As the weeks went on, the emptiness and longing receded and I soon discovered new freedom in the absence of my sister. At nights, though, it was the hardest to lie in, what felt like, a larger bed all by myself, no one to whisper to or gain heat from. After Erinna passed, the bed felt void, now with Feria gone it felt enormous.

   Like me, papa and maman became at peace with Feria's absence. Their worries were still intact, but once the first letter and earnings came, those too were put at ease.

   I reread her letter about five times, soaking in her love and happenings. The letter wasn't written by her, but by a new friend she had already made. The scribe's apprentice seemed to have written it for her, no doubt a quick friend due to my sister's beauty and character. In the letter she told about her first two weeks at the palace and how welcoming and warm everyone was. The staff was efficient and punctual, something that Feria fit quite nicely into. The first four days were a test which every girl that showed up to receive a job had to do. At the end of the fourth day, the head keeper of the palace staff handpicked who could stay and who would be dismissed. Only six out of thirty-nine girls were accepted and Feria was one of them; she had never felt more honored in her entire life she told us. While the four-day trial was occurring, Uncle Lenord was staying in a town nearby, waiting to see if she was received; once he found out the good news, he visited her at the palace, bidding her farewell before taking off on another adventure. She explained how frightened she was at first to be all alone in a new atmosphere with scores of new people, but she worked hard every day to prove her worth. Eventually, she made friends with some of the other servants and one of the other girls who made it into the six count. The scribe's apprentice she met whilst cleaning one of the rooms where he worked and they befriended each other with ease. Overall, she was more comfortable in her surroundings, yet sent her love to us and expressions of longing to see our faces. The one topic she could not cease to keep quiet was the beauty and grandeur of the palace. There weren't adequate enough words to properly describe it, she wrote. I could only begin to imagine the splendor of such a structure.

    I wanted to write back to her of how things were transpiring at home, but there was nothing much to write about. Papa complained about his back and weary muscles, maman was quilting a new blanket to send to her, I was gaining the attention I so desired. In the end I did write something short and reassuring, sending our love to her, but I had difficulty finding a messenger to send the letter. A messenger from the palace would come to town where maman and I would meet him and receive the earnings and letters from her. I had to hold my letter until the next time he came so he could deliver it.

    In the mornings, I would stay home and keep house like I promised I would do. Though I didn't tidy the way Feria always stressed things to be, I did the chores before departing into town for my lessons. Going into town was a very different experience now that I was the only Domshov sister left. I was now- as I had previously wished- considered the fairest maiden in all of town. Though I was not yet a woman, age wise, many still flocked to my side in hopes of catching my eye. Unlike Feria, I reveled in the attention.

   Once everyone in town realized the reason for a messenger of the palace visiting bi-weekly, they held admiration for our family and would praise us for Feria's accomplishments. In a way, the attention from suitors was diverted back to my sister whom they craved even more though she wasn't physically there. If people knew of my gift from the Fates they would not be so impressed with my sister's accomplishments, but I said nothing on the matter, letting it roll in the back of my mind.

    The one thing which never seemed to waver even if everything else in my life did was Minryn and our lessons.

    Knowledge never failed me and studying was the key to satisfaction. Though it was harder for Minryn to teach me newer things that challenged my intellect, she was still my superior, a mentor in life as well as academia. I knew her better than I knew myself at times. She was the person, after my sister, who could read me with one glance over.

   So when I began to notice her appearance becoming more haggard, I knew something was aloof.

   "What is it, child?" She asked me when she happened to notice me watching her intently. "I thought you knew staring is an offense to some."

   I frowned. "I do, but lately it seems that you...that you're becoming...fragile. Are you feeling decent?"

   She waved me off like I suspected she would, but it did nothing ease my troubles.

   "I'm growing old, of course, I'll be looking more run-down." She gave me a waggish grin. "Now back to your writings."

   My mind was still in turmoil over her deteriorating state. I was correct to believe in such fears, as later that day as we were reciting scriptures from an ancient scroll, Minryn was thrown into a sudden and violent coughing fit; it became so bad I had to assist her down into a chair and hurry to fetch some water for her. By the time the fit was over, she was gasping for air and trembling with fatigue, her skin ashen gray. What caught my eye, though, were the dark, small speckles of crimson on her hand which she coughed on. She tried to wipe it off but I'd already seen too much and worry gripped me.

   "Minryn, you're sick, perhaps gravely."

   She took a small sip of the water I handed her and winced slightly.

   "Perhaps, but it might pass, Aelita. This is just a common illness."

   "No, this is serious. You coughed up blood!"

   She let out a shaky, thin sigh, rubbing her face.

   "How long have you had this?" I asked, starting to become upset at her for not telling me.

   Like a begrudging child, she stared at the floor and muttered, "A good two weeks now, but it hasn't always been this bad."

   Tears sprung to my eyes, but only due to my frustration at her.

   "Minryn!"

   She casted me a look. "Listen now, child, it's merely a cough which can be cured by a few remedies. I already talked to the healer and he gave me some helpful herbs- I can feel the difference already. Now I won't have you fretting over me like a mother hen, we have things to do."

   My nerves were too frayed to do work anymore. I couldn't cope knowing something more than a common sickness plagued Minryn. For the rest of that evening, I saw to it that she didn't strain herself too much and took care making supper for her. I promised her, as I was about to depart, that I would be back in the morning to help her once more. She fussed and waved me off, but I knew she would need my help.

   Few the next few days, I went over earlier than usual to care for her, though she was a stubborn thing. I lightened up on my overwhelming care after the fourth day when she began to show signs of improvement. Her coughs weren't as wicked and draining and her energy was gradually being restored.

   "See child, I told you there was nothing to fret over."

   Our lives went back to a daily routine and my mind was at rest.

   Every other week we received letters from Feria, who told of new events in every message. She wrote about a great feast the royal family had thrown for the servants and how exciting things were at the palace every day; it seemed hard to believe of the wonders of working in such a place. She told of the new friendships she had forged and always asked about how we fared. It felt mundane of me to be writing such short responses when I was the one who could write- there was nothing as excitable or vivid as she wrote of. I told her of Minryn's brief illness and how papa's back still bothered him on the cooler days, but nothing major ever occurred in our lives. Some days I was ashamed to send her such letters, but I knew she would worry if she didn't receive a response.

    One detail I never disclosed to my sister was the growing fondness between me and Esteban Caskla, the young man who had assisted us in the market. He would greet me every day by the pathway entering town and walk with me till we approached Minryn's cottage. I enjoyed listening to his lively ramblings about the many, great achievements he's accomplished- though I knew most to be fabricated and embellished. He made great company in my sister's absence.

   As we usually did, we were strolling through the town square where he was in the midst of telling me about a recent, short trip he had gone on with his brother. By the time we moved away from the crowded square, he had finished his anecdote and we took a moment of silence. He was staring at me. Looking over at him with a smile, I inquired the reason behind his admiring stare.

   "It's nothing." He sighed, glancing around at the world. "It's just..."

   "Yes?" I watched him eagerly.

   He waved me off. Our good mood still permeated the air between us. I risked speaking what was lingering in my head, but I feared his reaction so I started slowly, but was interrupted.

   "How's your sister." He looked at me again. "Oh, I'm sorry, go on.

   The mention of my sister piqued my interest.

   "No, you're fine. She's doing wonderfully."

   His smile widened.

   "Do you write to her?"

   "Yes." I wanted to know the reason for him bringing this up when something burned in the forefront of my mind.

   "Have you ever brought- have you ever told her about me? Does she remember me?"

   Already, I could feel something inside me deflate.

   "I have. Maybe once or twice."

   His countenance brightened at that. "Does she ask after me?"

   "Why do you ask?"

   He ignored the question, instead transfixed in a dreamy state ahead.

   "I know it might be a hassle, but...but could you send my greetings to her? Tell her that I miss her and she is the most sophisticated, beautiful woman I have ever- Aelita? Where are you going?"

   I couldn't stand there another minute. I didn't want to give myself away as the tears of frustration pricked in my eyes.

   The most sophisticated, beautiful woman? The woman who called him a whoremonger is what he viewed as the most sophisticated, beautiful creature? Never had I insulted him with such cruel name calling, yet I was just the "lovely little sister".

   I continued to hurry away upset, ignoring his calls until I reached the cottage. Before I entered, I walked around to the well and sat on the bench, wiping away a few stray tears that had slithered down my face. Once I was composed, I went to enter the cottage.

   "I'm sorry I'm late," I announced, hoping my voice would not betray me. "I was caught up-"

   The words dissolved on my tongue. On the floor, sprawled out, seemingly faint, was Minryn. I rushed to her side, panic replacing the previous tone in my voice.

   "Minryn! Minryn!" I shook her.

   A low, raspy groan was uttered and it was only once I leaned in to hear it again did I realize she was speaking to me.

   "Water."

   Wasting no more time, I hoisted her up and dragged her to her bed where I made her comfortable. I took off her layers, leaving her stripped in nothing but her undergarments. Touching her, she burnt me- she was aflame with fever.

   "Water." I heard her repeat, even fainter.

   "I will, give me a moment." I fought to keep a calm, steadiness in my voice, but I shook with worry. "Stay awake, Minryn, stay awake."

   She slipped in and out of consciousness frequently, but the periods of unconsciousness began to stretch longer.

   Quickly, I hurried out to the well to fetch some cool water. My hands trembled terribly, so bad were they that I split the water twice. Finally, I drew some water and hastily retrieved some torn cloths and soaked them to press to her burning face. That seemed to relieve her discomfort some so I left her with the wet rags and pulled out her nightgown to change her into since the clothes she was currently wearing were drenched in sweat. I washed down her body with a cool rag then dressed her. The sweaty clothes I would wash later.

   I knelt by her bedside, gingerly giving her small sips of water. She was so weak and light, it frightened me.

   "I'm going to get the healer," I told her.

   A weak squeeze on my hand stopped me.

   "No." Her voice was still fragile, but more audible.

   "No? But Minryn, you're sick." Tears began to smear my vision.

   She raised a shaky finger to her lips and gave a quiet 'shush'.

   "We wait, child, we wait and pray."

   I frowned. I didn't favor that option, but I wouldn't leave her side for anything so I remained, never running to get the healer.

   She slept- restlessly at times- for most of the day. I tended to her when the need arose, took care of the simple housekeeping and such, and made use of myself.

   She didn't have much of an appetite and only could manage brief sips of water. Her fever clung tightly to her so I fetched new water often to cool her with. By sunset, I was still with her, not planning on leaving her to return home. As I assisted her with a drink of water, she looked at me with rheumy eyes.

   "Go home, Aelita. Your parents will worry."

   I replaced an old rag with a new one.

   "I'm staying here with you. You're ill."

   She placed her hand on top of mine, not even strong enough to give it a squeeze, but her eyes contained that familiar blaze.

   "Go home, Aelita. I'll be here in the morning."

   As much as I wanted to argue and dispute it with her, I obeyed her wishes, reluctantly gathering myself and setting everything away. Worry already was burning in the back of mind and intensified once I left. I felt I was abandoning my teacher, my mentor, my friend, but I obeyed her command and went home.

   Neither papa nor maman were happy about my late homecoming, but after explaining how ill Minryn was and how I spent all day caring for her, they had more sympathy. I tossed and turned all night thinking about her, wondering if she was dying of thirst, crying out in her weak voice for me. I made sure to place it close to her, but what if she accidentally knocked it down? I fought for sleep the whole night, not winning a single blink.

   I got up the same time as papa, making haste to be by Minryn's side. She was still in the condition I left her yesterday- not worsening but not improving. That day was spent caring for her and keeping house; I never left her side. Her condition continued to remain constant, but as long as I was by her side I never panicked.

   I stayed with her that night. Maman came by to check on us and give me permission to stay. It wouldn't have matter if she didn't, I was going to stay as long as the fever held.

   By the fourth day with the same progress, I was beginning to regain my panic again. I'd never witness a fever last so long and so unchanging. My body was also beginning to grow weary with the lack of rest I was receiving, but I pushed those feelings aside to attentively care for Minryn.

   As I knelt by her, wiping her brow, I held her hand.

   "This fever is stubborn."

   She slowly opened her crust coated eyes that were stuck together. At first, she tried to speak to me, but her throat was too parched for words to be uttered, so I bolstered her head and gave her small sips of water before she could clear her voice and speak- though I still had to lean close to hear her words.

   "You know this is no fever. I know I taught you better."

   "Hush now," I pressed another cool rag to her brow. "It's just a strong fever, it'll break."

   "Open your eyes, child."

   The sudden strength in her voice startled me, causing me to look down at her. Her tone was softer then.

   "This is no common fever and you know that."

   I felt my throat close up a bit, my voice strained as I spoke.

   "It's a fever is all, Minryn. Nothing more."

   She shook her head wearily. "Oh child, you know my health is failing. You know it just as well as I do."

   Suddenly, I was assaulted with a fresh arrival of tears that began to trickle down my face onto the sheets. I was already shaking my head in denial, but I knew the truth like she did. This was not a common fever nor was it as easily curable. Just the thought burning away in my mind pained me to the point of crippling depression. I wanted to turn and run away at that very moment, but Minryn seized my hand and held firm.

   "It's going to be okay, Aelita." She soothed. "I'm still your teacher for as long as I draw in breath and I'm not finished with you yet, so don't you dare turn your back on me."

   Her eyes held the determined gleam I was accustomed to seeing and it comforted me. Minryn needed me more than ever, so I would set aside my selfish worries and focus on her and what she needed me to do.

   Time became a bittersweet companion.

A few months had passed and gradually- as she suspected, and what I secretly knew would occur- Minryn grew worse, never improving. It was a gradual descent into constant coughing, bloody, painful stools, frequent chills and rapid loss of weight.

   I became more of a caregiver than a pupil, but it never bothered me in the least; the cottage had become my new home. Minryn was family to me, the closest person I held in my heart some days- even closer than Feria. Even on the worst days, I never let a tear slip, never collapsed and reverted to pleading to the Fates for divine intervention.

   Sometimes, Minryn would force me to return home to either rest or inquire about my parents. I would leave for, the most, a day then return to tending to her needs. If I desperately needed rest, maman would come by and care for Minryn while I went home to sleep, but I never wanted to burden others with a task that I viewed as my sole responsibility.

   One day, taking a brief period away from my duties, lying in bed, I heard a voice that pulled me from my sleep. Hearing maman's excited chattering overlapping the other equally eager voice, I could be placed miles away and still be able to tell who it was.

   A burst of energy burst through me as I hurried out of bed and flung the thin curtain aside, standing in the threshold. My disturbance interrupted their lively bantering. I stood there, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. I hadn't realized tears were escaping until she pointed it out with slight concern.

   "I'm sorry if we woke you. Are you well, Aelita?"

   She nearly fell back as I ran to her, holding her in a tight embrace, my face pressed against her chest like a child. Her presence was what I needed.

   "Feria." I breathed out in a shuddery breath.

   Like the maternal figure she mimicked, she held me close and whispered comforting murmurs in my ear.

   "Oh, Aelita, I've missed you so much. So much. There was never a day that passed where my thoughts didn't find you."

   I buried my face in her hair and let tears stain her golden strands.

   We pulled back eventually as she smoothed the hair out of my face while I looked her over.

   "You look the same," I stated.

   "Yes," She laughed. "I do."

   "Let your sister rest, Aelita, she's had a long journey," Maman said, ushering her to a chair.

    I sat across from her on the bench, already full of questions that brimmed in my mind. For her part, she was very patient with me as I threw out every burning question in my head. I asked her about the design of the palace, how the other servants were, what her daily chores consisted of, did she ever leave the palace to visit the nearby villages and towns, I asked her so many I lost track, but she eagerly told me everything on her mind.

   "Oh, I've missed it here so much." She said, her eyes roaming over every detail of the small house. "The palace is wonderful, but there's nothing like your own home."

   "Have you met the royal family at all?" I ask.

   She shook her head. "Oh no, the most I've gotten is a glimpse of the king and queen."

   I was slightly disappointed, but everything else she told me about her experience filled me with awe and interest.

   As her stories drew to an end, she looked at me with a kind, thoughtful expression and asked how things were here. It was then that I was reminded of the grim reality I was in with Minryn.

    "Well," I began, staring at my feet. "Not everything is pleasant at the moment."

    "What's wrong?" She asked, troubled.

    "It's Minryn." I swallowed the emotions trying to rise up. "She's become very ill over the last few months and I go every day- most days I stay with her- to care for her."

   "Months?" She seemed surprised. "Why haven't you wrote to me about that?"

   "I never have much time to write much anymore," I mumbled, staring back down at my feet.

   She got up and wrapped me in a comforting embrace again, sitting next to me this time.

   "If there's anything I can do, let me know. Don't hesitate to ask anything of me. She'll overcome this, Aelita, I promise you."

   As much as I longed for those promises to be true, I knew and Minryn knew they weren't true. Still, I gave her a teary eyed smile and nodded. Even if there was little sign of Minryn getting better, it was a calming fact to know my sister was by my side again to help me through this. I wouldn't have to go through it alone.

Feria was only supposed to stay for a week, but because she had been invested in helping me care for Minryn, her visit had been extended to two and half weeks. She sent a letter, explaining the situation to the head keeper of the staff, requesting a few more days. I prayed they would be generous and understanding to her. I didn't want to be the cause of my sister's job being taken away.

   Though Feria helped, I was fiercely protective of Minryn and often designated myself to do the majority of the work. When Feria told me to go home and rest, I would stubbornly stay put and continue my attentive care. Though it might have bothered her at first, she seemed to understand and allowed me to do as I saw fit.

   More than once, the parallelism between how Feria cared so tenderly for Erinna and how I watch over Minryn with a loving eye came to me.

   Even when Feria would go home, she was useful there as well. She was in her realm, keeping house the way she preferred, preparing supper, occasionally helping maman with her sewing, while all my energy went in Minryn, who was beginning to rapidly decline.

   Every day her face seemed to become more ashen, her eyes more dark and swollen, her cheeks sunken. Her hair fell out and her skin became dry and cracked like the desert ground I read about. She was lighter than a feather it seemed, her bones clearly brittle, just one accidentally slip and she would break. Most days she wouldn't even wake anymore, only her shallow, mucus filled breaths indicating she was still clinging on. It pained me to see her in such a demoralizing condition- she would never have wished to become a burden on anyone.

   On one of the rare times, I left her alone for a brief time to return home for supper since Feria had asked me in the morning. I prepared to eat quickly then return to my teacher's side, but as we sat at the table, Feria spoke up with uncertainty then started with a more steady voice.

   "I won't be staying much longer. I've stayed long past due, but the need was there."

   It sadden me to see my sister leave once more, but in that moment, I was more consumed with hurrying back to Minryn.

   "I am thankful every day for the opportunity I have at the palace, for they treat me so well there. No matter how kindly they treat me it will never be home, but...I enjoy my new friends there, but sometimes I long for familiarity, for my sister by my side."

  Papa set down his utensils, looking at her. "What are you saying, Feria?"

  She took a short breath then smiled slightly.

  "I think Aelita should come with me back to the palace to work."

   We all paused then. A silence settling over us like the first falling of snow. Papa cleared his voice to speak but I spoke out first.

   "Go work at the palace with you?"

   "Yes. I was talking to the head keeper of the staff about you and I pleaded with him- this was actually the true reason for my visit." She looked at me directly. "I understand if you don't want to, it's a lot to ask of you, especially now. I didn't mean to appear selfish, but the timing wasn't right. But I feel I should offer you the same life changing one I was, just to be fair."

    I looked down at the table then glanced to the door, my thoughts roaming to Minryn, thinking about how life slowly ebbed away from her. I didn't know how to feel about my sister's proposal at that point, I wasn't in the best condition to make any life alternating choices in that moment.

   Maman found her voice.

   "Feria, it's wonderful you want Aelita to have this opportunity, but she's...the things she's dealing with right now, I don't know if she could leave now."

  "I wouldn't ask such a thing out of her- to make her choose." She looked at me again. "Just know you have a choice."

   We sat in silence a few more minutes before I quietly excused myself and left to return to Minryn's side. My mind was thick with confusion and bewilderment. As I entered the cottage, I had my fingers crossed in hopes of finding her conscious. Getting fresh water from the well and wiping her brow, I was pleasantly surprised and thankful when I came back to find her awake.

   "How are you feeling?" I asked, placing the rag on her face.

   She stretched out a shaky, boney hand and placed it over my other hand, giving me a small, trembling smile.

   "How are you, child?"

   Before I answered, I helped her take a sip of water. She closed her dark eyes in bliss at the taste, then fixed her watery gaze on me.

   "You seem upset?"

   Kneeling closer to her, I couldn't help but smile that she knew me so well.

   "Feria goes back to the palace tomorrow, but she wants me to go with her, to work at the palace as well. That's what she came home to tell me."

   "Then why such a troubled spirit, child?" She asked, a gleam I hadn't seen in ages coming through.

   "Why, you need me here, Minryn. Plus, I've never been exceptional at cleaning and taking care of things, it wouldn't suit me."

   She frowned, giving me a scolding eye.

   "What nonsense do you speak?"

   "It's not nonsense, Minryn, it's truth. You need me here and I'm staying."

   She looked away for a few minutes while I wiped her face. It was only when she snatched the cloth from my hand and flung it aside, that my attention was drawn back to her in surprise at her sudden burst of energy. Her eyes rimmed with that old familiar fire I was used to seeing in her and her voice was the strongest it had been in months.

   "The truth is I'm not going to get better and you know that. It's a fact. What your sister is offering you is exactly what you've been working your whole life for." She touched my face. "Aelita, you are gifted beyond compare and what better place than the palace to use your skills. I won't let my teachings go to waste, I won't, you hear. Go, child."

   Looking back at her, I held her fragile hand to my face and let the tears come.

   "I can't."

   "You must." She shook me.

   I began to sob, shuddering as I let my head fall on the bed. She let me weep for a moment before finally lifting my head and staring me hard in the eyes. Her voice was gentle, though.

   "Aelita, stay brave. Remember to always be brave." She shook me firmly. "No matter what, be brave."

   I fought the tears threatening to spill over once more, but my voice remained weak and quivered.

   "What if I can't? What if I don't want to be the brave one anymore?"

   "There is no can't in your life, Aelita, there is no quitting. My child, if only you could see how strong you've become, how much stronger you can become."

    Tears were now beginning to pool in her eyes as well, but she maintained her composer. I embraced her like a child afraid to let go, but when I pulled myself away, I made sure no tears ran down my face and the trembling subsided.

   "Can you stay brave? Not only for me but yourself?" She asked.

   "I will." My voice regained strength.

   "I know you will."

   She began her violent coughing fit again, blood spatter on her her bedsheets and gown. I quickly wiped her chin once she was finished and offered her another brief sip.

   Holding my hand, her eyes gleamed as she studied my face.

   "It has been an honor to teach you, to see you grow."

   I kissed her hand and held it tighter. "Don't let go, please."

   "Never, child, never."