Isdra was speechless, white and shivering. I touched her arm. "It's the fever, Isdra. He'sraving."
"His eyes are open…" She looked at me in doubt.
"But he does not see." I reached for the water and cloths. "Keep talking to him, Isdra."
She jerked her head in agreement, but the pain never left her eyes. We kept talking, both ofus, trying to convince Epor that Isdra was there, that she would never leave him. But hecouldn't be comforted or reassured. He became very agitated, demanding that we release himso that he could find her. It broke our hearts to hear the pain in his voice.
Worse still, he fell into the stupor without realizing that she was there. Isdra's tears did notstart until Epor lapsed into the lethargy and would not wake. Still, we tried to force liquids intohim, with no success. In the end we sat in silence, each holding a hand. Every breath was apainful rasp, each inhale a victory, every exhale a fear.
At the last, Epor opened his eyes as he drew in a final rasping breath. Isdra leaned over,stroking his head. He focused on her face, and gave her a weak smile, closed his eyes, andexhaled. The beat of his heart under my fingers stopped even as his breath faded.
Isdra stared at me, the knowledge building within her until her face crumbled and her eyesclosed.
I sagged back on my heels, sweat beading on my forehead, weak with anger and fear and aheadache pounding between my eyes. What killed a healthy man in so few hours? What had Idone wrong?
"Epor." Isdra's voice cracked. I looked over as she took his right hand in hers and waited for aresponse. When none came, she reached over for his left hand. "Epor of the Badger."
"Isdra, he's—"
I cut myself off as she nodded, and moved so that she could grasp his left foot. She called hisname again, tears running down her face. The silence echoed as she grasped his right foot, anddrew in a deep breath that ended in a sob. "Epor, my soul's delight, beloved, please."
My weeping was her only answer.
She knelt at his feet, her head bowed, for a long moment. When she finally lifted her head, herface was streaked with tears. With effort, she rose and went to her weapons and pulled herdagger, sharp and bright. She returned to cut his bonds, freeing him from the restraints. Oncethat was accomplished, she eased down to kneel by Epor's head. She stroked his hair andplaced her lips at his ear. "I'll see you beyond the snows, my heart's fire."
She sat back, and turned her streaked face to me. I offered a cloth, but she refused. "The windwill take them, Warprize."
I used the cloth to wipe my own tears, trying to bring myself under control and then sat workingthe cloth between my hands.
We might have sat like that for hours, awash in grief, but the babe wailed from her blankets,and kicked with her feet. Isdra turned her head dully, then rose to see to her needs. Iremembered my other patient, and turned to his bed, only to find that he had died as well,unnoticed and untended. Guilt brought more tears to my eyes as I pulled the blanket over hisface. I'd never once looked at him after Epor had taken ill. Some healer I was. All my patients,dead at my hands. An entire village, gone. I lowered my aching head into my hands and weptfor the loss and my incompetence.
I could hear Isdra chanting to the babe even as I cried. Those low tones were a comfort, and Imanaged to get myself under control as I listened. My head hurt too much to think beyond thehorror of the last few hours. But eventually I felt cool fingers on my neck, and I let Isdra pullme up and over to the hearth. She settled me in the chair, and wiped my face with a cool cloth,Once I'd had something to drink, she sat back on her heels and looked at me solemnly.
"The babe?" I croaked.
"Well." Isdra continued to study me silently.
I let my gaze drift over to the bodies on the beds. I felt so helpless, with no energy left to dealwith the tasks ahead. I slumped in the chair, and closed my eyes in despair.
"The enemy has you, Lara."
It took me long moments for Isdra's words to sink in, and even longer for me to open my eyesand face the truth. I stared at her, numb. She reached over, and wiped my face with a cool wetcloth. I put my hand up to feel my own forehead. "I'm sick?"
She nodded, her eyes resigned.
So. I drew in a deep breath and straightened in the chair. "You are well? And the babe?"
"Yes."
"You must take the babe and go. Bathe both of you in vinegar. Stay away from the others forforty days, Isdra.
Forty days. If you and the babe are still well, it will be safe to rejoin the others after forty days.
You understand?"
She tilted her head. "And you, Lara?"
I drew a breath, then used my sleeve to clear my eyes. "You leave, and set fire to the village.
