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Chapter 11: Marc
"Tess!!" I called out as I watched Tess collapse. I rushed over to catch her before she hit her head on the floor. Holding her in my arms, I could feel just how high her fever was. Immediately, I got some of the blankets I'd brought with me and wrapped her in them. I sat her down in a chair before I went to add more wood to the fire and place a fur rug on the floor. By then, she had regained consciousness and was silently protesting my interference. Dismissing her efforts though, I easily carried her to the rug and lay her there by the fire to rest. I went to the table and poured some of the soup out for her into a bowl. I took a seat next to her and offered her a spoonful. When she refused though, I pressed on. "Tess, please eat something!"
We looked into each other's eyes again before she looked down. She leaned forward a bit and opened her mouth, letting me feed her that way for the rest of the evening.
When she was done, I gently lay her back down to rest while I ate a bit and then cleaned up. After that, I turned around and found that Tess had fallen asleep where she lay on the fur. I knelt down in front of her and watched her sleep for a few minutes. I took my hand and gently brushed aside some of the hair that had fallen across her face. Then I took the cold cloth that I'd prepared and placed it on her forehead. She shivered a bit and shrank back a little, but I kept the damp cloth firmly in place.
For the rest of the night and for the next few days, I kept Tess company, watching over her and helping her get better. Neither of us spoke much. I knew she was a little embarrassed by all the attention I was giving her and that she was a little ashamed of me seeing her in such a bad state, so I stayed quiet.
Unfortunately, I had to leave each afternoon to conduct class. Each time, Kim would ask me how her sister was doing and if she could help out in any way. She wasn't the only one offering help either. The other villagers had seen what was going on and everyone was offering their own things in order to help out. Tess is really something special. She's lucky to have the village care so much, I thought to myself and smiled.
When I came back to check up on Tess one afternoon, I found out that she wasn't alone. The seer had come by and now the two sat at the table, discussing something quietly. When they heard me come in, Tess looked up and I saw the grim look on her face. The seer stood up, gave the sign of respect to me, and quietly left.
"What was that all about?" I asked after he'd left and I put my equipment down. I went over to sit next to her at the table.
She avoided my eyes. "Do you remember when you told me how you went to see him last year and warned me about troubles ahead?"
"Yeah… Tess, don't tell me you're still worried about that. It's been so long…" She didn't answer me. I gently took a hand and forced her to look at me. "What's wrong? What could possibly be worse than what you just went through these past few months? I mean, we've come back together; you're getting over your sickness… What else is there?"
"A lot," she whispered, breaking down.
"Oh, Tess…" I drew her into my arms and gently rocked her back and forth, trying to soothe her nerves. "Shh… It'll be all right. You'll see…" Deep down, I knew I was afraid for her. I looked down at her and felt my heart being torn again at the sight of her being so unhappy. Please! Don't let anything hurt her again. She's gone through enough!