Chapter 9
Part 2- The Dawning
Haughtiness ends all roads
Day after day, for 9 days, Sydney remained in his room burning up with fever. Sometimes, his face was sticky with sweat, and he abandoned his blankets. Other days, his face was pale, and he shivered under the quilts. One time, sobs racked his tall frame, and he kept on muttering things. Darling took special care of him, and Tim watched over him too. To Tim, Sydney was,
“A poor fellow that has stumbled upon dreadful misfortune.” Only Tim could say this kind statement, because he had not spoken to Sydney. The first time Tim laid eyes on him, he was knee-deep in fever. But Maia and Phoebe had been privy to his rudeness. Quite contrary to this Darling was his constant companion. Like likes like, so perhaps this is why Darling took to this young man. Darling tongue and his were equally sharp. Maybeshe wanted to help a creature less fortunate than she. Or perhaps, Darling’s heart was secretly very maternal, and this boy just pulled her heartstrings. Benjamin also watched him with careful eyes. His eyebrows knit in the expression of one trying to grasp a memory just beyond his reach. Like a delectable aroma on a windy beach, he just could not reach it. Maia and Phoebe neither seeked him out, nor avoided his room.
Nine days passed. On the morning of tenth day, a plaintive cry roused Darling, who had fallen asleep sewing in the chair next to Sydney’s bed. He was lying on his bed, and sweat poured down his face. He shook with sobs, and his white-blond hair stuck to his forhead. Darling jerked awake and exclaimed,
“Sydney!” the tears stopped directly, and the haughty boy was back. Darling stood up and brushed his hair out of his face. Sydney moved away from her hand in a rude manner. Darling ignored it, willing to give him another chance. “You’ve had a fever for the past 9 days. How do you feel?” she asked kindly. He looked at her in shock.
“Nine days!?”
“Yes Sydney nine-”
“Ah! The lad awakens!” exclaimed Benjamin, walking in. In his hands he carried flowers. “I was just coming to exchange those-” pointing to the dropping flowers, “with these. Flowers always brighten up a sick room!” anyone who knew Benjmain Stevens knew of his incurable affinity for flowers. Sydney sat up straight. “Who are you? You look… familiar…”
Something flashed across Benjamin’s face. It was a look of sudden comprehension, and then a lighting realization that what he understood was better left unsaid.
“I don’t know son.” Benjamin hurriedly took the vase and said, “I’ll be back with new flowers. It is great to see you healthy, Sydney.” and he promptly left.
“Sydney, I need to understand something.” said Darling. Sydney’s face remained cold and distant. “You show up at my house, nearly fainting and asking for help. This makes sense. A poor boy needs assistance. But why were you in this condition? Were you running? Hiding? And how long do you need to stay here? Please answer me Sydney!”
“You expect me to answer your questions! Who do you think you are asking me to reply!” he said angrily. “I refuse to answer them! But for the last one; I will leave as soon as I can! As soon as I am better.”
Darling was aghast. Then angry. So this was how he treated her after she bestowed infinite kindness upon him! She opened her doors to him- he could be plotting to kill them and yet she still did, and now--!
“Well,” she said scathingly, “you better sleep then! The sooner you are better the happier I will be. Goodbye and good riddance!” she stalked out. In a seething fury, she went downstairs and sat in her chair in the parlor. She picked up her needle-point and started sewing so fast, that her fingers kept on getting pricked and she finally threw it onto the table angrily. Anna sat in the room, unbeknownst to Darling.
“What in tarnation is wrong Darling?”
Darling’s head jerked up. “That boy! Such an ungrateful brat! The sooner he is out the better!”
Anna's mouth tightened.
“Actually I am quite curious to know, Anna, what you think of this whole situation. Youv'e been awfully quiet about it.”
“Yes. I have been. It is because,” she leaned forward. “I sense potential in him. He will be able to control Elements. I am certain! I was going to ask you if he could stay and join in the other ones training.”
Darling just looked at her. “You want me to allow him to stay here?” she shook her head vehemently. “A brat! A born and bred brat! He-”
“Listen Darling. He has tremendous potential! Imagine if the Tesera find him… he would be a gigantic asset to them and we cannot allow that to happen! Such a talent will not remain dormant…”
Anna spoke earnestly. She hid emotion from her voice, so that not even Darling detected anything amiss. But Anna had other reasons for wanting him to stay. Things she would keep a secret.
“We need him Darling.”
Silence. Darling,
"Fine."
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