Chapter 3 – Sneak Attack
I remember ‘returning from the mount’ in the evening of Tierson. I was coming home, walking along Nectar Woods from the south meadow with two bales of cut lovegrass. Momma had asked me to harvest it and I think she’ll be pleased at how much I’ve brought. This was a good haul for a days work. Momma could weave lots of baskets to sell at market. I was still lost in myself, thinking about the mind carving, when something small skipped past my heals along the path. I looked round and saw nothing unusual. Nevertheless, I hurried the pace to get home. Then something hit me in the middle of my back. I almost burst the bundles as I dropped them and turned to see someone ducking down off the side of the road. Edburga?
I dove for cover in the scruff on the same side of the narrow road, made quiet and laid still waiting. I was there long enough that I might be in trouble with Momma soon. Ouch! That really stung! Soon someone came out to see what had happened. My attacker couldn’t see where I had landed. Then I heard Edburga call out my name to see if I was all right. She seemed worried now as she called again. Already laying down I let go a soft moan, pretending to be hurt. Edburga ran to where I was and started crying and fretting over me, telling me to wake up. I moaned one more time, then I reached up and kissed her and she let out a shriek.
In a shrill, angry voice she said “Oh you… you mean little wyrm!”
I replied “Oh, I’m the one who is mean? You almost drew blood with that last one.” I was on my feet now and moving back toward the road. After a moment, a little softer, I asked “Ed, let me walk you back to town?” I’m the only one she lets call her Ed. With a faked pout she said “I don’t know if I want to walk with such a pretender and kiss stealer.”
Lamely indignant I said “Oh come on, you’re such a faker sometimes.” I gathered up the love grass and started walking. She took her time catching up, but finally took a sheaf, we held hands and talked as we walked to my front gate. She asked me to forgive her for hitting so hard. I asked her to forgive such an amateur pretender. We agreed and so I got away with stealing a kiss that day.
We reached the gate just as I heard Momma call my name. Edburga kissed me on the cheek and skipped away toward home. At that time her family lived in the house near Noble Glen and Quiet Landing. It was a warm and comfortable house. It was good that she head for home now, it would be dark soon. Momma called again, I answered and went in to help with evening meal.
Later I fetched Papa and we returned to find Alvis complaining to Momma of pain on the right side of his head, in front of his ear. He also admitted that he had passed out at work today and once two days before. Momma was unhappy that he had not told her before now, but she held her emotions in check while she wet a small towel and wrapped it round his head to cool him. She said the right side of his head was very warm to the touch. When she later removed the towel to refresh it, a hand full of his hair came away with it. Momma was frightened by this and sent me with a whole Yeupar to bring the apothecary right away.
On arrival, Cellora greeted Momma then heard her concerns. The apothecary examined Alvis for some time, then asked “Have you been struck in the head or run your head onto anything lately, been bitten or stung, fallen, become oddly clumsy, or unable to speak or see?”
Weakly, Alvis answered “No to all.”
After more looking, questions and checking, Cellora said “I have never seen the like of this before… but, looking deeply into him, I’m sorry to say that he will loose all of his hair and it will never grow back.” Then she turned to Momma and placed a small sack of herbal tea and two pieces of three into her hand, with concern saying “Palin, he has been hurt where his body directs his growth. I do not know how, but it is clear. He should drink this herbal tea no more than twice a day for the pain. It will relieve the head pain if he rests lying down for an hour after taking it. The tea is potent and he may behave like he has several droughts of beer in him. Every fourth day, do not let him have any of the tea. If his pain does not return, stop using the tea.
I’ve given you enough tea to last until the next double-high tide. For your kindness pointing out sources of herbs, a whole Yeupar was too much. What I have kept will pay for the tea and for my visit.” She hugged Momma, then “Do you have any questions for me?”
Momma said, “None, care giver, bless you and thank you.”
Cellora said, “Alvis, heed your family as to your care in the coming days. I do not know what has struck you, but know that the burden of it will pass. Bless you all and good even.”
After she left, Momma was quiet for a long while. Over the days following that, Momma obeyed the directions and after a week and four days the head pains had ceased but Alvis’ hair had completely gone days before.