A string of drool spanned from my lips to the disgusting bowl.
I sagged,sitting crisscrossed, head in my hands. “I’m done but I should sit here for a moment, in case.”
“Aye, tis a good idea. Och, ye are taken with the flux — yer belly’s bad.”
He passed me a warm wet rag.
I wiped my mouth and face. “Where did you get this? It’s the greatest thing in the world!”
“The innkeeper gave it tae me.”
“I love this place, we should stay here tonight.” I looked around for someplace to put the rag.
He put out a dish, and I placed the rag in it. “I won’t need it again, I’m done. I feel much better.”
“It sounds it.”
“I will get in bed as soon as I sit here for a moment.”
He nodded, chewing his lips.
I swallowed. I swallowed. I swallowed with a moan. Then I got on my hands and knees and vomited again.
He said, “Ye cannae keep aught down.”
I said, “Is there someone who can clean it for us?”
A woman’s voice from the corner said, “I will, mistress.”
“Oh,” I looked around, bleary-eyed. “I didn’t see you there.”
She carried off the bowl.
I swayed. “I hope I didn’t offend her…”
Torin said, “She is Madame Agnes, she is here tae help with ye. She daena mind, she says she haena seen a lass so struck with flux afore?—”
I said, weakly, “Yay, I win.”
“Ye want tae put yer head upon my knee?”
I said, “Aye,” and collapsed to the side, placing my head on his thigh.
He comfortingly stroked my hair.
I said, “I’m such a pain in the arse.”
His hands stroked down my hair again.
I said, “I’m done though, I won’t. All better?—”
I rose up, swayed toward the newly cleaned bowl and puked again.
A little whilelater I frowned. “I need to poop.”
Torin gestured for Madame Agnes to hold my arm, steadying me while I crouched over the chamberpot andwent.
The indignity was worse than anything I had ever experienced. I was also too sick to feel shame. Though for some reason I kept telling Torin and Madame Agnes that I was going to be okay, that this was done. I was done. That was it, I kept repeating that I was all better now.
