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He lay in state, unconsciously clinging to the last vestiges of life. The Chichurgeons had attended him, as had Lady Gandolfyn. The Sisters of the Golden Virgin arrived and began to attend to him, bathing him completely abed, placing cone shaped devices to his chest and grinding up powders and herbs.
One of the sisters reached into a small bag and brought forth a device attached to a small hose. The device was made of polished bone and ended with a long needle. A few adjustments and the needle was inserted into a vein in his hand. It was attached to a bladder of warm liquid, equally unknown. Whatever was in the bladder was allowed to merge into his blood.
A piece of leather bound wood was placed between his teeth to prevent him from swallowing or biting his tongue it was explained.
Mother Magdalena conferred with the Prophetess and it was difficult to tell who was in charge of the care for the Marquis. The Prophetess appeared shocked at what was told her, but left the room and returned within the hour with all manner of elfin powders and things.
The d’Ascoyne women sat at one end of the room. AndreaLyn consoled her mother, as did Cobina and the floor was wet from their tears. Other women arrived and were allowed entry into the room. Cobina saw a maid servant removing the Black Drapes and bellowed out “He has not died!! Put that accursed color away!!” The servant dropped the cloth and ran from the room with Cobina in pursuit,
The youngest daughter returned ten minutes later saying she had spoken to the young servant and had forgiven her the error.
The deathwatch continued and at the end of the 16th hour, Cobina walked to the foot of her fathers bed and said quietly. “Papa, stop fooling around and wake up”
He did not respond and she gave one cry and walked away.
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