Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Aliss placed her hand on the old woman’s arm. “Have you eaten any of the bread she has prepared for you?”
Margaret cast her eyes to the ground, gave her head a shake then looked up at Aliss. “I never favored the black bread, I only make it for those who do.”
“I need the loaf you brought to James.”
“I thought he might enjoy it,” she said, and stood with Aliss’s help.
“I’m sure he will but this loaf is mine if you don’t mind,” Aliss said.
Aliss soon had the black bread safely in her hands and she and Rogan went directly to Tara’s cottage.
The young woman was busy mixing another batch of bread and welcomed them with a smile and an enthusiastic greeting.
“We are here to see if you can help us with something,” Aliss explained.
“Of course,” Tara said, and wiped her hands on the cloth tucked by a corner in her waistband.
“You have been baking bread for Margaret, but you don’t eat any yourself?” Aliss asked.
“She confided her secret finally, did she?” Tara asked with a laugh and shook her head. “And no, I don’t like the black bread though Daniel does.”
Aliss asked, “Have you followed her recipe exactly?”
Tara hesitated. “Has she complained of my bread?”
“No, she has praised your baking skills.”
Tara sighed, relieved, and plopped down on a chair at the table. “Good, I didn’t want her to find out that I accidentally changed her recipe.”
“How so?” Aliss asked.
“I’m not very good at identifying herbs, most look the same to me, and only recently did I realize I had been using the wrong herb in Margaret’s black bread and returned to her original ingredient.”
“That would explain why the illness suddenly stopped,” Aliss said to Rogan.
“Illness?” Tara said, grabbing at her chest. “I caused everyone to get ill?”
“Do not worry yourself,” Aliss said. “Have you any of the herb you had used?”
“A little, I think.” Tara looked in her crocks and soon presented a single leaf to Aliss.
One whiff of the sickly-sweet dried leaf and Aliss knew she had caught the culprit. The old healer whom she had learned from had taught her to distinguish scents. She had warned that a knowledgeable nose could save lives.
“This is poisonous,” Aliss said.
“You are sure?” Tara asked, tears welling in her eyes.
“I am sure.”
Tara looked to Rogan. “I am sorry. I did not know. You will not make me leave here, will you? Daniel and I have no place to go. This is the only home he has ever known and the only place I have ever felt wanted and safe.”
“You are not going anywhere, Tara. This is your home and here is where you will stay. I told you when you first arrived here years ago that you became part of this clan and will remain so until you take your last breath.”
“But I have hurt my family.”
“Not on purpose,” Aliss reminded.
“No one will trust me ever again,” Tara said sadly.
“No one need ever know of this,” Rogan said firmly.
“You will tell no one?” Tara asked with surprised relief.
“It is not necessary for anyone to know. The problem has been solved and no more will grow ill. That is what matters.”
“You are a good man, Rogan,” Tara said through tears. “I am in your debt.”
Aliss was certain there would be no more illnesses. She also made sure to teach Anna how to determine which plants were poisonous. That she held the teaching session out under the bright afternoon sun where the women wandered by and sat to join them was no accident.
Aliss visited with those who were still recovering, confident now that they would be well in no time. James was growing stronger every day and would soon be completely healed. The herb garden flourished and she taught Anna the properties of the different plants and mixtures to aid in specific healings.
The days rolled by, and one by one, the people healed nicely. No more grew ill and Margaret’s black bread continued to be in demand.
Summer was in full bloom. Children ran in play, healthy babies were delivered, gardens flourished along with the people. The Wolf clan was doing well.
It was time for Aliss to return home.
Chapter 15
Rogan knew the time approached. Soon Aliss would ask him to take her home. She had fulfilled her part of the bargain and now it was time for him to fulfill his. That, however, he was not going to be able to do, and when she discovered why, he wondered if she would forgive him.
He sat at the table in front of the hearth wondering what he would do. He had not counted on Aliss and her bewitching ways.
He had waited as the days passed and the people grew well. Waited for the time she demanded to be returned home.
He had also noticed that she kept her distance from him after discovering the cause of the illness. She no longer stood close to him, reached out to take his hand, seek out a kiss, or rest her head on his shoulder. She distanced herself from him day after day, moving further and further away until it felt as if she had already departed.