Chapter 29
I t isn’t very long until the carriage stops, and Bennu helps her out. Farmers are gathered around a plot of crops, they all turned when they noticed a carriage had pulled up. They turn, moving toward her, hats already in hand.
“Princess Amiaza. To what do we owe the pleasure? Are you alright?” An older man asked.
“Yes, I am well. I came here to discuss the crops and livestock with you. I was informed of some issues. I came to discuss them and find a way to fix it.”
“Oh, bless you, Princess. Please come, we will show you.” Another farmer, this one much younger, with a burnt face, said, leading her and the others to the spot they had been standing at when Aza arrived.
The closer they get, the stronger the stench of rot. She lifts her hand to her face to cover her nose. The crops they had pulled up had twisted leaves with black-and-white spots, and the roots were as black as the night. They were shriveled at the top. Nothing would grow from that.
“Do you have any idea what is causing this? How far does it spread?” Aza asks, voice muffled behind her hand.
“At least three plots of crops. That’s nearly half of what we have. We don’t know what is causing it. It seems to be random. One plot is fine, and then the other turns up like this.”
“What do you think needs to be done? How can I help with this?”
“Honestly, we need to dig up all the rotten crops and burn them. We don’t want their roots continuing to spread, in case they carry a disease that will begin affecting the other crops.
I fear disturbing the dirt too much, so we don’t accidentally spread more of it.
Maybe after we dig up the plants, we can cover the diseased plots. ”
“Can these plants grow in pots? If we were to get soil that isn’t diseased and plant healthy plants in the pots, would they grow?”
“Not all of them, but some might. But we don’t have the resources for all that potting, nor the hands to be doing all this digging and moving around. We’ve been doing our best, but we’re all exhausted.”
“I can only imagine,” Aza says, “I know someone who has been refining her pottery skills. If she could teach some of the villagers, do you think they would be able to help make planting pots?”
“I suppose so, it will still be a lot of work, but that doesn’t solve the actual farming problem with all this change.”
“There are young men in our military without set roles or still in training. I’ll speak to my father about sending extra hands to help with the labor ahead.”
“Thank you, Princess. That would be much appreciated.”
“Of course. How are your tools currently?”
“They are mostly good; we have lost some due to the increased use. We will need more if more hands are to be using them.”
“I will see to that as well.” Aza assures, “Now will you take me to see your livestock and inform me on what is occurring with them?”
“Of course, this way please.” The elderly farmer leads her to a barn that is filled with the noises of various animals, “the healthy ones we keep in here, separated. Those who have shown signs of sickness are out back. It feels terrible to have to do this, but we can’t risk everything getting infected. ”
Aza takes in the small number of animals left in the barn. The closer they get to the back door, the smell worsens. Once again, she smells the unmistakable scent of rot. She’s surprised they’re kept so far from the door and that the stench travels that far.
“We thought this would be far enough away, but still close enough to care for them, but they just keep getting sicker, and the smell is horrendous.”
Aza finds herself covering her nose once more.
The closer they get, the more the horror of their condition comes into view.
Some have unnaturally bowed legs that make them shake.
A cloudy film glazes their eyes. Red, blotchy patches spread across their bodies.
Some drool excessively; others leak red or yellow fluid from their eyes.
Bile rises in Aza’s throat. She turns away quickly, slamming into Bennu. Tears spring to her eyes, and she buries her face in his chest.
He wraps an arm around her back and gently pats it. “We can leave, Princess, if this is too much for you.”
Aza steadies herself, drawing a breath, wiping her tears as she says, “No. I want to help. I apologize, it was quite a bit to take in all at once. These poor animals.”
“We still don’t know what’s causing this.
No matter what we try to do to help them, they keep getting worse.
We have had to start putting them out of their misery.
We must be very careful, though, as we don’t know how it is transferred and if it can be transferred to us.
So, please, Princess Amiaza, don’t get too close. We shouldn’t stay long.”
“This is not caused by the sun or heat, is it?”
“No, this is something entirely different. Something is poisoning our crops and livestock. We have very little land with the proper soil for crops, or that can grow grass for the livestock to graze. I fear we will be running out of it. It is like this among other villages as well, as I have personally visited them myself.”
“Is there anything I can do to help protect the livestock? Can we build better dividers for the animals, so they aren’t as in contact with one another, considering we don’t know how it is transmitted?”
“We could try that. But if it is the soil that is infested, that won’t matter.”
“Can we grow food for them in pots as well and hold off on grazing for a while until we can try to learn more?”
“Growing it will take a while, but I suppose we could try to start. They just need so much. For now, I suppose we can start harvesting areas that have shown no concerns and feeding them in their enclosures. We would need those extra hands, too, though.”
“Of course. Our food supply is incredibly important. I will make sure we supply what and who we can to help.”
“Thank you, Princess. We are truly blessed to have you and your kindness.”
“I am truly grateful to have subjects that are so hardworking and compassionate. I will not stop until we figure this out and figure out how to fix it.”
The farmer gives Aza a sincere smile. He leads her back to the village.
“Just out of curiosity, has anyone in the village become ill?”
“No, Your Highness, thank the heavens.”
“Very good. Let’s hope whatever this is cannot transfer to the people.
” Aza sends up a little prayer, and the farmer nods his head in agreement, “If there is anything else that you require for the time being, please send a letter or come ask for an audience with the King or Princess, so that we can address any further concerns.”
“Of course. Thank you for your time and your help so far.”
Aza bids the farmers and other villagers adieu and returns to her carriage. Before she can open the door, Bennu blocks it with his arm. Aza looks at him with confusion and worry.
“Princess, we will not be visiting any other villages today. We need to get you back to the castle and get you cleansed immediately.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It is far worse here than I originally thought we would see. We don’t know if anything is contagious. You need to clean thoroughly and be seen by a healer in case it can transfer to humans.”
“The farmer said there haven’t been any cases among the people.” Aza defends.
“He did not look well himself, Princess.”
“He is exhausted from all the extra work.”
“That may be, but we cannot know for sure at this present moment, so we must be as cautious as possible. Your father would not want you risking your life. Jahar will kill me if he knows I let you come here and stay after what we saw.”
“Jahar isn’t fucking here, and it is none of his business!
” Aza snaps, but then instantly regrets it when she sees the look of shock and hurt on Bennu’s face, “I apologize for my outburst; it was inappropriate. I’ll listen this once out of respect for your concern.
After I’m cleansed and cleared, I must speak to my father immediately.
You and the others need disinfection and a health tonic as well.
I won’t hear otherwise. Replacement guards can cover you briefly. ”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Now, will you remove your arm so that I may enter the carriage and head home?”
Bennu removes his arm quickly, clearing his throat in embarrassment. Aza opens the door and sits down. After the door closes behind her, she exhales sharply, and tears slide down her cheeks.
She cannot be selfish anymore. She needs to find a husband. For a marriage alliance and trade purposes. For her people. Not for her heart.
Aza weeps silently in her carriage on the ride back to the castle. She cannot continue to be angry with Jahar when he was correct. They cannot, and will not, ever be together. It is time that she accepts that.
But she cries for the girl who was full of love for him. The girl who finally found the light in all her darkness. The girl who finally began to believe in fairytales again. The girl she will have to leave behind.
By the time they return, Aza’s tears have run dry, her body unable to keep up. When the carriage stops, she takes a steadying breath, lifts her chin, and steps out.
“Your temporary replacements will be with you momentarily. Please let them know if you need anything, and I will be back soon.” Bennu assures her.
“Thank you, Sir Bennu.” Aza bows and walks away, heading to her room.
She wraps her clothes tightly in a towel, Aza proceeds to shower and change.
A healer came to look her over quickly and gave her a health tonic for precaution.
Her focus now is speaking with her father about all she has learned and what needs to be done.
She made her way to his study and found him there, reading over parchment.
“Baba, may I come in and speak to you?”
“Yes, yes, of course, my child.”
Aza bows slightly and shuts the door behind her before taking a seat on the other side of his desk.
“I visited Euwan Village today. It’s far worse than we expected, Baba.
The crops are rotting, and the animals are plagued by a terrible sickness.
The farmers don’t know the cause, but they’re certain it isn’t the sun or heat.
I’ve discussed possible solutions with them and would like to review them with you. ”
Baba nods for her to continue. Aza fills him in on what she saw and discussed with the farmers. He hesitates to send spare soldiers, concerned about infection, but ultimately decides starvation would claim more lives if they did nothing.
“I will prepare to visit the last prince, and then we can choose a husband for me that will offer the best for our people.”
“Aza…”
“We know you have held it off long enough, Baba. It is time I fulfill my duty to my people. I cannot let them or you suffer. We can announce it at the ball. Did you send a letter to the Hanlo Kingdom?”
“Yes, I am waiting for their reply. Should be within the next few days.”
“Good. Hopefully, we will know if we can host this ball properly before I see the next suitor. That way, I can invite him personally if I feel he is a worthy candidate.”
“My daughter…”
“It is alright, Baba. You have done your best to give me a good life. I am ready to move on to the next part of mine.”
He sighs, “Alright, but we still have much to discuss before any final decisions about marriage are made,” Aza nods her head to him in agreement, and he continues, “I will make sure your guards are prepared for another journey. Jahar will be back from his short leave by the time you set sail.”
Aza's stomach drops at his name, rushing to say, “Jahar should stay here. I have dragged him across the world for nearly two years. He deserves a break.”
“He is your personal guard, dear, and someone I trust with your life. I knew his father very well and treated him well in return. He needs to go. Besides, he is currently on a break and should be rested by then.”
“But…”
“Is there something you need to tell me?”
“No… I-I just want to look out for my people.” Aza covers quickly, but then can’t help but ask, “When I inevitably move to a new kingdom, will Jahar come with me?”
“I would say that would have to be up to him, if he wanted to move as well to stay with you. And I suppose if you're new…” Baba stops himself, taking a sharp breath before continuing, “Your new husband agrees to him joining your new guards and joining as a citizen himself.”
The answer doesn’t ease her, but she honestly didn’t know what she wanted the answer to be or what she wanted to happen at this point, fearing she’ll give herself away and feelings, Aza answers quickly, “Right. Well, I appreciate you looking out for me.”
“Anything for you. I love you, my dear.”
“I love you too, Baba.” Aza walks over to place a kiss on his cheek. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must begin preparing. Please, if you hear any news, do tell me immediately.”
“I will.”
Aza smiles and leaves. Her chest tightens and her stomach churns as she shuts the door. She lingers outside his room briefly, thoughts swirling in her head before she straightens up heading back to hers.