Page 30 of Dancing On Air

“Connor,” she said in a mere whisper.

“It’s Connor?” asked Lark, still trying to see through the sun.

“He’s here? What does he think he’s doing?” Raven started to draw her sword, but Eleanor raised her hand to stop her cousin.

“Please, Raven. No. He’s not here to harm us, I promise.”

“Then what does he want?” asked Lark, sounding suddenly nervous. “We shouldna be seen with an executioner. He shouldna be here at all.”

“I know that, and so does he,” said Eleanor. “Something must be wrong if he’s come here. Let me talk to him alone.”

“I’m not leaving you. I’m going to protect you,” said Raven in her stubborn way.

“Me too,” said Lark, her hand going to her waist belt that held her dagger.

“Nay. Stay here. Both of you. And please, don’t embarrass me,” instructed Eleanor. “I’m going to talk to him. Alone.”

She ran to meet him, stopping as she got closer, watching as he lowered his hood to make his identity known.

“Eleanor. I’m sorry to bother you here,” said Connor. “I hope I’m not causing trouble.”

“Connor, you shouldn’t be coming here. Someone might see us.”

“I see your cousins, Lark and Raven are with you. Hello,” he called out, nodding toward the girls. Lark crossed her arms over her chest and Raven turned to let him see she had her hand on the hilt of her sword. Neither of them returned his greeting.

“I told them to stay there,” Eleanor explained. “Don’t worry, they won’t say anything. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I shouldn’t have come,” he said, putting his hood over his head again. “I’ll leave. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Wait,” she said, as he turned around to go. “Is something wrong?”

He paused for a minute and she didn’t think he was going to tell her. Then he let out a deep sigh before answering. “It’s my father. He’s ill and grows weaker every day.”

“Is his sickness contagious?” asked Eleanor.

“I don’t think so,” Connor answered. “I believe if it were, my siblings and I would have been infected already. He’s had a cough for a long time and wheezes. He drinks until he collapses, and now he’s got a raging fever.”

“Oh no! You need a healer,” said Eleanor.

“Aye,” he answered.

“But I’m not a healer. Why did you come to the abbey?”

“I-I’m not sure. I guess I was hoping that one of the monks or nuns might… it was silly. What was I thinking? No one will come near an executioner. My mistake.”

“You’re right that no one will help an executioner,” said Eleanor. “No healer, anyway. But my cousin Rook’s wife is a gardener and knows a lot about herbs. Mayhap Rose could give me something that would help to heal your father.”

“Nay. It’s too risky for you to even ask,” said Connor, shaking his head. “If anyone found out.”

“They won’t,” said Eleanor, taking his hand. “Come with me.” She pulled him up the hill, back to Lark and Raven.

“Eleanor? What are ye doin’?” asked Lark, taking a step back, as if she were afraid to stand too close to Connor.

“You shouldn’t be bringing him up here,” warned Raven. “No good can come of this.”

“Connor needs our help,” said Eleanor. “His father is dying.”

“We canna do anythin’,” said Lark. “Why ask us?”