A Conspiracy of Wolves

Not quite. In winter a small pack came down from the moors, seeking food. But they did not harm folk unless threatened. And it was not yet winter. Alisoun might reassure him of this, but Magda’s instruction was to say only what thou must. Thou art here to listen.

‘Whether dog or wolf – or hell hound, the remedies are the same,’ said Alisoun. ‘I’ve readied all that I need.’

‘When will the Riverwoman return?’

‘I am not sure. But I do know your wound will not wait.’

‘Mistress Alisoun, forgive me, but are you not still an apprentice?’

She might say much to that, but she chose her words. ‘I have seen to a variety of wounds, and as Magda is not here, you would be wise to let me see to yours.’ She stepped aside to allow him into the house if he so chose.

He hesitated, then ducked beneath the lintel, and entered.

As she was closing the door Alisoun looked out into the gathering darkness, puzzled by the absence of a horse on the bank. Most chose to ride, not walk through the forest, if they had the means, and Crispin Poole was wealthy. Or so they said. So he had been on foot when attacked. Doing what? She imagined Magda standing before her, a bony finger to her lips, shaking her head. Thou art a healer, not a spy.

Crispin had settled on his usual bench near the fire. That would not do.

‘Forgive me, I should have said – for this you must sit at the worktable.’ She led him across the room, conscious of how he must hunch over to avoid the rafters and the hanging herbs. Tall like Captain Archer, yet otherwise so unlike him.

Lighting a spirit lamp for the close work, she instructed him to rest his injured arm on the table. With care, she slipped a hand beneath it so that she might move it about in the light to study the wound. The dog had sunk its teeth in deep into what remained of his forearm, a four-finger expanse. The teeth had gone clear to the bone. ‘How did you manage to get it to release you?’

‘I – shouted and – I could not tell you what convinced it I was not its dinner. All I could think of was retrieving what’s left of my arm.’

‘You did not attempt to attack it in turn?’

He looked at her as if she were a half-wit. ‘I should think it plain my fighting days are over.’

‘Forgive me for my thoughtless question.’

‘We locked eyes as we each backed away.’ He shivered to describe it.

The experience had unsettled this large, powerful man. She wondered what he had done to so anger the dog for it to attack. And the earlier baying. Why did he deny what he must have heard?

She reminded herself that a healer must put the good of the patient before her curiosity. He must not feel compromised. She took a deep breath. Enough talk.

‘Some brandywine before I clean it and stitch the flesh together? My ministrations will worsen the pain before relieving it, the worst of it.’ And the brandywine should calm him. She needed him steady.

‘I would welcome it.’

Slipping away to pour him some, she also fetched warm water for the calendula drink. With such a deep wound, best to give him that now, and send him home with enough for a day, as well as packing the wound with a paste of betony. And boneset, in case the bone had been damaged.

She sensed his intense eyes following her hands as she worked, but he kept still and silent. Nary a jerk or a wince, as if accustomed to sudden, sharp pain. Well, the arm. Of course.

It was only when Alisoun was tying the bandage that he spoke again.

‘You are young to have such skill.’

‘Our queen was younger than me when she took on the role of the king’s helpmeet and mother to all the realm. And Princess Joan–’

‘I did not mean to insult you. I wish only to thank you for your gentle, healing touch.’

Alisoun was glad only her hands were in the lamplight as she blushed. Apparently she was too quick to recite her litany of females who had been treated as grown women by the age of sixteen.

‘I pray you,’ she said, ‘I would thank you not to mention my outburst to Dame Magda.’

Crispin nodded. ‘And I would ask that you tell no one of this incident,’ he said. ‘Not even Dame Magda.’ He neither raised his voice nor seemed excited, yet he made it clear he expected her to agree. Something in his eyes.

‘That will be difficult if she returns before you are healed.’

‘I am confident that you will find a way.’

‘But why? People should know of the danger.’