Emlyn lowered her gaze. “They caught us when we were on the way to his father’s farmstead. I was able to escape and get him in the cart.”
“All by yourself? I deem that must’ve been a feat.” He grinned.
“Nay, I tricked a soldier into helping me. Can we just be on our way? How do you know James?” She was beginning to get flustered and the young soldier made her nervous.
“I be a commander-in-arms at the Gunn keep. The name’s Gordy, milady. Laird Grey is away and I don’t expect him anytime soon. Come, follow us, we’ll lead you to James’ father’s farmstead for it is closer than the keep.” Gordy jumped down from the cart and mounted his horse. “Lads, take up behind the cart. Ensure James’ protection.”
Emlyn hadn’t realized she’d been so tense until she felt the shift of her shoulders. Relief overwhelmed her. She’d reached Gunn land. “How afar is it? James needs care at the soonest.”
“About an hour’s ride, milady. How did you come to be with James? He was on a mission for the king in Wales.”
Emlyn wasn’t sure if she should speak of the happenings. “I met him in Wales. He was to take me to my betrothed.”
The soldier laughed. “Ah, and he didn’t take you there as expected? Is that why he was beat to nary a breath?”
She nodded. “Aye, he tried to protect me, but there were more soldiers around us than he could thwart.”
“Ye don’t have to sing his praises to me, milady. I know James is gallant. Aye, and the most chivalrous man a lass could ask for, if she needs protection.” The man grinned at her as they moved along. He rode next to the cart, beside her and kept his gaze fixated.
Emlyn slunk back upon the wooden bench and closed her eyes. The ride to the farm wasn’t as long as she’d expected, and soon stone walls came into view. They were short and within the sectioned off land were various grazing animals. She saw many sheep and some bigger kind of cow.
As they approached the main building, a man came outside and met them. Behind him stood a woman who smiled in greeting, unlike the man who scowled at their group.
“What business do have you here?” The man shouted an unknown word and several men came running from the outer lying cottages and stable.
“Joseph, I don’t know if you remember me …”
The man looked Gordy up and down before nodding. “Aye, I do. What does his lairdship want now?”
“We’ve James in the cart. He’s been hurt.”
“Why’d ye bring him here? He wants nothing to do with me.”
Emlyn hopped down from the cart and stood before the aged man. “Are you James’ father?”
“Aye, who be you? The last time I saw James he was on his way to wage war. I suppose that didn’t go well?” Even if his words seemed to mock his son, his eyes showed concern.
“I’m Emlyn. I have traveled afar with James and he was trying to protect me when we were set upon. I fear they hurt him. Can we please see to his injuries?”
Joseph stepped toward the cart and peered into it. He gazed back at the lady and nodded. She set off inside and grabbed several items before returning to the door.
“Take him to old Henson’s cottage. I just cleaned it out.”
Emlyn stood watch over James when the men moved in to remove him from the cart. “Be careful with his back. His leg is likely broken and his arm and shoulder are injured.”
“Aye, Ayls, will tend to him and patch the lad up.” Joseph followed the procession, saying nothing more.
Emlyn followed quietly and entered the cottage they took James to. She stood next to the bed and helped strip him of his tunic. As she suspected his back was pocked with bloody marks from the rack he’d been placed upon. Sorrow filled her eyes, but she tried not to weep for she wanted to deeply.
“Worry not, milady, they are mostly bluster. A goodly salve will heal his back quickly. ‘Tis his leg I’m worried about.”
“Alys,” Joseph shouted from outside. “Is he dead?”
“Nay, Joseph. Och I may have to remove his leg. Best get a sharp ax.” She inspected his lower leg and lamented as she assessed him.
Emlyn grabbed hold of the woman and shook her. “Nay! I forbid it. You shan’t do that, take his leg with an ax. Don’t you understand? He shall never forgive me. He’ll heal, I vow. Can you not do anything else for him?”
“Calm, milady. We shall try. Have the lads fetch me a few thin sticks about this wide and any cloths they can find.” She held her hands out a few inches. The woman turned and went back to undressing James and covered him with a woolen cover that had been folded neatly on the chair next to the bed. She set James’ garments aside.
James groaned with the woman’s prodding but didn’t open his eyes. Emlyn grew concerned for he wasn’t wont to come to and until he did, she would despair.
“Tell me, milady, how you came to be with my James?”
“Are you James’ mother?”
James looked akin to his mother with his dark hair and soft brown eyes. His mother was tall and had a pleasant look about her. She smiled and then scowled when she moved his arm. Gently, she set it against his body.
“His arm and leg are indeed broken. We’ll have to try to straighten them and then secure them so he can heal. I am James’ mother, but I haven’t seen him since he was wee. Bachgen gwael.” Her face grew somber. “He’s grown into a fine man.”
She’d spoken in the language of her father’s ancestors and Emlyn knew it well for she’d learned it from her grandfather. Her mother forbade them to speak any other language but English. James was verily a poor lad, a poor broken lad at that. “Are you from Wales, my lady?”
Her face grew somber. “Aye, but I haven’t been back there in many a year. Please, call me Alys, for I am no grand lady. My son has grown into a fine handsome man.” She stood and went to the door. “I could use some help, lads.”
Emlyn wasn’t sure if her melancholy was because of James’ injuries or because she hadn’t seen James since he was a lad. Two men came inside the cottage and helped to hold James still while she secured James’ leg and arm. He didn’t stir much while she tended him. That worried her for it had to have pained him fiercely. Emlyn went on to explain a little of how she’d come to be with James and by the time she finished, the woman had James’ leg and arm secure. The men left them alone.
Alys patted her hand. “I can see the unease on your face. He shall survive it that’s what’s worrying ye?” She went to the door again and asked the men for warm water and her bag of herbs.
“It is my fault he received these injuries. I’m gladdened he will be well.”
“No sense in placing blame, milady. James was doing what he does best, protecting you. And you seem no worse the wear.”
Alys kept to her task, and Emlyn asked to assist her. “I must do something. Please let me help you. What can I do?”
The men returned with the water and herbs. Emlyn took a cloth from the bowl which was handed to her from one of the men, and twisted the water from it. She gave it to Alys, but she handed it back.
“I need to mix a concoction to help ward off his pain. Do you have enough strength to clean him? Be careful with his back. I’ll help turn him. It needs to be clean before I can put salve on it.”
She and Alys managed to get him on his side without disturbing the wood tied around his limbs. Emlyn winced at the punctures and softly wiped him. James groaned and she hurried to finish the task. When she was finished, Alys gently pushed her aside.
“I’ll get this in him and he’ll rest easier.” She set the flask near his lips and poured the contents in his mouth. “I deem you need rest, milady. Joseph,” she shouted.
Emlyn was in awe of the woman for she seemed not to be intimidated one bit by her fearsome husband.
“Milady needs a place to rest. Take her to our cottage so she can sleep.”
“Come, lass.” She wouldn’t budge. “You cannot help him if you’re dead on your feet, lass. Come, you will take our bed this night and we will watch over him.”