So Speaks the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

physician’s tent. Gui paced the ground near him, vexed.
    â€œIt has been three days, Rowland,” he said impatiently. “If the man dies, he dies. You can do nothing to help him.”
    Rowland stared at Gui irritably. They had been through this once already, earlier that same day.
    â€œWe must be on our way, Rowland. Roger crept off in the night, so you cannot challenge him now. As it is, we will not reach home before the first snow.”
    â€œA few more days will not matter.”
    â€œBut you do not even know this man.”
    â€œYour impatience does you no credit, Gui. I am indebted to the man.”
    â€œYou cannot be sure of that.”
    â€œI can.”
    Finally the tent flap opened, and the Duke’s physician approached the two men wearily.
    â€œHe was conscious for a few moments, but it’s too soon to know if he will live. The flow of blood has ceased, but I can do very little for the injuries inside him.”
    â€œDid he speak?”
    The physician nodded. “He woke and thought hewas in a fishing village. I believe he spent many weeks on the coast recovering from injuries.”
    Rowland frowned. “Injuries?”
    The physician shook his head. “That young man must be cursed. To be left to the mercy of peasants. He barely survived. He claims he did not awaken for a week, and that he could not move or speak for many more weeks. He took a bad blow on the head.”
    â€œWho is he?” asked Rowland anxiously.
    â€œSir Rowland, the man is gravely wounded. I did not press him, I only listened to what he volunteered. He was in a frantic state. When I insisted he could not get up, he tried to explain about the injury. He said something about a sister, his worry over her, but he collapsed before he could tell me what it was about. He was quite upset.”
    â€œMay I see him?”
    â€œHe is unconscious again.”
    â€œI will wait in the tent until he awakens. I must speak with him.”
    â€œVery well.”
    Gui continued his urgings after the doctor left. “There, the leecher does not seem overly worried. Let us leave for home. You can do no more here.”
    Rowland had lost patience with his old friend. He was honor bound to stay. “Be damned, you are like a woman with your nagging! You are so eager to be off, then go—go!”
    â€œRowland, I only see the urgency of haste. It may already be too late. Thurston of Mezidon may have attacked while I was away, before the cold set in.”
    â€œLeave now. I will catch up to you on the road.”
    â€œBut I cannot let you travel alone.”
    Rowland looked at his friend sharply. “Since whendo I need an escort? Or is it you do not trust me to follow? I can see you do not.” Rowland chuckled. “Take my possessions with you, then. Leave only my horse and armor. That should assure you that I will follow. Unhindered, I should join you between the Rhone and the Loire rivers. If not there, then just after you leave the Loire. Do not wait if I fail to catch up.”
    Reluctantly, Gui left, and Rowland sat by the cot in the tent for the rest of the afternoon. That evening his vigilance was rewarded when the injured man opened his eyes. He tried to sit up, but Rowland stopped him.
    â€œYou must not move. Your wound will bleed again.”
    The man’s light brown eyes focused on Rowland. “I know you?” He spoke clearly in French, then answered his own question. “From last eve at the alehouse.”
    â€œThat was three nights past, my friend.”
    â€œThree?” the man groaned. “I must find my men and return to Berry immediately.”
    â€œYou will not be going anywhere, not for some time.” The man groaned. “Do you need the physician?”
    â€œOnly if he can perform a miracle and heal me this minute,” the man whispered.
    Rowland grinned. “What can I do to help you? You saved my life and have suffered for it.”
    â€œI