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I go to the table and down the last of the water straight from the pitcher. There are two mugs that look like they have been drunk out of, which means someone else was here with me. I examine both sides of the bed. It is evident that someone had slept beside me. Leaning down to smell the pillow, I get a whiff of ale and maybe a hint of flowers, but it is hard to tell.
Please, gods, don’t tell me I brought a woman here last night.
I shake my head at the thought because it is ridiculous. I have been in a dry spell for months. Or has it been a year?
Shit, it has been way too long.
Dragging my hands across my face, I head to the door, take a seat in a chair, and slip on my boots. I double-check the room to ensure I have everything and head out the door to return the key.
After stopping by the office, I make my way to the apothecary. I hurry down the cobblestone path and people part as they see me approaching. The upside of being the captain is most villagers either respect or fear you enough to get out of your way.
Entering the apothecary, I find a woman not much older than me at the counter. The smell of the shop is a potent mix of herbs, plants, and perfumes. Bile creeps up my throat and I fight to swallow it down.
The woman looks up, and her light-hazel eyes go wide at the sight of me in her shop. I really need to get out more if every person who sees me has the same reaction.
I step up to the counter so she can hear me clearly.
“I’m looking for something to help with a horrible headache. Can you help?” I say before her jaw hits the floor.
She blinks rapidly before responding.
“Umm ... possibly. Can you describe the pain to me? When did it start, and do you recall anything that may have caused it? Were you hit on the head, or did you fall?” she spits out rapid-fire questions, grabbing an ink pen and paper to take notes.
“It’s a throbbing, sharp pain in the front of my head, behind my eyes. I don’t think I fell, but I remember little from yesterday. I had a few drinks, but I don’t believe I had enough to warrant this kind of pain. Everything is very hazy,” I say, rubbing my temples.
She eyes me and worry etches her face.
She scribbles a few things down, but I can’t read through the blur setting into my vision. If she can’t help me, I’ll have to go to the physician in the castle for aid. If I can even make it back to the castle, that is. My head feels as though a sword has cleaved my skull wide open and embedded itself into my mind.
“I think I know just the thing to help you, Captain Kincaid. I’ll be right back,” she says while heading to the back counter to mix ingredients together.
A few minutes later, she turns to me with a bright smile on her face. She sets down a bottle of an oddly green-colored solution swirling with black and yellow flakes.
“Here you go!” she exclaims excitedly.
I eye the vial suspiciously.
“I promise it is a mixture of herbs and plants. Nothing that will harm you, Captain,” she says quickly after noticing my hesitancy.
“It has black bitterweed, mountain blood, and honeypalm. All ground together and diluted in water. The flavor may be bitter, but it should quickly reduce your symptoms,” she says reassuringly.
I take the vial from the counter, uncork it, and throw back the liquid. She is right, it’s very bitter and burns as it goes down.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. How much do I owe you?” I ask, looking down to pull a few coins from my satchel, which doesn’t feel much lighter than when I headed out yesterday.
Did I let a woman pay for a room at the inn?
I really need to get my shit together and figure last night out.
When I bring my attention back up to the woman, she holds her hands up in protest.
“Your money’s no good here, Captain. Please take it as a gift from a simple shop owner, thankful to help you in your time of need,” she says warmly, looking truly appreciative of my presence in her shop.
“Well then, thanks again for helping me today. I’ll tell others of your shop if they need your services,” I reply, giving her a small nod.
She beams at me as if I’ve given her all the coins in the kingdom.
I turn and leave the apothecary to head back to my chambers and get ready for training. I need to hurry if I want to grab food as well. I quicken my pace and people rush out of my way as I jog through the village.
