Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Her wound needs stitching,” Raynor informed her.
Anya looked to Fiona. “I am talented with a needle.”
“Good, for I am not and this must be done now before she loses more blood.”
Fiona fetched her sister’s healing basket containing a cloth with her various size needles and threads and her pouches of herbs. She instructed Raynor to ask Tarr where the closest water supply was and to bring her a bucketful. Anya prepared her daughter by placing a blanket beneath her head, removing all hair away from the wound, then finally removing the blood-soaked cloth from around her head.
When all was ready, Anya kneeled over her daughter and with skillful hands and a gentle touch she began to stitch the wound.
Fiona remained beside her, dabbing at the wound between stitches as Aliss had taught her to do. Keep it clear of blood she would order Fiona when she had helped her. So with her sister’s words strong in her head, she did as she recalled.
It was over and done in a few minutes, to Fiona’s relief, and glad she was that her sister was not awake to feel the continuous prick of the needle as five stitches were made in her flesh.
The cart arrived soon after, and Tarr and Raynor saw to moving Aliss while Fiona and Anya cleaned up.
Fiona watched the men carefully, ready to bark her disapproval if they were not cautious with Aliss. She needed tender care and a watchful eye, which was why she intended to ride in the cart with her sister and—
Her thought was interrupted by a strong squeeze to her arm. Her glance drifted to her mother.
“I will ride in the cart with Aliss and watch over her.”
A tug, sharp and fast hit her heart. She took care of her sister, no other did.
“Please,” Anya pleaded softly. “Let me tend my daughter.”
Tarr walked up to stand beside Fiona. “We are ready to leave.”
“Mother will ride in the cart with Aliss,” Fiona said, the tug at her heart now a dull, persistent ache.
Anya hugged her daughter. “I will take good care of her.”
Tarr slide his hand into Fiona’s and locked his fingers around hers.
She squeezed tightly. “Things are changing.”
“For the better.”
“Then why do I feel this ache that chokes my heart?”
“It has just been you and your sister for some time and that is no more. You have a mother, a father, and a brother, and soon you will have a husband. It will no longer be just the two of you.”
His remark pitched her deep into her own thoughts, and she remained there as they journeyed to the Hellewyk keep. She rode beside the cart and watched Anya gently cradle Aliss’s head in her lap to keep it from bouncing from the ruts and bumps along the dirt road.
She had wondered over Anya’s sudden appearance. There was time for that later, when her sister was settled in bed. But then Anya would probably want to keep vigil at her daughter’s bedside.
A shout alerted everyone that they neared the keep. When they entered the village surrounding the keep, there was a rush of activity as clansmen and women rushed to offer help and to see how badly their healer was hurt.
Prayers and well wishes were offered as they carried Aliss into the keep. Anya directed Tarr and Raynor to be gentle with her daughter, then chased them from the room after they had carefully placed Aliss on the bed. Anya fussed over her daughter, ordering Fiona to take Aliss’s boots off while she heated water in the hearth.
“You will help me get your sister out of her skirt, but we will leave her blouse, the head wound must not be disturbed. Then I will bathe her as best I can and rid her of the dried blood. After you fix the brew Aliss told you of, you will then go eat and rest.”
Fiona stared at the woman. “You order much like me.”
Anya smiled. “You are my daughter.” Her smile faltered. “I love you both very much and I want what was taken from me. I want my daughters, but right now it is Aliss that matters.”
Fiona nodded and got busy doing as her mother instructed.
Chapter 29
Tarr was speaking with Raynor in his solar when Fiona entered unannounced and with barely a knock. He was expecting her, though her disheveled appearance made him realize the extent of her trauma. She had feared her twin would die and that was not acceptable to Fiona. She would give her life for her sister and that frightened him.
“Join us,” he offered, filling a goblet with wine for her.
She grasped the goblet with both hands and took a generous swallow.
“Aliss is well.” It was not a question for he knew the answer—Fiona would not be here if her sister was not resting comfortably.