Dominic still looked meager and tired; his voice was dry, hoarse, and softer than usual. Alexander, with his heightened hearing, caught the change. He squatted closer, "How are you feeling?"

Dominic shook his head weakly, then muttered, "Don't...let...any...out."

Despite the fragmented speech, Alexander understood. "Is it very contagious?"

The older man nodded silently.

"Will I be infected?" Alexander wondered about escaping this calamity. The last plague nearly killed him; he'd never imagined facing another. But now, none of that mattered. If Galen were infected, his own fears were secondary. He had to stay with his son.

"Not...sure," Dominic gasped, raising his arms with effort. "Look!"

His arm, however, dropped heavily back into the water before he could fully lift it.

Alexander started, instinctively reaching out, but Dominic subtly dodged him. "Don't...touch me!" Dominic's speech was labored; each word seemed to drain his strength, his brow furrowing with the effort.

"No, no, I won't!" Alexander raised his hands. His doubts grew. This was more complicated than he'd initially thought. It seemed more than just an infectious disease.

The older man mumbled incoherently; Alexander guessed it was another curse. The old man's temper is something else!

"Damn it!" Dominic snorted, his anger directed at himself or Alexander, he wasn't sure. He then raised his arms and rested them beside the tub.

Alexander watched, shocked. He'd never seen anything like it. Dominic's arms, though not bony, showed prominent blue veins, throbbing abnormally. The blood they pumped seemed…off. A chilling thought struck Alexander.

"That…"

Dominic closed his eyes, exhausted. He gasped for breath. The scent of medicinal herbs mingled with the rising steam. With each breath, his veins pulsed faster, more pronounced. "Throbbing…veins…"