“Not as surprised as I am. Sowe could have been a healer instead of a cook. Blue woad is an amazing plant though the skin around the wound is a little blue, but the bleeding stopped at least. And I will have a lovely scar where Dieyre stabbed me. I am sure I will never tire of telling the story of how I got it.”
Lia sighed, seeing the flash of old humor in his eyes. “You are lucky to be alive.”
His eyes became serious. “I do owe that to you in a way, Lia. Forgive me, but my emotions are a bit close to the surface, seeing you like this. Seeing what you have suffered. I can bear my lot. But it grieves me to see you in such pain. I lost what I was going to say…”
Sowe gave him a bashful look and prompted him, “How you survived. How Marciana saved you.”
“Ah, there it is. It is a short story. Do not worry – I will not make it longer in the telling, but I wanted you to know. When you and Colvin left on the boat, Dieyre wasted no time and drew his sword and said he would take Ciana with him. I was shocked and angry, though I should not have been. I was a fool thinking I could stop him and Ciana for trying to stop me, but I am rash, as you know. He disarmed me with hardly any effort, a fact which still wounds my pride. He cut me here,” he gestured to his torso with a wince, “and then smashed his fist into my face to knock me down and I am certain he was going to run me through and murder me. Colvin had told me that in the Bearden Muir when the sheriff’s men attacked him, that you stood in the way. Well, Marciana protected me with her own body and spoke so earnestly with Dieyre that she talked his temper down. He made her swear she would go with him peacefully if he did not slay me. I could see he was tempted. His eyes told me that he wanted me dead. But I was bleeding and maybe it was good enough. Maybe he thought I would just bleed to death. Ciana honored her part and rode off with Dieyre. I managed to stuff a rag into my wound and lurch on the road. The Medium saved me then, for I found a horse – one of the strays from the Dahomeyjans and rode to Muirwood. A great big black. Beautiful animal. I do not know how I made it on the saddle, but I did and collapsed outside the gate and was carried here.” He reached out and stroked Sowe’s hair absently.
“You should be resting,” Sowe said timidly and he nodded his surrender and hobbled back to a floor pallet where she helped him lie down.
Lia watched them for a moment and then gratefully took the tureen of soup from Pasqua, who clenched back her tears and stared at her injured girl with all the protective looks of a mother.
*
Dawn came too quickly, its arrival a torture Lia had been dreading. Colvin had waited vigil all night long and they spoke softly to each other, talking of their lives, sharing little stories that they had not told each other before. Sowe and Bryn were asleep in the loft above. Edmon lay still on a pallet near the bread oven. Pasqua entered quietly before the first cock crowed and stoked the fire in the hearth, pinched some salt into a cauldron after tasting the broth, and brought another bowl to Lia. She set some loaves near the oven to warm and gathered some fruits and nuts for the journey.
Colvin sat at the edge of Lia’s bed still, studying her face, his expression unreadable. “When we returned to Muirwood, I had been looking for a gift or reward for Sowe for her help when I was injured. I think I know what to give her now.”
Lia smiled, pleased that he remembered. “What then?”
“You saw the way they look at each other. Edmon is bedazzled by the girl. I cannot blame him. He told me yesterday he plans to stay at Muirwood and pass the maston test when he has recovered from his injury. When I am gone, I would like you to tell her that I plan to adopt her as my sister. The same offer I came here to make to you. She will have a marriage portion to bring. With all her years serving at the Aldermaston’s table, I think she would come to understand her new station. Would you present my offer to Sowe?”
Lia’s throat constricted with joy and she nodded, blinking back tears. “That is generous, Colvin.”
“She is your friend. I do this regardless of Edmon. If he changes his mind, which I do not expect that he will, she will still have rank and position. She is a good girl and I admire her. So does Ciana.”