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“All over,” she said on a pleasurable sigh.
“I like your dream.”
“Then join me in it,” she urged with a whisper.
Bhric stood to hurry and oblige her when a horn sounded, and he stopped to listen and heard footfalls racing up the stairs.
A knock at the door came before a voice called out, “An urgent message from Birger, my lord. Sven says to come at once.”
Tavia was out of the bed with haste and slipping into her garments just as quickly.
Worry for her da and clan was easy to see in the tight lines of her face, so he waited for her and hoped the news would not prove disastrous.
Fen followed them down the stairs and into the Great Hall where the messenger waited. It was one of Bhric’s warriors and he was gulping down ale like a man dying of thirst.
“Bernard, what word have you from Birger?” Bhric asked and he felt his wife’s hand close tightly around his.
“Things do not go well, my lord,” Bernard said, clinging to his tankard. “An illness plagues the people.”
“And you bring it here?” Bhric accused with a sharp tongue.
“We need help, my lord, and I am the only one who the illness has not touched,” Bernard explained.
Tavia could not wait to ask. “Is my da ill?”
“Aye, my lady, bedridden these last two days,” Bernard said.
“I must go to him,” Tavia said, releasing her husband’s hand, ready to rush off.
Bhric grabbed her hand before it completely left his. “Nay! You will not go there. I will not chance you getting the sickness.”
“My da needs me,” she pleaded.
“Nay, my lady,” Bernard said. “Your da insisted you not return home. He will not have the sickness strike you or anyone else. He and Birger hope that Lord Bhric will know what to do to help them.”
“Birger is ill?” Bhric asked.
“Aye, but not as ill as some. He still sees to his duties,” Bernard said.
“Auda, the clan healer, how is she?” Tavia asked.
“The illness had her abed for two days, but she is on her feet now though a bit weak,” Bernard said.
“How many deaths?” Bhric asked and felt his wife squeeze his hand.
“Three, my lord. Two from the clan and one of ours,” Bernard said. “We beg of you, my lord, please help us.”
Bhric was skilled when it came to battle, fighting an enemy, but an enemy that could be seen and that a weapon can destroy. He had no such skills when it came to fighting a foe that could not be seen.
“Hertha and Greta, my lord,” Tavia said.
Bhric shook his head, thinking his wife foolish. “I will not send either one and chance losing them.”
“I agree, but if Bernard explains the illness to both healers they may know how to treat it. Bernard can then return with their advice and Auda can see if it will help,” Tavia suggested.
“A wise suggestion, wife,” Bhric said proud that his wife thought so quickly of a possible solution. She was proving more and more to be much of what he had hoped for in a wife and proving more and more that he had judged her too quickly and harshly, something he continued to regret.
“Aye, my lady, that might prove beneficial,” Bernard said.
