Nightsong Chapter 9
I awoke the next morning slightly chilled. The windows were wide open, letting in the morning breeze. I stood and stretched, reaching high and standing on my tip-toes. Then I looked over and saw Helen watching me, her eyes less fevered than before, and bright, but a healthy bright. She smiled at me and waved. I grinned back. "Good morning, Helen."
"Good morrow, Lady Asya." She said politely. I placed another pillow behind her so that she could sit up more easily. She played with her freshly clean fingers for a moment before looking at me. "Are you really from a different world? Margaret says you are a witch's changeling child, that's why you're so strange, but good."
I nearly laughed. "Yes, I am from a different world, but no, I'm no changeling. I'm a mere mortal, the same as you, only the place that I come from is…well, different. We've become much more learned of science there, not magic like here. We know more about diseases…illnesses." I explained at her questioning look.
She looked sad all of a sudden. "I'm going to die. I heard the King's physician tell Papa so. But at least I'll be with Mama." She said softly.
"That's not so!" I cried at her. She looked frightened. "I won't be with Mama in Heaven? Have I been bad, am I going to …to the bad place?" She looked terrified.
"No, sweetheart, that's not what I meant. I meant that you're not going to die. I'm going to make you better." Even if it kills me. I thought to myself. "Are you hungry, Helen?" I asked.
She seemed to think on it, then nodded her head. I was unsure of how much to put in the bowl and then thought about what my mom had once told me about babysitting children. If you're not sure, remember the fact that they're stomach is only about the size of their fist. Use that as a guide and if they're still hungry, they can ask for more. So I scooped up a small portion of the chicken stew that had been kept warm over the coals overnight. I sat down on Helen's bedside and handed her the spoon but held the bowl myself as it was rather warm.
I was happy to see that she finished over half of it before she sighed and handed me the spoon. "I'm still very tired, Lady Asya. I'm going to rest now, if it be acceptable." I nearly laughed to see such a little girl asking for permission to rest. "Rest well and pleasant dreams, Helen." I said and left the room, closing the door behind me.
I nearly ran into Lucy, who'd come up to find me. She smiled in greeting. "Good morrow, my lady." She curtsied and then followed me to my chambers. I sat on the bed and she began to ask what needed to be done today. "Well, first of all, Lucy, can you show me where the garderobe is?" I needed to use it badly and wasn't sure I could find the way myself without getting lost.
She showed me the way there and waited until after I'd finished in order to show me the way back to my room. There we sat and talked about what all had been accomplished so far. I would go down with her to see what else needed done. As we walked down the circular staircase, I heard several grumbles about the cleaning, but all was being done.
As we walked, I also noticed several other things that would need to be done and listed them to Lucy as we walked, knowing that she would remember. She'd told me once that even children in this time period could memorize word for word instructions to be taken to another adult or person.
"The tapestries need to be taken down and gently sponged clean of dust and dirt. Ask for his lordship to conjure up something in the way of large ladders so that the walls and ceilings may be scrubbed and knocked clean of soot, dirt and spiders' webs if possible." I noticed how the windows were covered in smoky grime and remembered my mother's favorite "Cheap cleaning tips" book. "Mix warmed water and vinegar and have the windows scrubbed clean, be very careful of the stained glass windows."
Finally we sat in a freshly scrubbed and re-upholstered settee near the fireplace. I'd kept my notebook with me to scribble any extra notes onto it as I thought of them. "Is there any wines or alcohol left long in leaded glass in the castle, Lucy?" At her nod, "Get rid of it."
"But Mistress!" She looked horrified. "I know it's terribly expensive Lucy, but it's also deadly. The lead leeches out and gets into the blood where it can cause sickness and death. Now, how is the potter coming along with our plates and bowls?"