Part 10.
"Robin?" Will asked, almost unable to believe he was alive and not only that standing right in front of him. As he spoke Much, Little John and Djaq also came into view and he sighed with relief which was evident on his face.
"Marian?" asked Little John, not Robin and then Will's expression changed from joy to sadness.
"Will?" asked Robin. He knew right there and then that they had been right it had been Will in Durham, but something in Will's expression was frightening him more than the news that she had married Sir Guy.
Will looked at them each in turn focusing on Djaq and Robin. With his attention divided between the two he replied. "She needs help, come I will take you to her."
"What's going on Will?" asked Much.
Will shook his head and answered. "No we must get Djaq and Robin to Marian first, explanations can wait until later. Did you bring your instruments?" he said directing the first question at Djaq and the latter to Much. "Are there candles, blankets?"
With a nod in Much's direction she and Much went to the horses to unload the items that Will had requested. Robin swallowed hard, each second that ticked past felt like an agonizing hour. He wanted nothing more than to shout at Will to take him to Marian now, but the little bit of realism that was left told him that this would waste more time. They came back soon after and followed Will through the trees, while John a little unsurely led the horses. The gang were slightly surprised to see the run down cottage that Will led them to, smoke still filtering out of the chimney even though the air had warmed up and the sun was beginning to push its way through the clouds, heralding the promise of a fine afternoon.
Inside it was dark and they took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the lack of light while Much fumbled about to light a candle or two. Will took Djaq and Robin over to Marian and they knelt at her side, while Much and Little John stared with disbelief from above.
"How long has she been like this?" whispered Djaq at the patient who was ravaged by fever and bore a rough looking bandage about her hand and arm.
"Since Gisborne …..Since she took the dagger that was meant for me, it's her left hand. Gisborne twisted the knife half circle before he pulled it out though."
"When did this happen?"
"In Durham before we fled."
Robin looked up from Marian's face and asked his voice breaking in an agony they could only imagine. "How long has she been like this?"
"Two days we have been here and she has been unable to travel. I thought the first night she had died, but she's strong, she is a fighter," he told Robin, adding to Djaq. "I clean it twice a day, but it does not make any difference, but the redness has not spread further than her elbow."
They all thought Marian moaned a little when Djaq took her patients hand and unwrapped the dressing that Will had applied that morning.
"You cleaned this from infection this first thing this morning?" she clarified.
"Yes, is it coming back already?"
Djaq nodded and examined the hand in more detail with Much holding the candle close. The infected tissue was clearly visible and Marian stirred once more.
"Angels cry," whispered Little John in a tone which was barely audible.
"Right, I will need to clean it and sterilise it; Much bring the alcohol."
"Why? I mean she doesn't look as if she can drink it?" he asked, meeting Robin's pained eyes and after holding the gaze he dropped it feeling that he had put his foot in his mouth as usual.
"I do not want her to drink it. I want to wash the wound with it." Djaq explained.
"Straight on the wound?" asked Much with some concern and Djaq nodded.
"You will have to hold her down," she added to the four men.
"But she is virtually unconscious, is that necessary?" asked Much.
"Yes," Djaq ordered. "Hold her down; this is really going to hurt."
Robin who had been holding his breath took a large gulp of air. One of his hands firmly rested on her shoulder and with the other he held onto her good hand, praying for all he was worth that she could stand this method of treatment. Much and John assisted with holding her down and Will held the candle in place, ready to pass Djaq any instrument she required. As she poured the liquid into the wound the patient screamed and Much jumped, he really had not expected her to move at all. The tender shushing that came from Robin to Marian soothed Much as well and soon the wound was redressed and the patient if not comfortable had drifted into an unconscious world once more.
"Will that be enough?" Robin asked in a scratchy sort of voice. Unlike the others he had not moved from her side, his hand still encasing hers, his thumb rubbing random patterns on her skin.
Djaq shrugged and replied, "I do not know, but you must prepare yourself, for if it is not I must cauterise the wound. Some of the Islamic faith do not believe in such procedures but if it is to save a life I say to do what has to be done."
"Cauterise?" asked Much weakly. "She screamed when you poured alcohol onto it, to cauterise it would, would..."
"The let us pray we do not have to. Or that if we do she will pass out and know nothing more until she comes round again." Djaq told him, her face a wall of graveness which told them all that this treatment was a very real possibility.