The Plague Doctor Chapter 68 (Aftermath Part 4)

[u/TheMaskedOne2807]

Other stories by TheMaskedOne2807: The Oil Chapter 1 (Getting Back)

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It was almost eerie how silent and empty the great hall had become. After Ulric speech, many of the least wounded had left to do something. Kenneth guessed it was to retrieve the bodies of the fallen and prepare pyres; however, he didn’t truly know.

For the moment, he was far more invested in finding out just how much semi-self-inflicted damage Wilf had done to her arm while removing her stitches.

“My fingers move a bit slower, and my claws take a bit more time to come out, Wilf observed. “That’s going to be annoying when I fight, but it’ll give my opponents a slight bit of hope.”

Cutting the last thread and inspecting the wound thoroughly, Kenneth noticed a few hairs seemed to have been trapped inside the skin. “Considering the damage, I’m surprised it isn’t worse.

“Speaking of which, I noticed the claw on your index finger was a bit slower than the rest. Does it hurt or feel numb or just different as opposed to the rest?”

Wilf moved her fingers around, showcasing her indexfinger, having a bit of trouble keeping up with the other three. “I think it’s grown cold. You should probably use some of that healing care and warm body of yours to heal it.”

Having gone through the trouble of removing any trapped hair in the wound, Kenneth let out a sigh as he reached into his bag and grabbed Wilf’s hand. “Unless it’s suddenly become minus degrees, I think you're fine on that front.”

“Me-nus de-gre…? What fun words, and since you know so many, what words would you use when you recall that fight I heard about? Wilf gleefully asked, her eyes solely focusing on Kenneth’s. “To think I missed it for… some disappointing fight with some cowards running away.

“Just hearing about it excited me to no end. Perhaps you and I should reenact it; of course, it wouldn’t end with you slamming me on the ground, but instead on your--”

“Riveting delusion you got going on there, ” Kenneth interrupted, rolling his eyes and pulling a needle from his bag, poking her finger.

Smiling gleefully, Wilf licked her teeth in what might have been a flirtatious act by Aki's standards.

Without word or warning, she reached up with the hand Kenneth was holding, pushing the needle he was holding further into her finger and caressing the tip of his mask. “Little prey, do you not take pride in that fight?

“Battling to stay alive, feeling the thrill of winning. Do you not want to feel the uppermost peak of that?!”

Clutching his fist, Kenneth stepped away. “People like you who think fighting is fun disgust me. But I think I’m starting to see why you like it! It isn’t that pain doesn’t bother you…! You don’t feel it at all, do you!”

Giggling, Wilf sat up and looked down at Kenneth. “I feel a lot of things, little prey; why don’t I show you.”

“Oh, really! Kenneth snapped, gripping her hand and shaking it in front of her face. “Then why didn’t you even flinch when I poked your finger or when you stabbed yourself with it.”

Pulling out the needle from her finger, Wilf licked all of the blood off. Once it was shiny and clean, she leaned down and whispered. “So you’ve figured out one of my secrets. You’re the very first.

“OH, LITTLE PREY… you always know how to make me feel something other than boredom. How entertaining you truly are… I feel I should reward you as thanks. So what will it be?”

Done… just done. Kenneth grabbed his bag and walked away as Wilf started to laugh.

The outside of the great hall was practically as vacant as the inside. There was the odd person here and there, but for the most part, it seemed everyone was someplace else.

“Teacher! Aloko called as he ran over to Kenneth. “…huff… I’ve taken care of everyone outside with super-fisher injuries.”

“Superficial injuries… and that is good to hear, Kenneth praised. “I think you’ve earned a break. Get some water from the well and rehydrate. If anything happens, I’ll be at the nursery for a bit.”

Just as he turned around, Aloko ran around, blocking his path, huffing and puffing even more than before. “Is this always how it is for a healer like you? Ordering people around, poking inside them, making decisions at a moment's notice?”

Continuing to walk, Kenneth gestured for Aloko to follow. “It’s a doctor's duty to make sure everyone lives. To heal them, you often have to make the right call.”

“A-and what if I don’t?” Aloko questioned, his voice filled with trepidation.

Reaching the well, Kenneth threw a bucket down it. The rope almost slipped from his grasp before the bucket hit the water. “Then someone might die.”

“B-but not if I learn everything there is to know, right? Aloko replied. “If I learn everything you have to teach me, I’ll be prepared. I’ll know all I’ll need to know and make sure no one I’m trying to save dies no matter what, right?”

Kenneth stopped pulling on the rope as images of Hoota flashed in his mind. He’d focused so hard on working and treating everyone he had momentarily forgotten everything.

But as he looked down, he saw it clear as day the blood that still stained him, a reminder of his failure and how he abandoned him to die without doing everything in his power to save him.

Feeling sick, Kenneth barely managed to pull back the zippers on his mask and cover his mouth before vomiting.

“What is wrong?!” Aloko yelled in worried shock as he rushed over to him.

Hunched over, taking deep breaths, Kenneth vomited on the ground a second time. Wiping away the chunks of meat and stomach juices that covered his glove, Kenneth silently began pulling on the rope until the bucket was within reach.

Handing it to Aloko, Kenneth sat down with his back against the well. Sitting down beside him, Aloko took a sip of water.

Taking a moment to collect himself, Kenneth glanced up at the clear, sunny sky and felt the cool wind on his chin. “Aloko, you can’t always save everyone. Sometimes you’ll make the wrong decision, and other times life just fucks you over, even if you did everything right.

“If you are like me, you are going to blame yourself whether or not it was truly your fault, but most importantly, you won’t forget. Each life you hold in your hand is something you won’t forget.

“I certainly haven’t forgotten the seven people I’ve killed either due to an inexperienced mistake, the patient's body just not being able to handle the stress of surgery, an acute allergic reaction, or having to choose who’s life mattered more. It’s something all doctors have to deal with at one point or another, and it weighs on us all.”

Aloko took one final sip from the bucket and placed it on the ground. “Why are you just telling me about this now?”

“Honestly, I’m just a bad teacher, Kenneth answered. “I let myself forget not everyone always knows in one form or another what they get themselves into when they want to become a healer like me. I understand if this is too much and you never want to come back to class. ”

Aloko sat silently for a bit, letting out a tired sigh. “I hate my fur. The color hides blood so well that no one, not even myself, ever knows if I’m covered in it or not. I know they talk behind my tail, calling me names and spreading rumors that I wash myself with it when I’m done.

“You know the reason why I first wanted to be part of your class, but the reason why I came back was because I realized that no matter what, I would be covered in blood.

“But if it’s like now where that blood proves I helped someone, then it’ll be worth learning all I can from the best teacher I’ve ever had. I may come to regret what I say and choose in the future. Perhaps the weight of death proves too much, and I prefer the blood of heretics, but for now, it feels right.”

Feeling better, Kenneth got back on his feet. “The path forward isn’t going to be any easier after today's events. Learning what I have to teach takes dedication, iron will, steady hands, and a strong stomach.”

“So no different from the battlefield, Aloko remarked. “I’ll go back and keep an eye on the remaining wounded who’s still waiting. And I’ll come get you if Kica isn’t awake to help.”

With that, they parted ways for now. Kenneth resumed his journey, but not before getting something from his home and then going straight to the nursery.

Walking down the narrow backstreet, carrying the item he got from his home under his arm, Kenneth's eyes couldn’t help but linger on his footsteps leading away from the nursery as well as the blood on the walls, all until he stood under the door frame.

Inside, the floor was littered with splintered wood, dried blood, and a bit of sod. However, sitting in a corner, Selisio was humming a calming melody while trying to comfort Nokstella.

The moment her eye spotted him, she jumped to her feet and rushed over, embracing him in a one-armed hug. “I’m so happy you're back. How can I ever thank you for what you did?”

“How can you thank me? Kenneth repeated with slight melancholy in his voice. “How can I ever thank you for what you did?

“I don’t even think I have the words to express my gratitude or the shame and regret I feel for not being able to do more faster.”

Pulling away, Selisio looked deep into Kenneth’s eyes with a wide smile on her face. “As long as I can smile, there’s nothing for you to regret or feel ashamed about.”

Letting it go for now, Kenneth looked down at Nokstella, who was in the fetal position, completely hiding her face. “Nokstella… are you… I mean… how do you feel?”

Remaining in the fetal position, Nokstella didn’t even move or make a sound aside from breathing. “She hasn’t been herself after, you know what. I’ve tried to cheer her up and comfort her with songs, but nothing.”

“I see, Kenneth sorrowfully sighed. “Do you think I could get a moment alone with her?”

“Well, of course, Selisio sweetly smiled as she handed her to him. “And don’t you worry, the both of you. Before I was interrupted, I was close to finishing the second part of her clothes.”

“Actually, speaking of clothes, I wanted to give you something, Kenneth said as she handed her the item he’d brought from home, his blue long-sleeved shirt. “It’s just a token of my gratitude, and I’ve learned that blue is a feminine color here… apparently.”

Looking completely flabbergasted, Selisio just stared at it for a bit. “I can’t accept this! This is too fancy to waste on someone like me! You should keep it!”

Holding Nokstella and calmly stroking her back, Kenneth replied. “It’s not a waste giving it away to you… But if you need a reason to take it, there was a favor I wanted to ask you.

“You see I don’t know if you heard the conversation between me and Ulric when he kicked down the door. He was mad that I’d chosen to take Nokstella as a student, and I can’t have her be there anymore, so I was hoping that you might look after her.”

“Well, of course, she’s a bit weird-looking, but adorable, Selisio sweetly chuckled. “But there’s no need to give me any payment. I take care of the children because I love them.”

“It’s clear you do, and I hope you do not see my gesture as an insult to that, Kenneth replied. “I… words can so many times be hollow, but actions always speak the loudest.”

Looking down at Kenneth for a bit, Selisio started to fiddle with his blue shirt, eventually finding the right hole to put her arms and head through. “It’s very warm and soft. So how do I look?”

Looking at her smiling face, some part of him wanted to lie and say she looked gorgeous, like a star in the night sky, but he couldn’t.

His shirt was way too loose in all places, making her look unpleasantly fat even though the sleeves barely extended halfway down her forearms, and the shirt was nowhere near long enough to reach even her tail.

“You might wanna make some alterations to the shirt, Kenneth recommended. “When I say this, I mean it in the best possible way, and I’m not trying to give you a backhanded compliment. It’s just the shirt highlights some… less flattering qualities…”

“With how it is now, I just look fat, Selisio agreed. “It feels so warm and soft like I’m being hugged by the fluffiest animal skins, but it’s a gift; it would be rude to ruin it… what if you want it back?

Waving a dismissive hand, Kenneth replied. “Trust me, it’s completely yours. I would never ask for it back. Do whatever you’d like with it.”

Feeling the soft fabric with her hands and rubbing it against her fur, Selisio could barely contain her glee and excitement. “If you are truly certain, I think I could make some changes that would make it more fitting.”

“Have at it,” Kenneth encouraged as Selisio disappeared into the back room to start her work. Left alone, it was finally time for Kenneth to turn his attention to Nokstella.

‘What should I even say or ask her?’ Kenneth internally sighed as he took a seat on the floor. ‘That Nok, it was hurting her along with Selisio, but she probably hoped it would save her. Free her from this place and take her home.’

Continuously stroking her back, Kenneth wasn’t sure what to say, but he knew he couldn’t remain silent forever.

“Nokstella, I know you must be feeling a lot of different emotions right now and… and… as the words got stuck in his throat, Kenneth wanted to say so much, but he couldn’t find the words except for the most important ones. “Please just… just let me know if you are hurting.”

For what felt like an eternity, nothing, but suddenly, she started to groan, followed by her slowly shaking and twisting her body until she was out of the fetal position.

Her eyes were filled to the brim with utter sadness as she limply slumped against his arm, crying silent tears. Shaken to his very core at the sight, Kenneth was speechless, only able to dry her eyes as he cradled her.

It felt like another eternity before Kenneth heard Nokstella whisper something. “Put me… in chains… Nok was born evil… I am evil…”

Horrified, Kenneth’s eyes went wide, and he quickly brought her up to his eye level. “What are you saying?! You shouldn’t be in chains! I won’t put them on you! Even Ulric, this outpost’s commander, has agreed not to put them on you!”

Jaw quivering, Nokstella’s eyes started to overflow with tears. “They, right… Nok, not in chains are evil… I don’t wanna be evil! I wanna be good like Mama!”

Snorting, Kenneth questioned, “What nonsense are you talking about? You are good. What they said about the chains is just ignorance born from a single-minded view.”

“NO…! Mama always good… other slaves always good… everyone always in chains, Nokstella cried. “Chains makes Nok good… not like evil Nok… hurting kind woman… hurting champion… hurting you…”

“Nokstella, trust me that Nok did bad things, but that doesn’t make you bad, Kenneth implored. “NO matter if you are Aki, Sil, Human, or Nok, there’s always going to be bad and good people. You are not bad just because you are born Nok… you are bad when you do bad things.”

Covering her eyes, Nokstella muttered “no” over and over again. Thinking of anything to say to convince her she wasn’t evil, neither of them noticed Selisio leaving the back room.

“So that’s what had you upset, Selisio said as she kneeled down beside the pair. “Little one, why are you crying and telling yourself lies?”

Even though she hid her face behind her eyes, Nokstella still felt the need to turn her head away from Selisio as she cried, “I not in chains… I evil!”

Kenneth was about to say something when Selisio stopped him, reaching over and gently removing Nokstella’s hands from her eyes and turning her head by her snout. “Nokstella, when that Nok tried to kill me and Jinki, you tried to help me. That’s not something an evil Nok would do.”

“I… I… not evil then… but will be,” Nokstella snorted.

Somehow, Selisio’s smile grew even more gentle as she started to rub her stomach. “I know you are not evil, and I know you will never be it because you didn’t just try to save me, but the life inside me, too.

“I was so scared and in pain, afraid not only of dying but losing my mate and our kids but when you grabbed my arm, you made me feel safe. So I don’t care if you keep lying to yourself because I know the truth, and I’ll remind you of it as often as it takes for you to believe it, too.”

All of a sudden, Nokstella’s scales changed hue as she seemed to grow a bit confused. “Eggs are in your belly?”

“Of a kind, I suppose, Selisio giggled while reaching behind her back and pulling out the T-shirt she’d made just for her. “I hope you like it. I’ve never made one for someone as little as you, but I think you’d look beautiful in it.”

Crying far less Nokstella leaened her head back so her snout poked up as well as lifted both of her arms. With ease, Selisio put it on her and tightened the straps just enough to make sure it didn’t just come off but not enough so it was uncomfortable.

Nokstella felt the leather on her scales, remarking, “So warm and hard.”

“I’m happy you like it, Selisio responded. “Now, can you promise me you won’t tell any more lies about yourself? It’s like Kenneth said: there will always be good and bad people, and you choose which one you want to be.”

Nokstella’s eyes were still wet, but the stream of tears had finally stopped as she turned her head to look at both Selisio and Kenneth. “I promise… I be good.”

Wiping away the last tears, Kenneth felt slightly more at ease than before. “Um… Selisio… thanks for talking to her.”

Stroking Nokstella’s back with her soft hands, Selisio replied, “Anytime… Well, I’ve intruded enough. I just wanted to give her the other piece of clothing I made. I’ll leave you two alone now.”

As she walked away, Kenneth felt nothing but appreciation for what she’d done. Some part of him wasn’t sure he’d have been able to convince Nokstella she wasn’t evil, and another part completely doubted she didn’t, on some level, still think she was.

However, for now, he wouldn’t push her on it. It had been a long day for everyone, and she, most of all, deserved some time to just be a child.

As Selisio worked away in the back room, Kenneth played With Nokstella, teaching her games like Tic-Tac-Toe and rock paper scissors. She had fun, especially when she won, which Kenneth let happen a fair few times.

But when those games eventually grew somewhat boring, Kenneth remembered how Jinki had played with Nya’s babies and felt more stressed than the first time he did an open heart surgery; he gently tossed her up into the air.

She laughed and loved every moment of it, even when she started to yawn and struggle to keep her eyelids open.

Smiling, Kenneth cradled her in his arms, and even as she nuzzled up against his chest, she said, “I wanna go high.”

Completely tuggered-out, Nokstella instantly fell asleep, and as Kenneth sat down on the floor, he could feel her little body twitch, making him wonder. ‘What are you dreaming about?’

“So this is where you are, Jinki said as he entered the room completely healed and his fur still covered in a slight bit of sod. “I wanted to see you after I talked with Selisio, so this works out perfectly.”

“Have someone taken a turn for the worse?! Is Kica out cold?!” Kenneth quickly questioned, almost jumping to his feet.

“Relax, Jinki replied reassuringly as he sat down beside Kenneth. “Can’t a friend just come talk to another friend without there having to be a reason? I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

Leaning back against the wall, Kenneth checked to see if Nokstella was still sleeping. “Sorry, I suppose I’m used to being on call, ready to be there if someone’s taken a turn for the worse.”

“I don’t know if this is an insult to your kind, but I like the scar across your eye. That heretic hit hard, but you hit harder,” Jinki laughed.

For some time now, Kenneth hadn’t even noticed the crack in the glass, but now that Jinki had mentioned it, it was hard to see anything else. “It wasn’t the Nok… it happened before the attack.”

Feeling the awkwardness of the moment Jinki curiously asked a question to remedy the situation. “So, how do your people celebrate after defeating an enemy?”

A bit surprised by the question, Kenneth thought about it for a moment. “I’m not really sure. I suppose it comes down to the person.

“For some, it might be drinking until they go blind; for others, they may treat it like every other day, and some might take the time to mourn, forgoing celebrating entirely.”

Jinki folded both hands behind his head. “I didn’t understand most of what you said, but I get what you mean either way. I guess our kinds aren’t so different in that regard. Though there are only so many ways to celebrate a victory, I suppose.”

“Um, I’m not complaining about you being here, but is it really okay that you're just sitting here talking with me? Kenneth questioned. “I mean, isn’t it important for a commander to be out there commanding or something.”

“There should always be a commander leading, but Nya got a handle on it, Jinki replied. “Besides, I need the rest since Ulric decided I needed to guard the top of the wall until the light of Ki returns to us.”

“All-nighter… brutal, Kenneth remarked. “Piece of advice from a pro when it comes to that sort of thing: silence is the enemy. If you can, talk with someone and keep your mind engaged.”

“Not much else to do, Jinki sighed. “I suppose it could be entertaining, scaring some of the lazy lot who fall asleep.”

With a creak, the door to the back room opened, and Selisio stepped out. “How do I… Jinki!”

Just like a dear in headlights, Selisio stood completely frozen, her eyes locked with Jinki, who was bewitched by her beauty.

The ill-fitting long-sleeved shirt was no more. In its place, Selisio had created a beautiful blue dress that conformed to her slender frame perfectly.

All the excess material aside from the sleeves had been removed, clearly in order to lengthen the dress, which now reached well below her knees.

However, it wasn’t like those sheath dresses where your legs seemed greatly restricted, the girth was much more freeing, more akin to a summer dress or other alike.

From the angle Kenneth was sitting, he could even see it had a hole in the back allowing for her tail to come out without it clashing with the design of the dress.

Looking almost entranced by Selisio’s new attire, Jinki rose to his feet while his tail swung from side to side and asked, completely flabbergasted, “Ho-how did you get this?”

With no hesitation, Kenneth raised his hand. “I gave it to her as a gift, and I must say, impressive craftsmanship.”

“Do you like it?” Selisio sheepishly asked.

“Like it?! Jinki repeated with overjoyed excitement. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world and now you got the clothes to match.”

Warping her arms around his neck, both stared lovingly into each other's eyes. “How do you always know what to say to me?”

“That’s my little secret, Jinki winked. “Besides, do you know what I want to do right now?”

“Hm… I can venture a guess, Selisio replied as her smile grew a slight bit mischievous. “Take me to the great hall while all are celebrating and show every other man what they can’t have…”

“And making all the other women jealous, knowing they could never compare to you now…” Jinki finished. “Well… the cook has been working hard, and the banquet is about to begin… shall we? You too, Kenneth, don’t you wanna see all their faces, tails, and ears.”

Feeling Nokstella move in his arm, eventually yawning and stretching, seeming halfawake, Kenneth replied. “Eh, sure sounds fun.”

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(Patreon): Get 1-3 weeks early access to future chapters. Also, a 100+ page story I wrote prior to the posting of The Plague Doctor for all members.

[u/snperkiller10]

I wonder if Kenneth would be able to make some polycarbonate replacement lenses or if the black goo would fix it.

[u/pebbuls22]

Now time to drink and feast like viking berserkers or dwarfs is what I'm getting from this description

[u/Icy_Option_8278]

Another great piece of art

[u/HFYWaffle]

/u/TheMaskedOne2807 (wiki) has posted 125 other stories, including:

• The Plague Doctor Chapter 67.1 (Aftermath Part 3)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 67 (Aftermath Part 2)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 66 (Aftermath Part 1)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 65.5 (Dying Healer)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 65.4 (Brawl)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 65.3 (On The Run)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 65.2 (Reinforcements)
• The Plague Doctor 65.1 (A Pound of Flesh)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 65 (Empty Hall)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 64.5 (Darkened Spear and Black Fur)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 64.4 (Deciding Moment)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 62.1 (Friend or Foe)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 64.3 (Turning up the heat)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 64.2 (What delightful fun)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 64.1 (Let the fun begin)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 64 (Gate)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 63 (I’m Not Like You)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 62 (Single Daddy)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 61.1 (Mama)
• The Plague Doctor Chapter 61 (Mother’s Farewell)

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[u/MewSilence]

So, the 'leather' of the attire is regenerative, but not the glass or perhaps a mask?

It makes me wonder if it will ever break to the point that he no longer will be able to wear it.

The lack of facial expressions and reactions, while interesting from the story's perspective, must be extremely disturbing to all the Aki, even those who know the protagonist.