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Bliss looked up at him. “I couldn’t save him. I tried, but it was too late.”
He wiped at the single tear that trickled from the corner of her eye. “You not only heal those you don’t know, but you mourn for them as well. His family will be pleased that he did not die alone but that a loving hand held his.”
“They all need healing,” she said with a sigh.
“You cannot mean to heal them all?” he asked with concern.
“Of course I do,” she said, and took a step away.
“It’s too much. I forbid it.”
Bliss smiled and shook her head. “A foolish choice of words for sure.”
Trey knew they were before they had left his mouth, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He was worried for her and wanted to protect. But she didn’t need his protection right now; she needed his support.
He rectified his error. “What do you need from me?”
Bliss stepped close and kissed his cheek. “That’s the husband I”—she stopped abruptly as if catching herself then finished—“I know.”
Trey had the distinct feeling that she intended to say I love, and the thought gladdened his heart. “What do you want me to do?”
“Help me to see how bad the wounds are so I know whom to tend first.”
He nodded, and soon they were going through the camp, examining and ascertaining who was in need of immediate care. Bliss took a moment to introduce Trey to Burnell, the farmer who had bravely ventured away from camp in search of help. He had suffered a gash to his arm that had left it painful for him to use. Bliss had had to clean the wound, then bind it with cloth from the hem of her blouse. The healing she had done on it had given him movement without pain.
The big farmer had been grateful and pleaded for her help at the camp.
Once Bliss began to tend the injured, Trey, with Burnell’s help, got two campfires going. Then he went in hunt of food for the men, knowing that what little food he and Bliss had would never be enough to share with all of them. He caught enough game for the men to feast on, most not having eaten in days. And the delicious scent of the roasting meat brought smiles to many faces.
It wasn’t until well into the night that his wife finally finished with the last of the wounded.
She joined him by the fire and before he could hand her a tender piece of meat, she said, “You gave Burnell instructions on how to get to the MacAlpin keep?”
He hadn’t yet. Though leave it to her to know that was his intention. He could never walk away and leave these farmers without help.
“I intended to do that later as well as reassure them that we will do what we can to locate their families and see them safe, though some may have already taken refuge in the MacAlpin village.”
“Two of the men cannot travel for a couple of days, and even then, they will need carriers to transport them. I do not think it is wise to linger here, but we have no choice.”
“Burnell and I have already talked about posting guards.”
Bliss yawned and rested her head on Trey’s shoulder. “After I finish helping these men, I must return to see Philip.”
“I need to return home as soon as possible,” Trey said.
She lifted her head. “You learned what you needed to know?”
“Aye, and my brothers need to know as soon as possible.”
“Then go now,” she insisted.
“No,” he said firmly. “I will not leave you. My brothers will at least learn from Roan of the troop buildup and prepare for attack. It is just that I cannot be away much longer.”
“Then once we reach my cottage, you must go.”
It made sense that he should do just that, but the thought of leaving her wrenched at his heart, and he didn’t know if he would be able to walk away from her. But he had a duty, and that duty came before anything else, of which she reminded him.
“You are duty-bound to the true king. You must not forget it.”
