Dullahan

4 - Old Woman - 3

Light filled the room when Eldred opened his eyes, awoken by Leola's gentle shake. He blinked a few times, looking up at the old woman, the sleep in his eyes making them itchy. She stood over him, wearing the same apron as the day before, one hand holding a bundle of what looked like clothing to her hip as she waited. It took him a moment to piece together exactly where he was and why he was there. Ness stood in the doorway, leaning haphazardly against the frame. The room smelled of fresh bread, a warm scent that overpowered the existing mustiness, and Eldred wondered how late in the morning it was. It was full bright outside, the sky pale blue through the window, tree tops standing out darkly against it.

Leola smiled and beckoned for him to sit up, dropping her bundle onto the far end of the bed. "Let's see those bandages, shall we?"

Whatever she had found underneath the bandages seemed to satisfy Leola. She unwound them carefully, Eldred squinting as his covered eye was exposed to the light. She tilted his head back and forth, looking at him for a few moments, before she'd re-wrapped his head in fresh bandages.

Then she had all but dragged him from the bed, leaving him briefly to change into the clothes she had brought for him- belongings left behind by old patients- before coaxing him downstairs with the promise of food. He went along with it, although he felt stiff and sleepy even after the hours that had passed and the clothes itched like nothing he'd ever worn before, allowing himself to be led down the stairs and through the hall. Ness followed behind, rising from the floor and trailing after them. "Come, sit," Leola called, releasing him as she squeezed past him at the kitchen door. She gestured toward the table, hand flicking in a flourish as she reached toward the counter.

He hesitated in the doorway, no longer being pushed along. He glanced back into the hallway as Ness reached the bottom of the stairs, and then stepped into the kitchen and retook his place at the table. A moment later, the armoured figure joined him, taking the seat to Eldred's left.

Leola bustled around the kitchen, moving pots and pans as she prepared food, stepping around her seated guests to retrieve ingredients from her pantry, or to pluck a few stray leaves from some of the potted herbs she kept on the far windowsill. Eldred watched her in fascination, intrigued by the smells and sights as the old woman put together a meal far fancier than any Eldred was sure he had eaten in his life. She fetched eggs and dried meat, slicing fresh bread from the still steaming loaf on the counter, moving to and fro between different cooking vessels. He found himself growing hungrier, enticed by the scents and the growing prospect of a good meal. Ness remained still and silent, sitting straight-backed in her chair, her fingers laced loosely in front of her on the table.

A steaming plate of food was slid in front of him, cutlery clattering down beside it. He stared, glancing up at Leola in some disbelief- this food was for him? She had already turned back to the counter to collect her own plate. Even if it was a mistake, he decided, he would eat as much of it as he could before she took it back. He scooped up the cutlery, giving the knife only a moment's consideration before he dropped it back down and dug in with the fork, practically inhaling the meal before him.

Leola chuckled as she returned to the table, putting her plate down gently before her and readjusting her apron as she sat. She wore grey today, the dress plain and practical. She ate at a measured pace, using both knife and fork. Between bites she spoke to Ness, the tone of their conversation cordial if a little stiff.

Eldred, too absorbed in the food before him, didn't start to pay attention to their words until after he'd mopped the last of his egg yolk up with his bread.

"... summons?" Leola asked, watchful eye on Ness.

"No," she answered, shoulders lifting in a shrug. "They have more important things to attend to than one rogue horseman."