Violet: Divine Punishment
Red fever was a scourge that had terrorised the entire continent for as long as historians could remember.
It always started with a mottled rash on the neck, palms and soles of the feet. It was followed by a raging fever that would often drive its sufferers to delirious ramblings.
Recovery was uncommon and those that did survive were often left weakened. The majority of victims would continue to be wracked by fever until they lost the power of speech and eventually died.
Most physicians and healers believed it was caused by eating spoiled meat or unclean food. The more superstitious folk, however, still whispered it was divine punishment for terrible sins.
Violet didn't normally believe in superstition. Still, she couldn't help asking herself the question over and over. What terrible sins had Ilse committed to deserve this?
Was falling in love with the wrong man considered a sin?