I need to put pen to paper and journal properly what has been going on. These records may be vital in days and weeks to come.
One evening last week whilst I was preparing my evening meal I thought I heard a knock at the door, it was a quiet, weak knock and at first I thought it could have been the wind blowing as it was blustery outside. I went to check anyway, I thought it would be nice to let some fresh air in as it was a hot, humid day. I quickly discovered there was indeed somebody at the door. A man, about my age and clearly very ill, he looked sweaty, gaunt and in obvious pain. I helped him into my treatment room where he all but collapsed onto the bed, I had immediately sensed the same sense of foreboding that I had with my other patients, the feeling was intensely strong in this man's case.
I helped him off with his hauberk which caused the poor man more discomfort. Once I had sight of him his injury was obvious, it was just below his ribs and to my mind resembled a hand print, it was black and festering and was surrounded by spider like protrusions, almost like tiny veins creeping from the wound and infesting him. I was extremely anxious as I had only a drop or two of the oil that seemed to work previously. He had obviously been trying to fight this thing for quite some time, this told me the measure of the man, he was strong, but this was killing him.
I applied the final few drops of the oil to his wound and lay hands on him. He seemed to feel a little better fairly quickly and told me his name was Cristran Cole and that his father, a noted farmer of Bree had heard of my healing practice and told him to come to me urgently. He told me he never caught sight of whatever had attacked him, he was in the Barrow Downs looking for a lost person it seems. He said he felt a presence, swung his sword but there was nothing apparent.
I needed to get more Cyprus leaves to infuse more batches of the healing oil, this wound was still evident on him and would likely take hold again if untreated. I told him to remain in my treatment room and I would fetch my neighbour to keep watch over him whilst I went to the Old Forest. As awful a thought of venturing there was it had to be done and fast!
Cristran refused to stay and said he wouldn't hear of me going there alone. I was worried about him but would be glad of the company and another pair of eyes as he said he was fit to ride out there. I packed a mini cooking pot and carrier oil so that when I got the Cyprus leaves I could immediately make an infusion and treat him there and then.
We made the journey in two legs, he was clearly struggling and in a lot of pain but tried not to show it. The odd thing about the Old Forest is that however hot a day it is it's always very cold within it's confines, the same feeling of foreboding is ever present, a dark presence seems to be ever watchful.
Whilst I was searching for the tree I needed Cristran bravely fought off a Warped Oak that initiated an unprovoked attack. Even though he was so badly wounded he fought bravely and dispatched the angry huorn quickly. A short time later, thankfully, I found a Cyprus and began making the much needed infusion, Cristran slept fitfully whilst I went about my business yet it took several tries to awaken him for his treatment. Once treated he perked up considerably, I had enough Cyprus needles to make many batches of oil and felt reassured that I could treat many people should the need arise.
As we were heading back to our horses Cristran was looking into the distance, pointing, his brow furrowed in confusion. I looked to where he was indicating and saw a flower, large, white and as healthy and fresh as could be. In this forest of decay, disease and neglect a beautiful bloom had managed to survive. I went over to view properly, it had the look of a large lily about it with several long scapes arising from the base. We discussed how it could be that this bloom was so healthy and surviving so well amid such corruption and malice. I picked a few of the scapes and left some to survive for the future. I planned to plant these in my glasshouse, there could be something in these plants that counters evil, I was sure of it.
