Page 79 of Warrior’s Lady

"Help me turn him over."

Together, they rolled the holy man onto his back and saw the red rash that dominated the bishop's neck and face, evidence that he had fallen to the plague. "No one, not even he, deserves to suffer such an illness," Camden said. "He'll die soon without our help."

Orrin thrust his hands boldly into the folds of the man's priestly robe. "The Stone has to be here somewhere."

"Move away from him," a female voice called from behind Camden. "You aren't going anywhere with my son."

Camden twisted, looked across his shoulder at an old woman. Her shoulders were hunched and her body appeared almost skeletal beneath her linen nightrail. In age-spotted hands she held a slim dagger, aimed directly at Camden's back. Her gnarled fingers had turned white beneath the force of her grip. But the woman was old, and by the look of her sallow and spotted skin, none too healthy. Several dark black spots appeared as shadows on her torso. But one of the open wounds on her neck appeared as though it had started to heal.

"Mistress Berwick?" Camden asked calmly as he remained hunched next to the bishop's body. "Both you and your son have the plague. He will most likely die soon unless we take him back with us to our castle for treatment."

"He will be fine," she said. Her hand shook under the strain of holding the weapon erect. "The man is holy."

Camden glanced at Orrin, then slowly turned to face her. He hoped that his movements would distract her as Orrin continued to search through the bishop's clothing for the Stone.

"Even holy men can fall beneath the gauntlet of the plague."

The woman turned a pasty white. "He is a man of miracles. He will heal himself. He healed me."

Camden shook his head. "The only miracle here is that you are both still alive." He slid closer. "Your son did not heal you, milady. But something did. You appear to be one of the rare people who has fallen to the plague, then lived."

The old woman frowned. "What could you know of healings? You are no man of the church."

Camden stepped closer. "Nay, I am not. But I do know about healing people. I can make you completely well, like the young girl you used to be.

The dagger wobbled in her hands. "My son is the miracle worker. Not you." Her gaze dropped to the bishop's body. "Get away—"

Camden leapt at her, knocking the dagger from her hands. It tumbled to the floor. A heartbeat later he caught the woman in his arms, steadying her.

"Leave my son alone," she wailed.

"I found it," Orrin announced, in a triumphant voice. He clutched the Stone in his hand, allowing it to dangle from its silver chain.

The older woman twisted in Camden's arms, fighting him with more vigor than he had expected, further proof that she was indeed recovering from the dreaded disease. He set her free, not wanting to cause her harm.

She ceased her writhing and dropped to the floor beside her son. "Wake up, Harold." She pushed against his shoulder. "Show these men that you are mighty, indeed."

"He's ill, milady." Orrin tried to reason with her.

She turned a wild-eyed gaze upon him. "A holy man's body is too pure to host illness."

"We are wasting precious time." Camden frowned at the woman. "Either we treat them all here and leave them behind, or we take them with us — willing or not."

Orrin stood over the bishop's body. "If we leave them behind we could make better time on our return to Lee Castle."

Camden did not like the idea of abandoning them, with only the old woman to care for them. But what other choice did he have if he was to see to the needs of his own people? He reached for the dagger the old woman had dropped and tucked it into his belt "Give me the Stone, and draw some water. The sooner we treat them, the sooner we can leave."

Orrin tossed the Stone to Camden. It arced across the room, the bloodred stone glistening as it moved through the air. Camden palmed the Stone. Gratitude moved through him at the return of his family's legacy.

He brushed his finger over the Stone in the center of the coin. It warmed beneath his touch, as if the Stone somehow knew a Lockhart was in its presence.

Orrin returned with a pail of water and a wooden cup. He placed the pail before Camden. "There's been enough death. It's time for healing."

"Leave my son alone," the older woman batted at them with her gnarled hand.

Camden took the mug from Orrin and scooped up a portion of water. He quickly treated the liquid, then tossed Orrin a speaking glance. Orrin nodded slightly, and grasped the woman's shoulders. Camden tipped her head back and forced the water past her lips.

She sputtered, but eventually stopped struggling, until they'd given her the entire cup. They carried her to the bed and set her there to rest, bringing the bedsheets over her body. She seemed to drift off to sleep.

Leaving the woman to her slumber, Camden returned to the pail and drew another mug of water. Once again, he dipped the Charm Stone in the liquid three times, then swirled the amulet to the right. "Help me with the bishop. Lift his head while I pour the liquid down his throat."

Between the two of them, they swiftly treated the bishop and the maid while the old woman continued to sleep.

"Let's hope this works," Orrin said as he and Camden carried the bodies of the bishop, then the maid, and placed them on the room's only bed next to the bishop's mother.

"Rhys' healing proves the Stone can cure the plague." Because if it did not ... the possibility was too horrible to imagine. Camden strode to the bucket and treated the remaining water with the Stone. "Before we leave, every warrior and every servant needs to drink this water."

Orrin nodded as he accepted the bucket and gathered the men. No one put up a fight. They seemed eager to drink anything that might keep them safe from the horrifying illness.

When the task was complete, Camden returned to his horse and gave the signal for them to ride out. Now that the Stone had been returned to its rightful owner, they had to return to Lee Castle before it was too late.