“As soon as ye’re better, I promise.” Iris kept her voice warm and encouraging. “I’ll find ye the perfect horse to learn on. One that’s gentle but has enough spirit to make things interestin’.”
Codie took a deep breath, clearly steeling himself for the unpleasant task ahead. “All right. But it better nae be as bad as last time.”
“I added a wee bit of honey this time,” the healer said kindly, holding the cup closer to him. “It’ll still be bitter but nae quite as terrible.”
As Codie bravely reached for the cup and began drinking the medicine, making terrible faces but not stopping until it was empty. Iris became aware of Mairie standing quietly behind her. Her friend had been so silent that Iris had nearly forgotten she was there.
“Who’s that?” Codie asked suddenly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and pointing at Mairie. His voice was a bit hoarse from the medicine, but his curiosity was clearly overcoming his discomfort. “Is she another healer?”
“Nay, this is Mairie,” Iris said warmly, gesturing for her friend to come closer. “She’s an old friend of mine who’s come to help me around the castle. Remember how I told ye about growin’ up with someone who was more like a sister than a maid? That’s Mairie.”
Mairie stepped forward with a kind smile, her round face radiating warmth and comfort. “It’s lovely to meet ye, young master. I’ve heard lovely things about ye from Lady Iris.”
“Ye have?” Codie looked pleased despite his illness, a faint blush coloring his pale cheeks. “Good things?”
“Very good things. She told me ye’re brave and clever and have the best imagination of any boy in all of Scotland.” Mairie’s eyes twinkled with genuine affection.
Codie’s cheeks flushed with pleasure though whether from fever or flattery, Iris couldn’t tell. “Did she really say that?”
“She did. And now that ye’re the son of me good friend, I suppose that makes ye a bit like me nephew, doesnae it?” Mairie leaned in conspiratorially, her voice taking on a playful tone. “Which means I should probably do what all good aunts do and spoil ye terribly.”
“How?” Codie asked eagerly, sitting up slightly despite the discomfort it clearly caused him.
“Well, I happen to be very good at bakin’. Cakes, tarts, biscuits. Ye name it, I can make it.” Mairie’s voice dropped to a whisper, as if sharing a great secret. “So, here’s me deal: if ye take yer medicine every time the healer says to without complainin’ or fussin’, I’ll bake ye a special treat. Whatever ye want.”
“Anythin’?” Codie’s eyes went round as coins, his illness momentarily forgotten in the face of such a generous offer.
“Within reason,” Mairie amended with a laugh. “I cannae make ye a cake the size of the castle for instance. But anythin’ normal-sized is fair game.”
“Even honey cakes with extra honey?”
“Especially honey cakes with extra honey.”
“I’ll take me medicine!” Codie declared with sudden conviction, his voice stronger than it had been since Iris entered the room. “I’ll take every drop; I promise! Without any fussin’ at all!”
“That’s the spirit, lad,” the healer said with approval, patting his hand gently. “Ye’re already on yer way to recovery with that attitude.”
“Can I help too?” Aliana moved closer to the bed, her expression softening as she looked at the sick boy. “Because I ken some wonderful stories, and if ye’re a very good patient and do everythin’ the healer says, I’d be happy to read ye one of them before bed tonight.”
“What kind of stories?” Codie asked, his interest clearly piqued despite his discomfort.
“Adventure stories. Tales of brave knights and fierce dragons, of clever lasses who outsmart giants, of magical creatures that live in the deepest parts of the forest.” Aliana’s voice took on a storytelling quality, rich and inviting. “I have one about a young boy who learns to talk to horses and goes on grand adventures across the Highlands.”
“That sounds amazin’!” Codie bounced slightly in his bed with excitement then immediately winced as the movement jostled his sore stomach. “Ow. Me stomach still hurts.”
“Then ye need to rest,” Iris said firmly but gently, helping him settle back against the pillows. “Lie back down, sweetheart. The medicine needs time to work.”
“But I’m nae tired,” Codie protested weakly, even as his eyelids drooped noticeably.
“Ye daenae have to sleep. Just rest.” Iris adjusted his pillows carefully so he could sit up slightly without straining. “And maybe we can talk about what kind of horse ye’d like to learn on. Would ye prefer a gentle geldin’ or a spirited mare?”
“What’s the difference?” Codie asked, his interest clearly piqued despite the exhaustion pulling at him.
“Well, geldin’s are often gentler and more patient which makes them good for beginnin’ riders. They tend to be more forgivin’ of mistakes, which is helpful when ye’re just learnin’.” Iris kept her voice soft and soothing, noting how the sound seemed to calm him. “But mares can be friendly too, when they want to, but tend to act irate sometimes. They can both be fun once ye get the hang of things.”
“I want one with energy,” Codie decided after a moment’s consideration. “But nae too much energy. I daenae want to fall off.”
“Ye will nae fall off because I’ll be right there with ye,” Iris promised, smoothing his dark hair back from his forehead. “I’ll hold the lead rope until ye’re comfortable, and then we’ll practice in the paddock before we go anywhere near the open fields. We’ll take it as slow as ye need.”
