Tower of Ravens - Rhiannon's Ride 1 by Kate Forsyth

Author:Kate Forsyth [Forsyth, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy - Epic
ISBN: 9780451460325
Publisher: Roc
Published: 2005-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

Fettercairn Castle

Rain lashed at the mullioned windows, an occasional sheet of lightning irradiating the sky, before the heavy gloom descended again.

“I have never kent such foul weather,” Felice said discontentedly. “Is it always like this?”

Nina was trying to blow the sullen coals into flames with the help of wheezy old bellows. She looked up and tried to smile. “No‘ always. If I did no’ ken better, I’d think the Broken Ring o‘ Dubhslain sought to keep us here. At least it is no’ hailing.”

“In April!” Felice cried.

Hail suddenly clattered against the glass.

“I spoke too soon,” Nina said, and sat back on her heels, wiping one hand across her brow and leaving a dirty smudge.

It was midmorning already. Everyone had slept very late, for little light penetrated the thick walls of the gatehouse and they had all been exhausted. It was the sound of Maisie’s moans that had woken them in the end. She was sick with fever, and when Nina carefully dampened and peeled away the bloody, grimy bandages, it was to find the wounds beneath festering and green. Landon was unwell also, racked by a hacking cough, and aches and pains in all his joints. When Nina felt his forehead, the little crease between her brows deepened and she bade him stay in bed. Cameron was coughing also, and complained he had not been able to get warm all night, and so he was abed also, and Edithe too, while Iven had gone to ask the gatekeeper for water and a kettle, and any herbs or medicines he might have.

“I’ll go and check the horses, Nina,” Lewen said, pulling on his boots. “We were so tired last night it was all we could do to get their tack off them. I want to make sure the grooms have fed and watered them properly.”

“I’ll come too,” Rafferty said.

“Me too,” Rhiannon said. She had been standing by the window with her forehead pressed against the glass, staring at the hail, but now she turned and looked at the others.

“Ye’ll get wet,” Lewen said to no-one in particular.

“Think I care?” she answered.

“We willna melt,” Rafferty said with forced cheerfulness.

Nina nodded and gave a ghost of her usual merry smile. “Thanks. Would ye mind bringing me some stuff from my caravan? I’m worried indeed about poor Maisie. I wish I were a better healer. I wish Isabeau were here, or your mam, Lewen.”

“Me too,” he said. After Nina had told him what she needed, he led the way down the dimly lit stairs and out the door into the outer ward.

“Poor Maisie!” he said. “Even if Nina can clean out the infection, she’ll be left with nasty scars. It’s such a shame, she’s a sweet lass.”

Rhiannon frowned, but said nothing. Rafferty made a murmur of agreement, then said anxiously, “Do ye think Maisie will be fit to ride out soon? Because glad as I am to be safe behind high walls, I canna wait to get away from here. It’s creepy. I wish we’d never come this way.

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