The governor's eyes narrowed further. "If anything, I've left the River People alone for far too long," she said. "People from all over Keldan are in this Colony."
"I know that." My mind went back to the physician's office in Keldan. "Sir Willoughby knew it too. He challenged you in the last election, and you got revenge by bringing his daughter here."
"His daughter tested positive for the Scourge--you saw that yourself!"
"Unless she didn't," I said, my mind finally putting all the pieces together. "Della wasn't sick until Warden Brogg gave her that drink when she was in the cell with me. I'd stake a bet that the test was the first dose of poison. And every sip of that medicine has made her worse. The disease and the medicine are the same thing--one is just stronger than the other."
"Lies!" the governor hissed.
But I shook my head. "They are your lies, Governor Felling. There is no disease in Keldan. There is no disease here in the Colony." Now I looked directly at the woman beside me, her eyes wild with fury. "There is no Scourge."
Behind me, Warden Brogg froze at my accusation, enough that I was able to pull my arm away from him. The governor had nearly frozen also. I knew I was right.
"There is no Scourge," I repeated. "If you want someone to get it, then they will. Or if you want someone to pass their test--maybe friends or supporters who are blind to how evil you are--then no spindlewill goes into their drink. You knew the moment you grabbed Della Willoughby that she would get it, because you planned it that way!"
"You don't know anything!" the governor finally spat out. "Three hundred years ago--"
"Maybe there was an actual disease three hundred years ago, or maybe not. I doubt we'll ever know for sure. But Della told me the disease is different now than it was back then. You know what I think, Governor? I think you wanted everyone to believe that disease had returned, and you figured out poisoning people with spindlewill mimicked the same symptoms."
"Ridiculous!" But if it was, why was the governor's face turning so red?
"No," I said, "it finally makes sense. River People eat a lot of thrushweed, and that blocks the effects of spindlewill, so I passed the first test you gave me. That's why you cut my arm--you had to put the poison directly into my blood." As the truths came together for me, I began to feel more energized. "That's why the wardens aren't afraid of getting the disease, why you're not afraid to be here. That's why I didn't find any special medicine when I searched the wardens' barracks"--the governor definitely reacted when I said that--"there is no special medicine because there is no chance of you getting the disease! There is no Scourge!"
After another crack of thunder and lightning, the governor pointed in the direction of the Colony. "People out there are sick, grub, and they are dying of something. Whether you think I gave it to them or not, whether you think it's a real disease or a poison, they are dying. Whatever you want to call it, I call it the Scourge. And there is plenty more of it for you."
If Brogg weren't still here, I'd have tried to run. I doubted the governor could catch me in that long dress and with all this rain. As it was, I kept my seat until I figured out a way to escape. "There's no Scourge in me. No poison in me, not anymore."
"We gave it to you once; we can do it again."
"But spindlewill is becoming harder to find. It won't be long before you have to abandon this terrible plan!"
The governor smiled wickedly. "We're developing other ways to test for the Scourge, better ways. Our solution is inside the infirmary. I'm glad to show it to you."
Brogg pulled me to my feet, getting control of both my arms this time. I wanted to kick back at him, but all my tired legs could do was just keep me from falling.
"Is the infirmary a place to kill your own people?" I asked. "Why would you do that? What could you possibly have to gain by doing all of this?"
Governor Felling looked at the warden. "Take her away. You know where she needs to go."
More lightning cracked above us, closer this time. Brogg looked up and hesitated. He didn't want to go out in the storm any more than I wanted to go to the infirmary. Of course, staying here with the governor didn't sound much more pleasant.
"Is it for power?" I asked. "Keldan is a failing country, one where your days as our leader are numbered. How evil are you, to create a deadly hoax like this, just to hold on to your power?"
She slapped me across the cheek, then yelled, "What I am doing will save Keldan! It is the only way to save my country!" She looked at Brogg. "Take her to the infirmary's back room."
His eyes widened. "The back room? No, Governor, I won't--"
"Obey my orders, Warden Brogg. I never want to see this grub again!"
"Ani Mells!" I yelled. "If you are sentencing me to death, then at least say my name!"
The governor looked me over, as if in some way seeing me for the first time. "Take this grub away," she repeated.
Brogg sighed and opened the door. Rain was pouring down, so thick that I could barely see through it.
"Don't take me there, Brogg," I said. "Please."
"Either you face her anger, or I'll have to. Sorry, Ani."