Plague

By Elizabeth McCoy

When sickness comes to the country of Cymelia, alchemists and herb-witches create the healing brews that save lives. But this illness is different; the usual measures have little effect. Master Iathor is his city's best hope to discover a cure – but even with his alchemical skills, the plague is spreading through the city, and amongst his own household . . .

(This 6,000-word fantasy short story is a prequel to Herb-Witch, set some 20 years earlier.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth McCoy
• Release date: Jan 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301477906

Elizabeth McCoy

Elizabeth McCoy's fiction has appeared in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress #7, in the "Best In Show" anthology by Sofawolf*, and in the fanzine "Pawprints" (published by Conrad Wong & T. Jordan Peacock). Her tabletop RPG writing is published by Steve Jackson Games. As her author bios in SJ Games' material continually state, she lives in the Frozen Wastelands of New England, with a spouse, child, and assorted cats.She hopes that her work will be enjoyed, and is always a bit awkward about referring to herself in the third person.*Best in Show has been re-published as: "Furry!: The Best Anthropomorphic Fiction!" (Fred Patten, ed.)

Book preview

Plague

(a Lord Alchemist short story)

by Elizabeth McCoy

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Elizabeth McCoy

Cover art by Sarah Cloutier

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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When sickness comes to the country of Cymelia, alchemists and herb-witches create the healing brews that save lives. But this illness is different; the usual measures have little effect. Master Iathor is his city's best hope to discover a cure – but even with his alchemical skills, the plague is spreading through the city, and amongst his own household . . .

Table of Contents

Letters

From the hand of Iathor Kymus, Lord Alchemist's Heir and Proxy

To the eye of Prince Holfar Aeslaird, City-Prince of Aeston

A note from Loria

From the hand of Herbmaster Vasis Parrit

A note to Loria, from Iathor

A shopping list

To the eye of whoever Prince Holfar's sent

Journal Entries

From the hand of Iathor Kymus, Lord Alchemist's Heir and Proxy

To the eye of the Shadow-master

To the eye of Iaren Kymus, Baron Kymus, Lord Alchemist

Cast and Glossary

About the Author and Artist

Other Works

PLAGUE

From the hand of Iathor Kymus, Lord Alchemist's Heir and Proxy

To the eye of Iaren Kymus, Baron Kymus, Lord Alchemist

Father,

As you likely know, Portguard has been closed. Aeston, too, will seal its gates soon, besieged by plague. I send this letter with your dramsman, Mara, and my carriage driver, Jeck. As he has taken the newest draught, I do not fear for his separation from myself; he should not languish as Mara often does for you.

Loria will not leave her husband, and he will not leave his work. I fear it is his old jealousy of me, that he will not take refuge on Kymus lands until the plague has passed. And so their children also remain, as does Loria's sister, Tania.

Iasen is in