Chapter 3

With a flashlight in my mouth, I couldn't coax my brother with words as he hissed and cursed while I cleaned his wound. But just as I was about to drop the light a deep male voice cut into my thoughts.

"Can I help you with that?"

My brother and I looked up to find a tall man and a short scruffy beard peering down at me. Liam's large tan hands reached out for the flashlight and I quietly gave it to him.

"Thanks," I muttered.

Giving another spray of my lavender-tea tree oil mix I dabbed the still bleeding wound. Then I reached for my prepared poultice. I applied the crushed herbs and began wrapping the leaves tightly on his forearm.

"What is that?" Liam asked softly. I glanced up surprised to see his eyes dancing in the light instead of dazed and practically dead. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips - some can come around after all.

"Plantain."

"But it doesn't look like a banana... are the leaves from the plant?"

I chuckled, "No, it's an herb. A common weed to most people." I looked back and found him watching me intently as I gently tied a cotton string around Gilderoy's arm. "Its full name is Broadleaf Plantain and it is high in minerals, vitamins, and calcium. Or, as I'm using it, you can bruise the leaf to release its compounds responsible for cleaning the wound and accelerating the healing process. You can turn the flashlight off." I stood to pack my herbs up again.

I avoided looking up at Liam who seemed to tower over me. But I cut him a glance to find him studying me as though marveling at my existence. My cheeks quickly felt a heat prickling my cheeks.

"Gild, lay down and rest. I want you to be ready to leave at dawn." He gave me a silent nod and walked to lay next to Trigger. The dog seemed to enjoy my brother and I's presence. Quiet opposite to his owner, unfortunately.

"Do gypsies normally know these things?"

I flinched at the name I'd grown to resent. It was an insult and reminder of the ignorance of most people. I answered quietly, "Not exactly. We Rom's adopt a way to make money depending on the family's traditions. Whatever suits our natural talent and we, of course, enjoy. Just like how Rom's choose their way of living: nomadic or permanent surrounded by their own people. My mother and I traveled to tell fortunes and secretly heal those that could not afford it. My grandmother was a non-Romani and registered herbalist. Growing up she taught me most of what I know, while the rest comes from books she snuck me. There are Romani's who practice herbalism but it is very limited. We do not have the best attendance for school..." I laughed to myself.

"Thank you."

My eyebrows furrowed and I looked up, "What do you mean?"

"My wife... You are healing her with those teas. And, indirectly, me."

"Oh. Um, you are welcome. Though, she doesn't seem to be doing too well."

"She's eating. She didn't eat for a long time... I think that's as good as she will get for a while." He looked into the trees seemingly in deep thought as his mouth twitched into a frown. His arms were crossed and I silently made an appreciative note of his toned muscular arms. The heat deepened on my cheeks creeping down my neck. "I'm very glad to have you with us. I'm sorry I never spoke to you before, I haven't been myself."

"No one has." I looked away, my eyes suddenly growing wet.