Eva almost shouted at the triumph. “We should wait a little to make sure it is gone.”
“Ye did it, Milady. I could not even do that.” He grinned and excitement shone in his eyes.
After a good bit of time passed, Eva eased herself down the tree and helped Hamish from the branch. “Should I walk you home?”
Hamish shook his head. “Nay, Milady, I am just going down the lane a wee bit.”
“Be careful and keep watch.”
She waved to Hamish and continued. When she reached the encampment of the ailing, she noticed the foodstuff being shared with those around the fire. Seeing their hunger abated pleased her. She took an empty pot, retreated to the stream nearby, and filled it. After she returned, she set the pot on the fire to heat the water.
The young woman she’d met in her previous visit to the encampment drew near. She said, “Milady, it is kind of ye to visit.” She pulled her cloak around her and sat on the other side of the fire.
“I wanted to check on you and see if you now had food.”
“Aye, someone brings us food daily now and sets it in yonder basket. Do ye deem the laird helps us?” The young maiden dipped her chin.
“Perhaps he does,” Eva said but wouldn’t give herself away and wasn’t the least bit disappointed to give Breckin the credit for her generosity. She was happy to help the ailing but she didn’t want them to make a fuss over her aid.
Someone nearby strummed a stringed instrument and the ailing people seemed much more gleeful than they had the last time she’d visited. It made her happy too; Eva couldn’t help herself and sang the words of a sweet song she’d learned from Brother Abrams. When she ceased singing, she rose.
“Ye are blessed by our Lord’s Mother, Eva, and must come again to sing for us,” Harriet said and smiled.
“I shall come again soon, Harriet. Take care of each other.” Eva waved, walked off, and was pleased to see her efforts made a small difference in their lives. Even if no one could cure them of their ailment, at least they were no longer hungry.
She hurried along the trail and crossed the bridge, watchful still for the boar. But it didn’t reappear.
When she saw Aymer, she waved at him, then stopped to warn him about the animal lest anyone else be attacked. He thanked her andvolunteered to escort her the rest of the way, but she told him to stay at his post and continued onward until she reached the longhouse.
She heard Breckin speaking with someone inside, so she ambled around the back and decided to go through another cart. Only two remained unpacked as yet and she wanted to get the chore done so she could have Aymer take it to the market like the others.
Eva uncovered one of the carts and smiled when she spotted the basket that held all sorts of sewing items. She’d tried to learn how to sew when she was younger, but couldn’t make a straight seam to save her life. She had spent many hours trying to perfect the skill, and yet, she’d never achieved the ability. But she would continue to try. She put the basket in the “keep” pile. Then she reached for a large silver bowl; it was heavier than she expected, and awkward to lift, and she dropped it. It clanged when it hit a small pile of other silver bowls still inside the cart.
“Eva? Are ye out here?” Breckin came through the door that led to the back.
The builders had put in a set of wooden steps as a way to get down from the rise. She turned hastily toward him and reached for the bowl, setting it next to the basket of sewing items that she wanted to keep. “I am sorry and did not mean to disturb you. I dropped a bowl and it made such a racket.”
“I am gladdened ye are here. Where did ye hail off to this morn? Ye were gone when I awakened.” He reached her and leaned against the cart.
“I took a walk, went to church, and visited the ailing on the other side of the bridge.”
He visibly sighed. “I wish ye would not go near those people. Until Father Murphy hears from his order, we know not if they are contagious or what ails them. Best ye protect yourself.”
“I do not get close enough to catch whatever they have. There is much to go through here and I wish to get it done this day.” Shereached for an ornate box that had burned etchings of a scroll over the top of the wooden box. It was a beautiful object, one which she hadn’t seen before. She wondered if it was put with her belongings by mistake. With a press of her fingers, she let them linger over the bumpy design of the wood and smiled.
“What is that?”
She shrugged. “I know not and have never seen it before but ’tis heavy. Should I open it? It does not belong to me.”
“Your da sent it to ye, so I say open it.”
She did so and on the very top was a folded parchment. Eva retrieved it and held it, her heart heavy because she was uncertain what she would find written on it. She handed it to Breckin and peered at the coffer, filled with coins. “Read it for me?”
Breckin held it and, with a nod, opened the parchment. He read:
Dearest sprig, since you were a young lass, I never could explain the heartache I suffered when we lost your dear ma. Before she passed, she made me promise to love you as much as I could, along with your brothers. I fear I might have lacked a little on that pledge because I traveled and sought to win your affection by giving you your heart’s desire.
I tucked away a bit of coin for you when you married. Since the king betrothed you, I thought no reason to give the coin to Alexander or your future husband. I bid you to use the wealth for whatever needs arise in your life. It should be more than enough to see you through. With deep sorrow, I am afraid that I will not likely peer upon your lovely face again. Be well, my sprig, love life, and all that comes. ~Da
