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But a great and terrifying suspicion was born in her as she knelt on the bloody
pallet. You fool, do you know this is likely to be your deathwound? I have
small skill at leechcraft; your comrades could do better for you.
It is sure to be my death unless you help me, said the hoarse, weakening
voice. None of these men is comrade enough that I could trust him& mestra,
help me, I beg you, in the name of the merciful Avarra I am a woman.
Kindra drew a sharp breath. She had begun to suspect and it was true, then.
And none of Brydar s men knows
None. I have dwelt among them for half a year, and I do not think any man of
them suspects and I fear women even more. But you, you I felt I might
trust
I swear it, Kindra said hastily. I am oath-bound never to refuse aid to any
woman who asks me in the name of the Goddess. But let me help you now, my
poor girl, and pray Avarra you have not delayed too long!
Even if it was so the strange girl whispered I would rather die as a
woman, than disgraced and exposed. I have known so much disgrace
Hush! Hush, child! But she fell back against the pallet; she had really
fainted, this time, at last; and Kindra cut away the leather breeches, looking
at the serious cut that sliced through the top of the thigh and into the pubic
mound. It had bled heavily, but was not, Kindra thought, fatal. She picked up
one of the clean towels the men had left, pressed heavily against the wound;
when it slowed to an ooze, she frowned, thinking it should be stitched. She
hesitated to do it she had little skill at such things, and she was sure the man
from Brydar s band could do it more tidily and sure-handed; but she knew
that was exactly what the young woman had feared, to be handled and
exposed by men. Kindra thought: If it could be done before she recovers
consciousness, she need not know& But she had promised the girl, and she
would keep her promise. The girl did not stir as she stepped out into the hall.
Brydar came halfway up the stairs. How goes it?
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Send young Annelys to me, Kindra said. Tell her to bring linen thread and
a needle; and linen for bandages, and hot water and soap. Annelys had
courage and strength; what was more, she was sure that if Kindra asked her
to keep a secret, Annelys would do so, instead of gossiping about it.
Brydar said, in a undertone that did not carry a yard past Kindra s ear, It s a
woman isn t it?
Kindra demanded, with a frown. Were you listening?
Listening, hell! I ve got the brains I was born with, and I was remembering a
couple of other little things. Can you think of any other reason a member of
my band wouldn t let us get his britches off? Whoever she is, she s got guts
enough for two!
Kindra shook her head in dismay. Then all the girl s suffering was useless,
scandal and disgrace there would be in any case. Brydar, you pledged this
would be worth my while. Do you owe me, or not?
I owe you, Brydar said.
Then swear by your sword that you will never open your mouth about this,
and I am paid. Fair enough?
Brydar grinned. I won t cheat you out of your pay for that, he said. You
think I want it to get round these hills that Brydar of Fen Hills can t tell the
men from the ladies? Young Marco rode with my band for half a year and
proved himself the man. If his foster-sister or kinswoman or cousin or what
you will chooses to nurse him herself, and take him home with her afterward,
what s it to any of my men? Damned if I want my crew thinking some girl
killed Scarface right under my nose! He put his hand to sword-hilt. Zandru
take this hand with the palsy if I say any word about this. I ll send Annelys to
you, he promised, and went.
Kindra returned to the girl s side. She was still unconscious; when Annelys
came in, Kindra said curtly, Hold the lamp there; I want to get this stitched
before she recovers consciousness. And try not to get squeamish or faint; I
want to get it done quick enough so we don t have to hold her down while we
do it.
Annelys gulped at the sight of the girl and the gaping wound, which had begun
to bleed again. A woman! Blessed Evanda! Kindra, is she one of your
Sisterhood? Did you know?
No, to both questions. Here, hold the light
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No, said Annelys. I have done this many times; I have steady hands for
this. Once when my brother cut his thigh chopping wood, I sewed it up, and I
have helped the midwife, too. You hold the light.
Relieved, Kindra surrendered the needle. Annelys began her work as
skillfully as if she were embroidering a cushion; halfway through the
business, the girl regained consciousness; she gave a faint cry of fright, but
Kindra spoke to her, and she quieted and lay still, her teeth clamped in her
lip, clinging to Kindra s hand. Halfway through, she moistened her lip and
whispered, Is she one of you, mestra?
No. No more than yourself, child. But she is a friend. And she will not gossip
about you, I know it, Kindra said confidently.
When Annelys had finished, she fetched a glass of wine for the woman, and
held her head while she drank it. Some color came back into the pale cheeks,
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