Emllyn thought on that a moment. “I have no desire to make you uncomfortable, of course,” she said. “But… you were right when you said I feel very comfortable with John. I am sorry if that seems strange, being as I hardly know the man and he is not my husband, but I would prefer to stay with him. He makes me feel very safe. If you must move us out of your chamber in order to accomplish that, I would be very grateful.”
Elyse appeared rather distressed. “But,” she said hesitantly, “my lady… he is….”
“He is the man who saved my life and took great care of me until now,” Emllyn said, interrupting her hostess. She wasn’t trying to be rude but she truly didn’t want Devlin out of her sight, fearful of what would happen if they were separated. “I find myself in a strange castle with people I do not know and even though you have been sweet and gracious, I am not trying to be cruel when I say that I would feel much more comfortable with a man I have established some trust with rather than a lady I have only known a few hours. Please do not think me unkind; it is simply the way I feel at this moment.”
Elyse sighed and forced a smile; she would not argue with her guest. “If that is your wish, then of course I shall comply,” she said. “There is a small chamber on this floor where I can put you. It is rather cramped, but I will make it comfortable for you.”
Emllyn nearly collapsed with relief. “Thank you, my lady,” she said sincerely. “And I will put your mind at ease that nothing inappropriate or unseemly shall occur. I look at John as my watchdog, and so should you. He gives me comfort and that is all.”
Elyse merely smiled without answering and Emllyn suspected it was because she didn’t believe her but was too polite to say so. Putting her apron down, she scooted out ofthe chamber and shut the door softly behind her. Emllyn had a feeling that she had offended the woman with her requests but it couldn’t be helped; her concern was for Devlin.
While Elyse went in search of Devlin, the serving woman helped Emllyn change into a lovely soft shift and heavy sleeping robe that was lined in rabbit fur and had long, belled sleeves. It was a gorgeous piece of blue brocaded silk. The serving wench also put warm doeskin slippers on Emllyn’s feet that were a bit too small but nonetheless comfortable. Then, she braided her nearly dry hair into a thick braid and wrapped it around her head in an attractive style, securing it firmly with iron pins.
Feeling warm, clean, and tended, Emllyn sat down on the bed with her leg elevated and indulged in more mulled wine, cheese, bread, and dried apricots. She was full of food and good wine when the door opened but instead of Elyse returning, it was Merradoc.
The old physic barged into the room with his satchel clutched under his arm, immediately waving a careless hand at the serving girl.
“Wine!” he snapped. “Enough for two. Bring it now, you silly wench, before I grow moss on my north side from having been kept waiting too long.”
The serving girl fled and Emllyn sat up straight on the bed as the man approached. Merradoc went right up to her and put a fat hand on her forehead, paused, then felt the pulse of her wrist. After a moment of feeling the strength of her heart, he peeled back her right eyelid and looked into her eye. Satisfied, he set his bag down on the bed next to her and began rummaging around. The first thing he pulled out was a long, black strip that looked like leather. Then he pulled out a second one. He handed her one of the strips.
“Chew it!” he barked.
Emllyn immediately put it in her mouth, fearful of what would happen if she didn’t. Merradoc began chewing on the second strip and within the first few chews, Emllyn made a horrible face.
“Whatisthis?” she asked.
“Licorice root,” the old physic told her. “Children and imbeciles like it.”
Emllyn didn’t like it at all but she continued chewing it. “It’s terrible,” she said. “What is it good for?”
“Nothing,” Merradoc said. “I just thought I’d give it to you. Now, tell me how you feel and no lies. I will know.”
Emllyn took the licorice root out of her mouth because it was truly foul. She made a face and stuck out her black tongue.
“I felt better until you gave me that odious root,” she said, licking her lips of the disgusting taste. “But I suppose I do feel much better. My leg aches but I am sure that is a normal occurrence.”
With the root sticking out of his mouth, Merradoc lifted up the edge of her robe and began unwrapping the wound. Emllyn watched apprehensively as he unwrapped it completely and then eyed the wound intently. She strained to catch a glimpse of the cut, now sutured up with fine white silk thread. It was still red, but the swelling had gone down considerably. The physic eyed it for a few more moments before returning his attention to his satchel and digging around again.
Emllyn watched him curiously as he rummaged about. The serving girl returned with a crystal decanter of wine and two fine cups, and she set it upon the table next to the bed. Merradoc downed two cups in swift succession before removing a bladder from his satchel, popping open the plugged top, and pouring the dark contents into an empty glass. He filled it about half full before sealing up the bladder and lifting the cup to Emllyn.
“You will drink this,” he said.
Emllyn wasn’t so apt to take it after he’d tricked her with the licorice root. “What is it?”
“Rotten tea,” the physic replied. “You must drink it three times a day for the next five days. It will cure the poison in your leg and heal you completely.”
Dubious, Emllyn peered at the dark liquid but when she went to smell it, the stench nearly knocked her over.
“God’s Blood,” she hissed, pinching her nose. “Whatisthis terrible stuff?”
Merradoc had no time for her foolishness. “I told you, silly goat,” he said brusquely. “Rotten tea. It will cure you. Do you want to live?”
“Of course, I do, but….”
“Drink it!”
He nearly roared at her and, fearful, Emllyn instinctively downed the tea in one big gulp. It was horrible and she nearly vomited it up back up again but the physic handed her a glass of the fine wine, ordering her to drink it immediately, and she did. It killed most of the terrible taste, but not completely. She burped and the taste came up again. She almost gagged.
