Once they had agreed on the payment, Klein, disguised as Gehrman Sparrow, said, "Take me to the pharmacy."
Darkwill quickly hailed a cab. They climbed in and headed for the pharmacy.
On the way, the Fat Apothecary said, "I won't go inside with you. I've been in several times recently, and another visit might make them suspicious."
"Mm," Klein replied. Having the man beside him really would be inconvenient.
The cab soon reached the Magic Medicine Store. Before Klein even got out, he saw the long queue outside.
Many patients had been carried there. Others had come supported by their families.
Klein stepped down, wondering whether he should pose as a patient to slip inside and investigate.
Just then, an attendant emerged and called out, "We only have thirty doses of the special malaria medicine left. Severe cases first!
"Bring forward the patients on stretchers, and those two who are badly dehydrated. Everyone else should go home, or leave a family member here to hold their place."
Many people were disappointed. Some people died within a day of developing malaria, while others could last a week or two.
The patients lying down generally had acute cases or were already gravely ill. Those still able to stand usually had another two or three days.
With the daily supply of medicine limited, this happened every afternoon. Everyone was used to it.
Some family members stayed in line while the patients left, supported by other relatives or struggling along on their own.
Klein seized the opportunity to pose as a relative and followed a patient on a stretcher inside.
As a Beyonder, he was not afraid of catching anything from the patients.
Inside the pharmacy, two hospital beds stood to the right. To the left was a medicine cabinet stocked with potions.
The