The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 42
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“We have cleaned up the mess the patient made, will you be needing anymore assistance Ollam Blathnaid?” a flustered young doe med asked.
“No Orla. That will be all thank you,” Blathnaid replied with a kind smile, as the young women all sighed in relief and hurriedly left the room. “Now go and introduce yourself Laurel, and see what you can accomplish with him today. Just call if you should need me,” Blathnaid said smiling drolly then she too left the room.
Laurel looked over at the muttering angry Kedesh, sitting up with his arms crossed and looking at her with a very vexed expression.
“Good morning Fraoch. Now what can I do for you to help make your morning less…irritating,’ Laurel asked cheerfully, walking up to the bed and smiling coyly at him.
He answered in a very rude tone, speaking in Kedesh, she did not understand him but had little doubt he was being quite rude.
“I am well aware Fraoch you can speak common, as I have been to your vendor stall several times,” Laurel replied back in a scolding tone.
“Yes, I know who you are. What are you doing here….Princess Laurel?” Fraoch asked in a snide squeaky voice, folding his arm tighter against his chest.
“If you know who I am than you should have no question as to why I am here. Was my mother not an Ollam?” Laurel asked in the same indignant tone, reaching over and adjusting his blankets and pillows.
Fraoch’s face softened, lowering his eyes for a moment and nervously wiggling his fingers together in front of him.
“I wish to offer my condolences Princess Laurel. The Queen was most generous to my people, allowing us early access into the city, so as not to be pushed out by the other vendors. She cared for my cousin who was injured last season in a boating mishap and was very compassionate in her care of him. Please excuse my rudeness your Highness,” Fraoch offered in a more subdued tone and demeanour.
“Thank you Fraoch, I truly appreciate your sentiment. However in the House of Healing, please only refer to me as Laurel,” Laurel stated with a kinder tone and smile, reaching over and patting his small stubby hand, which closely resembled a paw, as the Kedesh race looked very much like rodents to the humans.
“Now as I was saying. What can I do for you to make you feel more comfortable and at ease during your stay here?” Laurel asked in a kind manner.
“Well first of all, I find these ugly gowns they force you to wear, most uncomfortable. They are far too long and the colour is dreadful. I wish for my own clothes. My sleeping tunics are more stylish than this gunnysack I have on. I wish to have my own clothes,” Fraoch requested again, the irritation returning to his small squeaky voice.
Laurel smiled at his request, knowing the Kedesh often wore very ornate and elaborately detailed clothing. The Kedesh males often seen in ornately trimmed tunics and britches of bright colours, sometimes even their boots were as bright as the rest of their clothing. The Kedesh females wore dresses of silk or velvet, trimmed with brightly coloured ribbons and lace. They loved jewellery, and often had semi-precious stones sewn into their dresses and dainty slippers. The females wore several piercings on their small pointed ears, showcasing their love of earrings. The males also wore them, but often just one, as long as it was sparkly and noticeable. Laurel noticed Fraoch had a torn ear, more than likely a result of his efforts to defend his caravan.
“Tell me where to retrieve your clothes and I will get them for you,” Laurel offered with a bright smile.
“You will?” Fraoch asked in delight, his ear and fingers wiggling once again, his smile revealing his sharp pointy teeth.
“Of course. I am here to make you comfortable. Now about the food. Why do you insist on throwing it about the room?” Laurel asked, with a wry grin.
“It is most disagreeable to my pallet. They serve far too many vegetables. Everyone knows we Kedesh only eat parsnips and cabbage, and they must be boiled together. We do like apples, and an occasional carrot, but that is all! All that meat needs is a light sear over an open flame. And they ruin what would otherwise be a lovely piece of meat by cooking it to ruination! Most dreadful,” Fraoch said with utter disdain, wrinkling his nose.
“I see. Well I shall see about getting you a proper breakfast for you,’ Laurel said as she began to leave the room to speak to the staff cooks.
“And eggs! I adore eggs! But only gently boiled with the yolks still running,” Fraoch called out, before Laurel left the room.
“I will see what I can do Fraoch. I shall be back soon,” Laurel replied with a warm tone as she turned and left the room.
She came back in a short time carrying a tray with a fresh breakfast for Fraoch. Placing the tray in front of him, he smiled delightedly wiggling his fingers and ears in anticipation. The tray held two softly boiled eggs, sliced apples as well as fried toast, even though he had not mentioned the toast, she felt it would not hurt to offer it. Laurel smiled in surprise at watching the little Kedesh eat his breakfast almost daintily with the tableware provided. Fraoch finished his breakfast rather quickly, licking his lips as he hungrily ate the last nibble of fried toast.
“Ah, most delightful Laurel. It is the best meal I have has in the two dreadful days since being here. The eggs were very nice, but not as delectable as the eggs of a Black breasted Barnacle Goose. The goose itself is also quite tasty. The eggs are very large and quite delectable, especially with a bit of fish,” Fraoch, said with a satisfied sigh and lightly patting his stomach.
“I am very happy to hear that Fraoch. I will see what I can do about the goose eggs, though we do not have the Barnacle Goose, we still have your lovely barnyard version, which also lay very large eggs. Now let me see to your dressings to make sure there is no infection,” Laurel directed gently as she moved the covers, only to be met by Fraoch’s frantic resistance.
“No! It is all fine. Do not touch it!” the little Kedesh demanded pushing her hands away.
“Fraoch! Stop this nonsense. I must see to your injuries, how do you expect to get well again?” Laurel scolded him trying once again to move the covers off.
“It does not matter. I might as well just rot here. I will not be able to travel again with this hip. How will I ever be able to trade and sell from my stall? I will no longer be a useful member of the caravan. They will insist I settle down and sell useless trinkets on a roadside or simply be left to clean fish on my cousin’s houseboat,” Fraoch said with obvious despair, his small ears dropping slightly.
“Well, if you can no longer travel perhaps you could stay here in Gwenlais. I must tell you Fraoch, you are one of my favourite vendors. I have purchased many slippers as well as lovely shawls from your stall,” Laurel told him patting his hand once again and then gently moving the covers away and carefully looking at the bandages on his leg.
“I was not aware of this Laurel,” Fraoch said in surprise wiggling his fingers excitedly again. “But a stall would not do for inclement weather. I would need to find a shop. That way my caravan could deliver their wares to me. In fact my family members could to the same, making it possible for them to no longer have to sell from their boat. But where would I find a shop here in Gwenlais?” Fraoch asked with concern.
“Do worry yourself over that at this time. I am sure something will work out. Concentrate on getting better first,” Laurel said as she began to change the bandages, only to be met by the Kedesh resisting her further. “Fraoch! You really must stop this. What can we work out as an agreement to allow me to care for you? I shall make sure your meals are to your liking. Will this help?” Laurel asked with a wry smirk.
The Kedesh looked at her with his large dark eyes intently, thinking for a moment.
“Allow me to teach you to speak Kedesh. Then I will agree to let you care for me,” Fraoch offered with a sly grin, his sharp teeth exposed with his smile.
“Oh…very well Fraoch. I suppose it will be most useful,” Laurel reasoned as the Kedesh cackled in delight. “Why do you laugh that way?” Laurel asked him warily.
“No reason Laurel, I am just delighted to be able to teach you a few useful phrases,” he cackled in a high pitched laugh once again.
“I would not have believed it if I had not seen it myself,” whispered the Ollam Aoife.
“I knew she could do it,” Blathnaid whispered back smiling warmly at Laurel and her new patient.
The next two days proved to be very busy for Laurel as she not only cared for Fraoch, making sure his meals were to his liking, but also in learning how to mix and refill tonics and herbal mixtures in the large apothecary of the House of Healing. She enjoyed this task most of all, as it allowed her to be by herself and enjoy the quiet. She also enjoyed her first experience with helping Aoife to deliver a young mother’s first baby. The young woman was frightened and distressed for the first few hours, but between Laurel and the young woman’s husband by her side, she soon calmed down and concentrated on her arduous task. Several hours later a large and boisterously crying baby boy had entered into the world. Laurel was overjoyed at having experienced this wondrous sight for the first time. She later asked Aoife if the attendance of the father was a normal practice.
“Not always, but a few brave souls have been more than willing to help their wives through their ordeal, and it is beginning to catch on,” Aoife explained warmly, impressed with Laurel’s eagerness and willing to learn all that was expected of her.
Aoife herself was doubtful, Princess Laurel, would be as good a student as she had become, not fully agreeing with the decision to allow her to immediately become a doe med. She was happily surprised with Laurel’s keenness and readiness to learn and not afraid of working hard. There was one occurrence when Laurel did hesitate for a moment in helping her Ollam teacher Blathnaid. A harvest worker had been severely injured with a scythe when the first hay cutting had begun. He was brought into the House of Healing, screaming in his agony, and bleeding profusely. His lower arm was barely still attached, as the cut from the scythe had gone cleanly through his arm and crushing the bone. Laurel stared at the young man writhing and screaming on the treatment table, transfixed and unable to move. She watched Blathnaid and two other Ollams attempt to care for him, as two male attendants held him fast. Laurel’s mind raced back to the river village, seeing again the torn and broken bodies of her mother and the others, hearing the screams of terror, the smell of blood overwhelming her.
“Laurel! Come here I need you!” Blathnaid’s voice, jarring Laurel back to awareness.
Laurel stepped forward, as Blathnaid directed her to hold the wound so that a tourniquet could be applied. When it was secured, Blathnaid then instructed Laurel to go to the apothecary and retrieve a mixture called dwale, which was used to place the patient in a deep sleep. This was a mixture that included various herbs, bile, seeds from the wild poppy flower, as well as hemlock. It was dangerous and potent so it had to be given by placing a cloth doused in it and having the patient inhale the vapours. Laurel returned quickly, then carefully pouring the dwale in a heavy cloth, gently placed it over the young man’s nose and mouth, until his struggles ceased and he became unconscious. Mistress Gavenia performed the surgery, sadly having to remove the young man’s lower arm. After cauterizing the wound and applying a poultice of yarrow and wild geranium, it was bandaged and the patient was brought to a warm and comfortable room, to be observed until he regained consciousness. He would be kept in a sedated stupor, until the Ollams were certain his pain would be lessened, and no infection had occurred. Besides caring for Fraoch, Laurel had asked if she could care for the young man as well. Several days later he was able to fully regain consciousness, his mother and brother were almost in constant attendance. His name was Norval, and he had been a harvest worker since he was sixteen seasons. Laurel had convinced her father to come and see him, to offer him his condolences for his injury and to thank him for his dedication.
“Do not worry my lad. Gwenlais will be forever grateful for your hard efforts and sacrifice. You will receive a monthly wage, and will be helped to find another task for you. I was just informed by the head cook, that she is in need of strong young man to carry in an armload of wood, and kettles of water, and helping the young maids in the kitchen gardens. I feel you are up to the task Norval, not to mention the staff will be most pleased to have handsome young man in its midst. So what say you?” King Garron asked, with a kind smile.
“I would be happy to accept the position Sire,” Norval replied with a weak grin, as his mother looked up at the King, grateful tears in her eyes.
“Very good then. When the Ollams deem you well enough, report for duty. Trust me when I tell you they will be looking for you,” King Garron said, with a sly smile and a wink.
The Kedesh lessons started as Fraoch began to improve, Laurel helping him to learn how to use a crutch. After sitting in a comfortable chair in his room, Laurel shared the happy news that she had managed to find a vacant small shop for him, just entering the city of Gwenlais. It was located between a bakery and a cobbler’s shop. The owner of the shop was willing to take only a small share of the profits to allow Fraoch use of the shop, as well as live in the small dwelling area in the back. The owner not only did this as a favour to Laurel, but he also found that the Kedesh were very shrewd at business and brought in rare and fascinating wares from all over Rienfield. Fraoch was overjoyed, telling Laurel he would never forget her kindness.
“We Kedesh may be many things, but ungracious is not one of them,” he told her with a toothy grin. “Now Laurel are you ready to begin your first lesson in Kedesh?” he asked his sly grin returning.
“I certainly am Fraoch. I have been looking forward to it,” Laurel replied with a bright smile.
Fraoch then slowly and carefully spoke a phrase, saying it twice before having Laurel repeat it. She repeated the phrase slowly and clearly, Fraoch surprised with how well she mastered the accent of the Kedesh. He began to laugh quite heartily as she repeated the phrase once more at his request.
“Why are you laughing Fraoch, did I not say it correctly?” Laurel asked in bemusement.
“Oh….oh yes your Highness. You said it perfectly. I am laughing at not how you said it, but at what you said,” he answered laughing again in a high squeaky voice.
“Well tell me what I said,” Laurel requested beginning to laugh as well at his reaction.
Fraoch then went one to tell Laurel she had just told someone they enjoyed the intimate company of various livestock. Laurel’s eyes went wide with shock, then began to laugh until her face blushed furiously.
“Oh Fraoch, I cannot believe I said that!” she exclaimed laughing again.
“You said it quite well Laurel, with perfect inflection,” Fraoch replied, his ears wiggling in delight. “Do you wish to learn some more, shall we say, colourful terms?” he asked her, in a low conspiring voice.
Laurel looked about the room, then leaning closer said in a quiet tone, with an impish grin, “Yes I would, but let us keep this between ourselves. You have no idea how many times I wished to use more colourful expressions, but I would never have gotten away with it,” she said, with a mischievous giggle.
“I could teach you many such expressions Laurel, and no one would be the wiser,” the little Kedesh spoke in a conspiring tone, as Laurel giggled at him again.
What do they talk about?” Mistress Gavenia asked in a low voice, as she and Blathnaid peeked in Fraoch’s room, watching them both laugh in delight over some secret conversation.
“I do not know Mistress, but the Kedesh has been most agreeable since Laurel took over his care,” she mentioned with pride, looking in and smiling at Laurel and Fraoch’s interaction.
The Growing season passed quickly, with Lady Ellos and King Garron nearly completing their wedding preparations. Phineas found himself doing most of the Harvest lists without the King’s help, as he was too preoccupied to assist. Phineas however did not mind, having this task to himself. He found it petty and ridiculous to have Caleb insist on the same crops and supplies and to have to argue as to why some of these things needed to be increased. Knowing for the most part what Heathwin required he was able to get the supplies ready ahead of Prince Caleb’s arrival which was just more than a fortnight away. Laurel had become quite proficient at her duties at the House of Healing, looking forward to going most of the week. The young apprentices and doe meds had all grown very fond of her, as she did not acknowledge her station as Princess whenever she was on duty, and did not shy away from any task, no matter how humble. Marina came to see her one day and was quite surprised to find her on her hands and knees scrubbing a floor that a patient had been in, and had gotten sick over eating a bad meat pie. Laurel smiled when seeing Marina, explaining many of the attendants were busy, as this was a hectic time for the harvesters and workers, and many minor injuries occurred at this time. It was then that Marina asked her mother if she could be an attendant. At first Lady Ellos did not approve, seeing how Marina being an attendant was of no real significance. Laurel was able to convince her later, stating that several daughters of nobility, including Deaglan’s younger sister, volunteered to be attendants to the doe meds and Ollams. Much to Marina’s delight, her mother later agreed.
It was a much quieter and peaceful time as the Harvest season approached in Heathwin. The apple harvest in the village of Tipperary was just beginning as well as the cider making. Soon the sheep shearing and weaving in Ardara would be underway. After the northern remote village had been attacked by slavers, King Fergus promoted a new Sentinel Captain, who had been Cahir’s former lieutenant, to Patrol the remote villages more regularly. It did much in keeping the people calmer and the presence of slavers at bay, at least for the time being. Caleb was looking forward to returning to Gwenlais, as Laurel had Colm return once more with a letter she had written. Laurel informed him, she was doing well and was quite busy with her duties, but not telling him she had been accepted as a doe med and not an apprentice. He smiled each time he read the letter as she sounded more like her vivacious and animated self, as it was not in her nature to be sullen and of ill mood. Soon the time arrived to send the wagons ahead of the rest of the group that would be going to Gwenlais. The King and Queen were looking forward to visiting for a much happier occasion. The royal family arrived several days before the nuptial of King Garron and Lady Ellos, for the purpose of both securing the harvest supplies and goods, as well as enjoying the wedding festivities. As the royal family and the group of Sentinels with them came through the city gates, the King and Queen proceeded on the path to Lodge, while Caleb and Aiden rode to the House of Healing, as Caleb was anxious to see Laurel. It was in the early afternoon, so Caleb had surmised Laurel would still be attending to her duties. As they approached the House of Healing, Caleb saw a group of young women in the Ollam meadow, and upon closer inspection, saw that Laurel was among them, wearing a dress of forest green he had never seen her wear before. The brothers continued to ride into the meadow, when one of the young apprentices alerted Laurel to Caleb and Aiden’s approach. Laurel smiled as she looked over at them, walking over to meet them as they continued on their way.
