Princess Electra Book 7 Containment

By Dory Lee Maske

In Book 7 Princess Electra is faced with an epidemic of smallpox in Helsop. She must do what she can for those infected while trying to contain the disease so that it does not spread outside Helsop's borders. Serafina comes to her aid, but suspicious deaths make Electra wondering if she really came to help or to kill. Sandovia seems to be up to no good and a congregation of royalty in Manoa spells trouble. Avor continues on his journey to China's doorstep as a guest of the Great Khan's army until the Great Khan calls him in for a special assignment. All of our favorite characters have their hands full in this second to last book of the Princess Electra series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dory Lee Maske
• Release date: Oct 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310023323

Dory Lee Maske

I've always been a reader--loved fairy tales when I was young. I started writing when I had children of my own. My husband, Bob Maske, does all the art work for my stories. He did all the book covers and the animations that accompany each story.I try to keep at least half of my stories and books free and would love to receive feedback from my readers. You can contact me at [e-mail] or at [e-mail] Thanks to all you readers out there for your support.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Village of Helsop

In a northern realm, atop a steep plateau, perched the small medieval village of Helsop. Helsop had neither king nor queen, but it did boast a castle and two renowned citizens—Dagon, Headman of Helsop’s militia, and his wife, Princess Electra, formerly of Fernland, now founder and head teacher of the School of Medicine. Princess Electra’s residency had done wonders for the previously impoverished village. Due to a treaty with Electra’s father, King Geoffrey, the Helsop residents were now able to sell their well-made tools and weapons far and wide.

Princess Electra and a group of her students, exhilarated and energized by their foray into the forest to gather the first fruits of spring, came to an abrupt halt at the entrance to the School of Medicine. Two saffron-robed men waited outside the door.

Electra was very glad her aunt, Serafina the Sorceress, and her twin daughters, Esme and Shalin, were not visiting Helsop. Members of the same group of saffron-robed men had once kidnapped Esme and taken her to their sanctuary far away, believing she was their reincarnated goddess. It was likely they had come here once again looking for their absent goddess. Helsop’s villagers referred to all the members of this religious sect as the Silent Men.

What is it you want? Electra asked the two kneeling men. She knew they spoke a language she would not understand if they did answer, but she was curious as to whether they had taken another vow of silence while they searched for their missing goddess.

The men did not answer, but pointed to their mouths. Electra took that to mean they had, in fact, taken another vow of silence. Then she bent forward to look closer at their open mouths. She jerked back in fear of what she saw. Pulling her best friend and most senior student, Isa, aside, she whispered. Did you see the bumps on their tongues?

Isa nodded as she took a step back.

Electra put up her hands to keep her students back. Quickly now, students, she ordered in a loud voice. Go to your rooms by the back entrance. Do not go near these men. They are in the early stages of smallpox.

Electra waved her hand in the direction of the two Silent Men, motioning them to stand, and pointing them in the direction of the clinic. Thank the stars she had no patients there. She caught Isa’s arm before she could leave with the other students.

Fetch Dagon. Tell him we have patients with smallpox. Ask him to find out where these men have come from. Tell him to send men to guard the clinic. No one must go in or out. She thought for a moment, then added, Ask him to seek out anyone in Helsop who has had the pox and survived it. Only those few will be immune.

As Isa and the students rushed off in different directions, Electra took a deep breath and led the Silent Men to the clinic. She hesitated at the door, knowing once they entered, the clinic would have to be off limits to any other patients, but there was no other place to put them. She pointed out a cot for each of the men, then walked quickly through the clinic to the chart room where she dropped the herbs and blossoms she still carried, fresh from the forest.

Electra sat down for a moment to gather her wits, knowing she must make the decision now, before Dagon came to forbid it. She fingered the gold physician’s crest she wore around her neck. An oath was an oath. She donned a pair of cotton gloves and a cotton mask to wear over her nose and mouth, hoping they would give her some protection, then stood slowly and walked back to the cots where the men lay waiting.

Standing beside the cot of one, she pointed to her mouth. The man looked at her with feverish eyes and opened his mouth. A rash of small red spots covered his mouth and tongue. The second man showed the same symptoms. They must have contracted the disease at the same time, a little more than a fortnight ago. She was about to lift up his saffron-colored robe to see if the pox had as yet spread to his body when the entrance of someone at the open doorway blocked the light.

At the same moment that Electra shouted Do not come in here, Dagon shouted, Get out of there. They both glared fiercely at one another.

Electra gave in first and walked out the door, motioning Dagon, her husband, to move outside ahead of her.

Once outside, she shouted in an angry voice. What are you thinking? I asked you to send someone to keep people out, not to be the first one in.

Dagon suppressed an equally angry retort. I believe the first one in would be you, not me. His icy tone cut deeper than his anger would have.

I am a physician. I am obligated. Electra put her hands on her hips.

These men are from a sect of kidnappers. If I had seen them first, they would be in the stockade, not the clinic.

Then we are lucky I saw them first, before they managed to infect your militia.

For a few seconds the two glared at one another, their fear of the highly contagious and deadly disease overcoming their civility.

Dagon looked toward the houses of the village. I have men canvassing all of Helsop, looking for any survivors of the pox. Would it not be preferable if those who are immune were the ones to administer treatment on your orders?

Electra realized this plan made a lot more sense than her own plan of ignoring the risks. I am sorry. Of course you are right. I will canvass my students as well. Young as they are, there are some among them who have survived the disease. A tear rolled down her cheek.

Dagon pulled her into his arms and pressed her face against his chest. She could feel his heart beating much too fast. You should not hold me. I may already have become infected.

Then I will be as you. I would not have it otherwise, Dagon said.

Electra let out a long sigh. How did they get here? she asked.

Dagon continued to stroke her hair, refusing to let her out of his arms. They came along on the blue Vagan ship that Serafina gave to the fishermen from Thebes River. I suppose they paid for their passage here. The fishermen waited all winter for the ice to break up before coming to fish our waters and sell our fish back to us. They were very disappointed to learn that we now have our own fishing boats and have claimed the exclusive right to fish the waters off our shores.

How many are aboard?

I would guess about twenty, but they have already come ashore and mingled with the villagers. Shall I send them away before any more show signs of the pox?

No. We must stop it here and quarantine the whole village. But they should stay aboard their ship until the incubation period has ended. Then we will know how big an epidemic we are dealing with. Electra looked up hopefully. Do you recall seeing pox scars on the faces of any of the Hammer Haven immigrants?

Actually, I believe I have seen such scars on a few, Dagon said, frowning as he searched his memory.

I must send messages warning Fernland and Henge to keep their citizens away from Helsop, Electra said. Also I had best tell Serafina the Silent Men are back, likely searching for Esme. Serafina will no doubt be glad to hear they have the pox.

Dagon scowled at the diseased men through the open door of the clinic. For men of peace, they certainly do cause a great deal of trouble.

Chapter 2

Kingdom of Henge

The Kingdom of Henge was Helsop’s closest neighbor, a two-day’s ride to the west. Henge, a busy port city, sat at the edge of the great North Sea. Prince Blackwell ruled over the city kingdom and commanded its well-trained army. His father, old King Blackwell was still in residence. He had ceded power to his son after sustaining a severe battle injury, which ultimately took his leg, but not his life. The old king regretted his decision to hand over power to his son every day since.

Prince Blackwell, his wife, Serafina, his daughters, Esme and Shalin and old King Blackwell sat around the dining table in their castle in Henge City. Old King Blackwell alternated between drumming on the table with his knife and fork, and grousing about the absence of his bastard son, Phinn, better known as Take the Thief.

Phinn said he understood about my objecting to his marrying a gypsy girl. If he understands, what’s the problem? he complained to his family. And what’s keeping him in Fernland? The heavy rains are passed. He and his actors should be able to make it here to Henge. They have homes here now. Better than where they are living in Fernland, I’d wager.

Serafina looked at her father-in-law with a bland expression. What makes you think Juanita is a gypsy?

Old King Blackwell looked annoyed. He stared at Serafina disdainfully. Maybe because she came here as part of a gypsy caravan. What else would she be?

Serafina shrugged. I understood her to be an orphan.

Old King Blackwell’s mouth fell open a bit as he considered the ramifications of Serafina’s statement. I suppose she might be only half gypsy – like Phinn. He banged harder on the table with his fork, staring at the door to the kitchen just as it opened and Cook came through with a pot of tea and some baked goods.

I’m not deaf, you know, Cook said. I’m shorthanded today. Some kind of cold goin’ round. She put the teapot down and rushed back to the kitchen.

Prince Blackwell reached for the pot of tea while Serafina took a sweet roll and began breaking off pieces for each of the twins.

Old King Blackwell seemed lost in thought for a few minutes as he sipped the tea his son had poured for him.

You are right, you know, he mused, glancing at Serafina. They say those gypsies sometimes steal children. This Juanita does seem a cut above now I think on it. I’m going to go down to that gypsy camp and see what I can find out about her.

Prince Blackwell grimaced and gave his father a sideways glance. I hope you are not going to cause trouble at the gypsy camp.

What trouble? I’ll just ask what they know about Juanita’s parents. How could that cause trouble?

Cook came through the door with a tray full of scrambled eggs and ham. She gave old King Blackwell a scornful look.

Old Blackwell took the tray from her and began to serve himself. About time, he muttered as soon as Cook’s back was turned.

Electra’s message arrived just as the Blackwell family was finishing breakfast. Serafina took it, as messages from Electra were always addressed to her. After reading it once to herself, she read it aloud to her husband and father-in-law.

Dear Mother,

I am sad to report Helsop is in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. We have closed off our borders and sent messages of the epidemic to all our neighboring kingdoms.

The disease was carried to our shores on a ship of fishermen from the River Thebes. The first to show signs of the disease were two Silent Men who had paid the fishermen for passage here. They were likely looking for their supposed goddess, little Esme. These two are now being cared for in our clinic.

Be assured I am taking all precautions and restricting contact with the afflicted to those who have survived the disease and are therefore immune. We hope to have the disease contained within a month or more by isolating any new cases that crop up.

Your daughter,

Electra

Prince Blackwell quenched a shiver of horror as he considered Electra’s message. He turned to his wife. She says she is taking all precautions. I am sure she will be all right.

Of course she will, Serafina said, blotting her lips with a napkin. She is immune.

She is? But she has no scars on her face as is usual with survivors of the pox. Prince Blackwell’s face was a mixture of surprise and doubt.

I gave us both a very mild case of the pox years ago when last an epidemic swept through Chase Bound, Serafina said.

You did what? Prince Blackwell shook his head. Surely there are limits to what even black magic can accomplish.

It has nothing to do with magic. It is a method of transmitting just enough of the disease to grant immunity. It was discovered by physicians from the Orient. I must leave at once for Helsop.

What? You cannot go. It is much too dangerous. Besides, they have closed the borders. Prince Blackwell stood up, as if to prevent her going. Then he sat back down. And, you just said yourself, Electra is immune. She does not need your help.

No, she does not need my help, but Henge does. I must have access to her patients to gather the ingredients required to make you and others immune from the disease. Also, I will not abide this quest on the part of the Silent Men for a goddess. Her expression turned dark as she put her hand on Esme’s head and brushed aside an errant strand of black hair.

Prince Blackwell stared at Serafina. He seemed in search of a reason to keep her from going to Helsop. You would have to leave the twins behind. It would be too dangerous to take them. You see, even now they fear being separated from you.

Serafina looked at Esme and Shalin. They both stared intently at their mother, filling her mind with pleas to take them along.

Your father is right, Serafina told her three-year-old daughters. It would be too dangerous to take you with me. You are not yet immune to the disease that awaits there.

Old King Blackwell stood up. I’ll leave the two of you to sort this out. I’m going to visit the gypsy camp and find out who Juanita’s parents were. She might be more suitable than we thought.

Serafina stood as well. Stay, she said. I will go to the gypsy camp and find the answers you seek. I know how to discover the truth. In the meantime we should issue orders that no crew members aboard ships arriving at Henge be allowed ashore. If the pox is in Helsop it could soon find its way to Henge.

Prince Blackwell paled at the realization. I will see to it, he said. We will begin a list of those in Henge who have survived the disease.

Chapter 3

Kingdom of Henge

Serafina walked along the docks on her way to the gypsy camp, stopping at vendor stands to inquire whether anyone had been complaining of a rash accompanied by a fever. Many complained of colds but there was no talk of the pox.

As she approached the trail through the mud flats that led to the campgrounds, she considered the problem of leaving Esme and Shalin in their father’s care while she made the trip to Helsop. At three years old they were prone to lapses in following the rule forbidding displays of uncommon powers while in the castle. She knew if Prince Blackwell witnessed any display of abnormal powers on the part of his beloved daughters, he would not be able to hide his shock and disapproval. To date he had shown no signs of accepting or even acknowledging their unique abilities. Any thought that they might have gifts in line with the black arts seemed to unnerve him. She could not take such a risk with her daughters’ vulnerable spirits. They loved their father too much to withstand his displeasure. As she reached the trail’s end, a possible solution flickered to life.

At the gypsy camp, Serafina found the camp’s unofficial leader, El Grande, and asked who might know something of Juanita’s parentage.

El Grande laughed at the unexpected question. I supposed, now the snows are gone, that the old King would be sending me to Fernland with yet another note to his son, but this question is a surprise.

Serafina did not share in his laughter.

El Grande cleared his throat and rearranged his face into a serious expression. That information would be with old Zigana. You’ll find her in or about the red wagon with the yellow moon and stars.

Serafina walked along a muddy path through a jumble of brightly colored gypsy wagons. Some of the rear doors hung open to reveal the living quarters inside.

Serafina saw an old woman sitting on the floor at the open doors of a red and yellow wagon speaking to a group of children gathered around the rear wheels of the wagon. The woman looked up as Serafina approached.

Are you Zigana? Serafina asked.

I am. Zigana smiled. Have you come to hear a story?

I have, as it happens. El Grande told me you would be able to tell me something of Juanita’s parents.

Now why would a Princess of Henge be interested in Juanita’s parents? Zigana asked.

Serafina shrugged. Is it a secret?

Chuckling, Zigana spoke to her audience. Run along children. I will finish this story of the snake and the mongoose another time.

When the children had gone, Zigana observed her visitor. Would you like to sit with me?

Thank you, Serafina said.

Zigana slid aside and Serafina climbed up into the wagon to sit beside her.

Zigana lifted her wrinkled face to the sky, remembering. Little Juanita was only a few months old when her parents drowned. I am her great aunt, her grandmother’s sister. There was no one else to take her in.

Were both her parents gypsies? Serafina asked.

"Only her mother, my niece. Juanita’s mother, Lola, was a beautiful girl. She caught the eye of a blacksmith’s helper as we passed through his town. Good with horses, he was. I think his name was Josef. He spoke to Lola while we were stopped to get some horses shod. Then Josef came and visited Lola when we camped outside the town. When we left that camp, he followed us. My father was the camp’s leader then. He tried to send the boy back to his job at the blacksmith’s, but the boy kept following us. Finally my father let him in. After he and Lola were married and Juanita was born, Josef decided they should go back to live with his family.

Zigana shook her head, her face bathed in sadness as she continued. "They tried to cross a wide river over an old bridge as the water was rising. The old bridge

crumbled and was washed away. We found Juanita washed up on shore in a basket that evening."

You never found their bodies? Serafina asked in a curious voice.

No. The water was running too fast. Josef was a sweet boy. He certainly loved Lola. But maybe he was not so bright.

Where was his town?

On the great sea, south and east of Chase Bound. I do not remember the name.

Serafina hopped down from the wagon. Thank you. She looked around. Any signs of rashes accompanied by fever in your camp?

No. Any sick ones usually come to me first. Why do you ask?

There is news of the smallpox in Helsop. We are closing our borders and allowing no ships’ crews ashore.

A shiver of fear went through Zigana. Thank you for telling me. I will be on the lookout for the rash.

When Serafina returned to the castle, she found Esme and Shalin playing fetch