It was dark save the dying fire, and in a room normally filled with jovial conversation, banter, laughter, nothing was heard but the occasional pop of splintered, charred wood, and the laboured breathing of the heavy set woman, sleeping upright in her chair beside it. An empty cup was on the small table beside her, the minute remnants of the hawthorn infusion stuck to the inside. The words of the healer had terrified her, though she would never let him know, a man not even half her age speaking sense to her, younger than some of her children. She was determined though, like an old goat set on jumping over a high fence, she would follow his words, take his advice, and go against her nature, letting her children care for her instead. She could not leave them, not yet.
Her raven haired daughter, barely a woman, lay cuddled against her friend as they rested upon the bed, Jackilyns arm protectively around her, a hand soothingly stroking the girls arm, the same hand that had wiped tears away a few moments earlier.
It'll be alright Alys, he's doing his best for your Ma, and we must keep doing our best too. She's a fighter, better than them poncy armoured folk that find their way to town, she be stubborn too, she won't give in easily.
The girl sniffled, though the tears no longer fell.
I don't know what I'd do without her Jacki, she's me Ma, only one I've got.
Jackilyn kissed the crown of the girls head and shushed her gently
Don't be thinking such, we're all doing all we can.
That man, the one who is with your doctor, who is he?
A friend of his I think, and he ain't my doctor, not in the way you are implying.
He's pretty, bit messy, but pretty.
Aye..which one?
Both I suppose, maybe pretty people like being with pretty people.
Normally I'd say yes, but I don't think it be the same for those two, they're just company for one another I suppose, I don't know.
I'm going to show him how to dance.
Elias knows how to dance Alys.
Not him! The messy, pretty one. He looks like he needs it. Seems a bit shy too, when he ain't staring at me.
Jackilyn sighed for she knew what was happening, Alys had found herself another to be interested in, a full grown man, not a boy, and probably the cause of future heartache.
Don't tell your brothers about him, and don't be pestering him either, I know how you were trying to flirt with Elias before now. Why not a lad closer to your age? What about Tim?
Alys groaned a little
Tim? He complains when he gets a mark on his clothes, smells of violets and always be looking at himself in shiny things. I need a proper lad, one that can show me the world, one that knows how to treat a woman.
The other woman snorted in amusement at the girls words, Alys on the other hand was not so amused at the reaction.
What? Ain't that what you want? You have it anyway with that big lad who be keeping you company. Were barely knowing him before you were off traveling together.
Not the same Alys, I'm older and daft enough to make me own decisions, right or wrong. You are meant to be the best of us aye? Get it right because you be learning from our mistakes. Ath be lovely, but, everything that happened before knowing him, and why I know him, well, it ain't exactly a simple story as you know.
Alys shifted her head to look up at her friend
The doctor were a mistake?
No, no he weren't.
Then what do you mean?
It really don't matter Alys, all that matters right now be you, your Ma, and getting things back to how they should be aye?
..the big lad is?
This time it was Jackilyn who groaned, the girls line of questioning irritating her
What?! I ain't saying anything wrong, just asking is all.
Alys, you be minding your business and not be thinking on mine, alright?
You were the one going on about mistakes!
I were just making a point! Now get some sleep, I'll get up if your Ma needs anything, and your sister will be here in the morning.
Alys huffed and closed her eyes
Do you think he'd fancy a lass like me?
Go to sleep!
