“You have no
trouble with women, Sir Cathal,” she chided gently. “You shall find this one no different. She will soften to you and you will teach her
what she needs to know. No other can do
what you can with this one.”
His cheeks colored
and he winked at her. “Those things you
speak of have nothing to do with her being a girl.”
“Don’t they?” she
asked. “This one will be sought after
and she must learn how to protect herself.
As for her being a girl, girls are just small women.”
“This one is not,”
Cathal said and his eyes took on a more concerned look, a more protective
look. The girl would be sought after but
at this time it was not for her beauty or her virtue. “I’ve not the knowledge to train her as women
should be trained.”
Martha
shrugged. “Then do not. You have been
without a squire for many years. Now,
you have the chance to train one yourself.”
“I do not wish
this one to face the same fall as other squires.”
“I do not believe
this one will fall so easily. Give her
the chance, Cathal. I think you will be
surprised.”
He looked to the
boy then back to Martha and once again his look softened and he moved closer to
her. “If only I could take you as well,
my lady,” he said with a soft sigh. “I will
take her and teach her the way of the sword.
Perhaps, I will be fortunate enough to find her family along the
way.” He drew in a heavy breath. “Before we leave I will need your expertise
to help me disguise her….” he looked again at the boy, “…you know what I mean.”
Martha chuckled
and nodded. “I will help the two of you
when you prepare to leave. Let us get
some more meat on her bones before you go.
She could scarcely hold a dagger now, so thin is she.” She touched his cheek again. “Now, if there is nothing more, my dear Sir
Cathal, I must feed Ailin and alert the good healer that his patient is awake.”
Cathal nodded and
stepped away from her, growing once again in size and ferocity. Ailin watched in curiosity at the
transformation. Cathal turned to Ailin
and bowed respectfully to him. “Ailin, I
wish you good healing. I may visit again
before I take my leave but should I not, I bid you also good travels. I feel you will be a great force one day.”
Ailin blinked in
response and watched him go. When the
door had closed Martha moved to the fire and brought back a bowl of soup. She set it down beside the bed and removed
some more of his bandages. He watched
her eyes to judge from them the damage done to his face but saw no emotion
change whatsoever.
“It might not be
an easy thing, eating, Ailin,” she said softly, “but I want you to try.”
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