Mica’s Omen

“Look father, look!”

Astar lifted the little boy onto his arm, the boy madly waving his arm in the direction he wanted his father to see.

“I see them, Mica,” Astar said, squinting in the sunlight to see better.

“There are three of them, you see?” He pointed out the three shadows on the low sky. “There, there, and that small one over there.” The boy nodded excited.

As the three shadows flied closer to them, they could more clearly see their huge, feathering wings. On a distance, they could easily be mistaken for huge eagles, but if you got a bit closer, you could see the majestic, stunning form of a Nieder.

These creatures were huge, most of their bodies were covered with white or grey feathers, while their heads and legs where covered with some kind of fur which colour matched their feathers.

“What do you think they’re doing, father?” the little boy asked, hugging his father with one arm around his neck, watching the Nieders.

“Hunting, my son. The sun is setting, and that is the time when they usually hunt.” Astar knew a lot about most of the animal races around where they lived, and especially about the Nieders. They fascinated him; the way they glided through the air, the way they lived. The Nieders were a quite rare sight, and usually never seen in pairs, since they normally didn’t get along with each other. When it was time for the Nieders to have their offspring, the male and female were only together for a short time before the female chased the male away. When the eggs were hatched - mostly there were no more than one to three eggs - the mother would gather some food in the nest, then leave them to take care of themselves. And it wouldn’t take many hours before the new birds would get to their new wings and off into their life. This was one of the things that made the Nieders so special, since their kids always were almost fully grown with feathers when hatching. This was one of the reasons Astar was so fascinated by them.

There had, however, been a very few times when Astar had seen two Nieders together. But as far as he remembered, he had seen three Nieders getting along with each other only once before in his whole life, and he was probably lucky to have ever seen it. The three Nieders flying on the low sky before them now were - as it had been the last time he had seen it - a male and female with their offspring, and he told Mica this.

Mica had inherited his father’s curiosity, and Astar had taught him all he now knew. But still the boy hungered for more, and always wanted his father to teach him more about the forest, and what lived in it.

Astar set the boy down on the ground as the Nieders dived down between the trees.

“Come Mica, it’s getting late, and I’m sure your mum is waiting with dinner.” The boy smiled.

“I hope so,” he said, lightly rubbing his stomach, “'cause I’m really hungry.” Astar laughed.

“Then we better go home, son.” The little boy ran ahead of him as they headed for their home, and Astar smiled to himself for the great gift he had gotten eight years ago when Mica was born.

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Erina was just placing the dinner at the table when Mica came running through the front door.

“Mum, you’ll never guess what me and father saw today!” Erina smiled at the little boy’s joy and excitement.

“What did you two see?” she asked, bending down on one knee, the boy putting his arms around her neck; hugging her.

“We saw three of those big birds, mum, the Nieders,” he whispered into her ear.

“Really?” she said, smiling down at her son, stroking a hand through his short, brown hair. “Three of them?”

“That’s right,” came Astar’s voice from the door. “Three Nieders, hunting together.” Astar smiled at his wife, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

“You should have been there, love, it’s a rare sight.” Erina smiled back at him.

“Well, someone had to be here making dinner, right? Or else you two would have starved to death. Now,” she said to Mica, “why don’t you go outside and wash your hands before dinner? I’m sure that’s needed, after a whole day out in the forest.” Mica nodded and turned towards the door.

“But father needs to wash his hands too, right mum?” Astar smiled.

“I’ll be out in a minute, ok, Mica?” The boy nodded again and disappeared through the door.

Astar turned towards Erina after Mica had gone.

“Are you alright?” he asked, stroking away some brown locks of hair from her young face. Erina nodded.

“Just a bit tired, that’s all.” Astar nodded, his eyes full of concern and a mild look that told her he loved her more than anything in the world.

“I’m fine, love, really. You don’t have to worry about me all the time. A good night’s sleep is all I need.” Astar nodded again, and returned her smile. But the look of concern did not leave his eyes.

“Now,” Erina said, “off you go and wash your hands, mister, or there will be no food for you tonight.” Astar laughed, gave her another kiss on the lips then disappeared out the door after Mica.

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Astar silently closed the door to Mica’s bedroom. The boy had fallen asleep at once, tired after the long day outside. Erina was standing by the fireplace, looking into the dancing flames. Astar placed a hand on each of her shoulders, gently rubbing her.

“He’s asleep?” she asked, turning around to face him. Astar nodded and smiled.

“He’s sleeping like a baby.” Erina smiled back, but Astar could see the pain in her eyes.

“Are you really sure you’re alright?” he asked her. Erina looked away from his eyes.

“I told you, I’m fine. Just a bit tired.” She looked back at him.

“I’m sure I’ll be better tomorrow.” Astar let his hand run gently down her chin, then put it on her forehead.

“You’re burning up,” he said, moving his hand away from her forehead and taking her hand.

“It’s just a light fever,” Erina said, defending herself.

“You’re going to bed right now, young lady!” Astar said, pushing her towards the bedroom. Erina laughed and hugged her husband.

“I will, love. And you’ll see I will be much better tomorrow.”

“I hope so,” he whispered into her ear, returning her hug and giving her a kiss.

“'Cause I can’t afford to lose you.” Erina laughed again.

“What ever gave you that idea,” she asked. Astar shook his head, smiling.

“Never mind. Off to bed now, love.”

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Mica woke by the early rays of sun through his window. He quickly got up and dressed. Then he opened the door to his room, running into the empty room beyond and out the front door. The sun felt warm and comforting, and a mild breeze ruffled his hair as the little boy ran down to the river close to their house. He could see small fish swimming just beneath the surface, but they quickly disappeared when he put his hands into the water.

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Astar gently slipped his arms around Erina’s waist, kissing her neck. Erina smiled and turned towards her husband.

“Good morning, love,” she said, putting her arms around his neck, giving him a big kiss. When she pulled back and looked into his eyes, Astar could see the pain and weariness from the last day were gone from her eyes. He felt her forehead, and found that her fever had gone too. Erina smiled.

“I told you I would be better after a good night’s sleep.” Astar didn’t doubt that she had gotten better, but didn’t think she had slept very well that night. She had twisted and turned all night, never been able to lie still. The beddings were all soaked with her sweat, and Astar hadn’t been able to sleep much either because of the worry he had for her. But still there was no doubt she was better now, and Astar sighed in relief.

Just then Mica came running back into the room. His hair was soaked and there were still small pearly drops of water on his skin. He smiled at them, drying his hands on his clothes, making them all wet instead.

“You’re up!” he said happily. Both Astar and Erina smiled at their son.

“Yes we are,” Erina said, bending down before the little boy.

“And you will do best to go change out of those wet clothes before breakfast.” The boy nodded and started for his bedroom door.

“And try to remember something to dry yourself with when you bath next time,” Erina called after him.

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The next weeks flew by, and Mica was often out trying to see the Nieders again. But for some reason he couldn’t find them anywhere. His father reassured him that they probably just had gone hunting in new places – seeing that the winter soon was upon them – and would be back when the spring came. Mica liked the winter, when everything was covered in a thick, white carpet of snow. Though still; the late spring and summer were the only time when it was warm enough to bath in the river. But for now, anyway, the days were still warmed by the late summer sun.

Mica turned when he heard his father come out of the forest behind him. He smiled down at Mica, bending down and taking a closer look at the stones in his son’s outstretched hand.

“You like them, father?” Mica asked, a joyful smile on his face. Astar touched the small, colourful stones.

“They’re really nice,” he said. Mica beamed with pride.

“They’re special,” he told his father, picking out one of the stones from his hand, “especially this one.” He laid the little stone in his father’s palm. Astar picked it up with his other hand, holding it closer to his face to see better. The stone had a clear, shining light red colour, with white lines carefully drawn by nature around the edges on one side. The lines seemed to make a symbol of some sort in the middle, while on the other side, the lines were almost invisible, running just on the edge; almost as if they were avoiding the flat midpoint of the stone. The stone wasn’t much bigger than his thumbnail, but was still very beautiful.

Astar gave the stone back to his son, pulling his hand through the boy’s hair.

“Come on, kid,” he said, standing up. “We better head home to mum and get some lunch, right?” Mica nodded eagerly, getting to his feet too before rushing after his father.

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Erina had to support herself to the table to keep from falling while the world swam before her eyes. She wanted to close her eyes, but knew it would only make things worse. After a few minutes, the world came to a stop. Erina let out a breath of relief, and started to walk to the fireplace to take out the boiling pot with tea water in it. She had taken only two steps before everything around her began to swirl again, and with nothing to support her, she fell to her knees. She tried to sit up, but had to close her eyes to not throw up. When she opened them again, she was laying flat on the floor. At first she was confused about how she had gotten there, but was relived that the dizziness had gone. Before she had time to think of why she suddenly was on the floor, she heard Astar and Mica outside, about to come in. She quickly got to her feet and over to the fireplace; taking the pot out of the fire and placing it on the table, smiling to Astar and Mica as they came into the room. She didn’t tell Astar about what had just happened, she didn’t need him worry about her any more than he already did.

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Mica woke up earlier than he used to, and was up before dawn. His parents were still fast asleep, so Mica slipped into his clothes and silently opened the door to his bedroom. His stomach growled with hunger as he went to the cabin in the corner of the room to get some food. He had to stand on a chair to reach the shelf with the bread and butter, but managed to get down two slices of bread and the buttercup. He quickly ate the two slices of bread, then rushed out of the front door. Dawn was near, and he wanted to see the clear sunrise - seeing that it was the first day of winter, and then the sunrise always had a special glow in it. He had learned this from his father, who had as long as he could remember taken him to see the first winter day sunrise. Today, however, Mica went alone. For once, he wanted to have this moment all by himself. Besides, he doubted his father even remembered that this was the first winter day. He had seemed so worried lately, and Mica didn’t want to bother him now.

The world outside the house was beginning to lighten, and Mica ran through the forest to get to the higher point up the hill; his favourite place. He had to run for quite a while before the forest came to an end, and he found himself on the top of the hill. He settled himself down on the edge, looking down to the ground far below. The first rays of sun were coming over the mountains now, and a silver glow of winter could be seen in the horizon. Mica watched as the sun slowly crept over the mountains, its golden and silver tears falling upon the land beneath. It was a beautiful sight, with rare colours only seen on a day like this. Mica was, as always, stunned by the sight. Inspired by what he saw, he started to hum a tune that came into his mind, the words flowing forth as he remembered the song.

“The horizon is painted in a gold and silver light, the sun is rising, the night is over. The tears of silver are caressing my skin, waking me up from my dream. A new day has come, listen all living, listen to my song. Wake up to the new silver morning; the stars are gone, don’t sleep the day away. The light of heart is in you now, wake up and open your eyes; the new day has arrived.” The song was one his mother had used to sing to him every morning while she made breakfast to him. Mica continued to sing the song, remembering more and more of the lyrics. He stayed where he was until the sun had returned to its usual warm golden colour, then rose and started on the way home.

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Astar rushed to her aid as Erina fell to the floor. She sat up with Astar’s hand on her back as support, holding her head in her hands.

“Erina, are you alright?” Astar asked, fear in his voice. Erina nodded, her body shaking slightly.

“Just a bit dizzy, that’s all.” She swallowed, trying to get up, but Astar held her back down; insisting for her to wait until her body had stopped shaking. He put a hand to her forehead, but quickly withdrew it lest he burn himself.

“Erina, you shouldn’t be working now,” he said, slowly helping her to her feet.

“Dear spirits, you shouldn’t even be up.” Erina shook her head, swaying a bit on her feet.

“I’m fine, Astar,” she said, but had to grip his shoulder for support to not fall again. Astar gently led her into the bedroom, making her sit on the bed.

“Erina,” he whispered, bending down before her. “This is the third time this month you have fallen ill.” Erina waved her hand, trying to dismiss his concern, but Astar continued. “It’s getting worse too. Love,” he lifter her chin so that she looked into his eyes.

“You didn’t only loose your balance now as you want me to believe. You lost consciousness.” Erina huffed and tried to dismiss the matter with a wave again, but Astar caught her hand.

“As you have done so many times before now,” he finished. Erina turned her head towards him again, looking into his deep blue eyes.

“I have seen you,” Astar whispered, “I have seen the look in your eyes, seen you confused about what happened when you were gone just a second, seen how you often need to support yourself to something lest you fall, seen the distance in your eyes when you are dizzy or just can’t think clearly.” He took both her hands in his, stroking away some hair covering her face, holding her chin in his warm hand.

“You can’t go on like this,” he said in a soft, warm voice full of concern.

“You can’t go on pretending that nothing is wrong, that all will be fine the next day, ‘cause it won’t. It’s nothing that will just disappear over the night.” Erina closed her eyes against his warm touch, soft tears beginning to pour down her chin.

“I know,” she whispered. “I guess… I thought that if I only got enough sleep, it would go away; one way or another.” She opened her eyes, giving a weak smile through the tears.

“You know me, Astar. I’m not the kind who can stay still for a long time. I’m not the kind that can just lie still in bed, waiting for something to happen.”

Astar knew the truth in that. Even when she had had a terrible cold which would have knocked anyone else from their feet, Erina had been rushing around the house, fixing and cleaning, though Astar had at least kept her from going outside the house. But this time it was worse, Astar knew it and he didn’t doubt that Erina did too.

Erina sighed a little, the tears slowly coming to an end. Astar looked into her wet, clear green eyes, the eyes which his dear son Mica also had, the eyes that now held a look of pain.

“If you promise to go to bed now, and get some rest,” Astar said,” and stay there until I say otherwise,” he added, holding up a finger,” I promise to make dinner to us all.” Erina smiled, a small laugh passing her lips. Astar smiled back, gently pushing her down on the bed, kissing her brow.

“Rest now, love. I’ll make you some herb tea which will help you relax. Then I and Mica will start making dinner as soon as he gets home.” He rose from the bed and went for the door. He turned to look at his wife before opening the door, but saw that she was already fast asleep; her breath calm and even. She was in a place with silence now, and her pain had for the time being gone. Astar doubted that rest was the only thing she needed, but for now he wouldn’t ask more from her. He knew she would argue about the seriousness of her illness, and would not have him bring her a healer. But for now she had agreed to stay in bed and relax, and that was at least something. Astar whispered his good night’s wish to his love, opened the door and went outside; closing the door as quietly as he could behind him.

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Mica slowly opened the door to his mother’s bedroom, and peered inside. At first he thought she was sleeping, but then she opened her eyes and looked at him, a smile on her face.

“Mica. Please, come in.” Mica closed the door behind him and went to sit on the edge of the bed. His mother’s face was pale, and her voice weak, almost nothing but a whisper.

“How are you feeling?” Mica asked, true worry in his voice. Erina smiled.

“When I look upon your face, Mica,” she said, “I could not have felt any better.” Mica smiled, bending down to hug her.

“I saw them again, mum,” Mica said, holding his mother’s hand in his small one.

“Who did you see?” she asked.

“The Nieders, mum. They were here again, the same three me and father saw that day, remember I told you?” Erina nodded.

“They were the same three I saw that time mum, I’m sure of it! Father told me that they had gone to other hunting places when I couldn’t find them. But they’re here, I know that’s them!” Erina smiled at her son, smiled at his excitement. She pulled a hand through the little boy’s hair, then let her hand caress his chin.

“Mum?” Erina cupped the boy’s chin in her hand, looking into his green eyes; her eyes.

“What?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Will you be well soon?” Erina could feel a single tear run down her chin.

“I hope so, Mica,” she whispered, “I hope so.” The boy gave a little smile.

“I hope so too,” he said, “’cause father’s food isn’t half as good as yours.” Erina laughed, giving Mica’s hand a soft squeeze.

“Well then, I will try to get well as soon as possible, so you can get some real food.” She winked at him, giving him a smile of comfort. Mica smiled back and placed a hand over the one she held at his chin.

Erina’s eyes began dropping, and Mica let her hand fall to the bed. Erina kept smiling at him while her eyes closed.

“I think I need to rest now, Mica. You go help your father, make sure he doesn’t break or ruin anything.” Mica smiled.

“I will.” He let go of her hand and went for the door, silently leaving the room.

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The room was only lit by a single candle set on a small table beside the bed. The room wasn’t big, but the small flame still managed only to light a small part of the room. The world outside the window was dark and consumed everything in and around it.

Erina was lying in bed - her eyes half closed - as the door opened. Astar entered the room silently, closing the door behind him. Erina did not move, but he could see her chest raising with her every breath. He placed the bowl of water he had with him on the small table beside the candle. He put a cloth into the cool water, then laid it on Erina’s forehead. The beddings were all soaked with her sweat, and the worry for her burned like hot coal in Astar’s chest. Erina had been in bed for almost a week now, her fever coming and going as the days went by. Some days she had woken up feeling all clear, her fever gone and her breathing normal. But other days she had been like in a coma, her fever raging out of control. At least, when she was not awake, she was in no pain, and could breath more easily.

Erina opened her eyes as the cool cloth touched her forehead. She looked up and smiled at her husband.

“Hi there, love.” Astar did not return her smile, his face full of concern and worry. Instead he gave her shoulder a soft squeeze - a comforting touch.

“Your fever is down a bit,” he said in a low voice, feeling the warmth of her chin. Erina kept the smile on her face, but her eyes betrayed her weariness. Astar’s worry did not leave his face as he caressed his wife’s chin.

“You need a healer,” he said, looking into her eyes. Erina sighed.

“You know I don’t want any healer here now,” she said. They had discussed this before, Astar always giving in and letting Erina have her way.

“But,” he began, but Erina cut him off.

“I know you are no healer and know little about herbs, Astar, but you are all I need now. Besides, it’s a day’s travel to town, and I want you here. I need you here.” She brightened the smile she gave him.

“Do you remember when Mica was born? Remember how you were the only one here, how you helped me through his difficult birth? That was all the help I needed then.” She found his hand and held it tight in hers.

“That is all I need now.” Tears ran down Astar’s chin, but he ignored them.

“But I cannot help you with this,” he said, “I don’t know what I can do, but a healer might—“

“A healer can’t help me now,” Erina cut him off. “They could never have helped me,” she said with a softer voice, tears running freely from her eyes too. Astar kissed her hand, squeezing his eyes shut against the pain.

“You can’t leave me,” he whispered, “you can’t die. You’re too young! I’ve loved you for such a short time!” Erina gave a sad smile, blinking away some of the tears.

“Age doesn’t matter, death comes at all ages.”

“Don’t say that!” Astar cried. “It’s not true!” Astar knew he was just denying everything by saying it, but he didn’t care. He did not want to lose his love!

“Astar.” Astar opened his eyes at her low whisper. Her eyes were full of sorrow, but he could also see the pain deep inside.

“I know,” he answered to her unspoken words.

“You are all I need now,” she whispered. “Please stay with me.” Astar nodded.

“I wouldn’t leave you for anything.” Erina smiled a thankful smile that told him more than words could ever have done. In the silence they could hear the soft snoring of Mica from the room next door.

“What shall I tell Mica?” Astar asked, fearing the dead silence in the room. Erina smiled.

“Tell him I love him, and that I will always be with him.” She looked up at Astar.

“He is me, and I will continue to live, through him.”

Erina’s eyes began to drop again, her breathing slowing down.

“I’m so tired,” she whispered, closing her eyes for a bit, but then opened them again.

“I love you, Astar. I just want you to remember that.” Astar smiled through the tears still pouring down his chin.

“I will, Erina, always.” He bent down and kissed her brow.

“And I love you too, always.” Erina smiled as best she could, but she was too tired now. She slowly closed her eyes, her breathing evening out. Astar did not move from his place at the bed’s edge, holding her hand, the small flame from the candle slowly burning down.

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Erina died that night, while Astar sat holding her hand, and her son slept peacefully in the room beside. She died while she slept, and did not feel any pain as she slipped into the world of the dead. When Mica awoke, he found his father still sitting on the bed; Erina’s cold, limp hand in his.

They buried her not far from the house, and wild roses grew on her grave.

It was a couple of months later or so that Mica came to his father with a question.

“Do you think it was because of the Nieders we saw, father?” Astar looked at his son with a questioning frown.

“What do you mean?”

“Because, you said yourself it was a rare sight seeing them together. Maybe it was meant as a bad omen or something?” Astar shook his head.

“That it is a rare sight, does not mean it’s an omen, bad nor good. They’re normal birds, which just rarely are seen together. That’s all.” Mica did not argue, but the thought never left the little boy’s mind.