Ria Cantrell - Celtic Storm 03 by Knight Storm Read Free Book Online Page A

been a long night. Morning was approaching and there was still much to be done. Alys had had a crisis, as Rhianna knew she would, but was now sleeping normally. Sometimes things had to get worse before the true healing could happen. Her fever had seemed to spike and Rhianna had to take measures to cool the heat inside of her. It had been an arduous task of putting strips of water soaked linens onto the child’s arms and legs, only to ply her with blankets when the chills came upon her. At one point, the coughs were so close, it almost sounded like the child was laughing. The poor little thing would gasp and start the rattling cough again. Rhianna forced more of the wild geranium tisane into the baby, which caused her to sick up on herself, but when she did, much of the poisonous fluids were rendered and released. Rhianna knew that was actually a good thing. After that, the hideous demonic sounds battling through the little girl stopped. Alric helped to clean Alys up and as Rhianna sat to catch her breath, the little child finally slept peacefully. Rhianna was confident that Alys would get better now. The poor little thing had a rough night.
    When the first rays of dawn streaked through the shutters, Rhianna stood up to check on the girl. Her fever seemed to be broken and she coughed much less. It had rained heavily during the night, as Rhianna suspected it would, but morning brought fresh sweet air cleansed by the storm. Rhianna opened the shutters to let some of the refreshing breeze dispel the ill humors of the cottage. She stood at the open window and breathed deeply of the cool, no longer fetid, air. She let it settle through her and she stretched her neck and spine. She was tired, but she was glad she had been able to help. With a heavy sigh, Rhianna tried to shake off her weariness. There was still work to be done. Grabbing a shawl that Hildie had knitted and tucking it around her shoulders, Rhianna let herself out of the cottage. She went to the well to draw two pails full of water. Once filled, they were heavy. Rhianna had to walk slowly and carefully to avoid spilling the precious water. She side stepped some deep puddles that had formed in the ruts of the lane, mindful of not sloshing the water over the sides of the pails.
    As Rhianna avoided a wide slick of mud, the unmistakable sound of approaching horses made her start. She had been lost in thought and the hoof beats grew louder as the riders neared at an alarming pace. As the men on horseback dashed closer, Rhianna stumbled and landed solidly in a swale of mud. She spilled her buckets of water after she had painstakingly drawn them and carried them toward the cottage. Mud spattered her gown and clods of wet dirt from the flying hooves of the horses hit her in the face and neck. She could feel one clump sliding through her hair. She managed to stand up as the last of the riders filed quickly by. Her mouth hung open as the shock of her fall wore off and she realized just who those riders were. Her betrothed! She thought in horror and suddenly she felt the eyes of one of the men upon her. She raised her chin defiantly, despite her soiled clothes and hair. It was then that she thought she saw the fabled Norse god, Thor, hastening past her. Their eyes met only for the briefest of moments, but she knew he had seen her. She also saw his look of disgust as he noted her filthy appearance. He turned away in abhorrence and headed further down the lane. Further down the lane! No! They were on their way to the keep. Bloody Hell!
    Rhianna dropped her now empty pails and ran back to the cottage. Alric rose from his chair and said, “My lady, what in the world happened?”
    “I had a little stumble and landed in a puddle. Never mind about that, though. I must get back to the keep. There is danger afoot. I am afraid I dropped the pails of water…”
    “My lady, I will come with you. Alys is faring so much better now.”
    Shaking her head hastily, she said, “I will try to