Tales Of Corinthia

Another story from the series of shorts (previously only posted Silk and Emeralds and A stubborn fool and the patient doctor) So far there are 7 stories but I intend on writing more there is also a 35k word story I wrote a while back based on this universe. Although that needs a lot of editing before I let anyone but my friends see it.

———————————————————————————-

Each year the caravan returned to their home for the feast of winter solstice allowing the travelers to reunite with loved ones. This year many new faces joined in the celebration including a child who followed the doctor’s children like a lost puppy. Going so far as to attack someone who got too close to them needing to be pulled away by Lauren.

During the festival many of the caravan had asked the now middle-aged man about the child getting no explanation. Very little was said by Lauren on the matter however her methods of answering were a lot more violent. Eventually causing everyone to stop asking about the scrappy young one.

The family had ended the nights festivities in their small cabin all gathering around a table to feast on the eldest’s hunt. Various meats and bread spread over the table, each child receiving a mug of hot chocolate. The youngest of the children having finally gotten over being forbidden from joining the hunt.

Despite being only seven Raine was more than willing to follow his mother on hunting trips and to training. Even getting excited when he was finally dragged into his own swordsmanship practice; something the other two couldn’t understand.  

After a long night of celebration, the children had gone to bed all deciding to share a room during the trip home. A pile of blankets and cushions covered the floor where they slept and eventually were found ill by Lauren.

The next morning when she had gone to wake the young ones up, she discovered that all three of them had fevers. Her panic on the situation becoming worse when she remembered her husband would be out into the late evening. What little medical knowledge she had from his ramblings being the only thing stopping her running for him.

Each of the children laid curled up in the makeshift bed blankets thrown off as they tried to get as far from each other as possible. Her eldest who had once been in the center now pressing their body against the cold wall for some form of relief.

A collection of groans filled the room when she opened the windows each of the children complaining at her through their haze. “Mama no…” Raine whined at her pulling a blanket over his head to block the dim light.

Within minutes the window was closed, and she was peeling the blankets from each of their faces, “shh it’s okay I’ve got you,” she reassured them quietly as she began wrapping them up, “mommies got you.”

Once the children were settled, she went down to get a variety of supplies to help them feel more comfortable. A bowl was quickly filled with cool water and brought up to them washcloths being soaked in it before gently cleaning their faces. Watching in relief as they calmed down allowing her to leave the blankets over them.

When she had them cleaned, she found medicine and made sure they each had some water before she left. With the doctor being out until late she found herself trying to remember anything he said about fevers. Water was a must in these situations, but she couldn’t remember what else she would need.

Her mother always made stew when she got sick as a child. She could do that. If there was one thing, she learnt growing up in the caravan it was how to cook. Many nights were spent peeling vegetables and cooking meat at the behest of her mother.

Quickly gathering the leftover meat from the night before she started to pull vegetables from her cupboards. Keeping an ear out for the kids she peeled and chopped vegetables throwing the offcuts into the slowly simmering broth. Soon the sounds of her food preparation and humming filling the cabin.

Silently the gaunt child they had come to know as Ripley strolled into the room using the wall as a crutch. The once full glass of water clasped in a sweaty palm. Breath ragged during a strong attempt to get more. Lauren only noticing the presence behind her when the glass smashed loudly on the floor.

Before the child could process what happened Lauren had dragged them into the air looking at them with wide eyes. Hastily moving them from the shattered glass to sit on the clear table she quietly soothed the shaking child. Tears forming in their eyes as she held them close, “It’s okay.” The woman soothed gently.

Ripley’s panic from dropping the glass was soon replaced by confusion as they were held by the strong woman. A lady that in the few months they had known each other had proven to be a strict and demanding woman. Demanding the child learn to fight within days of her children dragging them to the caravan.

The training was done by her personally and the intensity was enough to scare even the adults they travelled with. Each morning being dragged from bed at dawn to run laps and practice weaponry until they were either exhausted or food was ready. Breakfast usually being accompanied by lectures on whatever Lauren deemed suitable to their education. From poisonous plants to basic arithmetic.

Even seeing the various lectures, the others got for ignoring their studies to instead play or laze about. The scariest instance being when Raine had snuck out to follow some older kids on a hunt. Lauren had gone through him about how dangerous it was and that he needed to tell an adult where he was going. Even the doctor had joined in with few disapproving words.

So being sent back to bed with a fresh glass of water was the last thing Ripley expected to happen after the mistake. But that’s where they found themself laid back in the blankets a cold glass of water next to them and a cool cloth on their head. The relief of not being forced to clean in the current state of misery enough to let them fall back asleep.

The next time the kids awoke it was to Lauren re-entering their room with a tray covered in glasses of water and bowls of stew. Silently she helped each of the children to sit up against piles of cushions helping each of them to eat.

Ripley and Raine were both quite quick to prove they could feed themselves. The eldest of the three barely able to stay conscious long enough to eat half the bowl despite their best efforts. They all seemed concerned when it came to the eldest, but no one knew what to do and the kids were just as exhausted.

Finishing their meals the other two laid back down letting the concerned mother once again wipe the sweat from them. A short lullaby being sung to them as they drifted back to sleep the gentle orange hues of lingering sunlight casting over them. The young doctor returning early to find his wife dozing in the corner of the room humming softly to the three sleeping children.