Preparing...in the infirmary with Lady Loxley

[Halethala]

She . . had not intended to actually tend to the wounded . . had only meant to . . to help prepare for it . . but there they were. She was needed, all right . . every spare hand was needed. How so many were able to fit in that one room was a mystery . .

Beyond the actual ministry of cutting away of dead flesh, stitching, and binding carefully, there was endless washing. Cleansing the dirt and sweat from the place of their wounding, mopping at fevered brows, often more just to calm them than anything, keeing a steady flow for Rayven as she worked, washing hands that continually became sticky with the viscous red fluid . . all too soon the floor of the spotless infirmary was awash in pinkened suds, though one servant spent her entire time in attemtping to mop it up that none might slip in the mess.

There were times Letha had to squeeze her eyes shut momentarily and steady her breath, reaching deep within to find the strength to remain upright in the face of some of the worst of the woundings. How anyone could DO such things . . how any could bear the pain! It took several of the more strapping young male servants all they could muster to hold down the men as Rayven did her best to mend the torn bodies . .

Time had become meaningless as they raced against it . . when light crept back through the window, Letha was almost startled to see it again . . Her entire front drenched and every muscle on fire, she wearily looked to the silhoutte of the Healer with deep admiration, and came near to offer, "M'Lady . . Ye be a saint. Take some time to eat a bit, and rest . . "

She did not say what they all knew . . this was only the first of them . . the lull was an illusion. How would they manage?

[Rayven]

((Post has been modified))



The air in the little room eddied to and fro almost as if it sagged against the weight of all the suffering and pain of the wounded. A lithe form stood in the doorway, her blonde hair framed by the pink and gold glow of the dawn sky that had begun to eclipse the fading stars.

I rose up unsteadily; handing a bowl of rosewater and fresh cloths that I had used to administer to the men’s wounds this morning to Halelatha and greeted Lady Loxley.

Her words reached me through a haze of fatigue but they were like a shaft of joy that warmed my pale face. I took comfort in her words of support and kindness.

My voice was barely a whisper as I spoke in reply:

“My Lady, please convey to those of Kelider my gratitude for their offered help and concern. We can use yarrow, tansy, chervil for burns, centaury, but make sure you ask that they send the root of the plant as well as the flowers, and vervain, if they have any extra on hand."

[Dream Loxley]

*She smiled as the Lady spoke......reaching for pen and parchment from the counter and wrote the names of the herbs and flowers down....for she did not have such knowledge of them all and was prone to forgetfulness.

Another glance about the Infirmary told her that all was done that could be for now and she curtsied then to both Ladies....making her way out again.

A smile and word or two to the injured and a nod of thanks to the twins....then she returned to her duties.*

((Dream may be a tad slow at times...but not blonde ))