#baronyofthesilverwolf

He presses her hands in his own. "We need you, hale and well. Here... dictate to me what missives must go, and I will take them with my own hand. In return, promise me you will not try to stir overmuch until that cough is gone?"

Sourly and a bit petulant "I 'm not " Cough "That sick. Besides, this is MY part of things.. ." A cough "If you do the animals and the social stuff, why would you need..." A cough again "me? I'm more than a bed warmer or arm decore... I am"

He strokes her hair. "You are the shining heart of Silverwolf, and so much more. Let me be your hand, and assist you in your time of illness. It is no more than you have done, and far less than, a dozen dozen times over for me."

"You shouldn't be touching me you'll get sick" A frown of concern

"If I do, you will nurse me back to strength. But for now, your concern is with your duties, and you will not rest while they are outstanding, so we will tackle them as one."

A choke cough and then "Well.... here.." She shows her files, chimerical yet well orgniazed. She has flow charts!

He reviews them, clearly impressed. "This here, is that the local economic forecast? And here - how it corresponds to our craftspeople?"

He's a sharp man, though often let go rusty in favor of his more rural pursuits - and between the two of them, the pile of paperwork may yet be tackled.

"Uh huh," A sniff, cough. This maybe the first time she's shown him her system, not out of embarrassment or secrecy but because she takes it as simply something that helps "One can't measure it in just monetary profit, of course. Dreamer musing born of shared craft is far more valuable in the long run"

"We've got some very" Kaff "talented folks"

"I see." And he does, her thoughtful charting makes the pattern that he would have missed stand out clear. Even as he presses another cup of tea into her hands.

She takes it, and sips.

He's added ginger, and honey!

"mmm..s'nice" She says "Tank you" then a clearing "THank you" She says trying to reclaim control over her wicked treacherous mortal flesh

And she sets the tea down gently feeling dizzy again

He closes the notebook quietly, and dims the lamp.

"Rest. We will finish this later. I must check in with Marigold."

"Yes, make sure she... she gets help" and Nadeen's treacherous eyes and the warm tea now in her work against her as she closes the former and starts to sleep as much as her cough will allow

He remains by her side a while longer, gently stroking her hair... then leaves, stepping softly to not disturb her rest.

And Nadeen snoozes

---

If it weren't for Julius, Madern would feel like the sole standing crewman on a plague ship. He had always had an easy life, more or less. Sure, a bit of unwelcome excitment, but in his opinion there was no problem too big to run away from

Only if he runs now, folks will end up even worse off than before

"Can you fetch another basket of clean linens - the fever is making people sweat, and they'll get sicker if they are in clammy clothes and sheets." Julius calls over to Blossom.

"Dee, can you feed the dogs? They're good about it, but with Briar down, Mischka is starting to look at me funny."

"Ernie, can you handle finding something for dinner? Something light and easy to eat that's not more soup, or we might have revolution on our hands."

Julius calls out requests, showing why he is Marigold's secondary steward, after all. It helps that he has good people to help out - and he puts his trust in Madern!

No one even is hovering to watch the Piskie when he's alone in the pantry with the good silver.

Blossom actually races along with speed and without complaint doing as said.

Dee nods "Got the pooches"

Ernie looks up "Not soup but good for illness? I.. yeah I think I got an idea" and he works. Okay, not liquid, but still soft. Something ..something.. and he sorts through finding the kimichi "Oh Marigold I hope you weren't saving this for something big" And he gets to work seasoning it

Soon, he has something that's not too hard, but seasoned and spiced so that even a palete dulled by flu should taste it, and best, it will help clear congestion

He sure hopes Bacon and Kimichi Fried Rice works

He eyes the silver , but it's not really the lure folks think. Piskies aren't greedy ,they're.. grabby

Now, the pepper shaker shaped like an earth mother? That's neat and tempting

There's also the salt and pepper set that looks like a scotty and a westie dog... but you can't break up a set, no sir.

Gwen would know He warns himself and also decides if he takes one he has to take both

but right now, he grabs the tray of the first and brings the 'vegatarian' version of the dish (ie mostly rice and spices) to Bluebell. "Hey, Bluebell, how are you?"

Her cute little brown nose is red and chapped and stuffy. "Underful." She mutters, snuffily. Then, sniffs at the air. "DO I actually smell somefing?"

"A heavily season rice dish, don't worry, no spam was harmed in the making of your version" He lays the tray down "Veggitarian friendly. I was told if there one more bowl of soup you might wreck this place. And i like my arms the color they are" A gentle smile

She gives it a taste, and then a second. "It's spicy!" She takes a tissue and rubs at her nose. "How awful. You must leave, now, before I call Julius to flog you."

"Leave the bowl!"

He makes sure she has plenty of tissue in the box and her faux rebuke makes him smile. He always wanted to be a good cook, and now he's apparently getting it right. Maybe not great, but, clearly she's pleased. "Yes, your fierceness. " And he heads to the kitchen, to feed the next person with the NOn vegan sort

When Briar hears him approach she shouts, stuffily, "If you have one more bowl of water slop I'll drown you in it!"

"No soup" He swallows nervously behind his mask "It's got meat and..." He looks at the egg "The Dashed promise of some bird's tomorrow. I'm coming in, don't attack me"

Briar grumbles - she didn't actually get out of bed. Her forehead still looks feverish. "My teeth will fall out if I can't sink them into SOMETHING.

"Hey, is that spam? Marigold says it's trash and won't make it for me. We only get to have it in the camping supplies." A bit of drool.

As he approaches he answers "Yeah I found them and opened a few cans there's also bacon and loads of spices." Testing he says "If you're not up to spices, you know, too..delicate, let me know" That should get her to either eat it, or throw it as his head

Her nostril flare. "Ain't NOTHING I can't eat."

"Prove it, and don't eat the plate or no seconds"

HE gives her the tray "And that also means don't eat the silverware or tray"

"Look who's getting all bossy britches." She complains, narrowing her eyes, but then she tastes the mess of rice and meat and egg, and starts chowing down. She takes a big bite of the cloth napkin, chewing it messily to make a point, but mostly, she's eating the food, and with more energy than before.