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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 29, 2008 16:31:24 GMT -5
I napped not long after Damien left my room to find his own, falling into a deep, fitful sleep that left me tossing and turning, but not enough that I woke. When I did wake, it was dark out, and I was left scrambling blindly for the basin that was last by the side of my bed. I barely reached it before I began wretching, my stomach cramping so badly that I heaved great sobs between taking turns emptying my already empty stomach. My head pounded, my heart raced, and my throat was torn raw.
When the spell was over I fell back onto my pillow and sobbed softly, but even the act of it made my head hurt worse. Blindly I took a towel that had been left and wiped my face, then rinsed my mouth out with a glass of stale water, spitting the remainder of it into the basin. A maid came in and took it - I don't know which, I didn't pay attention. Curling into a ball around my cramping stomach, I huddled into myself, waiting for the dawn to come.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 29, 2008 19:11:13 GMT -5
I’d been gone for longer than I intended, but father had a turn for the worse and I’d not wanted to leave until it looked like he was stable again. Armed with medicines from the royal chirugeon, I returned to Miri’s house.
If I hadn’t known she was in a room at the top of the steps, I never could have made it up. Exhaustion was trying to stake a place in my body and I kept refusing. I mounted the steps and made my way to her room. Maids were scurrying in and out of her room and my heart clenched with worry.
Taking long strides, I wove my way between them and entered her room. There was only one dim lamp lit and I gestured for one of the maids to light more.
“Miri?” I said softly as I approached her bed.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 30, 2008 11:38:16 GMT -5
I stirred when I heard a familiar voice, not quite awake, not quite asleep. Groaning, I curled in further and opened my eyes, turning my head enough to look. The light got brighter as soon as I did; someone lit a lantern, and I squeezed my eyes shut again with another groan before looking back again.
I saw August. The very image of him walking towards me made my heart lighter, and I smiled at him without moving the rest of my body. "August," I said, my voice a croak from not having used it. Embarrassed even through the cramping of my stomach, which was giving me a reprieve at the moment, I cleared my sore throat, winced, then spoke again. "How is your father doing?"
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 30, 2008 11:48:04 GMT -5
The sight of her feeling so much worse than when I’d left made my heart plummet down to the floor. I rushed the last few steps to kneel by her bedside, my eyes on a level with hers.
“Oh Elua,” I whispered, reaching out to stroke her hair. “We’ll speak of father later, tell how you are. Oh gods Miri, I’m so sorry I had to leave.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 30, 2008 12:09:28 GMT -5
"Don't you dare be," I murmured, knowing he was close enough now that I could talk quieter and still have him hear me. The touch of his hand on my hair was soothing, though a sharp flare of pain lit my stomach. "I love you, and I know you love your father too. You have nothing to be sorry for."
I moved my hand, bringing it up to touch his, covering it briefly. "It hurts," I said softly, my lower lip quivering. I swallowed as the pain flared again, roiling back to life. I had nothing left in my stomach and I prayed I wouldn't wretch infront of August as I had Damien.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 30, 2008 13:09:51 GMT -5
My heart had returned to my chest, but now it shattered into thousands of pieces. I knew the pain must be terrible for her to admit it, her pride as rigid as mine.
“I brought some medicine,” I whispered, then leaned in and kissed her forehead tenderly. Gods, she was still burning up. “It will help and then we need to get you in a cool bath.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jun 30, 2008 13:23:58 GMT -5
I nodded, the pain in my head lesser than the pain in my stomach and throat. "Whatever you say," I responded, cleared my throat, then winced in rapid succession. I didn't care right now; it hurt too bad, in my stomach, my throat, my head. It was cold in here, too; part of me was surprised that I couldn't see my own breath. "I've had some more of that horrible tea," I managed before swallowing again, hating to do it even when I had to. "Damien is here too; he showed up.. gods I don't know, I'm not even sure what time it is now. "
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jun 30, 2008 17:02:11 GMT -5
“Don’t worry about it angel,” I said, trying to sound soothing. “If I help you do you think you can sit up? This medicine is better than the tea, I got it from the royal chirugeon. I have something for the pain and something for your stomach. it will help love, I promise.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 1, 2008 12:04:17 GMT -5
I groaned at the idea, my head already aching more at the thought of sitting. "I can do it," I assured him, determined to even if my body screamed otherwise. Taking a deep breath, I put my arm down under me and slowly rose, grimacing as the cramping worsened in my stomach as I forced the muscles to straighten.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 1, 2008 17:53:07 GMT -5
I had to stop myself from jumping up and helping her, knowing it would hurt her pride. I reached into my bag and withdrew the two stoppered bottles and the dosing spoon.
I set up on the edge of the bed. “Ready or do you need to catch your breath?”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 2, 2008 11:03:27 GMT -5
My heart was pounding by the time I sat up fully, and I squeezed my eyes shut for a long moment before opening them to look at him. "I'm ready," I said at last. One hand was looped around my waist, the other holding me up, and I gave him as warm a smile as I could muster. "What's first, love?"
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 2, 2008 13:39:12 GMT -5
“The pain medicine,” I said, pouring a spoonful of the thick, slightly yellowish liquid. “It will help the other stay down.”
I had learned rather more than I ever thought I would need to know about this sort of thing while helping with father.
Careful not to spill, I brought the spoon to her lips.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 2, 2008 14:49:24 GMT -5
I swallowed and looked at it as he moved it towards me, then glanced back at August before returning my eyes to the spoon. I trusted him with all my heart, but I wasn't positive it would stay down. Once it was at my lips, though, I didn't hesitate in taking it, swallowing it before I had much of a chance to taste it. "Thank you," I said, swallowing again to assure myself it was gone from my mouth.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 2, 2008 16:45:14 GMT -5
“You’re welcome, love,” I said, giving her a smile as I stoppered the first bottle and opened the second. “We’ll give that just another minute to work before the next one.”
I caught sight of one of her maids and asked for a cool bath to be filled, the maid hurried off immediately.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 2, 2008 22:41:08 GMT -5
I groaned softly. "There's more?" I asked in only partial mock dismay, my eyes going over his face. I was so tired, my body incredibly sore from wretching for hours. I swallowed at the thought, a shiver going through my body unbidden. "It's so cold in here," I murmured softly.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 2, 2008 22:53:05 GMT -5
“It’s not, my love,” I said, looking at her. “It’s your fever.”
I filled the spoon halfway and held it up to her. “Here, have this and then we’ll work on your fever.”
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 3, 2008 11:19:08 GMT -5
Dimly I knew he was right, knew I had a fever, but gods it couldn't be that bad... could it? I drew a soft sigh and eyed the spook before taking it into my mouth without complaint, swallowing the contents with only a slight grimace. It wasn't the taste - it was the cramping of my stomach. "I'm so glad you've come," I whispered, my hand uncurling from my waist to touch his forearm.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 3, 2008 12:17:23 GMT -5
“I wish I could have just stayed,” I said. Knowing I’d done the right thing by going to see father and getting her medicine didn’t help ease the guilt at not being here for her constantly.
I set the spoon and bottle aside. “While you’re bathing I’ll have them change your sheets so they are clean and soft when you return,” I told her, smiling.
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Damien Hughes (D)
Deceased
Future Marquis d'Maurier; House Hughes
Son of Luc and Giselle Hughes. Former ship Captain
Posts: 597
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Post by Damien Hughes (D) on Jul 3, 2008 12:36:31 GMT -5
I had woken, dressed and went to the library to find a book that Mirielle might enjoy then walked to her room. I was unsure if she was awake or not, but I would check in on her and make sure she was ok.
"Mirielle," I knocked on the door and heard some voices. She was awake. "Mirielle, are you alright, are you dressed." I moved through the door and into her room.
"Oh." I stopped seeing August next to her. "Oh, forgive me." I looked to the pair standing like a idiot in the middle of her room. Of course he'd return you idiot, what did you think?
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 4, 2008 16:39:47 GMT -5
"You have your father to tend to as well," I said, squeezing his arm comfortingly. Before I could respond to his comment on my sheets, the door opened and Damien came in, holding a book in his hand. My stomach twisted, but the nausia had lessened already, and I thought I could stand without emptying my stomach again. "Hello Damien," I said, as warm a smile on my mouth as I could muster.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 4, 2008 16:50:46 GMT -5
I looked back as the door opened to see Damien. It took me a moment to recall that Miri had said he was here.
“Well met, Damien,” I said, then looked back at Miri.
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Damien Hughes (D)
Deceased
Future Marquis d'Maurier; House Hughes
Son of Luc and Giselle Hughes. Former ship Captain
Posts: 597
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Post by Damien Hughes (D) on Jul 4, 2008 16:59:26 GMT -5
I bowed deeply, affording him the proper respect of his title, though there was no happy smile on my face. Only surpressed contempt that I was trying hard to swallow. "Prince August," I said rising. "I see you've returned to help." I looked to the medicines next to Mirielle's beside. The Prince could affored such measures where I could not. "Thats good, I'm sure my cousin appreciates it dearly." I swallowed what was left of my emotions remembering my place in the world once more. I forced a smile and looked to Mirielle.
"How do you fair cousin?"
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 7, 2008 14:25:26 GMT -5
Even as ill as I felt I could see the difference in Damien. He changed... less soft, somehow, like something was bothering him. I didn't know exactly what it was. "I'm doing a bit better now," I said, my brows drawn down some in concern. "Are you alright, Damien? You're not catching ill, are you?"
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Damien Hughes (D)
Deceased
Future Marquis d'Maurier; House Hughes
Son of Luc and Giselle Hughes. Former ship Captain
Posts: 597
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Post by Damien Hughes (D) on Jul 7, 2008 14:51:22 GMT -5
I softened shaking my head a little. "Forgive my abrasive manner my lady cousin, my lord Prince. I'm afraid I slept ill, nightmares I suppose. I'm over tired and perhaps not the best company." I held up my book a looked to Mirielle.
"I had thought if you were interested I would read to you, but since you have company I will not offer at this time. May hap another time." I gave a soft smile, glancing to August and trying hard not to think about cramming my book down his throat. Which I think had side affects as the image was so pleasing I almost laughed and I let the smile on my face grow a little, feeling all the more stupid for me thoughts.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 7, 2008 16:37:06 GMT -5
I took Miri’s hand in mine as they spoke, caressing it softly.
Looking back at Damien, I said, “Thank you for keeping an eye on her when I couldn’t be here,” I inclined my head slightly in thanks.
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Damien Hughes (D)
Deceased
Future Marquis d'Maurier; House Hughes
Son of Luc and Giselle Hughes. Former ship Captain
Posts: 597
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Post by Damien Hughes (D) on Jul 7, 2008 23:02:27 GMT -5
My jaw clenched as I noted his hand on hers and I dearly wished it was I in his position. But instead I bowed to him, one hand across my stomach in a formal manner. "Of course, it was my pleasure." I replied in a soft breath.
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 7, 2008 23:07:16 GMT -5
I smiled softly, about all I could manage as tired as I was. “It’s comforting to know she’s in good hands when I can’t be here. She’s far too precious to risk.”
I looked back at Miri, and what do you know, my smile grew a little more. “How’s the medicine working, love?”
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Damien Hughes (D)
Deceased
Future Marquis d'Maurier; House Hughes
Son of Luc and Giselle Hughes. Former ship Captain
Posts: 597
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Post by Damien Hughes (D) on Jul 7, 2008 23:29:42 GMT -5
I bit back the multitude of feelings I had as he spoke, anger, resentment, guilt and defeat as I watched him turn his loving face on Mirielle. What was I to do? Fight for her? Likely I would die in the process, for certain I'd loose Mirielle or worse if I won. I had to live with my ache.
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Post by Mirielle Bellamont on Jul 8, 2008 15:02:07 GMT -5
I watched them in a slight haze; the medicine was working still in my stomach, but I was exhausted and still not feeling very well. Damien still seemed off to me, but maybe his wounds were aching him. Maybe he was catching sick, too, and too proud to admit it; the thought horrified me. Shuddering slightly, I looked to August as he spoke to me and smiled softly at him, my hand squeezing his gently.
"It's working wonderfully already," I assured him, rubbing my thumb along his, enjoying the play of his skin against mine. It was just as well he insisted we didn't couple together; I didn't think I could bear to anytime soon. "Though I credit the hand that gave it to me as much as the medicine."
My smile grew a little more at him before I glanced to Damien, giving him a smile as well. "Damien was hurt recently," I said, looking back at August. "Some brigands attacked him while he was traveling through Eisande."
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Post by Augustin de Trevalion (D) on Jul 8, 2008 16:58:38 GMT -5
My head turned quickly back to Damien. “Truly? How badly were you injured? Were you seen to by someone skilled? I can send for a chirruegeon if you need,” I asked with concern. He and I may not have been close, but he mattered to Miri.
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