Twin Lights

Every summer at the there was a day longer than any other of the year. The Summer's Kiss. On this day, every child in the village who had turned eight since last year's celebration, was excited and wearing the golden linens of the sun. They were about to see if and witch magic they had.
The Sun Kissed celebration was a long-standing tradition. The world had long forgotten the kingdoms of our ancestors, but we haven't forgotten that are ancestors were the chosen witches to lead the Kings and Queens to greatness. Nothing was greater than being blessed by the sun.
Our village was far from any other, deep in the woods along the river. We covered both sides of the river, clearing out a perfect circle to allow the sun to shine on us all.
It was two days before the Summer's Kiss. Everyone was preparing for the festivities. Sunflowers were everywhere and every house had a table or two out front with food and drink to share on the day of celebration. The McCall's had their honey breads and dried meats. The Cereal's had pastries filled with all the summer's bounty. Above each was an arch of vines with glass spheres. During the day the spheres cast rainbows on the Earth, but in the evening, they lit up with the sunlight they gathered through the day.
"Move your ciders over. I need more room for my honey cakes," Solana demanded.
Solana's caramel hand flicked, and a vine shoved my jars down to the end of the table. I caught the one at the end just before it fell off and possibly destroying months of work. Pushing it back into place I sighed and rolled my eyes, an act that wasn't missed by my sister.
"Dad! Ayala is taking all the room on our tables with those stupid drinks." Her voice whined though she smirked at me.
Father came out of the house and looked at the tables, the wrinkles in his face deepened as he glared at me. "Take those damn things off the table! You know your worthless drinks do not deserve to be there. No one wants them!"
Taking a deep breath, I nodded, "Yes father."
I started picking up the jugs and placing them on the ground, neatly stacked and organized by the different flavors. Blue for the blue berries, red for the strawberries, pink for the peach, and gold for the honey. It took me all year to store away enough ingredients to make so much. Preservation spells are a life saver when it comes to keeping food fresh.
Solana smirked at me and went back inside to get more of her cakes.
Everyone has been watering all the plants in the village. No one would think twice of a little puddle, perfectly placed in Solana's path.
I could feel the magic tingle in my fingers. I dug them into the ground a bit. Just a little. No one will notice.
I felt the weight of a blanket on my shoulders. My magic stopped at my fingers and I turned to look up. Mother was smiling down at me.
"Why are you out of bed?" my voice was soft as I stood and wiped my fingers off.
"I finished my banner. I was hoping you would hang it up and I could see it." She had a knowing smile as she pulled me into a hug.
I smiled and hugged her as tight as I dared without harming her. She kissed my head and pulled the banner off my shoulders.
"What do you think?" She held it up.
The top section of the banner had a huge sunflower in the middle made of reds and golds as if it was the sun. Then upside down on the bottom was a large moon flower made with whites and slivers. It was beautiful.
"The sun and the moon, mom?" I looked at her oddly but smiled.
"Yes. I don't know if I'll have time to make another. So, I figured I'd make this one extra-long. So, when you hang it up you can fold it so only the Sunflower is showing for the festival. And on the long winter's night, you can fold it the other way." She was proud of her design.
"I love it. I think it's great. I'll get some string and hang it here from the tree's branch."
Mother nodded and sat down on the bench next to the house. Her copper skin had lost a lot of its shine over the last few months. It was starting to turn ashen. Her thick black hair had thinned and was starting to break easily.
I ran inside to my room. I passed Solana's bed, covered in beautiful gold linens and furs. She had different gold tops laid out on her bed with different glass beaded necklaces. My bed had old grey linens and scrap furs. Underneath I had boxes with all my things. One for the few spare clothes I have, another for my supplies for making ciders and mead, and the last with all the supplies for my healing. Ignoring my father and sister's words, I am one of the best healers in the village. I've spent the last eight years learning everything about the art, because I know one day I won't be allowed to stay at home anymore.
I pulled out some string and set it on the bed. Before replacing the healing box back in its place, I looked up to make sure no one was around. Certain I wouldn't be caught I opened a hidden door in the floor with a touch of magic. Inside was a large box that held all the potions for Mother.
I have tried every potion I can think of. I have tried every herb, every spell. Nothing would heal her. The old healers call it the Slow Death. No one knows of a cure. Not even magic can get rid of it. Slowly over time the person starts to look more like a corps. They are in pain and don't usually move from their beds. They have little interest in food. And once they start coughing up blood, there's only days left.
I pulled out a potion. These were all premixed for her. I can't heal her, but I have found a way to make her more comfortable and give her the energy to move a bit more. Mother isn't at the end yet, but I know it can't be far off.
Closing the box and the door I resealed it with a touch of magic, an illusion to keep anyone from finding it. I had a few other personal items in there that I refuse to share with my sister. I replaced the box over top of it and stood.
"Please keep her safe." I whispered the prayer as I held the vial to my heart.