Felix's sleeve was torn. There was dirt in his hair and a long scrape across the back of his hand. He caught my eye and gave a small shake of the head—I'm fine, don't start.
I didn't start. I took Benjamin's other side and helped Alma get him toward the side hall while Freja went ahead for clean water and Ingrid.
Benjamin tried to talk. Alma told him to shut up until someone had looked at his head. He shut up. Kasper stood at the cart line and pressed both hands hard against the wood as if the rope and timber needed holding down.
---
Ingrid cleaned the scalp gash, checked his eyes, and declared him lucky and stupid in equal measure. He would stay off his feet. He would drink what he was given. He would not apologize for existing until after he'd slept a full night. Benjamin, already half-gone, nodded and was out before the blanket was fully drawn up.
Alma stood in the doorway of the side hall with her arms wrapped around herself and stared at the floorboards.
