82nd Ashan 717
"I understand your concern, Gwen. I truly do. However, I had to meet with Lord Venora. You're right though, I am tired." She sipped the tea Gwen had made for her and she pulled a face. "This is disgusting, you know."
"I know, Lady Andaris, but it helps you heal. Are you ready for bed?" Celeste could not deny that yes, she was.
"You passed on my apologies to Lord Krome and Baron and Baroness Krome? I had hoped to dine with them tonight." The 'tea' was already working and Celeste's eyes were heavy. "It's just... my chest is still so wheezy."
"Indeed, Lady Andaris. The doctor told you, you aren't out of the woods yet, do you remember? Still, you wrote it all in your note to Lord Krome and he sends his best wishes to you. He'll come and see you tomorrow." Celeste nodded, Xander must be exhausted she considered. Still, it was strange that he had not come to see her, he usually did.
Of course, Gwen had taken care of that. She had the note to Xander ready to go, folded in her pocket. She had seen and copied Celeste's handwriting enough times now. So, Celeste had written a note apologising for not coming to dinner but saying that she felt too unwell. However, he was welcome to visit, her note had said. Of course, the note which Gwen delivered said that Celeste was going straight to bed as she felt most unwell and that she would look forward to seeing him tomorrow. When Gwen had delivered the note to Xander, she had also reassured him that she was sure it was just Her Ladyship over exerting herself but she suggested that, should Lady Andaris not feel better in the morning, perhaps a visit from the doctor would not go amiss?
Gwen had been, in fairness, the very picture of concerned servant and she helped Celeste into bed. As she lay down, Celeste considered that her breathing still wasn't as improved as the doctor had said it would be, but she felt sleep overtake her even as the thoughts bounced in her head.
When she woke, or even why she woke, Celeste did not know. Maybe there had been a noise or maybe it was the same determination to not die which had meant that she survived the combination of the illness with the poison which her maid had been feeding her. However, the fact that she woke just a split second before the cushion was placed over her mouth meant that Celeste saw Gwen standing over her and she felt the cushion and the pressure on her face.
Brown eyes widened and in her drugged state, Celeste felt panic hit her. However, unlike previously, perhaps because of the drugs, or the fear, the fact that her attacker was a woman or even, because she was getting used to being attacked, her reaction to that panic was to strike out. Her hands moved with the aim of hitting and as she flailed in the bed, she realised that she was too weak to do what she needed to. However, her fingers curled around a small ornament and with a flash of irony, Celeste flung it at Gwen.
It didn't hurt the woman, but it caused enough of a wince for pressure to be release on the pillow and Celeste took in an enormous gulp of air and screamed one word.
"XANDER!!!"
Then, with all the strength of adrenaline, as she realised that the maid was recognising that her time here was done and was starting to move ~ Celeste flung herself at Gwen, tackling her to the ground. It wasn't a sophisticate move, but it was effective for a few trill, which meant that, as Xander burst through the door he saw Celeste and Gwen wrestling on the floor and Gwen backhanding Celeste away. As Celeste let out a cry, the maid turned and ran towards the window.
