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"Do you like music, Miss Saeryn?" The question came from the small girl who had unflinchingly cleaned Saeryn's mess. Saeryn looked toward her, eyes focusing on a point an arm's length or so in front of her face. A bitter taste left by the bile filled Saeryn's mouth. As she coughed, the girl brought her some water and helped her to hold it steady.
Music... she thought, taking a deep breath. A faint melody wove through her mind, catching her thoughts and taking her to another world.
A tall man, dark but with a brilliant smile, held a small child aloft. As he sang, the notes slipped from his tongue with ease of practice and grace of talent. He spun the pretty red-headed child through the air, singing her her favorite song. The little girl giggled as the man held her close and whispered, "Little one, not a thing in the world could take you from me."
Mereflod and Motan watched as their charge slipped away. Her eyes remained open, staring well past the contents of the room. The young woman closed her eyes and hummed a few notes. Mereflod called to her.
"Mistress Saeryn, can you hear me? I asked, do you like music."
Saeryn's attention came slowly back to the children. "Music..." she whispered with an out-going breath. She spoke softly, leaning into her pillows. "I..." She trailed off, looking confused.
Seeing her charge's discomfort, Mereflod came to the rescue. "Never mind music. Do you like horses? My papa's got a big stallion that he likes a lot. Do you have a horse?"
Grimacing with pain, Saeryn closed her eyes. She felt sick. Her breath came heavy with each new throb. She could hear her heart beating in her ears. Motan, exasperated, spoke softly to her sister. "Doesn't she know anything?"
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