Page 128 of Untempered
I thought of the shocked expressions of the survivors who hadn’t seen war, the man whose guts had spilled over the road and tangled him up, who’d begged me to put him out of his misery. I thought of the herbalist’s sobs and the feel of my spear splintering. And I thought of Rose, safe in the keep I couldn’t picture, picking blueberries come the summer.
“Yes, my lady.”
“That job is even more important today than it was last week,” she said quietly. “If you’re willing, Thomas, I’d be grateful if you’d fill that role.”
I swallowed around the knot in my throat, bowing. “It may be worth considering turning the bailey or a wing into a hospital, my lady,” I said, hoping the suggestion wouldn’t offend. “Our numbers are dwindling. We no longer need the large spaces, and keeping a building warm is easier than a tent.”
“Kaelson advised we keep our infirmary for injuries,” she said with a frown. “But you’re right, we have entire wings that are standing empty, or close to empty, now. You’re already established in the market, yes?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Then I can get back to you soon? I don’t need to address that immediately?”
The knobbly-legged little calf was learning how to walk. My heart ached for the child. “Yes, my lady.”
She nodded and blew out a slow breath. “I’m so sorry, Thomas.”
“As am I, my lady.” I bowed again. “If that’s all?”
She hesitated and glanced over my shoulder at where Chay leaned against the fireplace. Beside his spot, I could clearly see a pile of blankets. My grief turned to fury. He could at least protect her andhideit.
“Do you know anything about old stones?” the lady asked me.
I tore my eyes away from the knight, struggling with the anger. “No, my lady,” I said, hoping it sounded calm.
“Magical cures? The tree in the park?”
I shook my head, my mind on that pile of blankets. I forced my hand to relax from the sword hilt I’d grabbed at some point, feeling the joints click and grind. “The tree, I do, my lady.” I struggled with my exhaustion. If Rose had never left that offering, I wouldn’t be here, in her service. I couldn’t have gotten my family out. There were tears in me at that knowledge. But they were far away. “Some believe it’ll grant protection or wishes, if you leave an offering.”
She straightened. “What sort of offering? How is it activated?”
“Any sort.” I shook my head. “It doesn’t work, my lady. I saw it, on the way here. It’s not guarded anymore.”
“Why was it guarded?” she asked, standing.
“It was often vandalized.” I dug for patience. “My lady, people do desperate things. I’ve seen folks cut off their hair and burn it as an offering to gods that may never have existed. I’ve seen parents offer themselves up.” I bit down over the rest of the examples, clenching my teeth.
“If it worked,” Chay offered, from the side. “It sounds like people would know by now.”
I managed a nod of agreement.
She nodded, letting out a long breath. “All we know that can help is bathing and heat,” she said, sounding as tired as I felt.
“We’ve been burning what we can, but there’s a shortage of fuel.” And not enough to build pyres far enough away that the stink didn’t clog everyone’s lungs. But I didn’t explain that to her.
She frowned at me. “Why?”
“Why?” I tried to follow her thoughts but couldn’t. I was tired and hollow, and furious at this Raider’s Ban wank-rag who’d ruined my lady.
“Fire cleanses,” she said excitedly. “That’s what you told me. Fire cleanses.”
“Yes, milady,” I agreed, my head throbbing. “So it’s known.”
She held her hands to her mouth, her eyes overflowing. “Thomas,” I heard her say. “Thanking you.”
This didn’t make sense. None of it made a lick of sense. I’d taken a knock to the head and didn’t know how mangled I was. It was the only explanation. I needed to go and find somewhere to lie down and hope I woke up again. “Is there anything else, my lady?”
“No. No, Thomas. The Son walk with you.”
