Under Yllfa’s careful watch, Bronaa had been making a syrup to ease winter ailments. The autumn was slowly progressing, and the chill months ahead often saw more of the older folk in particular laid low with chest and head pains, and with stubborn coughs. It could lead to the death of weaker folk, both old and young.
Now she had been spending a little time each week with Yllfa, and sometimes with Ethel, as the healer taught them a little of the more basic methods to ease other’s suffering. For the most part it had been about how to pack wounds, and how to staunch the flow of blood. Yllfa’s concern was to ensure both could take care of those wounded from confrontation, or from mishaps. But these past weeks she had changed to tinctures and syrups. This one consisted mainly of elderberries and honey, with some dried summer rosebuds thrown in. Bronaa’s part was straining out all the elderberry seeds, as they could cause more harm than good, and she listened attentively as Yllfa explained that eating the berries uncooked could assist in relieving some congestion of the bowels, though there were safer herbs for that purpose.
But then Yllfa had halted, suddenly annoyed with herself.
“The thyme is missing!” the healer had announced with frustration.
“Is it important?” Ethel asked, looking at the honey covered wooden spoon with some longing.
“Well aye. Thyme is a great healer. I would have all the ingredients to leave the best medicine I can.” Slapping her own cheek lightly, Yllfa continued. “I need to make this today. I will have to go and ask Northgyth if she has any to spare. I won’t be long.”
Bronaa was learning something with every lesson. Perhaps ‘check your ingredients’ was today’s lesson, she mused. But then again, Yllfa rarely forgot anything. It could be she had something else on her mind?
So Bronaa waited. She knew enough not to touch anything while Yllfa was away.
Bronaa waited. Increasingly tempted to lick the spoon with its pleasant coating of honey and elderberry juice.
But no! She would resist. She thought a short walk may aid her resolve?
So the young novice herbalist took up her cloak to wrap about her shoulders, and set out on a short stroll to the west of Waelden and Yllfa’s home. She would take a look at the horses at Brynleigh’s stable and maybe speak with the stable master, if there was time.
The wind was building up into quite a gust, swirling crisp gold and maroon coloured leaves in the girl's path. She chuckled despite herself, batting at some of them as she walked. The air smelt of summer’s end, and of a ripe harvest. Passing the small lake, she was rewarded by sight of one of Brynleigh’s paddocks. Sure enough, there were a few horses out to grass. There was a large bay that she recognised, and two others she didn’t. There was Brynleigh’s own beloved horse, Jack…..and a boy trying to calm him?
That wasn’t right!
Approaching the fence of the field, Bronaa called out in a steady voice,”What’s going on there. What are you doing?”
Both Jack and the boy stopped what they were doing and looked to her. The horse’s large, expressive eyes seemed to be trying to communicate something. He whinnied and shook his head.
He was not angry with the boy, nor in any sense afraid, but something was distressing him.
The boy patted the horse in a kindly reassuring manner, yet Jack still was not at ease.
“I am just checking on the horses, miss. I am looking after them at the moment. No need to be concerned.”
Narrowing her eyes, Bronaa thought she recognised the lad as being from one of the more outlying farms. He had a good manner about him, and if Jack was not angry with him then he was no would-be thief. Aye, it was fine.
“So Brynleigh isn’t at home?”
“No miss.”
Bronaa thought to maybe return some time later with a few apples. Jack would undoubtedly be missing his rider. An apple might cheer him up a bit.
Waving back at the boy, Bronaa decided to abandon her walk and headed back, slowly kicking at the leaves as she went.
‘Jack would undoubtedly be missing his rider’, she thought again.
From a distance along the path ahead, she could see Yllfa returning, with a large linen pouch stuffed with herbs, over one shoulder.
She raised a hand in recognition,”Back to work Bronaa. We have much to do before the sun sets this eve.”
“May I lick the spoon when we have finished,” Bronaa retorted.
“But something was niggling at the back of the girl’s mind. Had she heard right? Had Yllfa really said “I would have all the ingredients to leave the best medicine I can?”
Where was Yllfa planning to go?
