Sunny cracked Fiona's bedroom door and she saw Bracken trying to keep Fiona covered with the light blanket, but Fiona was restlessly pushing it off again. Sunny came in and laid a hand on Fiona's forehead. "The fever hasn't broken – I think it's gotten worse," Sunny told Bracken. "We're going to have to get some willow bark tea, to help break the fever."
She reached out to Nicodemus and told him what was needed. ["Aunt Fiona's fever is higher --- I'm going to need willow bark tea."]
Sunny left Bracken in charge of keeping Fiona covered and she went into the bathroom to draw water in a bowl. She put a washcloth in the cool water and wrung it out and brought both the bowl and the washcloth to the bedside. She laid the cloth over Fiona's forehead, and she stopped moving about and opened her eyes to look up at Sunny. "Willow."
Sunny smiled down at Fiona, "It's coming, Aunt Fiona. Are you having any body aches or nausea?"
"Body hurts as bad as my head!" Fiona murmured.
Tully appeared at the door with a small bowl and a spoon. "Here's the willow bark tea."
Fiona smiled up at Tully, "Thank you, Tully."
He handed the tea to Sunny, and she spooned it up, blew over it to cool it, and ladled it into Fiona's mouth. When she had given about half to Fiona the woman closed her eyes and fell once again into a feverish sleep.
Sunny tucked the covers around Fiona's body, dipped the washcloth in the bowl, wrung it out, and laid it over Fiona's forehead and eyes. Nicodemus brought up a small lamp. It wasn't like the oil lamps used in the house; it had a different kind of phosphorous blue light like the lantern Shade had carried to light his way on the trail. He set it down on the bedside table. "Cassie and Lucy have brought food and drink. You two go eat, and I'll stay with Fiona for a while."
"I'll be back to spell you," Tully replied.
"Take your time," Nicodemus replied pushing a small wingback chair closer to the bed. "You and Siobhan may have to go out and check on the others and make sure there are no more falling to the illness."
Sunny nodded, "I'll keep in touch," Sunny took Tully's arm, and they went downstairs where Cassie and Lucy were still unpacking several baskets of food. When they turned to Sunny, they looked very worried. Sunny smiled reassuringly. "She'll be fine in a few days. But until she's well, I'll be going around to make sure those who are sick continue to follow her instructions and help with any new cases. What about the two of you? You feel all right?"
Lucy nodded. "We've both begun a course to help us avoid the illness. We've begun to give out remedies to help."
"Good, I don't know how this got started, but we're going to keep on top of it. I want to check and make sure all those selected are well and begin treatments if they're showing signs of sickness."
Cassie frowned slightly, studying Sunny closely – not saying anything outright but glancing curiously at Tully and then at Lucy. "Sunny, you've been bonded to go to Nu'Ada, have you decided to stay and take over for Fiona?"
"No," Sunny replied going to stir the soup that continued to simmer over a low flame. "While Aunt Fiona is ill, I'll be going around to make sure those that are sick continue to follow her treatment schedules – that's all. Once I'm in Nu'Ada, she'll assume her full duties."
Lucy paused in her picnic unpacking; "Will Fiona be well enough by the time the Arch closes?" she asked.
"She should be better in a day or two," Sunny replied.
"By that time Fiona will be able to travel back and forth," Tully said. "Just like always."
Lucy nodded as did Cassie. "There are those of us that can check in on Fiona too," Cassie replied then waved Tully over to the kitchen table. "Come on and fix your plate, Tully."
Tully went over to the table and began assembling his plate. Cassie went over to Sunny where she stood by the stove stirring the soup pot. "Lucy and I can help you check on the candidates going to Nu'Ada, while we're in the encampments we can also check to see if any more have fallen ill."
"We should try and isolate those that are sick in one place," Sunny said suddenly. "I read in my great-grandmother's time there was one camp where all those that were ill were in one place, so she could tend to them."
"Do you think it will be that bad?" Lucy asked.
"Better safe than to let it burn through the clans like wildfire," Sunny replied. "This all happened in the last few days, someone from the outside brought this sickness in. Some infections take only a short time to incubate – others take weeks – this one came on suddenly."
"Because we do not have the resistance that outsiders have," Cassie said. "It's hardest on the ones from Nu'Ada."
"Maybe exchanges should stop?" Sunny suggested. "To stop the spread of diseases."
"That won't stop the sickness from spreading through the clans," Tully said around a mouthful of chicken. "We have to be introduced to sickness to be a hearty lot."
Sunny nodded absently then and glanced upwards. ["Aunt Fiona resting?"]
["She's resting comfortably; the fever seems to have dropped."] came Nicodemus' thought.
Sunny turned the flame off the pot of soup, tossed a handful of wild rice in, and stirred it once more before she placed a top on the pot.
She joined Tully at the table and began to fix her plate and then remembered Bracken. The Watcher was at her feet tugging on the hem of her dress. She smiled down at him and handed him a chicken leg. Then she passed down a heavily buttered slab of bread. The good thing about the Watcher - he tended to eat the entire chicken leg, meat, bone, and gristle!
Cassie and Lucy did not eat much but only drank beer, a slice of beef brisket, and a few quarters of potato. Sunny ate, but she did not indulge in drinking any beer and opted to drink some of her lemon tea mixtures.
When Tully had finished, he thanked both Lucy and Cassie and headed upstairs to sit with Fiona so Nicodemus could eat. Both ladies were nervous when Fury appeared in the kitchen. They were courteous to a fault and were very wary of speaking before him. Sunny saw how it grated on Nicodemus' nerves and now blood-bound as she was, she could feel his agitation. She even noticed how he was pleasant to Bracken, handing the Watcher a slice of beef when he thought no one was looking.
"Rom Baro, do you think Fiona will be better by the time the Arch closes?" Cassie asked.
Nicodemus paused in his meal and glanced over at Cassie where she sat next to her cousin, Lucy Bishop. "I am hopeful, she will be well on the road to recovery."
Bracken was muttering under the table and began tugging at Sunny's dress. When Sunny glanced down he looked up at her with doleful eyes, "Cake!" he whispered.
Sunny looked at the table and spotted what Bracken was asking about. Brownies were sitting in front of Cassie. "I think coffee would go well with those brownies," Sunny suggested.
Lucy nodded. "Aye, I'll put the pot on maybe Tully will want dessert too?"
Cassie began to gather the other plates and bowls of food together to be stored away in the icebox or the pantry. Nicodemus took the plate of brownies and slid it toward Sunny. She glanced at him, and he tilted his head down toward the floor; he had heard Bracken's plea for 'chock-o-lots' too! Covertly Sunny took a brownie from the plate, placed it in a napkin, and handed it down to Bracken. He grunted happily and disappeared with his treasure.
Cassie brought out a small tray, took a mug down from the cabinet, and poured the dark brew into the cup. She placed it along with a small pitcher of cream and a small bowl of sugar cubes. Then brought the tray over and with a pie server placed two brownies on the dessert plate and left to take it upstairs to Tully.
Lucy served coffee to Nicodemus and then set a mug of coffee in front of Sunny. Strong coffee and brownies went together well and as the combination of caffeine and cocoa mixed into Sunny's system, she began to feel a bit more positive about Fiona's sickness. If the fever would only break, then they could begin to eliminate the other symptoms that would surely follow.
Sunny began to think that it was influenza. Since many of the symptoms were like the bouts of sickness she had seen her friends suffer in the fall and winter months. She was surprised to remember that she had not had any sicknesses maybe a day or two at most of the sniffles, but beyond that, she had never really been sick.
Part of the gifts? She wondered idly about some of the treatments Fiona might use to ease the symptoms of those who had fallen ill. She looked to Lucy for those answers because she was tending to the people in the Badger camp who had fallen ill. "What was Aunt Fiona dispensing?"
Lucy frowned in thought, "The usual; willow bark, elderberry syrup, slippery elm for getting rid of the catarrh."
Sunny nodded. "Is the recipe for the elderberry syrup in Aunt Fiona's book?"
"Aye," Lucy replied, "If you like, we can gather up the berries so you can have more on hand."
"I think that's a good idea," Sunny responded, already thinking ahead to what might help Fiona once she was back on her feet. "I remember reading in my great-grandmother's journal she also used -- slippery elm, willow bark --- and Horehound lozenges."
Lucy looked at Nicodemus curiously then back to Sunny. "Of course, whatever you think is needed."
Cassie walked back into the kitchen, "Well, Tully says Fiona is sleeping quietly, the willow bark tea seems to be doing its job."
Lucy took the tray from Cassie, "We've got work to do," she replied crisply, "Sunny would like us to begin gathering up elderberries, elm, willow bark, and horehound, as much as we can gather."
Cassie looked between Nicodemus, Sunny, and Lucy, then nodded. "I'll get a few of the boys to help with the elderberries."
"I think I'd like to get rose hips too," Sunny announced suddenly. "I can do that in the morning right after the dew is gone."
Nicodemus frowned at that idea, but he did not say anything. It was Cassie who responded to Sunny. "With it being so close to the time of the Arch opening, is that wise?"
"I believe it will be safe," Nicodemus said, "Siobhan and I are blood-bound now, so this extra warding will keep her safe. I would not advocate lingering any longer at the Arch than is necessary."
Cassie thought for a moment then nodded her head. "Well, then we'll do whatever needs doing to make that happen. Fiona will be looked after, and we'll make certain she is completely well before allowed back out to see her people."
"I just thought about Lady Margaret," Sunny said, "I don't know what Aunt Fiona's treatments are. I'll have to take those out to her before I leave for Nu'Ada. The treatments are working so well now."
Lucy smiled over at Sunny. "Spoken like a true Dannan!" she cheered then sighed. "We'll find all that out soon enough. Cassie and I will gather up some people to collect all we can find and bring the supplies here."
Sunny nodded and as the two ladies rose to leave, Sunny walked with them to the front door. Lucy waved to the man with her horse from the Badger clan then turned, hugged Cassie, and then stepped up to embrace Sunny. "Don't worry my friend, everything will be all right."
Sunny returned the embrace and watched her mount her pony and trot off with her escort. Cassie stored her baskets in the back of her small dog cart, which was much smaller than the governess rig that Fiona used. Cassie turned to Sunny and took her hands in hers and gently shook them. "You're worrying too much; everything will be fine. We'll watch over Fiona and Tully will keep a careful eye on her while you're gone."
"Why is it that everyone cautions not to try to go through the arch before the time the tribes leave?" Sunny asked.
"They would be burned up," Cassie whispered. "I've never seen it, but I remember my da telling me a story about seeing it with his own eyes. A young woman selected from her clan was to go and her husband-to-be tried to sneak through and join her. He came through the arch into Nu'Ada burned up."
Sunny frowned as the image popped into her mind's eye. "And vice-versa? Anyone trying to come from Nu'Ada to here would be destroyed?"
"Aye," Cassie said with a shiver. "If you or any of the selected were to try to leave Nu'Ada physically you would be burned up."
"And the Watchers, the Brethren?" Sunny asked.
"They can only be here if the one they are bound to is also here," Cassie said. She climbed up into her rig. "They can still communicate with one another somehow, but I've never understood the way of it."
Sunny looked up at Cassie; "Well, get some rest, tomorrow is going to be busy."
Cassie chuckled. "Aye, you be sure to get some sleep --- you're going to be busy too."
"I will," Sunny murmured. "See you in the morning."
Cassie jiggled the reins over the haunches of her pony and it clip-clopped out of the cobblestone courtyard and through the arbor. As soon as Cassie and the rig were out of sight, Bracken was tugging on Sunny's skirt. "We pick hips now?"
Sunny glanced down at the Watcher. "In the morning," she answered.
"Not now?" Bracken asked.
"No," Sunny murmured. She looked up into the trees and turned in a slow circle searching the trees. "In the morning is the best time."
"Why do you look?" Bracken wanted to know and edged away looking furtively around the courtyard.
"I'm wondering how many eyes are on this house and reporting back?" Sunny said and glanced down at the brown creature. "I'm wondering what's being said."
"Watchers watch," Bracken intoned.
"And what do they see?" Sunny asked.
"See many changes, many dangers." He told her.
"Which is why I need to get to Nu'Ada and learn how to control this so-called gift," Sunny muttered more to herself than to Bracken.
"What you need is to get some rest," Tully said. He stepped out stretching his arms over his head. "Fiona's resting well, and Nicodemus and I will spell one another through the night."
"There's still daylight left to prepare for tomorrow," Sunny replied turning to go back into the house. Bracken trailed in behind Sunny and Tully and headed to the kitchen to see what had been left out to eat. Sunny went to the coffee pot, poured herself a cup, and silently offered Tully a cup. He shook his head. "Perhaps later." He sat down and snagged a piece of ginger cake from the plate.
"The Arch opens tonight," Sunny said as she joined Tully at the kitchen table, "Who usually returns to Nu'Ada first?"
"Usually, the Dannan elders are first to return," Tully said, "I think once they've visited with the others, they're ready to go home. It takes them several days to travel to get back to their homes."
"I sure hope that none of them show signs of illness," Sunny said pouring cream into her coffee. She watched the cream bloom in the dark coffee and spiral in slow tendrils up from the depths of the cup.
"Most of the cases are young people," Tully remarked, "men and women your age."
"The ones who would have had the most exposure to outsiders. I suppose that is something to be thankful for – the elderly are usually slower to respond to treatments."
"Aye?" Tully looked over at her curiously and Sunny frowned at him.
"I read that in Siobhan's journals," Sunny said, still frowning at the blacksmith, "And just in passing, I read that the babies and the elderly are susceptible to viruses and are sometimes unable to fight off sicknesses."
As they were sitting there Sunny heard Nicodemus. ["Fiona's awake."]
"Aunt Fiona's awake," Sunny repeated. "I think we'll try some soup and maybe some of the juice."
As Sunny stirred about the kitchen preparing a tray Tully went out to check on the chickens and look about the area. On the tray, Sunny placed a small bowl of broth and a glass of juice with a bit of honey to sweeten it. She was on her way upstairs when she stopped and went into the apothecary and found a dark amber bottle of elderberry syrup.
She went upstairs to Fiona's room and stopped. Fiona and Fury were finishing up a conversation. The last words were from Fiona. "You said you would protect her – even from yourself, Nicodemus. Keep your distance from her!"
Sunny was shocked to hear Fiona speak so harshly. Fury had been keeping his distance – it was Sunny who was pressing him. She had practically thrown herself at him! Now he was taking the brunt of Fiona's ire. She knocked softly. Nicodemus opened the door and stepped back to allow her to come in. Fiona was propped up on pillows. She smiled faintly as Sunny entered. Sunny smiled happily and set the tray on the bedside table. "So how are you feeling, Aunt Fiona?"
"Well, it's been a long time since I was sick," Fiona answered with a raspy throat.
Sunny sat down and pressed her hand to Fiona's forehead. "The fever's gone down, but it hasn't broken."
"Another dose of willow tea should do the trick." Fiona croaked.
"I'll go fetch it," Nicodemus replied and slipped from the room.
"So, he and Tully are staying here tonight?" Fiona asked.
"Yes, and Lucy and Cassie are going to help me tomorrow with making up batches of elderberry syrup and harvest some willow bark so there will be enough on hand for anyone else who comes down with this illness," Sunny replied.
Fiona sighed heavily, "This was a fine time to get laid low with a cold."
"It was no one's fault – least of all yours, Aunt Fiona," Sunny replied then nodded to the bowl of soup, "You feel like a little broth?" Sunny asked.
"I'm very thirsty," Fiona said and looked at the glass of juice next to the soup bowl. "I'd like to taste your gingerade."
"Gingerade," Sunny murmured, "So you've seen it before?"
"I remember my grandmother made it in the summer whenever there was a case of the sniffles in the village," Fiona said and took the glass Sunny offered and sipped it experimentally. She smiled and nodded. "It's exactly as I remember it."
"Something my mother remembered from hers," Sunny replied. "I used to get this whenever I caught a cold – which wasn't very often."
Fiona nodded and continued to sip the drink. After a few sips, she handed the glass back and had a few spoonsful of broth. Sunny watched Fiona begin to wilt. "Well, another good sleep will help push the rest of the fever on."
Nicodemus returned with the cup of willow bark tea. Sunny took the cup from him. As she took the cup from him she reached out to speak to him through their new form of communication. [ I need to speak to you, so don't disappear on me! It's important! ]
He paused just for a moment. "I am waiting for a raven. I'll be outside." He looked at Fiona, "I am glad you are feeling better, Fiona."
Fiona nodded and watched him leave the room. Sunny spooned the liquid up, blew lightly over the liquid then offered it to Fiona. Already feeling fatigued again, Fiona allowed Sunny to spoon-feed her the tea. After about half the tea was gone, Fiona's eyes began blinking slowly.
Sunny settled Fiona down under the light blanket and watched as Fiona drifted off to sleep while she was sitting on the side of the bed.
She eased out of the room and closed the door. She went downstairs and checked in the kitchen. It was empty and the lanterns were turned down low. In the front room, Tully was already snoring softly. It looked like Nicodemus was taking the first watch. Sunny went out the back door of the kitchen and into the yard. The moon was very bright and full. She sensed Fury even before he made himself known. "Why is Aunt Fiona so against you? I thought you, Tully and Aunt Fiona were friends."
Fury waited for her to turn to him. "You should get to bed early," Nicodemus said. "You will be very busy tomorrow."
"She told you to keep your distance from me," Sunny said stepping toward him. "Why?"
"Fiona and Tully know me best," Fury told her. "I have lived in dark and forbidden places, and I have done questionable things in my past. Some of those things I am not proud of, but most I did because they needed doing. Fiona knows what I am capable of and that I can and will take advantage of you."
"What do you mean?" Sunny asked.
"You are an irresistible and tantalizing young woman," Nicodemus said, He began to walk a slow circle around her, "I have tasted your sweetness and felt your heart clamoring as I held you in my arms. If I wanted you, I could have you. Whatever you think you feel for me is an illusion. I am and have always been a trickster, but I am also the only one who can help you gain control of your powers. Fiona knows that. That is why she is placing you in my care. You should go in and go to sleep, Siobhan. It will be a busy day tomorrow."
Sunny felt the sting of rejection. He was pushing her away to prove to Fiona he was trustworthy. She nodded. "Then I will burden you no more with my attentions, Rom." She turned and started to walk back to the house then stopped and faced him again. "It's true, you could have me anytime you wanted, but only if I had given myself to you. Good night."
"Good night, Siobhan," Fury said. "When Fiona's fever breaks, Tully or I will wake you."
Sunny turned and went into the house. Nicodemus turned away, his pain was unbearable! He shielded himself from her and retreated into the forest, putting physical distance between himself and Sunny!
Once inside, Sunny felt a barrier forming around Fury. He was closing himself off and retreating. This contradicted his words – if he was playing with her emotions why was he the one shielding himself from her? She thought about what he had said and realized that he was protecting her. It still hurt, but there was a reason – and it did not include infidelity or betrayal.