- Yeah, but inside the inn, he could recover better. - she said before she ran to the door. - I'll call my uncle and after he's taken care of, I'll send a messenger to the king to tell him where his cousin is. He'll send soldiers to escort them to the castle.
- Yeah, do that! - said shaking his hand. - Thank you, Abby!
Abby ran inside and I came back to stand next to Bruce. Extending my hand, I pulled out a lock of hair that was over his left eye. I've studied your angular face. He was strong and his chin was square. The skin was very pale and contrasted with the black garment he wore.
Abby showed up with a big, strong man. I assumed that that would be her uncle, so I walked away. With agility, he lifted Bruce on his lap and took him inside.
- You guys were lucky! - said Abby leaving the front and climbing the steps. - The inn is empty. You can stay in the third floor room. He's big and there are two beds. Outsiders think it's an attic.
Abby's uncle put Bruce to bed and ran to get everything I asked for. While I was waiting, I took the time to remove his boots and shirt, which was torn on one side of the abdomen. I was impressed by how many scars he had on his chest. They were all made by very sharp blades. One in particular caught my attention. She was located on her left shoulder and it looked like the sword had crossed over. Carefully and with Abby's help, I turned Bruce on his side.
- Oh, shit! - I sighed.
- What's going on? - Abby asked.
- The arrow didn't cross.
- Isn't that good?
- No. Arrows have small flaps that prevent them from pulling back if the person is hit. - I made a face. - If we try to pull it out, it'll tear his skin apart and make his injury worse. I'll have to go through it to break the tip and then take it out.
- Sounds very painful. - Abby speculated. - What if we let the wound expel the arrow?
- If we do that, Bruce will bleed to death.
Abby twisted his hands showing he was nervous.
- Are you sure you can't get that thing off by pulling?
- Absolutely! - I looked around. - Tell your uncle I'll need a hot iron. If he can light the fire and heat the tip of the poker, that'll do.
- I will stir up the fire, but what will the burning iron do? - said Abby, heading towards the fireplace.
- I need to stop the bleeding and the ember will cause the healing to occur quickly. This will also prevent any internal infection.
Abby rolled her eyes and became immediately pale.
- Oh! Oh, my God!
I sighed to her and took the iron out of her hands.
- Abby, I need you to go to your uncle's and get me the items I ordered quickly. - I put the iron on the coals and let the tip burn. - I won't be able to take care of you if you faint and hit your head somewhere.
Abby ran out of the room. Winding up a sheet, I put it on Bruce's back right in the direction of the wound. I did the same with someone else and put it on the front. That would avoid dirtying the whole bed when the blood started spilling. Abby's uncle entered the room bringing the basin with hot water and clean cloths. There was also needle and thread, which I wouldn't need, and an ointment made of herbs. Opening the pot, I smelled it recognizing the herbs immediately. Smile at him settling down. I explained what I was going to do and he was willing to hold Bruce tight, because we knew he would wake up as soon as the arrow ripped the other side.
- What are you doing? What are you doing? - asked Bruce, opening his eyes.
His voice came out like a whisper.
- The arrow didn't cross. - I answered. - I have to go through it to get it out.
- Do you have a hot iron?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Do whatever it takes. - he looked at Abby's uncle, who was bowed under the bed headboard, ready to grab his arms. - Help me not to move. I'd hate to hurt Madame's face or anyone else's here.
I growled at your comment. Abby's uncle nodded and gave Bruce a piece of wood to bite on. That would help contain the pain. Then he held his wrists.
- I didn't expect to wake you in the process. - he said, taking the iron and standing beside me. - Ready?
- No. - He said, taking a deep breath and putting the wood between his teeth.
- Oh, great!
Breathing deeply, support one hand on your back and forcefully push the arrow with the other. She easily crossed Bruce's skin causing him to kick the bed as he grunted. I broke the metal tip so that there wouldn't be any wood splinters and pulled the arrow on the opposite side. The blood began to flow from the wound. I quickly picked up the hot iron and touched the tip of the wound on the front. His skin boiled and I saw when the sweat ran down his face. Bruce tried to squirm, but he was stopped. Easy, I did
