Jarvit

Jarvit Ch8 p1

Chapter Eight

‘Don’t ever say I don’t do anything for the Worthy. I ache all over. The Interpreter asks too much.’

         ‘Eorl Kenwal she asked only what she thought was necessary. I honour you for the risk you took,’ Tiatra replied. She sipped the hot nettle tea Garth had given her.

         ‘You are sure you were not followed Garth?’ Eorl Kenwal asked. His servant nodded.

         ‘Indeed my Lord, it was as the Interpreter said. I was followed at a distance. No one wished to get close enough to get the plague. I was watched as I dug the pit for your bodies. In the morning they watched me drag the dummy bodies into the pit and throw lime on top. They never got close enough to see the exchange during the night.’

         ‘You did well Garth. It was a great risk you took and much hard work.’

         ‘For you my Lord, but your risk was greater. We have lost the two Devotees. I tried my best Executioner.’

         ‘I am sure you did master Garth. I am sorry for them and I trust the Worthy will honour them among the others that have given their lives in his name. I just wish I felt strong enough to leave this cave and take Ciara to a safer place.’ Tiatra found it a great effort to think and speak. She knew it was the after effects of the sickness, her tongue felt like a piece of tough leather in her mouth. Her head was in a fog but she had a nagging urgency to get as far away from Simmon and Lord D’Braggatio as possible.

         ‘In good time Executioner,’ Garth took her empty cup. ‘You need to rest again now.’ He pulled the cover over her as she lay back. Tiatra took a look at the sleeping forms of Ciara and Silva.

         ‘They will be alright won’t they?’

         ‘Yes mam, they are recovering and have taken doses of the Interpreter’s medicinal draft. Do not fear I shall tend them well.’

         ‘Thank you Garth,’ Tiatra murmured as she fell asleep.

         When Tiatra next woke she saw Ciara was sitting up and Garth was helping her drink. Tiatra smiled. The horrible taste in her mouth had gone. She sat up. Eorl Kenwal was asleep beside her. Tiatra decided to try and get up. She wanted to breathe in some fresh air outside the entrance of the cave. The small shaft of sunlight that made its way toward the back of the cave made the interior gloomy and tomb like. Weak she used the walls to help her rise. Her legs felt unstable and beyond her control. With hesitant steps she edged her way along the cave wall. Tiatra noticed Garth watching her and smiled at him. He nodded and returned to caring for Ciara.

         It took several days for all four of them to be strong enough to travel. Tiatra marvelled at Garth’s organisation. Not only did he tend them himself but had prepared a covered wagon for their journey and smuggled supplies to the cave.

         ‘We servants are ‘looting’ my Lord Kenwal’s house Executioner. As everyone believes he has died of the plague all his servants are helping themselves. There being no heir. In these troubled days no one will step in to protect the property of one who was known to oppose Lord D’Braggatio. It is seen as the erasing of an enemy. But all of my Lord’s household are loyal, not one item will be unaccounted for should my Lord return,’ Garth concluded with pride in his voice.

         It was agreed that Eorl Kenwal should drive the wagon, Garth would ride the only pony and the three women would stay out of sight as much as possible. As the Eorl took his seat on the day they were to leave their hill cave Tiatra thought the young man did not look much like a nobleman in the peasant rags he wore. He smiled as he noticed her looking at him.