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“And does air come out of your mouth with a loud noise in the throat, like when you burp a baby?”

“Yes, but many people belch,” Vashona said

“That’s true, but have you spit up blood, too?” Ayla asked

Vashona frowned “Sometimes,” she said

“Have you noticed blood or a dark sticky mass in your excrement?”

“Yes,” the woman said, almost in a whisper “More lately How did you know?”

“She knows from her examination of you,” Zelandoni interjected

“What did you do for your pain?” Ayla asked

“I did what everybody does for pain I drank -bark tea,” Vashona said

“And do you also drink a lot of peppermint tea?” Ayla said

Both Vashona and Shevola, her acolyte daughter, looked at the stranger with surprise “It’s her favorite tea,” Shevola said

“Licorice root or anise tea would be better,” Ayla said, “and no morebark, either, for now Some people think that since everybody uses it, it can’t hurt you But too much can It is a medici

ne, but it’s not good for everything, and should not be used too frequently”

“Can you help her?” the acolyte asked

“I think so I believe I knohat is wrong It’s serious, but there are things that can help I h,” Ayla added, “that it could be so even h we can at least relieve some of her pain”