The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 27
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Yes, but a book like this is quite valuable, at least it would be to the Ollams,” Laurel said, turning the pages with great care.
“Then what better choice than to give it to you?” Caleb asked her pointedly.
“What did you think of his comment to me?” Laurel asked him shyly.
“You mean what a shame it would be if you did not pursue your gifts?” Caleb asked smiling.
Laurel looked at him and simply nodded her answer.
“I agree with him. Ever since that horrible day at the village, I have always felt it was something you should pursue. I feel it is your calling,” Caleb said warmly, smiling at her affectionately.
“I do not even know if I will be accepted,” Laurel said in a soft voice, looking down at the book.
“Now why would you say that?” Caleb asked her. His voice becoming defensive as he gently lifted up her chin to have her look at him. “Your mother was an Ollam and the Queen. What could possible cause them to not except you?” his eyes flashing in anger in her defense.
She smiled at his protective nature, she was not surprised by it as she had always known him to be this way.
“I am much older than any of the new apprentices would be. Most are only in their thirteenth or fourteenth season. I have just entered my nineteenth season Caleb,” Laurel explained, with a cheerless smile.
“Your age should make no difference. Your willingness to learn should be the only thing that matters,” Caleb said his voice still sounding irritated.
“I appreciate that you feel that way, but I will explain how it is done. First you are considered an apprentice, you assist the doe meds, you are not allowed to help the Ollams at this time,” Laurel began to explain.
“What is a doe med exactly?” Caleb asked interrupting her.
“A doe med is an actual student. You cannot even be considered a doe med until you pass the three tests of apprenticeship,” Laurel continued to explain.
“And what are these three tests?” Caleb asked, his eyes intense as he found himself becoming fascinated with the subject. More so with how she was quite animated when she spoke of it.
“One of the tests is, you must help care for someone with a serious injury. Another, to care for a difficult and belligerent patient, and then to assist with the birth of a child. If you pass these tests you can then go on to become a doe med,” Laurel said with a smile, happy with Caleb’s rapt attention.
“How long must you be a doe med before becoming an actual Ollam?” Caleb asked in a soft voice, clearly enjoying her pleasure at answering his questions.
“That really depends upon the individual. The more you learn and progress in your skill and abilities, the quicker you became an Ollam. That being said, an Ollam always considers herself a student, always learning,” Laurel sat back and sighed, as she finished speaking.
Caleb looked at her thoughtfully before he spoke, allowing her to reflect on what she had just said. He smiled at her slyly.
“Well you should have no troubles with the three tests whatsoever, my dear,” he said still grinning at her.
“What do you mean?” Laurel asked curiously.
“Think about it. Helping someone with a serious injury, you have just done that, with Owain. Taking care of a belligerent patient, you do this daily with your father. Helping with a birth, you where there for your mare. So the tests will be nothing,” Caleb said with a charming smile.
Laurel laughed out loud with Caleb mentioning her father and assisting her mare.
“I do not believe it would really be considered the same thing,” Laurel said still laughing.
“The concept is still the same,” Caleb stated assuredly.
“Yes, I suppose you are right,” she said wincing in pain, as she moved her injured foot forward too much.
Caleb stopped smiling as he held her hand watching her breath through her discomfort.
“Sit still Laurel, let me find that stool for you, I know it is here somewhere,” as he stood up and began looking for the small stool he spoke of.
Finding it, he brought it over and taking one of the pillows that Laurel had thrown on the floor, placed it on the stool. Caleb then very gently raised her foot onto the stool, still it caused her to wince in pain as she put her head back against the chair, gripping the arms.
“Please, let me give you something for the pain, Laurel. I cannot bear to see you like this,” Caleb said, as he began stroking her hair.
“No, not yet. I will fall asleep,” Laurel said weakly.
“And why would that be such a horrible thing?” he asked in a low voice.
“I do not wish to fall asleep yet,” she smiled at him, with a tired expression.
“Fine. Let me take this heavy book off your lap,” Caleb said as he put the book on a side table. “First I am going to bring back a cool cloth for your ankle, then I will go down to the kitchen and bring you something to eat. I will bring a book back from the library I had in mind to read to you this evening. How does that sound?” he asked, his voice sounding low and enticing.
“It sounds very nice,” Laurel said slowly smiling, with half closed eyes.
“You have to promise me however, that you will take some of the medicine that Master Elphin left you for your pain, after you have had a bite to eat,” Caleb said with insistence.
“I promise,” Laurel said in a small voice, still smiling at him.
“I will be back in a moment,” Caleb said as he stood up.
He returned fairly quickly with a cool cloth that he gingerly placed on her swollen ankle.
“I will have one of the servants bring in a basin of cool water, that way we can keep this on your ankle for a bit,” Caleb said as he adjusted the cloth.
He looked up with an amused expression as he heard her laugh.
“Why are you laughing your Highness?” he asked her.
“I was just thinking, how many people have the chance to say they have Prince Caleb of Heathwin as their personal attendant?” Laurel asked, with a giggle.
“No one. Consider yourself lucky my dear,” he smiled at her sardonically as he stood up again, lightly tweaking her nose. “I will be back soon. Do not get up,” he said with a stern tone.
“As you wish Sire,” Laurel said, laughing at him again.
He smiled at her mockingly and left the room. She sighed as he left, and putting her head back, closed her eyes to relax before Caleb came back. A few moments later there was a light knock on the door. Before she could answer or open her eyes, she heard women talking softly as they entered the room.
“Shh, she is asleep. Let us just put the basin and pitcher on this table,” the woman said in a whisper.
“Is it not touching how the Prince dotes on her? She would be a far better choice than the first one, that is for certain,” the second woman said, with a hint of bitterness in her voice.
“If the Queen had her way, she would never let this one leave,” the first woman said with a quiet laugh.
Both woman left laughing quietly as they shut the door. Laurel opened her eyes and smiled to herself. Now she was beginning to understand Mauve’s behavior, and how she felt Caleb was indeed changing in his feelings towards her. Tulla was not imagining it. She decided to keep this secret to herself, as if it were a special trinket she had found.
Caleb walked into the library, placing a rather large plate of food on a nearby reading table. He walked over to one of the towering book shelves that reached to the ceiling. The library of the Grand Lodge was impressive and the pride of the royal family, as it had been in existence at least since Caleb's grandfather. Every month for one day, it would be available to whoever wished to visit it. Caleb reached over, just above his head and picked out a book he knew would please Laurel. She loved poetry and especially loved the works of a poet from Heathwin itself. His poems were passionate and melancholy and were beautiful when read aloud by someone who appreciated their beauty and power. Caleb returned to Laurel’s room and was pleasantly surprised to find her still awake. She turned her head to look at him, giving him a warm smile.
“I thought you may have fallen asleep while I was gone,” Caleb said smiling as he walked into the room.
“No, I am too restless to sleep just yet,” Laurel answered stifling a yawn.
“Hmm. Too restless or in too much pain?” Caleb asked her pointedly as he placed the plate of food down on a side table near Laurel’s chair.
“Oh, Caleb. I hope you intend on sharing this food with me, this is far more than I could ever eat,” Laurel said looking at the abundance of items on the large plate.
“You are deliberately avoiding my question Laurel. Which tells me you are in quite a bit of pain. Are you not?” Caleb asked, as he moved a chair and sat down in front of her.
He looked at her expectantly with a slight grin. She smiled at him sheepishly, a bit embarrassed that he had caught her trying to do just that.
“Yes. I suppose I am feeling a bit uncomfortable,” Laurel conceded.
Caleb stood up and went over to the small dressing table where he had placed the vial of medicine. After pouring a small glass of water, he added two drops from the vial as the Physician instructed.
“Here you are. Do not make a fuss and just drink this,” Caleb said with an officious tone, handing the glass to Laurel.
He moved his chair closer to the small side table near Laurel’s chair, and watched her wrinkle up her nose as she drank the medicine.
“Eww! Why must it always taste so horrible? Cannot anyone make medicine at least tolerable?” Laurel complained. “I cannot finish this, it is disgusting. How many drops did you put in here?” Laurel grumbled.
“Well apparently not enough because you are still complaining. I put in exactly what was instructed, and you most certainly will finish it. I will not be so easily dismissed as Phineas or Tulla, so you had better get used to the idea. I am beginning to think I am going through the three tests,” Caleb spoke in a scolding tone.
Laurel just looked up from her glass with stormy eyes, beginning to pout again.
“Do not look at me like that. Finish the medicine and be done with it, so we can both move on with our lives,” Caleb said, smiling at her wryly.
Laurel sighed resignedly and gulped the medicine down quickly, making a face of complete disgust as she forced herself to swallow it.
“Now was that really so horrible?” Caleb asked her, trying his best not to laugh at her reaction.
“Yes! It was absolutely horrible. I will not be taking that again,” Laurel said, shaking her head in reaction to the bitter taste in her mouth, as she handed Caleb the empty glass.
“Yes, you will love. You are not going to suffer in pain needlessly. I will try to find something else to mix it in, to make it more palatable for her Highness,” Caleb said in a soft voice as he again moved the stray lock of hair out of her eyes.
“I am not a child Caleb. Do not tease me like that,” Laurel said in an injured tone, her eyes becoming teary and sad.
“I am not teasing you Laurel. I was just trying to lighten your mood a bit, please do not cry,” Caleb said his voice still soft, as he leaned over and kissed her temple.
“I am not crying,” Laurel said sniffing back tears. “I just hate feeling helpless and pathetic,” sounding more pitiful than before.
“You are not helpless and pathetic. But you are injured and you need to be patient and let yourself heal. Is it really so bad to allow me to take care you for a bit?” Caleb asked her, his eyes warm yet intense as he looked at her.
“No, it is not. I appreciate what you are doing for me. I do not mean to be ungrateful,” Laurel said in a small soft voice, her eyes becoming heavy as the medicine was starting to take effect.
Caleb noticed this and smiled at her. He brought the plate of food closer and put it between them.
“Let us eat something and then I will put another cool cloth on your ankle. Afterwards I will read to you from the book I have chosen for you. It is one of your favourites I believe,” Caleb continued speaking in a soft tone.
Laurel smiled at him warmly. She picked at the items on the plate, only eating a few bites, before she could not eat any longer. Caleb did not insist she eat more, as her eyes were becoming heavy from exhaustion and the medicine taking its effect on her. He again added a cool compress to her ankle, and was happy that this time she did not flinch in pain. As Laurel started to doze off in her chair, Caleb began to light candles as the room grew darker with the sun’s departure. Walking over to her bed he drew back the coverings. Caleb then approached Laurel and gently touched her face, not wanting to make her startle out of her sleep and hurt her ankle.
“Do you wish to lie down now mo daor?” Caleb asked her softly.
“Yes I do,” Laurel answered drowsily.
Caleb gently took her in his arms, carrying her over to the bed and placed her down, allowing her to sit on the edge, as he helped her remove her robe.
Helping her to lie down, she winced again as she moved to make herself comfortable. Caleb placed her ankle gently on a pillow before covering her up. She let out a soft sigh of relief as she settled into the bed. Caleb smiled down at her, leaning down and kissing her forehead once again.
“You are not leaving yet are you?” Laurel asked anxiously.
“No. Not yet. I still planned on reading to you. You may fall asleep if you want to,” Caleb said as he lightly stroked her hair.
Laurel reached up and took his hand, gently tugging at him. Caleb knelt down beside her as he assumed she wished to tell him something.
“I hope you do not find me childish, but...I am a bit nervous to be alone right now. I am not used to feeling this way, and after all that went on...,” Laurel trailed off, her eyes looking sad and tearful again.
“Would you like me to stay with you tonight?” Caleb smiled as he asked her, his voice barely above a whisper, reaching over to smooth her hair.
“If you do not mind,” Laurel answered, her voice sounding small and shaky with emotion.
“Of course not. I will drag that ridiculous chair you are so fond of over here and I will just sit in that for the night,” Caleb answered her, still playing with her hair.
“Oh, well that will not be very comfortable for you,” Laurel said in a concerned voice.
“You are forgetting mo daor, I sleep in tents on the ground. The chair will be more than comfortable,” he said smiling at her. “I will be right back, I am going to get out of these boots, change my clothes, and then I will be completely at your disposal,” Caleb squeezed her hand as he stood up to leave.
He looked over and smiled at her again before closing the door quietly behind him.
Laurel opened her eyes to find Caleb gently shaking her shoulders as he sat next to her on the bed.
“Wake up Laurel, it is just a dream,” Caleb said, his face wearing a concerned expression.
“What happened? What is wrong?” Laurel asked in a confused stupor.
“You were crying out in your sleep when I came back in the room,” Caleb answered, gently putting his hand on the side of her face.
“Oh, I am sorry. I do not remember,” Laurel spoke dazedly.
“Do not be sorry for having a bad dream,” Caleb said, lightly laughing. “I am glad you do not remember. By the sounds of it, it was not very pleasant,” Caleb smiled at her as he spoke. “How is your pain by the way? Be honest with me. I have brought you some tea to put the medicine in this time. Though I have to admit I enjoyed all those faces you made when you took it last,” Caleb enquired of her.
Laurel smiled at his admission, then thinking for a moment about his question. Caleb began to laugh at her as she was contemplating whether she needed the medicine or not.
“Why are you laughing at me?” she asked giggling back at him.
“Because if you actually have to think if you are feeling pain or not, then most likely you are not,” Caleb answered still laughing. “We will save the tea for next time.”
He stood up and dragged the heavy large chair over to the side of her bed, shoving it roughly against the wall. Laurel began to laugh at his expression as he did so.
“You really do not like the chair do you?” Laurel asked him giggling again.
“I have never understood my mother’s fondness for these enormous overstuffed things,” Caleb said sitting down in the chair, smirking at her.
“I actually like it,” Laurel said smiling at his annoyance of the heavy bulky chair.
“Well of course you do. You sit in it like some little bird in a nest,” Caleb replied laughing at her.
Laurel laughed with him at his reply. She then looked at Caleb with sleepy eyes, smiling at him as she reached over and held his hand that he had rested on the side of her bed. He smiled at her affectionate gesture, happy she was feeling less anxious.
“Would you like me to read the book now?” Caleb asked, rubbing his thumb across the top of her hand as she held his.
“Yes I would, I am curious what you picked out, after you mentioned it was one of my favourites. Who is it?” Laurel asked curiously, smiling at him.
“I am not going to tell you. I will just start reading and you can guess from that,” Caleb answered, grinning at her, his eyes still looking down at their hands.
“Will you at least give me a clue? What if I am not able to guess from the beginning?” Laurel asked, with a bit of a whine in her voice.
Caleb looked at her and began to laugh quietly. She was smiling at him coyly, her eyes sleepy and luminous.
“So you think if you whine a bit and give me that smile you will get your way?” he asked her, his voice deep and soft.
“Yes I do,” Laurel answered, smiling even more demurely.
“Well I am sorry to disappoint you,” Caleb said with a laugh. “I will give you a clue however. He is my favourite as well,” Caleb stated, watching her face intently, as she thought about his answer.
“That does not tell me anything,” Laurel said pouting, as she could not guess.
“Pouting is not going to work either. You will just have to listen as I read the book to you,” Caleb said smiling at her, as he stood up to retrieve the book from the side table they had eaten from.
