Nick coached Sir Henry on how to let his brother come back to himself gradually, while maintaining the pressure on the wound. As the pain resurfaced, Sir Christopher stirred and reached for his wound, but Sir Henry restrained him and spoke to him until he settled. Then he tried to sit up, and the cycle repeated.
When his eyes focused and his breathing steadied, Sir Christopher resorted to negotiation.
– Henry, I'll make a deal with you. Let me sit for a moment, just to orient myself and see my wound. I promise I'll stay down after that.
– Sorry, Chris, Sir Nick said to keep you down. – Sir Henry countered, glancing at Nick, who was now tending to Sir James.
Nick had already removed the arrow and was suppressing the bleeding, but they had struggled to keep him still under the pressure, so Nick was now strapping his legs, while Sir Lionel restrained his upper body.
With time Sir James settled down and allowed the pressure to continue as long as necessary, occacionally letting out a moan, shaking slightly. Once enough time passed, Nick released the pressure and secured a temporary bandage around his leg.
– There you go… rest… you'll be all right. I'll bring something later to ease the pain. Drink some spirits in the meantime. Sir Henry, would you watch Sir James as well?
– Yes, of course.
– Thank you.
– Sir Nicholas, – Sir Christopher said, his voice steadier now, – I would like to make a deal with you.
– A deal?
– Let me sit for a moment, enough to feel oriented and understand my wound, and I give you my word I shall remain down afterwards.
– Would you accept a counter-offer, Sir Christopher? I cannot let you sit yet; you could bleed or faint again. However, I can help you into a better position, one that allows you to look around and see your wound without that risk. If you agree, I shall ask that you follow my directions without argument until a healer takes over. How does that sound?
– You'll have my word, if this position suits me, – Sir Christopher agreed, shaking Nick's hand.
Using cloaks, a tree branch, and a helmet, they raised his legs and inclined his torso into a wide "V". After confirming Sir Christopher was satisfied, Sir James was growing steadier, and Sir Henry was still calm, Nick headed back to the bonfire. Sir Lionel followed.
– Enjoying my company so much you must follow me everywhere, Sir Lionel?
Sir Lionel scoffed.
– I only wish to ensure the safety of my people.
– Of course, you'are a good leader.
– Flattery will not win you my favour, Sir Nicholas.
– I would not dare try. I was simply stating the truth.
– Aha – Sir Lionel scoffed again. – I tell you what: give me your bow and your men's swords, and I'll let you walk more freely.
Nick instinctively reached for his bow on his back. He held the handle briefly and took a deep breath, his eyes closed. Sir Lionel smiled triumphantly at his hesitation.
– Alright – Nick finally said, extending his bow to Sir Lionel. – You can have my bow as long as you return it when we part ways. Do I have your word?
– Of course. You have my word. The same applies to your men's swords.
– My... men's swords?
– Yes. I will return them when we go our separate ways.
– I will have to ask them about that.
– Ask? Do you not command them?
– Ha! – Nick laughed – That's a good one! I don't have authority over them. Please don't let Connor hear you say you think I do, or I won't hear the end of it.
– You said you sent your men for herbs earlier. Did you not command them then?
Nick's eyes widened ever so slightly.
– No... I... didn't order them. I just asked for their help to treat the wounded. They'd already had their fair share of burnt flesh, so they offered to get the herbs. – Nick explained, hoping Sir Lionel wouldn't read too much into his pause.
– Riiight —
– But I can ask them if that will help put you at ease. I assure you we mean no harm; we only wish to help, so maybe they will agree. They're back. I'll ask them now. – Nick said quickly and walked away before Sir Lionel could reply.
Nick slowly returned to the bonfire, breathing deeply as he tried to steady himself after that scuffle. He found Connor and Stephan sitting beside a nice pile of clean herbs.
– Well done! – he praised their bountiful harvest, his spirits lifting slightly.
– What are you up to? – he asked as he noticed they were crushing the herbs against a shield with stones. – And where did you get that shield?
– From the ground. We're making your favourite healing concoction. – Connor said triumphantly.
– My "favourite healing concoction"? – Nick raised an eyebrow, amused.
– Yup, we're going to need a lot more honey though.
Nick was pleased to see how they had mixed and crushed yarrow and plantain leaves.The honey jar sat on the side.
– But why are you making so much?
– So you've got enough for everyone?
– Everyone?
– We know you won't stop at the knights, Nick. There's no way you're going to stand by and leave the commoners untreated. Right?
– You know me well. – Nick chuckled as he positioned his blade back by the fire.
For a moment he sat quietly, observing the flames.
– I have to ask you two for a favour.
– A favour? – Stephan frowned.
– Yes, I won't command you to do this, – Nick said, lowering his voice while looking around.
– You are scaring me. What's up? – Connor asked.
– Sir Lionel asked to hold on to our weapons. He doesn't trust us.
– You gave him your bow?! – Connor realized it was missing from Nick's back.
– Yes – Nick confirmed with a heavy exhale.
– Wow. He's really gotten to you, hasn't he?
– Yes. – Nick smiled sheepishly. – He won't leave my side, and he keeps trying to catch me in my words. But if he'd just relax a little, maybe I could get close enough to the Princess to talk with her unsupervised. We might actually be able to accomplish our mission much faster than expected. I won't order you to surrender your swords. I can't do that to you, not while in enemy territory, and—
– I understand, Nick. – Stephan nodded, placing a hand on Nick's shoulder.
Then, taking a deep breath, he untied the sword from his belt and handed it to him.
– I trust your instincts. If you think it's what's best, I'll do it.
– Thank you, Stephan.
– Don't mention it. You gave up your bow as well. We're in this together. Right, Connor?
Connor's hand was tightly gripping the hilt of his sword.
– Yes, we are. – He finally answered after a long pause. He untied his sword and handed it to Nick.
– Thank you guys. Really. I'll get them back to you later, I promise.
– It's alright. Now go give 'em to Mister Paranoid before we change our minds.
Nick chuckled and went in search of Sir Lionel.
He found him checking in on Sir Darius. Sir Lionel's hand was gently placed on his shoulder and he was murmuring something to his ear. He straightened up as soon as he noticed Nick approaching.
– I managed to convince them. We truly mean no harm, Sir Lionel. We trust you don't either.
Nick offered the swords to an astounded Sir Lionel and walked away, smiling when the latter was unable to answer.
– Where are you going? – Sir Lionel regained his voice when he saw Nick was not returning to the bonfire.
– To tend their wounds. – Nick waved towards the commoners.
– What?! They are criminals!
– My mother never asks who is seeking her help. She simply cares for everyone.
– They deserve to die! They attacked the Princess!
– Who are you to decide whether someone gets to live or die?
– They commited a crime against the Crown. That is punishable by death.
– According to who?
– According to the King!
– Does it not bother you that someone could have authority over your life, just because what blood runs though his veins? What makes the Royals different than us?
– Are you defying the King's authority? Are you an anarchist?
– No, of course not. Would I have placed my life at the Princess' service if I was?
– You could be lying.
– I gave you my bow, and my friends' swords. That should count for something. I simply cannot just stand by and watch those people die of wounds I could have treated.
– They won't even have time to heal. They will be sentenced to death as soon as the King hears of this. You will only be wasting your time.
– If the only thing I can manage is give them a few more days to say goodbye, then so be it. Now if you will refuse me even that, I can go ask Her Highness for permission to treat them.
– No, no. Don't bother her with that. – Sir Lionel answerd quickly. – You may waste your time on scum if you wish.
– Thank you – Nick said while walking away from Sir Lionel's glare.
Nick reached the group of commoners. He noticed the four women who were free and approached the eldest-looking one. She was kneeling by a man, holding his hand. An arrow shaft protruded from his thigh.
– Good day, Ma'am.
– What's good about it?
– Fair point. May I help?
– Help? – she scoffed.
– My mother is a healer and I've picked up a few things. I can treat your wounds.
– Ya? Treat me ? – the man asked.
– My mother has always helped anyone who asked.
– We ain't askin'.
– Not even if I offer? I have cloth and poultices, I can remove those shafts and dress your wounds. Or do you intend to stay like this forever? – Nick gestured towards the shaft in his muscle. – It will surely fester. You'll die.
– I ain't afraid of dyin'.
– How about you? – Nick asked the woman. – Wouldn't you rather they all live?"
– Ya wanna treat everyone?
– If you let me, I'd like to try.
– What's in it for you? We got no money.
– Knowing I've honoured my mother, who taught me all I know about healing.
– Ya mother?
– Ya ain't chargin'?
– No, I don't need money. I just want to help.
The two commoners looked at one another.
– Ya for real, Sir?
– I'm Nick. What should I call you?
– Name's Meg, my brother's Jack.
– Please to meet you Meg and Jack. May I have a look at that?
– Ya look at 'em first. I'm fine. – Jack gestured towards everyone else.
– Alright. How about we start with the worst ones?
– We? – Meg asked.
– I can't do it alone. I'll need your help, Meg. Think you could manage it?
– Sure. Ya hold on tight, Jack.
– Always have Meg.
– Can we get them to help too? – Nick gestured towards the other women.
– Sure thing. Oi! Lily, Mary, Beth, come here.
After introductions, Nick began giving instructions:
– We will need a fire. My friends made one, but it's all the way over there. I'd rather have one close by.
– What ya gonna use the fire for, Sir?
– To make tea and heat an iron.
– Tea and iron?
– Yes, willow bark tea to ease the pain, and a hot iron just in case we need it to stop a bad bleed.
– Ya'll burn'em!? – Lily asked, horrified.
– Gotta do what ya gotta do, Lil'. I seen it. Smells. But it works. – Meg answered.
– Yes, it is brutal, but it can be life-saving. I'd rather have it ready and not need it.
– How we gonna start a fire, Sir? They gonna let us? – Meg gestured towards the knights.
– I think they will. And if they don't, we can go to a higher authority.
– A higher authority, Sir?
– Yes, we could ask the Princess. She is kind, I think she would allow it. – Nick nodded towards the carriage.
– The Princess?
– Which Princess?!
– Princess Rowena of Edenhold.
– We attacked the Princess?!
– We dead!!