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Trey kept his voice low, and Teresa filled a bowl with soup that brewed in the cauldron in the fireplace.
“Where is Albert?” Trey asked, taking a seat at the table.
Teresa placed the bowl in front of him and sat. “He gathers the few animals we have. We plan to leave tomorrow and seek protection at the MacAlpin village. It grows too dangerous. Another troop passed here and, thankfully, kept away, seeing Albert. But his ruse can’t last long, and with war on the horizon...
Tears gathered in her eyes. “We both fear, now that Philip grows well, the soldiers will take him.”
Trey rested a comforting hand over hers. “You’ve made a wise choice. Tell me where Albert is, and I will help him ready the animals while Bliss helps you.”
Teresa grabbed tight hold of Trey’s hand. “Albert fears the soldiers passing and seeing that we prepare the animals and cart for departure. He has a spot in the woods where he makes everything ready for us.”
Trey nodded and continued to listen as Teresa detailed the directions.
“Explain to Bliss and make ready yourself. You leave today.”
Bliss and Philip entered the room shortly after Trey left.
“He does well,” Bliss said, placing a gentle hand on Teresa’s shoulder. “He also tells me that you are leaving here.”
“We go to stay with the true king for a while,” Philip said happily, and plopped down on the ground in front of the fire to play with his wooden animals.
Teresa nodded, her tears near to spilling.
“Let me help you get ready for your journey,” Bliss said.
Teresa stood and wiped at her eyes before any tears could fall. “I’m grateful for the help.”
Bliss smiled, knowing the woman expressed her gratitude for much more.
They worked together, gathering what was necessary, packing food in baskets and sacks, taking what bedding they could and what little clothes they had.
The door burst open suddenly, and Teresa was quick to stand protectively in front of her son. Trey entered with a young girl no more than six years draped in his arms, looking as if all life had drained from her.
“That’s Mary’s oldest, Deryn,” Teresa said, and hurried to draw back the curtain to the other room.
Trey was quick to place the young girl on the bed and step back as Bliss hurried forward to tend her.
“What happened?” Teresa asked her husband as he stood in the doorway, Philip clinging to his leg with a look of fear.
“She suddenly appeared in front of us, and Trey caught her as she collapsed.”
Bliss studied the young child and, as soon as she laid a hand on her forehead, knew that exhaustion had claimed her. But she also felt strength and determination, so Bliss wasn’t surprised when, after only a few minutes of healing, the child woke.
Her eyes sprang wide. “My mum and sister are sick. They need help.” She began to cry. “I didn’t want to leave them, but I didn’t know what to do.” Tears streamed down her face.
“It’s all right,” Bliss assured her. “We’ll go help your mum.”
Deryn sat up. “I’ll go with you and help.”
Bliss took the young girl’s hand. “You need rest, so you can help your mum and sister when we bring them to you.”
“You’ll bring them here?” Deryn asked eagerly.
Bliss would not lie to the child. She needed the truth so that she would feel safe. “Albert and Teresa are leaving here today, and you will go with them.”
Deryn shook her head, tears continuing to run down her pale cheeks.
Bliss squeezed her hand gently. “Listen to me, Deryn. You were a brave girl for walking here all by yourself. Now you must be brave and go with Albert and Teresa while Trey, a brave warrior and I, a healer, go to help your mum and sister and bring them to you.”
