“Then why dinna ye untie me?”
This was the first time she’d spoken to Alfred since discovering that she’d traveled back in time. His predicament now made much more sense: why they’d needed a healer in order to move him, why they’d tied him up, why they were transporting him in a wagon. She didn’t like it. But she understood it.
“I’ve brought you something to eat. You can have it just as soon as I’ve checked your injury and changed your dressing.”
He didn’t speak as she unwound the bandage and inspected the wound. Satisfied that it looked all right, she took a clean bandage from her bag and wound it tightly around his leg. Once done, she rocked back on her heels, thinking.
“You know, if we made you a pair of crutches there’s no reason why you couldn’t walk. You can’t bear weight on that leg yet, but we need you walking around as much as possible to keep up your muscle tone in your back and your other leg.”
He snorted. “I dinna think they’re going to be letting me walk anywhere, do ye? I’m a condemned man, remember?”
“You’re not condemned, you’re going to trial. And whatever else you are, you’re my patient and I’ll do whatever is necessary to speed your healing. Now eat your breakfast.”
She held out the plate, and Alfred was able to take the sandwich she’d made him in his bound hands and eat it. She climbed to her feet and walked to the door.
“Thank you,” Alfred said from behind her. “For helping me, I mean.”
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. “You’re welcome.”
Back in the main room, the three men were busy packing up. The fire had been doused, the bedding had been rolled, and the cooking supplies washed and packed. Lily made her way outside. It was a cold, clear day, with a bright blue sky and sunlight bright enough to make her squint. A chill wind was blowing from the east, sending her hair swirling out behind her and goosebumps riding up her skin.
Emeric and Magnus were fixing the harness to the horses, and Oskar was lifting supplies into the back of the wagon. He came over to her.
“Ready?”
The early morning sunlight reflected off his damp hair, making it look like burnished copper as he placed his hands on his hips and looked down at her. His stubbly beard made a shadow across his chin and the way he stood pulled his linen shirt tight across his chest, revealing the ridges and dimples of the muscles underneath.
She nodded, ignoring the warm sensation that stole through her at his proximity. “Ready.”
“And our guest?”
“He’s good to go. But I’d like to try something.”
“Oh?”
“I want him walking as much as possible. Would you be able to make him a pair of crutches? I’m sure you could cut a decent branch off that birch over there.”
“Why bother? We’ll just toss him in the back of the wagon like yesterday.”
“The longer he’s off his feet, the more trouble he’s going to have getting about once his leg heals.”
Oskar shrugged. “So?”
She pursed her lips. “Look, whatever you think of the man, he’s still my patient. And as my patient, it’s my duty to help him as much as I can. As his therapist, I want him using a crutch. Now, are you going to do as I ask or do I have to go ask the others?” She placed her hands on her hips, mirroring his stance, and glared up at him. She even went so far as to tap her foot impatiently.
“Fine!” Oskar said, throwing up his hands. “Although it’s a bloody waste of time if you ask me!”
“I didn’t ask you,” Lily replied sweetly. “But thank you for your input.”
Oskar stomped off to the small grove of birch trees that were growing a little further along the track. It didn’t take long to fashion a pair of rudimentary crutches and the three menwatched, bemused, as she instructed Alfred on how to use them. After helping him out of the barn, she had him make a few circuits of the area out front, watching critically as he hobbled along, quickly getting the hang of walking with his new crutches.
“That’s good,” she said, nodding in approval. “Each time we stop today, I want you to walk around on them. It will speed your healing.”
“Aye. Ye have my thanks.” He turned to the three men who were leaning on the cart, watching with skeptical expressions on their faces. “Well, shall we get on, then? Time and the headsman wait for no man.”
“Couldnae have put it better myself,” Oskar muttered.
Magnus and Emeric helped Alfred into the back of the cart and took their positions to either side, guarding him just as they’d done yesterday. Oskar climbed up onto the seat at the front and held out his hand to help Lily up. She took his hand and boosted herself up beside him. Pain shot through her hips and she stumbled, gripping Oskar’s hand tightly to keep from falling. His other arm went around her waist, steadying her.
