Sick

Bard looked at the pile of wax tablets. There were so many troubles before them. Resources still had to be managed and people’s concerns were becoming more and more pressing. Some fights had broken out. He was grateful they had peace for the past few months, but found it a bit irksome that they had gone back to their old ways with the coming of summer. At least Perspective seemed to be doing better after that rest and care she received. He would need her to begin her teachings again, possibly with the help of some other trees. Craft had already started teaching some of the dryads and humans new trades so they had things to do. For the most mischievous ones, he would have to see if Protection would be able to take them on. As for Defender, he was recovering from the move and the fight with the Shades. Apparently he had hidden how worn out he had been from it, which Bard felt bad about, but there wasn’t much he could do except wait.

There were so many moving parts that Bard sat back in his chair and sighed, trying to keep himself from feeling a bit overwhelmed. The catfolk had their temple dedication coming soon, and the walls were nearly done. Some asked if they would hold another celebration once the work got done and Bard wasn’t so sure that was a good idea. Perhaps they could at the height of summer when the nights were the shortest, and the threat of Shades was smallest. But that was still a few months away.

His thoughts were wrenched away as he heard a loud clatter and Sen’s squeal of surprise. Kai made a yap as well, which caused Bard to get up from his spot and check on them.

Sen was hunched over, cleaning up spilled food, while Kai was trying to help by licking the floor.

“Everything alright?” he asked. Sen looked back at him.

“It’s fine. Just a slip,” she said, however, Bard could see her pale complexion. He tsked as he walked out and came over to her. She looked away, returning to cleaning, muttering something to Kai. Bard came from behind and then wrapped his hand around to touch her forehead. It was cool to the touch. Sen froze and the turned back to look at him.

“Well, it’s not a fever,” he said.

“Of course not,” she replied with a frown.

“Then do you know why your face is so pasty?” he asked. And her hands flew up in surprise as she touched her cheeks.

“It is?”

That was all he needed to know that she was unaware of it.

“Why don’t you sit down and rest for a second,” he offered, glancing at Kai who stopped his licking and then shifted away. Bard gently guided her to a couch where he had her sit. “Any idea what could be wrong? Did Healer teach you about anything that matches this?” Bard asked and Sen pulled him to sit next to her before leaning against him. She hummed before returning to his question.

“No. Not really. I feel fine for the most part, but, perhaps he might have some ideas.”

Bard sat there with her for a bit and then she jumped.

“Aw! The food!” With a brisk pace, she returned to her cooking, still pale, but focused. Bard decided he would free up some of his plans today and make sure she made it to Elder Healer.

The day passed, and Bard gritted his teeth as he dashed back home. The spring rains had come and made the whole place a mud fest. Some places had stone pavers down, but not everywhere. Defenses came first. He understood that. He smiled as he rounded the corner. Sen was waiting for him at the door, her outstretched palm enjoying the pattering of rain while he ran over to her. As he stepped out of the weather, he wished he could be like Kai and just shake the water off. It would be simpler.

“Welcome home,” Sen greeted. He looked her up and down as she grabbed a towel for him. Her complexion was much better, and she seemed a bit more energetic than this morning. “I got a bit of training done and that seemed to clear up the issues this morning.” She said, a proud look crossing her features. Bard took the towel she handed to him and wiped his face down, then his hair. He slipped out of his boots and cloak, hanging them to dry.

“I still would prefer if we visited Healer, just to make sure,” he said and she shook her head in exasperation.

“I’m fine. I checked in with Elvira and she said I was healthy, and suggested the exercise. Apparently she’s been learning about dryads and catfolk from the doctors of each race since so many keep showing up and asking her for help.”

“That many are getting ill?” Bard asked, surprised. He hadn’t heard of it.

“No. Just lots of things. Illness is just one. Some are expecting children, some had scrapes and brawls, so it’s injuries more often than not. The construction folks tend to come in the most.”

“I see,” Bard said, relieved.

“Chief!” a voice said. Bard saw catfolk coming for him.

“What is it this time,” he groaned.

“Jamil and his band giving you trouble again?” Sen chimed with an apologetic look.

Bard reached for his shoes and cloak. They were cold now, and he grumbled as he slipped into them again.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said, giving her a kiss before leaving.

As he dealt with the troubles, he found his agitation growing, along with a bit of fatigue. The suns were already set, the clouds bode trouble if they stuck around. Storm shades could come at any moment. As much as this set off her nerves, he forced himself to remain calm and patient as he poured over the complaints and the records. A temporary tent had been set up for him to use, and the catfolk outside were kept at bay from Jamil and his company, while their leader talked over the concerns with construction and getting resources. Stone wasn’t too much of a problem, but ores were. The cities were beginning to be too dangerous, even for Ruegar and the catfolk to explore and salvage from. Raw materials would be the next option, but none had been found so far, and importing was too risky.

Bard asked about other resource options to take their place, at least till things could be more stabilized. Jamil was against it, but Bard pushed the issue. As he laid out the situation and how it wasn’t Paradise’s domain, that they would have to get creative. Jamil was surprised, but promised to consult with the others and consider other options. Bard suggested talking with Dryads who were used to different materials anyway, and to check in with the smiths. While they worked with ore, they had mentioned coming across patch jobs and such with creativity. Jamil promised to locate those with that creative spark.

As Bard sat back, he felt a slight ache in his hands and he reflexedly shifted them around. Jamil saw it and then his expression turned soft.

“I apologize for keeping you so late. That concludes the most pressing things I had, so why don’t you return home. I’ll see what I can do to take care of the others,” Jamil offered. Bard froze in surprise.

“Are you sure?”

“You better not ask that again, before I change my mind, ‘chief’,” Jamil teased. “Take care of yourself, cat.”

Bard’s face fell at that remark and Jamil laughed before exiting. Bard heard the loud conversations and decided to sneak out the back, counting on Jamil to handle things. He was grateful to see Kai resting outside as he exited. With an eagerness that made him ignore his discomforts, he climbed aboard and Kai took off, bypassing the lot.

Sen wasn’t at the door this time, though Bard wasn’t surprised. He led Kai inside where the large wolf-like creature shook himself dry, making Bard even more wet. Seeing the house with water, he cleaned up and chastised his friend who held his head low in apology.

He dried himself off and found a bit of food set out for him. His gaze moved up the stairs to where their room was and he silently thanked Sen for her consideration before he dug in and then walked upstairs.

With a soft, nearly soundless motion, he cracked open the door and barely caught the sight of her on the bed, asleep. He crept in, closing the door with much effort so it wouldn’t creak, before he tiptoed over. As he came around, he saw her face pointed towards the window, the lights from outside shining on her. With a heavy heart, he saw that she was pale again. Unbidden, a cough welled in him and he tried to keep it down as he moved away, then buried it into his arm, muffling it. He inwardly groaned. He couldn’t be getting sick now. But he felt a bit too warm, and other things pointed to the same conclusion.

He put his trinkets and things away and then set the tokens beside the bed, before grabbing a second blanket. After making the bed a bit more comfy, he retrieved a glass of water and set it next to him in case he needed it, heeding Healers instructions, before turning in for the night. His final hope was that Sen would be feeling better soon.

Bard woke, feeling more exhausted than rested. As his shifted, there was an annoying ache and his throat felt too dry. After getting a drink, his throat throbbed and he began to cough, which stirred Sen. She wasn’t pale thankfully, but he turned away from her, not willing to give her what he had.

“I wondered,” she hummed, reaching over and checking his forehead. “After you left in those wet clothes, I had a feeling this would happen,” she chided with a gentle teasing tone. Bard shifted, unwilling to take part in this, but quickly shifted back. It was too cold.

“I’ll go make something warm. I think Healer is still nearby for today, so I’ll consult him on that. For now, rest and I’ll bring a pitcher so you can refill your drink,” she half muttered-half hummed. Bard felt her get off the bed as she set to her own tasks. Bard groaned. He had so much to take care of, and getting sick would create more problems.

Throughout, the day, he heard Sen talk with people down below and if he tried to get up, he felt too dizzy to stand, let alone sit. There was no denying it. He couldn’t work like this.

Elvira eventually came to check on him and gave herbs to Sen to have him eat. Bard recognized the names, but he couldn’t piece them together. He rested as much as he could, feeling bothered by it, but also relieved. There were times he braved the cold for a drink or to get help, but the days passed. His cough grew worse and he struggled to sleep.

Eventually he couldn’t stand the feel of the bed and wandered downstairs with a big blanket. Kai was waiting anxiously for him. He let out a wan smile before struggling to climb onto his side and plopping himself down, taking comfort in the nostalgia. How many times had Kai been his comfort on the road? He had lost track. Memories of resting like this on Kai’s side, and him being too weak to move. The nostalgic feeling was quite strong. He smiled. At least they didn’t have to worry about the shades here.

He awoke later to an extra blanket and the water moved, while still being out of Kai’s range of motion. Sen was nowhere to be found and he drifted back to sleep.

The following day, he felt strong enough to sit and stay upright for a few hours. The next, day he felt well enough to bumblingly stumble around the house. By day three of this change in recovery, he felt well enough to help Sen around the home again, but the chill outside was too much.

Four days in, and the leaders eagerly greeted him and had him work on things. Some problems had resolved themselves while he was sick, but others had manifested in their place. While they talked, Elvira checked him over and Bard noticed Sen’s absence, despite the meeting taking place in their home.