Chapter 16: The Infection Spreads

"I want babies…" Junipor spoke without thinking. In truth, she found being asked by a stranger to leave her home as something more than a bizarre request. It wasn't even borderline ridiculous, but completely and utterly insane! This Dragon had come all the way to the land of the Pharines on behalf of a dying kings wishes to fulfill some prophecy that he himself didn't really believe in. Junipor couldn't decide if this Dragon was devoted to his majesty, or lost of his senses.

Thinking back, Junipor reflected on other's who had made the long journey to the Islands of Fear, only to lose some of their senses. Nerves frayed at the sight of their icy shores, or broke upon traveling the Isles peaks. She knew this Dragon wouldn't be the first person to have journeyed such a vast distance, over land and seas, to lose a little sanity along the way. Every year there were at least a few human merchants who find themselves overly taxed to make it to Hitecross as well.

Junipor studied his snarky smile, measuring every square inch of the creases on his brow. It was hard to discern any level of dishonesty in his expression. She cared nothing about the troubles of Dragons, so the idea of leaving her home was unsettling, to say the least. For over a year now, her sole goal was to find a suitable mate, and raise a family of pups. She wanted children, not some epic quest! Her strength wasn't forged to go off adventuring, but rather as a means to an end. She didn't want to leave, and was frustrated that this handsome Dragon asked.

The Dragon raised an eyebrow at her declaration, "Well…as a suitor to the Dragon Prince, I'm sure he'll oblige." He paused a moment to look her up and down, "Eagerly, I imagine."

What would that even look like? Why did I even say that to him? Junipor dipped her head under water to hide her embarrassment. She had never confessed so openly to a complete stranger before. Then again, she never had too.

A scream echoed from across the bathhouse. It was high pitched, and shrilled the peaceful silence that everyone had enjoyed. Under the water, Junipor heard the shriek as a muffled groan. Yet still her ears picked up the alarm and she quickly lifted her face from the steaming bath water.

The steam encapsulating the air seemed to change, a new flavor had washed over the subtle hints of soaps and mint leaves. The new smell was rancid, like untamed earth and putrefaction. It made her want to throw up sniffing the air. She stood up in the shallow water and looked toward the source of the disturbance. Her ears fidgeted as the noise escalated from one voice to many.

From the far end of the bathhouse, Pharine occupants began rushing out of the grand pool. They did so with reckless abandon, clawing their way from the waters edge. Pharine merchants pulled themselves out of the water without even helping the women reach safety.

Junipor recognized one of the Pharine females instantly. Vixi was easily one of the most attractive females in town, and newly grown to maidenhood. She avoided the tavern, and routine places to meet mates, for she didn't need to go out in search of them. She was so stunningly beautiful, with her voluptuous chest and stunning curves, that the males came to her.

Vixi's blonde hair was luscious and wrapped in a ponytail that draped over her slender shoulder. Her skin was without blemish, and was the color of richly pressed copper. The fur of the female's tail was also rich and blonde, with subtle streaks of brown along the tip. As if to demand Junipor's jealousy, Vixi's naked body also revealed some strength in her muscles.

Whatever had terrified the Pharines on the far side of the pool, it had been enough for the men to even ignore her! One of the male's accidentally bumped into her as he tried to reach the pools edge, and another stepped on her foot clumsily. Only one of the young males kept his wits about him, a brown haired youth who Junipor also recognized.

Jurgen was a shy youth who frequently kept a distance from all the females. Even in the tavern when he sought to socialize, the male struggled to keep his composure. Junipor never saw much interest in him, and he never showed much interest in her either. It was surprising to see Jurgen wrap his arms around Vixi to shelter her from the frenzied pack, and then help her evacuate once a path had cleared. Junipor blushed, thinking the males selfless courage to be attractive, apparently Vixi thought so too.

In their fright, many of the Pharine's failed to claim their towels, or belongings for that matter. Meanwhile the rotting smell seemed to creep onward, its revolting stink grew with every passing second. Junipor recognized the foul stench as something familiar, memories flashed of three Aiverix warriors collapsing on their sickly limbs and writhing in agony before her. The Dragon sensed the disturbance as well, and he reached forward to grab hold of Junipor's arm before leaping out of the pool.

His raw nakedness distracted Junipor from the toxic sludge seeping from one side of the bathhouse to the other. The clear waters churned as the vile pollutants claimed the entire space. Even the lesser baths, and private pools, were affected. One by one, each of the side chambers were emptied of their occupants. The panicked stricken crowd pouring from the bathhouse quickly alarmed the towns militia, they responded swiftly to ascertain the situation.

Junipor and the Dragon emerged from the packed crowds once they reached the outside. The fresh air felt like a cool balm as it filled their lungs. Junipor tightened her grip on the towl drapping over her shoulders. The linen cloth around her chest and waist was bound loosely, and she was thankfully the Dragon had grabbed hold of their towels before they fled.

The towns guards arrived in confusion. Meanwhile the large pack of desperate Pharine's were dizzy from the foul air they had all breathed only seconds ago. A few were vomiting black bile, while others wouldn't stop shaking. Junipor would soon that learn it wasn't just the bathhouse that was somehow polluted, but every source of water in the entire town. What made matters worse, was that whatever had infected the ground water had infected the rain as well.