The village he sent her to had been two weeks journey on horseback, and she arrived weary and underslept to the seaside village. In spite of this, she was filled with excitement and finally had a taste of the life she had wished for so many years ago. Speaking to the locals she was able to track down the family she was looking for. They took her into a darkened room where the ill child slept and she found him wheezing for breath. His lungs were filled with fluid. She knew instantly what the illness was. Propping pillows up behind him she sat and spoke with the boy for a short time, giving him some bitter tincture to ease his pain. She let him rest again and told the family she would return the next day. Leaving the small home, she knew his disease was incurable. The boy likely had only days left. She pondered this… the king would have known his symptoms and naturally he would consult with his physicians. He was certainly no fool, so why would he have sent her?
