They made to Abaddon a few days later. Snow was drizzling over the village, making it look like nothing was wrong, when really, there was. They rode in with caution. Hardly any elf was out of their homes, making the great village look deserted. The horses snorted in complaint as the travelers force their horses forward. The great tree castle stood before them in moments time. Guards stood at their post and upon seeing Karma and her companions, they let them in without further hesitation. "The King told us to expect you." Said one of the guards.

"A servant will show you to him." Said the other. "And thank the gods that you're here." Karma nodded to them and kicked Pepper in her thigh. The horse snorted and moved forward. Dagner and Jason followed closely behind on their horse and pony. Once they were in stables, one of the stable boys went to fetch a servant. When he returned with a servant, the servant beckoned them to follow. Instead of leading them to the throne room, the servant led them to a huge infirmary, where elves alike laid unconscienced, men, woman, even children. The servant bowed and left them to enter.

Karma entered first, and when she did enter, she spotted Mika not too far away sitting next to a bed where her husband, Omar, laid, asleep and ill. As if she had some six sense Mika looked up and saw Karma. She immediately stood up and ran up to Karma, embracing her with a hug. "I'm so glad you're here, mon amie"*1 Mika whispered to Karma. "I don't think I could've made it very far without you." The she-elf release her hold and smiled down Karma. The first thing Karma noticed when she looked at her friend was her eyes. They were red, most likely from crying, and she had bags under them making her young face seem old. She had not slept, Karma concluded.

"How is he?" Karma asked. Her concern for her elven friend was great. If she were to lose Omar to this disease... Karma wouldn't know what to do. Without Omar, there wouldn't even be an Arula. He had helped her through so much, so much to be exact that Karma never made any hasty decisions without consulting him first.

"He hasn't woken up since he fell ill." Mika said softly. "I happen all so quickly... I-I don't even know where to start!"

"How about from the beginning." Dagner suggested coming up next to Karma with Jason lagging behind. Mika nodded.

"Right," she said. "From the beginning... well... it started like any normal day. Omar, Hope, and I were watching the stars like we always do... oh how the stars changed. Disappearing without reason..." Mika sighed deeply and shook her head. "Anyhow, King Curlus sent a messenger for us saying it was an emergency. As it turned out, a sickness fell on the Elven Clan. Every elf was fallen sick, some even dying... it didn't take long for Omar to fall victim to it too.

"After that happened, I knew I couldn't let my Hope stay in this mess and be affected as well, so I sent her to my mother's cottage who lives far away from any village. She preferers to live by herself away from everyone else. And that's when I knew I had to get you involved. I didn't wish to trouble you, especially with everything that was going on, but this couldn't wait any longer and the King agreed." Karma grabbed Mika's slender hands and gave them a squeeze.

"I would've come even if it was just Omar sick. I'm here for you... all of you." Karma said.

"Well I'm glad to hear that!" Said a deep voice from behind the group. They turned to see King Curlus standing behind them. "I would like to discuss that further in my study if you don't mind."

----

The King's study was fairly big with shelves filled with books, a desk with a chair behind it and two more chairs in front of it. A flower rug completed the room. "Please," said King Curlus sitting in his chair behind the desk. "Have a seat." Mika said down as well as Jason. Karma stood next to Jason, not wanting to sit after the long journey of sitting on a horse for almost a week. Dagner did the same, this time standing next Mika. When everyone was settled King Curlus' eyes landed on Jason. "I do not believe we had the pleasure of meeting, young man."

"This is Jason, your majesty." Karma said. "He is from the Otherworld. He happened to come across one of my portals and now he is stuck here, but do not worry, he is good company and does cause trouble... much." Karma smirked, and Jason gave her a dirty look. The King gave amused smile.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Jason," the King said to Jason. "I hope you find Arula a nice place, even with everything going on." Leaning forward, King Curlus' grey eyes turned serious. "Now, the events of this awful disease."

"Yes," Karma said. "I have heard and will be more than happy to help whatever the cost." The King nodded.

"Bene."*2 He said. "We believe that our supplies of mint leaves have gone bad."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, Creator, it seems that the leaves are the cause of this sickness. Every time one of our healers give their patients a leaf, they get worse. We tested that theory on one of our horses... it fell dead the next day." The room fell silence. Even Shari, who was snugging in Karma red hair didn't chatter. It stuck its furry head out, tilted its head, and went back into the red mess of hair. Karma swallowed. Did that mean that her leaves may be bad as well? She didn't wish to think about that.

"What do you suggest?" Karma finally asked. King Curlus sat back and looked at Karma straight in the eyes.

"I only have one thing in mind that help." He said. "But it may acquire help from a gnome."

*1 "mon amie" ~ "my friend"

*2 "Bene" ~ "Good"