My sleep is fitful, plagued by more dreams and not very restful at all. It's not uninterrupted either, but I'm actually quite thankful for that. Elzbieta waking me every once in a while to make me drink some tea and place a wet cloth on my forehead to ease the fever a little might just be the only thing keeping me sane.

It's bad enough that I can't even really tell if she got creative with the tea or not. It is in theory quite easy to turn plain tea into a basic stamina potion by adding different sweeteners, like sugar, sap and honey. In theory it should be safe to drink even when not made by a professional, but mishaps can happen. Well, whatever, I'm just glad that she makes me drink regularly. Considering the fever and how much I sweat I really need it. It's good to have someone around that will look after you in a situation like this.

At least the balm is working. My body, or at least most of it, is still pretty numb even when I wake for good a few hours later. Not that I'm in much of a shape to get up, but I really need to move around a little to make sure I don't get sore or too stiff. I really need to move a little, or whatever sleep still lies ahead of me will be even worse. Thus, with a groan, I sit up and look around.

Elzbieta, reunited with little Ulryk who sleeps fitfully nestled against her front, peeks in through the door to the shop out front, as she hears me. It seems the boy is starting to feel the effects of the Scarlet Rash too now. I really hope he won't have it as bad as me. She speaks softly as not to wake him.

"Hey there, sleepyhead. You good?"

Good? The way she grimaces as I arch an eyebrow says it all. It makes me chuckle too in the end.

"I'll manage. I need to get up and move a little though."

She nods, barely perceptibly once more, as not to wake Ulryk.

"Go, sit out front in the shade for a bit. Get some fresh air. I'll fluff up the bed a little."

That's pretty sensible advice, thus there is no reason to protest. I don't go through the shop though. Instead I leave through the back door and go around the house. By the time I drop on the bench out front I can already feel how much even this short walk took out of me.

Elzbieta in the meantime busies herself fluffing up the bedding a little, although there probably isn't much she can do without disturbing her boy too much. A little later she joins me on the bench, sitting down next to me. She hums a little tune for Ulryk who must have woken up anyway judging by a soft wail.

At least that is my best guess, as I have my eyes closed despite being awake. The boy's wail quickly fades as Elzbieta lets him have a quick meal. Oh, if only it were this easy for everyone. I chuckle softly.

"What are we going to do about tonight? Sleeping in the same bed probably isn't the best option considering how I have been tossing and turning."

The young mother mirrors my chuckle with one of her own.

"Considering my little boy is starting to show the rash for real now too, I doubt I'll get much sleep anyway, but I guess you are right. I already talked with Agnieszka about it, when I got Ulryk. She'll lend me a pillow and some spare blankets."

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I chuckle and finally open my eyes again, to glance over at her.

"Sleeping on the floor? I really need to look into getting some more furniture. And an extension for the house. Think its possible?"

She runs her hand down Ulryk's back as she thinks about it.

"It should be possible. Getting it built while still using the house might be the tricky part. Making plans doesn't hurt anyone, but you might want to wait until next summer to act on them to make sure everything is ready by the time autumn comes around with its rain showers. For now, Ulryk and I will nap by the fireplace. I should be able to build a nice nest for us with the blankets Agnieszka lent us."

Sleeping by the fireplace. That brings some fond childhood memories to mind, as well as the fact that my parents were not exactly enthusiastic. I chuckle again.

"Just make sure the fire is out and there are no more embers in the ashes."

Then I grin again, as something else occurs to me.

"Maybe my life in huntress could get us a nice fur for the fireplace in the long run. What do you think?"

She taps her chin thoughtfully.

"Hm … something nice and fluffy? Not too big though. And maybe a color that doesn't show stains too much. You still will work there after all."

I nod along with her words, but don't add anything further, thus she speaks up again, as Ulryk finishes with his meal, all sleepy again now.

"I should be able to find something. Not today though and not tomorrow either. I have my hands full with you tow right now. One crisis and one project at a time. Alright?"

Of course that makes sense. I certainly would appreciate a nice fur. Maybe if not for the fireplace then maybe a smaller one for in front of the bed? Not having to step directly on the cold floor first thing in the morning certainly would be nice. But my mind is wandering again. Maybe I should crawl back into bed before it gets worse? No, wait, there is something else I have to ask about!

"Have you put some of the balm on for Ulryk already?"

Elzbieta shakes her head.

"No, not yet. It's only starting to show now. Not quite like with you. I thought, maybe before we turn in for the night? Or maybe before if he gets really restless?"

I sigh and nod again. Of course that too makes perfect sense. Although, maybe I should doubt my judgment in that regard a little right now? That fever certainly isn't helping. It's making it hard to properly follow any line of thought for any length of time. I sigh again and am already about to close my eyes again when I recall that I probably should get to bed first. Elzbieta probably won't appreciate it if I fall asleep here.

"Elzbieta?"

"Yes?"

"If you can, please do pour Sour Cream some of her treat when she heads out for the night, yes?"

Can't forget about that. Any further trains of thought are derailed as Elzbieta puts her cool hand against my forehead.

"You are burning up. I should probably really get you back to bed."

Ah yes! Another idea that sounds quite sensible. Silly me. Whatever would I do without her? I nod, get up and let her guide me back to bed, while my eyes are already half closed once again. It's a small miracle that I don't bump into anything along the way.

Elzbieta doesn't let me lie down right away though. First she makes me drink some more cold tea. Cold tea that is definitely sweetened and spiced up, but I won't complain, as it actually lifts the mists clouding my mind a little. She wipes down my face and my neck with a cold, wet rag too. And once I'm tucked back into bed she places a fresh cold cloth on my forehead once more.

My words come out as a barely audible and coherent mumble, as I speak up once more before I can fall back asleep for good.

"Thanks … you're … pretty good … mom."

Her chuckles are the last thing I hear before crazy fever dreams claim me again. They are still terrible, but I'm not quite as agitated as before, knowing that someone is watching out for me. I wake, even if just halfway a few more times as Elzbiete makes me drink some more tea, but overall the rest of the day passes, thankfully, quite uneventful.

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