Closed The Andres'

[Markus Andres]

14-Summer-514

World's end grotto... What a cheerful name for a tavern. Markus stared at the wall as he rubbed his temple with his right hand. He had just finished carrying their supplies to the place they were staying. Much of the food supplies were gone. Markus had gotten a little worried a five day before they reached Zeltiva. But they, or rather, he had gotten lucky with a fortunate arrow and taken down a rabbit before it could flee into the undergrowth. It had tasted rather bland. Not one of his great culinary successes. He pushed away on the soft bed and stretched his back in a futile effort to delay the inevitable. He had travelled for thirty days and now he stood there. Time ticking away and he wanted to delay still. There was a sigh as he ensured, for the fifth time, that he carried his blade on his hip. That the dagger was still on the right hip. A change from the usual, but he had decided not to bring the shield.

The thing he had had the most trouble deciding was the double sword pin. Should he wear the thing that identified him as a Syliran knight. Pragmatism and simplicity told him to simply leave it behind. But the simple feeling of pride swept those concerns aside. They might dislike the knights, but he didn't care. They could get bent for all he cared. Markus slid a hand through his hair and sighed once more at his own negative thoughts.

And what is up with someone being killed in here and no one doing shyke about it... Markus thought annoyed as he left through the door to the room. Secured it behind him. Walked down the hallway for the exit. S'Essy was waiting for him outside. As much as it annoyed him to leave her alone, especially so close to a crime scene, he knew that was an irrational fear. Zeltiva was, from memory, safe enough even in the early bells of the evening. Markus felt the worry course through his veins. Both the irrational worry for S'Essy's safety and the much less rational worry about the surprise meeting with his family. The bell was close to eight. Not too late to drop by for a surprise visit and not early enough that he couldn't use the excuse that it was getting late to get out of there if things went horrible.

Markus ventured out through the front door of the inn. Eyes looked for his companion. Looking for the indigo eyes that he adored so much. She had to be around there somewhere. Hiding in the shadows? Or ventured to the sea she loved. It made sense if she had and he instead went looking for her there.

[S'Essy]

Finally they have arrived and found a nice place to say. The World's End Grotto. Which was really an end for a poor fellow. She couldn't believe that they have walked right into a place where somebody was killed. She didn't know why did they have to stay in that inn but she didn't argue with Markus, he knew the place and he could protect her. It was a warm welcome already, a good impression for S'Essy after the journey. It was scary just to think about the thought they have to sleep in there.. for the Konti it was.

Even more scarier that nobody seemed to do anything about it in the inn. Only gossiping and whisperings about it. Clearly there were no Syliran knights here, only Markus but he had other matters to deal with. He still wore his outfit, nobody could mistake that he was one of them. Might pull unwanted attention. As he was packing in to their rooms, she was left alone, much to her dislike. No she couldn't stay in that place, Markus could find her near the Ocean.

She walked out from the inn and headed towards to the Ocean, she could find it easily, she always found it easily. She was at the shore, finally saw Laviku's domain and his waters. Her beloved Father's domain. She sat down there and just enjoyed the sight of it, didn't do anything without consulting Markus, though she had the urge to just jump in. She was waiting for it for so long. "I'm here again!" She said it to the God, believing he would hear it.

She was feeling the waves through the winds. She closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle breeze touching her cheeks. It was amazing how it could always make the Konti feel better, calm her down in every situation. For her it was like she came home. No matter where she was, if Laviku's seas were there, she could feel home.

Markus has finished the packing and as she thought, he found her outside at the shores. She looked up at him just for a moment then her gaze went back at the ocean. "Isn't it beautiful? It's full of wonders and something about it always makes me feel good." She said. A bright smile was on her face. It was probably time to go. She stood up and turned to him. "I guess I have to wait with swimming, I assume we go visit your family? I wouldn't go to swim after that... it seems being out at the night time would be dangerous. Unless I'm with you but it's better to be safe." She sighed. She would do it, but she promised. Tomorrow morning though, would be hers. She grabbed Markus's left hand. "Are you alright?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus eased a little when he saw S'Essy. By the ocean that she loved so much and he smiled at the view of her against the ocean and the mountains on either side of the bay. She looked beautiful and he was lucky to have been graced with such a stunning travel companion. She looked happy against the backdrop. Must have been the first time since they began their travels that she had been this close to the sea she loved so dearly. S'Essy had sacrificed much to travel with him across the land. Thirty days without the sea must have felt like a life time to the woman who had always spent her days near or in the sea. Markus sighed and continued his stride. He, on the other hand, was not fond of the sea. Part of him was terrified of the depths of the sea. She must have heard him coming. For she turned to face him as he neared. The bright smile on her lips. It mirrored a smaller one on his lips.

"It is indeed..." And full of dead knights. Though Markus did not voice that second part. No reason for him to bring down her mood with his own experiences with the watery realm of Laviku. The dislike that existed within him. "That was the plan. And I'd rather you didn't swim unless I am near. That murder has gotten me a little worried about our safety around here. But we could go swimming after visiting the family." Markus felt her hand catch his and he didn't move to let go of hers. It was good to have her with him. Made him more at ease. At least he was not alone in facing his family. Markus emerald eyes gazed in her direction. She had noticed his worry and nervousness. Of course she had. Sometimes he wondered if it was only her or if most people could read him like an open book. Part of him hoped it was everyone, that meant he didn't hide his emotions like most people. Another part, cherished the intimacy with S'Essy in that regard.

"Just a little nervous. Haven't seen them in a very long time." Markus released her hand and instead put his arm around her neck and rested his hand against her opposite shoulder. "You ready to go?" She seemed ready to go. Markus gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze as he began walking in the direction of the place he had called home for a little over a decade ago. He could smell the salt of the sea in every breeze. Forced it up his nostrils. That had perhaps been the worst part when he had been stationed at the docks in Syliras. Every fibre of him had been thoroughly salted by the time he got home. The best part of becoming a sergeant had been getting away from the harbour. Today he was also pleased to find a path away from the harbour. Seeking the more sheltered streets to avoid the salty air the best one could. S'Essy would be able to feel the cold iron. He threw a glance to S'Essy and realized something.

Were any of them ever openly racist? William certainly wasn't... But the others... Markus grimaced a little. He hoped that William had control over the family. Or that he was simply home. That would go a long way to making things smoother for them. He wasn't in the mind to start preparing his conversations before they happened. Just go with the flow and take the punches and no doubt derisive comments about the Syliran knights standing and retort when they went over the line.

Which will happen in the first ten chimes, no doubt.

"Have you ever been here before? In Zeltiva I mean."

[S'Essy]

His answer didn't sound so honest or as enthusiastic as hers but she understood it. Her love for the sea was something natural. They were Laviku's children after all. Markus wasn't the only person who didn't really care about it or was afraid of it. But she hoped she could show him the beauty of it what she saw in it. One day, but there not now, there was not time for that. The pair had to go.

As she thought the plan was to go to his family. She didn't mind, she could wait till later, just seeing it, just smelling the salt was good enough. Her smile wasn't that bright when he mentioned the safety matters. She was really afraid that the murderer was still around. She looked back at Markus. At least the Sergeant Knight was with her. She shook her head. "No.. Tomorrow morning. You don't have to get up early for that though as I do. We wake up whenever, eat, then can go. I don't wanna swim at night... not with this situation." Not that she didn't trust the knight, but she worried too much about it. She didn't even want to tease him with the idea that he would be around her everytime she would go swimming.

As she noticed right in his eyes, he was nervous. Spending time outside of Mura, made it easy to read people's emotions now. Or maybe it was only with Markus because she knew him well. He let her hand and she felt arms around her neck as his hand was lying on her shoulder. She nodded as he gave a little squeeze and was leading her to his old home.

She turned her head to him and saw he was pondering about something. Probably thinking about his family. She couldn't blame him. She would act the same if she would about to visit her mother again. The Konti missed her but hopefully one day, they could go to Mura again. Also leaving Alaia behind once more. She missed her cousin, but she knew she could take care of herself.

"Not really, you told me about it, that's all I know." She answered. Not much place she visited in her life. Mura, Syliras, Riverfall and now Zeltiva. Finally. After a few chimes, they arrived to a house. It was probably bit. "Well... Welcome home, Ser!" She said as she placed her hand on the opposite shoulder, where his hand was lying. Squeezing it a bit.

[Markus Andres]

Markus let a hint of a smile cross his lips. He was glad that she understood his discomfort with her swimming at night and that she shared his trepidation with such things. Though that she wanted to swim alone in the morning made the hint vanish and worry replaced it again. If people found out about a Konti lady swimming naked in the early bells of the day. There would be perverts. There would be criminals. There would be scum of the city to capitalize on the situation. Part of him wanted to let that happen and he could show up and toss them into the sea and see how many of them could swim in their clothes.

"Hmm, don't want to let me see you naked?" He offered in response. Trying to get a little light hearted humour to ease the tension he felt mounting inside of him. Last time he had been in Zeltiva he had chickened out on meeting his family. A part of him regretted that decision even more now. He might have gotten the chance to see his father one last time before he had died. Now, he only had bitter memories of the man. Perhaps they could have found common ground. Explained his actions to Markus. But no. Too late now. At least he had S'Essy by his side today. As a crutch in case things went sour in the family. As a reminder that he had more important things in the world than the notion of family. Markus realized then that he was already preparing for a fiasco. Preparing for the worst rather than hoping for the best. My apologies Priskil. He mused as he took a deep breath and led the two around a corner as the larger of the two let a strained smile cross his lips. Which soon came into a full grin as she put her arm on his other shoulder. Given their differences in height, that was no easy feat and could impossibly be a comfortable position for the healer. Against his ribs, perhaps, but not on his shoulder like that. Feeling her slender arm press against his back he was reminded of their sexual relations. The pressure of her chest against his side. Every fibre of him wanted to back to the inn and get into bed with her instead.

"Thank you. Did you not come through Zeltiva when you came to Syliras all those years ago?" She might have told him back then, but he didn't remember honestly. His memory was a bit foggy about such details. "Would have see-" Markus paused abruptly when he turned a corner and memories came flooding back to him. The street he grew up on. It was too late for children to be out and about. But he could see lights in the windows. Not all, but some. The street was different. Much more run down than he remembered. He paused in his step. Watched it for several very long ticks. Found the door that led into the three story house he had lived in. A dull brown door with visible black spots where the paint had stuck. Markus took a deep breath and kept staring at that door. Stunned in his tracks.

[S'Essy]

Finally let out a warmer smile when he was teasing her. Though he was right, she would feel safer also. "I guess it would be a bit late to worry about that, don't you think? And you can come, probably I can teach you how to swim finally. Or do you know how to?" She had no idea, but she knew he wasn't fond of it like she was. "Just don't blame me that I go out early... would you be able to keep up?" Now that they didn't have to travel, she could gain her strength back, be more fit. What's a better way to start a day than swimming in the sea? For S'Essy nothing.

Walking like that after a while was uncomfortable and let his shoulder go. Her hand slid down to his side. She was also a bit nervous about meeting with his family. But she promised and she would keep her word. She had to keep her word. Asking if she had come through Zeltiva, she shook her head. "No I came with ship, my mom paid it for me." He started a sentence which he cut when they turned to a street. And they were at the door.

They were just standing there, nothing happened. Markus was obviously stunned or shocked... or just nervous. She wasn't sure. She looked at him, smiling. Gave a sarcastic sigh, turned to the door and knocked with her hand. "Hello, hello! A healer delivered a knight to the Andres family!" said teasing the knight. Although she was nervous also, she couldn't just stand there, she had to speed up. "Oh sorry, forgot to ask. Ready, Ser? Cmon, I should be more nervous. If you don't feel good, just tell me to play sick." Tried to calm him, and was joking with him, and tried to tell that before anyone would open the door for them.

[Markus Andres]

Markus grinned when she retorted to his teasing and his eyes looked at her body. It was indeed too late for such considerations. A body he had enjoyed exploring again in their thirty days of travelling. It had been familiar, but some things had changed in their separation. Enough to make it exciting and new, while retaining some of the familiarity. The best of both worlds. An offer for swimming lessons and Markus' eyes widened a little. Last time he had offered swimming lessons it had turned out quite interesting for Markus and at that memory he felt a stab of sadness that was quickly dismissed with a genuine grin and a short bark of laughter.

"Keep up with you? In the water? Unless I grow fins could I keep up with you. Though, for the moment, I would merely sink to the bottom like a rock. So any lessons might be appreciated. The gods know that the armour I usually wear makes swimming, let us just call it a challenging affair." He grinned again and nodded to her as she revealed how she had come to Syliras all those years ago and with that he realized she was used to extremely long journeys. From Mura to Syliras. Must have taken a very long time. Better part of a full year. And then she had been stuck with a young lovesick squire for the duration of her stay in Syliras. Markus barked a tough laughter at himself. Didn't want to explain the reason for that laughter to S'Essy so instead he gave her shoulder a squeeze.

Knock knock knock.

Markus was still stunned but the sound of her smaller hand and words woke him up again. A healer with a knight. That was an odd thing to announce to everyone. Markus removed his hand from around her back and started to needlessly and frantically straighten his clothes. Last second things. He wanted to reply to S'Essy, but before so he could hear someone rummaging around beyond the door. The voice that came through the door prior to opening made Markus' heart sink.

"Another lousy good for nothing healer? Here to strip of us our remaining gold?!"

Harsh words spoken in a thick Zeltivan accent that Markus easily understood. In fact he could even hear a particular edge to it that he had realized at a young age was a trait of his family. As the door swung in and the much older man glared out at the two people looking back at him. Emerald eyes glared into emerald eyes. Blonde hair with areas affected by age and turned grey. Bushy eyebrows, stubbles that matched Markus' unshaven visage. In many ways the two looked alike when it came to their faces. But the body of the counter part was much different. Not as tall, not as broad shouldered, thin, sickly so, but Markus realized that he had always looked so thin. For Markus had immediately recognized his second-oldest brother.

"A knight. Hmphf, we don't need your kind around here, especially not with a filthy konti in tow." Markus' eyes narrowed. The man stared at the obvious mark in the middle of S'Essy's forehead. The knight comment he could brush off with ease. The insult to S'Essy was much harder to ignore. Markus had immediately recognized his second oldest brother. He had been surprised that it was him who had opened the door and not William.

"Careful Simon. I would hate if my first act in this city was beating up my older brother for being an asshole to my friend." Unbeknownst to Markus himself as he had not noticed it, he had shifted entirely to the accent he had as a young boy and Simon looked taken aback. Especially when Markus had used that single word that determined their relation. Markus was a little wounded when it took Simon several long ticks to put together the puzzle. Had he been so quickly forgotten by his older siblings? It would not have surprised him. Between him and Simon there was 16 years or more. He didn't remember the precise number. But he was much older. There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes and they narrowed briefly after that again.

"Markus?" What are you doing here? Markus noted the lack of warmth in his voice. What he would have expected out of Simon in either case. The knight nodded then in the direction of S'Essy.

"Yes, and this is S'Essy. Meet my brother, Simon. And I came once I received a letter about our father's death. William-" Simon flinched ever so slightly and Markus noted that there was something wrong. But he didn't pursue the matter for now. "Will you let us in or are we going to chat out here all night?" The gaze of the older Andres went to S'Essy and there was no kindness in those emerald eyes. Only hardness and it took several long ticks before he grudgingly stepped away and allowed the two to enter.

"Take a seat in the kitchen. I'll go find the others."

Markus wanted to ask who the others were, but Simon had already moved away and Markus didn't feel like shouting in a house he no longer considered home. He stepped through the front door and easily made his way to the kitchen.

"Well. That went well." Markus said as he pulled out a chair by the large circular table in a kitchen that had seen better days. There was a window facing the street. A large fireplace leading to a chimney. There were embers in the fireplace, giving off a comfortable heat. He had hoped for William to open the door and not Simon. Guy had always been a bit of a racist shykehead.

[S'Essy]

She was glad that he accepted the lessons. She would probably safe as well if she would know that the knight wouldn't drown when trying to swim. It was really not fun. She nodded. "Challenge accepted! At least I can keep you safe too, if nothing else." Also raised her hand, showing her webbed fingers to him. "Believe me dear, you don't need these to swim. I have seen some humans who could just swim as good as me. you just need to know how to use those limbs of yours."

When she knocked and announced their arrival, Markus definitely got more nervous. She was grinning at the knight. Trying to get ready and get good impression for his family. Though in truth, she was also nervous, she felt her stomach didn't feel right. But she tried to ignore it, some of them had to be calm. Though it wasn't that easy to ignore when she heard back the voice. Lousy good for nothing healer? Her smile vanished quickly and her gaze went back at the door. She just didn't feel right already.

The familiar accent which Markus used sometimes. A man... a really cheerful man opened the door for them. Older than Markus, thinner looked a bit sick for her. But his face. The same emerald eyes, blonder hair which was touched by time. He was definitely Markus older brother. Not as kind as the knight. She didn't want to judge. Maybe he was just tired or just angry still about their father's death.

Although it was hard to not judge when he was throwing things at her like Filthy Konti. Her face definitely showed annoyance now, only focusing to not slap the man in front of her. "What an arrogant and ignorant little..." she tried to stop thinking like that. Closed her eyes. Took a deep breath and blew it out. No. No judging, no judging. She even forgot that she was nervous before. How could she not?

For her luck she didn't have to talk first. Markus took the opportunity to discipline his brother... or rather threaten him. She didn't know, but she also didn't care. Not this time, but she tried to get over her vain problems and her face's features softened a bit. Calming down slowly. Really slowly. Simon, finally recognized Markus. His attitude however didn't change with the realization. She wondered if Markus's father was like that too.

"Hey!" Came out from her. Didn't add the part "other known as, filthy Konti". As the Sergeant Knight explained why there were here, Simon took a look at her. S'Essy looked back. She could feel the "love" through his eyes. She gave a slight smile back as he finally let them in. S'Essy turned to Markus, and whispered so only he could hear. "Lovely." She rolled eyes with that and followed the knight.

It was odd to be there. Where Markus lived once. She looked around the house. It was pretty, she liked the place, it was very well kept. No wonder, they were merchants after all or that was what Markus told her. She took a seat next to the Ser and let out a soft chuckle. Finally she calmed down completely, ignored the fact what she was called. Filthy Konti, good for nothing healer. The soft chuckle was followed by a soft smile.

"It really did, I thought I will be called good for nothing, stinky fish." She tried to joke with the situation. S'Essy needed that, if the meeting would continue going like this. The only way she could survive. "Anything else I should expect?" She raised her eyebrows but the smile remained."What do you bet that I won't get offered for a drink?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus was quite annoyed already at least S'Essy took it valiantly and didn't explode in a fit of rage. Not that he could imagine her explode in a fit of rage at anything. He wasn't even sure he had seen her get really angry. Only in Syliras before their trip when he had ridiculed her in front of a stranger. Taken the teasing a little too far had she gotten really angry. Even responded with a joke. It was good she was here, at least he had someone he could count on.

"To be fair, you didn't get to bathe after our travels..." Markus said, letting the comment and obvious implication hang in the air as a warm smile crossed his lips. Dissipating the anger for the moment. It was good to sit on a chair instead of a terrible cot or stump of tree - and most importantly, than a saddle. He was a bit surprised S'Essy could sit so easily. Markus had had lots of training and grown accustomed to riding with a saddle. Her bum, on the other hand, must be quite sore. Or she had healed herself while he was looking away. "And no. Just give them some time to warm up to you and it should be alright and if it takes more than five chimes for him to return, he probably ran to the harbour to get you a glass of seawater." Markus chuckled which was abruptly cut short when someone smacked open the front door and with quite a huff and puffing managed to get herself through the door with a massive load of wood and other things. Markus was out of the chair immediately and tried to alleviate the woman of some of the burdens. Without looking at him she thanked him and it was first when Markus had placed the two buckets of water on the table that she looked at him and let out a shriek and pointed at him.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my house!?!" She half screamed half shrieked.

Markus raised his hands up before himself as a shield against any accusations. The woman looked past Markus and at S'Essy and let out another shriek in surprise. She noticed the mark on S'Essy's forehead. The shriek stopped suddenly. She had seen that mark before. There was a tremendous noise as someone hurried down the stairs. Another woman Markus didn't not know appeared at the top of the stairs and then seconds later the two women were beside one another. Neither of them had blonde hair nor did they have emerald eyes. Two indicators that they were not his sisters. Married to William and Simon probably. Or any of the other members about. Though the shriek did awaken a child somewhere who wailed.

"Why did you get another useless healer? We can't afford them!" The first woman accused the other woman who in turn looked offended by the accusations.

"Relax! I am Markus... Markus Andres, William" The first of the women flinched. "And Simon's little brother."

"I've never heard of any Markus Andres!" The second woman retorted. Not believing his words. But that didn't matter. Markus saw a flicker of recognition come across the first woman's face and then he saw... shame? Markus didn't have much time to ponder it for then Simon came in from the back of the house and looked furious. "Michelle, get her to shut the petch up!" An angered glance sent in the direction of Markus and then at the first woman who did not respond to the word Michelle. "Not before you tell me who those people are!" Simon looked menacing as he glared at her for a tick or two. "That is Markus, my brother who went to Syliras and that is his pet konti, Cecil."

Markus raised a brow. Cecil. How? Part of him suspected that Simon was purposely trying to antagonize Markus into reacting.

"A pleasure meeting you two." Markus said with the most charming smile he could muster as he approached them and reached out with a hand to shake theirs. "As I said, Markus Andres, Syliran Sergeant Knight and the woman, as my brother correctly determined as a Konti, is S'Essy. And yes, she is a healer and no, we have not been hired to come here. But... I suspect if wouldn't mind, Michelle was it? That S'Essy wouldn't mind taking a look at your children and making sure the-"

"It isn't the children." Simon interrupted. "It is Caroline. She's been sick since early winter. We have paid healers and they've said there is nothing they can do." He sounded indifferent, but Markus could sense the profound sadness hiding in the voice and Markus could relate. Caroline had been a cheerful woman. Always a smile on those lips and ready to help. The defeatism in his voice. From the sound of it they had already tried everything. "Oh, Yahal, say it isn't so." Markus looked to S'Essy with a plead in his eyes. "We can catch up later. S'Essy, please help."

Markus made his way past the two women and assumed S'Essy would follow. The stairs creaked under his weight and the wails of a young girl grew in volume the closer he got. There were protests behind him, but Markus heeded them not as he climbed further up in the house. Markus opened the door that had been her room in the days of old, Markus saw a frail and thin looking woman lie in a bed. Looked dazed as if the wailing and shrieking had awakened her. Markus took several quick steps to be by her side.

"Oh Caroline..." Her took one of her hands in his massive ones and clutched it dearly. The woman looked back at him and there was a flicker of recognition in those eyes. She had always been sharp. Smarter than the rest of the family, undoubtedly. She saw the pin on his shoulder and had already put two and two together.

"Markus?"

"Shhh, don't talk. I have a healer with me. She will get you back on your feet. Have faith." Markus looked to S'Essy. Hoping that there was something she could do.

[S'Essy]

She raised her eyebrows at his joke. Didn't get to bathe after the travels? "Oh really? Because you did? " She teased back. Sitting in a chair was rather uncomfortable, she never imagined it could ever be. Must be because of the riding. She placed her hand on her hip, closed her eyes for a moment. Using Rak'keli power to cure herself. It just felt better already. She opened her eyes and was staring at Markus. Making her sure that it would get better. S'Essy gave a nervous smile. Then another person came. A woman was bringing buckets of water. The knight immediately helped her. Must be one of his sister she assumed... or not.

She got so scared when the woman shrieked and screamed at the same time at them. Her heart skipped some beat for sure. Might even got paler than usual. She looked at the woman. She didn't look like Markus. No feature in her seemed to be the same, none. Then another woman came down from the stairs. She didn't same like his sibling either. Maybe Simon's wife one of them, the other must have been another sibling's wife. She didn't know and she didn't care after the next comment.

Twice now she was called useless healer. Though it seemed she wasn't the first healer they have ever encountered with. Someone couldn't help them obviously and they blamed the healers for it. She again tried to not judge. Her face twitched a little so. The first woman didn't even clam down when Markus introduced himself. She didn't know him, the family really didn't mention him for a while. Or she was just that ignorant.

The woman's face expressions were surprising for her though. She realized something? Though she couldn't figure out as the drama and yelling was continuing. Simon came back and he was furious, yelling at Michelle. The other woman yelled back. Simon introduced them with kind words again. She couldn't stop herself now. She let out a sarcastic, annoyed smile. "Yes... Simon is right. I'm a pet Konti. A fish. Your brother forget to put the collar and a leash on." Said with a cynical tone.

She looked at Markus who finally introduced the pair properly. His smile just expressed her feelings well too. Then she raised her eyebrows. Checking on the children. But Simon quickly corrected him that it was Caroline. She didn't know who she was. Maybe she was his sister. No healers could help her, it seemed S'Essy couldn't help either then. A shame.

But Markus thought otherwise. S'Essy turned her head towards Markus who looked at her. "What? But Marku..." But he didn't seem to listen as he was quickly heading towards the stairs. But those eyes he was looking at her with. It just cut deep inside of her. She had to try.. try for them.

She followed him on the stairs. She didn't mind, those people didn't seem happy that she was around and she wasn't happy around them either. When she entered the room a woman was lying on the bed. Thin and sick obviously. S'Essy looked with sympathy. She could see that Markus cared about her more and she was dear to him.

The woman also seemed more kind and smart. Though when Markus made her a promise S'Essy wanted to tell the truth but as she opened her mouth no voice came out. She couldn't tell, she had to try, those eyes looked at her again. Why did he have to give her such a burden? "I... I try.. I do. I ..try." She hardly spoke. "Rak'keli please help us!" She said in Kontinese as she let out a sigh and stepped forward to the bed.

Placed both hands on Caroline's chest, closed her eyes and focused on Rak'keli's mark. Trying to help the woman. She opened them and looked at the woman. Nothing changed. She didn't look better. She closed her eyes again and tried it again. Took away her hands and looked at her again. No... it was beyond her. "I'm.. sorry, Markus!" She turned to him. She felt guilty that she couldn't help. Then she turned to Caroline. Looking with sympathy and tried to smile a little. Something she learnt from her work. Always smile at the patient. "I'm sorry, Caroline!"

She tried to help somehow but didn't know how. She placed her hand on the woman's forehead. It was hot. Obviously she had a high fever. She yelled down to the rest of the family. "Please bring a cloth and cold water! Now!" Her voice was a bit demanding. A tone which they might not like. "Caroline, can you tell me what's your problem? Maybe the other healers told you?" S'Essy didn't know how could she help if others failed. But she tried her best.