Chapter Three #2
He handed the scabbard and sword to the lad glad to have the weight off his back. “Nothing to worry about. Nothing that won’t heal with a hearty meal and rest.”
Not looking satisfied, Tobin motioned for a stable lad to come and get his steed. Then walked alongside Hendry as he made his way to the front entrance of the keep. In silence they entered the dim interior, and Hendry waited a bit for his eyes to become accustomed before proceeding forward.
Once in the great room, he went to the table usually reserved for the warriors and lowered slowly to sit.
Tobin must have made some sort of motion, because immediately a serving lass neared and placed a tankard of ale before him.
“I will fetch ye a meal,” she whispered and hurried away.
It was but a moment later that he was joined by Liam, whose brows rose while studying him. “Ye are nae well my friend.”
Indeed it was a struggle to keep his eyes open, but he refused to go anywhere until eating.
Thankfully before Liam could say more, the serving lass returned with a bowl piled high with meat chunks and potatoes in a thick hardy broth. She placed the bowl in front of him, and a basket with rolls next to it.
Liam reached out and took the lass’s wrist. “How fare ye, Josefina?”
The lass’s eyes rounded, and she pulled her arm out of his grasp. “I am well, sir. Do ye wish to be served?”
Though not at his best, Hendry could tell something had transpired between the two.
“Eat with me,” Liam said, seeming as though he wished to speak to the pretty lass. But Josefina just glanced down and didn’t respond.
“Just ale,” he told the lass, who went to the sideboard and retrieved a tankard and pitcher. Her cheeks flushed under Liam’s scrutiny as she poured the ale. Her jaw set, she didn’t spare him a glance.
“Thank ye,” Liam told the lass, who turned and hurried away.
“Whatever ye did, I dinnae think she has forgiven ye,” Hendry said.
Liam glanced in the direction Josefina had gone and grunted. “What happened to ye?”
“I was attacked. Three men. It seems they have a practiced way of ambushing. Two come out and have a go at ye on two sides and whilst ye are distracted fending them off, a third comes from behind.”
A muscle flexed on Liam’s jawline. “It has to be the same ones that have been attacking others. Ye should nae have ridden alone.”
“I was returning from my parents’ home. Warriors dinnae require escort. We must warn everyone about this.”
His friend’s brow lowered. “Did this happen today?”
“Nae, two days ago.”
“Where have ye been?” It was Laird Alexander who asked as he neared. “Did ye recover alone in the forest?”
Hendry went on to tell them about regaining consciousness at Ailith’s cottage and how the woman had cared for him. He explained that she didn’t have much but had done her best to bandage his wound.
Alexander lowered to sit next to him. The powerful build of the warrior reminding Hendry of why he’d worked so hard to emulate the laird until gaining the same expertise and form.
Hendry ate his fill and answered questions between bites until Alexander placed a hand on his shoulder and told him, “The healer will be here shortly. Until then, go to the bathing room and wash off so that he can tend to yer wounds. Warriors will be sent in search of the thieves.”
“About Ailith…” Hendry began. “I need to send her recompense and some food. It is best if she does nae leave her cottage until it is safe.”
“Send yer squire with whatever provisions ye wish. He will be escorted.” Alexander met his gaze for a moment. “The lass may nae accept anything from us.”
“Then give her no choice,” Hendry replied.
By the time the healer was done, his wounds had been cleansed and bandages replaced.
The other injury on the back of his head had also been thoroughly washed and the healer had stitched it closed after picking out dried blood.
His head was now wrapped, the tightness of the bandage somehow relieving any discomfort.
Although Ailith had done her best, she only had so much clean bandaging. She had done what she could redressing his wounds with the freshly washed cloths to keep dirt and dried blood away from his open wounds.
“The infection is nae spread. Ye should heal shortly,” the healer informed him. “Head wounds are worrisome, but it seems ye have made it past the time to expect any lingering troubles.”
Once left alone in his bedchamber, Hendry looked up to the ceiling. He wanted to get from the bed, to take the provisions to Ailith himself. All he could manage was to inhale and exhale, his body sinking into the bedding.
After two knocks, Tomin entered carrying Hendry’s scabbard and sword. He pulled the blade and showed it to Hendry. “I have cleaned it and polished it for ye,” the lad explained.
“Ye did very well,” Hendry told him. “I have a task for ye. Ye will go to visit the widow, Ailith, and bring her the provisions I tell ye to. Ye will be provided with an escort. Dinnae go alone.”
The squire nodded, his eyes bright at the prospect of fulfilling such an important task.