An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“What? There’s an outbreak in Reedcrest?”

Grace’s expression hardened at the report. “That’s impossible. Weren’t we told it was contained last night?”

When the contagion began, she immediately ordered the entire village sealed off and placed all infected individuals under strict quarantine.

Anyone who’d had contact with the infected was put under close surveillance.

Given all these precautions, how had the outbreak spread across Reedcrest overnight?

“The outbreak in Ashwillow Village has indeed been contained,” her aide reported grimly. “But a new source of infection has emerged in Windham, and there was no way to see it coming. Over 100 people are showing symptoms, and the numbers keep climbing.”

“Seal off every entrance and exit to Windham immediately,” Grace ordered decisively. “We cannot allow this outbreak to spread beyond the town. Place all infected individuals under strict surveillance and thoroughly screen everyone else. Go now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Her aide left immediately to execute the orders.

As a precautionary measure, military forces were deployed to blockade every access point into and out of Windham so that residents couldn’t leave and outsiders couldn’t enter.

While the strict containment protocols would undoubtedly cause considerable inconvenience, the gravity of the situation left no room for half-measures.

“Things are more complicated than I thought. The Skull Covenant is spreading outbreaks everywhere,” Dustin said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

If Ashwillow Village was just their opening move, then the real battle was about to begin.

we can locate the Skull Covenant’s stronghold, we’ll have to proceed cautiously and try to

can handle alone. We need to bring in reinforcements from Oakvale,”

skilled in acupuncture. I’ll show them how to draw out the toxins.

the arrangements,” Grace

saying anything else, she immediately mobilized all the

to train a dozen physicians than exhaust Dustin by having him race from crisis to crisis. Despite his exceptional abilities, she knew he would feel overwhelmed by the scope

someone with his extraordinary abilities would be nearly impossible, Oakvale had many

more hands available, they could learn his techniques and be better prepared for the next

was overseeing operations from the governor’s mansion. As he

plague cases in

some have slipped our cordon. Should we implement a full

situation carefully

location, then immediately dispatch troops to hunt down those who have escaped. We must

city lockdown would be too costly politically and create a bad impression,

needed to contain the outbreak with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

If all hundred victims die on our watch,

from Oakvale. They should be arriving any moment. With their expertise, creating an

Highness was already three steps

to one knee. “Your Highness, the two skilled doctors have arrived and are waiting outside,” he

Bring them in

face lit up. The doctors’ arrival couldn’t have been more

Highness,” the guard acknowledged

Both appeared to be in their late 60s with silver-streaked hair, yet they still