by Candace Sams
Kathy chewed her lower lip while anxiously waiting for what the Sorceress would say next.
"You will be assigned the most base, vile duty I can mete out,” Shayla said. “You will, by yourself, dig and clean every septic system within the Shire and take the effluent to the treatment plant at the border of the woods. Then, you'll start over and do it again until every tank, line and drainage field is perfect. You'll test the microbe levels in the tanks and be responsible for fixing any problems. I'll assign guards to watch you, but they are forbidden to help. You won't go home until all the work is done. When you need rest and food, you'll take breaks in an assigned room at the castle."
Tearach saw flashes of red in his line of sight. He'd literally be cleaning the crap from each cottage septic system to suit the Sorceress’ demands. Her new sentence was far, far worse than the beating might have been. The last vestiges of his dignity and any prestige his position held were trampled beneath the Sorceress’ feet. Like an onion, she'd peeled away the last layer of his pride right in front of everyone.
Shayla turned to the crowds. “Any man, woman or child who's caught so much as handing him a shovel will answer to me. The Goblin Leader has chosen to make a foul excrement of his life. For having hurt those of you who begged for mercy, he'll be humbled. It's my hope that once his work is done, and done to my schedule, he'll reevaluate his attitude. If not, the beating will most certainly be forthcoming, along with confinement for thirty days and removal from the rank of leaders."
Kathy watched as Shayla regally stalked away with her minions following. She wasn't sure what to make of the new punishment assigned, but she had a notion that Shayla would have never beaten him in the first place. Still, Tearach had days of unbelievably difficult work ahead of him. It was better than seeing his blood flow because of the whip, but she didn't think he'd view it that way. He was being belittled in front of the entire Order.
Men rushed forward to untie Tearach. He was led toward the castle, and didn't even have time to speak to Cairna or Kathy. No one spoke to him, though they might have had he taken the time to even look up. His embarrassment was such that he kept his gaze lowered and walked quickly. While each household was responsible for the upkeep of their own septic system, he was now in charge of that less-than-desirable duty. Until he could complete this odious punishment, he wouldn't be the leader of the Goblins, a noble and old race of warriors and craftsmen, but Lord of Excrement. He wished, with every step he took, that the Sorceress had just gone ahead whipped the hell out of him.
* * * *
Without acknowledging another living soul, Tearach worked day and night for the next few weeks. He took very little rest. Every time he thought the entire job was finished, the Sorceress would find some minor detail he needed to inspect or another line or pipe to install. It was the filthiest job in the world made worse by an injury that wouldn't heal.
While digging one day, he scraped his left hand and arm. Working with effluent should have made him more careful, but he wanted to see the disgusting job to its end. He ignored the minor warning signs of an infection and kept laboring. He didn't think about anything but digging and cleaning. There were times when he wished he was dead, but never more so than when the once minor wound became so badly infected that a fever developed. The fever got worse, as did the wound. It throbbed and ached horrifically every time he moved. He wrapped it or wore long sleeves to conceal the injury so the Sorceress couldn't accuse him of being weak. She'd already done that by assigning his current duties and besmirching his leadership before his people. Still, he kept up his pace.
Once angry and heartily resentful over Shayla's choice of punishments, he decided to beat her at her own game and refused to complain. Neither she nor anyone else would get the satisfaction of hearing him whine about anything, including his infected wounds.
He was burying the last of the tanks he'd cleaned twice when a bout of nausea and dizziness hit him hard. If the smell of excrement hadn't been enough to sicken him, his wounds now did. He dropped his shovel and reached for a water bottle as a grayish darkness narrowed his vision. Someone shouted, but he didn't know why. He felt himself hit the ground and remembered nothing more.
Lore was the first to reach his side. “Tearach, can you hear me?” He saw the beads of sweat on his friend's face and quickly pulled Tearach's jerkin off to cool his body. When he did, he saw the length of gauze wrapped around Tearach's left arm and slowly unwound it. “Someone get Shayla,” he shouted.
When Shayla heard the summons she responded quickly. After seeing the serious extent of Tearach's wounds, she ordered him taken to his cottage immediately and sent for the physician. But Kathy was the first to meet her at the door.
Alarmed by Tearach's pallor, Kathy glared at the Sorceress. She refused to vent her anger over what had caused his illness, and decided to watch in tactful silence as he was taken upstairs to his room. There, the men undressed him and lowered him to his bed as they explained his wound. She could see Tearach was sweating profusely, and she worried over the depth of the infection. Taking a cursory glance, she grit her teeth and considered the job it would take to clean the arm. Whatever she could do for him before the doctor arrived might make the difference in his recovery. She'd sent for Cairna and hoped the girl got here in time. Tearach could very well be in septic shock. If that was the case, she didn't know if he could be dragged from unconsciousness. She had no antiseptic and didn't know the extent of the Order's pharmacy.
Someone handed her a steaming bowl of soapy water and a clean cloth. She sat these on a nearby table, ready for use, but still said nothing to the Sorceress. Finally rolling up her sleeves and gathering the courage to take a much better look, she shouldered her way through those standing around Tearach's bed, and gently took his arm in her hands.
"Thank you for bringing him home,” she graciously said to those of his friends who were still in the room. “I'll handle things from here, at least until the doctor arrives."
The men murmured their hopes for Tearach's safe recovery before leaving. Only Shayla stayed behind, just as Kathy knew she would.
"There are easier and cleaner ways to kill a man,” she said bitterly, glaring at the Sorceress.
"Leave it alone, Kathy,” Tearach weakly commanded.
She looked down as Tearach attempted to raise himself off the bed. She sat down next to him and gently forced him to lie down. “Don't move. I've got to wash the filth off you, then clean and bandage these wounds. After that, you're going to get some rest. You're not to move for the next week, if that soon."
When Tearach lapsed back into unconsciousness, Kathy assured herself he was not going into shock. Then she turned on the Sorceress. “I hope you're damned proud of yourself. You're supposed to look after your people, not kill them,” she furiously accused as Shayla stood to one side and watched. “How the hell could you send a man to do that kind of work, and not give him the proper clothing or protection to guard against infectious hazards? What were you thinking?” she boldly continued. “If he dies, it'll be on your head. He wasn't even allowed to come home, and heaven only knows when he ate last. It looks as though he's lost at least fifteen pounds."
Shayla arched one eyebrow and glared at her. “You've had your say, my girl. Now, I'll have mine. Our rules are strict, to be sure, but Tearach and all the others know why those rules have to be followed. We walk a fine line in this place. Any deviation from what's kept us safe might mean instant discovery by the outside world. Our people can't go about fighting at will and disrespecting the laws which have kept us all united. Fighting leads to more fighting, and disrespect of my position could cause anarchy. And that would most assuredly lead to our demise. Only I have the powers necessary to keep this place safe. Besides all that, if Tearach had told someone he'd been infected, I can most certainly assure you he'd have been immediately relieved of his duties and tended to."
"You're telling me you didn't know about this?” Kathy asked.
Shayla sat on
the edge of the bed and gently stroked his cheek. “I did not."
Kathy could see the anxious look on the Sorceress’ face and knew she told the truth. “I-I guess it'd be just like him not to say a word."
Shayla gazed down at Tearach and nodded. “He's so damned stubborn. I pray to the Goddess that he overcomes this illness and that his pride hasn't caused permanent physical harm. He has never known how loved he is. By all of us."
Her tenderly spoken words made Kathy remorseful. “I-I'm so sorry. I can't think what caused me to believe you'd let him suffer with an injury like this. But you must have known he'd never come to you for help.” She snorted. “He'd never come to any of us."
"That, my dear, is his entire problem. His doubt and cynicism have been his downfall for years,” Shayla softly uttered. “I was trying to force him to revaluate his attitude, but it seems he'd rather be dead. Even before seeing his child born.” She pointed outside the window. “There are hundreds out there who depend upon me. Men, women and children. There are creatures that would perish from the world without my protection. Your people aren't yet ready to offer it, so I must. And I will do whatever is necessary to that end. I will have order, and I will punish defiance or rebellious behavior. But I'm not the shrew you'd paint me. And I'm not Tearach's enemy though he'd make it seem so. Do you understand?"
Kathy took a deep breath before responding. “It's a sad state of affairs that you have to hide to survive, and that there truly are people in my world who'd destroy you. But I can't stand by and watch someone take abusive treatment of any kind and like it. No matter what the reason. Do you understand?"
"No one liked it, Kathleen. But no one is likely to behave in such a way as to deserve this kind of punishment, especially when they know I will order it."
"So you just made an example of him?"
"That wouldn't have been possible if he'd acted like the leader I know him to be."
The two women stared at each other. Kathy saw great strength of purpose in the older woman's gaze. And something else. Pain. There was no evil in Shayla's silver-gray eyes, only sadness, especially when she gazed down at Tearach's still form.
"Take care of him well. I know you have the skills to do so, but I'll have Owen stay tonight instead of going back to London."
Kathy nodded. “He'll be needed."
Shayla squeezed Tearach's hand before she quickly left to find the doctor.
Kathy carefully pulled Tearach's long hair back so she could continue to clean his wounds and his body. The scratches weren't horribly deep, but the infection had to have caused him excruciating pain. Enduring it so silently was a feat of pure will. She both admired and respected such an ability, even if it had been stupid and dangerous.
Tearach had heard bits and pieces of the conversation, though he was sure the two women had thought him out of it. “You shouldn't speak to Shayla so bluntly,” he croaked.
"You heard?” Kathy asked in amazement.
"Some of your conversation,” he responded. “You need to check your attitude with her."
"Look who's talking,” Kathy softly responded. “You have no problem telling her where to get off and never have."
"And look where my mouth has landed me."
She said nothing and carefully tended his wounds while he rested. His expression was so shuttered; she couldn't guess what he was thinking.
Kathy's touch was infinitely tender. Fingers touched Tearach's flesh like dragonfly wings skimming the surface of a pond—graceful and sure. He closed his eyes and again recalled what he could of Kathy's conversation with Shayla. No one had ever defended him so bravely, and certainly not against the Sorceress of the Ancients. If Kathy only knew the consequences for speaking so boldly could equal his own punishment, perhaps she wouldn't have come to his defense. It puzzled him why she'd do so at all. And he was beginning to see definite chinks in her wonderful control. It made her seem more approachable. At one time, he would have relished the thought. Now, it didn't make any difference. He stretched out and concentrated on the movement of her hands. The pain diminished a bit and soon he drifted into darkness.
* * * *
When a frantic Cairna arrived, Kathy took time to calm the girl down and gave her busy chores to do so she wouldn't fret. The doctor arrived a few minutes later. He complimented Kathy on her treatment of Tearach's wound and gave her medication to give to Tearach. Some time later, she began to see some improvement in Tearach's condition. As the hours went by and the antibiotics were administered, Kathy noted how his body's immune system seemed to do most of the work. The doctor left later that night with an assurance that Tearach would recover though he might not have had he waited a few more days. Kathy had seen firsthand how septic shock could take a life. That kind of demise wasn't for Tearach. And she was more determined than ever that he was going to survive and hold his healthy baby moments after it was born. Cairna and she took turns watching him through the night and into the next day. Then, another three days passed. They took turns caring for him when he awakened, and Kathy hoped that since Tearach was now bedridden, he'd listen to some common sense concerning his anger and erupting temper.
It was almost a full week later when Tearach became much more aware of his surroundings, though he was currently sleeping. Kathy gently brushed his hair and then got up to open the large picture windows. The midmorning sun was warm and shimmered on the garden. But the scene lost its beauty in light of what had happened in her life. She looked back at the tall, green figure on the bed and regretted having gone jogging one morning. It would have been easier to have never known about this place, these people and this man. The negative emotions they caused were too painful.
And now she had a baby to think about. She wanted to know more about the race whose blood her baby would share. She had a thousand questions and knew Tearach wouldn't answer any of them.
She sat on the bed beside him and checked his pulse, which was strong, steady and normal. At least, it was normal by human standards. She studied his body and the half of his face she could clearly see. He was handsome as sin and about as deadly, but she wondered if he'd ever smile.
There was a soft knock, and Cairna stuck her head inside the room. “Need some company?” she whispered.
Kathy nodded and walked to a large window seat. She patted the cushion as an invitation for Cairna to join her. “He's still asleep. I think the pain drained him badly as well as the antibiotics the doctor prescribed."
Cairna nodded in agreement, glanced at the bed and then joined Kathy. “I was afraid for him. Uncle Tearach has never been ill a day in his life. I don't know why he didn't just go to the infirmary."
"Does this kind of thing go on with any degree of regularity?” Kathy asked, a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
"If you're asking about his stubborn behavior, it happens more than I should admit.” Cairna shrugged. “But even Rome has been punished. In fact, when I think of it, most of the men who show any gumption have been punished at one time or another. It isn't that they want to be insubordinate to the Sorceress. It's just that anyone with the characteristics necessary to lead or to be good defenders seems to get into trouble more often than not."
"Rome. Forgive me for prying, but it seems you two are together a lot. Doesn't he live in the forest? Is that why he was in Salisbury?
"We're in love,” Cairna admitted, “and Rome asks the Sorceress to let him perform chores conducted away from the forest. You see, we want to handfast during one of the lunar celebrations. It's how we get married,” she explained. “But Rome didn't want Uncle Tearach knowing how close we were. He was afraid he'd be banned from seeing me. I would have told you sooner, but I really thought it was appropriate that my uncle should be told first.” She nodded toward Tearach. “I hope you don't mind."
She shook her head and smiled. “So, Tearach doesn't know anything about you and Rome?"
Cairna coyly ducked her head. “No, and you can't imagine how difficult it was to hide our relationship. Rom
e hated doing it, but we couldn't tell Uncle Tearach. You see, too many Goblin women have died trying to give birth, and my uncle knows I want to have a family.” She paused and smiled brilliantly. “But our fears are over now. Your baby will be all right. When I decide to have one, mine will be, too. Rome and I don't have to hide our relationship any longer."
"Cairna ... um ... that might not be a good idea right now."
"Why? Everything will be all right. Uncle Tearach can't have any objections now."
Cairna was eighteen, Kathy reminded herself. Girls her age married all the time, but she didn't realize Tearach would never share her sunny outlook on the future, no matter how she connived, coerced or begged. “Well, when is this next lunar celebration?"
"The next Goblin ceremony will fall on Samhain or All-Hallows Eve. But Rome and I will wait to be handfasted in the early spring, especially since Samhain is when your baby will be due. I'll need to be with you to help with the little one. It's a very sacred time for the entire Order, and we'll all be celebrating together.
"Won't it be exciting, Kathy?” Cairna grabbed Kathy's hands and smiled again. “Your baby will come on one of our most important celebrations. The curse on our people will be over, and Rome and I can plan our family. I can't wait, can you?"
Kathy forced a smile in return. She did want her baby, but Tearach wouldn't see things the same way. “No, I can't wait. But how can you be so sure about the baby's date of birth?"
"The Sorceress has predicted it."
The Sorceress again. Everything in this place came back to her. Kathy shook off the feeling of frustration and said, “I have a lot of questions. There are so many traditions I don't know about, and I'll need to be more educated about Goblins and the Order as well. Although I've picked your brain endlessly as it is, I need more facts. Will you help me?"
Cairna hugged her and laughed out loud. “Of course I will. What do you want to know?"
