Gils popped up and handed me a bunch of leaves, laughing up at me. "How much of this do youwant?"
I smiled at him. "As much as I can get, Gils. Do you remember what it can do?"
He gave me a scornful look. "I's know, Warprize." He bent to his task, his voice taking on achanting tone. "Bloodmoss is for packing wounds. It grows at the site of great battles. It willnot bind to the flesh, will not stick in the scabs. It seems to aid healing, prevent souring of theflesh and will close the wound. It absorbs as much blood as it can, and when you are done with ityou should scatter it about, for the plant will use the blood to take root and grow." He stood,his hands full of more leaves.
Marcus groaned. "A blood-sucking plant. More knowledge than I need."
I was pleased. But Gils's memory had never been a problem in his lessons. Firelanders wereblessed with perfect memories, since they had no written word. No, it was the practicalapplication of the information that had been Gils's difficulty. My feet had been a good example.
It's one thing to talk about cleaning and treating a soured wound. It's another to work on awiggling patient who couldn't help but jerk her feet at every touch. Finally, in frustrationMarcus had me lie on my stomach, and he and Keir held my feet as Gils cleaned them. The boyhad done the best he could, but the right foot had become an angry, red, and pus-filled wound.
Which forced poor Gils to try to clean it out with an angry and worried Warlord of the Plainshanging over his shoulder, watching his every move.
I leaned forward, holding my hand in front of Marcus's face. "It's wonderful, Marcus. Give meyour knife and I'll show you how it works."
"Skies above." Marcus jerked his head back and the horse danced beneath us. "It's more likeyou'll cut your hand off. Not with my knife!"
Isdra laughed, and moved her horse closer. "Show me, Warprize." She pulled her knife andsliced deep into the meat beneath her thumb. Blood welled up quickly.
I took the leaves and twisted them, crushing then-fibers. A strong scent of mold rose into mynostrils. "Take this and press it to the cut."
Isdra wiped her blade clean on her trous and sheathed it, then used her fingers to press themass to the cut. The leaves turned color almost immediately as they drank up the blood,changing to a pale green. Gils craned his head to see, and Isdra lowered her hand to let him geta good look. At my nod, she pulled the leaves away. The skin was healed, with only an angryred line left to show she'd been hurt. Isdra held her hand up to show the others, and let the usedleaves fall to the ground.
Prest and Rafe were clearly impressed, and Rafe started to gather the crop in earnest. Gilssquatted, staring at the bloody leaves intently. I watched for a minute, then smiled. "Gils, Idon't think it will take root while you watch."
"Oh." He was clearly disappointed as he started to gather more.
"And what do we have to be careful of when we use this plant?" I asked him gently.
He frowned a bit, then his face cleared. "Not to use it on a dirty wound. It will seal the dirtinside, if you are not careful." He bit his lip. "I could not have used it on your feet."
"That's right," I nodded. "And it's dangerous to use on a gut wound for the same reasons.
Marcus grunted at that. "Does it have to be fresh?"
"I was told that it works just as well dried, just not quite so quickly."
"I can think of other uses." Isdra smiled slyly. "It would be handy at moon times. Would itgrow on the Plains?"
I flushed, uncomfortable even as I shrugged. She spoke so casually about something thatwasn't discussed out loud by my people. At least, not in mixed company.
Epor had dismounted, and was looking at the leaves he was holding. His horse nosed his hand,but threw its head up when he offered it the leaves. "Would it work on a horse?"
"Why is it always about horses with you people?" I snapped, suddenly irritated.
There was an uncomfortable silence. The surprised looks on their faces made my pique vanish.
I looked down at Marcus's back and mumbled. "I don't know."
Gils, bless his youth, was oblivious. "I's filled my bag, Warprize." His arms were filled with hispickings. "I's can fill another, if you want?"
"That would be good." I looked around, amazed to see that the little plant was spread throughthe grass as far as I could see. "Two handfuls in each warrior's kit would be useful in case ofinjury."
Gils quickly handed out his crop, making sure that each had at least two handfuls. EvenMarcus took a supply. Gils placed his own in his saddlebags and then mounted. "I'll pass theword, Warprize. Two handfuls"
"Tell them to dry it well, Gils." I called after him as he galloped off. "We'll see to Cadr oncewe stop for the night."
Rafe mounted up as well, and Marcus headed us back toward the army at a more sedate walk.
