"Who is she that cometh forth as the rising dawn, fair as the moon?" At. fugiens, emblema XXIIII (M. Merian). Jong, pp 181-186. (Fabricius, 138)
"Thank you for coming," said Tricia.
Tricia was one of the few permitted in the royal chambers where Marika's children resided. She knocked on Godwyn's door first, as he was Malenia's guardian. When Godwyn's man-servant advised he was not there, she moved on to Rykard's door, and still no response. She finally knocked on Ranni's and the lady in waiting answered. When Ranni inquired about the meaning of their interruption, Tricia told her and Ranni agreed to come at once.
"Of course. She is my sister too," said Ranni.
Ranni never showed affection to the twin Empyreans. When they went for walks out on the Altus Plateau, Ranni remained a silent observer while Godwyn minded them. It was hard to look at the children and not think about the state Radagon left Rennala. It was hard to watch Godwyn have to provide them with support and attention in the absence of their parents.
None of this was the twin's fault, of course. They didn't ask to be born under such circumstances. They were victims of "two-fingered schemes" as Rykard called it. All they saw in Godwyn was a supportive big brother, which Ranni acknowledged that they needed and rightly deserved.
When they arrived at the door, Ranni noticed the wilted lily that was trampled on as physicians came and went. She picked it up and with a frown, she placed the lily on the table.
When Tricia opened the door, the first thing noticed was the horrid smell. It made the air seem thick and oddly warm. The source of the odor was putrid blood drained from Malenia to control a fever. Once they removed the soiled cloths, the miasma eased and allowed Ranni to breathe again, at least through her mouth. She breathed in heavily as to not shed a tear at the pathetic sight.
Malenia was curled up in a trembling heap on the bed with her thumb in her mouth. She was far too old for that, but given the circumstances, no one was about to tell her to stop. The curtains were closed as the light tended to bother the girl's inflamed eyes and to avoid the glances of passersby.
Malenia was born with a rare congenial version of the vile and ancient disease called the Scarlet Rot that started eating at her the moment she was born. Some believed it was a sign that the young empyrean had become a vassal for an outergod, but people said a lot of things. Either way, all the perfumer's floundering about with various concoctions only further served to prove they had no idea what they were doing.
At least Tricia was better than those awful Golden Order fundamentalists who thought that a few preserving boluses and some cleansing flame incantations were sufficient to still the rot. Malenia's condition was a far cry from an acute infection caused by mere contact with a tainted water supply that they were accustomed to. Had those 'Golden Fools' bothered to look in the old texts they boasted themselves too enlightened for, they might have known this and not wasted so much time.
Fire was the only effective weakness of the disease, and Malenia's skin showed they applied it liberally on her festering lesions. Much of the stentch came from the burned flesh. The bandages on her arms and legs were already soaked through with serum.
"Sweetie? Your big sister's here," said Tricia.
The moment Tricia laid a hand on Malenia, the girl went into a panic and let out a blood curdling scream, "No! No!" she cried in fear of more cautorization.
When Ranni called her name and opened her arms, Malenia immediately cowarded into her sister's embrace.
"Hush little culver," whispered Ranni as she lifted Malenia out of bed. Malenia clung to Ranni in dear life as her frail tiny body trembled in fear. Ranni sat down in the nearby chair and rubbed her back to sooth her sister with a lullaby.
"Sleep tight, long time in mother's amber.
Sleep time, find life under mother's umbra."
The girl squirmed when Tricia came with some aromatics she wanted to try in hopes one might offer marginal relief. Malenia flinched when she unexpectedly inhaled a lung full of the burning powder. She began giving a hacking cough and kept wheezing, which Tricia used to administer more until Ranni asked her to stop, unless it was absolutely necessary.
The last step in the beastly treatment was Tricia pricking Malenia's feet and hands to ensure the rot hadn't spread; as it tended to damage the feeling of pain first. Malenia flinched with each prick, except on her right hand, which Tricia gave a disappointed head shake.
Malenia was calm in Ranni's arms. Once in a while she gave a sniffle and rubbed her bloodied nose with her hand. Malenia's angry breathing showed she was giving Tricia a stabbing glare.
"All done," cooed Tricia, pulling down her white mask. She stroked Malenia's red hair with a smile. "Are you doing better now with Big Sister holding you?"
Malenia gave an annoyed huff, turned her head, and snuggled against Ranni's shoulder to rest.
Tricia sighed "Unfortunately, the rot is continuing to eat at the sinew in her right hand. I'm not sure we can save the limb, but we'll try."
Ranni nodded as she patted Malenia on the back.
She chuckled and then said to Malenia. "My goodness. They say your mother has that same terrifying gaze. I know. I see you, dear. I understand you don't like me."
"I'd expect nothing less from Marika's daughter. Now be gone lest thee upset her further," said Ranni.
With the perfumers gone, Ranni sat Malenia down on the bed and began washing her. Malenia grew tense; sucking her thumb, and rocking to desparately sooth herself. Every noise caused a wimper, which Ranni reassured her that she was there. Soon, Malenia's mind retreated and her eyes went to an unfocused gaze as Ranni dressed her. This was followed by a moment of confusion and Malenia flopping over in exhausion.
Herself exhausted, Ranni climbed into the bed as well and closed her eyes with a sigh.
But many men be moved to work after their fantasie,
In many subjects which be tinctures gay;
Both white and red divided manually
To sight, but in the fire they fly away;
Such break pots and glasses day by day,
Enpoisoning themselves and loosing their sights
With odours, smokes, and watching up by nights, -Three Works of Ripley. (The R.A.M.S Library of Alchemy Book 5).
She woke with a gasp.
She hadn't been asleep that long. The sun was still out over the entire garden. Marika wished for Malenia to be able to see the outside, the Erdtree, within the beautiful gardens. Ranni wasn't sure if that was beneficial or cruel. However, the tree was beautiful.
Many described what it was like to stand in the presence of the Erdtree. How it caused a swelling in the breast and an increase in faith. Despite it being seen from everywhere in the Lands-Between, pilgrims came to the Leyndell to touch its bark and perhaps have a glimpse of the goddess Queen Marika herself.
Ranni couldn't blame them. Piety went a long way Leyndell and Ranni admired the concept of believing for its own sake, which she could never fully bring herself to do. It was this way of thinking that caused Queen Marika to remain largely inaccessible to most, as faith required a belief in something not seen, yet the evidence of its existence was indirectly observed. It could not be measured or quantified. It was an essence beyond anything, as Ranni's father described, back when she still knew him.
Poets sang of her. Artisans did their best to represent her. But none really knew her. Not even after all these years, could Ranni say she truly knew Marika. Their conversations were brief and direct if Marika chose to speak at all. Most of what she had to say, she deligated for her Lord to say for her, as it was the duty of the Elden Lord to be her "presence."
Ranni spotted Marika in the gardens as she glided across the grass towards the tree. She was tempted to wake Malenia and tell the girl that she saw her mother, but decided against it. Rest was far more important. If Marika followed her normal routine, she would soon come to check in on Malenia herself.
Instead, she decided to wash up a bit and get some air. Radahn was expected to arrive that day and there was a special ceremony tomorrow. Perhaps she might get a moment of Marika's time where she can advise of Malenia's condition - which concerning Malenia, Marika was always inclined to hear.
She gave one last check on her sister who was curled up and maybe having a bit of a nightmare.
The moment that Ranni stepped out into the garden, she sensed that something was different. Her mother had taught her to observe the stars, even for the most minute movements of their course. Though it was still too light for them to appear in the night sky, Ranni sensed their presence.
They seemed different. Lifeless, even. Ranni stared up at the sky.
"Gotcha!"
Ranni jumped when strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her in the air.
"Godwyn!" she exclaimed.
With a laugh, Godwyn put her down and Ranni playfully slapped him.
"How dare thee! I have no chaperone," said Ranni.
"Then there's no one to stop me," said Godwyn as he leaned in for a deep kiss on the lips. Ranni reciprocated wrapping her arms around Godwyn's neck. When they broke it off, Godwyn placed his forehead against hers with a grin.
"Thou art a beast," said Ranni.
"Then I must entreat thee to pardon me, Luner Princess."
"And what's this?" said Ranni as she noticed his left eye was blackened.
"A disagreement. Over fine wines. Such is an important question," said Godwyn.
Ranni pulled away from him and shook her head.
When their marriage was first arranged, Ranni was upset, as she seemed to have no say in the matter. She knew Godwyn as an immature boy who liked to show off his strength and settle disputes by wrestling the poor mortals who crossed him. And this was not including the rumors of bad behavior that caused Ranni's brothers to insist on a chaperone any time the youth met, lest the cad defile their beloved sister.
Godwyn always showed Ranni respect, which allowed her to look past her beloved's many flaws. And she did call him "beloved" in her private thoughts. He respected her. He did not insist she adopt the southern dialects that began creeping into the common linguistics of the Lands-Between, as Ranni did not wish to lose any more of herself. They were rearly alone, but when they were, he knew to keep his hands off her.
"I did win," said Godwyn, rather sheepishly. "By the by, your friend Sully..."
"Seluvis?"
"The shady one in the big hat."
"That is Seluvis."
"He said that I ought to give you this. He said it was urgent," said Godwyn.
"Urgent? What is the matter concerning?"
"Come now. I may be a scoundrel, but I do not read my fair lady's mail," replied Godwyn.
"By the by, where were thou? The perfumers had come in search of thee to sit by thy sister's sick bed," said Ranni.
Godwyn frowned.
"Is she well?"
"Not by any stretch of the imagination, my fair consort. But she's resting for the moment."
"I'll tell my mother and sit with her for a time. And..." said Godwyn, kissing her hand. "...leave my dear fiancee's virtue intact."
When Godwyn left to inform his mother, Ranni couldn't help a bit of a smile. Perhaps, even if the marriage was arranged, things might be happy between the two.
She then examined the letter to see that Seluvis's seal was left intact, indicating that Godwyn respected her privacy, regardless of what he thought about some of her inner circle. Another trait that placed him above other potential suitors.
With a bit of magic, she broke the seal and opened the parchment.
Radahn has stopped the stars.
Ranni's face turned pale as she read the line over and over again. Surely, some joke, but Seluvis had not a single funny bone in his entire body.
She was trembling by the time she arrived back in her chambers. She dismissed all her attendants before they had time to ask if something was the matter. As soon as she was alone, Ranni fell to her knees and screamed.