Bri and Dani had been taken to the infirmary and now Dani lay on one of the cots in a fetal position staring off into nothing. Though still terrified and in pain Bri had moved to sit on the edge of the cot and was running her hand along the other girl's tangled hair. "You were so brave." Bri whispered. "You saved me...he was going to...rape me...you did more than that; you saved our lives."
Gawain and Galahad stood near the door watching the two women. Gawain seemed cool and collected, while Galahad fidgeted. It seemed as if the young knight would explode at any moment. Gawain put a calming hand on his friend and it seemed to help somewhat.
The door burst open and Kassidy came tearing into the room. "Bri?" she cried on the verge of hysterics. When Lancelot had found her she'd been giving the children lessons, and just the look on his face had told her something bad had happened. Then he told her Bri and Dani had been attacked by a Saxon. God, she'd prayed, not her baby sister, don't let her baby sister suffer the same things she'd suffered. On the way to the infirmary Lancelot had told her that the two women had fended off the man, and that Dani, sweet, innocent Dani, had killed him.
Kassidy clasped her sister to her tightly, only letting up when Bri gasped. "Sorry. Sorry." Kass stood back and eyed the girl critically. "We need to get you cleaned up and then your wounds tended to."
"I'm okay, really. A few scrapes and my ankles pretty sprained to hell." Bri explained softly and moved her eyes to look at Dani.
Kass followed her line of sight and focused on Dani. Poor Dani lay rocking gently and humming some type of song. Reluctantly, Kass turned away from Bri and knelt near the cot. Bri sank back down on the edge of the bed. "Dani." Kass spoke gently. "What are you singing precious?"
Dani seemed lost in her own private world. Her eyes were unfocused and not once did she respond. Kass leaned closer and could finally make out the tune to the child's rhyme Ring Around the Rosy. It tore at Kass's heart to see the little blonde like this. "Dani, while we're waiting for Bors to get back with Dagonet why don't we get you cleaned up Doll?" Kass turned to the men. "I need several buckets of hot water please. And tell Brandon to bring me some of my soap." Both men, glad for something to do and keep their minds busy moved quickly. Kass set about undressing Dani and then wrapping her in thick blankets so she wouldn't catch a chill. Bri too had gone about removing her clothes and now sat with a blanket around her.
It didn't take long for the water, soap, and a very anxious Mandy to arrive. It seemed that Brandon, who wanted to come in, but didn't out of concern for Dani, was waiting outside with the knights. While Kass washed Dani, Mandy helped Bri get any spots unreachable. They'd just finished washing and dressing both girls in clean sleeping gowns when Bors, Dagonet and Theresa entered the infirmary.
"Theresa you're still here?" Kass seemed surprised.
Theresa nodded. "There is no way home. It seems this is home now." She looked at both girls quickly and looked to Dagonet. "Why don't you tend to Bri and I'll take a look at Dani?"
He nodded once and moved to the girl who'd become like a little sister to most of the knights. Bors had gone to stand next to Dani and was confused when she flinched away from him and wouldn't meet his eyes. He looked at Kass and the confusion and some hurt was apparent. Kass too was confused.
Theresa wasn't. She'd been told all of Dani's story. Working in the ER she'd seen trauma victims go into shock. She'd seen victims of domestic violence and seen their reactions to people around them. The first thing she did was kneel before Dani. "Danika, are you worried that Bors is angry with you?" Dani's eyes darted to Theresa then she looked at Bors and Dagonet quickly. "The men, you think the men are angry with you?" Dani nodded hesitantly. "Because you and Brianna went off on your own?" Again a hesitant nod. "Dani, look at me." The blonde's eyes remained on the ground. "Look at me." Theresa demanded sternly and finally got the desired response. "No one is angry with you. You are not in any kind of trouble. If anything people are grateful that you saved Bri. No one is angry baby, everyone is worried." Tears had begun to well up in Dani's eyes. "Look at Bors darling. He's your daddy now, and he loves you."
Dani looked to Bors and saw that he was concerned and there was no anger marring his face. Sobs erupted from her chest and the tears streamed. He gathered her close to his chest and begun to rock her back and forth. "Oh Poppet. Shhhh, it's okay now. You're home. You made the bad man go away."
Gawain watched Dani fall apart in Bors arms and a small piece of something inside of him twisted savagely. With a grim face he turned to Galahad, "I'm going scouting." He turned abruptly and walked away heading directly to the stables.
"Gawain…" Galahad was baffled as he watched his friend leave. The other man shouldn't be out scouting alone, not that he couldn't handle himself, but Galahad didn't want to leave Bri. He wanted to make sure she was okay for himself. It still terrified him to think of how close they had come to losing her and Dani.
"I'll go with him."
Galahad jumped slightly at the scout's voice. He hadn't realized Tristan was so nearby. He nodded in relief.
Tristan moved forward and looked at the younger knight. "Make sure your lady is alright. That's one you would be foolish to lose."
Watching Tristan walked Galahad was once again amazed at how astute the man was. They'd always had their own issues with each other before, Galahad never quite knowing how to accept the other man's ease with death. When they'd fought the Saxons Galahad had learned quickly that sometimes killing and moving forward as if nothing had happened was necessary to survive. Tristan had almost died that day. Now Galahad was beyond glad his fellow warrior had not.