[Bêthberry]

Catrina shivered despite the feverish sweat which dropped from her brow. Her lips were cracked and her tongue parched despite the water she had been sipping throughout the morning. She called for Kiatus, but he didn't answer. She sat up, groggy, her vision blurry.

He was nowhere in the room. Katrina was not sure how long she had been in this room. Two days? Three? She could remember her shock at seeing the outer wall of The White City: it had been black, black stone, and it terrified her. Looking up at the circles of ramparts which protected the City had made her dizzy, as had the see-saw ride along the great road, which wound back and forth through alternate gates on each level. She hadn't really understood how Kiatus had got them through the gates, although she thought she could remember seeing coin changing hands as Kiatus bribed the guards at each gate. She couldn't remember how many of the walls they had climbed through, just that they had left the horses at the stables and then found not the fabled Seventh Star which she had wanted to see, but a small little place called The Stone Guard.

There were plates of dirty dishes on a tray on the table. She could remember eating there the night they arrived and but couldn't remember seeing Kiatus since then. He had told her to stay here. She had. But the room was sweltering and she felt claustrophobic. Slowly she rose, doused herself down with some of the tepid water from the large pottery basin, and dressed. The water had revived her somewhat, so she left the room, wanting to feel some fresh cool air.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Catrina found herself walking through an arched tunnel near the stables. It was cool in the tunnel, and she automatically began walking down, where the draft of air blew a cooler breeze. Yet with the movement of other citizens walking hurriedly she found herself pushed out through the next arched tunnel. She saw a garden and a greensward with trees and was filled with desire to reach them. But the sun burned her eyes and flushed her cheeks; she hung her head and felt her stomach coil and turn. She fainted.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Catrina woke again, her vision was cleared and she no longer was bathed in sweat. An old wife tended over her, washing her brow, her arms, her neck.

"There now, young lass, you are looking a good sight better than when they brought you in here."

"Where's here?" whispered Catrina.

"Pshaw, you are dense. It's the House of Healing they brought you to. And a good thing. The ague was burning you up. Now tell old Ioreth. Who are you and who is missing you?"

Catrina sat up, emboldened by the first voice of maternal kindness she had heard in weeks. The old woman wraped a shawl around her, fed her a bowl of broth, and then sat to listen to the girl's story. When Catrina reached the part of waking in the strange Inn, alone and knowing no one, she began to cry. The old woman reached over, holding her and rocking her, murmuring in her ear until the tears had shed their lot.

"Hush, hush. It's past now. I've given you tinctures of beardtongue, betony, bethroot and coneflower while you've been here and you've come through splendidly. You're a strong girl. Now, here's something for you to take for the next fortnight. Seeds of motherwort and the queen's lace. They'll help you over any other miseries. Now, where shall you go?"

"I don't know. Back to the Inn, I suppose. My belongings lie there still. I had wanted just to seek fresh air."

"You'll be needing work, a place to say, nonetheless. You can't stay there any more."

Catrina nodded her head. "I can work on farms. I've tended animals, raised a herb and food garden. There must be farmers around the city who need help."

"Closer than that, little one. If you know your herbs mayhap you can help me in the greensward here."

Catrina looked at the gentle, wise eyes of the old woman and thanked Eru for bringing her here.

"I'll pick up my things and return, if you will take me."

The old woman nodded her agreement.

~ ~ ~ ~

Catrina felt weak but still walked with sprightly hope towards The Stone Guard. Then she stopped with sudden fear. Kiatus was arguing with the Innkeeper, who was holding back their belongings. Kiatus saw her out of the corner of his eye.

"You silly girl. You left our things and didn't return and now the Innkeeper claims he can take them."

"You never returned either. I was ill. I needed air and took too ill to return."

Kiatus cursed at her and raised his hand against her. Just at the moment, two angry, menacing figures approached them.