Dorrit immediately went to the bed and took hold of the frail hand that reached out to her. “Nothing to worry about, Lady Margaret. Lady Elysia is here to see to your care.”
“Where is Glenis?” Lady Margaret asked. “She was here a moment ago, unless my mind has failed me again.”
Elysia stepped forward. “Your mind did not fail you, Lady Margaret. Glenis was here, but I will be tending you from now on.” She turned to Lendra. “Help me to sit Lady Margaret up.”
“No! No! I am too ill,” Lady Margaret protested.
Elysia was shocked to hear Dorrit speak up.
“Nonsense. Lady Elysia is right. I will help you,” Dorrit ordered firmly.
Again Elysia was shocked at the strength of the wee woman as she and Lendra got Lady Margaret sitting up in bed, pillows stuffed behind her back and the blanket tucked at her waist.
“Now I believe a gentle meal would help,” Dorrit said.
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Elysia said.
“I will see to it, along with any brew you suggest, Lady Elysia, while Lendra sees to combing and braiding Lady Margaret’s hair,” Dorrit said, pointing to a comb on the small chest beside the bed.
The wee woman was a force of power and it was easy to see that she not only cared a great deal for Lady Margaret but was protective of her.
Elysia gave Dorrit instructions in preparing a brew and also what food would be best for Lady Margaret. She also made mention of a cottage for Lendra. The woman was about to take her leave when a shout was heard from the stairwell.
“HE’S GONE MADE AGAIN! COMPLETELY MAD!”
Before Elysia could reach the door Deara burst into the room. “Lord Odran is in a fit of madness. Keep Lady Elysia away from him.”
“No! No! No! Not again. Please, Lord, not again,” Lady Margaret pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Where is my husband?” Elysia demanded, fright for her husband’s well-being twisting her stomach in knots.
“In the woods howling like an animal, but it won’t be long before he returns and lashes out at any poor soul he sees,” Deara said, wringing her hands.
Elysia turned to Lendra. “See that Lady Margaret eats, has a washing, and the bedding is changed.”
“You don’t mean to go after, Lord Odran, do you?” Lendra asked with worry.
“He is my husband,” Elysia said as if that was explanation enough.
“NO! NO!” Lady Margaret shouted. “He will kill you like he did his brother.”
“My husband loves me,” Elysia said.
“He loved his brother as well but that did not stop him from driving a sword through him,” Lady Margaret said through tears.
Elysia found it difficult to believe that Odran drove a sword through his brother in a fit of madness. She had seen him in battle and he had fought with skill and precision, and, aye, it had been frightening to see him wield his axe with such power and yet such ease. He was a seasoned warrior all too familiar with battle. He couldn’t have mistakenly killed his brother, so what then had made him draw a sword on him? Something was missing and the only one who could answer that was—Odran.
Dorrit continued to surprise Elysia when she spoke.
“Have someone point the way to the section of woods Lord Odran goes to,” Dorrit ordered Deara.
Deara’s eyes went wide with fright at the appointed task.
“It’s not necessary. I will ask Finch. He will know,” Elysia said and watched Deara’s shoulders sag in relief.
She grabbed a cloak from her bedchamber before making her way out of the keep. She was down the steps when a horrific roar echoed through the woods. To her, it sounded like a wounded animal crying out in pain. She grabbed her chest, her heart heavy with the thought of how much pain her husband must be in and called out Finch’s name as she ran through the village.
Elysia hadn’t gone far when Finch appeared.
“Return to the keep, my lady,” Finch ordered.
“No,” Elysia snapped. “Point me to where my husband has gone into the woods.”
“I cannot do that, my lady, for your own safety,” Finch said.
“If you don’t point me in the right direction, I will roam the woods until I find him,” Elysia threatened.
“I cannot let you do that, Lord Odran would see me punished,” Finch said. “Leave him be. His men know how to handle him. They will keep him from hurting anyone when he returns.”
“And how will they do that?” she demanded.
“Go to the keep, my lady,” Finch said, ignoring her question and waved one of Odran’s warriors over. “Escort, Lady Elysia, to the keep.”
Another howling roar filled the air and those who lingered and had watched Elysia’s confrontation with Finch ran for safety.
“Go! Be prepared to help my husband,” Elysia said, her heart twisting with pain for her husband.
“Stay in the keep until told otherwise,” Finch said and hurried off, the other warrior joining him, Finch issuing orders as he went. “Form a line to keep him out of the village.”