"Do you think she will reject him?" Nelek asked.

"I don't know her very well, but I saw the condition Jack left her in during the raid. I saw her willing herself to die and I've seen her cower every time a man entered the healing room. She very likely will reject him."

"If she's so afraid of men might she too scared to reject him?" Nelek was worried, that was no way to starf a marriage.

"I'm thinking she's more likely to run off from him, if she's able."

"She looked really weak." Nelek said.

"Fear can give strength though."

"I would have to be really, really scared to get up and run now." Nelek admitted.

"Well, thankfully right now you shouldn't have anything to fear."

Nelek sighed.

Aislyn rested her head against his hand.

"I'm sorry for taking so long, things came up... and kept coming up." Difyr set the pot of water next to the screen in front of the small wash tub. "It was just boiling, you'll need to add a lot of cold water. It's here." Difyr led Oscar to an empty pallet and had him lay down.

Oscar curled on his side, groaning.

In reply to Difyr Bateman (msg # 57):

"That's all right Difyr. I know how things can get." Aislyn gently nudged the sleeping Kadelyn. "Bath time. I just wish I had something clean to put on you."

"I might have a slip that will fit her." Difyr said. "I'll be back shortly."

Difyr headed to the next room where she kept her tea things.

Difyr returned with a slip and a cup of ginger tea. She gives the tea to the boy, then offers Aislyn the slip.

"It will be big but it's clean. Maybe Millie can adjust it."

Aislyn nodded. "Thank you. I'm sure Millie can and until she can find, I'm sure I can fix something up for her. All right, sleepy head, time for your bath."

"If you need anything I should be back next door in a little while. I have a couple other patients to see to." Difyr said and headed off.

Oscar began to feel better. He got up and snooped around for food.

Vikki Buckley came in with her siblings, crying her little eyes out.

Aislyn looked up from scrubbing Kadey. "Vikki? What's wrong, dumpling?"

"Mama and Papa hate each us and are making us go away from them!" Vikki wailed.

"What?!" She glanced at Nelek. "Your Mama and Papa don't hate any of you, dumpling, I promise you that," Aislyn replied.

"They yell at each other!" Vikki sobbed.

"Sometimes parents fight, when they can't agree on what's best for their wee ones. They'll straighten it out."

"Mama is gonna kill Papa!" Vikki wailed. "Then she's gonna fall and die and I'll be all alone forever."