THE REALM

Chapter Twenty Three

  "Easy lad," said the voice of the farmer and I let go of the saddle. I hadn't realized that I was so tired.

  The process of walking felt strange, but I resolutely headed toward the golden light still coming from the open doorway. I stepped inside and blinked as my eyes adjusted to the brighter light in the house.

  I felt myself blush at the sight of one of the women breast-feeding the baby. I almost turned to leave the room, but the farmer pushed me from behind further into the house.

  The second woman, who I took to be the farmer's wife, came forward and touched my chest and pulled the shreds of my shirt apart. I watched her face cringe and then she was leading me over to a chair and pushing on my shoulders to make me sit down.

  I didn't like the way my legs collapsed under me at the slight insistence of her hands. I'd thought I was stronger than this.

  Numbly I felt myself stripped of my upper clothes and then the woman was washing at my chest with a warm rag. Her hands were shaking. Not really wanting to look, I did anyway and in turn was shaken by what I saw.

  Were those jaded gouges across my chest for real?

  They had to be and yet I had not thought my injuries were so extensive. I had been so intent on just escaping. I could've died!
Feeling a little more aware, I sat up a little and gripped the sides of the chair as I began to feel the pain I had been numb to in the past few hours. In one spot I could see the white of my ribs showing. The sight of that made me queasy and I had to look away quickly.

  The old farmer's face was grim as he asked, "How far from here?"

  "A little better than two hours hard ride. I don't think I was followed, but I can't be sure of it."

  He nodded and headed for the door, followed by the tall boy. The boy looked a lot like the nursing woman and I surmised it must be her son. The older woman noticed my gaze on the younger woman and said, "A survivor."

  My eyes rose to the woman before me and she went on, "The Lion Men are coming more often. They are venturing further into the Kingdom of Thyana than ever before. They killed her husband and younger children about two days ago. They lived on a farm 2 miles from here. Such a nice young family they were and now…… it's just her and the boy." As she finished her voice cracked with emotion.

  My hand closed over her fingers and her eyes met mine and with my mind full of the imagery of the massacred caravan I said, "You're not safe here!"

  Her lips quivered as she said, "I know."

  She reclaimed her hand and picking up a needle and thread she said, "I'm sorry, but this is going to hurt."

  I nodded and gritted my teeth as she started to pull the torn flesh back together.

  I stared at the woman nursing the baby that I'd saved from the burning wagon. Somehow the sight of the two of them helped to take my mind off the pain.

  Endless tears flowed down the woman's cheeks as she held the baby to her. So much grief and sorrow. It hurt to see the look of loss on her face as she endlessly stroked the baby's head while she cooed softly to it.

  I could see her reliving over and over the experience that had taken her own family from her. Then I saw her give a watery smile and I looked down to see the baby cooing back up at her as its hunger was finally abated. Of all of us right now, the baby looked the most content.

  It knew nothing of the world or the danger that we were all in. All it knew was the comfort of the warm milk in its belly and the loving attentions that were being given to it in endless supply. In an instant I found myself envying the blissful ignorance of the baby.

  For me the world was opening up to be a place of heartbreak and sorrow. I felt anger course through me at the knowledge that this innocent baby would someday know for itself the fears and pestilences of the times that we lived in. It wasn't right. It would never be right!

  "Where do you come from?"

  Blinking, I gazed back up to the older woman before me and answered, "The Kingdom of Smirnaz."

  "My you've traveled far! What has brought you to Thyana?"

  The woman was trying to distract me, which I found mildly annoying at the moment, but I let her as it was only polite, "I'm not sure why. I just found my way here."

  "Well, I know why you're here."

  Surprised I looked at the woman, "You do?"

  She nodded and said, "Yes."

  "Why?"

  "Because El Elyon sent you to us."

  I stared at her for a moment then looked over at the baby, once again hungry for more milk. I conceded that it was apparent that I had been of some good, but did that constitute my presence here as being divinely inspired?

  The baby had all but fallen asleep and I watched where its little blood stained fingers lay against the woman's throat. My blood. I found the nursing mother looking at me only to see her mouth out quietly, "Thank you!"

  I nodded, happy in the knowledge that I had been instrumental in bringing some measure of comfort to this grieving mother. I was being tugged to my feet and several steps later was pushed down onto a warm mat by the fire. My eyes closed as if drugged and I drifted off into a dreamless sleep. I was too tired to even wonder as to what tomorrow would bring.