Palladium was aware he could no longer take the magnificent work loath. He had already a whole list of things he had liked to do with several people and also thing other's wanted him to organize, but he simply didn't have the time anymore.
The newest project , he knew, would take the last of energy out of him. He decided he couldn't do it alone and thought about the idea of some of his students to assist him in some ways. Of course he had to talk about it with the other professors. He thought about some names immediately. And with that, he thought about how it would be announced. That he was ill , or worse, unable to forfill his duty and so he needs to be replaced? He felt the knot in his chest hurt again at the idea but he had no choice. He would kill himself when he went on the way he did. He was pounding about who he could ask to do it. Or should he ask one of his colleagues to take over? But then he would burden him or her to much in turn.
One of the students he had in mind was Flora. He had always felt her interest and discipline in class. She was capable too. She was a strong fairy, even if he suspected her to not be fully aware of it. He wouldn't ask impossible things from her and other students who might be willing to help.
In the afternoon, he went to the office of Headmistress Feragonda. It didn't take long to reach it but before he arrived there, he started to lose his balance. He tried to find support at the door who was way before him but when he felt for it he couldn't find anything. Someone took his arms, he felt, on his wrists.
"Palladium?"
It was the voice of professor Avalon. The man's voice was followed by a female one, which came from somewhere in front of him.
"Really, Grizelda, I don't see why you should keep up those ridiculous rules." sounded the high voice of professor WizGiz.
"I have no choice, as you very well know."
When she walked out of the headmasdter's office, straight into her colleagues, she said :"What is going on here, now?" her eyes fell on Palladium and she fell silent.
Palladium still couldn't see who was talking to him due to the mist blurring his vision but he had recognized the voices.
"Palladium!"
Palladium felt himself touching the ground. Someone had tried to catch him but had failed, partly.
He was lowered to the ground.
"What is wrong with him?"
"Do something!" someone near him yelled, hurting Palladium's ears.
"This is serious."
Hec, the doctor who was in charge on Alfea, said.
"I am aware of that, Hec. In fact, it's the reason I came to you."
"Well, well, I had never expect this coming from you." Hec frowned "You must be far worse then you allow me to see."
"You know me too well." He replied weakly.
Hec smiled
"It's good you came to me, Palladium. It surprises me greatly you admit it to yourself and to us, even to such an extent you ask for help."
"No surpurise in that." Avalon said gravely. "He didn't eat for nearly to days."
"Two days?" Paladium said, before he could stop the thought to come out of his mouth.
Hec turned to him, his eyebrow quirked up.
"What is it, Palladium?"
Palladium thought for a moment before answering.
"I didn't eat for two days, you say?" he asked to Avalon, who nodded, his arms crossed over his chest. "In fact, I remember to have eaten not long ago. In fact, I just went into my room just after lunch and then I started grading…I remember us having our last argument about those schedules you made to be two lunches ago by now."
Palladium felt all color drain from his face. He had missed two days? He remembered his own thoughts that morning he must have overslept. He hadn't. he had been coming round. He had been unconsciousness for nearly 48 hours…