Renee Flicker's Arc

Chapter 3 of 4

The healer arrived before sundown. Renee heard boots on the porch and had the door open before the knock. The woman was younger than Renee expected, red-blonde hair tied back, a leather bag in one hand. Renee stepped aside without a word and pointed at the couch. Ally had not moved in an hour. Her face was gray against the mismatched quilt cushions. The healer knelt by the couch and set her bag on the floor. "How long has she been like this?" "Since yesterday morning. Nausea two days before that. She can't keep water down." The healer nodded and lifted the hem of Ally's shirt. She pressed along the ribs, then lower. Ally winced and drew her knees up. "Sore here?" "Yes," Ally said. "And here?" "Worse." The healer felt the pulse at Ally's wrist and looked at the whites of her eyes. She asked about the vomit. Renee described the bile and the color. The healer asked about Ally's nerves. Renee answered for her. Ally closed her eyes and let them talk. The healer sat back on her heels. "You read it right," she said to Renee. "A bad flare. Her stomach lining is inflamed. There may be one or two small ulcers starting. Nothing torn. Nothing bleeding I can find." Renee's shoulders dropped an inch. She had not known she was holding them. "So she'll be all right." "With rest and what I leave you, yes." The healer opened her bag on the floorboards. She set out three small bottles and a paper twist. She tapped the first bottle. "Anti-inflammatory. One spoon with water, three times a day. It will bring the swelling down and let the lining heal." She tapped the second. "For the nausea. One spoon before she tries to eat. Start with broth tonight. Toast tomorrow if she keeps the broth." She unfolded the paper twist. Inside were dried green leaves. "Thyme. Steep a pinch in hot water and let her drink it slow. Twice a day. It will settle her nerves. That is what's driving this, and it will drive it again if you don't treat it." Renee took the bottles and the paper. "Understood." The healer stood and brushed off her knees. "Keep her flat. No stairs. No worry talk near her. Send for me if the pain sharpens or the vomit turns red or black." "I will." At the door the healer paused. "She's lucky you knew what it was." Renee closed the door behind her and leaned against it. On the desk sat the lord's letter and the note to the stable hand, both untouched since morning. She looked at them once, then turned back to the couch. She measured the first spoon. Ally opened her mouth. The medicine went down and stayed. Renee sat on the floor by the couch and set the bottles in a row where she could reach them. A week. She had a week.