordsmen from the castle guard made their way through the snow leaving the central township into the extended township where the locals looked in interest but wary enough to keep a cautious distance from Ursa and her companions until she finally he place she sought where an elderly stoned faced matriarch was seated just outside smoking a well worn carved ivory pipe.

“Grandmother.” Ursa spoke bowing politely to the elder.

“Grandmother, Ha!” The elderly woman gave a soft cackle in a voice hallowed by no small number of years. “I’ve wager good coin that you’re twice my age, if not more.”

“I’d wager you’d be right.” Ursa smirked, nodding her head in agreement.

“It’s been awhile since I have seen a priestess outside of the temple.” The elder spoke softly.

“A priestess of my kind is rarely found in a temple or anywhere else for that matter.” Ursa smirked. “ Though I must admit that in the service of the Duchess I have become a bit of a home body of late.”

“A warm bed and warm food will make you soft and spoiled if you're not careful.” The elder smirked a toothless grin.” Now what news would stir a lady such as yourself out of a warm bed and into the cold just to come and visit this old witch?”

Ursa gave a soft laugh nodding her agreement before leaning closer to the old woman. “Grandmother, forgive my ignorance but may I speak plainly?”

The woman nodded.” Is there any other way to speak?”

“I have heard rumors and have come to see if they are true and if there is some aid I can offer.” Ursa inquired softly.

The elder was silent for a time before nodding her head and pushing herself with some effort to her feet. “ Come inside, such things are best spoken of in private.”

Ursa nodded, offering her arm to aid the old woman pausing briefly to check on her companions, finding that they remained at what she could only guess was considered a safe distance from the home.

“They wont come any closer unless there is need. Places like this hold ancient magic’s and are not all that welcoming to the young.” The Old Woman explained.

…

They called these places ‘Sick Houses’ and it was too these places that a community would send its sick or gravely injured to be cared for if others thought that they could not get well on their own or simply too sick to be cared for or to care for themselves. It was here that the elderly or unwanted widows of a community were banished. Most developing some small talent for the healing arts who in turn would care for those unfortunate souls until they either got better or death finally claimed them.

Yolanda was one such widow who had in her own words been “Unlucky enough outlive her kin not only her own children but a good number of her grandchildren as well” and thus having no place of her own had come to live here and take care of others until her end finally came.

Currently the ‘Sick House” was also home to two others besides Yolanda, one being a young girl of 12 years whose questionable birth had resulted in her being abandoned by her rather wealthy family and the other a widow who had been banished from her village after the loss her entire family last season due to illness. The act common enough given most wanted to avoid bad luck as Yolanda described it.

Currently in their care were a dozen locals, 10 adults and 2 children all suffering from as yet unidentified illness. A number that was in the Elders opinion typical for this time of the season.

“A dozen this month and then twice that next month…” Yolanda acknowledged.

“It sounds as if you have things well in hand.” Ursa noted aloud. “Still, I would like to be of help if I could be.”

Yolanda shrugged. “ Can your divine gifts cure the sick?”

“Maybe a couple of people now and than… “ Ursa smirked, offering a slight shrug. “To be honest I was in a martial order and was trained more to inflict injury rather than healing or curing the sick. Still whatever service I can offer.”

“ That's a sight more than those pricks in the temple would offer to do.” Yolanda frowned her annoyance. “ I’d like to see about the children first, children never do well in this kind of environment.”

“The children first then…” Ursa agreed.

...