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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 19, 2008 22:33:21 GMT -5
Life had slowed down and stayed quiet lately, and while I cherished it, it was eerie in a way that wasn't natural. The maids became more withdrawn, chattering softly when they talked at all, faces writ all over and speaking of the worry they felt for their loved ones, living elsewhere in the City. I couldn't bear to keep them cooped up here, looking at the fear on their faces, unknowing if those they loved were alright. I gave them leave to visit, and only two came back with the sad, somber news that someone in their family was sick.
I hugged them and gave them as much time off as they needed to tend to them, watching them pack a few haisty bags and hurriedly leave to be with them. One came back three days later - her brother had died, and she couldn't bear to be there any longer.
I held her when she cried, her head in my lap, then sent her away to bed with care reserved for myself and my guests alone. She was my servant, yes, but I wasn't immune to what she was going through. I'd lost my family before, too.
Still I remained quiet, staying in my house, but two days later both the maid and I began showing signs of sickness. It began with being flush, a headache, the beginnings of a soar throat. A medic was sent immediately for, but the only response we received then was that he was busy elsewhere, and would be along whenever he had a chance. When he did come, five hours later, there was little he could say or do. My maid and I both showed signs of the plague. He gave me some herbs, an apologetic look, then excused him to treat another.
In shock, I penned a haisty note to August before curling up in bed, my head beginning to feel as if it were splitting my skull. Closing my eyes, I said a soft prayer to Azza and Elua both before trying to sleep, hoping it would help alleviate the pain in my head, and in my throat.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 19, 2008 23:17:45 GMT -5
The ride was short and I tossed my reins to a stableboy who came dashing out, dismounting before my horse was stopped. I took the walk in leaping steps and didn’t bother knocking when I got to the door.
A startled and peeked looking servant started to protest, but upon recognizing me bowed deeply. “Is she in her room?”
“Yes your grace but she’s ill…you shouldn’t see her….”
I had started up the stairs after ‘yes’ and his words drifted away behind me. I opened a door here and there, searching for her room until I found the right one. I was kneeling at her bedside in an instant, my hand caressing her warm brow.
“My love,” I said softly.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 19, 2008 23:31:08 GMT -5
My eyes cracked open as I felt a hand on my brow, the voice familiar and instantly bringing a smile to my face. "August," I said softly, though before I could speak more my eyes widened in worry. "Oh, no," I breathed. "Gods, it's so great to see you, but please don't come closer - I don't want you to catch it."
My heart swelled though, having him here, and seeing how fit he looked. My eyes took in his face as I swallowed carefully, my throat tender.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 19, 2008 23:35:06 GMT -5
“I’ve been around my father for days, and I’m fine,” I told her, smiling to hide how worried I was for her. “I don’t think I’m going to catch it.”
Just to prove it, I leaned in and kissed her brow. “Tell what i can do.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 19, 2008 23:39:06 GMT -5
I smiled softly at him, my eyes closing briefly as he kissed my forehead. "I would argue with you, but we both know how stubborn you are," I said, giving a weak attempt at a jest. My hand came out from under my covers and took his, holding it. "Tell me about how you've been. Your father is sick?" My face fell, but his words more than hinted at it.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 19, 2008 23:43:26 GMT -5
“I’ve been busy, or I would have come to check on you before. Yes, father’s sick, it’s very bad.” I knew there was no point lying to spare her, she’d see it on my face. “I’ve been trying to be there when mother needed to rest. I’m trying to keep her from wearing herself out.”
I brushed the hair back from her brow. “Did the healer give you anything? Do you have the rash yet?”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 19, 2008 23:48:01 GMT -5
My face fell as I listened to him, fear and sadness striking at me even as he spoke. "Oh August," I breathed softly, shifting so I could sit up. "I'm so sorry. Do you know yet if he'll be alright?"
Gods I prayed so, I loved his father like he was my own. I nodded at his question, then shook my head again, wincing at the stab in my head at the sudden contradicing movements. "Yes, he gave me some herbs... I think my maid is brewing a portion of it into tea right now. I don't have the rash yet." My mouth gave a small twist of a smile. "I'm holding out some hope that it won't progress further than this."
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 19, 2008 23:50:14 GMT -5
“The healers are hopeful, he’s seemed to hold steady for the last day,” I said, moving to sit beside her on the bed. “You’re strong, my love, you’ll be alright.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 19, 2008 23:52:23 GMT -5
He was so near to me, but I was afraid to lean into him, to really touch him, afraid he'd get sick as well. A piece of me reminded me that the chances of it were slim since he'd been exposed this long already, but it haunted me. "I hope he pulls through. How is your mother holding up? Is she doing alright?"
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 19, 2008 23:56:27 GMT -5
“For now, though I don’t think she’ll make it if father dies. She’s so gaunt with worry you can almost see through her,” I said, taking her hand in mine again.
The maid appeared with the tea and I once it was set on the nightstand I poured Miri a cup, blowing on it to help it cool.
“Here you,” I said, offering her the cup, but keeping my hands close in case she was too weak to hold it.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 20, 2008 0:00:37 GMT -5
"Ah, gods," I breathed just before the maid came in, delivering the tea. I watched August move and my heart ached for him, at what he was having to go through. First his father, worried for his mother, than myself. Choking back tears I gave him as thankful a smile as I could as I took the teacup from him, curling my fingers securely around the handle and supporting under the cup with my other hand as well.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "I'm sorry, August," I added gently. "This must be such a difficult time for you. If you need to go back with you father, I understand. I'll be alright."
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 20, 2008 0:02:21 GMT -5
“He’s the one who told me to come to you,” I said, smiling softly and trying to reassure her. “I’ll go back and check on him, now I’m here with you. Now drink your tea.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 20, 2008 9:35:46 GMT -5
I opened my mouth before closing it again, the ghost of an amused smile on my mouth. Lifting the cup, I began to drink, sipping gingerly at it, then making a sour face. "Ugh, gods," I said, my voice almost croaking. "It's horrible." Swallowing hurt, more now than before, though admittedly the warmth of the tea did ease that. Lifting the cup back to my mouth I sipped again, unable to stop from making a second sour face.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 20, 2008 9:41:26 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but smile at the faces she made.
“I’m sorry it tastes bad love,” I said, caressing her hair. “But if you’re a good girl and take all your medicine, when you’re well I’ll buy you something pretty.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 20, 2008 10:02:17 GMT -5
The sour face faded into a wry look as I glanced up at him. "You're lucky I love you so much," I teased softly, then dipped my head to drink more of my tea. "It'd better be nice though," I mumbled with a half grin as I took a long drink, knowing I had to get it down me, and knowing too that there would only be more to come.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 20, 2008 11:00:52 GMT -5
“I’ll buy you a new porcelain doll with a whole trunk of outfits and a rainbow of ribbons for your hair,” I told her, smiling. My outward mood was light, but I couldn’t help my eyes from wandering her exposed skin, looking for the telltale signs of rash.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 20, 2008 22:43:06 GMT -5
Focused as I was on the horrid tea that trickled down my throat, I missed his roaming eyes. "For our little girl?" I asked as the last of it was gone, looking up at him with a fond, adoring smile. For all the tea was supposed to help, I felt weaker, tired. I leaned to put the cup down on the table, stretching gingerly, aware of a lack of strength. I felt so tired, and my throat hurt.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 20, 2008 22:58:45 GMT -5
I took the cup gently when it looked as if she might not make the table, setting it aside.
“No, for you my love. You’re being such a good girl, you deserve a treat,” I replied, smiling. Gently I helped her lay back on the bed.
“I think you might need to sleep now though, you look worn.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 20, 2008 23:13:01 GMT -5
A twist of pain sparked in the pit of my stomach and I barely fought back a wince, though inwardly I cringed - I was familiar with the steps of the plague. I lay back on my pillow and looked up at Augusts face, so glad he was here. "I'll have to remember those tactics for when you're being bad," I teased back weakly. I wanted to hold his hand, but I couldn't help but be worried still that he would catch it; instead I lay my hand on his thigh, my eyes closing of their own accord. "Maybe a short nap," I murmured softly. "I love you, August."
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 20, 2008 23:21:04 GMT -5
“I love you too, Mirielle,” I told her softly. “Sleep now.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “If I’m not here when you wake, I’ll be back soon. I may have to go check on father.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 20, 2008 23:37:01 GMT -5
I couldn't have fought sleep if I wanted to, and I did, not having gotten to see August as much as I would have otherwise liked to. Opening my eyes, I looked at him. "I'll be alright, love," I said softly. "Tend to your father if you need to. Give both he and your mother my love."
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 20, 2008 23:43:08 GMT -5
“I will,” I said softly. “Sleep and dream of the future, our wedding and then our little girl.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 21, 2008 10:57:01 GMT -5
I shivered and pulled the blankets up a little further, and gave August the ghost of a smile. "Take care of yourself, August," I answered quietly. Before I could stop it, my eyelids fell shut and I was asleep almost instantly, exhausted from the sickness that was beginning to creep across my body.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 21, 2008 11:23:07 GMT -5
I sat with her as she slept, watching over her and trying to lend her some of the strength I had left. She was young and healthy, both things that by now I knew bode well for her recovery. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to remember when it was I’d slept last. I couldn’t recall.
Her maid brought me a tray with a glass of wine and a sandwich. Whispering, she apologized for the lack of better offering and I just as quietly assured her it was perfect. A fact I proved by wolfing down the sandwich greedily and draining the glass of wine. They both tasted wonderful.
I glanced at the time candle a little later, and thought of father. I was torn between going to see him and staying with Miri. Finally I decided to slip out for just a little while, knowing Miri would tell me to go if she was awake.
I left word with the maid to tell Miri I’d be back soon and then headed back to the palace.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 21, 2008 22:00:39 GMT -5
Something woke me. I shifted, rolling onto my back and stretching muscles that seemed cramped into position. Sleep didn't want to give up easily, forcing me to slowly awaken, coming to my senses slowly enough that I could feel each muscle resist, not wanting to stretch.
Of a sudden, I was awake and moaning, pain flaring sharply in my stomach. Squeezing my eyes shut, I held still while it lasted before I slowly reopened my eyes, looking around the room for the first time. August was gone, though an empty tray told that he'd been here a while at least. I struggled to sit up and winced immediately, my throat far worse now than it had been before, dry, parched. The caraf of tea still sat where August had put it down and gingerly I swung my legs out of my bed and took it up, pouring myself another.
It tasted better cold, at least, but it was harder to swallow without the heat, and the soothing was less as well. Carrying the cup, I made my way to the door and opened it just in time to see a maid walking by.
"Oh, my Lady," she said immediately, her eyes wide with surprise. I realized then how much of a mess I must have looked, and I quickly smoothed out my hair. "Oh, you shouldn't be up, please, let me help you lay down again." Irritably, I waved her away. "I can stand fine," I told her, then softened almost immediately. "My throat, it hurts; is there any way I..." Another sharp pain lit my stomach and I buckled, the cup falling from my hand. My maid was quicker than I; her arms were around my waist and supporting me even as I tried to catch myself and stand again, and this time I was grateful for her insistance to lay down. Nodding, I let her lead me back to my bed.
"Prince August said he would be back soon," she said as I settled myself, feeling foolish, and bad for having gotten irritated with her. "He is very handsome, my lady, if it's not too brash of me to say. Very handsome." Pulling my blankets up so I could reach them better, she then bobbed a curtsy, gathering Augusts tray and my cold tea up. "I'll have fresh made and brought," she said as she disappeared, hurrying to carry the task out.
Sighing, I lay back again before experiencing another sharp pain. Slowly I wondered if I should have a bucket, but thankfully it wasn't that bad. I hoped it woudln't get any worse. Laying back, I closed my eyes and said a prayer for Augusts father, then one for he and his mother, one of strength. I remained as I was for a long time, listening to the silence of the stilled City.
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