Slowly but surely I began to drift back into consciousness from my nights peaceful slumber.Pausing momentarily I open my eyes to let them adjust.Noticing that the sun was not shining but clouds of grey were stamped across the sky.
Something seems out of place and I couldn't put my fingure on it.
Abera hastily makes her ways in the room out of breath.Before she make it to me I realize what was wrong.
Philip normally wakes me up once in the middle of the night but he hadn't last night.Not waiting for an explanation I grab my robe and run to the nursery barefoot.


The door was opened immediately seeing the wet nurse trying to calm the wrestless child.But he made no sound not even a wail or cry.Upon seeing me the wet nurse moves out of the way picking up Philip I notice that his skin was hot.Placing a hand on his forehead I realize he has a fever.I know fevers can sometimes be deadly for infants so I order Abera to go fetch a healer and I instruct the wet nurse to ready Philip a cool bath.

In my arms Philp stills and rests his head on my chest.He seems to know that in my arms I will help and protect him.Cradling him closer I kiss his head and sing soft lullibyes in his ears.
Once the wetnurse returned Philip was bathed.It seemed to help a small smile appeared on the babes face.But after he is bathed and dressed the fever remained.

I was on the verge of blasting my way through the door to find that darn healer,until she opened the door.Seeing my distressed face the healer quickly came in.Relunctantly I let Philip go into the arms of the healer and sat in the wooden rocker.Abera tried to convince to eat and change my clothing but I would not leave his side.

I'm sure I looked like a bloody mess but it didn't matter.The healer put some herbal paste on the roof of Philip's mouth.For a moment he seemed wide awake but then I noticed how his eyelids began to droop till he was sound asleep.

The healer turned to me and handed me a bottle of the same thing she had just used.This will help reduce the fever and keep him comfortable.Once he wakes up feed him and then put some of this on the roof of his mouth.Bowing to me she left.

Sighing with relief I place the medicine on the table and go back to the cradle.Stroking a few strands of hair away from his face I watch him as he sleeps.


The storm wasn't fiece or demanding it was calming and gentle.It eased my nerves.
I didn't sleep that night tending to Philip when he was awake and watching him as he slept replaced it.
It mattered little for I was not tired.Dismissing the wet nurse and Abera after 10 they relunctanly left my side but I knew they were tired for they could not hold back there yawns.

Around 6 I noticed that his fever broke and it felt like a weight that seemed to suffacate me was lifted.

Shortly the wet nurse returned and I gave her some instrustions to follow while I was gone.Seeing him better and in good hands I went back to my own room and bathed.Abera was not up yet or she didn't appear to be.Instead of going back to bed I dressed and checked back in on Philip.
The fever was gone but his appetite seemed to grow.
As of on cue my own stomache growled.Remembering I hadn't eaten anything since the day before yesterday I made my way down to the kitchen to find something to eat.