Injured and dizzy from lack of air the man stumbled against Owen as he struggled to his feet, causing his hat to fly off. Owen steadied him, ordering Ned to fetch the man’s hat and bring it with him to the kitchen. It was no wonder Gabriel’s first impulse was to reclaim his disguise – his bright red hair, like Owen’s son Hugh’s, was a liability for a spy or a tracker, so easily picked out in a crowd.
‘Rob and Rose, make the rounds of the houses in the minster yard. Let me know if you come upon any trouble,’ Owen called to the twins.
With a nod, the two ran off.
As Owen supported Gabriel down the path to the kitchen door he noticed how the man cradled his injured arm, saw the muscles in his neck bulge as he limped. Either he’d injured his leg or foot in the fall after the arrow hit him or Ned’s fury had caused further damage. Gabriel would find his work challenging for a while, which might make Owen’s work easier, but would only antagonize the Percy family.
As promised, Bess Merchet had moved the pallet on which the children had spent the night closer to the fire and was now removing the bedding. ‘Put him here,’ she said. ‘I will see whether I’m needed with the children.’ She bustled off to the hall.
Owen ordered Ned to remove Gabriel’s boots, warning him to have a care with the left one. ‘If you cause any further injury I will lock you in the garden shed overnight.’
‘Captain,’ Ned grumbled as he tossed off his remaining boot and then knelt before Percy’s man.
Owen took Alisoun aside to learn more about Gabriel, but she had little more information.
‘I am glad you at least took care not to cause him more harm than necessary.’
‘I hunt only what I intend to eat.’
Ned glanced over with a startled expression.
Owen drew Alisoun farther from the bench. ‘If this morning is an example of what is to come, Marian may be trouble for us. Is she a Percy?’
‘She did not say how she knew his name. But I do not believe this trouble is of her doing, Captain. As it seems likely she is convent-educated, I think she was removed from a convent against her will. When Rose came to tell us there was a watcher in the garden we asked Marian to look. That’s when she told us his name and fealty, and that he traveled with the other, the one who fell yesterday morning.’
‘Both Percy’s men?’
‘Yes.’
They both glanced up as Lucie entered the kitchen and joined them.
‘How might I help?’
Owen knew how he wanted to proceed, but it would contradict all Lucie held sacred about a healer’s behavior. ‘My need to learn all that he knows will make me seem cruel. I promise you I will then remove the arrow and allow the two of you to see to him. Will you support me in this?’
‘I will,’ said Alisoun.
Lucie touched Owen’s cheek. ‘I trust you.’ She looked toward the two young men as Ned, who had placed himself on Gabriel’s wounded side, roughly pushed him toward the pallet by the fire. ‘You might keep Ned away before he does more injury. He will not soon forgive the humbling.’
‘Did you attempt to reason with Ned?’ Owen asked Alisoun.
‘He burst from the shed in a fury. There was no stopping him.’
‘Bloody fool.’ Owen pushed Ned out of the way and took charge of Gabriel, helping him ease down onto the pallet and find a comfortable position on his uninjured side.
‘It is easier to talk when sitting up,’ Lucie said. ‘We will prop him up on cushions so that he is half sitting.’ She disappeared into the hall to collect what she needed, Alisoun following.
Owen fetched a bowl of water, the basket of potions, instruments, and bandages that Lucie kept near the door, additional rags, a flagon of wine and a bowl, and a low stool to sit on while he questioned the man. Ned retreated to the bench near the door.
Once the patient was settled, Lucie and Alisoun withdrew to seats sufficiently close that they might hear all that was said, but out of Gabriel’s sight so as not to distract him.
Resting elbows on knees Owen studied Gabriel, his guarded expression, the stubborn set of the jaw. ‘Are you comfortable?’
‘No I’m not comfortable, I have an arrow in my arm, or did you not notice?’
‘I am well aware of it, and have every intention of seeing to it. But first you will tell me what you know of our houseguest.’
‘I saw her at the midden this morning. Did she tell you who I am?’
‘Gabriel. Now what can you tell us of Marian?’
‘No longer Matthew?’ A little laugh. ‘She must feel safe here.’ A shrug that caused a wince.
Owen slipped out his dagger, touched it to the wound. ‘I prefer to play the healer with you, but unless you tell me all you know of the woman and what she has endured …’ He twirled the dagger. ‘Your choice.’
Gabriel pressed back against the cushions. ‘I am Sir Thomas Percy’s man. If you dare harm me—’
‘Sir Thomas, is it? We are acquainted.’ Long ago, on a battlefield, and Percy had no reason to remember Owen, but this ginger pup would not know that. ‘He is an honorable man and will take the word of Prince Edward’s man in York. Besides, the harm has been done, eh?’ He kept his one-eyed gaze steady on the man who stank with fear and blood and a long while on the road. ‘You would do well to talk to me.’
Gabriel attempted to cross his arms, another ill-advised gesture.
‘Best wait until I remove the arrow to do that,’ Owen said. ‘You’ve only to tell me what you know and I will get to work.’
Silence.
‘As you wish.’ Owen rose and strolled over toward the fire. ‘I should fetch more firewood.’
Lucie took his cue and headed for the
