Submission (#1955) Approved

The lights were kept dim in the infirmary connected to the local Silveil Boarding School. The air was heavy with sickness in one particular corner of the infirmary, this corner housed a very small and delicate looking kittom whose fur was mostly red with gradients leading to pink and dark brown. She was breathing heavily, eyes closed as she slept feverishly in her wooden bed covered in woolen sheets.            

               A light brown kittom sat anxiously next to her friend in a wooden chair beside the bed, her deep blue eyes full of worry and guilt as she held her friend’s forepaw in her own, while dabbing the red kittom’s forehead with a wet rag to help keep the sweat out of her hair and eyes, “Reece…” She choked back a sob at speaking her friend’s name, “…I’m so sorry, this is all my fault!” The kittom fell forward with a sob and buried her face in the sheets where Reece’s arm lay.

               Bard had been attending the Boarding School in Silveil for one year after leaving Faerindell, she studied diligently in all of her classes, and having enjoyed every moment of it she desperately wanted her best friend to visit her and experience the joys of the starry region for herself. The brown and teal kittom knew that Reece would love the forests around Silveil which were lit up spectacularly with glowing plants and the great lake which was sprinkled with sparkling stars from overhead reflecting on its surface. However, though the weather was nice that night and the fireflies were dancing across the sky like tangible stars- all Bard could think about was her best friend laying in bed before her. Normally Bard would take some time to star gaze- for in Silveil there were always plenty of those blazing gaseous orbs to observe.

               “Hey…” A soft and gentle voice sounded from behind Bard as a forepaw fell softly onto her shoulder.

               Sitting up at the familiar voice, Bard straightened her posture and attempted to compose herself as she turned around to see her twin brother, Sylvan, had returned from his trip to the nearby market to fetch herbs and medicines, “Sylvan… what have I done?” Bard’s voice cracked though she held back her tears this time.

               “She’ll get through this, Reece may be small but we both know she’s strong! Dusk Fever may be scary but they caught it early enough to treat her, you shouldn’t beat yourself up so much.” Sylvan stood next to Bard now, setting down his woven basket of necessities on the bed next to Reece- who was laying still enough not to knock it over.

               Bard’s gaze hardened as she spoke, “I won’t let anything else happen to her… I got cocky, that won’t ever happen again.” Her eyes were still wet but no tears fell from Bard’s face now- as if her resolve had hardened with her eyes as she recounted the events of the day, adjusting Reece’s blankets and dabbing her forehead again all the while.

               It was intriguing to Bard earlier that day to learn that a miasmic veil had shifted onto the plains near The Great Lake. The weather was good, and the miasma had never come that close to her school in her time there. Reece had just been visiting for a few days and Bard wanted to show off- something which was frankly uncharacteristic of her but she was really proud of her school and the city she had moved to, and her excitement got the better of her.

               Bard recalled with a wince the suggestion she made to Reece and Sylvan to get close to the veil. Reece didn’t think it was the best idea, but she trusted Bard, who seemed very confident at the time. Thinking she had studied enough to know the ins and outs of miasma and how to be safe around it, Bard pressed on with her suggestion and the group packed up little rucksacks with snacks for a day trip to the outskirts of town.

               When they got to a spot close enough to see the miasma in detail, Bard had even wanted to get closer until a sudden gust of winds picked up from the water's surface nearby- and with it, so too did the miasma. The veil lurched forward unexpectedly, the sight really did appear as though it reached out for the three kittoms hiding out in the bushes nearby. Despite Bard and Sylvan’s best efforts to pull Reece out of the way, they simply weren’t quick enough to do so and the little red kittom’s arm was showered in darkness. It didn’t linger long, the miasma left as quickly as it came, but it was enough to effect the small kittom. Reece began to feel the effects immediately as the group hobbled away, growing weaker and weaker until finally the kittoms came across a small caravan of travelers headed back to the city.

               Bard jumped suddenly, pulled out of her reverie and recollection by a small tugging on her forearm, “Reece! You’re awake!” Bard perked up instantly, throwing aside the washcloth she had been using on Reece’s forehead and made for the glass of water on the bedside table. Sylvan leaned forward beside her, as stoic as he was in general he did look relieved in that moment.

               “Are you thirsty?” Bard spoke carefully and quietly.

               “Yeah… thanks,” Reece croaked a little, her throat dry and itchy before leaning forward to take a sip of water as Bard held the glass out to her, “Bard….”

               “Yes? What is it?”

               “I want… sugar…” Reece huffed and flopped back onto her pillow, looking tired but there was a spark in her orange eyes as she looked up at her best friend, who in turn whipped around to Sylvan.

               “Sylv would you-“ Bard didn’t get to finish her sentence as the other kittom practically flew out of the room, already on his way to buy candies and snacks for his friend. Bard let herself smile a little; knowing her friend was going to be ok and that she could always count on her brother to know what to do made her feel a little better.

               As she turned back to Reece, Bard’s expression hardened again and she leaned forward to talk to her, “I’m so sorry! Reece I thought I knew enough to make it safe for us to go, I wanted to show you how much I had learned, but instead I got you very sick! I understand if you hate me, I’m really sorry!” She blabbered on, words spilling out of her mouth as she lost her composure, “I was so worried…” She drooped.

               “You idiot… You know I could never hate you! I know your ego isn’t big, you just wanted me to have a good time and be proud of you- but guess what dummy? I already am proud of you! You’re following your dreams and learning so much, but I know this will be a lesson for you too.” Reece smirked, looking at Bard as her friend lifted her head to meet her eyes, “That lesson is, you should listen to me! My ideas are clearly way better I’m not sure why we follow what you want to do ever!” She was clearly joking, Bard understood Reece’s banter and they both cherished their sisterly bond like no other.

               Taking no offense whatsoever, Bard smiled back at Reece and let herself laugh, relief flooding over her that her friend didn’t hate her, but most importantly that she was safe. A lesson indeed…