.
.
Shouts arose from just outside the River Flower, interrupting Akasja's closing tasks. She perked her head up from her tinctures and listened, trying to understand any words that were being spoken. It was very hard to. Not wasting time, she placed her utensils on the counter and rushed outside into the damp city streets, heading to where the commotion was. Akasja quickly noticed a couple unknown men hovering worriedly around a small grocery vendor's stall. One began to shout for a doctor. She trotted closer to the stall before realizing that she knew this one.
Propped up uncomfortably and unconscious against some sacks of dry goods, her face pallid, was a young Drykas woman -younger than Akasja, but not a child. Akasja knew her, a woman by the name of Brijette Shadowknoll of the Emerald Clan. They had always smiled at each other in passing, and Akasja had purchased supplies from her a couple times. This young Drykas was one more friendly face in a sea of strangers, and Akasja appreciated it enormously. Seeing her limp form made Akasja's chest tighten. She hurried over to Brijette's side.
Two lanterns lit the area as Akasja searched Brijette's face and surveyed the scene. The girl's eyes were slightly open, but she was not seeing. Her breaths were deep, as if she were sleeping in her own bed. Brijette's leg was bent sideways at a strange angle, but did not appear in danger of being broken. Still, it must have been uncomfortable. Akasja quickly straightened Brijette's leg and then began to lay the girl down flat, supporting her brunette head and her upper back as she did so.
But the girl's feet needed to rise for her to regain consciousness quickly. Akasja grabbed behind her for something sturdy upon which she could prop Brijette's feet; a wooden box was the first thing that she found. It would do well. Akasja placed the girl's feet there, effectively raising them above the Drykas' head. She did not know what was happening around her, but Akasja needed the girl to wake up before she could treat her. With her right hand cushioning Brijette's head and her left at the girl's back, Akasja hovered over her friend on the cold ground.
"Brijette," Akasja spoke in Common, watching the girl's eyes twitch "It is me. Open your eyes."
For a moment, Brijette did not respond. Akasja wished she still had some of her oils at hand, but this approach would have to do. After repeating her name, Akasja managed to rouse Brijette from her unconsciousness. She must have been out almost a full chime.
"Hmm?" The drowsy young woman hummed confusedly and attempted to sit up. Akasja smiled gently and shook her head, and Brijette settled back down again. "Where am I?" she asked.
Akasja's expression was warm and caring as she spoke: "You at work. You fall, you sleep for a little. How you feel?"
More shouts rang out around them. A couple young men approached Brijette and Akasja. They were prepared to carry the fallen girl, and waited for Akasja's word before they moved.
"We take you to the River Flower," Akasja assured her friend.
Brijette looked up at the young men who had come to get her. She probably would have blushed, but the color in her cheeks had yet to return. "Great," she muttered sarcastically, and managed a wry smile.
- - -
"Drink all this," Akasja instructed, and handed her patient a cup of hot water. She quickly signed hot, careful, heal.
Brijette took the cup carefully, blew at the surface of the tea, and sipped it. Her brows rose slightly at the taste.
Akasja had spoken with the River Flower's doctors; what they recommended were some remedies that would target a few different conditions that Brijette was going through: nausea, physical weakness, and poor circulation. It seemed like the fainting itself was caused by genetics and most likely was encouraged by poor diet and stress.
While the doctors talked to Brijette and checked her vitals, Akasja set a kettle of water to boil. She then searched her stores of spices and come across a few dried, hot peppers; roots, and bark that she was able to grind into pieces tiny enough to use in a tea sachet. These plants were to encourage Brijette's circulation and keep any nausea at bay. Other herbs and plants that Akasja included in the concoction were wild berries, dried mint, and lemon that were meant to fortify the heart, calm the stomach, and support detoxification. As a final touch, Akasja was able to scrounge up a jar of raw honey and stir it into the Drykas' tea. It helped sweeten the beverage just enough that it was drinkable and also provided high levels of nutrients. While Brijette rested in her cot, Akasja prepared several sachets of these teas for her, instructing her to drink them every week.
For a few chimes, Akasja and Brijette were quiet in the room together, simply enjoying that silence. Even so, Akasja remained vigilant over her patient. The River Flower was otherwise calm on this night. It provided a good chance to reflect and relax after all that had happened.
"My brother, Danyel, is coming to take me home," Brijette finally said, her voice soft. She paused and cast her gaze upon Akasja. "I am sorry for what happened."
Akasja sat forward in her chair and frowned, signing her confusion. "Why you sorry? Do not say that."
Brijette looked down into her mug. "I did not want to make such a mess. I did not want to make people worry."
Akasja lightly put her hand upon the cot where the Drykas woman was resting. Her gaze was steady, encouraging. "Not your fault." She smiled. Friendship, assistance.
Brijette smiled too, quietly acquiesced, and then continued to sip her drink, still slightly embarrassed.
It was not long before Danyel Shadowknoll arrived. He was tall, like Brijette, and topped with the same dark-brown, curly hair as his sister. He was also closer to Akasja's age, maybe a few years older. His round eyes searched the room, finding his sister and Akasja waiting for him. Danyel walked over to embrace Brijette.
"I am so glad you're safe," he breathed, speaking in Pavi. "Don't worry about anything. Mother has closed up the shop for the night."
"Akasja helped me," Brijette responded in Common, looking over to the Chaktawe. She signed friendship, help, great appreciation.
Danyel moved over to Akasja and nodded respectfully. Worry, appreciation, relief. Akasja was able to understand.
"I have help from doctors here," she insisted in Common. "I am not alone."
Danyel smiled at Akasja's polite deflection. "My sister is well once again, and you and the doctors here have cared for her. Your friendship is so important to us. To me."
Akasja did not protest. She signed great thanks, relief. "Brijette is very special. I am glad to know her."
After another chime, Danyel carefully helped his sister to her feet. The two of them gathered the tea satchets and bundled up in their cloaks to head back home.
"We will repay you and the River Flower for your excellent work," Danyel insisted.
Akasja signed her thanks, great appreciation. "I check on Brijette tomorrow."
Exhaustedly, the siblings bid Akasja good night.
.
.
.
.
28th of Winter, 515
Late evening
Late evening
Shouts arose from just outside the River Flower, interrupting Akasja's closing tasks. She perked her head up from her tinctures and listened, trying to understand any words that were being spoken. It was very hard to. Not wasting time, she placed her utensils on the counter and rushed outside into the damp city streets, heading to where the commotion was. Akasja quickly noticed a couple unknown men hovering worriedly around a small grocery vendor's stall. One began to shout for a doctor. She trotted closer to the stall before realizing that she knew this one.
Propped up uncomfortably and unconscious against some sacks of dry goods, her face pallid, was a young Drykas woman -younger than Akasja, but not a child. Akasja knew her, a woman by the name of Brijette Shadowknoll of the Emerald Clan. They had always smiled at each other in passing, and Akasja had purchased supplies from her a couple times. This young Drykas was one more friendly face in a sea of strangers, and Akasja appreciated it enormously. Seeing her limp form made Akasja's chest tighten. She hurried over to Brijette's side.
Two lanterns lit the area as Akasja searched Brijette's face and surveyed the scene. The girl's eyes were slightly open, but she was not seeing. Her breaths were deep, as if she were sleeping in her own bed. Brijette's leg was bent sideways at a strange angle, but did not appear in danger of being broken. Still, it must have been uncomfortable. Akasja quickly straightened Brijette's leg and then began to lay the girl down flat, supporting her brunette head and her upper back as she did so.
But the girl's feet needed to rise for her to regain consciousness quickly. Akasja grabbed behind her for something sturdy upon which she could prop Brijette's feet; a wooden box was the first thing that she found. It would do well. Akasja placed the girl's feet there, effectively raising them above the Drykas' head. She did not know what was happening around her, but Akasja needed the girl to wake up before she could treat her. With her right hand cushioning Brijette's head and her left at the girl's back, Akasja hovered over her friend on the cold ground.
"Brijette," Akasja spoke in Common, watching the girl's eyes twitch "It is me. Open your eyes."
For a moment, Brijette did not respond. Akasja wished she still had some of her oils at hand, but this approach would have to do. After repeating her name, Akasja managed to rouse Brijette from her unconsciousness. She must have been out almost a full chime.
"Hmm?" The drowsy young woman hummed confusedly and attempted to sit up. Akasja smiled gently and shook her head, and Brijette settled back down again. "Where am I?" she asked.
Akasja's expression was warm and caring as she spoke: "You at work. You fall, you sleep for a little. How you feel?"
More shouts rang out around them. A couple young men approached Brijette and Akasja. They were prepared to carry the fallen girl, and waited for Akasja's word before they moved.
"We take you to the River Flower," Akasja assured her friend.
Brijette looked up at the young men who had come to get her. She probably would have blushed, but the color in her cheeks had yet to return. "Great," she muttered sarcastically, and managed a wry smile.
- - -
"Drink all this," Akasja instructed, and handed her patient a cup of hot water. She quickly signed hot, careful, heal.
Brijette took the cup carefully, blew at the surface of the tea, and sipped it. Her brows rose slightly at the taste.
Akasja had spoken with the River Flower's doctors; what they recommended were some remedies that would target a few different conditions that Brijette was going through: nausea, physical weakness, and poor circulation. It seemed like the fainting itself was caused by genetics and most likely was encouraged by poor diet and stress.
While the doctors talked to Brijette and checked her vitals, Akasja set a kettle of water to boil. She then searched her stores of spices and come across a few dried, hot peppers; roots, and bark that she was able to grind into pieces tiny enough to use in a tea sachet. These plants were to encourage Brijette's circulation and keep any nausea at bay. Other herbs and plants that Akasja included in the concoction were wild berries, dried mint, and lemon that were meant to fortify the heart, calm the stomach, and support detoxification. As a final touch, Akasja was able to scrounge up a jar of raw honey and stir it into the Drykas' tea. It helped sweeten the beverage just enough that it was drinkable and also provided high levels of nutrients. While Brijette rested in her cot, Akasja prepared several sachets of these teas for her, instructing her to drink them every week.
For a few chimes, Akasja and Brijette were quiet in the room together, simply enjoying that silence. Even so, Akasja remained vigilant over her patient. The River Flower was otherwise calm on this night. It provided a good chance to reflect and relax after all that had happened.
"My brother, Danyel, is coming to take me home," Brijette finally said, her voice soft. She paused and cast her gaze upon Akasja. "I am sorry for what happened."
Akasja sat forward in her chair and frowned, signing her confusion. "Why you sorry? Do not say that."
Brijette looked down into her mug. "I did not want to make such a mess. I did not want to make people worry."
Akasja lightly put her hand upon the cot where the Drykas woman was resting. Her gaze was steady, encouraging. "Not your fault." She smiled. Friendship, assistance.
Brijette smiled too, quietly acquiesced, and then continued to sip her drink, still slightly embarrassed.
It was not long before Danyel Shadowknoll arrived. He was tall, like Brijette, and topped with the same dark-brown, curly hair as his sister. He was also closer to Akasja's age, maybe a few years older. His round eyes searched the room, finding his sister and Akasja waiting for him. Danyel walked over to embrace Brijette.
"I am so glad you're safe," he breathed, speaking in Pavi. "Don't worry about anything. Mother has closed up the shop for the night."
"Akasja helped me," Brijette responded in Common, looking over to the Chaktawe. She signed friendship, help, great appreciation.
Danyel moved over to Akasja and nodded respectfully. Worry, appreciation, relief. Akasja was able to understand.
"I have help from doctors here," she insisted in Common. "I am not alone."
Danyel smiled at Akasja's polite deflection. "My sister is well once again, and you and the doctors here have cared for her. Your friendship is so important to us. To me."
Akasja did not protest. She signed great thanks, relief. "Brijette is very special. I am glad to know her."
After another chime, Danyel carefully helped his sister to her feet. The two of them gathered the tea satchets and bundled up in their cloaks to head back home.
"We will repay you and the River Flower for your excellent work," Danyel insisted.
Akasja signed her thanks, great appreciation. "I check on Brijette tomorrow."
Exhaustedly, the siblings bid Akasja good night.
.
.
.
