Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell Read Free Book Online Page A

was lunch time.
    Amber watched him go with a fond expression and turned to Tanyth. “You’re welcome to join us for lunch, mum. I promise it won’t be crusts of bread and stale water.”
    Tanyth’s stomach growled at that moment, the gurgling sound loud in the quiet hut. “Thank you. That would be lovely, if you’re sure you have enough...?”
    Amber smiled. “This is harvest season, mum, or near enough. It might be plain fare, but we’ve plenty for now.” She lowered her eyes in embarrassment. “You’re delaying your trip to help us. The least we can do is feed you.”
    Tanyth felt the warmth and a sharp pang inside. She’d been so long on the road, traveling from teacher to teacher, spending a season or so before moving on. It was to be expected. The women she visited seldom had family and were often glad for the company, but the connection was always the knowledge. Tanyth would share what she knew in exchange for whatever knowledge she could gain. More and more, of late, she found herself covering known ground and was anxious to meet Gertie Pinecrest in the far north at Lammas Wood. There were whispers in the night, quiet comments about the Witch Woman and what bits of the Old Knowledge she still carried. Tanyth hungered for that knowledge but this simple need, the small hamlet in need of a healer, the warmth and acceptance these young people gave her, plucked a chord in her that had been still for a very long time.
    The thoughts flashed through her mind in a heartbeat, and she smiled at the young woman. “In that case, my dear, let me check on Sadie once more and I’ll be honored to join you for lunch.”
    Amber beamed and the two of them set off for the center of the village, arm-in-arm. They separated at the Mapleton hut and Tanyth went to check on Sadie while Amber prepared luncheon.
    Tanyth found Sadie and Megan chatting quietly. Sadie was smiling and had a bit better color but didn’t seem too anxious to get up and move about.
    Sadie beamed as Tanyth came in. “I heard you’ll be staying with us for a few more days, mum.”
    Tanyth crossed to the cot and pressed a palm against the young woman’s forehead before answering. “Yes, it seems that the All-Mother has a small task for me here.” She shrugged and smiled. “We’ll have to see how long, but at least a few more days.” She looked down at the woman in the bed. “How are you feeling, my dear? Any better?”
    Sadie nodded gently but stopped almost instantly. “Thank you, mum, I’m on the mend, although I still ache and I can’t really seem to get warm.”
    Tanyth’s take on the room was that it was already too warm and stuffy but she nodded to Sadie. “Another dose for you, then, and a long nap this afternoon to get you ready for a good night’s sleep tonight.”
    Tanyth crossed to the hearth and looked in the pot of willow bark. It had been steeping all night and all day so far, so it was undoubtedly going to be exceptionally unpleasant. She nudged the pot closer to the fire to warm it up and stepped out the back door to pull a handful of mint leaves from the clump she’d seen earlier. Adding those to the pot filled the room with the fresh green scent of the mint and in a matter of a few minutes, the tea–willow bark and mint together–was warmed and ready. She fetched the cup and rinsed it carefully with hot water before pouring a healthy dose of the bitter tea into it. Sadie grimaced a bit at the flavor but took the cupful without complaint.
    “Are you getting hungry, then, Sadie?” Tanyth asked.
    Sadie’s response was to turn just slightly green. “I don’t think I could eat just yet, mum.”
    Tanyth smiled. “No, then you shouldn’t. When you feel hungry again, that’s the sign we’re looking for. You’ll be on the backside of it and ready to get up. In the meantime, sleep, child. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”
    Sadie settled down in her cot, the warm tea having done its work at soothing even if the medicinal