#mharithosa

But Rhydia, ever observant and long time servant of her lord, knew better. And Mharithosa, with her trained conjurer’s eyes and mother’s instincts, also knew better. Ceridwen, his only daughter, and also a trained healer, had also noticed.

Sirus hadn’t noticed. But he wasn’t even home, since his duties had kept him at Cloudtop, after his extended summons for their friend’s matters.

Integris was hiding it well, though. Guests did not notice. Nor did the apprentices. If it seemed he was breathing heavier, well, he wasn’t a young man anymore. If he appeared tired, he had been working a lot lately. If he was a bit paler than usual, perhaps he had not been out in the sun enough.

They did not see his hands shake with fatigue. Or hear his wheezing cough, that he muffled behind thick handkerchiefs and closed doors. They did not notice, that his appetite was waning. Or that he slept more and more.

At least, not until he fell asleep at his desk, and poor Tsuli couldn’t wake him. When repeatedly calling his name did not work, she gently tapped his shoulder. After two more taps, she softly shook his shoulder. Becoming worried, Tsuli shakes his shoulder, more insistently. She noticed his fever then and panicked, screaming out the door for help.

By the time Rhydia and Mharithosa had reached Integris’ ofice, Tsuli was sobbing and repeatedly shaking Integris’ shoulder, begging him to wake up. Rhydia pulled the girl away and let Mharithosa check on Integris. The next hour was a flurry of activity, as Integris was carried to bed, and Ceridwen summoned home.

By the time Ceridwen had arrived, Intregis had awoken. But he was still so very tired, incredibly feverish, and obvious far too sick to get back up. Mharithosa was relieved to tell Ceridwen it was only a relapse. But it had worsened his state.

It seemed, something more needed to be done.