Unfortunately, Hok also encountered a few patients who were beyond help. Hok tried her best to make them as comfortable as possible, using any means she could think of. In some cases, that meant Dream Dust. PawPaw kept a small supply, and Hok let her administer it. Hok wanted nothing to do with it.
By the time Hok had seen the last patient, the sun was rising and she was so tired, she could barely keep her eyes open. PawPaw came over and handed her a piece of ginseng root to chew on for energy.
“You did very well last night,” PawPaw said. “I would say that you will make a great healer one day, but I believe you already are one. Thank you.”
Hok frowned. “Don't thank me. It was my fault that—”
PawPaw raised her hand. “I don't want to hear any more of that kind of talk.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “Let me tell you a secret. I communicate with a man called NgGung who possesses vast amounts of information about people and events in this region. I know who you are and I believe you've done nothing wrong.”
Hok blinked. “I've met him,” she said.
“Wonderful!” PawPaw said with a smile. “Then there is nothing more to discuss on this topic. What we haven't discussed yet is what you plan to do next. What do you have in mind?”
Hok rubbed her tired eyes. “I'd like to stay here. These people need treatment. So does Seh.”
“But what about your other brothers?” PawPaw asked. “NgGung told me you had a total of four brothers who survived the attack against Cangzhen. Haven't you made plans with them?”
Hok shook her head. “I don't even know where they are anymore, except for Seh, and I don't expect he'll be fit to travel for several weeks at least. Until then, I think I can help the most people by staying here. After that, I'll go in search of my brothers with Seh.”
PawPaw smiled. “That is very thoughtful of you, helping the majority. These villagers will never forget your selflessness. I suggest you stay with me until enough people recover to the point that I can handle the remaining treatments myself. We should reach that point about the same time your brother Seh is fit enough to travel. How does that sound?”
Hok thought more about Seh and frowned. “Do you think Seh will recover completely? And what about Sum?”
“Honestly, I think they will both be fine,” PawPaw said. “Sum will wake to a terrible headache that will last a few days, but it will wear off. As for Seh, he is young and appears fit. His body is waging war against the poison as we speak. There is only one sure way to verify Seh's condition, though, and that is to wake him. Come, let us gather the necessary ingredients and go to him now.”
PawPaw pulled a small knife from her basket and handed it to Hok. Hok collected several branches from the xiang mu tree hanging over their heads, and they left for PawPaw's house.
Less than an hour later, Hok and PawPaw arrived at PawPaw's home. They were greeted with a pleasant surprise. Sum was awake.
Sum and Cheen sat beside one another on Sum's bed in PawPaw's bedroom. On the other bed, Seh still lay unconscious. Hok was happy about Sum, but worried about Seh.
PawPaw walked over to Sum and took hold of her left wrist. “Are you feeling all right?”
Sum smiled weakly and nodded. She slowly turned her head and pointed to the back of it. There was a large lump and a bit of dried blood in her short black hair.
PawPaw released Sum's left wrist and grabbed the right. Hok knew that PawPaw was checking Sum's various pulses. At the same time, PawPaw stared deep into Sum's eyes, looking for signs of concussion.
PawPaw let go of Sum's wrist and leaned back. “Except for a big headache, I think you'll be just fine.” PawPaw pointed to Seh. “Has he woken?”
Cheen shook his head.
“I was afraid of that,” PawPaw said. She turned to Hok. “Would you like to try and wake him, or should I?”
“I'll do it,” Hok replied, and she got right to work. She knelt next to Seh and reached into PawPaw's basket, removing the knife and a section of xiang mu branch. She made several deep cuts in the branch and twisted it round and round upon itself. Drops of pungent liquid formed along the slices. Hok's eyes began to water from the acrid fumes.
Hok blinked several times and wiped one finger along the length of the xiang mu branch, then dabbed it on Seh's upper lip directly below his nostrils.
Seh's body jerked, and his eyes flew open. He lifted his head, then swooned and lay back down, his eyes closed.
“Hok?” Seh muttered. “Is that you?”
“Yes,” Hok said. “We are in the home of a healer. Her name is PawPaw. How do you feel?”
“Awful,” Seh replied.