Violent Heart

Chapter Six

        “She’s so thin, she lost too much blood for her body to handle.”

        “We need to get a move on Ellen; if what she said was true, then we can’t risk staying here any longer.”

        “Yes, but if I don’t dress her wound soon then we’ll risk an infection.”

        “We don’t really have a choice.”

        Violet fluttered open her eyes, she was lying belly down on, presumably, Daisy. Her legs, resting on either side of the horse, were wide apart, splayed in a disgraceful manner. Turning her head to the left, she saw Ellen examining her exposed thigh, and shifted uncomfortably.

        “Don’t try moving dear, you need your rest.” Ellen smiled, pulling down Violets skirts, though they only came down to her knee.

        “Hmm, hold on.” Ellen walked past her, “I’ll be right back.”

        “Ellen we need to leave.” George’s voice sounded somewhere in front of Daisy.

        “Alright, alright,” Ellen came back holding a blanket. “Hmph, I’m only trying to protect the girl’s modesty.” She draped it over Violet’s back, concealing her body from view. “Don’t fret dear, you’re in good hands.” Ellen gently patted her on the back, before coming to take the reins.

        Violet held on to Daisy as they began to move forward, the rocking movement beginning to lull her to sleep. She tried resisting it, how could she let herself fall asleep in the midst of complete strangers?

        They reached the open road, with Violet still struggling to keep her eyes open.

        “Still awake are you?” Ellen stood near them, tying Daisy’s ropes to her own horse.

        “You should really catch some rest while we try to escape them, It’ll take quite a while considering the fact that any mage could sense you a mile away.” She mounted her stallion, her cloak parting to reveal a pair of dark trousers. It didn’t really surprise Violet since women from Lightlyn were notorious for wearing pantaloons. She had even witnessed a few in Ashland, though the concept still felt foreign to her.

        They began moving at a quick trot, the couple flanking Violet on either side. The more they interacted with her, the more she felt she could trust them. With that thought in mind, Violet fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

* * *

        Violet was suddenly jolted awake by a painful sensation running through her thigh. Midmorning sun shone in her eyes; she was lying on a blanket in the grass as Ellen hunched over her.

        “I’m sorry sweetheart but it looks like your stab wound has been infected.” She peeled of the rest of the bandage off, Violet tried not to flinch as she began cleaning the punctured site.

        “It took us all night and morning to elude your captors, so I‘ve only just noticed your fever.”

        Curiously, Violet leaned forward to have a look, the wound looked pink and swollen, a thick line indicating where she’d been stabbed. After drying the area, Ellen applied a cool salve, before wrapping Violet’s thigh with clean white bandages. Covering her with another blanket, she placed a cold wet cloth on her fevered forehead.

        “Thank you Ellen, I’m grateful for what you and your husband have done for me.”

        “Oh, you don’t have to be grateful, it’s our duty to help you. Now, do you think you can eat?” Violet nodded in response, and was helped to a sitting position. Daisy stood a few feet away, regarding her with one eye, still tied to Ellen’s stallion.