Winds of Change Chapter 27
Title: Winds of Change (27/?)
Chapter 27
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don’t own Jane or Maura or their counterparts from the TV show or books…I only wish. I am going to be adding a few of my own characters however.
Summary: How do our favorite gals handle it when their duties have them working apart for a few days? Again italics denotes mind speaking in the body of the story.
It was so good to hear from so many of you after my long absence. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!
Previously… Turning in her saddle Jane motioned the farmer, now mounted on a strong horse, forward. “You will ride beside me. You know these woods better than any of us. What is your name?”
“Thomas, Your Majesty.” The man could hardly believe he was speaking to the fabled King of the Lycans.
“Laird or Laird Raven will do for now. No need for all the pomp and formalities at this time, Thomas. Two skilled trackers rode out minutes ago to scout for us.” She lifted her arm and silence fell in the yard. “We will head out after the scouts. Keep all your senses open and stay alert. The only way to kill this creature is to pierce the small black patch on its underbelly. And beware its blood is just as acidic as its saliva and the poison from its tails and claws.” She dropped her harm calling “Move out!” and she with Phantom and Zev perched on her saddle along with the hunting party moved off into the forest following the scouts and the Zunuluth’s tracks.
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CHAPTER 27
Jane and her party had been riding for about an hour when the scouts came galloping back. One scout was named Harriet, she was one of First Mate Nina’s warriors and a Fairy. The second was Stuart, he was one of the General’s men and a fox Lycan.
Harriet or Harry, for short spoke first. “Laird Raven, a woodsman’s cottage is just ahead, but there is no movement. There is long dry clothes hanging from a clothesline between trees, but no other signs of anyone. Stu could smell blood on the wind, but we didn’t not go any closer in case the creature was held up inside or nearby. The cottage door is smashed off of its hinges, but is resting over the hole.”
“Were there tracks leading away from the cottage or just to it?”
Stuart cleared his throat. “I saw signs that the creature had left the cottage. I think the Zunuluth hit the place before it moved onto the farmhouse. The blood smelled about a day old.”
“That could be. Zunuluth’s like to find a home they can hide in and defend and only go out when they need to eat.” The Laird split the group into four squads each group had five members except one that had six. She led one squad, with Marcus, Zion, and the General each leading a squad. They surrounded the house with half of them closing in on the cottage while the others guarded their backs. No movement was seen in the windows, however plenty of blood was. One of the warriors quickly and quietly moved the smashed door away from the whole and Jane and Marcus entered together. The woodsman was Fae and had a Human wife. They both lay dead, the majority of their torsos had been eaten. The smell was horrendous. It took all of Jane’s well-earned experience in homicide not wretch at the site and smells before her. A few of those behind her couldn’t hold it and ran outside the cottage to toss their cookies in the yard. A large axe was still clutched in the woodsman’s hand. Black acidic blood was on the blade and looked like it had eaten away at the metal some as it had not been cleaned off. What looked like a giant crab leg lay nearby, so the man had injured the evil creature, yet not enough.
Jane’s attention was immediately drawn to the loft when she heard faint whimpering. She sent Phantom and Zev up ahead of her as she began to climb the ladder. They would warn her if danger was in front of her. Once in the loft she found two twin beds with a large wardrobe sitting between them. The door was slightly ajar. Phantom chirped urgently from atop the partially opened door. Moving over with sword in hand Jane slowly opened the wardrobe to find two children inside. The youngest, a boy of about 7, was pressed in one corner staring wide eyed at her while he held his older sister in front of him. The girl looked to be around 12 and she had long cuts up her legs up her legs. She was alive, but unconscious, her breathing was rapid and shallow.
Sending waves of comfort and safety to him Jane spoke to the boy in gentle tones. “I am Laird Raven and I am here to help you. What is your name?”
Still with big eyes, the child stuttered out. “Walter, but everyone calls me Wally.”
“It is good meeting you Wally. Do you know how long ago it was that your sister was hurt?”
“After lunch, yesterday. She pushed me up the ladder first. She was almost at the top when she screamed. That monster was trying to wrap its tail around her. I helped pull her up as Da was going after it with his axe. Ma was already hurt real bad, she distracted it so we could hide. We climbed into the wardrobe and shut the door tight and stayed real quiet for a long time. When dark came Katie snuck down the ladder and put the door over the hole.” Tears started to run down his cheeks. “She came up and got back in here with me. I asked if Da and Ma were gone and she nodded. She said we would go find help when light came. We stayed awake a long time. Until almost morning, but we fell asleep. I woke up a while ago, but Katie she ain’t woken up and she is all sweaty. Help her please!” The boy cried.
“I will do my best for her and I will send you both to a much safer place where they will take good care of you both and help heal your sister. May I lift your sister and lay her on one of the beds?”
He nodded. Jane lifted the girl laying her gently on the bed with pink flowers on the quilt before going over to speak to Marcus and the others below. “Cover them up as best you can. Search through their things for valuable and mementoes. I will pack a bag for the children up here. I need the med kit from my saddlebag. We have a young boy who is unharmed physically and his older sister who has sever lacerations on her legs. She is unconscious and unresponsive. I think it is the poison. I need two of our swiftest riders mounted and ready to ride, also get Silas the earth elemental to prepare two places.” She pointed to the two bodies on the floor, not wanting to say more in front of the young boy. “Take care of that as soon as possible.”
Alexi came hustling in tossing the med kit to Jane following once the Laird stepped away.
“Alexi this is Wally and his sister Katie. Wally, Alexi is going to help you pack a few things. She will pack you some clothes in the bags on top of your wardrobe and you gather anything up here that you and your sister will not want to leave behind. I don’t know when you might return.”
“Yes, Laird.” Wally hurried to it picking up the stuffed puppy off of his bed and gathering a few other things around the room that were his and his sisters. All the while Phantom and Zev perched in the rafters keeping watch over the scene.
While Wally and Alexi worked Jane worked on the girl. The last two nights Fenrir and Vivienne had taken Jane and Maura back to the heavenly realm. Maura spent a little time training with her weapons before disappearing into the library for more healing instruction. Jane spent half the night training and the other learning how to use her own healing ability. Though not near as strong as her wife’s it was still knowledge she needed to know. She carefully cleaned the wounds and covered them with the drawing poultices she had adding some of her own magic to them to help draw the poison out faster. She took some water from her canteen on her belt dissolving some tablets into it that would help fight the fever and infection. Once that was done Alexi helped her get the liquid down the girls throat before assisting her to remove the girl’s bloody clothes and put her in clean ones. After wrapping the wounds leaving the poultices in place she pulled heavy warm socks up the girl’s legs. Then
wrapped her tightly in the flowery quilt.
Alexi had already tossed the two bags down to Zion who passed them out to be strapped to the horses’ saddles along with the small ones they had filled with valuables and mementoes. She was now holding Wally wrapped up in a quilt covered with animals from his bed, the boy was hugging his stuffed puppy tight in his arms.
“Wally you be as still as you can as Alexi hands you down to Zion. We have two riders who are going to get you and Katie to Thomas Haymaker’s farm as quickly as possible. We will secure your cottage so it will be protected while you are gone.” Jane carried Katie over to the ladder and waited until Alexi handed down Wally and climbed down herself and was glad to see that the bodies of the children’s parents had already been removed from the house. She carefully handed Katie down to Marcus before grabbing her medical kit and following.
Outside the cottage Alexi was helping to situate Wally onto the lap of Wren, a Fae warrior. Marcus handed Katie up to Alder, an Elf warrior.
Jane pulled a bit of Fairy bread from her pack and handed it to Wally. “Here you go little one. This will satisfy the hunger in your belly and Wren has extra water for you when you’re thirsty. My wife Lady Snow will be waiting for you and Katie when you reach the farm. She is a great healer and will take good care of your sister.” She tucked the blanket up tight once more before stepping away and focusing on the riders. “Ride safely, but quickly. Fresh mounts will be waiting for you to rejoin us. We will leave markers for you to follow when we leave here. Stay on alert and if you see the creature don’t engage. You will evade and escape.”
“Yes, Laird.” Came from both mounted warriors.
She nodded. “Good luck and safe journey.” With that the riders were off with their precious cargo.
Turning to those around her she began giving orders for a magical clean-up of the blood left over in the home and in the small barn. The Zunuluth had killed and eaten the one horse and milk cow that had been in the barn and from the few feathers left ate whatever chickens there were whole. “Affix the doors on the barn and the one on the house as best you can and we will set protections to help keep the place safe for the children until it is decided what will happen with them and this property.” She turned to Silas. “Where did you bury the parents?”
Everyone got to work as the Laird spoke with Silas. “In the grove there.” He pointed off behind the cottage. “There is a family plot. Headstones had already been placed there for the parents. We buried them and Jaden used her Elf magic to carve the date of their death into the stones.”
“Thank you Silas. You did well. Speak with Marcus and gather five warriors and get the horses ready to go we need to be on our way as soon as everything is taken care of here.”
“Yes, Laird.”
Once he walked away Jane turned and walked into the grove stopping at the foot of the fresh graves. Her small purple protectors sat on branches nearby. “I am sorry you had to leave your children when they were so young. You fought and sacrificed and saved them both. I will make sure they are taken care of. You should be proud of the brave children you raised. May the heavens bless and keep you.”
Moving to the edge of the grove she contacted Maura while she watched the activity around the dwelling. “Maura.”
“Jane are you alright?”
“Yes. We came upon a woodsman’s cottage. The creature attacked it yesterday.” She went on to explain all that had happened and what they had found. “The riders should be to you within the hour. The need fresh horses ready and I need some more supplies for the drawing poultices. I used several on the girl’s legs. I hope we find more survivors and if we do, we will probably need more medicine. The poison had set in pretty heavily, but I hope that Katie is in better shape when she reaches you.”
“I will see that fresh mounts and additional medical supplies are ready. The riders gear will be transferred quickly and they will be back on their way to you as soon as possible. I love you sweetheart and stay safe.”
“I love you too, my Queen. Make sure you rest and eat well between your healing sessions. You need to take care of yourself too.”
“I will love. I promise.”
“I better be off we are about ready to leave. I will chat with you again soon. Let me know if anything of import happens at the farm.”
“I will and take care.” The couple shared warm and loving feelings before ending the connection.
Holding out her arm Jane called the birds to her. She stroked each one along its back once they landed. “I want you two to scout ahead for us. I think it is too dangerous to send out two rider ahead. The two of you can much more easily escape our prey than the riders can and you can also hide better if need be. Follow the trail as best you can and also fly above the forest and see if you can see any other places the Zunuluth may have attacked. We may find more survivors. Now go and be safe.”
The birds chirped their agreement and quickly disappeared into the forest.
Soon after the rest of the hunting party led by Laird Raven disappeared into the forest. Throughout the day they came across signs of the creature. Some were lone riders who had been caught out on their own or in small groups in the woods. They came upon the home of a troll family dwelling in a hill cave. Two large male trolls were dead and three smaller males injured. The women, children, and elderly had escaped to an underground cellar. Jane and her people did what they could to aid in the healing of the injured and helped load them up in wagons and send them to the farm for safety. The birds had flown high and reported with special chirps that the way back to the farm was safe and clear of the creature.
It was then that Jane really paid attention when Zion pulled out the oddly framed mirror and began fiddling with it, like he had weeks before when she had rescued Jeremy and Emily. “Zion what is up with the mirror? I have seen you mess with it a few times and have seen others do the same. I had meant to ask sooner, but never found the time.”
“Laird this is a communication mirror. Some have small ones like this one that they take with them and there is usually at least one large one in every home or dwelling. They can do many of the things that televisions, phones, and computers can do in the human world. Though no technology is involved. It is all done with magic. I was wondering when you would ask. You probably would have sooner, but since you didn’t have anyone you needed to contact it wasn’t really a priority for you and when you did need messages delivered one of us did so for you as ordered. The only one you need to contact is Maura and if the legends are true, the two of you have an unbreakable mental link and don’t need COM mirrors.”
“Then if you have these wonderful COM mirrors in just about every home in the area why haven’t you sent out a warning about the creature and used them to find out where the creature may have already attacked and let them know that if they have any who are severely injured that they can go to Hayman’s farm for help. You could also find out if there are any other healers in the area who could lend assistance. If this creature has attacked near any villages or large settlements we may not be the only warriors looking for it and they may not know how to kill it. We could share that information with them.”
Zion looked embarrassed that he had not thought of such a simple thing as did the other warriors in the group. They were all familiar with the COM mirrors. “I will get to work on that right away Laird. Since all here in Hecation know who you are now, they will listen well to our warning and want to help. They will be eager to help the great warrior they watched fight in the Elfwood tournament over the large COM mirrors in their homes.”
That tournament was televised. Jane thought. Great, just great. I am kind of glad no one told me. I would have been even more nervous. She left him to get to work on the alerts while they all mounted up and rode on.
Just before dark they came upon a moss and vine covered home almost hidden in the deep woods. Phantom and Zev had led them there. Everyone who was sensitive to magic could feel the wrongness and evil emanating from the place. Jane led a squad of magic users to surround and enter the house. Three mostly cleaned skeletons were found with the ripped up remains of black cloaks hanging off of them. None of the three skeletons was intact. No one else was found in the house or on the property. “These were the ones who allowed the Zunuluth to enter the realm. I want nothing taken from here.” The Laird turned to two of her warriors both with an affinity with fire. “I want this place and everything in it incinerated down to ash and I mean everything. We will put up a protective barrier so the blaze will not affect the surrounding forest.”
Jane sent her birds to find a safe place for her warriors to camp for the night while the rest of her party took care of the complete destruction of such an evil place.
It was near the dark when they reached a small clearing up against a cliff with a waterfall gushing from the rocks about halfway up the cliff face with a pool at the bottom leading off into a stream. It was a nice spot to set up camp and they would have the cliff at their back.
Everyone worked together setting up camp except for Laird Raven. She tried, but it still made them uncomfortable so she stayed mounted and rode sentry around the camp getting familiar with the area and making note of the best spots to post the guards for the night. While on her patrol with Evie by her side, along with her birds, she took five large rabbits with her bow in rapid succession as they scurried from their hidey holes. The cook fire was the first thing started and a couple of her group who were handy at such things had said they had the fixings for a nice vegetable stew between what the pack horses carried and a few wild vegetables they had gathered when they had stopped throughout the day. Much grumbling had been heard from the others because they didn’t have enough time to hunt for game to make it a hearty meat stew.
As Jane tied the last of her hunt to her saddle she reflected on how much she had changed and learned since taking that chance and letting Maura know how she really felt. It felt like a lifetime ago, but only a moment ago at the same time. They had come a long way in a very short time and had grown in ways neither of them could ever had imagined. The thought of hunting game with a gun much less a bow had never crossed Jane’s mind before, but now in a new and wondrous world it was natural to her and a way that she could take care of her warriors even if she wasn’t able to put up tents or digs out latrine areas.
The troops were very happy when their Laird returned with the plump rabbits and two of them wasted no time in preparing them for the cook pots. It was well into the night when everyone, but those on sentry, settled down with bowls of stew and a flat dense bread that had been mixed up and fried over the fire. The water from the falls was cold and quenching as they drank it with their meal. The talk turned to reports of what Zion had found out from his mirror while they ate.
“Laird it seems that the Zunuluth has hit many area farms and villages. At first the attacks were vicious where everyone in the home was killed and eaten, but now they have changed. The creature attacks and eats, but has been leaving some victims alive and taking them. This change has made it where more people have had time to escape because the Zunuluth didn’t instantly try to kill everyone in the area. There are a few more places that have been set-up to aid the survivors, and warriors and those with magical gifts have put protections in place much as you had done on the farm. Through the mirror system those places along with the Haymaker’s farm were broadcast to let others know where healers and protection could be found if needed.”
The alerts had already saved several families who had retreated into their homes and put up magical barriers and armed themselves. There were also other groups of Hecation warriors who were assigned to or lived in area villages out hunting the violent creature. Zion also reported that he had spoken with Warren before dinner and more injured and scared had shown up on the farm and the house was now full and that the protections had been expanded to cover all of the barns and the bunk house. More people with knowledge healing had shown up to assist Lady Snow and everyone was doing well and so far they had been able to save everyone who had shown up injured. Zion smiled when he said that Warren reported that their Queen was quite the little general and had made sure everything was running well in the infirmary and that everyone had a place to sleep and food to eat.
Jane smiled, she knew her wife and never doubted for a moment Maura would have the situation well in hand. Thinking of her made Jane miss her mate all the more. This was the longest they had been apart since Jane’s birthday. Her thoughts were drawn back to the conversation when with the help of Thomas Haymaker a map was roughly sketched out of the immediate areas. The General had an overall map of Hecation, but not one that was detailed of the smaller places. Between the two maps they were able to see where the monster had hit and where other patrols were searching. Using Zion’s mirror the General contacted the commander of the other patrols and with Laird Raven listening in and giving her opinion they all coordinated their efforts for the next day. While all this was happening the sentries were relieved so they too could eat. There were no leftovers. Everyone ate well that night. The cooks were helped in the clean-up of the cook pot and the mess kits of the King and the other leaders while they were discussing what was to be done the next day. The meeting was breaking up when Marcus asked one of the Elves if they could put a magical barrier around the camp. The Fae who had performed the spell many times that day was too drained to do so again until they had a good night’s sleep.
“I know the spell, but I am only powerful enough to put it over my own tent. I could maybe cast it over a few more tents, but that is all.” The female warrior regretfully replied.
Hearing this Jane stepped in. “If you know the spell I can boost your power enough to cover the whole camp and we won’t have to post so many guards.” So saying the spell was performed and in the doing Jane had also learned how to perform it.
The tents were interesting. When she had seen her bedroll on the back of her horse earlier that day she had briefly wondered what the slim wooden rods were that seemed to cover the whole outside of the bedroll running across the width of it. She had assumed it was some sort of mat to protect it from the ground. Instead when it was unrolled some of the rods formed legs to keep the bedroll or should she say cot about a foot off of the ground while others formed over the top of the cot with a thin layer of fabric covering them. It was a bed and tent all in one. The tent was very long, but not overly wide. It was maybe three feet across and eight in length. Looking around at her companions she could see why it would need to be so long. Some of them were several inches taller than her own now considerable height of six and a half feet. Tossing up the flap on one side she saw her extra set of clothes hung by her pillow on one end of the cot tent and found a place to put her weapons and boots at the foot of the cot tent. She found it interesting that no insects tried to fly into the tent with the flap open, but could feel the magic in the whole creation. It really was a neat contraption and a spell to keep out insects was a good addition to the whole. Her saddle and saddle bags sat beside the tent and she retrieved what she needed to clean-up and headed for the area of the pool that the women claimed for themselves. Evie, Alexi, and a few other females were already there. She had become more comfortable with nudity in the past weeks and she quickly joined them in the area of the pool under the falls to wash. The water was cold so no one lingered, but it was an experience she would love to have privately shared with Maura. All of the women put on clean shirts, underclothes, and socks before slipping on their boots, but left off their pants. They all made their way back to their tents to get as much rest for the night as they could. The next day they would most likely come face to face with the Zunuluth.
Jane had washed out her dirty clothes as best she could in the falls like the other women and hung them on a line attached to her tent to dry for the night. It would be good to have them clean if they had to stay another night out on the hunt. She sat on her cot and put her boots, weapons, and mail shirt in the extra room at the end of her tent. Zev and Phantom quickly flew in to perch among her gear at the end of the bed before Jane pulled the flap down marveling at how it sealed itself like there were magnets or something connecting it around the opening. She did untie the two little windows on either side of the tent to let some fresh air flow through before snuggling down into the surprisingly comfortable bed. As tired as she was Jane still knew she would have a difficult time falling asleep without her love by her side. Getting comfortable and closing her eyes she opened her mind and called out to her mate. “Maura.”
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Earlier that same day…
Maura watched her powerful wife leave the kitchen wishing she could have gone with her, but Jane needed to hunt. Healing was Lady Snow’s job. Dropping her gaze back to the woman in so much pain before her she concentrated on stemming the blood flow on the worst of the wounds and stopping the poison from entering any further into the woman’s system.
“Ethan, get a couple of men to take care of that.” Tilting her head to indicate the ripped up body of the tiger. “I need you to also see if you can get the woman out from under the table. She is probably in shock. Try and keep her as calm as possible.”
Two warriors quickly had the body wrapped in sheets and removed it out the backdoor off the kitchen and out of the house while Ethan was attempting to calm the woman under the table.
Moments later Cookie sailed into the kitchen with her daughter Maddie behind her. “Lady Snow I will help with the pregnant woman. Where do you want to take her?”
“We should set up an infirmary in the dining room. Maddie find some of the people who are familiar with this household and they can help you set up cots and bedding and things in there and have any furniture that needs removing moved to some other part of the house. Ethan let Cookie take over with the woman and you go out and get some people to take care of boarding up the window and cleaning up this room.”
Everyone hopped to their Queen’s bidding. It wasn’t long before they all heard King Raven’s voice outside loudly command “Move out!”
Maura silently wished her mate good luck and a safe hunt. By the time she got the elder woman’s wounds stable enough that she could be moved the dining room had several cots made up in it and the laundry room off the kitchen had been turned into a treatment room. The kitchen was also well on its way to being clean and the window was now mostly boarded up. Maura took a moment to survey the newly arranged treatment room that had two long narrow tables set-up to place patients on to heal them. The two injured women were quickly taken to the treatment room where Maura had Cookie begin putting powerful drawing salve on the elder woman while she turned her attention to the pregnant woman. Luckily the poison had not made it to her babe yet and the salve that Cookie had put on her injuries was doing its job well. Maura used her own gift to push more of the poison from the woman’s system and speed up the healing process. She also sent calming energy through the woman and her baby to help reduce the stress of the situation, it sent her patient into a deep healing sleep that was much needed.
Once both women were out of further danger from the poison and their wounds well on their way to healing without further magical assistance the women were taken to beds in the dining room to sleep and the younger woman’s children were sitting between their healing mother and grandmother. Cary was the pregnant woman’s name and her mother-in-law was Edna. The children were very happy their mother, grandmother, and the unborn baby was going to be okay, though they worried about the rest of their family. Everyone did their best to comfort the children.
Maura sighed as she sat tiredly down in a comfortable chair in the living room, it had already been a long day and didn’t look like it would be ending anytime soon. A plate with a sandwich and vegetables appeared in front of her.
“Laird Raven said to make sure you rest and eat. She said healing takes it out of you and you sometimes got caught up in what you were doing and would forget to eat. We all believe that your healing gifts are going to be needed much more before this is all over, so you really need to take care of yourself milady.” Millie had spent more time with Lady Snow recently and had a genuine caring and affection for the caring Queen.
“Thank you Millie for looking after me so well. You have become a dear friend.” The plate had barely settled in her lap before her stomach let out a loud growl. “Well, by the sound of that I may need more than one sandwich.” She grinned and began to eat.
The empty plate and glass had just been taken away when Maura got news from Jane on the children that were on their way to her. She felt saddened for the children who had lost their parents and had a feeling Jane and her hunting party would find many more victims before they ran their prey to ground.
Maura searched out Warren and told him what was coming and what Jane requested.
“I will take care of it right away, Lady Snow.” Warren was off giving orders to people in the stables for supplies and fresh horses.
At a rumbling sound coming from the road between the fields Maura turned curious to see what was coming since anyone Jane sent would be coming from the woods at the rear of the house. What she saw was a wagon driven by a large woman with two boys clinging to the seat on either side of her and the rear of the wagon loaded with even more people. Stepping up onto the porch she watched as the wagon came to a halt in front of the house and the two boys jumped from the seat to run and take the horses’ heads to calm and hold them in place. The large woman agilely jumped from the box and stopped short at the barrier around the house where guards had crossbows aimed at her.
“I am Gretchen Carver. My family was attacked last night by a large five headed monster. Two of our men folk were killed and we have also have men, women, and children who are injured. We all huddled inside our home last night with a barrier up like yours and I did my best for the injured, but they aren’t getting any better. I know that Mistress Edna has some healing knowledge and we sorely need it. Please we can’t lose any more family.”
The guards questioned the woman and also brought some of the locals from the barn to vouch for her. Maura could read from the woman that she was no threat nor was anyone with her, but that had to remain a secret so she let the guards do their job. However, once they had established that the woman wasn’t a danger she did step in, because she could since how critical a few of those in the back of the wagon were.
She called out to Ethan who was standing on the porch with her. “Get the stretcher you guys made from the house. I can feel that some of these people are really badly injured. Tell Cookie to get plenty of water boiling we are going to need it for sanitizing and making up more medicines.” She ran down the steps collecting four strong backs along with way. “Come on, let’s help Mrs. Carver get her people into the house.”
People hopped to do her bidding. The day progressed in that same vein. Beings were showing up on their own or sent by Jane. After the alert went out that afternoon on the interesting communication mirrors more beings showed up for help or simply for protection. With Maura’s help boosting Ethan’s considerable power they worked together to expand the protective barrier to cover all of the building of the farming complex and a few of the paddocks as well. The house and bunkhouse were filling up and the large space between the house and barns had tents set up for the larger beings and the overflow that couldn’t be housed inside. Some were even staying in the barns and they put the animals out in protected paddocks. She was also glad that a few more beings showed up with healing knowledge as well some healing gifts, it made it where she could focus on the more severely injured first. So far they had not lost anyone who had shown up and she hoped it stayed that way.
She was exhausted and barely stayed awake long enough to eat the food Cookie pressed on her and to wash up. Room was to sparse for her to have much privacy, but a curtain was hung around her sleeping cot in the drawing room so she could change and sleep with at least a little privacy. As tired as she was her cot felt very comfortable, but sleep didn’t claim her immediately, she was missing her loving warrior. Snuggling down in her bedding she prepared to mentally call out to her love when “Maura.” Flashed through her mind making her smile. Her wife was missing her too.
“I am here Jane. You sound as tired as I feel. Was the rest of your day as rough as the earlier part?”
“Yeah, I saw some pretty gruesome things today. We did find the ones who let the creature loose in this realm. There were three of them and they were the Zunuluth’s first victims. We destroyed the place down to ashes. Completely incinerated it down to fine ash deep into the earth and sent the ashes blowing in the wind. We had to clean the dark magic from the area.”
“I am glad you guys were able to find the place and destroy it. We have had a lot more people show up throughout the day, but the arrivals have slowed down since night set in. I still can’t believe no one told us about the mirrors before now. Did you know we were broadcast out to all of Hecation at that tournament? No wonder people know who we are when they see us. I thought it would take a while before pictures of us got around, but not if we were shown live like on television.”
“Are you eating enough and resting? I know healing is your calling, but you have to keep your strength up or you will be the one needing healing, baby.”
“I am taking care of myself, Jane. And if I do get caught up Cookie and her daughters make sure to remind me. I hear I have you to thank for that.”
“I had to make sure you were taken care of Maura. You are my life. Your welfare is mine to see to as much as I can.” The dark haired woman sent a mental hug and kiss to her lovely wife. “You know I have been thinking about the mirror thing and I bet Those on High had something to do with us not finding out about such a major thing as those mirrors until now. They know we would have freaked if we had known our first public appearances were being broadcast across the province. I am glad I didn’t know when I was competing and fighting. I was already nervous enough.” Jane’s mental voice was starting to slur as her body was relaxing fully now that she was at least with her wife in mind if not in body.
“Your welfare is mine to see to as well and I had a few words with Alexi and Evie before I entered the house this morning. They are going to be looking out for you too. I also agree with you about the mirrors being hidden from us till know.” Maura’s voice too was slurring. “We are both about to drift off darling. Keep your mind open to me as we fall asleep. It is almost like being cuddled up with you and I will sleep better as well. Our minds will naturally close off when we go into a deep sleep, but until then we can be connected.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea. I love you, Maura and I miss you. Sleep well, baby.”
“I miss you too and love you outrageously. You sleep well too sweetheart.”
Those were the last thoughts they shared before they mentally cuddled up together and fell into the sleep of the exhausted.
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Well another chapter down. Still no Beta so all mistakes are my own. Let me know what you think. I love hearing from you. Until next time…
Chapter 27
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don’t own Jane or Maura or their counterparts from the TV show or books…I only wish. I am going to be adding a few of my own characters however.
Summary: How do our favorite gals handle it when their duties have them working apart for a few days? Again italics denotes mind speaking in the body of the story.
It was so good to hear from so many of you after my long absence. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!
Previously… Turning in her saddle Jane motioned the farmer, now mounted on a strong horse, forward. “You will ride beside me. You know these woods better than any of us. What is your name?”
“Thomas, Your Majesty.” The man could hardly believe he was speaking to the fabled King of the Lycans.
“Laird or Laird Raven will do for now. No need for all the pomp and formalities at this time, Thomas. Two skilled trackers rode out minutes ago to scout for us.” She lifted her arm and silence fell in the yard. “We will head out after the scouts. Keep all your senses open and stay alert. The only way to kill this creature is to pierce the small black patch on its underbelly. And beware its blood is just as acidic as its saliva and the poison from its tails and claws.” She dropped her harm calling “Move out!” and she with Phantom and Zev perched on her saddle along with the hunting party moved off into the forest following the scouts and the Zunuluth’s tracks.
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CHAPTER 27
Jane and her party had been riding for about an hour when the scouts came galloping back. One scout was named Harriet, she was one of First Mate Nina’s warriors and a Fairy. The second was Stuart, he was one of the General’s men and a fox Lycan.
Harriet or Harry, for short spoke first. “Laird Raven, a woodsman’s cottage is just ahead, but there is no movement. There is long dry clothes hanging from a clothesline between trees, but no other signs of anyone. Stu could smell blood on the wind, but we didn’t not go any closer in case the creature was held up inside or nearby. The cottage door is smashed off of its hinges, but is resting over the hole.”
“Were there tracks leading away from the cottage or just to it?”
Stuart cleared his throat. “I saw signs that the creature had left the cottage. I think the Zunuluth hit the place before it moved onto the farmhouse. The blood smelled about a day old.”
“That could be. Zunuluth’s like to find a home they can hide in and defend and only go out when they need to eat.” The Laird split the group into four squads each group had five members except one that had six. She led one squad, with Marcus, Zion, and the General each leading a squad. They surrounded the house with half of them closing in on the cottage while the others guarded their backs. No movement was seen in the windows, however plenty of blood was. One of the warriors quickly and quietly moved the smashed door away from the whole and Jane and Marcus entered together. The woodsman was Fae and had a Human wife. They both lay dead, the majority of their torsos had been eaten. The smell was horrendous. It took all of Jane’s well-earned experience in homicide not wretch at the site and smells before her. A few of those behind her couldn’t hold it and ran outside the cottage to toss their cookies in the yard. A large axe was still clutched in the woodsman’s hand. Black acidic blood was on the blade and looked like it had eaten away at the metal some as it had not been cleaned off. What looked like a giant crab leg lay nearby, so the man had injured the evil creature, yet not enough.
Jane’s attention was immediately drawn to the loft when she heard faint whimpering. She sent Phantom and Zev up ahead of her as she began to climb the ladder. They would warn her if danger was in front of her. Once in the loft she found two twin beds with a large wardrobe sitting between them. The door was slightly ajar. Phantom chirped urgently from atop the partially opened door. Moving over with sword in hand Jane slowly opened the wardrobe to find two children inside. The youngest, a boy of about 7, was pressed in one corner staring wide eyed at her while he held his older sister in front of him. The girl looked to be around 12 and she had long cuts up her legs up her legs. She was alive, but unconscious, her breathing was rapid and shallow.
Sending waves of comfort and safety to him Jane spoke to the boy in gentle tones. “I am Laird Raven and I am here to help you. What is your name?”
Still with big eyes, the child stuttered out. “Walter, but everyone calls me Wally.”
“It is good meeting you Wally. Do you know how long ago it was that your sister was hurt?”
“After lunch, yesterday. She pushed me up the ladder first. She was almost at the top when she screamed. That monster was trying to wrap its tail around her. I helped pull her up as Da was going after it with his axe. Ma was already hurt real bad, she distracted it so we could hide. We climbed into the wardrobe and shut the door tight and stayed real quiet for a long time. When dark came Katie snuck down the ladder and put the door over the hole.” Tears started to run down his cheeks. “She came up and got back in here with me. I asked if Da and Ma were gone and she nodded. She said we would go find help when light came. We stayed awake a long time. Until almost morning, but we fell asleep. I woke up a while ago, but Katie she ain’t woken up and she is all sweaty. Help her please!” The boy cried.
“I will do my best for her and I will send you both to a much safer place where they will take good care of you both and help heal your sister. May I lift your sister and lay her on one of the beds?”
He nodded. Jane lifted the girl laying her gently on the bed with pink flowers on the quilt before going over to speak to Marcus and the others below. “Cover them up as best you can. Search through their things for valuable and mementoes. I will pack a bag for the children up here. I need the med kit from my saddlebag. We have a young boy who is unharmed physically and his older sister who has sever lacerations on her legs. She is unconscious and unresponsive. I think it is the poison. I need two of our swiftest riders mounted and ready to ride, also get Silas the earth elemental to prepare two places.” She pointed to the two bodies on the floor, not wanting to say more in front of the young boy. “Take care of that as soon as possible.”
Alexi came hustling in tossing the med kit to Jane following once the Laird stepped away.
“Alexi this is Wally and his sister Katie. Wally, Alexi is going to help you pack a few things. She will pack you some clothes in the bags on top of your wardrobe and you gather anything up here that you and your sister will not want to leave behind. I don’t know when you might return.”
“Yes, Laird.” Wally hurried to it picking up the stuffed puppy off of his bed and gathering a few other things around the room that were his and his sisters. All the while Phantom and Zev perched in the rafters keeping watch over the scene.
While Wally and Alexi worked Jane worked on the girl. The last two nights Fenrir and Vivienne had taken Jane and Maura back to the heavenly realm. Maura spent a little time training with her weapons before disappearing into the library for more healing instruction. Jane spent half the night training and the other learning how to use her own healing ability. Though not near as strong as her wife’s it was still knowledge she needed to know. She carefully cleaned the wounds and covered them with the drawing poultices she had adding some of her own magic to them to help draw the poison out faster. She took some water from her canteen on her belt dissolving some tablets into it that would help fight the fever and infection. Once that was done Alexi helped her get the liquid down the girls throat before assisting her to remove the girl’s bloody clothes and put her in clean ones. After wrapping the wounds leaving the poultices in place she pulled heavy warm socks up the girl’s legs. Then
wrapped her tightly in the flowery quilt.
Alexi had already tossed the two bags down to Zion who passed them out to be strapped to the horses’ saddles along with the small ones they had filled with valuables and mementoes. She was now holding Wally wrapped up in a quilt covered with animals from his bed, the boy was hugging his stuffed puppy tight in his arms.
“Wally you be as still as you can as Alexi hands you down to Zion. We have two riders who are going to get you and Katie to Thomas Haymaker’s farm as quickly as possible. We will secure your cottage so it will be protected while you are gone.” Jane carried Katie over to the ladder and waited until Alexi handed down Wally and climbed down herself and was glad to see that the bodies of the children’s parents had already been removed from the house. She carefully handed Katie down to Marcus before grabbing her medical kit and following.
Outside the cottage Alexi was helping to situate Wally onto the lap of Wren, a Fae warrior. Marcus handed Katie up to Alder, an Elf warrior.
Jane pulled a bit of Fairy bread from her pack and handed it to Wally. “Here you go little one. This will satisfy the hunger in your belly and Wren has extra water for you when you’re thirsty. My wife Lady Snow will be waiting for you and Katie when you reach the farm. She is a great healer and will take good care of your sister.” She tucked the blanket up tight once more before stepping away and focusing on the riders. “Ride safely, but quickly. Fresh mounts will be waiting for you to rejoin us. We will leave markers for you to follow when we leave here. Stay on alert and if you see the creature don’t engage. You will evade and escape.”
“Yes, Laird.” Came from both mounted warriors.
She nodded. “Good luck and safe journey.” With that the riders were off with their precious cargo.
Turning to those around her she began giving orders for a magical clean-up of the blood left over in the home and in the small barn. The Zunuluth had killed and eaten the one horse and milk cow that had been in the barn and from the few feathers left ate whatever chickens there were whole. “Affix the doors on the barn and the one on the house as best you can and we will set protections to help keep the place safe for the children until it is decided what will happen with them and this property.” She turned to Silas. “Where did you bury the parents?”
Everyone got to work as the Laird spoke with Silas. “In the grove there.” He pointed off behind the cottage. “There is a family plot. Headstones had already been placed there for the parents. We buried them and Jaden used her Elf magic to carve the date of their death into the stones.”
“Thank you Silas. You did well. Speak with Marcus and gather five warriors and get the horses ready to go we need to be on our way as soon as everything is taken care of here.”
“Yes, Laird.”
Once he walked away Jane turned and walked into the grove stopping at the foot of the fresh graves. Her small purple protectors sat on branches nearby. “I am sorry you had to leave your children when they were so young. You fought and sacrificed and saved them both. I will make sure they are taken care of. You should be proud of the brave children you raised. May the heavens bless and keep you.”
Moving to the edge of the grove she contacted Maura while she watched the activity around the dwelling. “Maura.”
“Jane are you alright?”
“Yes. We came upon a woodsman’s cottage. The creature attacked it yesterday.” She went on to explain all that had happened and what they had found. “The riders should be to you within the hour. The need fresh horses ready and I need some more supplies for the drawing poultices. I used several on the girl’s legs. I hope we find more survivors and if we do, we will probably need more medicine. The poison had set in pretty heavily, but I hope that Katie is in better shape when she reaches you.”
“I will see that fresh mounts and additional medical supplies are ready. The riders gear will be transferred quickly and they will be back on their way to you as soon as possible. I love you sweetheart and stay safe.”
“I love you too, my Queen. Make sure you rest and eat well between your healing sessions. You need to take care of yourself too.”
“I will love. I promise.”
“I better be off we are about ready to leave. I will chat with you again soon. Let me know if anything of import happens at the farm.”
“I will and take care.” The couple shared warm and loving feelings before ending the connection.
Holding out her arm Jane called the birds to her. She stroked each one along its back once they landed. “I want you two to scout ahead for us. I think it is too dangerous to send out two rider ahead. The two of you can much more easily escape our prey than the riders can and you can also hide better if need be. Follow the trail as best you can and also fly above the forest and see if you can see any other places the Zunuluth may have attacked. We may find more survivors. Now go and be safe.”
The birds chirped their agreement and quickly disappeared into the forest.
Soon after the rest of the hunting party led by Laird Raven disappeared into the forest. Throughout the day they came across signs of the creature. Some were lone riders who had been caught out on their own or in small groups in the woods. They came upon the home of a troll family dwelling in a hill cave. Two large male trolls were dead and three smaller males injured. The women, children, and elderly had escaped to an underground cellar. Jane and her people did what they could to aid in the healing of the injured and helped load them up in wagons and send them to the farm for safety. The birds had flown high and reported with special chirps that the way back to the farm was safe and clear of the creature.
It was then that Jane really paid attention when Zion pulled out the oddly framed mirror and began fiddling with it, like he had weeks before when she had rescued Jeremy and Emily. “Zion what is up with the mirror? I have seen you mess with it a few times and have seen others do the same. I had meant to ask sooner, but never found the time.”
“Laird this is a communication mirror. Some have small ones like this one that they take with them and there is usually at least one large one in every home or dwelling. They can do many of the things that televisions, phones, and computers can do in the human world. Though no technology is involved. It is all done with magic. I was wondering when you would ask. You probably would have sooner, but since you didn’t have anyone you needed to contact it wasn’t really a priority for you and when you did need messages delivered one of us did so for you as ordered. The only one you need to contact is Maura and if the legends are true, the two of you have an unbreakable mental link and don’t need COM mirrors.”
“Then if you have these wonderful COM mirrors in just about every home in the area why haven’t you sent out a warning about the creature and used them to find out where the creature may have already attacked and let them know that if they have any who are severely injured that they can go to Hayman’s farm for help. You could also find out if there are any other healers in the area who could lend assistance. If this creature has attacked near any villages or large settlements we may not be the only warriors looking for it and they may not know how to kill it. We could share that information with them.”
Zion looked embarrassed that he had not thought of such a simple thing as did the other warriors in the group. They were all familiar with the COM mirrors. “I will get to work on that right away Laird. Since all here in Hecation know who you are now, they will listen well to our warning and want to help. They will be eager to help the great warrior they watched fight in the Elfwood tournament over the large COM mirrors in their homes.”
That tournament was televised. Jane thought. Great, just great. I am kind of glad no one told me. I would have been even more nervous. She left him to get to work on the alerts while they all mounted up and rode on.
Just before dark they came upon a moss and vine covered home almost hidden in the deep woods. Phantom and Zev had led them there. Everyone who was sensitive to magic could feel the wrongness and evil emanating from the place. Jane led a squad of magic users to surround and enter the house. Three mostly cleaned skeletons were found with the ripped up remains of black cloaks hanging off of them. None of the three skeletons was intact. No one else was found in the house or on the property. “These were the ones who allowed the Zunuluth to enter the realm. I want nothing taken from here.” The Laird turned to two of her warriors both with an affinity with fire. “I want this place and everything in it incinerated down to ash and I mean everything. We will put up a protective barrier so the blaze will not affect the surrounding forest.”
Jane sent her birds to find a safe place for her warriors to camp for the night while the rest of her party took care of the complete destruction of such an evil place.
It was near the dark when they reached a small clearing up against a cliff with a waterfall gushing from the rocks about halfway up the cliff face with a pool at the bottom leading off into a stream. It was a nice spot to set up camp and they would have the cliff at their back.
Everyone worked together setting up camp except for Laird Raven. She tried, but it still made them uncomfortable so she stayed mounted and rode sentry around the camp getting familiar with the area and making note of the best spots to post the guards for the night. While on her patrol with Evie by her side, along with her birds, she took five large rabbits with her bow in rapid succession as they scurried from their hidey holes. The cook fire was the first thing started and a couple of her group who were handy at such things had said they had the fixings for a nice vegetable stew between what the pack horses carried and a few wild vegetables they had gathered when they had stopped throughout the day. Much grumbling had been heard from the others because they didn’t have enough time to hunt for game to make it a hearty meat stew.
As Jane tied the last of her hunt to her saddle she reflected on how much she had changed and learned since taking that chance and letting Maura know how she really felt. It felt like a lifetime ago, but only a moment ago at the same time. They had come a long way in a very short time and had grown in ways neither of them could ever had imagined. The thought of hunting game with a gun much less a bow had never crossed Jane’s mind before, but now in a new and wondrous world it was natural to her and a way that she could take care of her warriors even if she wasn’t able to put up tents or digs out latrine areas.
The troops were very happy when their Laird returned with the plump rabbits and two of them wasted no time in preparing them for the cook pots. It was well into the night when everyone, but those on sentry, settled down with bowls of stew and a flat dense bread that had been mixed up and fried over the fire. The water from the falls was cold and quenching as they drank it with their meal. The talk turned to reports of what Zion had found out from his mirror while they ate.
“Laird it seems that the Zunuluth has hit many area farms and villages. At first the attacks were vicious where everyone in the home was killed and eaten, but now they have changed. The creature attacks and eats, but has been leaving some victims alive and taking them. This change has made it where more people have had time to escape because the Zunuluth didn’t instantly try to kill everyone in the area. There are a few more places that have been set-up to aid the survivors, and warriors and those with magical gifts have put protections in place much as you had done on the farm. Through the mirror system those places along with the Haymaker’s farm were broadcast to let others know where healers and protection could be found if needed.”
The alerts had already saved several families who had retreated into their homes and put up magical barriers and armed themselves. There were also other groups of Hecation warriors who were assigned to or lived in area villages out hunting the violent creature. Zion also reported that he had spoken with Warren before dinner and more injured and scared had shown up on the farm and the house was now full and that the protections had been expanded to cover all of the barns and the bunk house. More people with knowledge healing had shown up to assist Lady Snow and everyone was doing well and so far they had been able to save everyone who had shown up injured. Zion smiled when he said that Warren reported that their Queen was quite the little general and had made sure everything was running well in the infirmary and that everyone had a place to sleep and food to eat.
Jane smiled, she knew her wife and never doubted for a moment Maura would have the situation well in hand. Thinking of her made Jane miss her mate all the more. This was the longest they had been apart since Jane’s birthday. Her thoughts were drawn back to the conversation when with the help of Thomas Haymaker a map was roughly sketched out of the immediate areas. The General had an overall map of Hecation, but not one that was detailed of the smaller places. Between the two maps they were able to see where the monster had hit and where other patrols were searching. Using Zion’s mirror the General contacted the commander of the other patrols and with Laird Raven listening in and giving her opinion they all coordinated their efforts for the next day. While all this was happening the sentries were relieved so they too could eat. There were no leftovers. Everyone ate well that night. The cooks were helped in the clean-up of the cook pot and the mess kits of the King and the other leaders while they were discussing what was to be done the next day. The meeting was breaking up when Marcus asked one of the Elves if they could put a magical barrier around the camp. The Fae who had performed the spell many times that day was too drained to do so again until they had a good night’s sleep.
“I know the spell, but I am only powerful enough to put it over my own tent. I could maybe cast it over a few more tents, but that is all.” The female warrior regretfully replied.
Hearing this Jane stepped in. “If you know the spell I can boost your power enough to cover the whole camp and we won’t have to post so many guards.” So saying the spell was performed and in the doing Jane had also learned how to perform it.
The tents were interesting. When she had seen her bedroll on the back of her horse earlier that day she had briefly wondered what the slim wooden rods were that seemed to cover the whole outside of the bedroll running across the width of it. She had assumed it was some sort of mat to protect it from the ground. Instead when it was unrolled some of the rods formed legs to keep the bedroll or should she say cot about a foot off of the ground while others formed over the top of the cot with a thin layer of fabric covering them. It was a bed and tent all in one. The tent was very long, but not overly wide. It was maybe three feet across and eight in length. Looking around at her companions she could see why it would need to be so long. Some of them were several inches taller than her own now considerable height of six and a half feet. Tossing up the flap on one side she saw her extra set of clothes hung by her pillow on one end of the cot tent and found a place to put her weapons and boots at the foot of the cot tent. She found it interesting that no insects tried to fly into the tent with the flap open, but could feel the magic in the whole creation. It really was a neat contraption and a spell to keep out insects was a good addition to the whole. Her saddle and saddle bags sat beside the tent and she retrieved what she needed to clean-up and headed for the area of the pool that the women claimed for themselves. Evie, Alexi, and a few other females were already there. She had become more comfortable with nudity in the past weeks and she quickly joined them in the area of the pool under the falls to wash. The water was cold so no one lingered, but it was an experience she would love to have privately shared with Maura. All of the women put on clean shirts, underclothes, and socks before slipping on their boots, but left off their pants. They all made their way back to their tents to get as much rest for the night as they could. The next day they would most likely come face to face with the Zunuluth.
Jane had washed out her dirty clothes as best she could in the falls like the other women and hung them on a line attached to her tent to dry for the night. It would be good to have them clean if they had to stay another night out on the hunt. She sat on her cot and put her boots, weapons, and mail shirt in the extra room at the end of her tent. Zev and Phantom quickly flew in to perch among her gear at the end of the bed before Jane pulled the flap down marveling at how it sealed itself like there were magnets or something connecting it around the opening. She did untie the two little windows on either side of the tent to let some fresh air flow through before snuggling down into the surprisingly comfortable bed. As tired as she was Jane still knew she would have a difficult time falling asleep without her love by her side. Getting comfortable and closing her eyes she opened her mind and called out to her mate. “Maura.”
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Earlier that same day…
Maura watched her powerful wife leave the kitchen wishing she could have gone with her, but Jane needed to hunt. Healing was Lady Snow’s job. Dropping her gaze back to the woman in so much pain before her she concentrated on stemming the blood flow on the worst of the wounds and stopping the poison from entering any further into the woman’s system.
“Ethan, get a couple of men to take care of that.” Tilting her head to indicate the ripped up body of the tiger. “I need you to also see if you can get the woman out from under the table. She is probably in shock. Try and keep her as calm as possible.”
Two warriors quickly had the body wrapped in sheets and removed it out the backdoor off the kitchen and out of the house while Ethan was attempting to calm the woman under the table.
Moments later Cookie sailed into the kitchen with her daughter Maddie behind her. “Lady Snow I will help with the pregnant woman. Where do you want to take her?”
“We should set up an infirmary in the dining room. Maddie find some of the people who are familiar with this household and they can help you set up cots and bedding and things in there and have any furniture that needs removing moved to some other part of the house. Ethan let Cookie take over with the woman and you go out and get some people to take care of boarding up the window and cleaning up this room.”
Everyone hopped to their Queen’s bidding. It wasn’t long before they all heard King Raven’s voice outside loudly command “Move out!”
Maura silently wished her mate good luck and a safe hunt. By the time she got the elder woman’s wounds stable enough that she could be moved the dining room had several cots made up in it and the laundry room off the kitchen had been turned into a treatment room. The kitchen was also well on its way to being clean and the window was now mostly boarded up. Maura took a moment to survey the newly arranged treatment room that had two long narrow tables set-up to place patients on to heal them. The two injured women were quickly taken to the treatment room where Maura had Cookie begin putting powerful drawing salve on the elder woman while she turned her attention to the pregnant woman. Luckily the poison had not made it to her babe yet and the salve that Cookie had put on her injuries was doing its job well. Maura used her own gift to push more of the poison from the woman’s system and speed up the healing process. She also sent calming energy through the woman and her baby to help reduce the stress of the situation, it sent her patient into a deep healing sleep that was much needed.
Once both women were out of further danger from the poison and their wounds well on their way to healing without further magical assistance the women were taken to beds in the dining room to sleep and the younger woman’s children were sitting between their healing mother and grandmother. Cary was the pregnant woman’s name and her mother-in-law was Edna. The children were very happy their mother, grandmother, and the unborn baby was going to be okay, though they worried about the rest of their family. Everyone did their best to comfort the children.
Maura sighed as she sat tiredly down in a comfortable chair in the living room, it had already been a long day and didn’t look like it would be ending anytime soon. A plate with a sandwich and vegetables appeared in front of her.
“Laird Raven said to make sure you rest and eat. She said healing takes it out of you and you sometimes got caught up in what you were doing and would forget to eat. We all believe that your healing gifts are going to be needed much more before this is all over, so you really need to take care of yourself milady.” Millie had spent more time with Lady Snow recently and had a genuine caring and affection for the caring Queen.
“Thank you Millie for looking after me so well. You have become a dear friend.” The plate had barely settled in her lap before her stomach let out a loud growl. “Well, by the sound of that I may need more than one sandwich.” She grinned and began to eat.
The empty plate and glass had just been taken away when Maura got news from Jane on the children that were on their way to her. She felt saddened for the children who had lost their parents and had a feeling Jane and her hunting party would find many more victims before they ran their prey to ground.
Maura searched out Warren and told him what was coming and what Jane requested.
“I will take care of it right away, Lady Snow.” Warren was off giving orders to people in the stables for supplies and fresh horses.
At a rumbling sound coming from the road between the fields Maura turned curious to see what was coming since anyone Jane sent would be coming from the woods at the rear of the house. What she saw was a wagon driven by a large woman with two boys clinging to the seat on either side of her and the rear of the wagon loaded with even more people. Stepping up onto the porch she watched as the wagon came to a halt in front of the house and the two boys jumped from the seat to run and take the horses’ heads to calm and hold them in place. The large woman agilely jumped from the box and stopped short at the barrier around the house where guards had crossbows aimed at her.
“I am Gretchen Carver. My family was attacked last night by a large five headed monster. Two of our men folk were killed and we have also have men, women, and children who are injured. We all huddled inside our home last night with a barrier up like yours and I did my best for the injured, but they aren’t getting any better. I know that Mistress Edna has some healing knowledge and we sorely need it. Please we can’t lose any more family.”
The guards questioned the woman and also brought some of the locals from the barn to vouch for her. Maura could read from the woman that she was no threat nor was anyone with her, but that had to remain a secret so she let the guards do their job. However, once they had established that the woman wasn’t a danger she did step in, because she could since how critical a few of those in the back of the wagon were.
She called out to Ethan who was standing on the porch with her. “Get the stretcher you guys made from the house. I can feel that some of these people are really badly injured. Tell Cookie to get plenty of water boiling we are going to need it for sanitizing and making up more medicines.” She ran down the steps collecting four strong backs along with way. “Come on, let’s help Mrs. Carver get her people into the house.”
People hopped to do her bidding. The day progressed in that same vein. Beings were showing up on their own or sent by Jane. After the alert went out that afternoon on the interesting communication mirrors more beings showed up for help or simply for protection. With Maura’s help boosting Ethan’s considerable power they worked together to expand the protective barrier to cover all of the building of the farming complex and a few of the paddocks as well. The house and bunkhouse were filling up and the large space between the house and barns had tents set up for the larger beings and the overflow that couldn’t be housed inside. Some were even staying in the barns and they put the animals out in protected paddocks. She was also glad that a few more beings showed up with healing knowledge as well some healing gifts, it made it where she could focus on the more severely injured first. So far they had not lost anyone who had shown up and she hoped it stayed that way.
She was exhausted and barely stayed awake long enough to eat the food Cookie pressed on her and to wash up. Room was to sparse for her to have much privacy, but a curtain was hung around her sleeping cot in the drawing room so she could change and sleep with at least a little privacy. As tired as she was her cot felt very comfortable, but sleep didn’t claim her immediately, she was missing her loving warrior. Snuggling down in her bedding she prepared to mentally call out to her love when “Maura.” Flashed through her mind making her smile. Her wife was missing her too.
“I am here Jane. You sound as tired as I feel. Was the rest of your day as rough as the earlier part?”
“Yeah, I saw some pretty gruesome things today. We did find the ones who let the creature loose in this realm. There were three of them and they were the Zunuluth’s first victims. We destroyed the place down to ashes. Completely incinerated it down to fine ash deep into the earth and sent the ashes blowing in the wind. We had to clean the dark magic from the area.”
“I am glad you guys were able to find the place and destroy it. We have had a lot more people show up throughout the day, but the arrivals have slowed down since night set in. I still can’t believe no one told us about the mirrors before now. Did you know we were broadcast out to all of Hecation at that tournament? No wonder people know who we are when they see us. I thought it would take a while before pictures of us got around, but not if we were shown live like on television.”
“Are you eating enough and resting? I know healing is your calling, but you have to keep your strength up or you will be the one needing healing, baby.”
“I am taking care of myself, Jane. And if I do get caught up Cookie and her daughters make sure to remind me. I hear I have you to thank for that.”
“I had to make sure you were taken care of Maura. You are my life. Your welfare is mine to see to as much as I can.” The dark haired woman sent a mental hug and kiss to her lovely wife. “You know I have been thinking about the mirror thing and I bet Those on High had something to do with us not finding out about such a major thing as those mirrors until now. They know we would have freaked if we had known our first public appearances were being broadcast across the province. I am glad I didn’t know when I was competing and fighting. I was already nervous enough.” Jane’s mental voice was starting to slur as her body was relaxing fully now that she was at least with her wife in mind if not in body.
“Your welfare is mine to see to as well and I had a few words with Alexi and Evie before I entered the house this morning. They are going to be looking out for you too. I also agree with you about the mirrors being hidden from us till know.” Maura’s voice too was slurring. “We are both about to drift off darling. Keep your mind open to me as we fall asleep. It is almost like being cuddled up with you and I will sleep better as well. Our minds will naturally close off when we go into a deep sleep, but until then we can be connected.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea. I love you, Maura and I miss you. Sleep well, baby.”
“I miss you too and love you outrageously. You sleep well too sweetheart.”
Those were the last thoughts they shared before they mentally cuddled up together and fell into the sleep of the exhausted.
R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I
Well another chapter down. Still no Beta so all mistakes are my own. Let me know what you think. I love hearing from you. Until next time…