Chapter Two

I wake to a loud bang. My first realization is that it's about midday. And the second is that someone is watching me. Bright green eyes framed by curly blonde bangs watch me intently.

"Sarah! What have I told you about being there?" a voice demanded and the face disappeared.

"But, Father, he's awake now," a voice said.

I heard footsteps walking towards the stall. A grizzled face peers in, and I blink away sleepiness.

"Well, go fetch `is breakfast," the man told his daughter.

I heard littler footsteps race off. The face disappeared, and I hear a horse whinny from elsewhere in the barn. The girl returned, and held out a plate and cup from a hole through the barns that lined the front of the stall. I stood slowly to come and get it from her. Just as I reached her, she dropped the cup.

"Oops, sorry," she said.

I grabbed the plate before anything could happen to that.

"Can you refill the cup?" I asked, bending to retrieve it.

When I stood back up, she was gone; but I noticed her edging back to sit on an overturned bucket in the middle of the aisle a little ways down. Apparently she would not. I sighed, and noticed that there was a large bucket filled with water sitting next to the door. I looked over, and noticed she had a perfect view of the bucket through the bars of the door. Was she hoping I would drink from that? I looked at the water, which was murky and had bits of dirt and other things floating in it.

I decide to do without, and examine the plate. There is a biscuit and a bit of porridge that I devour, even though it is cold. I am feeling very drowsy and once I am finished, I stand to hold the plate and cup out. She gets up with a sigh and retrieves them, since it seems to be her job.

"Thank you," I said, deciding to at least be courteous.

For a minute, she studies me curiously, her hand still reaching for the plate and cup. Then she acts like nothing happened, and just takes the plate and cup and disappears. I look out into the barn, and notice the overturned bucket is still sitting in the middle of the aisle. And there is a lad, not paying any attention, pulling a wheelbarrow backwards.

"Watch out!" I call, but it's too late.

The fellow has tripped, and is now not only hitting the ground with a thud; but he didn't let go of the wheelbarrow, and now the contents are spilling out over him. Two other men rush over as the lad cries out in pain. The girl has also returned now, and is watching on as the men work to dig the poor fellow out from the compost that has fallen on him from the waist down. Once that is done, they attempt to help him rise; but the youth cries out in agony and grips his right shoulder. My training makes me stiffen to see him in pain, and I know I can't just sit there.

"Let me help. I'm a doctor," I call.

"So you can try to escape? I don't think so!" the girl's father shouts at me, and then he looks back at the fallen lad. "Come on, Nathan. It's just bruised."

"No, it's likely broken," I retort, causing the youth to look back at me with fear stamped on his features.

The girl's father, who seemed to be in charge at that particular moment, seemed to be trying to decide what to do. The lad groaned in pain and I reverted to begging.

"Please, let me help him," I said.

"Do you promise not to try anything?" the man asked.

"I'm in no condition to," I said. "But I give my word of honor—and I have never broken it in my life—that I will not attempt to escape while healing him."

This seemed to satisfy the man and the other one was sent to release me. I walked over and smiled as I untied the top loop on the young man's tunic.

"Your name is Nathan?" I asked, trying to ignore my surroundings and situation as I moved his sleeve to get a better look at the shoulder.

"Yes," Nathan replied.

I could tell he was holding back tears and pitied him having to act brave.

"Well, Nathan, I've never heard of anyone dying from this sort of injury, so no worries," I said, winking.

He grinned a little at this. I realized the other two had gone back to work nearby; one standing between me and both of the exits. Sarah had remained and was watching me closely. I probed the area gently with my fingers, and watched as he bit his lip to stop his moans. I was gentle and did as little as I could possibly do to determine the extent of the injury. To my relief, it was not broken; but it was a very bad bruise and would take a week at least to heal properly. I didn't want to say as much to the man in charge, but didn't want to leave it to Nathan either.

"Sir?" I called in his direction.

He walked over and I explained the situation. He seemed to think for a moment before nodding.

"He can have his week off. Anything he should do for it?"

I prescribed several pain treatments and other suggestions to help speed up the healing process. The man seemed to soak in every word, and I knew without looking that Nathan was doing the same. When I did look back at Nathan, he was looking at me gratefully.

"How should we get him back to his room?" the man asked.

"A stretcher would be best, or something similar," I replied.

The man nodded. "We keep one handy just in case. Sarah, go fetch it, and get John out here to help."

Sarah nodded and dashed out.

"Thank you, sir," the man said, waving his arm back at the stall I had been in previously.

I hated to just walk back into that prison, but had little other choice. With a thud and a bang the door was put back in place and bolted.