Chapter Twenty-Two
Brynja
Brynja burst through the door into the healing chamber. “Hildi?”
Brenna made a motion with her hand to lower her voice or slow down or something. Was she not awake? What did that mean?
Hagen entered behind her, his hand at the small curve in her back, something that encouraged her to move forward. “Is she awake?” she whispered.
“Brynja?” a scratchy voice called out to her.
Brenna nodded and pointed to a stool for her, so she sat down, reaching for Hildi’s hand. “Hildi, how do you feel?”
“Where are we, Brynja? And who is this nice lady?”
“She’s a healer. We’re at Duart Castle. Simone thought you should come to see Brenna because she’s one of the best healers, and I was so afraid you’d never awaken. You are well?”
Hildi moaned and closed her eyes. “My head.” Her hand reached up to cradle the side of her face. “It hurts.”
Brenna said, “You took a terrible blow to your head, Hildi. It will hurt for a while, but it will go away. I can give you something to help ease the pain.”
Brynja asked, “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”
“Just something to drink. My throat is too sore to eat.”
“I have some warm broth for her. It will help her throat. See if you can get her to drink it, Brynja.”
“I can’t lift my head,” she said.
“Here, I’ll help you.” Brynja set her hand behind her neck and helped her lift her head, then set the cup to her lips. Hildi took two sips before her head fell back.
“Please, will you stop this aching in my head?”
Brenna said, “I’ll give you the potion, but it will make you verra sleepy.”
“Good, because I’m tired.”
Brenna left and Hildi whispered to her friend, “Where are we? And who is she?”
“I told you…” Hagen’s hand settled on her shoulder, telling her not to correct her. She glanced up at him and he shook his head.
Brenna returned and said, “I’ll give her the potion.” She gave Hildi the concoction she’d made. “This should ease the pain in your head. Do you hurt anywhere else?”
Hildi swallowed and said, “Nay, just my head. It’s terrible.” Then her friend rolled over on her side and closed her eyes.
Brynja couldn’t believe that her friend had turned away from her.
She looked to Brenna for help, but the healer waved her over to the door, Hagen following.
She set her arm around Brynja’s shoulders.
“Do not be concerned by anything she did. She’s been asleep for several days now.
She has to catch up with everything, and her body is still healing.
The best signs I’d hoped for were for her to wake up, recognize you, and ask for something to drink, and she did all three.
She’ll be fine, Brynja. You just have to give her time.
It’s going to take her a while to heal.”
“My thanks to you, Lady Brenna. I think I’ll go to bed.” Brenna nodded to Hagen, who ushered her out the door.
Once they were alone in the hall, Brynja looked at Hagen and said, “I forgot, but I heard those men talking about Grant men. I should probably tell Connor, shouldn’t I?”
“Aye, we’ll tell him first thing in the morn.”
“I’ll have to push myself to recall their words. I was so worried about Hildi that it completely left my mind.”
“Just focus on getting some sleep. You’ll remember on the morrow, and we’ll speak with my da.”
She nodded, giving Hagen a small smile. “There’s only one thing I wish to do now.”
“Say the word and I’ll help you, lass.”
“I want to kill the bastard who did that to Hildi. I want vengeance against him and against the men who killed our mothers. Will you help me?”
“I will, but you have to promise me you’ll not go alone.”
She wasn’t sure she could promise that, but she nodded her agreement.
One way or the other, those men were dead men.
And she’d be wearing her mother’s armor.