Fates Forgotten in Time

Tastes like healing

Chapter 8

(Penance P.O.V.)

"All right Penance my dear, Time to take off that dress so I can rub some healing balm on those bruises and loosely bind up your ribs." Olivia said as she helped me off the cot slowly. Then helped me get off my dress because I was in too much pain to do it myself. Then she helped me sit on the edge of the cot and even gave me a soft brightly colored knitted blanket, which I assume she made herself, to cover my bottom half. I thanked her weakly, tears in my eyes because that small act of kindness meant more to me than I can say. Especially after the embarrassment and shame I had suffered yesterday at the hands of Luna Elizabeth.

"All right young one, I'm just letting you know this balm smells strongly because of how potent it is, I know it kinda stinks but it's for your own good so no complaining you hear me?" She said this as she grabbed a jar of something off a shelf on the other side of the cottage, that held many different jars and bottles of things I didn't recognize but assumed were for healing purposes. I nodded my head in agreement and said weakly, "Yes ma'am ummm... I mean Olivia." quickly correcting myself remembering she had asked me to call her by her name. She came over and stood in front of me with the jar. The moment she opened it I knew exactly why she had warned me about the smell. It was so strong and foul smelling my nose wrinkled up in disgust. I don't know what was in it but It did not smell right. I was acutely happy not to have my heightened senses that came with having ones wolf because it would have made the strength of the smell even more overpowering.

"No fussing now and hold still while I rub this on. It's gonna sting at first but you should feel a little relief pretty quickly. Just bear with me and try not to move." Olivia said this kindly, yet sternly, as if to say sorry about this but you better not struggle. So I nodded that I understood and did my very best to hold still while she rubbed the foul smelling balm over my badly bruising ribs. It was hard because it did string pretty bad at first but then I felt a cooling sensation everywhere the balm was. I was able to breathe a little better once she was done applying the balm and had loosely wrapped my ribs in cloth wraps. The pain was more bearable and I was beyond grateful for that.

Olivia helped me back into my dress and to sit carefully back on the cot. "All right Penance, I'm gonna brew you a batch of healing tea with one of my stronger elixirs to help you heal faster. Be warned it's not gonna taste pretty but after you drink it, eat and have some rest you should be feeling much better. You will still have to move carefully while your fractured ribs finish healing but you'll be able to breathe much better." Olivia gave me a warm smile when she said this and before waiting for a response from me turned around to go to the small kitchen-like area to boil water for the tea. She had just put the tea kettle on the stove when there was a knock on the door. "Perfect timing," Olivia said in a pleased tone, as she walked to the door.

It was the young warrior that had carried me here and he was holding a small plate of food. My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly in hunger at the sight of the food. I had almost forgotten how hungry I was, with all the pain I was in, the pain in my stomach seemed to pale in comparison. Now though, that the pain in my lungs and ribs wasn't quite as bad, my hunger was letting itself be known. "Thank you for getting her some food you have perfect timing. She is gonna have to rest for awhile after she eats and has some medicine. So why don't you go back to your duties, no use in waiting here for hours as she rests." Olivia said as she took the plate from the young warrior who looked conflicted to say the least. "I don't know if the Alpha would want her resting she does have work still to do today and he never said I could just leave her here while I go back to work." he said hesitantly while looking into Olivia's stern face. "He had you bring her here for me to heal right?" Olivia asked and the warrior nodded and said "Yes ma'am." "That means the Alpha put me in charge of her care and what she needs to heal and I say what she needs is rest. Otherwise she won't heal and bringing her here will have been a huge waste of time. Now off you go youngling, I know best, get back to work." Olivia said this all in a way that clearly stated that she would not hear any arguments against it. Then before the young warrior could even reply she promptly shut the door in his face.

I actually had to hold back a giggle at the antics of this strange but wonderful woman. I was really beginning to like her and found myself strongly wishing I could trust her more. She seemed like she would be a great friend to have but as a lesser wolf this would probably be the only time I ever got to talk with her. Olivia brought me the plate of food and told me to eat up while she got my tea ready. She also grabbed me a cup of water to drink saying I needed to drink more too. I thanked her because I was also very thirsty. The plate had bread, cheese, sliced ham and some apple slices. It wasn't much but it was delicious. I don't remember when I had a meal so good. Everything was so fresh, this is the kinda food real pack members got and I savored every bite of it.

As soon as I finished eating Olivia brought over the tea I was to drink and it smelled worse than the balm. Not as strong but somehow worse. I really didn't want to drink it but from the look on Olivia's face I really didn't have a choice. I was really hoping it smelled worse than it tasted but it wasn't a strong hope to be honest. So I took the cup from Olivia and braised myself as I took a drink of it. It took all my self control not to spit it out the taste was so foul. It tasted like, like..... well I don't know what it tasted like but it was the worst tasting thing I've ever had the displeasure of tasting. "That tastes foul!" I exclaimed to Olivia. Who just smiled and said "That tastes like healing young lady. Now drink up and make sure you drink every drop. I'll grab you more water so you can wash it down once you're done." She said in a kind but very firm voice.

So I did my best to choke down the tea as she grabbed me more water. I felt pretty queasy after I had finished, the tea not settling well on my stomach. "Here you go deary, drink this water and then lay down for some rest. You will feel better upon waking." I did as she told me I drank the water then laid down on my cot. Olivia covered me in that soft warm colorful blanket she had given me before and soon after closing my eyes I had fallen into a deep sleep. Where I dreamed of a beautiful white wolf with eyes so like my own and a hauntingly beautiful woman with moon pale skin who sang to me in the most beautiful voice I have ever heard as I slept. It sounded like the forest at night and the howling of wolves. For the first time in my life that I can remember I felt truly safe and loved.