The Hidden Disease Carrier

Investigators trace possible links among toxic grain, animal remains, Rochai, and scattered human cases without yet proving how the disease moved.

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A Shepherd’s Account

One Bite and One Death The grandfather’s illness Tomeh recalls a doglike animal biting her grandfather, who later develops a painful illness and dies. The animal had also attacked sheep repeatedly. A misleading label Her father called the attacker a wolf, but the family now suspects it was a dog. The change in description matters because it points toward trained animals rather than a wild pack.

The Dead Sheep

Grain and Carcasses Toxic hybrid grain Taya explains that hybrid grain killed both fire horses and sheep. The illness caused animals to leap and convulse, leading settlers to call it Sheep-Dancing Sickness. A possible route Dogs ate the dead sheep and later died as well. The sequence offers a plausible connection between contaminated animal remains and disease, but does not by itself establish transmission to later Rochai.

A Question for Makokan

The Handler Connection A hidden occupation Makokan recognizes that the conversation may point toward the Kinma Handlers, specialists who hunted wolves with dogs and knew the region. A past he lacks He cannot say whether the handlers were involved in the reported events. His own knowledge is fragmentary, and his return home becomes necessary to test what he remembers.

During Hohsalle’s visit to the plains

During the same interview

After the account is shared