Lane's Audition Part II

The old man driving the wagon seemed like nice company for a change. He whistled and spoke to the horses, from time to time, but he wasn't weirder than that. He had no visible sign of the plague, which made Lane think that maybe he wasn't infected. It was probably not a good idea to ride with him, but it was the only chance he had of leaving the village, and the man didn't seem to mind.

- Alright, we're almost there! So this is your first time outside the village, uh?

Welcome to the real world, boy, I'll show you, this is the best way to get to know the planet you live in, right into a big city, this is Laturia's best! – the wagon bounced, Lane's invisible companion held his hand – Seriously, though, it's a big city. Don't get lost.

- I'll try. I'm really –

Lane stopped his sentence, pressed his hands against his mouth and nose, coughing hard, then began to feel sick. Blood.

- Holy peanuts! What's wrong with you, boy?

He stopped the wagon, which only made both teenagers almost fall off.

- I'm okay, I, it happens.

- It's that plague, now, isn't it?

- Yes, I'm sorry, do you have any cloth, or…

- Yes, yes, wait a minute

He got down to the floor with unexpected agility, then walked to the back of the wagon and got back in no time.

- Here.

- I'm sorry, just don't get too close to me, - he wiped his hands and face – and it will probably be fine…

- What, the plague? Come on, kid, I work driving people around, do you really think there's any chance I don't get it?

- Then you…?

- I just have faith in God, I won't deny you help just because you're sick. Come on, let's get back on track, shall we?

Lane didn't know what to answer, so he just nodded. Quite a change, indeed.

- Just terrible, that plague stuff. Horrible things, I've seen, just horrible.

- Yeah, it is.

- People are beginning to lose their minds over this, you know? Making promises, buying magical stuff, none of that works, of course. The newest stuff is a healing flower. Healing flower! "Curatio Effloresco", you see, supposedly cures all illnesses, but only grows in one island, once a century…

Something in those words made the girl scratch her head. She had heard something like that somewhere before…

- Lane! Doesn't that healing flower stuff ring a bell?

The boy shook his head, in silence, as if disapproving of what he heard.

- It does! I've heard it… Dr. Dam! I think he said something about the Curatio Effloresco once. To someone else. Yes! I think he believed in it.

Lane raised his eyebrows, without turning to face her. He just said out loud:

- So you don't believe it is real?

- Me? No, it is probably just another way to attract tourists to that bloody island.

- I suspect many people must be trying to get there, then.

- They are. Poor souls.

- It can't be all bad to have some hope, can it?

The old man just shrugged.

- I would like to try to find it, myself. The Curatio Effloresco, you said? It may not be a waste of time…

- I wouldn't advise you to it, but if you wish…

- I have no place set to go, I might as well go on an adventure.

- You know what's best for you, don't you? Where are we going?

Lane exchanged an excited look with his fellow wanderer, before staring dramatically at the horizon and answering.

- To the nearest dock.