Heartstrings [Chronicles of Ylandre Book 4] by Eresse

Author:Eresse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Bridge

Chapter 13

Parting

Firyon's health took a turn for the worse that winter. Eiren confined him to bed lest exertion sap what strength remained to him and the cold encouraged ailments he could no longer fight off. He also limited the number of visitors Firyon could entertain when he saw how sitting up in bed for long periods of time tired him terribly.

The measures he took alarmed Ashrian. Having kept company with Firyon more often and longer than all the others, he had witnessed the many ups and downs in the course of his friend's precarious health and had learned to recognize the signs of an imminent downturn. The signs this time around were far more ominous even to his untrained eyes, reminding him of Firyon's words to that effect.

So he came by almost every day, braving the harshest weather and his parents’ remonstrations over his refusal to go home to Glanthar. As he privately told Aeldan before his brother departed the capital for the season, he feared the worst. Firyon was not rallying like he'd done previously. There was no telling if he would be able to surmount this latest recurrence of his illness or recover properly if he did. Therefore, Ashrian had to visit as often as he could. Just in case...

He was never able to finish the thought before dread took his tongue.

Spring could not come fast enough for him or Eiren. They had spent the winter apprehensive that Firyon would not survive the season. But when the last icicles melted away and the first blossoms started to show themselves and Firyon gained some color and much-needed weight, they began to hope again. Maybe he would beat the odds and last another year.

When Firyon's health slightly improved with the onset of fairer weather, Eiren permitted longer visits but he still restricted the number of people his spouse could meet at any given time. He also deemed it safe to allow Firyon to leave the bedroom once in a while. Thus, Firyon would occasionally welcome guests in the cozy sun lounge in back of the house that opened onto the garden. The large windows could be shuttered when the fresh spring breezes proved too brisk while the glass roof let in warming sunlight. On sunny days, Eiren would settle Firyon in the daybed Lassen had sent them so that his spouse could comfortably recline while receiving company.

Reijir immediately came by upon his return from wintering in Ilmaren and joined Ashrian in regaling Firyon with the past season's news and gossip. Reijir's current problem with two of his barons quickly came to light when he mentioned he would be returning to his fief before too long.

"I can't believe you haven't resolved that ridiculous spat,” Ashrian said. “Perhaps you should take a leaf out of your sire's book and just eject them from Ilmaren."

"They'd sue to regain their lands and rightly so,” Reijir said with a snort.

"But if you tied them up in the courts, you'd gain a respite from their bickering."

"Thank you, but nay.

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