Didymedicus

A charlatan pretending to be a healer wins the king’s favor, but seems mostly harmless, until the day the king collapses and cannot be roused.

Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery, Mythology

 

Excerpt:
The royal physician, Galena by name, examined the festering bruise just below the king’s ribcage. The king lay in a sleeping stupor. A state he had been in for three days, and yet it was only now, and only by order of the queen that the royal physician was allowed to examine her king.

Galena peered down at the bruise, around the margins of which there appeared an oozing of bright purple fluid.

 

What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode?
Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it’s connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on.

This one was inspired by a previous story I’d written about old-timey medical practices. That episode is called “The Remedy Men.” It was also inspired by a section I read in the “Sawbones” book about the four humors of the body. I bought the book after listening to the “Sawbones” podcast, in which the hosts—one of whom is a doctor—explore medical theories, beliefs, and practices throughout the ages of human existence. 

Next week’s episode is inspired by “The Amber God,” and “spoils” what happens in that episode. Heads up if you’d like to listen the earlier episode first.

 

MERCH!
Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?
Please visit my Store page for updated info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE

 

MY FIRST BOOK (yay)
Ever wonder how I’ve gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer’s Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories.

It’s now available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

The book title takes you straight to the book on Amazon.

Or you can visit my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE

The Store page has a sign-up form for my email newsletters. Fictioneering mischief and writing tips. Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)

 

CREDITS
Story: “Didymedicus” Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel
Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel

 

Music:
“Locations_Medieval Tavern Song” by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Intro & Outro)
“Abstract Vision #5” by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)

 

Music by ALBERT FERNANDEZ (Audio Alchemist, Potion Studio)*
“Exploration_Mystery (loop)”
“Exploration_Mystical Place (loop 1)”
“Locations_Medieval Tavern Song”
“Holy_Gregorian Chant (loop)”
“Exploration_Cave (loop)”
“Exploration_Forest Of Magic”
“Locations_Court Song”

 

Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)*
“Medieval Theme 5”
“Lyric Voices #2”
“Medieval Theme 1”
“Lyric Voices #1”
“Lyric Voices #5”

 

*These tracks were part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.

 

Music by Albert Fernandez and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market
Sound effects from AudioJungle, and GameDevMarket
Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.

Find more music by Andrew Sitkov and Albert Fernandez at gamedevmarket.net
Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com

 

Episode Art Description: Digital Drawing. Two figures wearing heavy coats. Bottom right, an older woman facing forward and smiling. She holds a rod of Asclepius in front of her with both hands, a staff with a single snake twining around it. Behind her and at left, a young man holds a caduceus in his right hand, a staff with two snakes twining around it symmetrically and a pair of wings at the top. He flourishes his left hand up. His head is turned toward his left hand. Both figures are surrounded by glowing colored lights. Watermark of “Storyfeather” along the bottom of the young man’s right arm.