Sephtis

18. Wolf-woman.

For five days, I do not visit the wolves. For I am busy nursing and tending my king, for Morag has deserted him, she gave him back the gold finger band that marked her as his, and has moved back into her families house, thankfully taking Merikh with her. Though he still torments me almost nightly, it does not affect me like it used to. I am no longer shattered to a million pieces when he forcefully takes me, for always there is a chorus of howls, washing away the pain and giving me peace with its swelling melody, when the tears threaten to fall. All of the wolves are attuned to me, and for that I give multiple thanks to the gods.

I am teaching a young cousin of mine how to care for Droug. This youngster is devoted to his uncle, and is learning swiftly. I teach him how to make medical tea for his pains, and how to crush leaf, root and berry for poultices. Horiki doesn't approve of me teaching the boy.

"Look after the king yourself slave-girl," he says to me late one afternoon. Droug has had a pain filled, sleepless day, and I am making medicine for him from just gathered evergreen pine needles, I have comfrey flowers in it too, to aid in the healing of the bone. The boy is helping me again, his young face long, serious and frowning.

"He is capable," I sign, taking a break from the medicine making, pacing the bowl to the boy "he is almost the same age I was when you taught me which plants to give to the king's past wife. He can look after our king, besides, I am not always here."

"So I have observed." He says lowly, glancing in the direction of the king, " you are already in deep trouble, wolf-woman. Do not make matters worse by running with those that are forbidden and dangerous."

The boy looks up at me, his eyes round and full of questions. I take the bowl from his hands, passing it to Horiki, and the healer inhales deeply before nodding his approval. He gives the medicines to Droug, then speaks to me: "Will you be here to help with the harvest?"

"Of course,' I sign with a scoff. "Everyone helps with the harvest."

"Everyone but this man you crippled." he says, then leaves.

I am looking forward to the harvest. It is the high time in the season of summer for us, when everyone braves the suns burning rays to labor in the fields to bring in the ripened wheat. When the work is done, we feast all night, and then the next day, offering thanks to our gods that our harvest is in safely. It is the one time,amid all the celebrating and adrenaline of being out in the daylight, the village forgets I am not one of them. I would look forward to it even more if I thought I would have a friend to work alongside of. Eleutheros hasn't even glanced at me for these past five days.