Freedom In Sight

Chapter 3

Another Chapter is done. I hope you guys enjoy it. Please don't forget to like and comment!

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Uriah stared in amazement as Brynn worked around Tullia. Her gentle hands flew over the body, knowing exactly what to do. How does she know this? He was about to ask her when he saw a puff of smoke coming from the distance. The doctor had arrived! He jogged over to meet the doctor, leaving Darrah, Adina, and Brynn with Tullia.

Darrah turned to look at Brynn who had sat back and taken a deep breath. "How did you know what to do?" Her eyes seemed gentler, and she spoke to Brynn as a friend, rather than a master to a servant.

Brynn tossed her caramel hair out of her face, pushing it behind her ears. "My father owned an apothecary. He taught me everything that I know about medicine, miss."

"I'm glad you were here." Darrah spoke softly. "And you don't have to call me 'miss'. I want to be your friend, not your mistress."

Brynn smiled broadly. "I would like that too, mis-Darrah." She stuttered, unused to the informality.

Darrah laughed to lighten the somber situation. "You will get used to it." She looked over her shoulder as her father and the doctor came through the doorway.

"I need you all to back away please." The doctor ordered. He pointed the others out of the room while he worked. He looked at Brynn and beckoned her. She kept her head down as she approached him. "Get me some clean cloths and a basin of warm water." His loud voice commanded her. She nodded and ran to the kitchen. Where are the cloths again? She thought, desperately trying to remember where Darrah had shown her. She quickly opened the cabinets and drawers, searching through them until she finally found several clean cloths. She grabbed a basin from a cupboard above her and set it beside the cloths. She raced to the well, bringing up the clear water and bringing it back inside where she began to heat it up above the fire. After it had reached slightly above room temperature, she brought it and the cloths back to the doctor, who had already unwound the soaked bandages from Tullia's head.

"Here you are, sir." She handed him the basin and cloths. He yanked the clothes from her hand and slapped her face, drawing a shocked gasp from her.

"You took too long, girl!" He berated her, muttering curses under his breath.

Brynn backed away, rubbing her cheek gently, her face reddening with shame. If only I had paid more attention earlier; I could have done it quicker, she silently reprimanded herself. She glanced over at Darrah to see if she felt the same way as the doctor, but she saw a sympathetic smile rather than heartless joy. At least she doesn't hate me, she thought wryly.

Brynn watched as the doctor finished cleaning the wound – for the second time- and wrapped it up again, roughly pulling the bandages into place. He probably isn't being gentle because she is a slave. Brynn ached to be the one helping Tullia, but she knew better than to ask. The welt on her cheek reminded her. Besides, I had done all I can, though the only thing that he has done that I hadn't is put on a healing salve. The doctor turned to Uriah when he was done, his voice a flippant monotone. "She had a very bad concussion, but the wound isn't very deep. It might take a day of two for her to wake up. If she has any problems when she awakes, come get me." His voice was unfeeling, and his care for his patient was nonexistent. He walked out of the door and began to make his way back into town.