Drink up lass, that's it. Gave us all a bit of a worry there but the worst is over now.
Four days had passed, the fever coursing through her veins to that point. Four days of falling in and out of lucid dreams, four days of the sickness winning its fight against her. Now, even though sweat glistened against her skin, her appearance disheveled, her hair poking in all directions and her thin linen night shirt stuck to her skin, even though she continued to sneeze on occasion, she was alert, and taking measured, small sips of the sweet, hot drink that had been given to her by the kindly older woman.
Had the strangest of dreams..
Here we go again, I don't want to hear of -them- kind of dreams girl! Less talking, more drinking!
The woman wafted her hand through some very aromatic smoke that stemmed from a copper bowl by the bedside, the charcoal burning at its base though leaves and resin would sit atop of it
...there were the dwarf, riding a bird in the sky. Weren't a real bird, it were made of silver, like me necklace. He were there standing on the ground, all in black, covering his eyes from the sun reflecting on the metal, shouting and asking the dwarf if he'd helped Miss Sol yet. I don't know where I were, I were just watching, like I weren't there, they didn't know I were anyway, or noticed me. She came out then, of the Soothery, with a hammer and nails, told him she were going to fix him. Cant remember much after.
The older woman stooped down from the small three legged stool she sat upon to pick up the edge of the fallen blanket that barely stayed upon the girls bed, and upon spying it, quickly kicked a small corn doll further beneath the bed, its golden weaved body stained with a red mark.
That'll be a fever dream dear, queer ones they are too. Though we've all been here, watching over you, keeping you safe. Bobby read to you, Alys kept you clean when I couldn't, even Jack came by. Your Pa said your Ma will be here on the morrow, poor dear has been worrying something terrible!
Jackilyn pushed herself further up the bed with one hand, the hot drink in her other, and rested against the headboard. Lolling her head to the side to look at the woman, she asked
Did he come by?
Mrs Dentons expression darkened as she responded with a small shake of the head and a hasty explanation
He's been busy lass, away tending business, as has Blida. The girl in Combe saw to you, and just in time too. Cant have you laying around in bed for days, not when you need to see the house looking as it does now!
The young woman looked down in her cup, cuddling it with both hands at the news, nodding before the rim of the cup found her lips
He has Miss Sol now, daft to think he'd care and all, I mean, he don't.
The older woman muttered something about stupid young women and felt Jackilyns forehead with her palm, explaining as she checked if the fever had returned
He doesn't know you are here lass, nor is he courting and has said he wont be courting the other lass. He is a busy man! Went off a few days back, not returned save to get something perhaps, you know how he is with his work, besides you have bigger things to worry about. See them flowers over there?
Denton gestured to a dented tankard stuck atop of a dresser in the corner of the room, the girl moving forward to look past the large woman. Within the tankard was a display of wildflowers, some yellow, some white, some missing a few petals where they hadn't been held with the greatest of care. All the woman said was "Jack"
Jackilyn groaned a bit in realisation, and as she leaned back, her head cracked against the headboard with a thud and an "Ow", causing her to instinctively rub the newly wounded area.
Jack? Jack and Jackilyn? He knows how daft that sounds aye? Besides, he's always in trouble, and last time I heard, he got that milkmaid with child!
Jackilyn Blackburrow! Don't be saying such unkind things about my Jack, even if they are true! There ain't no proof it is his kiddie, she were pulling udders of many a man!
Missus Denton, you know udders aren't..
The rotund lady held up a sausage like finger at the girl in pause
I know and you know full well what I meant. Now, the Combe girl will be back soon and wanting to do all manner of strange things knowing her, so you drink that up now and get a bit of rest, alright?
