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)
He brought his wife to an abrupt halt. “You cannot tend to all of them today. You will exhaust yourself and be no good to anyone.”
One quick glance at the line told Shade what she needed to do. “I will treat the more immediate in need and leave the rest until tomorrow.” She stepped closer to him. “This might be the perfect time for you to talk to some of the men and see if they have any information that may help you.”
“A good thought, wife,” he said, thinking it would also let him keep watch over his wife. “One thing before you are gone from me for some time. Did Chieftain Rylan speak with you at all.”
“He didn’t wake while I was with him, though Ula assures me he does wake at times.”
“Nug hopes to speak with him when he does wake, and I would like to be there as well.”
This was the opportunity she hoped for, and she asked, “Do you know Chieftain Ryland?”
“Not well, I only exchanged a few words with him once, but I prefer firsthand knowledge of what is said instead of having the conversation repeated to me. It always loses something in the retelling.”
“You should let Nug know that you wish to be there when the chieftain wakes.”
“I will make him aware of it.”
“And I will let you know when Chieftain Ryland is able to speak with Nug,” Shade said, feeling guilty that in a way she spoke the truth while also avoiding it.
They continued to the cottage, most of those waiting in line calling out their thanks and appreciation for her help before she even tended to them.
Shade hurried to an older warrior who two men were fighting to keep on his feet. “Please sit him under that tree.” She pointed to a large oak near the cottage.
“I’ll take him,” Quint offered, seeing the two men struggle, their own wounds causing them pain. With his shoulder beneath the man’s arm and his arm around his waist he got him to the tree quickly.
Shade squatted down beside the man.
“Here is some water.”
Quint took the bucket from the older woman, her shoulders sagging from more than just its weight and her eyes held far too much exhaustion. It concerned him that if he did not look out for his wife, she would look the same soon.
“I’m Ena, the clan healer. I cannot tell you how pleased and relieved I am that you are here. We will talk after you have tended to George.”
“I look forward to it and I suggest you rest until then,” Shade said.
Ena smiled and though tired, the beauty she had once been shined through. “I would if they didn’t need me.” She glanced at the long line and hurried off.
Shade washed the blood off George’s head wound. She didn’t need to look within, though she did, to see the wound was minor and would cause him no problem. It was what else she saw that worried her.
“When was the last time you ate, George?”
“Yesterday, I think.”
“And slept?” Shade asked.
“I don’t want to sleep. I am back in the battle when I sleep.”
Shade glanced at the men waiting to see her and saw the same exhaustion on them.
“You walked home after battle,” Quint said. “You must be exhausted.”
“Lord Torrance had men waiting in the woods for us. We hadn’t recovered from the battle when we were faced with another battle. It was never-ending nearly all the way home.”
“He needs food and rest,” Quint said and nodded at the line of men. “Many of them probably do as well. I’ll find Nug and get the Great Hall set up for them to eat and rest.”
“I can take the message to Nug.”
Quint turned to see a slightly cleaner and less odorous Dru. “You’ve cleaned up some.”
“One of Chieftain Ryland’s rules for allowing me to stay here. I’ll get the message to Nug.”
“Tell him, plenty of food needs to be made ready and an area for men to rest,” Quint said.
“Aye, I’ll see it done, and return with any message he may have,” Dru said and took off.
“I am going to speak with Ena, then quickly look over the men. In the meantime, can you speak with them and determine which ones may require only food and rest?”
“Aye, I can do that,” Quint said. “And I will see that George is helped to the keep.”
Shade smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”
“Always,” Quint said.
“You are in good hands with Quint,” Shade said, resting a gentle hand on George’s shoulder before she stood.
“Bless you, mistress, bless you,” George said teary-eyed and when Shade hurried off, he looked to Quint. “You’re a blessed man to have a woman to love you so much that you can see it in her smile and in her eyes when she looks at you.”