by HC MacDonald
“It will be fine, just needed to let the blood pooling under my skin out. I feel better now.”
Blood pooling? I have had some internal injuries before, and they always hurt more than if I had just broken or sprained my limbs instead. I reached for her leg and she pulled back.
Not what I was going for. I was working on getting her trust. This action did not show trust. “I only want to help” I said. “There is a creek not far from here. I noticed some herbs that could help the healing process.”
At my explanation, she move her leg toward me, and I snatched up her ankle before she could change her mind.
I unwrapped the leaves slowly, as I did, three pairs of eyes were peering over my shoulders.
“You okay Raina?”
“Owwey!”
“Oh my!”
Slipped into my ears from my three little guests. Before I could tell them to get, Raina asked them all for a hug and announced dinner was ready.
Three stomping feet ran around the camp then eventually to her. She was tackled with hugs, kisses and laughter. She then began dishing up the food while I inspected her wound.
The bone wasn’t broken, but the muscles were bruised deeply, causing the bleeding and swelling. She was smart to slit her skin and let the blood release. Not something most people would do to themselves. The fact she was still walking and carrying the kids on it, worried me. Ideally she needed to stay off it for a week or so, let it heal. That, unfortunately, was not an option. Until they were at my home, they were still in danger. I set her foot down more gently then I had originally picked it up. She wrapped new leaves on it and tucked it under her skirt so the kids couldn’t see it. I ate the small meal quickly. Maybe to quick, cause she gave me that look and half laugh again. My stomach was still aching with hunger. I just needed to remember we are only a day or so from my home and a large banquet of food would await me there.
I asked to look at her arm then. She put her leaf of food down and pushed up her dirty blood stained sleeve. The cut was deeper then I thought. Near her elbow it went all the way to the bone. She was going to need medicine if she didn’t want to get an infection. I think she new that.
I thought it best to excuse myself and head to the creek, grab more water for us all, and check the herbs I saw earlier to see if they would in deed be of any help to her arm and ankle. The sooner we got her medicine and help, the better chance of her not getting an infection or fever. Those kids needed her. I didn’t want to admit it, but I liked her around to.
Chapter 6
Woods
Raina
Thank goodness he was gone. My skin prickled at his touch. I couldn’t feel the pain of my leg or arm. My leg had gone numb hours ago, and I didn’t pay my arm any attention. Once when I was running from a raider who spotted me in the fortress, I had to squeeze through a small broken iron opening in one of the cells. It speared me as I went through leaving a cut on my thigh the length of my arm and two knuckles deep. I was lucky it hadn’t nicked anything important and that I didn’t bleed to death then. I was able to sew my leg shut and using herbs and a potion my mother and the kids put together, stayed the infection. For days I was unable to do much. Keiko had to help take care of me and keep watch over the younger ones.
My mom was so worried. I didn’t come to see her for a few weeks. We had never been apart that long, and she aged in her worry for me and the kids. Normally, I could work through the pain and healing process, but this one got the better of me. That’s when I started teaching Keiko, Juji, and Wyatt how to care for themselves.
My thoughts were interrupted by Juji, “Sing” and we began singing. It was an old lullaby my mom had sung to me. It was also the only song we knew. I wasn’t very good, but they never minded the tone deaf singing.
Soon all three were sleeping. With the sun down, food in their bellies and the warmth of the fire it was good for them to sleep.
Leon hadn’t returned yet. I slipped my sock on and laced up my leather boot gently around my damaged ankle. I stood and looked about. I wanted to check out the area around the outer part of our camp.
There was some elm trees and dogbane behind a bank of pine trees. I knew I could make some cordage with these raw materials. If I had rope, then I could weave a bag for berries and maybe make a small sled so the kids could sit or lay and be dragged to our destination. That should eliminate some pressure off my leg from carrying them. I would collect that on my way back I reminded myself.
I continued further from camp, always keeping the light of the fire within view. No other tracks besides ours. No scat or proof that any animals or people had been by here. My mind was at ease. I cleaned my tracks as I headed back toward the camp grabbing elm bark and dogbane along the way.
I must have fallen asleep mid wrap, because there was a hand on my shoulder nudging me softly awake. My eyes opened and I could see Leon holding the leaf full of water. He offered me a drink. I sat all the way up and drank. It tasted so refreshing. Setting it down, I saw the mashed pulp of herbs ready for application to my skin.
He picked up my leg that was stretched out by the fire and began to unlace my boot. He was halfway down my calf when we heard a low long howl from a wolf some distance away.
Slowly I reached for my daggers. Leon was on his feet and moving out of the camp in the direction of the howl. The low howl echoed again. This time closer. I could hear Leon run deeper into the woods. I then heard a low pitched whistle come from his direction. After that, there was one short howl as if in reply and silence entered the camp.
A few minutes went by before I heard footsteps. With daggers ready, I waited. Leon entered back into our campsite and reset the branches, creating our little protection bubble. I just looked at him, daggers still in hand and a questionable look on my face.
“Just a wolf, and too far away to bother us.” Was all he said.
Interesting. My mind trying to connect the dots. Slowly I put my daggers away, but I knew I would sleep with one eye open tonight.
He sat back in front of me reaching for my leg, but I pulled it back and began unlacing my boot the rest of the way. He handed me the paste and I applied it to my leg. Then wrapped it with fresh leaves returned my dirty sock and gingerly re-laced my boot. Then I pushed my sleeves up and began the same process on my arm. I got the paste on all right, but the leaves were giving me trouble. He stopped me then and took over.
He was so close, holding my arm. Face only inches away. It felt safe to be in his hands. He was quick with his work and gentle to my wounds. I was memorized just watching him. He reached up to pull my sleeve back down when our eyes locked. Before I could think, he was kissing me. It was a soft sweet kiss at first. Then the heat swelled up inside me and the kiss deepened. I didn’t want it to end. He was first to pull away. I swayed a moment. His movement to pull my sleeve down steadied me. My cheeks burned with heat. My heart raced. I could only look down at the ground.
I decided it best to occupy my mind with something else. So, I looked at the cord I had started earlier. I had about six feet. I figure another two and we should be good to go in the morning. I waited patiently for him to move, and when he did the cold chill that took his place was depressing and disappointing at best. He shifted his position to sit across from me, picked up the rope and started helping me in silence.
The silence was exasperating. I thought I would get us talking again.
“You never said what you do.”
“I help protect and guard my village.” Was all he said.
“Would they welcome us passing through?”
“No, I will have to seek permission for you to enter passage through our village from our Council.”
“Did you know that wolf that howled?”
If I wasn’t paying attention I would have missed the surprise that ran across his face. He composed himself quickly and looked at me thoughtfully, as if he was determining what the best answer would be.
Finally he replied, “Yes.”
“Will he or others
like him hurt the children and me?”
“No,” he said shaking his head. Realizing he needed to explain now that the wolf was out of the bag.
“He was out searching for me. I have been gone a while, due to the Koboldrone. He has gone back to tell the others I am alive and headed back.”
“Does he know we are with you?”
“No, I will ask the Council myself when it is time. We are still a day and a half away from my village. What are we making?” Suddenly interested in the rope. Eyes fixed on what my hands were doing. I decided to give him a break from my questions. Tomorrow was a new day.
“I am making cord. I want to tie sticks together and make a cart to pull the kids tomorrow.”
“I can help with that.” Was his reply.
I picked out some strips of bark and showed him from across the fire how to twist them together to make stronger cord. I didn’t think my nerves could handle touching his hands, or sitting so close to him. For the next hour or so we worked in silence till all the supplies I had gathered were gone.
I was tired. I set the rope to the side, curled up next to Juji at the edge of the lean to and laid down. My bad arm wrapping around the kids, my good one under my head. It didn’t take long for sleep to come. It was a light sleep. I could hear Leon stoke the fire. He was moving around. Probably couldn’t sleep. He began to move further and further away from the camp. When he was some distance away I heard a low long whistle. It was similar to the one earlier in the evening. A soft howl replied back. The dots were connecting then. Leon had called back the wolf. Some time later I heard men talking. I was drifting in and out of sleep, my mind playing tricks. The rumble of their voices encouraging me to sleep. Soon, I heard no more.
Chapter 7
Chief
Leon
I couldn’t sleep last night. The softness of her skin still resinated on my fingers. The feel of her lips still resting on mine. Her aroma intoxicating at such close quarters. I don’t know why I kissed her. When I looked into her eyes, my instincts took over. I have never experienced an urge so powerful before. I must still have some Koboldrone curse enhancing my emotions and urges. The only other explanation to enter my mind was she could be my true mate. The Koboldrone was a more logical explanation. I could tell she was not of our kind. So my urges for her could not be the mating call.
I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I tried laying down but ended up tossing and turning for a while. I decided to scout out ahead on the trail. First I stoked the fire, the smoke masking the groups scent. Then I pushed in the branches to hide the light of the flame. I took off in the direction we would travel come morning.
I was far enough away from camp that her scent was gone. I needed to talk with my people. I gave a low long whistle. Waited. Then whistled again. Not much later a howl echoed my call. I ran in the direction of the sound. There I met up with the wolf. It was my brother in law Ethan. He was older then me by a few years. Hair black as night, eyes silver as the moon. We were about the same height and stature. He was good for my sister. To me, like a brother. At seeing one another we embraced.
“Where have you been? Man you smell! It’s been over a week since you went chasing that Asbjorn, not to mention making the Elders Council nervous with your absence and then there’s Sanna. She has been hounding me daily to find you. We’ve got territory disputes happening to the South, rogue wolf packs to the North, not to mention the upcoming nuptials you are supposed to be hosting. Everyone has been asking.” Ethan sounded very upset that I had been gone but eyed me with a mischievous grin. “Is that a hint of a women I smell on you?”
I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. When I finally did, I blurted out my answer a little to hastily.
“Long story, got caught by the Koboldrone.”
His brows peaked. Lips pressed to a frown. Before he could say anything more I made my wishes known. I didn’t want to spend time answering questions.
“Brother, don’t ask about the Koboldrone, I will tell you later. I will be a day and a half behind you. I need a Council with the Elders please arrange this upon my arrival. If I need additional help, I will reach out to you. In the meantime, I have some duties to attend to and wish no company.”
As chieftain of my village I was afforded certain privileges. Of which included giving orders and not being questioned. Tonight, I took advantage of that privilege. With that I gave one last embrace and sent him on his way. He gave me a mischievous smile then took off toward the village. I headed back to the hidden camp. Then headed east scouting for any signs of being followed and started covering up the trail we had made the day before. When I was satisfied that we were safe, I headed to the river to collect more herbs. Dawn was starting to break over the horizon. We would be traveling soon.
Chapter 8
Morning
Raina
Morning came quickly. The sun’s warmth hitting my cheek and piercing my eyes when it broke the horizon. It was a matter of time before the little ones would wake. Carefully I slipped out of Juji’s grip and sat up.
Thinking back on the night, I remembered hearing him walk into camp, the sound of the fire being put out. The soft sound of his breathing sometime early in the morning hours. Now, looking around the camp, he was already up and gone again.
I carefully put weight on my ankle. It felt better. No longer was I plagued with sharp pains shooting up my leg, or numbness, just a constant dull annoying pain and stinging around the slit I had made. I noticed the fresh paste and leaves sitting by the ashes and went to work prepping my ankle and arm. When I finished, I decided to grab some berries and nuts for the kids and our travels. They would be hungry when they awoke. I was glad they had all slept soundly through the night.
I went out of the encampment as quietly as I could. I didn’t want to venture far, incase one of them awoke, also if danger came by. I wanted to be within earshot or have a visual.
The bushes immediately around the camp were barren. Probably from our gathering the night before. I moved a tad further out where I could see some berry bushes full and ripe for the picking. Quietly I went to work collecting. These would make a nice meal. The bush in front of me began to move. I waited patiently, soon the large jackrabbit nibbled its way out of the bush and crossed my path.
A smile lifted my face. Breakfast.
Chapter 9
Asbjorn
Leon
I wasn’t far from my second trip back to camp. The sun had been up a few hours now. They would be waking soon. I walked slowly still wrestling with the events from the other day in my mind. When I caught that wonderful summer day scent.
I stopped where I was and looked toward the direction of the aroma. It was south of the camp. No more then a few trees from me I saw her. She was slowly moving toward a bush, dagger in hand. With graceful stealth, snatched up a hare, slit its throat, and mumbled a few words. She then moved swiftly to an adjacent rock, skinned, gutted and buried the entrails of the hare. Took the meat and skin and headed back to the camp. All while I stood there with my mouth gaping open.
More questions built up in my mind. I would have to ask where she learned her skills. They were impressive. I knew very few men that could do what she did that fast. None of them were as quiet and graceful as she was.
I waited for her to get back to camp before I moved. I didn’t want her to know I had been watching her.
When I got back, the fire was going and rabbit cooking. It smelled great and my stomach responded. Lack of food, made me weak. This would be a welcome treat.
She was strapping together the wooden sled that we could pull the children on. I was grateful for the idea, it would save me the embarrassment of another caterpillar incident.
I set the water down and started taking down camp. I wanted no traces we were there. I didn’t see anything or anyone the night before, and didn’t want to take any chances.
Before I knew it, three giggling children were running around, eating food, and laughing at who knows
what. They were such happy kids. Miracle considering. They all took turns running around me, through my legs, and once in a while, grabbing hold of my leg so I could drag them across the ground. Strange, but the events of the morning brought me peace. Normally, I would be annoyed and eventually find an excuse to leave the area. I must still be affected by the Koboldrone, cause I didn’t mind.
With camp dismantled and food in our bellies we set out for my home.
The walk was casual. The silence between us natural. I figured the children were more comfortable with me because they began asking me many questions.
“Why is your hair brown?”
“What is that bird?”
“Why is the bird brown?”
“Why is that tree small?”
“Why are you tall?”
“Why is the bird singing?”
“What is the bird singing about?”
I have never had so many nonsensical questions in my life. It went on for hours. All of them taking turns. The only silence I had was when they began feeling tired and laid on the sled. Even then, half hearted questions still poured out of those tiny mouths.
The children were now asleep for a good half an hour when I decided to try to asking her more questions. I, more curious about her then ever.
“How are your wounds?” I started.
“Slow healing, but fine.”
“Where are you headed?”
“To a village in the Northern Coast.”
“Do you know how to get there?”
“I’ll figure it out, but if you have a map of where we are currently, that would help greatly.”
“Where did you learn to hunt?”
“Some people I came across taught me to hunt and gave me tips. Do you know how to hunt?”
I coughed on my saliva appalled that she would ask. Of course I did, had the best teachers in the village. It was my calling and responsibility.
