Chapter 54

  Memory

  Arttyr was not well. Natillie leaned over him, with her hand against his forehead. He was warm and clammy. He opened his eyes at her touch and coughed, a dry, irritating, fretful cough that had lasted most of the night exhausting him. “I don’t feel good,” he rasped to her, his tone pathetic. “My head hurts.”

  “I know sweetie,” she stroked her fingers through his hair. “I know. Try to sleep.” She wrung out the damp cloth and laid it over his hot head, hoping that it might draw some of the heat from him.

  The fire was almost out, and a pot of water sat in the embers to soften the handful of grains that was all that remained for them to eat.