Mercy shook her head. “You’re still recovering. I don’t think it’s wise.”
Eoos scowled. “I want to know who I am. I want my memories back.”
“It could be dangerous. We should wait until you are stronger.”
Eoos shook his head. “We will go. Soon.”
Mercy sighed softly and then nodded. “Yes. Of course. You should rest now, though. I will take you tomorrow afternoon.”
Eoos agreed with a nod.
“Are you sure you’re ready for more memories?” she asked with a worried frown.
Eoos was touched by her worry. Or was there more to why she didn’t want him thinking of his memories? “Yes.”
“I mean… the pain you were in just now…when you remembered.”
“I am willing to submit to the pain if it brings back my past.”
Alice snorted as she crossed the room to the hearth. “Some pasts are best forgotten.”
Eoos frowned. “Do you know my past?”
Her eyes rounded in terror. “No. No. I know nothing.”
Eoos knew a lie when he heard one. This woman knew more than she was saying. The tension in the room strung tight. What were they hiding? Were they protecting him? Or were they protecting someone else? Either way, they were not going to tell him, but he would find out soon enough.
“It will be alright,” Mercy said. “You’ll remember everything, I’m certain. For now, you need to eat and regain your strength.”
He looked at the trencher and pulled it over to him, beginning to eat the porridge.
Mercy handed Kit a trencher of porridge. The boy hopped from one foot to the other as he ate. When he was almost finished, Mercy asked, “Kit, have you fed the horses?”
Kit’s eyes widened as he licked his fingers. He puffed out his lower lip and rubbed his cheek. “I was on my way when Simon came.”
Mercy turned to regard him with a suspicious gaze.
Kit sighed and dropped his hand. “I’ll do it now.” He kicked at a pebble and headed for the doorway. Suddenly, he stopped and looked at Eoos. “If you think it’s okay, maybe I can show Eoos his horse!”
Eoos stood. “I have a horse?”
Mercy grinned. “That’s a good idea, Kit. I need to help Alice clean up. As soon as I am finished, I will come to the barn.” She looked at her son. “Kit, if anything happens to Eoos, come and get me.”
Kit bobbed his head, a strand of hair falling into his eyes.
Eoos took two large strides and was at the child’s side.
“The worst job is mucking out the stalls,” Kit said as they left the cottage. “But I like to be around the horses.” He led the way across the yard toward the barn and behind it. “We’re lucky. None of the other villagers have a barn, but sometimes my mom houses sick animals there.”
“She treats animals as well as people?” Eoos asked, following the child. He took one step to every three the boy took.
“Aye. There was one time when a goat was having a baby and the baby died inside the mother. It was gross. But mom saved the goat momma.” The child rounded the back of the barn. A beautiful horse was tied to a wooden beam. It whinnied and tossed its dark head.
Eoos stopped, staring at the palfrey. “This is my horse?”
Kit nodded. He walked up to the horse and patted its neck. “We didn’t know what his name was, so I named him Pounder because he stomps the ground a lot.” Kit picked up the bucket near the side of the barn.
Eoos stared, trying desperately to remember. But nothing came. Only empty memories swirled in his mind.
