The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 25
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
She ripped off pieces of her underskirt and then tearing each leaf in half and squeezing them to release the pale colored liquid, she tied each piece of leaf to his wounds. The men watched in silent fascination as she quietly worked to dress his wounds, very gently applying pressure to each wound for a moment. Then without warning Owain spasms ceased and letting out a long sigh he began to breathe almost normally. He opened his eyes briefly, looking up at Aiden and then at Laurel, a slight smile on his lips, before falling unconscious. The group all sighed with relief, Laurel silently sobbing her shoulders shaking, as she covered her face with her hands. Caleb looked up at the two men, instructing them to bring Owain to the Physician’s cottage, as the Infirmary was too far away. The men then gently carried Owain’s still form back up to the path.
“Did you find the base of the vine?” Caleb asked Aiden.
“Yes, we were able to cut off the two main branches and the top of the trunk. That is why the vines have not returned. I still think it is alive though,” Aiden replied, looking over at the now still creature.
Caleb looked around cautiously, listening for any sudden movement.
“Bring back at least a dozen men with you and burn the thing. It is the only way to be sure it will not come back,” Caleb spoke, his voice calmer.
Caleb and Aiden noticed Laurel at the same time, still kneeling on the ground, tears staining her face. Aiden was closest to her, gently took her hands and held them.
“What did you do?” he asked in a soft voice smiling at her, as he wiped the tears from her eyes.
Caleb stooped down, slowly rubbing his hand up and down her back to help her to calm down, for she was still quite shaken from their violent encounter with the strange creature.
“I remembered seeing the Mother’s Kiss plant as we were walking. It caught my eye only because I did not expect to see it here,” Laurel replied, her voice still shaking from crying. “It is often used to draw out infection, or to help for any kind of venomous bite. But it is not normally used this way, it is made into a paste and applied to the wound. I was not even sure if it would work,” she paused for a moment and said, “This is all my fault! Poor Owain would not have gone through this, if I had not asked him to show me this path,” Laurel said with remorse, beginning to cry again.
Caleb and Aiden smiled at each other, they knew their cousin would not have been that easily persuaded unless he was trying to impress her.
“Now is not the time to lay blame. We need to get you away from here and Aiden needs to bring a group back to get rid of this thing, once and for all,” Caleb said softly, as he stood up.
Aiden stood as well and held his hand out for Laurel to help her up. She took his hand wincing in pain from her now swollen ankle.
“You are not going to be able to walk back with that ankle,” Caleb said as he quickly picked her up, and they all started back towards the path.
Laurel’s mood began to brighten as they were clear of the dark part of the forest, the sun hitting her face as they reached the main path and headed back to the Great Lodge. She did not speak as they walked along, content to listen to the brothers discuss the arrangements to rid the area of what they called The Dragon's Tooth. She assumed that is what the vicious creature they had encountered was called, remembering Owain using that same name. She decided to ask Caleb about it later, for now she was too exhausted. They began to speak in the old language of the Westerners, though not understanding it, she found it soothing and comforting. She laid her head on Caleb’s shoulder, her arms about his neck. He carried her easily up the pathway and she began to doze off as the warm sun filtered through the tree lined path. Before Laurel realized it, they were already in the Grand Hall. Servants and attendants busily going by, staring at the three of them as they entered. Laurel looked especially disheveled, her face dirty, hair coming undone from the long braid, her dress torn and covered in wet dirt from the forest floor, her eyes sleepy and dazed looking, as she had just awakened.
“Your Highness! What has happened? What has happened to her, she looks terrible?” Phineas demanded, in his usual nervous manner.
“She was almost eaten by a plant Phinny,” Aiden replied in a mocking tone.
They did not stop walking as Phineas followed them up the main staircase to the family’s private rooms.
“What do you mean a plant? What kind of plant is capable of this?” Phineas asked exasperated, unsure if Aiden was jesting or not.
“Please stop yelling Phinny, my head is pounding,” Laurel murmured, with her head still resting on Caleb’s shoulder.
“Oh, please forgive me my Lady,” Phineas answered in a much quieter voice. Then looking at Caleb with an accusing glare he asked, “This was your idea of an outing? To have her be devoured by a plant?” Phineas asked angrily.
Caleb looked at him, his blue eyes on fire at Phineas’ reproach.
“Do you think me capable of deliberately putting her in danger?” Caleb asked, in a low but dangerous tone.
Laurel lifted her head slightly and turned to Phineas, who was walking next to them.
“Caleb had nothing to do with this Phineas. It was my own stupidity that caused this,” she said, in a weak and exhausted voice.
“Be quiet Phineas. Make yourself useful and go tell my mother we have returned, and Laurel needs looking after. Tell her Laurel met a Dragon’s Tooth, she will understand,” Caleb said as he turned down the large corridor, towards the bed chambers.
Phineas was left standing alone as he watched Caleb and Aiden take Laurel to her room. He was still trying to process what had just happened as he noticed Queen Alana and two of her attendants walking towards him.
“Your Highness. Caleb and Aiden have returned with the Princess, and she looks horrible. Caleb told me to mention something about encountering a Dragon’s Tooth,” Phineas stated very quickly.
The Queen’s eyes went wide and the attendants gasped in surprise.
“Who encountered the Dragon’s Tooth?” the Queen asked pointedly.
“Well from Prince Caleb’s description, the Princess did, and he specifically said she needed looking after. They have taken her to her room,” Phineas answered wringing his hands nervously.
“Well, that is a good sign. If she had been cut by it she would be with the Physician by now. Stella, Mauve, have the servants ready the bath and bring plenty of bath linens, as well as my personal lavender bath salts. Hurry,” Queen Alana directed her attendants.
They left hurriedly to do the Queen’s bidding and where gone almost in an instant.
“Come with me Phineas, let us see how she is faring,” the Queen said in a calm voice.
They both walked quickly down to the bed chambers and entered Laurel’s room to find her sitting up on her bed, Tulla sitting next to her, gently brushing Laurels hair, removing pieces of grass and leaves. Caleb was in front of her on one knee, talking to her quietly, as Aiden stood near the bed looking serious and concerned.
“I still feel we need to take her to the Infirmary. Just to be safe,” Aiden could be heard saying as they walked in.
“I really do not feel that horrible, nothing like poor Owain and what he went through. I am just very sore and tired, and my head is still throbbing. That is all. I have been enough trouble today. After I bathe and change I am sure I will be fine,” Laurel tried to say convincingly.
“It has nothing to do with you being trouble, mo chailin,” Caleb began, “We just need to be sure that you are alright. Fortunately it appears you were only grabbed by the feeler vines, and not the vines with the poison thorns, so I say we compromise. You will stay here, bathe and change, and when the Master Physician is done caring for Owain, we will have him come here, to see how you are doing. Does that sound agreeable?” he asked her gently, as he stood up.
“Alright,” Laurel said quietly, resigning herself to the fact that she would have very little to say about how things would be handled the rest of the evening. The Queen and Phineas remained silent as not to interrupt, but when Queen Alana heard Owain’s name mentioned and how he was in the care of the Master Physician, she became very concerned.
“What has happened to Owain? How serious are his injuries?” the Queen asked, trying to keep her voice calm and level, for Laurel’s sake.
“Thanks to our future Ollam, he looked as though he will certainly survive the attack,” Caleb said, smiling down at Laurel as he stood up.
“Caleb is being very generous in his description your Highness,” Laurel stated quietly. “I simply saw a plant that I remembered being used for wounds, especially venomous wounds. I just dressed his with the leaves and fortunately it worked,” Laurel replied modestly.
“No, it was a bit more dramatic than that love,” Aiden interjected. “Owain was convulsing badly. We were beginning to think we might not get him out in time. Then Laurel comes running over with these large leaves and puts them on the wounds, and then suddenly he just stops. He let out a breath, even opened his eyes for a moment, and just fell asleep. It was incredible,” Aiden said, with a warm smile.
“However did you get attacked by one of those things?” Phineas asked Laurel.
She looked down for a moment, nervously biting her bottom lip before answering.
“I was intrigued by how different that part of the forest looked from the path we were on, and I just wanted to take a peek. So we walked down the path a bit. I saw a tiny marneut for the first time and was completely captivated by it. I tried to coax it over, and I could almost touch it. Then this wicked looking vine dragged it away and before we knew what was happening, it grabbed Owain. We were not able to get away from it,” Laurel shuddered at the thought of it.
“You were very fortunate we were right behind you. We heard you screaming, that is how we found you so quickly,” Caleb said, with a wry smile.
“Yes I know. I feel terrible about what happened, especially for poor Owain,” Laurel said regrettably.
“Poor Owain, is well aware how dangerous that part of the forest can be and knew better than to take you there,” Caleb said in an irritated tone. “Which reminds me, I will inform his mother of what happened and then go and check on him,” Caleb stated, as he moved to where Laurel was sitting on the edge of the bed.
He bent down and putting his hand on one side of Laurel’s face, closing his eyes, gently gave her a lingering kiss on her cheek, not caring if it was in front of everyone. Laurel looked up at him and smiled back sweetly, blushing at his open display of affection.
“I will be back later to check on you,” Caleb spoke softly, tucking her hair behind her ear, as he stood and began to walk out of the room.
Aiden and the Queen exchanged knowing smiles, as Aiden moved to give Laurel a warm hug before he too left the room with Caleb. Phineas looked at Laurel with raised eyebrows, smirking at her with a surprised expression.
“Well my dear, let me go and check to see how your bath is coming along,” Queen Alana spoke up to end the awkward silence brought on by Caleb’s affectionate gesture.
Before too long, Laurel was brought into the luxurious bath and was able to relax her sore and bruised body in the large and beautifully scented copper tub. Even in Gwenlais, the bath was not as elegant and ingeniously designed as this. The tub itself was a thing of art. It had a drain at the end, that when opened, would drain through clay pipes into a large and lush flower bed below. The floors were beautifully tiled and the large mantled fireplace was used to heat the water. The walls were painted in a soft grey stain that allowed the light through the high placed windows to give the room a soothing, calm ambience. Tulla who insisted on personally attending to Laurel, was washing her hair, as Mauve, the Queen’s personal attendant was arranging the fresh bath linens and making sure the water stayed a comfortable temperature. Laurel was ready to leave the warm tub after several rinses to her luxuriant hair. She was given a warmed robe to wear as she sat near the crackling fireplace. Tulla began to braid Laurel’s hair as she always did after it was washed, Laurel began to quietly look about the room, admiring its beauty and design.
“Mauve, where does that door lead to?” Laurel asked the attendant, just noticing a heavy door on the other side of the room.
“That is Prince Caleb’s room your Highness. His room is the first one along the hall. The Queen did not want you to feel overwhelmed by placing you at the far end of the wing, which is why you were placed in the guest room across from his room. The rest of the family is further down the wing and each has their own bath,” Mauve said smiling at her.
“Oh, I did not realize he was so close,” Laurel said with surprise.
“Is your room to your liking my Lady? Do you find it comfortable?” Mauve asked with enigmatic grin.
“Yes, I am very happy with my room. I still am not familiar with the arrangement of the house that is all. My parents and I would always stay in the guest house when we would visit,” Laurel replied her face blushing.
“I am sure that a tour can be given you. I will mention this to her Highness.
If you no longer need me I will take my leave,” Mauve said graciously.
“Thank you Mauve. I am fine now,” Laurel said smiling as the attendant left her and Tulla alone.
“I do not like her my Lady. She was always smiling at you with that silly grin,” Tulla spoke with a caustic tone.
“What silly grin? I thought she was very nice,” Laurel replied with a laugh.
“A grin like she knows something that you do not. As if she knows some secret,” Tulla continued with her disapproving manner.
Laurel said nothing, just smiled to herself as Tulla finished braiding her hair.
6: THE FIRST NIGHT TOGETHER
Owain opened his eyes slowly, trying to come into focus with his surroundings. His eyes were first met with the smiling face of the Master Physician. Owain smiled back and then looked over to see the scowling face of his cousin Caleb and the smirking face of Aiden.
“How is Laurel? Is she alright?” Owain asked with concern.
“She is fine, a bit bruised but safe, no thanks to you,” Caleb replied, in an irritated voice. “What were you thinking?” he asked not hiding his annoyance.
“Apparently I was not,” Owain answered weakly trying to smile. “I feel so terrible. I know that I should not have taken her there, but she looked so disappointed. Do you know she pouts?” Owain asked, with a weak smile.
Caleb and Aiden smiled at each other as they were aware of Laurel’s little personal quirks. She pouted when she was sad or angry about something and usually was not aware of it.
“I will admit, her pout is a bit hard to resist. That does not change the fact that you both could have been killed if we had not been close by. Was it all really worth it to try to impress her?” Caleb asked him, with a wry smile.
“I suppose it was not. It is just that the last time I saw her we were only twelve seasons and I was quite infatuated with her then. When I saw her again I could not believe how beautiful she was. I guess I am still a bit smitten with her. I confess that I was trying to impress her,” Owain said, embarrassed to admit it.
“Oh, you definitely made an impression. ‘Poor Owain,’ Aiden said, in a high pitched voice, putting his hand to his chest.
“Yes, she now thinks you are a pathetic sop,” Caleb replied, laughingly as he and Aiden teased him.
Owain laughed lightly at them, looking even more embarrassed, having just admitted his reason for taking Laurel to that part of the forest.
“I guess I deserve that,” he said sheepishly.
“Gentlemen, as much as I hate to put an end to your enjoyment of tormenting my patient, I will have to ask you to conclude your visit soon.
Owain needs his rest,” the Physician said chuckling.
“Yes, I will be back tomorrow to bring you to the Infirmary. I promised your mother I would do so,” Caleb smiled at Owain, knowing the reaction that was about to take place at the mention of his mother.
“You have told my mother?” Owain asked, with trepidation, going a bit paler.
“She is on her way as we speak,” Caleb said with a knowing grin.
“I will never hear the end of it,” Owain groaned, rolling his eyes.
“Well I say we should leave now, as she will find a way to blame us, she always does,” Aiden said, with a smirk.
“Before we go, I would like you to come and see to Laurel sometime this evening,” Caleb spoke to the Physician.
“Oh yes, of course. I was hoping to see her and ask her more about the plant she used to cover Owain’s wounds with. It was truly quite remarkable. She did not just very likely save his life, she saved his leg and arm as well. The wounds show no sign of permanent damage,” the Physician said, not able to hide how impressed he was.
“I will never be able to thank her,” Owain said, in a tired voice.
“Do not take her on anymore walks, and I am sure that will be thanks enough,” Caleb said smiling, as he left the Physician’s cottage.
As the brothers made their way back on to the main pathway, Aiden suggested a diversion from the hectic day.
“Come with me to Welstone. A few of the Sentinels that assisted me in getting rid of the Dragon’s Tooth, will be joining me, it has been awhile since we have visited the Blue Dragon,” Aiden said persuasively, hoping to get Caleb to join him for a visit to a favourite tavern.
“It sounds tempting after all the excitement today,” Caleb said thoughtfully.
“But?” Aiden asked expectantly, grinning broadly as he already guessed Caleb’s answer.
Caleb smiled at Aiden’s questioning. His brother was very seldom surprised at his decisions as they very often knew what the other was thinking. A result of working very closely together and trusting each other implicitly.
“I told Laurel I would come back and check on her. If I go to Welstone now I know we will not return until dawn. If I check on Laurel before I go, I will just hold you up,” Caleb reasoned.
