Estuary by Lisa T. Bergren
Author:Lisa T. Bergren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Christian
ISBN: 9798886050493
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2023-05-16T00:00:00+00:00
15
Tiliani Forelli
I was sitting at my fatherâs side, helping him drink a cup of water, when Captain Valeri knocked on the open door. Six men still laid on blankets about the floor of my parentsâ bedroom, twelve others in the adjoining roomsâall recovering, post-battleâand Nona and Chiara were tending to them all along with two maids and Padre Giovanni, the Forelli chaplain. The barber-surgeon from Monteriggioni had departed with the knights.
I watched as Captain Valeriâs sad eyes took on an even greater sorrow to see his friend, Salvatore, absent a leg. The man was still blessedly unconscious after my grandmother had amputated his leg last night, explaining that it was full of infection, and his only chance at survival. I was thankful for the poppy tincture sheâd given him. I didnât relish the idea of being in attendance when the man awakened.
Valentinoâs eyes found me, sitting on the edge of the bed, and he gave me a slight tilt of his head in greeting.
âCaptain Valeri, please, come and meet my father.â
Papa tried to lift himself up, but I gently pressed his shoulder back to the pillows. âYou must remain still, Papa,â I reminded him in an undertone.
He let out a resigned sigh. âHere am I, advancing in years, and women are still directing my every move.â
âThere are worse things, I hear, mâlord,â Valentino said with a slight smile. âI am relieved to see you recovering.â
âAs am I.â Papa grasped Valentinoâs arm with what weak strength he could muster. âI understand that you fought bravely alongside my daughter.â
âSeeing your daughter fight would inspire many a man,â Valentino said, giving me a slight smile. I liked it when he smiled. It made his sad eyes more wise than sorrowful. As if those green-brown orbs held a hundred stories he was bursting to tell.
âYou saved my life, more than once, Captain,â I said. âI thank you.â
âAs did you, mine,â he returned. âI thank you in kind.â
Papa lifted one brow. âSounds like you two were quite the formidable force.â
âOh, no,â I began as Valentino responded, ââTwasnât quite like that.â
âThe battle was long and we all worked . . . together,â I said, faltering with that last word, recognizing how inadequate it was, remembering how Valentino had stopped that knightâs strike just before it had reached my throat. I lifted a hand to my neck, belatedly realizing what I was doing.
Valentino clearly remembered the same moment. âGod was gracious, to spare us both. Apparently, we have yet to do all he bids us.â
His tone was reverent, not glib. So he was a man of faith, no matter what heâd said about prayer. I tried to swallow but found my mouth dry. I wished I could take a drink from my fatherâs cup but resisted the urge. My fatherâs keen eyes were already taking in too much.
âWhy have you come, Captain Valeri?â I asked abruptly.
His eyes widened slightly. âTo bring you this.â He took a wooden chest from beneath his left arm and set it on the ground.
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