Chapter 39 - Chapter 38 - Beneath the Fever

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As Athan awoke, a wave of discomfort crashed over him, dragging him from restless sleep into a haze of fevered exhaustion. He lay curled in their shared bedding, the fur blanket draped over him offering little comfort. His entire body ached, muscles sore and stiff as though he had spent days working without rest. Sweat clung to his skin, dampening the bedding beneath him, yet a deep, searing heat coursed through him, setting every inch of his body aflame.

And yet, he shivered.

His body waged an unrelenting battle between burning heat and bone-deep chills. One moment, he pulled the fur tighter around himself, desperate for warmth; the next, he shoved it away, his own body betraying him as unbearable heat clawed at his skin. Even without moving, dizziness swirled in his mind, making the simple act of keeping his eyes open a struggle.

Before he could utter a word, Lara and Kali had already noticed something was wrong. Their sleepy expressions shifted to alarm in an instant. Lara was the first to reach him, her green eyes dark with concern as she pressed a hand to his forehead. Her touch was cool against his burning skin, but the tension in her face told him all he needed to know—he was far too hot.

Without hesitation, they rushed out of the shelter, their voices calling for Rael.

Within minutes, his mother arrived. Her sharp, experienced gaze swept over him, assessing his condition with practiced efficiency. She did not panic, but her movements carried urgency. With firm authority, she began issuing instructions, ensuring that everything needed for his care was swiftly prepared.

Rael wasted no time gathering what she needed, pulling from generations of knowledge. Some remedies had been tested and proven effective, others were little more than hopeful traditions. Athan, even through the fever's fog, felt relieved that at least this society relied on nature rather than the crude superstitions and bloodletting of medieval times.

As he lay still, limbs unwilling to cooperate, he felt a light touch on his arm. Through the fever's haze, he saw Lara beside him, watching him closely. Noticing his weak attempt to reach for his water flask, she picked it up and carefully brought it to his lips.

"Slowly," she murmured, tilting it just enough for a trickle of water to slide down his throat.

The cool liquid was a relief, soothing for a brief moment before the fever's relentless heat clawed back over him. She didn't let him sit up, fearing his body wouldn't have the strength to support him.

Time blurred.

The fever burned on, trapping him in an exhausting cycle of heat, thirst, and aching fatigue. The world around him faded in and out, sounds growing distant, only to sharpen when he forced himself to focus.

At some point, the medicinal brew was ready. Once it had cooled enough, Kali poured a portion into a small bowl and knelt beside him. With slow, careful movements, she lifted it to his lips.

"Drink," she coaxed gently, ensuring he wouldn't choke or spill.

The scent of the brew was strong, the bitterness hitting his tongue immediately. Athan grimaced but swallowed without protest. Each sip carried the sharp tang of herbs, their potency unmistakable.

Meanwhile, Lara and Kali remained at his side, diligently replacing the damp fur on his forehead, their hands working tirelessly in the dim light of the shelter. They moved with quiet efficiency, their focus unwavering as they fought against the fever consuming him.

Though his body was weak, Athan recognized their dedication, their concern. He could hear the murmurs of the village beyond the shelter—people passing by, pausing, checking in. Their voices were hushed, their presence lingering before they moved on. Even in his fevered state, he understood—he was not alone.

And for now, all he could do was accept their care and hope the remedy would take effect soon.

Lying in bed, Athan could hear voices outside. At first, they were just a blur of indistinct murmurs, blending with the familiar sounds of the village—the crackling of distant fires, the rhythmic pounding of wood. But as his focus sharpened, he recognized his father's voice, deep and measured, alongside Ok and Yun They were discussing the house.

Instinct urged him to rise, to go see for himself how things were progressing. But the moment he tried to shift, his body resisted, a dull ache spreading through his limbs. The fever had passed, but its aftermath lingered, leaving him drained and weak. Frustration gnawed at him. He hated this—being forced to lie idle while others handled what he would normally oversee himself.

Outside, his father stood near the worksite, his gaze fixed on the half-built structure rising before him. It was more than just a shelter; it was the result of his son's vision, his relentless effort. There was pride in that realization, but also unease. Athan had already given too much—pushing himself beyond his limits to ensure the village's survival. And even now, as he rested, it was his ideas, his careful planning, that guided their hands.

Beside him, Ok studied the small model Athan had crafted, running his fingers along the carefully carved details. "He planned everything well," he said, his tone thoughtful. "We just have to follow."

Wade, standing nearby, gestured toward the wooden framework. "First that go on fondation. Then we put together."

The villagers listened, nodding as they absorbed the clear direction. There was confidence in their movements, purpose in their work. Piece by piece, the house would be coming together—not just as a structure of wood and stone, but as a testament to everything Athan had built for them.

Even if he couldn't be there to oversee it himself, his presence was woven into every step of the process.

With Ok and Wade leading the effort, the villagers gathered around the two assembled walls, gripping the wooden framework. The structures had already been built close to the foundation—only a few steps remained to set them into place.

Ok scanned the group, ensuring they were ready. "Lift now!" he called out.

A unified grunt rose as the villagers heaved together, the weight straining their arms. Moving in unison, they carefully shifted the walls forward, inching them toward the stone-and-cement base. The legs of the framework scraped slightly against the ground before reaching the edge of the foundation.

"Slow, slow!" Wade urged, adjusting his grip. "Make it fit right."

Once the heavy frame was finally set down onto the foundation, the group took a much-needed break. The sheer weight of the structure had drained their strength, and even the strongest among them felt the strain in their muscles.

As the others caught their breath, Wade and Ok got to work preparing for the next step. They retrieved several long ropes, knowing they would be essential in raising the walls upright. Ok, who had spent some time examining the small model Athan had built, had noticed a critical flaw—when pulling a structure up with a single rope, it tended to fall in the direction of the pull, making it unstable.

To counter this, he had experimented with securing a second rope in the opposite direction. He discovered that if he pulled one way to lift the wall and then pulled from the other side once it was upright, the structure would remain standing instead of toppling over, as long that they keep pulling on each side.

Using this idea, he and Wade began tying ropes in strategic positions. Some would be used to pull the frame upright, while others would be held in place to stabilize it the moment it stood.

Wanting to further prevent any slipping once the wall was raised, Ok grabbed three fur pelts. He carried them to the foundation, wetting them thoroughly before placing them at the base—each positioned beneath one of the frame's three supporting legs. The damp fur would create more friction against the stone, helping to prevent the legs from sliding as they pulled the structure upright.

With the reinforcements in place, and the team recovering from their exertion, they were finally ready for the next stage—lifting the wall into position.

Everyone grabbed hold of a rope, bracing themselves for the long and grueling task of pulling the wall upright. At first, the structure resisted, its weight firmly anchored to the foundation. Muscles strained, feet dug into the ground, and grunts of effort filled the air as the villagers heaved in unison.

But as the frame gradually lifted, the resistance lessened. With each inch it rose, the momentum shifted in their favor, making the task easier. Slowly but surely, the wall climbed higher until, at last, it stood tall and firm.

The moment it was upright, Ok and Yun wasted no time. Moving quickly, they began securing the lower beams of the north and south walls, carefully fitting them into place against the east wall. Each connection had to be precise, ensuring the structure would hold strong once fully assembled.

Meanwhile, Wade remained with the group still holding the ropes, making sure the wall didn't shift. "Hold tight! Don't let it move!" he called out, adjusting grips and reinforcing their stance. The tension in the lines remained steady as they did their best to keep the structure stable while the others worked.

Once Yun and Ok were ready to secure the beam, Wade took a final moment to ensure the group holding the wall steady had a firm grip. Satisfied, he moved to the north side, where he lifted the central support column into position, carefully setting it upright in its designated place.

By the time the post was standing, Yun and Ok had finished connecting the beam to the east wall. Without delay, they moved over to secure the column, fastening it firmly to the beam to lock it in place.

With the structure holding, they retrieved the two ladders Athan had made—Wade had already explained how to use them. They positioned one ladder against each of the standing columns on the north wall, ensuring they were stable before climbing.

Once at the top, they carefully lifted the upper beam, maneuvering it into position. With practiced hands, they guided it into its designated slot, securing it using the familiar wedge system they had now grown accustomed to.

Little by little, the framework of the house was taking shape, its sturdy form rising steadily with each careful placement.

Once the two beams were secured to the structure, keeping the east wall stable became much easier. With the framework holding firm, Wade moved to the south side, positioning himself to steady the next support column.

Meanwhile, Yun and Ok began working on installing the lower beam, carefully repeating the same steps they had used for the previous column. Their hands moved with practiced precision, slotting the beam into place and ensuring a secure connection before moving on to the next stage.

With the lower beams secured, the three men worked together to install the largest support column—the central post that would connect all the future walls and hold the structure together. This was the most crucial piece, ensuring stability for the entire build.

Once the column was set in place, Wade found himself alone holding it steady. His muscles strained as he braced against the weight, his voice firm as he called out to Yun and Ok. "Hurry!"

The two men wasted no time. They retrieved the prepared beams and quickly moved to secure the north and south walls, fastening them to the central column to lock everything into place. With those connections established, they lifted the last two beams—one for the middle section and the other for the top—securing them between the central column and the east wall.

With the final connections made, the tension in the air eased. The group holding the structure upright could finally relax, their grips loosening as the newly placed beams took over the job of keeping the frame steady.

For the first time, the entire structure stood on its own, its framework solid, held together by each carefully placed beam.

Taking a break, the group sat on the ground, drinking water and catching their breath. Sweat clung to their skin, their muscles aching from the strenuous work, but satisfaction lingered in the air—the structure was finally standing.

At that moment, Rael's group returned from their trip, emerging from the tree line with bundles of gathered herbs and supplies in hand. Without hesitation, Rael headed straight toward the shelter, her steps quick and purposeful.

Wade, noticing her urgency, immediately followed. Neither parent spoke a word—they shared the same concern. Both needed to see Athan, to check on his condition, hoping that in their absence, his fever had broken.

Meanwhile, the four hunters—Nuk, Def, Ulf, and Thad—approached Yun and Ok, curiosity in their eyes as they took in the progress of the house. Seeing the sturdy framework now standing tall, they realized just how much had been accomplished in such a short time.

"What comes next?" Nuk asked, glancing at the beams still waiting to be placed.

Ok gestured toward the structure, his voice steady as he explained. "We need to add more support. Beams here, here, and there"—he pointed to the middle sections of the frame—"to hold it strong."

Yun nodded, adding, "Then we fit next pieces for the roof."

The hunters exchanged looks before Nuk gave a firm nod. "We help today."

They weren't builders, but they understood the importance of the work being done. For today, their hands would lift wood instead of bows and spears, helping to strengthen the home that would shelter their people.

Rael approached Athan, Wade close behind, inspecting the boy from a distance as they reached his side. Lara and Kali remained by him, diligently refreshing the damp fur cloth on his forehead, ensuring it stayed cool.

Most of the herbal brew Rael had left behind had already been consumed. As she knelt beside Athan, she gently lifted the wet fur and placed her hand against his skin. He was still warm, but his fever seemed to have stabilized—perhaps even decreased slightly. Sweat coated his body, evidence of the battle his body was fighting.

Noticing this, Rael glanced at Lara, who had taken it upon herself to wipe him down regularly, ensuring he wasn't too uncomfortable.

Examining the remaining liquid, Rael poured what was left into two bowls before handing one to Kali. Turning to Lara, she instructed, "Go heat more water."

With a quick nod, Lara took the empty pot and hurried out to prepare another batch.

Rael set to work, preparing the freshly gathered herbs and flowers. Unlike dried plants, these were still full of moisture, their leaves and petals supple beneath her fingers. As she placed them into the mortar, the stems gave a faint crunch under pressure, but the leaves were tender, releasing their natural oils the moment she pressed down.

Taking up the pestle, she applied firm, steady pressure, crushing the plants rather than grinding them into powder. The fibrous stems split open, and a greenish liquid seeped out, darkening the mixture. The scent of fresh herbs thickened in the air—earthy, slightly bitter, but clean.

Satisfied with the consistency, she reached for a small bundle of dried Setwall root. Unlike the fresh herbs, the Setwall was brittle, its fibers tougher beneath her fingers. Breaking the root into smaller pieces, she added them to the mortar, letting the moist pulp absorb the dry shavings.

With careful movements, she resumed her work, rolling the pestle in circular motions, pressing the dried roots into the crushed herbs. The Setwall would help relax the body, soothing tension and easing the restless discomfort fever often brought. As she mixed, the distinct scent of the root joined the blend—earthy, warm, with a faintly sweet undertone.

Little by little, the mixture became a rich, herbal paste, ready to be infused into the steaming water.

By the time Lara returned with the pot of boiling water, Rael was ready. She took a wooden spoon, carefully scooping up portions of the crushed mixture and adding them to the steaming liquid. As the wet pulp slid off the spoon's surface, the hot water began drawing out the medicinal properties of the plants. With each addition, the water darkened to a golden-green hue, releasing a stronger herbal aroma.

Satisfied, she stirred gently, ensuring everything blended properly before turning toward Kali and Lara. Her voice was calm but firm. "Go tend to your tasks. I'll stay with him until I'm done here."

The two girls hesitated, their gazes flicking toward Athan, still lying pale and motionless. Lara clenched her hands, uncertainty clouding her expression, while Kali's lips pressed into a tight line. Neither wanted to leave.

Rael, sensing their reluctance, softened slightly. She knew their worry because she felt it too—perhaps even more so. Her fingers rested on the wooden spoon, her grip tightening for a moment before she exhaled slowly.

"I know you're worried. I am too," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "But he's strong. He's already fighting. The best we can do is keep moving forward."

Kali and Lara exchanged a final glance before nodding. Though uncertainty still lingered in their expressions, they accepted Rael's words. Without further hesitation, they turned and left, stepping outside into the cool air to resume their duties.

Rael watched them go, her shoulders subtly lowering as a sigh escaped her lips.

Her gaze drifted back to Athan, still lying motionless on the woven bedding, his brow damp with sweat. Reaching out, she adjusted the cool cloth on his forehead, fingers brushing against his heated skin.

At least, she thought, he wouldn't be alone in the future.

Wade had been standing near the entrance, silently observing the exchange between Rael, Kali, and Lara. He had seen the tension in the girls' hesitation, the quiet weight in Rael's voice as she reassured them, and the way she carefully tended to Athan.

With a slow, understanding nod, he acknowledged her efforts—there was nothing more he could do here. Athan was in good hands and soon he would be back on his feet.

Exhaling softly, he turned away and made his way back toward the worksite, where the men continued their labor. The sounds of wood shifting and ropes tightening greeted him as he approached. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, ready to lend his strength once more.