Free A Dangerous Climate by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

cannot give care to anyone. Under the circumstances, I thought you would find a few extra guineas useful. The ones I provided today will be equaled every month that I remain here." He inclined his head to her, aware that she was vexed with him for saying so much. "Heer van Hoek has not mentioned it, but I also offered to provide a sovereign remedy I possess against infection of all kinds. I would be pleased if you would accept both the money and the remedy."
     
"What do you know of remedies?" Ludmilla asked sharply.
     
Saint-Germain answered with unflustered calm, "I have traveled extensively, and during my travels, I have taken the time to learn as much as I can. I have studied medical techniques in Egypt, in Greece, in Italy, and in my native land." He had also studied them in China, in India, and in the Audiencia de Peru, but he did not mention this. "This remedy has been helpful in many cases where infection and putrefaction were present."
     
"Are you a physician?" van Hoek asked, startled.
     
"I have some capability in medicinal arts, although most of what I have done is in the realm of discovering treatments; I do not fill my days seeing patients, as you do," said Saint-Germain, telling himself that this was not entirely inaccurate. "I have made the remedy available to others, from time to time. I believe that many of them have found it satisfactory." He did not mention that the sovereign remedy he spoke of was made from moldy bread, or that he had treated the sick throughout most of his long life.
     
"More chemist than physician, then," said van Hoek, satisfied with this answer.
     
"It is where my interests lie," said Saint-Germain, who had practiced alchemy for more than two thousand years. He turned back to Ludmilla. "Well? Would you be willing to try the remedy? I have syrup of poppies, as well, and pansy-and-willow-bark ointment, and tincture of wolfsbane for spasmodic coughing. You may think syrup of poppies a bit old-fashioned, but I have found it to be quite reliable in the way that some of the current soporifics are not."
     
She thought about his offer, and finally said, "If you would like to bring what you have and instruct me on the uses of the remedy, I'll see what we can do with it. You can supervise its distribution, if you think it's necessary. If it proves effective, we'll want more. If it doesn't, then you needn't provide us with it any longer."
     
Van Hoek nodded in concurrence. "An excellent decision." He reached for the roll of linen and set about rewrapping Saint-Germain's leg. "This will be much more comfortable, Hercegek. I'll want to examine it again in a week, to be sure there are no secondary problems, but by the look of it, you'll be almost recovered by then."
     
"That is my hope," said Saint-Germain. He looked down at his splinted right hand. "But this, you say, will take longer to improve."
     
"The damage was worse, as is the case with your ribs," said van Hoek as if he had forgotten how badly the hand had been injured. "Ludmilla was right to splint it from the first." He paused in his wrapping. "There has been no infection. Is that on account of your sovereign remedy?"
     
"It has that effect," said Saint-Germain obliquely; no medicamentsof any kind had ever had impact on him, although he had been given poison a few times in forms that had left him vitiated and suffering.
     
"Ah. Very good," said van Hoek.
     
"What do you want in exchange for it?" Ludmilla asked, keeping her tone neutral.
     
"Nothing. I've already received more from you than money can repay; the remedy is more a payment in kind," Saint-Germain said.
     
"But you've given us gold," she said reasonably. "Why so much more?"
     
Saint-Germain considered his answer. "Because you are needed and no one else seems willing to do your work." He inclined his head to her.
     
She heard him out, and waited as if expecting a longer, grander explanation. When he did not go on, she said, "Very to the point. Well, then, I