Before walking away, the Princess cast a final glance at Sir Darius. His breathing had evened, and he no longer shivered.
She sighed in relief and went in search of the Duchess. As they watched her leave, Sir Lionel pressed a hand to his brow, and Sir Thomas shook his head.
– Has Her Highness always been so willful? – Sir William asked.
– Yes! – Sir Thomas and Sir Lionel answerd in unison.
– She is kind, and she truly cares about you, – Nick added.
– That is true – Sir Thomas agreed.
-– That kindness is going to get her killed! Thanks to you, we now have to strategise how to keep her safe while in the open.
– The only danger you should be worried about is her getting cold. I don't think anyone will attack again.
– Oh, yeah? And how do you know that?
– Because all the people in the area that could attack are lying here.
– And how do you know that?
– By paying attention? These are not robbers. They are commoners. Robbers don't bring their women and youths to battle, nor do they fight with pitchforks and pickaxes. These are the inhabitants of the mountain, driven to desperation by famine.
– Are you making excuses for them? Are you perhaps on their side?
– No, of course not. This assault is a crime — a crime against the Crown, none the less. What I am saying is that I understand their desperation, given the famine.
– Famine? What famine? There is no famine in Edenhold Kingdom.
– There is, we have just come from Anawim, the people there are starving.
– I don't know what you think you saw, but there is no famine. Those who lack food simply do not wish to labour for it. King Leomhann is just, and he cares for his people. You should know that. Or are you perhaps loyal to another lord?
– No, of course not. I am well aware of our king's reputation. I speak only of what I witnessed.
– What you witnessed was a band of good-for-nothings who would sooner vomit a crime than labour.
– Perhaps we saw different things, Sir Lionel. I know we have only just met. I too would not take the word of a stranger without question. However, being the righteous and diligent man I perceive you to be, I trust you will conduct a proper investigation. I am certain the truth will come to light once you do.
– The truth? What truth? Your truth?
– Sir Nicholas!
The Princess's urgent call carried through the trees. She hurried towards them, concern written across her youthful features.
– Sir Nicholas, could you please come and have a look at Sir Christopher's wound? He is bleeding badly.
– Of course, Your Highness. Sir Thomas, can you stay with Sir Darius and let me know if anything changes? Keep him awake.
Sir Thomas nodded, and Nick retrieved his blade from the ground before following the Princess. It was completely cold now.
– I am coming as well, – Sir Lionel declared, striding after them.
She led the way towards the two knights wounded by arrows. As they approached, Nick noticed that one of the wounded men and the knight assisting them were both quite young — maybe younger than himself. The Princess introduced him to the older of the two wounded knights.
– Sir Christopher, Sir Nicholas did an excellent job tending to Sir Darius' wound and he has agreed to look at yours as well.
– I am alright, Your Highness. This is not urgent.
– Yes, it is! You have lost far too much blood! – Said the knight tending to him.
– My name is Nicholas. I saw you fighting earlier, and I was deeply impressed by your courage. I have never seen a man continue to fight as you did after such a wound. It would be an honour to assist you. Sir Darius is stable now, and I have the time. May I?
– Are you a healer?
– My mother is, and I have assisted her since I was a boy. I am confident I can help you — at least until we can bring you to a proper healer. May I look at your wound?
Sir Christopher consented, and Nick examined the makeshift bandage stabilising the arrow — two belts fastened tightly over a torn shirt. He then used his blade to cut away as much of the clothing beneath the bandage as he could, exposing the wound.
– Well done! Who bandaged you?
– I did, Chris told me what to do. – the young knight answered
– You are well versed, – Nick complimented Sir Christopher.
– This was not my first battle – the wounded knight replied.
– Clearly, but it does seem that you have lost a great deal of blood, – Nick said, looking at the soaked bandage. – So first, I am going to need you to lie down.
– I'd rather remain sitting.
– I understand, but lying down helps reduce the bleeding. So please, could you help him, Sir...
– Henry. Pleased to meet you, and thank you for your help, – the young knight responded helping Sir Christopher lower himself to the ground.
– No need to thank me. I am going to fetch the things I will need. I won't be long. Do not move. Alright?
– You will need a hot iron. It's quite deep. I can feel it.
– How can you say that so nonchalantly? – the young wounded knight asked, horrified.
– I just know this is going to bleed a lot, James, and dying is most certainly not in my plans for today.
– I am very happy to hear of your determination, Sir Christopher. I'll... er...make sure to prepare everything, – Nick said, astonished at the display of courage.
At the bonfire, Nick removed the boiling pot from the fire and took some thin strips of cloth and a bowl from his bag. He tied them together into one long strip and dipped it into the pot. After a moment, he used his blade to lift it out and placed it in the bowl. He added more cloth to the pot and propped his blade back at the edge of the fire, where the flames could lick it.
Then with his bowl, and a piece of leather in his hands, he returned to the knights.
– Did you bring the hot iron? – Sir Christopher asked, as soon as he saw him approach.
– It's heating up, I would first like to remove the arrow. We can get the blande once we need it. Now, may I?
Sir Christopher took a deep breath and assented with his head.
– I am going to remove the bandage, alright? I need you to stay still. Sir Lionel and Sir Henry, could you assist with that? Your Highness, could you please help me with this? It must stay clean.
Nick gave the bowl to the Princess. As Nick undid the makeshift bandage, and removed the clothing that was in his way, the bleeding intensified. Sir Christopher grimaced and breathed through his teeth.
– I am going to pull this out now. Here, bite on this – Nick said to the knight, then, while looking at Sir Lionel and Sir Henry, - make sure he doesn't move.
–Alright, now take a deep—
– Just do it already! - Sir Christopher interupted.
So Nick yanked the arrow shaft in a smooth motion.
Sir Christopher screamed into the leather strip Nick had given him, and then began to forcefully breath though his teeth when Nick applied pressure on his wound and waited.
After a short moment Sir Christopher spit out the leather and complained between breaths:
– What are you waiting for?... I told you... you have to burn it.
– I want to see if I can stop it like this first.
– Damit! It won't!!...
– Sir Christopher, I trust Sir Nicholas. Could you trust him as well please? - The Princess asked.
Sir Christopher did not respond, and for a short moment only his forced breathing filled the air, but he could feel his own blood flowing.
– I told you... it won't stop like that! – Sir Christopher yelled.
– I'll get the balde - The Princess offered.
– No, let me try something else first.
– What?! - Sir Christopher exclaimed, trying to move.
– Hold him down, – Nick said to the knights.
– No!!.. .What are you—!?...
– You should bite down on that strip again.
– What?! No!... You need to—
An agonizing scream left Sir Christopher's throat as Nick used his little finger to push the strip of cloth deep into the wound, and then pressed down hard on it with his knee.
Sir Christopher gasped for air, and Sir Henry braced himself for another scream, but instead, he only heard a soft moan, and then the strong knight he was pinning down into the ground went completely limb.
– Chris? Chris! Wake up! Wake up bother, wake up! WAKE UP! PLEASE!! PLEASE. NO, DON'T DIE, Don't leave me, come on wake up!! CRHIS! – Sir Henry whailed shaking Sir Christopher.
– Henry, calm down! - Sir Lionel commanded as he moved to his side and separated him from Sir Christopher.
– No, no, NO, CHRIS! SAVE HIM, save him, PLEASE!!
– Calm down, Henry! - Sir Lionel barked while grappinling with him.
– Henry, he is alive! - Nick shouted while holding Sir Christopher's wrist. – He is alive! Calm down. He lives.
– He is alive? – Henry ask, from within Sir Lionel's restrictive hold, tears in his eyes.
– Yes, he's alright. Calm down. – Nick reassured.
– Are you sure?
– Yes! He has a pulse!
– A pulse?
– Yes, it means his heart is beating. He is alright.
– Really?
– Yes, I'll show you. Put your fingers like this – Nick showed him his hand with his index and middle fingers raised, and signaled to Sir Lionel with his eyes to release him.
– Like this? – Henry immitated, freed from the hold.
– Yes, now put your fingers here. – Nick took his hand and placed it on Sir Christopher's wrist, in the narrow groove below the thumb.
– Feel that? Do you feel how it pulses?
Henry nodded. Moving closer, the tears streaming down his face.
– That means his heart is beating. As long as you feel that rhythm, he lives. Alright?
– He lives. – Henry repeated, his voice breaking.
– Yes. And he will wake up soon. So we'll—
Nick didn't finish his sentence because Henry threw himself on top of Sir Christopher's chest and broke down crying.
The three adults looked as the teen released his tension sobbing. Even Sir Lionel's expression softened.
– Alright Henry, get yourself together, man. You are a knight now. – Sir Lionel said after a moment, while pulling him up. – Calm down.
– I'm sorry. – Sir Henry said sniffling and wiping the tears off with his hands. – Not much of a knight, am I?
– The hell you are! – Nick countered, still pressing on the wound. – I saw you earlier, you fought off three men at once on your own, no fear in your eyes. At the very least you are a damn good royal guard. You defended Her Highness bravely.
– I agree. Today you proved you more than deserve being my knight, Sir Henry. – The Princess confirmed.
– Thank you, Your Highness. – Sir Henry said, still sniffing.
– You just need to learn to calm down a little. Alright? – Nick said.
Sir Henry nodded.
– Are you blood brothers? – Nick asked.
– Yes. He is all I have left. Everyone else died of the pest when I was a boy.
– And he took care of you.
– Yes.
– Well, now it is your turn to care for him. He is going to have to lay still for a while and he will be in pain. You will have to help him stay calm under the pressure, and for that, you yourself need to be calm. Alright?
–Yes, – Sir Henry nodded.
– Good, now when —
Nick's explanation was cut short by Sir Christopher's groan as he opened his eyes slowly, his gaze unfocused.
– Chris!!
Henry threw himself at his brother.
– Henry, what did I just say?
– To stay calm. – Henry answered sheepishly.
He took a few deep breaths to steady himself and then said confidently.
– Alright, I am calm now, what do I need to do?