“Starting,” Elspet said, her voice firm, “with you.”
“Once those with serious wounds are seen to,” Cailin stated, “I will tend to my own, but not before.”
Elspet’s brow furrowed. “And you call me stubborn? You are two times as stubborn as the orneriest boar.”
Rónán’s mouth tilted in a smile.“He is indeed.”
* * * *
Seated near Cailin, Elspet shifted for a better view of his wound. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she glanced at several people treating the last remaining injured and recalled those who hadn’t survived.
She cursed the unnecessary deaths, all because of the Earl of Dalkirk’s greed. Thank God their losses were few. Still, each one tore at her heart.
“Dinna move,” Elspet warned him as she cut away the jagged material wrapped around the wound on his thigh, exposing the angry gash. She took a steadying breath and cursed his persistent refusal to treat his injury before now. Merciful saints, a bit to the left and he would have bled to death. Not that he wasdoing well now.
“’Twill have to be cauterized,” Rónán said, his voice grim. “I have already put my blade in the fire.”
“I thank you.” She frowned at Cailin. “You should have let me tend to you earlier.”
Face streaked with pain, he shook his head. “Others… others needed help far more than I.”
She glared at him before cleaning the deep gash, terrified by the amount of blood he’d lost. Once done, she sat back. “Sir Rónán and Taog, hold him while I seal the wound.”
Rónán shook his head. “Go wait at the fire until we are done; ’tis not what a lass should see.”
On a muttered curse, Elspet retrieved the heated dagger, leveled her gaze on him. “Isaid hold him!”
The formidable knight studied her for a long moment, then gave a curt nod. Rónán held a strip of leather up to Cailin’s mouth. “Clench thisin your teeth.”
Cailin complied.
Rónán moved behind Cailin and caughthis shoulders.
Taog pinned down his injured leg.
The glowing red blade trembled in her hand as she met Cailin’s eyes. “I am sorry.”
“Do it,”Cailin growled.
With a silent prayer, she pressed the flat of the dagger against his wound.
Heated metal hissed against the skin. On a strangled groan, Cailin collapsed.
Rónán gently lay him down. “Thank God he passed out. I prayed he would, but at times he can be abit stubborn.”
“Indeed,” she agreed, her stomach still churning at the pain she’d dealt Cailin. Several men passed by carrying posts and rolled-up blankets as she lifted the blade, relieved that the bleeding had stopped. “As, ’twould seem, are his friends.”
A smile touchedRónán’s mouth.
“The bloody fool,” Taog snapped. “He should have been tended to long ago.”
Rónán sat back. “He should have, but Cailin puts others before himself.”
“He does.” Taog paused. “Once he becomes earl, he will bring much-needed stability, pride, and common sense toDalkirk lands.”
Pride filledher. “He will.”
“I will help Elspet finish here,” Rónán said.
