My Treasure (Norman Reedus Pirate)

Thirteen: Peace At Last

I walked in front of all the men, with the exception of Jack. I was only wearing Norman's coat that he gave me, and it aloud the branches to whip my bare legs. I felt very conscious of my long pale legs, but kept walking. I also kept glancing over my shoulder at Norman, worried ill about him. Jack seemed to notice my concern for Norman.

"Go walk by him. Make sure the others aren't ripping his wound open even more." Jack ordered. I nodded, and stepped to the side, letting the other walk passed me. Then, I fell in beside Norman's body. I checked his wound again, and it was still bleeding. I sighed, and brushed some hair out of his face.

"Think he'll be alright?" I heard Russell ask.

"I hope so. If this tribe is friendly, then we're in luck." I explained. Then I leaned forward, and managed to land an awkward kiss on his forehead. I grabbed his wrist, and felt for a pulse. I could barely detect it, but that was because he was being bounced around by Russell and Henry. I could only hope that it was strong, and that he was just tired from hiking and fighting.

Then, I glanced forward. I could barely make out an orange light. Jack and the others slowed down, until we were barely tip toeing over the foliage. Finally, we were on the edge of a clearing. Several bronze men and women were walking around peacefully, stirring something in a big pot in the middle of the clearing. Several children were running around, laughing. Jack slowly entered the camp, raising both hands in surrender. The bronze women and children ran inside the huts, while the bronze men ran out, wielding spears and dart blowers at Jack.

"I need help. I need Tituba." He declared in a calm voice. The men didn't respond, just continued to glare at Jack. I knew they were gonna chase us away. Thinking of Norman's dangerous condition, I quickly followed in Jack's footsteps, I entered the clearing beside him. The men gasped and growled at my sudden appearance, and aimed their spears at me as well. I slowed to a halt and raised my hands, swallowing nervously.

"Tituba?" I called. I didn't know who this woman was, but I knew that names were the same in all languages.

Suddenly, the crowd started parting for an elderly woman. She looked extremely old, and wore bead necklaces around her neck. She approached us slowly, her black eyes glistening with wisdom. Her long black hair was braided, and the thick snake of hair was draped over her shoulder.

"Tituba, wise one, we need your help. Out captain has been wounded. He needs medicine, otherwise he may not make it." Jack stated, gesturing behind him. Slowly, Russell and Henry emerged from the undergrowth, cradling Norman as though he were a small child. Norman's head lolled to the side, his long chocolate hair falling in his face. I went up to them, and brushed the hair clear, and tucked it behind his ear. I turned to Tituba, who was watching silently.

"Please help him." I pleaded, resting a hand on his forehead. He felt extremely warm, and I knew that he wouldn't last much longer if the fever kept up. My stomach started churning.

"Bring him to my hut." Tituba ordered, turning away and heading into a large hut in the center of the village. Henry, Russell, Jack, and I followed her to it. But when we approached, two guards held spears across our path, keeping us out. I heard Tituba shout something, and the guards slowly lifted the spears away. Henry and Russell went through first, while the guards once again kept us out. I let out a small, frustrated growl. Moments later, Henry and Russell emerged from the hut.

"Isabelle, Tituba says she needs you." Henry said. I nodded, and went past the guards. They let me through, but blocked my exit. Inside the hut, there was a small fireplace in the center. Small pots of herbs and pastes were sitting along the wall. Norman was resting on an animal pelt bed, with his shirt opened up. I noticed that his stitches were undone, and blood and puss were leaking out of his wound. His chest was rising and falling weakly, his eyes closed and his mouth parted slightly. Tituba was mixing up something in a clay pot. A strong smell of herbs and fire filled the hut. Tituba glanced over her shoulder at me, still mixing the herbs.

"You stitch him up?" She asked. I nodded. "Go take it out." I went over to Norman, and knelt down beside him. I started taking the stitching out, slowly stroking his forehead. He didn't move, even when I took the last bit of stitching out. I leaned down, giving his forehead a kiss. I glanced over at Tituba, who was done mixing the medicine. "Rub this in wound." She ordered. I took the bowl from her, and dipped my fingers into the warm, sticky concoction. Ignoring the weird feeling, I slowly rubbed it into Norman's wound, lathering it thickly. "No. You do it wrong." Tituba declared, pushing me out of the way. "Hold wound open." I nodded and got on Norman's other side, holding the wound open. I didn't look inside, scared at what I'd see. "Oh my. Child, you do not put alcohol into these wounds. Only shallow cuts." She lectured, glaring at me. My eyes widened, and my stomach flipped.

"Wh-what?" I mumbled. It's my fault he's sick...

"You don't put beer into this. You put medicine." She repeated. She stared lathering the wound herself, making sure it got into every corner. I held the cut open, watching her expert hands work. When she was finished, she wiped her hands off on her dress. "Leave it be. Now you sit by his head and tilt it up. I'll pour some healing soup into his mouth. Then you rub his throat to help him swallow." She ordered, going over to the fire. I moved to Norman's head, placing it in my lap. He didn't move or show any signs of consciousness. I smoothed his hair back, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm sorry Norman. I'm so sorry." I whispered. I shouldn't have distracted him while he was fighting the barbarian. Or poured whiskey into his wound. I was an idiot.

"It is not your fault, child. The white man teaches their kin strange ways of healing." Tituba stated, pouring some soup into a wooden bowl. "They teach wrong. And they wonder why Black Death nearly killed everyone. Black Death is not a problem here because we know how to cure it. White men don't." I sniffed. She may be right, but that didn't help the guilt. "He is lucky that you brought him here."

"I suppose. He wouldn't need to be here if I had done it right the first time." I muttered.

"It takes many years to master the art of healing." Tituba stated, going over to us with the steaming bowl. "Now, open his mouth. Start rubbing his throat too." I held Norman's mouth open slightly, and started running my fingers over his neck. Tituba blew on the bowl, and slowly drizzled it into his parted mouth. Red liquid began trickling into Norman's mouth, while I helped it go down. When the bowl was empty, Tituba sat back. "Now, we wait."

"Is he going to be ok?" I asked, brushing some hair out of his face.

"That is Hianti's decision." Tituba declared, wiping the bowl out. I nodded, and continued grooming Norman's hair. I felt his forehead again, surprised that the temperature had decreased. I smiled slightly, and leaned down until I was able to kiss his lips. "He is very lucky to have a woman like you to love him." Tituba remarked. I glanced at her.

"I suppose it is." I mumbled, continuing to stroke his cheek.

"I have some clothes if you'd like." She offered. I glanced down, having forgotten that I was only in Norman's pirate coat. My legs were completely exposed, and a fair amount of my chest.

"That would be nice. Yes please." I said. Tituba nodded, and got up. She made her way to the other side of the large hut, and picked up two pieces of clothing. She made her way back, and handed them to me. I took them, and slowly eased Norman's head onto the soft pillow. Then I changed out of the coat and into the two piece clothes. The brown leather felt strange on my skin. I glanced down at my outfit. The top half only covered my breasts, and left my flat stomach exposed. A large teal bead sat in the center of the top. The skirt only went down to my knees, which was better than the coat. It had white and brown feathers hanging from the bottom, gently tickling my legs. I knew that if my mother were to see me, she'd be ashamed to even look at me. "Thank you, Tituba. For everything." I thanked her, smiling.

"It is no worry. Just make sure you do not come back." She said.

"Of course." I said, sitting down next to Norman again.

"Feel free to sleep with your lover if you wish." Tituba stated, turning away. I nodded, and laid down beside him.

Lover. Is he my lover? Am I his lover? Does he love me? Do I love him?

I smiled, and leaned forward to give his forehead a small kiss. When I pulled away, I saw his eyes flutter slightly before stilling again. I smiled.

I knew the answer to that question.