Nocturne

☼ Chapter Forty-Six ~ Aurora ☼

Surya gasped. It was a heart-rending sound, a confused and scared noise, like a child who's hero had fallen. Aurora would not have expected her to have such a strong reaction. "Are you sure?" Surya asked. "He's a very strong man,"

Aurora shrugged. "Yeah. The healers don't know what's wrong with him. There's swelling in the 'nymph nodes' I think they said? And all sorts of fever, sweating, fatigue... They have theories on what might be wrong, but none of them know what they can do to help save him. We've been trying to keep it under wraps, but..."

Surprise was replaced by concern in an instant. "What about Aelius? He must be under all sorts of stress right now. How is he dealing with all of this?"

Images of an exhausted Aelius struggling valiantly to get through piles of paperwork and petitions flashed through Aurora's mind. "... He could use some help right now. That's part of why I came here. I thought you would want to know, and I think he needs your help, or at least he could use it. He's exhausted."

Surya closed her eyes and dipped her head, thinking deeply for a moment. Aurora shivered in the silence that wrapped the room until Surya sighed and looked up. "Asa, may I request a leave of absence for a week or two, so that I might attend to my son?"

Asa nodded and placed a solemn hand on Surya's shoulder. "By all means, Surya. Take all the time you need. All you need to do is ask, and we'll provide anything you need that we can offer."

Then she turned back to Aurora. "You mentioned it was only one of your reasons for coming. What else did you want to say?"

"That's easy," said Aurora. "None of the Solar Healers know what we can do to help. The Restoration may have provided new memories and restored the few remaining books from the time before the Forgetting, but when the Forgetting blanked out all the history books many were burned or written over since there was no sign of the ink that once adorned their pages, and none of those that managed to survive are medical books that cover anything like this.

"The Lunar Library though was left totally untouched and unharmed. In the time between the Forgetting and the Restoration, the only book that we know was even opened was a poetry compilation and it was opened by Nocturne, which on both counts raises doubt on whether or not the Library was even affected by the Forgetting. We, Aelius, his Advisors, the Solar Scribes, and I all are of the opinion that your Healer Scribes may find something in your Library that could be of use."

Asa tilted her head thoughtfully. "Yes, I can see that. Our Scribes have yet to sort through our entire Library yet, but I'm sure if they could examine Arun they could find something, or get a better idea of where to look. The Librarians have been able to categorize much of it. If we put everyone on the search through the medical section, then we'll definitely be able to learn anything that the ancients may have known. If we can understand their language," she added, more uncertainty.

"Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated," said Aurora, gratefulness evident under the politeness of her words. Queen Asa tapped the desk in a thoughtful and rhythmic pattern.

"We will need to keep our Botanists on their duties, as this freeze may damage our already fragile food supply. Solar goods are already providing for much of our population- I'm afraid I cannot let this stall us in our pursuit of independence. However, we can probably divert the efforts of the Librarians, Architects, and Bioscientists to join the Healers in this. It is still a scanty number, but we are not what we once were. Twenty-three Scribes and Scribes-In-Training will have to do.

"Beyond that, our most skilled Healer will accompany Surya, if he agrees. But I am sure he will. That will leave two to attend to our people and if necessary one of them can join you. Will that be alright?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty. The sincerest thanks of Sol upon you and your people." said Aurora, bowing.

Queen Asa laughed lightly and reached out to stop her. "Aurora, you know you need not be formal with me. You have done much for the people of Artemis. This is the least we can do in return. In the meantime, however, would you care to stay here and rest for a bit? The snow will have faded by the morrow, I believe."

Aurora hesitated. "As much as I'd love to stay, I think it would be best if I returned home with the news and to check on Aelius." Nocturne squeezed her hand comfortingly. "Besides, I'm not that tired." A yawn forced its way out as if for no other reason than to prove her wrong. Internally, she scolded her body for calling her out like that.

Asa smiled patiently. "I can contact Nico tonight- he does prefer the dark hours, as do many of us. And while I do not presume to speak for Surya, I don't think I could keep her here if I tried."

Surya stopped pacing and nodded, blushing. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I do wish to be with my child now." The queen waved her apology off. "Surya, I'd be more upset if you didn't care." At this, Surya sank back into the darkwood chair.

"Alright, so it's settled then? Aurora will stay the night with Nocturne, either in the House or in the Palace, whichever you prefer, though I believe I may already know, and in the meantime, Surya will set out for Apollo with whatever books my Scribes can find for her.

"And during the night, I will call on Nico to organize himself and head after you, and Aurora may follow afterwards. Nocturne, please feel free to follow her if you think that that would be best. Does that satisfy everyone?"

Everyone nodded. Surya rose to her feet. "May I be dismissed to prepare, Your Majesty?" Asa agreed, and soon each of the four headed to their respective assignments. Aurora leaned on Nocturne, yawning.

Tomorrow was going to be a big day.