"I'm fine! Stop fussing!"
The young woman attempted to push the womans hand away from her forehead, only to have it slapped by the chubby fingers of the cook. Quickly Jackilyn pulled back as a scolded child would, allowing the woman to press her hand against her skin. A rather tipsy Archie interjected.
"Aggie, leave my girl be, if she says she is fine she is.."
At this point Jackilyns father let out the most marvelous of belches, a resounding one that filled the camp, likely as loud as any drum that was ever heard
"Archie Blackburrow, are you a mother?!"
The man looked down at his chest as if checking if two key components to being a woman were there, and gave a slow shake of the head
"Then stop talking, mothers know best! If Lillyann were here she'd be doing the same, checking the child were well! Now lets have a look..I told you..I told you lass.."
Jackilyn pulled the blanket tighter around her as she sat by the roasting campfire, her shivering not exactly what would be expected from a healthy person who was so close to the flames.
"What did I say? Out here would be the death of you! You need a bed! It's been pouring down lately!
The surly young woman looked up at the large cook, a big, pillow like shape whose expression though strict, had a good deal of concern behind it.
"Fine! I'll stay at.."
Suddenly she sneezed, loudly, causing one of the Denton lads to jump in surprise, his ale flying from the tankard to spectacularly land all over his clothing.
"Stay at..at.."
..and she sneezed again,
"You need medicine child, hot soup, warm bed!"
Jackilyn didn't protest, feeling as poorly as can be.
"I can stay with her. In Combe"
As if on cue, all seven around the campfire gave a look of horror and a resounding "NO!" though once the shock passed her father piped up, after another swig of brew.
"Inn'll do, I'll get her a room till she's well, or lass can come back home, her choice"
The girl shuddered, not from their words, but of the fever. Regardless, she was comforted, even though disappointed at being so ill, that they were close by. Mrs Denton put her arm around her, and a cup of hot liquid to her lips, encouraging the girl to drink.
"You've done too much lass, and not sleeping, it's caught up with you it has. Burning the candle both ends, not good for anyone it aint. Times I've told him in there ab-.."
The old womans words trailed off as Jackilyns head lowered with a sigh.
"..well, you know what I mean. Now drink up girl, I'll collect something for this fever from him over there, and your pa will take you down to the inn."
Jackilyn finally did protest..
"No no, lass in Combe will do! Don't be troubling him there, I'm doing al..alr.."
And yet she had another explosive sneeze, turning her head in the process to a rather repulsed Quentin. Once done, she sheepishly apologised
"Sorry"
