Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“When did he last wake?” Shade asked.
“A day or so ago but only briefly. Is that a bad sign?”
“It is better he wakes if only for a while than not at all. Now we need to get him washed and clean bedding put on the bed before I can treat his wounds.”
Ula got busy stripping the Caleb of what little he wore while Shade set a cauldron of water to boil in the hearth and added a mixture of herbs. Clean blankets and sheets were requested and left outside the door. Shade helped Ula wash the Caleb, ridding him of the dirt and blood sustained in battle.
Once that was done and Caleb rested comfortably on clean bedding, Shade got busy seeing to each of his wounds, cleaning some, which got a moan from him, though didn’t wake him.
“Are you using yarrow salve on his wounds?” Ula asked, curious at seeing three small crocks of salve Shade had sat on the chest beside the bed. “Ena, our healer, put yarrow on the wounds right away.”
“On some, but I have been finding more success with Lady Mantle and golden rod when mixed with equal parts of St. John’s wort and betony, which hopefully will also help with his lingering fever. I am also preparing a brew of ragwort root for any wounds he may have sustained that we cannot see.”
“He has wounds inside him?” Ula asked, clearly upset at Shade’s remark.
“Some of his wounds go deep and there is no telling what damage they have done inside him,” Shade explained. “It is a precaution to stop anything that may have already started.”
She didn’t tell her that she saw the damage that was done inside him and was hoping this would prevent any further damage and help to heal what he had already suffered.
“Ena never thought of that,” Ula said, as if she herself should have.
“There was a lot for Ena to tend to and you are not familiar with possible wounds within. You and Ena did an excellent job in tending the wounds you could see.”
“But you look beyond, something other healers do not do. That is why I sent for you. I knew if anyone could save him, you could,” Ula said, filled with hope.
“I will do my very best,” Shade continued to assure her, knowing time would tell if Caleb would survive. “Bathe his head with the wet cloth and his neck as well while I see to preparing two decoctions.”
Shade stretched her shoulders back as she worked to try to ease the ache out of them and wondered what her husband was doing. No doubt he was questioning Nug to see if he could learn anything about the mercenaries who fought for Lord Torrance. She was eager to hear what he may have learned, but she was also eager to help those in need in the village.
Once done, Shade turned to go to Ula and stopped, seeing her sitting on the bench beside the bed holding her husband’s hand and whispering to him. Her heart ached for her, knowing how she would feel if it was Quint lying in the bed. She would work tirelessly to save him and that was what she intended to do for Caleb.
Shade walked over to the bed. “I am going to instruct you, Ula, on how often to give Caleb the two decoctions I have brewed. One is for possible inner wounds as I told you and the other is to keep his fever down and eventually chase it away.”
“I will do exactly as you say,” Ula said, stepping forward anxiously.
Hearing the door opening, Shade and Ula hurried to block anyone from seeing who was in the bed. It made Shade wonder if Quint had ever met Chieftain Ryland and hoped he hadn’t since she knew if she kept him from entering the bedchamber he would grow suspicious.
“You managed to chase away the foul odor of lingering death,” Quint said, surveying the room.
The room was clean, a healthy fire burned in the hearth, and from what he could see of the bed, the chieftain rested comfortably upon clean sheets with a blanket covering him. No doubt his wife had cleansed the wounds and applied clean bandages. The freshly cut, small pine branches placed around the room had done a good job of repelling what was left of the foul odor.
Quint was impressed though not surprised by all his wife had accomplished and thought there might be hope for the chieftain after all.
“How is Chieftain Ryland doing?” Quint asked.
“He has not escaped death yet, the next week or so will tell us more,” Shade said, not moving away from the bed.
“I will be in the Great Hall with Nug when you are finished. Come and have some food and drink before you rush off to help others,” Quint said and turned to leave then stopped. “Dru is here.”