Have mercy on me

**set after her thread with Yvaine**

i did a bad thing
feeling the heat.

A quiet unrest had settled over the entirety of Rionniach, Jacob had announced his return and so forces were being sent south in preparation. Just in time for winter. And it didn't seem to stop there. She had been feeling under the weather over the last few days and she had done her best to sleep it off in between training, hoping rest would make her feel better. But she had no such luck. When she woke, she felt even worse.

Getting to her feet felt impossible and every inch of her body ached. A fever caused her shiver as though it were colder than it actually was. Her throat was on fire, making it painful to swallow. She had been sick before, but not like this, at least not in her adult life. Something told her she needed help and that would finally drive her to her paws.

The walk to the Tiamat house was excruciatingly long. Or so it felt that way. She trembled for an entirely separate reason by the time she was greeted by familiar walls. "Nassar?" She would call out, her voice hoarse. "Somethings wrong." She mumbled, swaying on her feet. Dragging in a ragged breath, she sank onto her belly, unable to stand on her feet any longer,

Speaking

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Ahkoris's life had changed entirely in more ways than one. Notwithstanding the fact that his life had been returned to him, that his family's faces surrounded him, that old friends and old places caused little catches in his brain of familiarity...the Highlands had suddenly been in the forefront of his mind once more. Jacob had risen seemingly from the dead in Rionnach, announcing himself and his army. Ahkoris found himself suddenly in the military operations room of the Tiamat stronghold, discussing his time in the Highlands, the customs he had learned, the familiarities he had gained with the culture that seemed alien from the one he was in now. As a former member of the Imperial Army, it was his duty. But he could not shake the feeling of being an imposter on both sides.

He was in the family house, preparing for another day of training his body, when a voice rang out for his mother. He instantly perked, recognizing Sybil. He had not seen her much since that first night. He was not sure if they were avoiding one another on purpose, or if it was because she was busy in her duties in the Army. But the panic in her tone drew him instantly. He arrived in the drawing room just as she collapsed. "Somethings wrong." His nostrils flared, taking in the scent of not blood this time, but sickness. He spun to one of the attendants who came nearer, face glazed with alarm. "Get a doctor," he instructed her firmly.

Then he turned back to Sybil, rushing to her side. It was not lost on him that this was the second time he had done so, and that his instincts were the same. I know you, I know you, I know you... He shook his head to focus. "It's alright," he said, and this time, without asking, he began pushing his nose gently along her body, feeling and sniffing for any external injuries, but there were none. Just the overwhelming smell of illness. He was not a doctor, but he began talking until one arrived. "When did you start feeling ill?"

NASSAR TIAMAT

"..."

Her name was known within this house, but it was not often called. Not now with her mother little more than ash distributed amidst the wind. No, none were so presumptuous as to call on her so forcefully. Perhaps her children or her spouse, but there was little need. Everything was in order. Everything. Her son had returned home. Even Jacob's announcement of war—a flimsy thing by her account—would not dent her joy.

Except, perhaps, for Sybill's hoarse cry.

Gray ears perked and she was moving well before the adrenaline could course through her bloodstream. When it did, she was at the entrance to their great hall, her heart pounding within her chest as she stared at Ahkoris and Sybil together. She could just make out the tail of one of their attendants before the girl disappeared in search of a doctor.

Nassar approached quickly, amber eyes taking in Sybil's frail frame. She looked horribly unwell. Her voice was little more than a rasp and the sour scent of illness wafted up from her. Ahkoris was gently nosing her side—"Stop." In retrospect, she was too direct, too strict, but she moved on impulse. Her paw pressed firmly against Ahkoris' shoulder to abruptly move him back from Sybil's body. "We don't know what she has. Keep your distance."

Sybil was a good friend of hers. But Ahkoris was her son.

"Get a blanket," Nassar called to the two other attendants that had followed her down to the front. "First one you find. We'll cover her before bringing her in."

Not a fire but a flame

@Sybil, @Ahkoris

i did a bad thing
feeling the heat.

It was the firm tone of a command to get a doctor that drew her gaze to him. She hadn't seen him since that night. She wouldn't admit to herself or anyone that she'd been avoiding him. It simply wasn't in her nature to avoid something or someone. But with him, she was at a loss.

He approached without hesitation, rushing to her side for a second time with an assurance that it would be alright. If she had more energy, she might have scoffed at the words. Instead, she watched him quietly. Until he began pressing his nose into her fur, dragging in lungs full of her sickly scent. "Don't." She protested weakly. "I don't know...-" Stop.

The sharp command drew her gaze and cut off her words. Nassar approached, pushing Ahkoris back, telling him to keep his distance. Logically, she knew Nassar was right, she had just been in the middle of saying that same thing. But that didn't stop the sting. Her face pinched with hurt before she found the sense to hide it. It reminded her of the way some would not let her forget that she was highlander, looked down upon by the mainlanders.

Nassar took over, instructions falling her lips. Sybils gaze would shift, turning back towards Ahkoris. "A few days." She murmured her reply to the question he had asked before his mother arrived. With her ears tipped back, her gaze lingered only a moment longer before she rested her head on her paws and let her eyes drop.

Speaking

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@Ahkoris @Nassar

He ignored her feeble protests until -- "Stop." He froze at the harsh command, falling instinctively in line as Nassar's paw reached out to push him aside. He shifted backwards, bewildered, and not understanding, at first, why his mother's reaction was so strong. "We don't know what she has. Keep your distance." Ahkoris looked between Nassar and Sybil, who now looked mortified. His ears flattened with discomfort, but he knew that his mother was likely right. Sybil was very sick. Whatever had happened, perhaps it was contagious. He had not thought about it until now.

But it did not help him from feeling wrong about leaving her standing there alone, waiting for help while she lay prone on the floor. Nassar proceeded with orders to the attendants for a blanket, but while she did so, Ahkoris's eyes remained on Sybil. There was a curious pain in his chest, and it took him a few minutes to realize it was anxiety for her. As if she sensed it, she met his eyes and answered his earlier question: "A few days." He frowned, because that meant her illness was serious. It did not clear up quickly.

"There are others," he said, his voice pitched low with concern. "I've heard rumors. It seems this may be widespread." He glanced at Nassar, knowing that this would confirm her earlier caution. Just then, the local doctor bustled in and began peppering questions. Ahkoris stood uncertainly in the corner, because this was his mother's house and he was not much help. He felt the constant urge to move forward and comfort Sybil. He could not imagine what she was feeling. Soon enough, the doctor recommended isolation for her -- and now it was between a solitary room in the Tiamat estate and a bed in the infirmary, neither of which were excellent options, but he knew what he would choose. Something where she would not be too far away; something where he would not have to wonder after her safety.

fade-to-black exit-

NASSAR TIAMAT

"..."

It hurt her to not be able to rush to Sybil's side. She felt the ache immediately and it only continued to amplify when she saw the stricken expression upon Sybil's face. As if to spare her feelings, Sybil's expression steeled. Nassar's expression softened in answer, a subliminal apology in her eyes. She appreciated Sybil's support, relied on it even. Without her, life in the army would become just that more colorless, filled in only by duty. But she couldn't risk her son. It was a line that she had drawn long ago and, thankfully, one that Sybil respected.

So caught up in the servants bustling forward with the blanket and the arrival of the local doctor, Nassar didn't noticed the particularly pained expression upon Ahkoris' face. Had she, she might have questioned his connection with her. Then again, Ahkoris had always been kind to others. It was a trait of his that she adored. For him to worry about another was definitely not out of the ordinary.

- exit -

Not a fire but a flame

@Sybil, @Ahkoris

i did a bad thing
feeling the heat.

The doctor was there suddenly, rattling off questions to which she mumbled answers to. It was slow to sink in when Ahkoris mentioned the spread of a disease and when it finally did, she sighed quietly. The doctor would grab her attention when he declared isolation. Her nose wrinkled in dismay though she remained silent, offering only a slight incline of her head in acknowledgement. Until he asked where she would prefer to stay. "I'd rather stay here." She couldn't help that her gaze flickered to Nassar. She had seen the apology in her friends eyes, an attempt to soften the blow of her harsh command.

Letting herself get lost in the shuffle, she was compliant with the doctor and staff doing what was asked. They got her to her feet and began to guide her towards her new accommodations. Baby blues lifted, tired and dull, but still found Ahkoris. He had fallen silent, standing guard but out of the way. It was strange, how different things were now, but he was still so like himself. It almost made her crack a sad smile.

exit

Speaking

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@Ahkoris @Nassar