Brynn watched her carefully and when the other girls roused, she had them show her their tasks as well. Brynn needed to know their duties if she was to manage them.
Esa woke and hastily dressed, shadowing Brynn dutifully.
Brynn followed the girls for the morning milking and healed the chapped udders of an old nanny goat. The girls collected the extra milk and what wasn’t set aside for the morning meal was poured into a pot for cheesemaking.
Gaitha came by the time the boys were stirring in the loft. Hot bread with soft cheese had already been prepared on the table.
Brynn threw herself into work, having the girls and Gaitha show her how the geese were kept, what they were fed, and who cared for them. Same for the household’s dogs and sheep, though the latter seemed to be the responsibility of the household boys. The dyrehunds seemed to be treated more like children—shooed from underfoot, but indulgently tolerated for the most part.
Brynn visited the stables where most the horses were kept along with the pigs and sheep. She had the boys tell her how the animals were cared for, who was responsible for their care, and so on.
For now, she needed to know the state of everything. There would be time to change things later, if she wanted to.
All morning and into midday, she worked, or rather watched other people work. A meal was prepared for later that afternoon and the house girls seemed to have that under control.
Brynn grabbed her cloak, Gaitha, and Esa, and headed down to the village. As they descended the hill, a few dogs followedthem, then went bounding back up when they realized there wouldn’t be a hunt or other sport.
“Is there anyone ill in the village?” Brynn asked Gaitha, the wind whipping up in her face. “Anyone injured or in need of mending?”
Gaitha considered it. “There might be a few,” she said. “I can show you.”
Brynn had Esa carry her bandages, clean scraps of cloth, and purifying herbs. It was much as they had done back in Paega’s lands, Esa working the part of her assistant—except when she had been watching Osbeorn.
They entered the village to find it abuzz with activity. The fishermen were just bringing in their catches and sorting through their bounties on the beach.
Gaitha took her first to a hut beside one of the fisherman’s homes. It seemed that the elderly resident had cut his hand cleaning nets a few days ago and the wound had been slow to heal.
Brynn was able to fix it withkain a few minutes. The old fisherman didn’t smile, but he thanked her solemnly before going back to his work.
By the time the three of them left the hut, it seemed that word had spread of Melain’s healing yesterday. A young boy came to meet them, asking with downcast eyes if Lady Brynn would come see to his sister.
It turned out the girl had burned her arm cooking. Burns were more of a challenge than cuts, but Brynn was able to coax the flesh back into wholeness. It was still tender after, but the skin was no longer raw and weeping.
They tended to a spattering of minor injuries, thankfully nothing too serious. Cenric’s people were generally in good health.
A few younger children had coughs, which was not unusual. Brynn was able to alleviate some of the distress, but the phlegm would need to clear on its own. She left them with herbs and tinctures, all infused withka, and instructions to come see her if anything got worse.
It was late afternoon by the time they finished.
“Well, we’ve probably missed the midday meal.” Gaitha glanced toward the longhouse. “I wonder if Cenric’s back.”
Brynn had a feeling Cenric would have come see her if he had returned. But maybe not. She barely knew him.
“Gaitha,” Brynn’s voice nearly cracked, and she had to clear her throat. “Do you know where Rowan lives?”
Gaitha shot her a quick look. “I do. Everyone knows where everyone lives here in the village.”
Brynn took a deep breath. “Could you show me to her house? I think I have something that belongs to her.”
Gaitha studied Brynn for a long moment, then looked to Esa.
Esa didn’t know who Rowan was, so why would she care?
After a moment, Gaitha said, “This way.”
Rowan appeared to live with her family in a much smaller version of the longhouse. Pigs and a few goats rooted in the fenced enclosure around the house.
A young boy greeted them, hair dark like most the people here. “Gaitha.” The boy bowed, though he didn’t use a title.
