Page 81 of Hollow Court
Davin nodded, the motion dislodging some of the ash that had settled onto his black hair. “All right, then. Gal, check for wounded. Gwyn, see if you can find out who the hell is responsible.”
In a louder voice, he called out instructions and reassurances to both the courtiers and the villagers, taking charge of the chaos more effortlessly than should have been possible.
Once the majority were headed back to their homes, he called for Ewan.
“Escort Lady Galina back to the cas—” he started to order.
“No.” The word was out of my mouth before I could consider what I had just done—that I had just argued with Davin in front of his own men.
I braced myself for his reaction, but he didn’t look upset, only confused. He moved his hands to my arms, then my face, like he was confirming I was still uninjured as his expression carefully searched mine.
“You’ll be safe,” he assured me, misunderstanding my objection. “I’ll send enough men to ensure it.”
I shook my head, and he dropped his hands back down to his sides.
I wasn’t concerned about that. It didn’t feel right to return safely to the castle when there was so much to be done here…and there was a small, unreasonable piece of me that wasn’t ready to be parted from Davin so soon after...
“There are wounded,” I said in a milder tone than before. “I can help…if you’ll allow it.”
He blinked rapidly. “It’s your decision.”
“Then I’ll stay.”
He looked like he wasn’t sure what to make of that, but he didn’t try to convince me to go. Not that there was time.
Before he could respond, Gallagher raced past us with the first of the wounded. His features were drawn in fury as he cradled the small body against his chest.
That’s when I realized the chaos had only begun.
* * *
There was so much blood.
The smell of dust and dirt and blood permeated the air, tinged with the scent of herbs and alcohol.
We had followed Gal to the local healer’s house. In the back was a makeshift infirmary, but it was tiny, not equipped for more than one or two patients at a time.
The single bed at the back of the room was already occupied by a villager, so the rest were left to sit in chairs or be laid on tables, all of their injuries on full display for the world. Broken limbs and bleeding heads. Gouges and contusions and bleeding that couldn't be stopped.
Davin cursed under his breath, catching the attention of the girl from before—Maisey, the apprentice healer, I learned rather quickly. She was frantically at work on one of the villagers.
She called him over, gesturing toward fresh bandages on a table that was just out of reach. He didn’t hesitate before rolling up his sleeves, dipping his hands in a bowl of pure alcohol and passing her the needed instruments and bandages.
Within moments, I was also throwing off my cloak and repeating the same steps that Davin had to clean my hands before joining Gallagher.
Stretched on the small table in front of him was the little girl whose black hair I had smoothed back earlier. Her eyes were shut, her arms hanging limply over the edges of the table as Gal held his hands over a wound on her abdomen.
I didn’t need to be a healer to know that the blood pouring from the gaping flesh was a bad sign. Something inside of me cracked at the sight of it. Of her.
“What do you need?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady as I surveyed the medicines and herbs that he had available.
He met my gaze for one solid moment, then dipped his head in an appreciative nod.
“Hand me the horsetail and yarrow. I need to make more coagulants to stop this bleed.” He gestured toward the shelf behind us with a crimson-soaked hand.
I grabbed the vials from the shelf, selecting a jar of cayenne pepper as well. Not waiting for permission, I blended the herbs and spice together into some aloe before reaching out to apply it to the wound.
Gallagher hesitated for the briefest moment at the potent smell of the cayenne.