Part 19 (2/2)
At the sight of Madouc, Pymfyd jumped to his feet. ”At last you trouble to show yourself!” he cried out. ”Why have you dallied so long?”
Madouc responded with dignity: ”I was delayed by events beyond my control.”
”All very well!” growled Pymfyd. ”Meanwhile I have been sitting here on tenterhooks! If King Casmir had come before your return, I would now be crouching deep in a dungeon.”
”Your worries seem far less for me than for yourself,” said Madouc with a sniff.
”Not so! I made several guesses as to your probable fate, and was not cheered. Exactly what happened to you?”
Madouc saw no need to report the full scope of her adventures. ”The robbers chased me deep into the forest. After I eluded them I circled back to Old Street and rode home. That, in general, is what happened.” She dismounted from Tyfer, and examined Pymfyd from head to toe. ”You seem in adequately good health. I feared that you were dead, from the effect of so many cruel blows.”
”Hah!” said Pymfyd scornfully. ”I am not so easily daunted! My head is thick.”
”On the whole, and taking all with all, your conduct cannot be faulted,” said Madouc. ”You fought your best.”
”True! Still, I am not a fool! When I saw how events were going I feigned death.”
”Have you bruises? Do you hurt?”
”I cannot deny a few aches and as many pains. My head throbs like a great bell!”
”Approach me, Pymfyd! I will try to allay your suffering.”
Pymfyd asked suspiciously: ”What do you plan to do?”
”You need ask no questions.”
”I tend to be cautious in the matter of cures. I want neither cathartics nor clysters.”
Madouc paid no heed to the remark. ”Come here and show me where you hurt.”
Pymfyd approached and gingerly indicated his bruises. Madouc applied the poultice she had received from Twisk, and Pymfyd's pain instantly disappeared.
”That was well done,” said Pymfyd grudgingly. ”Where did you learn such a trick?”
”It is a natural art,” said Madouc. ”I also wish to commend your bravery. You fought hard and well, and deserve recognition.” She looked here and there, but discovered no implement suitable to her needs save the manure fork. ”Pymfyd, kneel before me!”
Once again Pymfyd stared in perplexity. ”Now what?”
”Do as I say! It is my royal command!”
Pymfyd gave a fatalistic shrug. ”I suppose I must humor you, though I see no reason for such humility.”
”Cease grumbling, as well!”
”Then be quick with whatever game you are playing! Already I feel a fool.”
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