Bardulf woke to the feel of someone shaking him. His eyes opened, alert for something dangerous, only to find Philippa there, hair in her face, and the smell of fish cooking behind her. He sat up and saw her indignant expression. Looking down, he moved the hand she was pressing to her ribs and pressed his own hand there. She gave a harsh gasp and jerked away.
"Easy there," he said and wrapped his free arm around her, so she didn't stumble into the fire.
She pointed to her ribs, then to her throat, showing him, it hurt to breathe in.
Bardulf lifted her up then put her back onto her own blankets. "Stay here. I'm going to go get a medic to look at you," he said, and she nodded. Running out, Bardulf went to find Wynona, the only woman medic for many miles around until he was home in Ciza.
He found her in a tepee that was being overwhelmed with the scent of herbs and medicine. Wynona was an old woman with long gray hair and wise gray eyes that pierced any soul. When he stepped through the flap, she looked up and smiled. "My King. I heard you had returned from Asaya."
"Indeed. I need your help."
She nodded. "What is it this time?"
"Healing ribs."
Wynona grabbed a few things then followed him out and back to his own tepee. A grey wolf stood outside, and when he saw Bardulf, he whined. The wolf gestured to the tepee behind him and put his head down. The medic seemed to understand and rushed inside. Bardulf followed her, thanking the wolf for keeping an eye out.
Inside, he saw Wynona was calming a crying Philippa down in a soothing tone, stroking her hair softly. "Just breathe, child. Just breathe."
Philippa opened her eyes and instantly found Bardulf. She seemed to be pleading him, so he went over and pulled her into his lap so the medic could fix together a brew. "I'm here, my sweet Philippa," he whispered in her ear. "Do not fret anymore."
"Hold her head," Wynona ordered, and he obeyed. She put a cup to Philippa's mouth and coaxed her to drink. Philippa took one sip and spluttered and coughed, shaking her head. "I know it tastes like dung, but you must. It will help take away the pain and heal the bones faster."
Tears still falling, Philippa hesitantly drank some more, gagging on every sip. But she drank it, shuddering from the taste. Wynona washed the cup out with snow then melted some to make water, handing it to the shaking woman in Bardulf's lap. This time, Philippa drank greedily and seemed satisfied afterwards. Bardulf brought the blankets up and wrapped them around her small body, then looked to the medic. "Anything I need to do?"
"Make sure that stays down. Her body will try to reject it, but it must stay put for it to work." She glanced at Philippa and said, "Also, make sure she eats and has plenty of water. She is getting sick."
"What do you mean?"
"She has a fever, my King. Plenty of food and water and rest should help."
Bardulf growled in dismay, but the medic left without another word. He sat back against a pole and held Philippa in his arms, letting her sleep. Somehow, he also slept and only woke up to a wet tongue on his face. Bardulf opened his eyes and glowered at the grey wolf who seemed amused at his reaction. "What do you want, Flik?"
He gestured over his shoulder to the outside where it was now after midday, then whined.
Grumbling, Bardulf sat up and looked down at Philippa who had opened her eyes and was staring at the wolf in awe. She reached out a hand but decided against it and just stared at Flik. Bardulf took her hand though and raised it to put on Flik's chest. Philippa smiled when he licked her arm and rubbed his head against it. Bardulf leaned down and said, "This is Flik. He's playful."
Philippa started making gestures with her hands and Bardulf chuckled as he understood she wanted to see the black wolf that brought her here. He told Flik to watch her as he stepped outside for a moment.
Philippa was disappointed Bardulf had left but was comfortable with Flik. He had laid down beside her and swishing his tail back and forth while she scratched behind his ears.
After a long minute or so, she heard a growl and looked up to see the black wolf. Her smile widened and she held out her hands to it, wanting it beside her immediately. Amusement gleamed in those amber eyes as Flik stalked out to leave them alone. Taking a step forward, the black wolf watched her intently, finding her childish wants delightful. When he didn't make another move towards her, Philippa frowned and dropped her hands, wondering if she did something wrong.
Seeing her disappointment, the black wolf went up and sat beside her, nudging her chin, and licking her cheek. Philippa smiled and wrapped her arms around him tightly. If she could speak, she'd express her happiness in all the ways she knew how. The wolf didn't seem to need her words to understand though because he relaxed in her arms and lied his head on her shoulder, content to stay where he was with her.
Long minutes later, the wolf left and Bardulf appeared again, and Philippa was told they were going to have a celebration for his return home then they'll be traveling for a few hours to get to his castle. Philippa was nervous about the whole thing and wondered why she had to go when it was for him. Although she had been tired the day before, she knew that the people looked at her with judgement in their eyes.
"Philippa, the people must do as I say. If they lift a finger or say one ill word towards you, just give me a sign, okay?" Bardulf said in a way of trying to reassure her.
Philippa nodded and began to get up with a little help from Bardulf. She had to hold him to get steady, but then was able to walk on her own. She couldn't move fast, but she didn't need to. Bardulf helped her shrug on the large fur coat he showed her the previous day, then helped her into boots so her toes didn't freeze. When he had finished dressing her up, she was swallowed up with all the fur and fabric. Bardulf chuckled and put the hood down so he could see her face. Philippa smiled at him, then they walked out of the tepee and to where the people were gathered.
Everyone stopped at their entering presence and stared at them, or more specifically, her. She stopped walking and looked around at the food being placed out near a gigantic fire, blankets with children playing together on top. Men were next to their beloved women, some wrapping their arms around them while the others took the extra step to walk in front of them for protection. Philippa had no idea why they would need protecting, she wasn't going to hurt anyone.
A hand pressed against her back and she looked up at Bardulf who was looking towards a section near the fire where thirteen wolves were gathered. Philippa let him guide her there and let him help her sit down in the circle of gray fur and amber eyes. He then went to the food, grabbed a sizable portion, and brought it back for her. Bardulf lay it out before her and picked up a piece of salmon cake and held it to her mouth. "Try this," he said.
She obliged and closed her eyes in bliss. It was salty and melted in her mouth. Philippa licked her lips to get the remnants. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that Bardulf had eaten the rest and frowned in disappointment.
She heard a laugh and scowled at the man. He said, "Do you like it?" She nodded and he grabbed another one and handed it to her. The smile split her face as she took it and put some in her mouth, savoring the taste for as long as she could. "Slow down," Bardulf chuckled.
Philippa smiled but shook her head, showing him pleasure she was enjoying.
"You can't eat that fast or else you'll upset your stomach," he said and took the salmon out of her hand. She glared at him and held out her hand. "Here," he said and gave her some berries.
Philippa scrunched her nose in distaste at the sight and gestured for the cake again.
"Try it," he said, unrelenting.
She sighed and took a berry and plopped it into her mouth. A burst of sweet juices made her surprised and she took another one. When Philippa raised her head, she saw Bardulf watching her with amusement. She shrugged and ignored him, taking the bowl of berries, and eating them one by one.
Bardulf let Philippa eat the berries as he ate seal and bear. If she ate and kept it down, he would not stop her. The wolves around them created a sort of nest for the two and snapped at anyone who came near. Flik was nearest Bardulf and watched the woman eat.
The man noticed the people staring at them but didn't care. Philippa is deserving of more than what these people can provide, and she will get it. Bardulf will make sure of it when they got to his castle in Ciza. She would be safe and warm, away from anyone who could harm her.
A tug on his arm and he looked at her. She wanted to walk around, tired of sitting down. Bardulf smiled and signaled for three wolves to accompany her. Philippa stroked each one in turn, her way of a greeting, before she led them away. The other ten wolves relaxed a bit and let a woman through to see Bardulf.
"My King, thank you for sharing our food," she said with a bob.
"Thank you for making such delicious delicacies," he said politely.
"May I ask a question?" she said.
"You just did," he said which made her turn pink. He smirked and waved a hand, "Go on."
"Who is the lady you brought with you? Is she a servant?"
His eyes turned cold and hard. "She is no such thing. She is above you. Above everyone here and you will treat her so willingly, or you will give certain death."
The woman paled and backed away from her King, having never heard him speak like that about anyone before. She went back to her group of women and started whispering to them. Their gazes went to the woman encircled by three wolves walking amongst the people and they casually made their way out of sight of the King.