The Red Witch

Chapter 16

“What’s the matter, child?” Betty asked as she watched Karin turn her nose up at the broth bubbling away in the pot. “It’s rabbit.”

“Ugh…” Karin replied and closed the pot again. “Smells like week old milk.”

“It does not!” Betty snapped and pushed Karin aside. She lifted the lid and took a deep sniff of the broth. She sighed in pleasure then and put the lid back. “Nothing wrong with it.” She said then turned about to find Karin fleeing the kitchen entirely. She ran outside and promptly emptied her stomach on the ground. “What the….?!” Betty ran after her and then rubbed her back as Karin spat the last of it out and then wiped her mouth on her sleeve. “What was that?”

“Breakfast.” Karin replied with a groan. “I think.” She then shuddered and stepped back to lean against the wall. Betty went to her quickly and put the back of her hand to Karin’s forehead. “I don’t have a fever.” She said quickly. “I think I’ve eaten something bad.”

“Nonsense!” Betty snapped. “My cooking has never been anything but grand.” She put her arm around the girl and carefully led her back inside. “Grace? Grace! Where are you girl, I need you!” Grace appeared from the pantry with a smile. “Fetch me some boiled water. The Mistress is not well.”

“Right away!” Grace yelped and quickly poured some in a cup and blew on it to cool it down. “Mistress, what’s wrong?” She asked as she handed the cup over to Betty.

“Nothing.” Karin said quietly as she eased herself into Betty’s chair and took the cup from her. “Just an upset tummy is all. I’m fine.”

“Do you want me to fetch the physician?” Grace asked before looking to the door. She could hear Faith demanding her afternoon meal and nap.

“I’ll deal with it.” Betty said, then nodded to the door. “Little Miss needs you. Go.” Grace nodded and quickly left. Betty perched her rump on the edge of the table and folded her arms over, staring at Karin. “Drink up.” She ordered. “It will make you feel better.” Karin nodded and sipped the water. “Crushed oats and milk for you tonight.” She mused.

“I’m really not hungry.” Karin said, burping quietly and groaning again. “God, that’s foul!”

“How long have you been feeling like this?” Betty asked. Karin shrugged, unsure. “A week, two? A month?” Betty pushed.

“A few weeks, I guess.” Karin admitted, sipping more of the water. “Maybe I caught Grace’s chill? Oh, I know. Faith threw up on me and she’s been off her food for a while now. Maybe I’ve caught a stomach bug from her.” Betty nodded but she wasn’t convinced.

“Does the master know?” Karin shook her head.

“I don’t think so.” She replied, “But he’s been busy. The last harvest is almost over and he’s overseeing the grain sales and he’s not been sick. Just his usual, happy self, I suppose.”

“I see.” Betty said, eyeing Karin closely. “When are you due?”

“Pardon?”

“Have you had your blood this month?” Betty asked. Karin furrowed her brow and shook her head.

“Not yet.” She admitted, then began to count on her fingers. “Oh.” She put the cup down on the floor and counted again.

“Someone fetch me a piss pot!” Betty shouted.

After waiting outside the pantry for Karin to finish, Betty took the pot away to the back door and set it down. Karin emerged, straightening her dress and leaned against the edge of the table. “Ugh, that stinks!” She said, covering her nose with her fingers. Betty ignored her as she added a cup of wine into the pot and then dropped in a handful of salt. It began to bubble and fizz. Betty nodded and quickly dumped the contents outside. She left the pot by the door. “Well?” Karin asked.

“That explains a lot.” She said, giving Karin a pointed look.

“What?” Karin pleaded, “Tell me!” Betty simply smiled and Karin clasped her hands about her mouth before laughing happy tears.

“Maybe you two rabbits can calm it a little now.” Betty chided, “And keep it in the bedroom?”

“Thank you!” Karin yelped, hugging Betty suddenly and tightly. “But not a chance!” She laughed then as Betty moved her back with a grin. “Greyson will be thrilled! Oh God, he’ll be dancing over the moon!” She began to fidget wildly, “I must tell him! Right now! Where is he again?!”

“Calm yourself Karin.” Betty urged, “All this dancing about will make you sick again. He’s been in the main hall all day.” She couldn’t help but laugh though and shook her head as Karin suddenly turned an odd shade of pale and bolted for outside again. “Told you!” She sighed and went back to work.

“Greyson!” Karin shouted as she raced back through the kitchen. “Greyson!” She raced up the stairs towards the main hall. “Greyson! Answer me!”

“I’m here!” He called back as he looked up from his papers. He half turned his head to see her race into the hall like her hair was on fire.

“Greyson!” Karin shouted a final time and then ran to him, ploughing into him and she hugged him tightly.

“Woah!” He laughed as she nearly knocked him off the bench. “Where’s the fire?” He held her back for a moment and smiled at her.

“I have the most wonderful news!” She yelped, dancing on the spot again. Greyson grinned but played coy.

“Faith said her first word.” He mused. Karin shook her head, still fidgeting. “Father has finally passed his kidney stone?” He turned on the bench and slid his hands about her hips before he grinned. Karin stopped fidgeting finally and glared at him. He pulled her forward and stooped on the bench. “She knows you’re there.” He said to her belly before kissing it tenderly. Karin promptly slapped his shoulder and he feigned a yelp of pain.

“You sneaky s**t!” She snapped. “How did you know?” She folded her arms somewhat in anger.

“Karin, I know every inch of your body.” He explained as he rubbed his cheek on her belly before pressing his forehead gently against her. “I can time your cycles to the day.” He grinned, “And your appetite of late would make a w***e blush.” Karin indeed blushed.

“Ok then, Master Know-it-all.” She chided, “How long?”

“A full two months and two weeks.” He said, looking up at her with that same grin. “Give or take.” He laughed then as Karin sniggered with her hand to her mouth and then cracked up. “Come here!” He grabbed her and pulled her across his knees, kissing her passionately. “Betty did her little trick with the wine and salt, didn’t she.” He said. Karin nodded. “How did she figure it out?”

“I said her rabbit broth smelled like week old milk.” She replied, “And then threw up.”

“Classic!” Greyson chuckled. “Father owes me a silver coin.”

“Pardon?” She furrowed her brow at him.

“He bet me that I couldn’t know yet.” He explained. “I called him on it.” Karin sighed and shook her head before laughing as he kissed her again. As she responded, he growled in his throat and quickly lifted her from his knees. He sat her on the edge of the table and lifted her skirts.