Busy In The Infirmary

[sofia]

PART 1 (done sunday or monday in room I just hadnt got a chance to post it yet so here it is now)


(23:06:22)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
: In the moon's bright light the sleek exotic-looking ships pulled up into the port and a petite figure clad in embroidered robes and cloak disembarks. Behind her, not a minute later, swarthy Arab and dark Moorish sailors also disembark. Many carry large jars of raw honey, others heft barrels of oats or barley or millet, yet others bring thick bundles of small clothing. These were as the woman's family had promised, but there was more. Charity to those in need was a pillar of her people's faith, and many in the Amir's sphere of influence had responded kindly in hearing of the happenings in windstorm. Many had sent dried fruits....raisins or apricots or dates, all rich in food value. A group of women from a local mosque had gatherd a couple small bales of plain fabrics and a small chest of sewing supplies. With everything, some 3 dozen sailors follow the tiny dark figure up the long trek to the castle......
(23:14:41)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
: ~At the courtyard her soft voice raised, directing in swift flowing Arabic. The honey is sent to the infirmary, and clothing and fabrics to teh temporary shelters. All of the dried fruits and barrels of grains go to the kitchen, along with several very large jars of honey reserved for the purpose. Her family had bought out every honey-merchant in the city to gain this supplky, and for some weeks yet honey would be a dear item in that foreign exotic city, but for now Windstorm had plenty~
(23:23:36)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
: ~The brown and black sailors speaking in Arabic and Spanish draw wide-eyed stares and asps of amazement wherever they go, the men taking great delight in staring right back at the children in merry curiosity. Soon all the items are deposited where they go, and the exotic sailors begin to make their way back to the ships. Standing in the courtyard, she watches till the last of the men is gone, then with a sigh adjusts her heavy purple cloak and turns to go inside~

[sofia]

PART 2 (all written today in here)

~Since her return the petite Moroccan woman had been on the go, rushing here and there to take care of this and that. With so many women and elders and children the strain was beginning to wear on all. With no occupation the refugees were beginning to fray at the edges, tempers fraying with stress and worry. Now out in the stables the general unrest is beginning to be a serious problem, and the woman stands with Perrin as they debate what might help. Neither has much of an operative solution, till they overhear one querelous voice pipe up that if he didn't find something to do he was gonna lose his wits. Dark eyes meet bright blue as the realization hits them. Turning without a word they hurry into Perrin's office and shut the door. Not ten seconds later low murmurs of voice may be heard...the soft scratching of quill on parchment. yes that is a good idea...how about.....what do you think with......hmmm not so sure......what about the...? The voices murmur on for quite some minutes, then the door opens and the two small figures emerge holding a parchment sheet fairly well covered in writing. Perrin's agile hands post it up, and Sofia's rich accent fills the stable as her voice lifts.
GOOD EVENING....*and the murmur dies down as she speaks* Please forgive me if I am speaking out of place, I am not of this country and know not all such customs. *A soft blush gracing fair cheeks at this* If I am seeming rude I must beg pardons, yet it has been heard to say that some might wish to be finding occupations for some times. For those who may be wishing such, Master Perrin has posted a small bill of tasks that may be found. *Here she points to the discreet location around the backside of the stables. There it could be found by any who wished to seek it, but there was no hint of it otherwise, placing no obligation upon the tired and stressed refugees for their shelter and food. She takes a breath as she slips out of the stable entirely, hoping she hadn't committed some major breach of propriety.
Meanwhile, a couple of hte older girls were curious and went over to the posted parchment, reading aloud

For those wishing to find occupation, some small suggestions
Helping prepare fields or gardens for tilling and planting
help plant fields or gardens
Gathering reeds and rushes for strewing
Gathering wood from the coppice'd grove
Helping shear sheep
Helping process the wool
Helping spin/weave/sew
Paths may be cleaned and define the edges with pretty stones
Weaving of baskets
Cleaning of all areas
Unloading of ships
Cleaning and sharpening of tools and weapons
Repair of armor or clothing
Making of clothes for young ones
As the girls read, faces began to brighten. Yes there was busywork on there, yet there were also real tasks, something they could do to assist their hosts after so long. The mere thought of that brought back a dignity to some of the wounded men's faces. They were of proud and honorable race, lying idle on charity would not well suit their natures. Within minutes some began to disperse, and soon other small groups were making their way out with purpose to their steps. Among the wounded men there was a definite perking up, their long-idle hands gladly seizing on the tasks of cleaning and sharpening the weapons. If they could not walk, they at least had regained the dignity of a needed and masculine occupation. Soon laughter and jokes begin to be heard, and when a breeze blows through the foulness that had been festering blows away with it, leaving room only for a beautiful day ina beautiful and peaceful little kingdom.

[Lady Edfeil]

*It was great to have the help. Sofia had a natural authority and it was a blessing for both the refugees from Caerfarnon and the young of Windstorm to be given tasks. The rhythm of the castle had been unsettled by the influx of people. Few men, save those that were now recovering or recovered of their wounds in the defense of Caerfarnon, but more women, children and elderly.
The first days they had been grateful just to be alive, but a restlessness was slowly settling over people that simply nae knew what their future would bring. She needed to speak with Queen Caera, and soon. But for now... Sofia's capable organizing would help them find their footing and see a future, wether that future was here or in Caerfarnon.

[LADY LAURESTINA]

(( awesome Sophia!))

[sofia]

~She haunts the infirmary, slender fingers running over sheet after sheet of parchment. A wounded soldier's foot wound had taken a nasty turn, and she knows that somewhere in these sheaves of exotic flowing Arabic scripts there is a potent remedy to be found. The venerable and sharp-witted Brother Simon had gifted the young woman with the choicest fruits of all his years of knowledge as the monastary's herb-keeper.
"The good Lord gaveth to man every green herb bearing seed" and "No good issues from a remedy foul" were the ancient Benedictine's guiding laws, in perfect accord with Sofia's own training. She smiles softly, recalling the querellous yet kind-hearted Brother...perhaps another visit was in order....
Ah! *A happy exclamation...there it was, and in his own hand even! *Dark eyes scan, reading the words with difficulty yet managing.

"Sofia Soror,
For a most potent healing poultice, do thou take of common plantain leaves and flowers of Lavendar, beating them well in a smooth glazed vessel. When the matter be well pulped, do you then add the measure of fresh honey. This remedy be not absolutely certain, yet it hath been of aide in every case.
Pax Christi
Simon Frater Benedictus



"Bless you Brother Simon!" She whispers fervently, relief flooding her like a wave. Oftentimes the simplest way was best. Now she sets to work, reasoning that if the mixture was good to apply, it would be good as a wound wash too. 2 low, wide kettle is set to the hearth to heat, one plain and one with a serious dose of willowbark set to steep. Slender hands takes up a smoothly glazed bowl. She steps outside to the depleted gardens, spying a lavendar bush. Quickly several thick stems of pungent blossoms are snipped, then a few minutes by the side of the paths yields sufficient of the dark green plantain leaves.
She puts these in the glazed vessel, and taking a similarly glazed pestle, begins to smash and grind at the ingredients. Thick pungent-scented juice soon emerges, a dark green, strong enough to make her eyes water. Still she persists, grinding the tough plant matter into a coarse pulp. The water is by now steaming, and a generous scoop of pulp is put in and stirred around. Scented steam curls up, perfuming the entire room.... a cup of the strong dark willowbark tea being poured into a cup and set beside the bed. Leaving that off the coals to cool and steep, a scoop of pristinely-cleaned honey is added to the glazed mortar. Once more the pestle is applied, making a dark coarse chunky goop. If the scent was any indication this was potent stuff indeed!

When all is in readiness she opens the windows and doors, letting the whole infirmary air out..
"Please, bring him to me now, and lay him on that bed there. He is to begin drinking the tea immediately, if he has fever it must be reined in". The Guards nod, and head out of site. She takes this time to wash her hands thoroughly, and lay out clean linen bandages, dropping immaculate cloths into the potent barely-too-hot washing tea.

When the groaning man is brought in, his foot is red and swollen, looking virulent. She mutters something in Arabic, then shakes her head and takes a deep breath. As he is laid down he is given the cup to drink, while she examines his foot. It's truly awful, all red and swollen with a foul smell. Taking the first soaked cloth, she squeezes it over the open and oozing wound...then looks to the man when he doesn't gasp or flinch at hot water on such a raw infected wound...but he's oblivious..drinking the tea with a grimace.
"You did not feel this becoming foul, sir?"
"Nay m'lady Moor, I felt naught, till I looked down and saw it thus"

She nods, biting her tongue to keep smooth features, and continues to squeeze the potent tea over the infected injury. When the worst crud is rinsed away, she begins to wash it in earnest, with a sure and gentle touch, being thorough. Though a very bad sign, it was a nice side-effect to have the foot numb for the cleaning. She could be more thorough that way. At first the stench is awful, but as the sickness and corruption are washed away it subsides, and every trace of unsound flesh. The used cloths she throws directly into the fire to be burned. Finally only the clean bare flesh remains. This she packs with the honeyed herb mixtore, binding it with the bandages.
"Give him the tea 3 times each day, and do was I did, morning and evening...mre if necessary". She tells the man how the medicine is made, then with a sigh gets up to go her wya for the day**

[sofia]

(18:26:41)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: She's in the infirmary today, taking a look at the foot that had gotten infected. The treatments recommended by Brother Simon had worked somewhat, and the willow kept most fever away, yet still it would not fully disinfect and heal. Now she sits studying her scrolls, hoping to find something useful

(18:34:32)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: Scroll after scroll yields nothing, to her disappointment. The man is weakening, and if something doesn't change the situation could become grim. Slim fist knuckles dark eyes and a sigh escapes. This is frustrating, and she wishes a more experienced hand were here to take charge....but this time that was her, and she knows it, feeling a deep responsibility to treat what should be a simple thing

(18:37:56)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: For lack of anything better, she turns to an ancient middle-eastern staple. Let him be fed of garlick and onions, and fed of barley gruel....*She hesitates here, bowing to the mans european palate*..and boiled beef broth. So much as he may bear to eat. These foods are known to be giving of strength for hard work, perhaps there will be assistance in making an ill man strong

(18:43:56)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: Yes M'Lady Moor, it will be as you say....but if I might be so bold to speak....? **The girl's voice was hesitant, yet it seemed she had something to say, so the Moroccan woman nods assent**It may be worth trying, to wash his leg with a strong brew of crushed fig leaves, M'Lady. It's said to be a sure wash for foul wounds and sores....i could gather some leaves if you wish?.... **The girl's vocie trailed off, but the Woman nodded and smiled. In a moment the girl jumps up and runs out with a basket, while Sofia dips out steaming water from the pot kept hot at the coals. The girl crushes the huge fragrant leaves by hand, then shoves them into the small vessel of hot water.

(18:59:08)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Guest of WS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: The man's lack of feeling in his foot is a continuing worry, telling her that something important had been damaged. He would find it difficult or maybe impossible to walk normally again.....if he survived this nagging infection. She sniffs the fragrance of the steam...delicate hint of fruit perfuming the air.......and without warning SWATS! the unseen hand that pinches her posterior. That is being quite more than enough, Sir her tone carries the frosty reserve of an Amira, and the errent hand retreats instantly along with a mumbled apology. She shoots him a black look, then turns and leaves the infirmary in the girl's hands**

[Dream Loxley]

Leaving ooc praise for your wonderful writing skills......thoroughly enjoying the read! Well done.

[sofia]

TENDING THE TAVERN-COOK'S BURNS

(20:22:39)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **She works swiftly and quietly, changing the cook's dressings. LAst night the tavern-keepr's young son had come dashing in begging for help, cook's dress had caught fire and the stout goodwoman badly burnt on her legs and ankles. The Moroccan woman's first course had been to put cook into the stream, explaining that her legs were going to keep cooking until the cold stopped it, just like a roast stayed hot after roasting and continues to cook. At first nervous cook had agreed, though the cry of pain and tears when icy water hit burned flesh still rang in Sofia's ears. Fortunately, one of the gifts she'd gotten at the nunnery where she'd stayed recently had been a bottle of poppy syrup. Intensely bitter even in teh honey, it was a potent sedative and painkiller, kept under lock and key in her own chambers. It was far too dangerous to leave for others, yet in skilled hands could be a powerful medicine for good.

(20:29:32)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Now blessedly drugged into opiated oblivion, the cook only moans a little as slender hands clean her exposed legs with lavendar water. She checks the blisters...they are all intact, thank heavens.....infectionw as the worst danger here, why she insisted on absolute cleanliness being kept in the infirmary. Slender hands then lightly lave the angry red-and-white injuries with pure oil of lavendar, a most effective healer of burns and wounds. At her direction a young girl has saturated clean bandages in pure rendered lard, and now Sofia lays these over the lavendar-oiled injuries, wrapping carefully. Though having no particular healing power of it's own, the lard would melt against cook's body heat and keep the abused skin supple, prevent it drying out and shredding. As cook stirs, the final fastening of clean dry wrappings is made. At the stout peasant woman's pained moan of thirst, Sofia helps her prop up, offering a cooled tea of peppermint and chamomile to parched lips, which is swallowed greedily. Still mostly unconscious, cook rather slumps agains the much smaller woman, and offers no resistance to the next dose of the poppy syrup. This soon takes effect, and in a minute the injured tavern cook is sound asleep again, mercifully unaware of her painful injuries.

[sofia]

TREATING CARA'S INJURIES WHILE SHE IS UNCONSCIOUS

(20:34:05)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: Next her attention turns to the young lady passed out draped over another of the immaculate beds. She has bruises and injuries that seem to indicate being sorely beaten, and Sofia sighs softly. Perhaps the young lady would awaken soon, so she could get a history of what had happened. Rumor said Kyle had brought the girl in...that didn't surprise the young Moroccan woman in the slightest knowing his kind heart. Taking a deep breath, she moves and shifts the unconscious girl back onto the bed and positions her for some sort of comfort.

(20:40:04)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **It took only a minute to strip the girl to her chemise.....marks on her body seemed to indicate she'd been a slave or at least a captive.......her mutterings seemed to hold phrases of obedience and pleadings.....now Sofia soothes her with a soft ~shhhhh~, a gentle hand pressing to the girl's forehead. Didn't somebody have a name for the girl? she was sucha little wisp of a thing, yet certainly comely enough. Mulling all of this over, Sofia's agile digits probe the girl's abused flesh, finding the bruises and scrapes....gently probing ribs ther eis no gasp nor wince of pain so her ribs probably aren't more than bruised. A simple ointment of lavendar and plantain is applied ot her scratches and cuts after washing, and bound with clean linen strips. After that, a mash of beaten peach leaves is placed on each bruise and bound into place, being a most superb remedy for such. And though she hates the revolting little creatures, leeches had been known even in Roman times to draw out the worst of blood and bruising...a couple of the girl's injuries looked fair to needing such, for they were swollen and dark. Still Sofia prefers to avoid the leeches for now, hoping the strange girl's injuries will heal in time with good care.

[sofia]

(15:59:38)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **All morning she had been busy in the infirmary, chopping and shredding and grinding and mixing. Now large pots of oils and waxes and even a few of melted honey, adorn the infirmary's hearth. Into each pot she empties a generous measure of medicinal herb mixtures. Some will be syrups for coughs and other troubles, others will be oils or salves. Hanging from the ceiling great bunches are hung to dry, filling the air with their earthy green scents

(16:04:37)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Much against her preference, yet recognizing the utter necessity of it in this cold damp climate, a few small bottles of clear distilled spirits have been added to the woman's arsenal of supplies. It could be used to disinfect a wound in a hurry, or to make a strong extract of pennyroyal to dress insect stings. Then too there was the medicine to be made for Captain Ulbrecht.....it was a closely guarded secret, a process she would not undertake in the presence of another, and she had agreed after the urgent necessity had become clear. She'd heard he howling screams, the rumours about the dungeon, it wasn't difficult to put two and two together. Still, she shakes her head, eyeballing the spirits with extreme distaste.

(16:12:14)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: Of all the medicines she could make, the wman had a few staple favorites, known in her experience to be broadly effective.....but her very favorite had little to do with utility. It was the dandelion cough syrup she enjoyed making the most, dozens and dozens of the brilliant beautiful yellow heads floating in a huge cauldron of gently melted honey, infusing it with their golden glow......later teh blossoms would be strained out, and the resulting elixir bottled against the winter's coming coughs. She smiles even now, stirring the cauldron, watching the swirl of golden blossoms in liquid amber honey*

(16:15:13)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Of course there is her favorite salve, an infusion of lavendar blossoms and ordinary plantain in oil and beeswax. This year however, she had also added a quantity of precious myrrh resin beaten to fine powder, turning it a deep amber color. When it came to general use, this stuff couldn't be beat, and it's a very large kettle indeed.

(16:22:20)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **For the inevitable upset stomachs, flat baskets of fennel seeds lay drying nearby, a simple tea of a few crushed seeds would eliminate almost any stomach complaint in a hurry. Then there is teh very large pot of burn salve, almost more crushed lavendar than oil, makign the air thick with it's potent perfume. To this slurry she now adds arnica blossoms for a pain relief effect, and pure clean white rendered lard to make it extra creamy. This is stirred and stirred, keeping by far thebulk of her attention at the moment. Burns were a nasty problem and the recent mishap of the tavern's Cook had made it's impact.

(16:28:37)
++ Fifth of Five ++


Dieter
Prince of Friesland
Youngest Brother of Ulbrecht


: *peeks in*

(16:29:06)

Sofia Bint Nasrullah
Healing Woman
Windstorm, CC
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **When all is at a good point, she takes a couple minutes and lines up all the pots and bottles and jars, then the immaculately clean barrels with taps already installed, and fine cloth strainers. Now she calls to teh guards and asks for help. In short ordr a number of pairs of men come in, and pour each cauldron's contents into it's own barrel. It takes only a couple of minutes for each to strain, leaving the clear medicine in the barrel and all plant matter in the strainers. She thanks the guardsmen with a bright smile, then proceeds to squeeze and wring each filled strainer, gettign the most medicine out of each one before throwing it to the waste barrel and hanging the strainer up to dry. Now it's a simple matter to run the various containers under the barrel-taps and fill them, setting them back on the counter**

(16:29:27)

[sofia]

Teaching pageboys about plantain and nettles :-)

(20:00:44)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Private Chambers, and says to ALL: **A soft sigh escapes as she glances out the window, wondering where he is..... she doesn't show much of this to anyone but the petite woman missses him very much...dark eyes linger a moment longer, then turn back to check thefire in the hearth

(20:06:03)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Private Chambers, and says to ALL: **Trying to bring her mind back to the present, it's almost time for an herb lesson with the young pageboys. With the recent few days of sunshine and warmth the local grasses and plants were sprouting up like wildfire, and she's seizing the chance to stock up on one of her favorites. She touches the shimmer of her sleeve...then looks down and shakes her head and goes to change into something less revealing for working with children**

(20:07:10)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Private Chambers, and says to ALL: **Shrugs into the purple instead, then wraps a shawl around slim shoulders and heads down toward teh infirmary

(20:11:17)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Down here in the infirmary the petite woman takes several small baskets and lays them out. Next she adds a couple pairs of long tongs to the assortment, and several immaculately clean cloths, a small snicker playing about soft lips. Oh yes, this field trip was going to be entertaining, and provide entertainment for some time to come

(20:13:47)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Next it's a trip out to the gardens, looking into the old shed and retreiving an old lightweight sicle with a fairly long handle. Thinking that this mix ought to leave all the boys rabid with curiosity, she heads back to the infirmary arriving just as the first of the boys comes trooping in

(20:18:46)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **The pageboy draws himself up and with every possible ounce of dignity he could muster, gave his best go of a courtly bow...Good day to thee M'Lady Healer and she salaams gracefully in return. Good day to thee Isaiah

(20:23:53)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **The boy had gotten some growth since last she had seen him, and dark eyes subject teh boy to swift professional scrutiny as they chatter politely for a few moments. He's taller, and a bit of meat on his bones...good, that meant he'd been eating....and his clothes fit nicely now. Clearly the seamstress had done her work well. After a few moments three other boys come trooping in and the polite formalities are repeated by all. Now, as per custom, she greets them in her native Arabic and the boys reply in kind Then in Latin she inquires of their health. All her lessons with the boys went this way, working in the Arabic and Latin naturally.**

(20:29:44)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: **When all is gathered up the little group heads out and cuts out across the fields, heading for the open meadows beyond. They chatter and jest and fuss and scrap along the way as any group of boys will, and in due time Sofia leads her young charges to a thick growth of meadow on wet ground. When her hands clap togetehr twice the boys settle in and pay attention, understanding their signal perfectly well. Here children, see this one here...it has the long leaf, perhaps so long as my hand, and so broad as two fingers or les....see the dark green color, and how these ridges run straight along the whole leaf....see how they are many growing in a small clump....this is called plantain, and it is most good healing herb for minor wounds. Here, each of you now pluck a leaf....no no...this one...see....and now chew it

(20:33:34)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: Chew more boys, you must release the juices When the boy's faces suddenly twist up and their mouths all pucker in distaste she speaks again Remember this taste, it is good medicine...look at the plant...keep chewing make it a paste...good, now you will know this plant forever...you may spit out And they do....vigorously. She jumps back in a hurry...and when the lads are again paying attention she continues speaking For any minor skin wound such as a small cut or scrape or a blister from one's shoes, chew the plantain very well till it is a rough paste, then place to the injury. Do this several times a day and most small injuries will be healed in a very few days

(20:35:39)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: **When the lesson is absorbed and the boys have repeated this information back to her to her satisfaction, she has them take the knives they carry and cut a large basketfull of the plantain leaves. She also makes sure they do not entirely decimate any one clump....You must disperse your gathering, or your supply will soon be used up

(20:39:11)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: **Now as the boys gather the leaves with all th elaborate care that only small boys are capable of, she discusses the Latin name of the herb, and the broad leaf variation...then it's being polite about the weather in Arabic, and the names for sun and sky and clouds nd other things

(20:41:58)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: **As time passes, the boys relax mroe and begin to chatter, and soon ar mixing in Latin and Arabic with the english...she hides a smile at this, and simply provides the words when asked

(20:45:27)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: **Suddenly at this point she wishes heartily for a 9 year old bratty brother to drop in among the boys to futher their language and social educations. Suddenly the gears start cicking....girls could not be sent unless husbands were waiting...but boys......hmmm...something to discuss with Her Majesty....M'Lady...are you al'rite"... Shaking her head as the lad's voice draws her back...she nods and smiles...then decides it's time to move along to the next herb. Like ducklings in a row they follow, headed toward the swampier parts**

(20:51:58)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: Now, please to be paying attention, and by the end you will know how to make a most unpleasant itch powder...and if any of you must be treated for such, be assured, I will personally be overseeing punishment of all stressing that last word as she looked around. Good. Now...come with me....see...the nettles there and the boys kind of step back, being al too familiar with their nasty blistering sting. But she takes them getnly inhand, and shows how to use the long sicle knife and the tongs to harvest the plants, placing them on the clean cloths with care then wrapping them up and resting int he baskets. But she leaves one unwrapped, and draws the biys close around, showing them the stinging white hairs on the leaves and stem

(20:54:53)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: *Now using the tongs, she shakes and taps the stalk gently over the last clean cloth, then shows them the hairs that have fallen off. Collect these, she explains, and well..heheheh

(21:06:07)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is somewhere on Windstorm lands, and says to ALL: **Next the petite woman explains to teh boys how to boil and cook the nettles, that they are a good food source when well cooked,and the broth especially nourishing. Understanding now how to handle the plants, the boys soon have a bountiful supply, intent on making their own itch powder. Sofia grins, and decides to write home immediately, the possibilities ehre were just too good to pass up. Glancign at the setting sun, she calls the boys together, they gather everything up, and head for the castle

[sofia]

(16:49:05)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
: hurries back into the infirmary

(16:51:08)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
: **The whole castle and village were buzzing about Sir Kyle's return, and it had been kind of impossible to miss his horse being brushed over in the middle of the stableyards. Now Sofia wears a smile and hums softly, intensely relieved that he was home safe**

(16:54:36)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
: **But as nice as that thought is, other matters actually need her thoughtful attention, and so she turns her mind to the matters at hand. In a nutshell, medicines direly need made, and there was just not enough of certain ingredients at this time of year....things like fresh sweet lard...the animals were far too skinny and valuable to be slaughtered right now, so she needs to find an alternative. With a sigh she leans back agains thte counter and folds slim arms over her chest, , considering what else might work**

(16:59:14)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
: **In her native homeland the solution was the universal practice anyway, namely olive oil and beeswax. But here, while beeswax was no problem, there was a dire lack of olive oil. Hhhhmmmmm.....would another oil work? In truth she vastly preferred olive oil to lard. The rich fragrant stuff took time and care to strain absolutely clear, but the result was well worth the effort in medicines that stayed sweet and pure for long periods of time**


(to be continued)

[sofia]

Butter! **All of a sudden it percolated through her mind...butter! clarified butter! It was an oil, and with the new crop of spring babies well under way, would soon be readily available. Clarified butter, the golden oil resulting when churned butter got heated and strained. It took on the scent and flavor of anything put into it, so it must open the herbs properties, she realizes, mind whirling...and needn't kill any precious livestock to get it, either**

[sofia]

(10:24:32)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Great Hall, and say to LB: M'Lady Sofia? **the small voice startled her out of her thoughts and she turns to see the redheaded pageboy standing there.* M'Lady, the Master Sergent 'as sent me to be checked upon *gently indicating the bandaged area on his forehead* if'n ye 'ave th' time? **She nods and he comes forward. Her gentle hands soon remove the linen bandage wound round the lad's head. Setting that carefully aside she holds copepry strands of pageboy-cut hair back, and carefully looks at the healing gash. Isaiah would have a scar, but that was definitely going to benefit the poor peasant child's social standing among the boys from better families, so for now that's a bonus**

(10:36:16)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Great Hall, and say to ALL: **The injusry is scabbed over, and while not clean to her own standards, by the standards of what one could expect ona 7 year old boy, it was absolutely pristine and immaculate. Certainly there were no signs of heat or redness.....a careful sniff....no bad odor beyond whats normal for a child in need of a bath....Satisfied, she tells the boy that the bandage may be left off now, and he may return to his duties** Beggin M'Lady's pardon, but the Master sergent said I was to report to thee to begin me workin' fer ye, if'n ye feel me fit

(11:07:57)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **As the boy was walking and talking steadily, and the injury was healing well without infection, she nods** Yes, I believe you are fit for some light duties. Come, I shall begin showing the ways in wchich a bright lad may be of assistance **This meant, unspoken, that the pageboy was now on paid time, which meant in short order he would be able to send his desperately poor family a little bit of coin to help them. That was the reason she gave him odd jobs now and then, of course,but this was to be more steady, and the lad would indeed be honestly working to help his family. Neither needed to mention this as they had talked the night before, but she does mention one detail** Isaiah, it shall be requiring some few days before all may be arranged (meaning money was on the way, or so the child thought)...and if I may, I should wish to pay in bread and cheese for the work done. **Eagerly the child nodded, this meant full bellies at home in short order, something the petite woman had figured would not be rejected, especially after this long rough winter. Now satisfied of terms, she leads him to the infirmary. The room is already clean of course, but she describes, so he will know later** Two days per week, you shall come to assist me with making neat and tidy this room. This is very easy, and you shall be doing the work assisting me. Each time, first we wipe and put away every little thing that is out of place from being used, then with dry cloth swipe dust from tables, and place all furniture to be neat that may be jostled about. The strewing-herbs are pushed to one wall and we sweep, then lay again the strewing-herbs and turn them evenly. Next is the beds, if they be neat and tidy we simply dust such as we may and leave them. Bed in use must be changed if soiled, and the linens into the big basket there **All the while, Isaiah listened, nodding as he paid careful attention. It was clear that the exotic beautiful healer had no intention of leaving him alone with those chores in this scary place, for which he was heartily thankful. next she talks about the hearth, explaining that the fire is tended by herself and the maids, but to wipe the stones clean, sweep up any woodchips, ashes, and such, and be sure the water in the covered, steaming kettles was full.

(11:17:30)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **By herself the task usually took a bit more than an hour to complete, she figured it to take twice that until the child learned how to do the work, but one he learned the time might be as little as even half an hour. **Come, we shall practice and you shall begin knowing of assisting me in this **And witha smile she put him right to work. With dry cloths in two very different but small sets of fingers, soon are wiping and dusting. She shows him exactly where to start, how to wipe without smearing dust around, the exact order to follow..thusly Isaiah, you may know that all is complete when you have finished with some certain task. **he nods, and with care wipes the jars and pots of ointments, syrups, and other medicines. The vessels are all simple unglazed earthenware, and Isaiah frowns when he looks at one, then at her inquiry blushes but quietly points out several evidences of sloppy workmanship...me mam makes th' pots sometimes, 'er mam and da' was potters.....'ere see...it's thick here...thin as egshell here...the lip is not tidy....**Her eyebrows raise, impressed, making a mental note to order a whole lot of clay vessels from the boy's mother. To the woman's mind, if the tiny child were that knowledgeable, then the mother was probably an expert. But she doesnt mention this right now, and continues showing him how to assist her**

(11:30:52)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Isaiah is a bright lad for his age, and being a page he was already well acquainted with dirty chores and elbow-grease, so he picked up the light duties much faster than the woman had anticipated. he does make one innovation that surprises her though, when he takes the broom and carefully starts using the flat of the sweeping head to push the streing-herbs into a neat pile along one wall, almost like a haystack except long and low and all along the one wall evenly. It doesn't take her half a second to appreciate this improvement in proceedure, and soon both are busily sweeping the floor. Next the child wipes down the hearth and sweeps up a bit of stray flotsam as she tops off the kettles. Now she shows the boy about dusting off the beds and straightening them, and has him help ehr totally remake two of the beds for practice. When all is done, she shows him where to put the cleaning supplies away, and which basket teh linens would go into if it was a dirty bed being remade instead of clean ones for practice.**

(11:35:13)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **All of a sudden a growling nose from the young pageboy's stomach reminds her of the approaching noon hour, so with a light swat to his fanny sends the pageboy scooting eagerly for the kitchens and the meal he had just earned for himself, and on Sofia's permission even a little bit of a sweet, if one was to be found. Chuckling, the petite woman looks around, pleased at the work done, and a smile graces soft lips

[sofia]

(15:33:32)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: ~She sits here in her infirmiry quietly reading. Early this morning one of her grandfather's ships had slipped into port and delivered a small chest of the simplest design yet highest quality of materials and craftsmanship, a most intricate lock on the front indicating valuable contents within. The lock had been simple enough for her, it had belonged to her as a child. Upon working the deceptively simple combination, she had opened the chest and gasped. Inside were sheets upon sheets upon sheets of perfect latin, pages copied painstakingly by hand. And there had been her aunt's letter, in beautiful Arabic scrippt My Dear Niece Sofia, may the peace of the Almighty and the prophet _blessed be his name_ be upon you and your household. I am pleased to report that all here are in superb health, and your honoured Grandfather sends his greetings. Forgive me now, I must be brief. Some few months ago I was fortunate to acquire the twentieth book of Pliny the Elder. In recalling our conversations, I was reminded of your quest for knowledge of common plants for medicine and sustenance. Please now accept this gift of some few small pages, may hte blessings of the Almighty guide your hand in your work. Affectionately.....Z.

(15:38:53)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Now she sits reading in utter delight, "some few small pages" didn't quite cover it! One sheet read...The Cultivated Cucumber...Nine Remedies...CHAP. 5.—THE CULTIVATED CUCUMBER: NINE REMEDIES. Many persons attribute all these properties to the cultivated cucumber1 as well, a plant which even without them would be of very considerable importance, in a medicinal point of view. A pinch of the seed, for instance, in three fingers, beaten up with cummin and taken in wine, is extremely beneficial for a cough: for phrenitis, also, doses of it are administered in woman's milk, and doses of one acetabulum for dysentery. As a remedy for purulent expectorations, it is taken with an equal quantity of cummin;2 and it is used with hydromel for diseases of the liver. Taken in sweet wine, it is a diuretic; and, in combination with cummin,3 it is used as an injection for affections of the kidneys.

(15:43:37)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **Another eye-opening sheet read CHAP. 92.—LINSEED: THIRTY REMEDIES. Linseed1 is not only used in combination with other substances, but, employed by itself, it disperses spots on the face in women: its juice, too, is very beneficial to the sight. Combined with incense and water, or else with myrrh and wine, it is a cure for defluxions of the eyes, and employed with honey, grease, or wax, for imposthumes of the parotid glands. Prepared2 like polenta, it is good for fluxes of the stomach; and a decoction of it in water and oil, applied topi- cally with anise, is prescribed for quinsy. It is sometimes used parched, also, to arrest looseness of the bowels, and ap- plications of it are used, with vinegar, for cœliac affections and dysentery. It is eaten with raisins, also, for pains in the liver, and excellent electuaries are made of it for the treatment of phthisis. Linseed-meal, with the addition of nitre, salt, or ashes, softens rigidities of the muscles, sinews, joints, and vertebræ, as well as of the membranous tissues of the brain. Employed with figs, linseed-meal ripens abscesses and brings them to a head: mixed with the root of wild cucumber, it extracts3 all foreign bodies from the flesh, as well as splinters of broken bones. A decoction of linseed-meal in wine prevents ulcers from spreading, and mixed with honey, it is remedial for pituitous eruptions. Used with nasturtium, in equal quantities, it rectifies4 malformed nails; mixed with resin and myrrh, it cures affections of the testes and hernia,5 and with water, gangrenous sores. A decoction of linseed-meal with fenugreek, in the proportion of one sextarius of each, in hydromel, is recommended for pains in the stomach; and employed as an injection, with oil or honey, it is beneficial for dangerous affections of the chest and intestines.


(15:58:26)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **As he slipped out for a few minutes, she proceeded to read.........CHAP. 53.—MINT: FORTY-ONE REMEDIES. The very smell of mint1 reanimates the spirits, and its flavour gives a remarkable zest to food: hence it is that it is so generally an ingredient in our sauces. It has the effect of preventing milk from turning sour, or curdling and thickening; hence it is that it is so generally put into milk used for drinking, to prevent any danger of persons being choked2 by it in a curdled state. It is administered also for this purpose in water or honied wine. It is generally thought, too, that it is in consequence of this property that it impedes generation, by preventing the seminal fluids from obtaining the requisite consistency. In males as well as females it arrests bleeding, and it has the property, with the latter, of suspending the menstrual discharge.

Taken in water, with amylum,3 it prevents looseness in cœliac complaints. Syriation employed this plant for the cure of abscesses of the uterus, and, in doses of three oboli, with honied wine, for diseases of the liver: he prescribed it also, in pottage, for spitting of blood. It is an admirable remedy for ulcerations of the head in children, and has the effect equally of drying the trachea when too moist, and of bracing it when too dry. Taken in honied wine and water, it carries off purulent phlegm. The juice of mint is good for the voice when a person is about to engage in a contest of eloquence, but only when taken just before. It is employed also with milk as a gargle for swelling of the uvula, with the addition of rue and coriander. With alum, too, it is good for the tonsils of the throat, and, mixed with honey, for roughness of the tongue. Employed by itself, it is a remedy for internal convulsions and affections of the lungs. Taken with pomegranate juice, as Democrites tells us, it arrests hiccup and vomiting. The juice of mint fresh gathered, inhaled, is a ready for affections of the nostrils. Beaten up and taken in vinegar, mint is a cure for cholera, and for internal fluxes of blood: applied externally, with polenta, it is remedial for the iliac passion and tension of the mamillæ. It is applied, too, as a liniment to the temples for head-ache; and it is taken internally, as an antidote for the stings of scolopendræ, sea-scorpions, and serpents. As a liniment it is applied also for defluxions of the eyes, and all eruptions of the head, as well as maladies of the rectum.

Mint is an effectual preventive, too, of chafing of the skin, even if held in the hand only. In combination with honied wine, it is employed as an injection for the ears. It is said, too, that this plant will cure affections of the spleen, if tasted in the garden nine days consecutively, without plucking it, the person who bites it saying at the same moment that he does so for the benefit of the spleen: and that, if dried, and re- duced to powder, a pinch of it with three fingers taken in water, will cure stomach-ache.4 Sprinkled in this form in drink, it is said to have the effect of expelling intestinal worms.

(16:04:19)

Sofia bint Nasrullah
Windstorm, CS
is in the Infirmary, and says to ALL: **If she knew her aunt's methods, there would have been several of the family's women copying the exact same passages down, as one read from the precious original. It was the rule of the hosue that all female members be trained in the methods of healing and making medicines. Such vast knowledge of ways to use the most common of vegetables and herbs for remedies would be valuable knowledge indeed. Silently Sofi blesses ehr aunt, shaking her head at so many uses of mint. In the chest, a thick stack of parchments still awaits...