Nan's Jewel

Nan's Jewel~ Chapter 15 <3 Zillah

Chapter 15- Zillah

I was appalled at having to share a room with a man, let alone a bed. It just wasn't very lady-like. I appreciated Elda's hospitality too much to object though. When I awoke the next morning and ate breakfast, Elda invited me to come and walk with her. She led me down to the water, and we walked in silence for a time.

"Zillah, my husband is ill."She finally said.

"How so?"I asked, concerned.

"He has these red bumps all over his body. We don't know what they are, but some of the people have experienced them too."Elda explained.

"And you want to know if I can cure them."I said.

"Yes. That is why my children do not look like us. They are not ours. When the red bumps appear, Edler had them kicked out, so they didn't spread. We took in their children as our own, came up with this elaborate story, and no one questioned it. Now that Edler has the bumps, I am at a loss as to what to do!" Elda explicated.

"May I see these bumps?"I asked.

Elda nodded, and we walked back up to the house. Edler lay in his cot, refusing to move for fear someone would see him.

"Edler, may I see the bumps."I asked gently, helping him into a sitting position.

"You told her?"He growled to Elda.

"I just wanted to help."She admitted, throwing her hands up.

Edler rolled up his sleeves, and I looked at the numerous bumps on his arms.

"Mosquito bites."I declared.

"What?"The chief asked.

"Mosquito."I answered.

"What is a Moe-ski-toe?"The chief said the word very slowly, trying to pronounce it.

"That is!"I said, pointing to one flying around the room.

"No! That's a hyttne."The chief said.

"No, that is a mosquito."I argued.

"Hyttne."The chief repeated.

"Anyway!"Elda cried.

"That is what is creating the bites. Here, let me create a salve for you."I said, leading Elda out of the room, and to their personal food preparation room.

"I'm going to need shea butter, almond oil, lavender, thyme, and lemon."I said, trying to remember the recipe from my mother.

While she was gone, I sent about building a small fire to melt the shea butter. Thankfully Elda returned quickly, and dropped the ingredients on the counter. I found some shea butter and set it to melt. Once it melted I stirred in the almond oil, lavender oil, thyme oil, and lemon oil into a bowl, and set the bowl in the shade. I sat talking with Elda and Edler for a few hours while it set up. When it was done I pulled it out and began rubbing it on Edler's bites. I turned to Elda and she did the same.

"Pass this around to all of your tribe."I instructed, just as Edward came in. The chief quickly rolled down his sleeves.

"Hey Zillah, would you like to take a walk with me?"Edward asked.

I looked to Elda, and she nodded.

"Sure."I said, allowing Edward to help me stand.

We walked in silence down to the beach and along into the setting sun. It was a beautiful time, and I wished I could enjoy it. The nagging feeling of being stranded and not being able to go home stopped that.

"You okay?"Edward asked, as he stopped and turned back to me.

I stared out over the ocean, the sun going into the warmer colors of dusk. With a huff I sat down, and continued to stare at the sunset as it merged into the cooler colors, and finally into night. The entire time Edward was quiet, just leaving me to my thoughts.

"Zillah, we need to talk."Edward finally said.