The Riverwoman’s Dragon

Owen seethed, itching to find Alan, pin him to a wall, and take his time describing the damage he had inflicted on the body of a woman who was in his sister’s home tending to a man dying of the pestilence, the feelings churning as he answered Jasper’s questions about Asa’s injuries, Alan’s violence, Einar’s part in all of this.

It was with some relief that Owen took his leave of his son. Learning that the death had taken Jack Fuller, his body removed by friars, and that Cilla Fuller would likely soon succumb, Owen first went there.

Two friars tended a fire in the yard while Janet stood in the kitchen doorway hugging herself, ignoring the loud, vicious remarks of a man and woman watching from a neighboring yard. Still seething, Owen walked over to them and said he was recruiting folk to help dispose of the dead. As they seemed idle, he would submit their names.

Muttering curses, they retreated – not to the house where they stood, but to a yard farther away.

‘They marked my house with chalk weeks ago, spreading a rumor that my Cilla carried the pestilence.’

‘Your brother did nothing about that?’

‘He said not a word. I scrubbed it off.’

Despite the enormous losses she had suffered in the past day she presented an orderly appearance head to toe. Only the hollowed-out eyes betrayed her, empty, as if walking with the dead, not the living. Owen expressed his sorrow and asked if there was anything he or Lucie might do for her. She thanked him for silencing the couple, and for the offer.

‘Brother Michaelo was so kind, and Dame Lucie refused money for the physicks I requested. Today the friars appeared on my doorstep, six of them, and offered to help me with the bodies of my husband and daughter. When I told them that my daughter was still alive one of them offered to attend her while two of their brethren took away my Jack.’ She crossed herself. ‘And the others are cleaning and burning Jack’s clothes and bedding.’

‘It is good to hear of such kindness in a dark time,’ said Owen.

‘So many have been kind. There will be a mass in the morning. I expect another in a few days’ time, though Cilla being so sickly she might stop breathing at any moment.’

‘I am sorry.’

She patted his arm. ‘When I have grieved, I will find a way to help my neighbors, for surely the Death walks among us all now.’ She took a breath. ‘Have you found my brother?’

‘No. I have just come from Dame Magda’s.’

‘Forgive me. I did not think to ask. How is Asa?’

‘Resting. Magda has done what is possible for now.’

‘Will she recover?’

‘She has much healing to do. Would you permit me to arrange for someone to watch your house? For your protection?’

‘While the friars are here Alan would not dare come.’

‘We cannot be certain. His actions might be part of something larger.’ Seeing her fear, he begged her forgiveness, ‘But I would be remiss if I did not warn you.’

‘I am grateful, Captain. I pray you do whatever you think necessary, and if there is anything I might do, I trust you will tell me. And if I might beg a favor. Take Alan’s things. I will not be able to sleep in that room until it is all removed and I have scrubbed it.’ She turned, nodding to him to follow her up a narrow set of steps to the solar, where an oil lamp burned. ‘I have touched nothing. All but the table, shelves, bed, and chair is his. He had two packs tucked beneath the bed. You are welcome to them.’ She nodded to herself as if satisfied that she’d said all she intended, and moved toward the steps.

‘Was Asa a help to you?’

She turned, a hand on her stomach. ‘She was a great help, so gentle with both of them. That Alan would do this– God forgive me, but I meant to kill the animal. I fetched a cleaver from the kitchen.’

‘He saw you with it?’ Owen could well imagine Alan turning on her.

‘No. He fled while I was gone. Leaving her there. I feared he had killed her. I don’t understand. Did he know her?’

‘For a short while.’

‘The young man. Einar. Is he her son?’

‘No. A cousin.’

‘He has a good heart. The friars said he has been assisting Brother Michaelo with the poor who sleep in the minster yard and then he walks to an old shed in Galtres to sleep. If he needs a place to stay in the city he is welcome here. Would you tell him that? Perhaps he might suffice for my protection as well.’

‘I will tell him, though I would prefer to use one of my men for the watch.’

‘Whatever you think best. I will be down below with my daughter. Bless you, Captain. I will not rest easy until Alan is in the castle dungeon. But at least my home will feel free of him when his things are gone.’

‘Your question about Alan and Asa– Has your brother ever been with a woman?’

She gave him a puzzled smile. ‘Do you think he would confide such a thing to me? If he has I pity the woman. Do you think he and Asa might have been lovers? Perhaps he felt betrayed by her? I will pray for her.’ She left the solar, closing the door behind her.