by Hurri Cosmo
He took out thread and needle and went to work on the once-again washed wound. The wound bled more than Tama wanted it to, but he also knew that once he had it closed with the thread he could cover it and leave it that way to once again aid in the healing process. Next, he slipped an arm under the bigger man’s shoulders and pulled his head into his lap.
He suddenly felt heat rise on his own cheeks as the man turned his face into Tama’s privates and breathed out in an almost sigh. Tama felt the slight vibration of the man’s breath through his trousers, and his manhood took special notice, even though it was an innocent act. Tama had a quick unbidden image of both himself and the stranger naked on this sand, and with the man’s close proximity to Tama’s private area, the image morphed into the man reaching out with his thick hot tongue and… and…
Tama nearly doubled over with how fast he hardened. He had never reacted this way before. Truth be told, he had never had such a fantasy.
But, obviously, it was because he was touching and groping a beautiful man and he had never done that before, either. He had on no occasion had such freedom to explore muscles and see male skin. No, he spent all his time working; in the fields, in the forest hunting game, at the house chopping and hauling wood. And during Kelay’s pregnancy and obviously after her death, he had taken over all of what he considered woman’s work. He washed dishes and clothes in the nearby stream, made the meals, cleaned the cottage, and mended clothing. And of course, took sole care of Aydin. His father had done little to nothing most days, complaining of back pain, headache, or whatever else he could come up with. With time to look back at that now, the man had been worthless. Except to beat Tama when the mood struck. Certainly no back pain or headache took precedence over that.
At least Tama would not have to put up with it anymore. He would find the useless man, take the baby, and run. Where? He had no idea. But far enough away where Beourn would never find them.
He pulled the man farther up in his lap so that he could aid him in drinking the tea. But that was when he noticed the large knot on the back of his head. Was that the reason he was unconscious? He would have to see to that wound later, though. Right now, he needed the man to drink the tea. The so-called shelter he had found for them wasn’t much so he needed to figure out a way to keep the man warm as well, or fever would be that much more likely. Tama put the cup to the man’s lips and poured some into his mouth. His patient choked a couple of times, bringing his hands up to shove Tama’s away.
Suddenly those eyes flew open and the man sat up.
“No! Please stay still!” Tama grabbed at him from behind, intending on having him lie down so he wouldn’t reopen his wound. Even sewed together as it was, it could break open and that would undo any of the good Tama had been able to accomplish so far. But all of a sudden Tama was grabbed, thrown to the ground, and pinned beneath the man. He looked up into the bluest eyes he had ever seen.
No. That wasn’t true. He had seen those eyes before. Aydin’s.
Who is this man?
They both breathed into each other’s face as they stared, one to the other. Tama’s heart seemed to be beating all over his body as he struggled for release of his hands, which were held in a solid grip above his head. Even with as seriously injured as this man was, he was still too strong for Tama. Not to mention the man was straddling him, putting pressure on the one part of Tama’s body that surely did not need pressure. Or friction for that matter. But, honestly, the very strangest thing happening was that Tama was not only unafraid for his life, but he felt himself calming in this man’s clutches. As if being in his control was where Tama belonged.
“Who are you?” the man with the stunning blue eyes asked softly.
“I’m…my name is Tama. I was…I didn’t want you to reopen your wound. I was trying to help…”
The man closed his beautiful eyes for a moment, and then, when he opened them again, Tama could see he was most likely in a great deal of pain. So, unfortunately, he released Tama and allowed him to sit up.
“Well, Tama, you saved my life.” He looked down at the wound in his side and grimaced. “It hurts like a bitch, though. What the hell did you put on it?”
“I used some healing herbs and plant leaves. But…honestly, it shouldn’t be that painful anymore. Maybe it’s because…well—I just sewed it up.”
Those blue eyes widened. “Sewed it up. You mean like a garment?” He winched with as loud as his voice had gone. Obviously, the effort to yell cost him. “And you used plants?” he asked much more gently, sweat forming on his beautiful face and neck.
“I… I used a mixture of King’s Eslifria and Black Spur. The Eslifria helps with healing by sealing the wound and stopping bleeding. But it’s fragile. I didn’t want you to move, or you could jar it loose. The Black Spur is simply for pain.”
The blue-eyed man sighed, then drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “You mean this would hurt worse if it weren’t for this…stuff?”
“Well, I did just reapply it a few moments ago, after I finished sewing. It still shouldn’t hurt that badly.” Tama also saw that the man was paler than when he first saw him lying on the ground in the path. Was there something else going on? “I was helping you to drink some Ecea Weed tea, which will help with all those things as well, along with reducing the fever I think you are fast developing. Although I am not sure why.”
The man nodded as he looked down at the cup in Tama’s hand. “That the stuff you were trying to drown me with?”
“Drown you? No, I wasn’t trying…”
The man took the cup and tossed it down in one swallow, the movement obviously making him cringe and moan, squeezing his eyes tightly closed for just a moment.
After he opened them again, he tipped his head at Tama, looking at him with curiosity. “Are you a healer?”
“A healer? No! It was my … no, I mean, I know some things. But I’m not really a healer.”
“You’re good with the bow, too. Saw that with my own eyes.” He blinked hard. “I admit I was not completely cognizant at the time. But I did see you make a truly masterful shot.”
Heat once again blossomed on Tama’s face. “I…I…No. Unfortunately, that isn’t true either. They both still live.” He lowered his head in awkwardness. It was embarrassing that the beautiful man saw his bout with his attackers. What Tama had been was lucky, not masterful. “And beyond that…they got away with your horse.”
“Damn! My horse, huh? That’s too bad. Doesn’t matter, though. She’s a feisty thing, and they won’t be able to hold her for long. She’ll come home to me.”
Tama shrugged as he suddenly noticed he had some leaf residue under a fingernail. “Oh. That’s good then,” he said quietly as he dug to retrieve it.
“You did good. Tama.”
The man’s voice, especially with him saying his name, was doing things to Tama that made him blush even harder.
“You are also quite adorable,” he whispered.
Now he was absolutely on fire.
The man leaned in to peek up at Tama’s lowered face. “Tama,” he whispered and smiled. “Tama,” he said again. “I like that name. Feels good on my tongue.” He chuckled softly. “Maybe there might be some other things of yours that would feel good…on my tongue.”
Tama gasped, jerking his head up and staring—he knew he was wide-eyed—at the gorgeous man. Tongue? How had this man known what Tama had been fantasying only moments ago? Was he a reader of minds? Once again, his manhood was painfully large and hard as the image of them both naked and the man’s face in Tama’s crotch invaded his mind.
“Oh!” was all he could even manage after thinking that erotic thought.
“Yes. Oh.” This time the man was close enough he breathed into Tama’s face.
Tama melted and tingled all over his body. How could he not? He could only see the beautiful man’s face as Tama ran a hand down it, just to touch him again. Rough. Hot. Touching him this time was incredibly different from when he
had touched him before. This sent shivers up and down his back. And, as if in a dream, the man turned and placed a kiss on Tama’s palm, moaning into it as if he were enjoying it as much as Tama was.
A wild sensation shot up Tama’s arm and radiated through his entire body. Tama couldn’t resist. His body moved of its own will. He needed to taste those lips with his own.
He leaned forward and kissed the man. Chaste, just a touch. For a fraction of a second, their lips held together, as if magic played some part. Because enchantment had to be in the air. Tama didn’t even know the man’s name, although he had an idea of what family the man belonged to. Clearly the man was well beyond him in wealth and status, and truly would have no interest in him. He shouldn’t do what he was doing. But having the freedom to do so was intoxicating.
And the man didn’t move away in horror, which had been Tama’s first fear. The next was that he was allowing far too much for this injured man, not to mention for himself. But the man responded in kind immediately, placing a firm hand behind Tama’s head and pulling him into himself.
It was as if Tama were struck by lightning from a stormy summer sky. Jolts of energy were running up and down his spine, making him tingly, weak, and breathless. Unfortunately, Tama could also feel the unnatural heat of the man’s skin, telling him fever had indeed taken hold.
Suddenly, the man choked out of the kiss and doubled over, pulling away from Tama. Instantly, Tama figured he knew why. He had feared too much activity would tear open the fragile wound and start it bleeding again.
“Fuck, that hurts! And why am I so fucking dizzy?” the man groaned, closing his eyes.
“It must have torn loose! Lie down! I need to fix it. You can’t lose any more blood.”
Without talking, or opening his eyes, the man whimpered and would have fallen over if Tama had not caught him. Tama lay him gently down and once again shoved the man’s clothing up and away from the wound. But after quickly inspecting the wound, Tama saw that the stitches were still intact. There was no bleeding or tear at all. Yet there was no question, the man was in dire pain. And shouldn’t be. What was going on?
“Thankfully it’s not torn. But you do need to lie quietly now so the Eslifria can work and you can heal.”
“But I need to get back…” He breathed.
“Back? To where? Who are you?”
But he didn’t answer. He was once again unconscious.
Damn! Why hadn’t Tama asked at least the man’s name? He had no doubt he was high ranking in the Castle Blade Rain. Very possibly a close relative of the king himself with such incredibly blue eyes. Reminding him painfully of his original quest to save his nephew from being sold to the castle. His heart ached that much more, knowing he was running out of time to catch up to his father. Beourn was already hours upon hours ahead of him now. At this rate, his father would reach the castle a full day in advance of him, making the likelihood of he would meet with the king long before Tama could stop him from doing so not only probable, but certain.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t be helped. This man, beautiful or not, stately or not, would die out here if Tama didn’t stay right by his side, tending to him and protecting him into the night. The man was in no shape to be moved either, so there was no possibility of bringing him with. Especially without a horse. Tama would just have to allow fate to dole out what it would until help arrived or the man was well enough to fend for himself.
Or he died. There was always that possibility, too.
No! That was not going to happen. Tama changed out the leaves on the wound, noting the angry redness. He knew it could also be his imagination. That certainly had been let loose today. But he believed the man, whoever he was, was not getting better. He was getting worse. Why? Redness like this usually took many hours to develop. Not to mention, this was the second time the man passed out on him. That was truly odd as well.
The fever was rising, too.
Because he was very warm. Too warm.
It was obvious the herb wasn’t doing what he expected it to do. Or maybe there was something else at work. Maybe there had been something on the knife that was the reason for the fever.
The yellow edges of his wound…
He had to find the knife!
Tama sprang to his feet and ran to the place where he thought he had seen the ruffian drop it, and sure enough, there it was. Tama didn’t want to touch it, not yet. It might hold a clue as to what Tama was dealing with. Instead, he picked up a stick and used it to turn the knife in order to inspect it.
Yes. There it was. Yellow…something, like a fine powder, on the shaft and on the hilt and grip. Tama rubbed the stick along the residue. Yes, an extremely fine powder, like a pollen or bright rot algae. Just like on the edges of the wound. But bright rot algae, even ingested, was not harmful to humans. And certainly, pollen wouldn’t cause this kind of fever. He turned the knife again, noting there was blood on it. The nobleman’s blood. But then he noticed something strange. The blood had turned a putrid bubbly brown where it had come into contact with the powder. If Tama brought the knife to his nose, he would imagine it would smell putrid as well. That only meant one thing.
Poison!
Worse than that…Witch’s Bane!
Throwing down the stick, he raced back to the unconscious man. He knew Witch’s Bane was not to be found in these woods. He had been all over them from the Great Marsh to the east, until the Ash River split to the west, and as far as the cliffs that looked over Shadowmere Bay to the north. Witch’s Bane did not grow here. But he knew where it could be found. Dark Marsh.
Dark Marsh was a village on the eastern edge of the Great Marsh, which was a vast, mostly unexplored, deadly place that separated the kingdoms of Claymoor Doom and Riven Slade.
He had heard plenty of wicked stories about witches, warlocks, and sorcerers who made Dark Marsh their home, selling any number of potions and poisons, most derived from the exotic and rare plants, waters and living beings that could only be found in the Great Marsh. To obtain these oddities for whatever reason, one just had to offer the right price. Witch’s Bane, the released seed of the mysterious Midnight Swamp Berry, very well might be what was on that knife. If that was the case, a simple thief would have no way of obtaining it. Nor would there be any reason to.
Who was this man that he would be attacked by those who could dip their knives in Witch’s Bane?
Who, but the king himself.
He wasn’t a relative of the king. He was the king!
Except, how much sense did that make? A man this important would have guards to protect him. He wouldn’t be out there in the vast wilderness all alone. Tama looked at him again. He had heard that the King of Blade Rain was young. Had heard he was handsome. And the blue eyes? It was too much to ignore. This was indeed the king.
Well, the one good thing about this, if it were true, was his father would now not be able to have an audience with him anytime soon. That gave him time.
Tama fell to his knees near the beautiful man. This is King Diagus. No wonder Tama had sensed his power. Suddenly, it was easy to believe. But…Tama had just kissed this man. A man of great authority and influence. A man whom other kings made yearly pilgrimages to pay for the privilege to use the Ice Dragon Pass, which belonged solely to this man.
A man who was going to die, despite all his efforts to prevent it, if he didn’t counteract the Witch’s Bane. But what did he know about such a rare plant? He honestly wasn’t even sure that was what it truly was. But there was a poison at work here, something that had gotten into the king’s blood—that was certain.
The simple scratch on the arm was not an issue, since he had rinsed it clean of the residue, if any of it had been there. It was the wound where the Witch’s Bane had been shoved into the body, a place where his water had no ability to reach. That was where the problem was. And now, even the pain made sense. Witch’s Bane reacted with the blood, turning it slowly and painfully into a rotting brown substance the body could not use,
as it spread throughout the body. Poisoning by Witch’s Bane was agonizing and usually was a death sentence if not caught in time.
But he felt he had time.
He had to think. It hadn’t been that long since the poison entered his body, couple of hours at most. There hadn’t been enough time for the slow-acting poison to work its way deeply enough into the king to be deadly yet… he hoped. So, there was only one way to fix the problem. He needed to remove the poison… but how?
He couldn’t reach it with water or his hands, so he would need to draw it out. A poultice? He did have the ingredients for a very strong poultice that he could make with Moon Lily and Bear Vine. He usually used it for when Rego or the cow developed bad sores from rubbing up against the fence. It could work.
Tama went to work boiling more water and mixing his new poultice, baring the wound once more and removing his Eslifria leaves. He even removed the stitching, giving himself full access to the cut, inside and out. He next smoothed the hot poultice into place over the wound. Tama heard a slight sigh as the medicine reacted with the poison. It was a telltale sign that the poultice was working, but for the better? Tama just didn’t know. The man responded as well by trying to push Tama’s hands away. Except his illness had evidently weakened him considerably at this point because, this time, Tama was able to overpower the big man and keep him from swiping the poultice off. Once it was hardened, as long as there was no great movement on the king’s part, it would stay in place and work its magic. He sat watching as the poultice dried, turning an ugly brown over the wound. Tama could only hope that was a good sign.
“Tama,” came a weak whisper some minutes later.