Part 28 (2/2)

Davie unhooked the jack and Skelley helped him peel Alex out of it.

”Alex!” Skelley said loudly. He pressed a hand against his friend's face. It was hot and dry. ”Alexander Maxwell!”

Alex opened his eyes. ”Skelley...” His gaze moved to Davie, then he jerked and struggled to sit up. ”Fayth... Fayth...”

Skelley glanced at Davie, but he didn't seem to think this ranting was odd. Of course, Davie seemed to find nothing odd... or amusing, or vexing. Skelley reckoned Alex was delirious and tried to hold him down. But Alex was unexpectedly powerful and threw him off. He pushed himself onto his elbow and leaned over the form beside him.

”Take care of her first, Davie.” He sat up, his eyes surprisingly clear, and gestured to the other lump.

Skelley frowned and finally got a good look at what he'd thought was the body of Hugh, but it was clear this was no man. Her hair was free of the cap and spread about her in dull curls. Damp ringlets clung to the sides of her face. Her skin was flushed and damp. The doublet had been removed and her s.h.i.+rt was open, barely covering her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

”Christ G.o.d,” Skelley muttered. ”He's a la.s.s.”

”It's Fayth Graham,” Alex said, never taking his eyes from her. ”And she's dying.”

Davie leaned over her and shook his head.

”What?” Alex grabbed his arm. ”Is it too late? You can't help her?”

Davie rolled his eyes and shook his head again. Skelley wished the fool would speak, but they all knew he wouldn't. Often Alex had no problem understanding the man, but this was not one of those times.

”She's not going to die?” Alex asked.

Davie nodded.

Alex's shoulders slumped, his gaze still fastened on the woman. He leaned closer, then gently touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. Some of the worry cleared from his brow. ”She's not so hot... and she's sweating.” He looked at Davie anxiously. ”That's good?”

Davie nodded, smiling slightly. He began unwinding the dressing from her arm. Skelley wanted to speak alone with Alex, to tell him about Eliot and Laine, but he was transfixed, watching Davie and the woman's arm. Skelley peered over Davie's shoulder to get a look at the wound. He'd only seen it when they found her and it had been sore nasty then. It was red and a bit swollen, but the st.i.tches were holding and the wound was scabbed over.

Davie placed a hand on Alex's shoulder and nodded encouragingly.

”I think he means ye did well,” Skelley said, since Alex stared blankly at the leech. ”That ye took good care of her.”

Alex swallowed hard, nodding his head and sitting back on his heels. He looked around the cave, his gaze lighting on the pile of hares in the corner. Wolf brushed past Skelley's leg on her way out of the cave.

”Christ,” Alex muttered. ”She's going to get more.” He called the dog back.

She returned, wiggling enthusiastically at the sudden attention. Alex rubbed the dog's ears, speaking softly to her. He straightened and approached Skelley. He favored his shoulder.

”Did you run into any trouble?”

Skelley nodded and gestured for Alex to follow him to the mouth of the cave. ”There's Grahams in the wood. They attacked us and took... or killed Laine and Eliot.” Skelley looked away, ashamed he'd lost men. ”We cannot stay. Laine or Eliot might talk, if sufficiently induced.”

Alex looked over his shoulder at Fayth. ”She shouldn't be moved.”

Skelley grabbed his arm. ”She must.”

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