It was like the moments before the start of an upcoming fight, Gæded thought. The tension, the waiting, the feeling of holding your breath until the moment comes – it was all the same, though Gæded didn’t initially think that waiting for the Huntsmaster to wake up would feel like this.
The room was dark, the only light coming in through the small windows at the sides of the building. The beds and their inhabitants could just be seen, only really identifiable by their silhouettes. The healer moved about, carrying a candle in her hand – the only other source of light in the dark room – and the floorboards creaked at her movements. Gæded tapped her feet on the floor, making a light drumming sound. The ailed coughed and sniffed and moaned. One vomited and the slushing sound made Gæded cringe. It was an unpleasant place to be, but someone had to be there in case the Huntsmaster woke up.
The healer walked over to the Huntsmaster, putting her hand on the head of the woman. Gæded’s eyes flicked up, watching with worry. The healer walked away for a moment and Gæded looked back down at the floor. Gæded heard the swishing of water as the healer dipped something into a bucket and then walked back to the Huntsmaster. Gæded looked up again, watching the healer put a cloth on her head. Gæded called out, “How is she doing?*”
The healer looked back and then beckoned Gæded to come close. She pointed to Gæded to hold the Huntsmaster in a sitting position so that the bandage could be changed. “She’s still got a fever, but it is better than it was.” The bandage was taken off to reveal mangled flesh, healing but still unpleasant looking. Gæded looked to the healer, “That will scar, won’t it?” The healer laughed slightly, “Seeing as you are so scarred yourself, I think that your judgement would be better.” Gæded shook her head, “Hopefully it will heal up well. All torn like that, it will be difficult.” The healer nodded, taking some salve and rubbing it on the wounded flesh. A new bandage was wrapped on and the Huntsmaster was laid down again, still unconscious.
Gæded paused, voice slightly wavering as she spoke this time, “W..when do you think she will wake up?”
The healer stopped, smiling still, “I’m not sure. She should wake up though. Usually, when men don’t wake up, they have worse injuries than your friend. Though she is not from here, and may not be as resilient as an eorling. We will just have to wait and see.”
Gæded nodded, remembering the Huntsmaster’s previous injuries, especially the arrow to her gut. “She’s been through worse. She’ll be fine.”
The healer chuckled, “All of you must have stories to tell, seeing the number of injuries you keep referencing.”
Gæded snorted, shaking her head, “You have no idea.”
* Gæded and the healer are speaking in Rohirric.
