Chapter 5 Healed

How did your first night go with the baby?" Kristen gave Maya a tired smile.

They were sitting on the soft grass close to the water's edge, and she lifted her face to the sun. The days were growing cooler, but it still felt good to be in the outdoors. They had bathed in the lake and washed their clothes, and Kristen couldn't get over how much better she felt after having her long hair and body scrubbed clean for the first time in months.

"He has a fever. And he threw up nearly everything I fed him in the night," Maya said worriedly. "He always has a fever," Sophia said. "He rarely eats without throwing it up."

She kissed Nicholas, who was lying wanly on his back on Maya's lap, before looking at Maya.

"Can I play in the water?"

"Yes, love, but you must stay where I can see you at all times and you must not go any deeper than your knees. Do you understand?"

Sophia nodded and skipped down to the water's edge. They watched as she waded in before glancing behind her to see if she could still see Maya. She waved cheerfully at them. They waved back as she bent over and began to bring up handfuls of stones from the bottom of the lake.

Kristen glanced to her right. The other women were checking their clothes that were laid out in the soft grass to dry. They had all but avoided Kristen and Maya the entire time they were bathing and washing their clothes, and Kristen was glad. She had no patience for women and their gossiping and clucking about, and much preferred Maya's quiet company.

She checked to make sure that both Mrs. Lanning and Marshall, who was keeping a close eye on the women, were not watching them and then held her arms out.

"Give him to me."

Maya handed Nicholas to her. She laid him on her lap and quickly undressed him down to his cloth diaper. She stared sadly at the tiny baby on her lap. She could count every one of his ribs, his breath wheezed in and out, and already his skin was starting to turn blue from the cool air.

"Poor baby," she whispered. Her dress was drying in the sun next to Maya's, and she was wearing a plain white shift that stopped just above her knees. She quickly unlaced the top of her shift and slid Nicholas inside until his naked body was resting against her naked skin.

She kissed his head repeatedly and whispered to him as he stiffened. He uttered a small hoarse cry before falling silent and collapsing weakly against her. Kristen rested her lips against his forehead and cupped his tiny head as she closed her eyes and concentrated.

Maya watched as the baby's pale skin began to take on a rosy, healthy glow. Kristen continued to hold him, rocking back and forth a little, and didn't release him until he began to squirm against her. She pulled Nicholas free from her shift and handed him to Maya.

Her sister gave her a worried look. "Kristen? Are you all right? You're very pale and I can see you trembling."

She nodded. "Aye. He was just more ill than I anticipated." She coughed and then looked at the baby fondly. "He's a tough little one. I have no idea how he survived this long." "What was wrong with him?" Maya asked.

Kristen smiled at her. "You know that isn't how it works, Maya. I have no idea what his illness was."

She coughed again, wincing and holding one hand to her head, as Maya stared at her with alarm. "Are you sure you're all right?"

Kristen nodded again. "Yes. I didn't sleep well last night, and it's been a long time since I've had to heal such a deep sickness. I'm just not used to it. I'll be fine once I get more sleep." Maya held out her hand. "Here, take my hand. I'm healthy."

Kristen shook her head. "I'm fine. Do not worry yourself -"

"Take my hand," Maya insisted. Kristen sighed and linked fingers with Maya. They sat silently for a few minutes as Maya crooned softly to the baby, and Kristen closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

She looked up when Marshall whistled and waved his arm at them. The other women had gathered their clothes, and Maya squeezed her hand before standing. She called for Sophia who wandered out of the water and toward them.

"Come, Kristen. We'll get you some breakfast."

Kristen shook her head. "I'm feeling better. I think I'll take another swim. It's been many moons since I've gotten to swim, and the gods only know how long it will be before I get another chance."