Ice Blink

14: Poison

By the time they reached the healer, Nuna's legs were shaking with exhaustion and the little strength she'd regained had been sapped. The healer took the flint shard with a suspicious look and put it aside to check Denali's pulse, pupil response and temperature.

"I hope you have enough herbs to treat her," Niju said, placing the bag carefully on a table.

"I believe I do. You can leave now, she'll be all right. The worst seems to be over, but I'll need to thoroughly clean that foot."

They stepped back outside.

"Thank you," Niju said. "You had no obligation to save her."

Nuna was struggling not to shiver. "That's what a healer does. We treat everyone. Watching someone in pain when I know how to help is agony for me. What was that? Who was that man?"

"It's impossible to say. Illulik has many enemies, and North Ice is more complicated that you'd think. Yes, large stretches of it are completely desolate, almost uninhabitable, but the areas of civilisation are filled with different groups and beliefs. It's for the Circle to decide, not just me."

"And –?"

"Another question?" The sun had set, and darkness cloaked the world like a mantle, shadowing Niju's expression.

"If that woman is Illulik's head healer, why was I brought to you?"

"She was busy. I was closer and willing to help."

"Oh. Well, I'd like to thank you... for willing to help a stranger."

"There is no need to thank me. That's what a healer does," he echoed her words. "It was good to spend some time with you today. Goodnight, Nuna."

"Goodnight."

Nuna was halfway back to her igloo before she remembered that she had woken up naked in the hut. Being Qignaaq's apprentice had stripped her of some modesty, as she had helped cut clothes off injured men and women before, but the idea of a stranger assessing her body while she was unconscious was disturbing. No matter how detached and clinical that person may be.

Why does Niju seem to be taking an interest in me? Nuna struggled to push the thoughts away. She shouldn't judge Niju yet, when she didn't even know him. He probably doesn't care. He's probably seen many naked women before.

Right, Nuna scolded herself, that's enough of that. She quelled the small inner voice but her cheeks still felt hot as she entered the igloo. She expected a crude joke from Toklo for arriving back so late, but all was silent inside.

Too silent.

Trays of food had been set on the table for them but Toklo was nowhere to be seen.

Nuna collapsed into a seat with a groan. What if something had happened to him? She thought of the attacker, and the idea of Toklo choking, poisoned just like Denali, with no healer or royalroot to help him...

It felt like being doused in icy water.

Nuna's first instinct was to run through Illulik shouting for him, but she already felt too weak and had no idea where to look first...

Practicality won over and she shovelled roasted elk meat and a juniper-and-blubber mash into her mouth, barely able to swallow. Her stomach was in knots. As soon as she had eaten, she would find him and make sure he was all right. He had to be all right.

The final mouthful had barely slipped down her throat when she burst back outside. Toklo had gone to find Siru. The Nigak had been in the wooden hut area of Illulik. Nuna hesitated, spotted the huge main hall towering above the city, and sprinted in the opposite direction.