Tatsu waited patiently, not speaking further until Lumina had dismissed the servants. He understood her desire for discretion. The people were already alarmed enough, no need to start a full-blown panic.
Once they were alone, Lumina laid out the white cloth for him to inspect. The speckles of blood were disturbing. Coughing blood was a serious symptom to develop. All the more troublesome that it had come so quickly.
Leaning back in his chair, he gazed thoughtfully at the napkin. His expression and posture did not speak of alarm or worry, although he could sense worry in his hostess. "It would seem that you are the next intended victim, in which case, I will not delay my search idling about in my room after dark. I will search through the night. You should rest, however."
Tatsu hesitated. "There may be something I can do. It is not a natural sickness, so I cannot be sure anything I do might help, but I could at least try." He reached inside his cloak and pulled a small glass vial from an unseen pocket, holding it out to her. The contents were warm, almost hot, a liquid with a silvery glimmer. "If you trust me, this may help at least slow the sickness."
