The Healer's Legacy by Sharon Skinner

Kira saw his blue eyes narrow.
    “What business do you have at Tem Hold?” he asked as he came to stand beside the mastiff.
    “I wish to barter for shelter and supplies,” Kira replied. “I have fresh game.” Slowly, she lowered the peccary to the ground, then took a step back.
    The man glanced at the dead animal. “And if I said that the wild game in the forest surround is already mine as Land Holder and that I would not bargain for what belongs to me, what would you say to that?”
    “Then I would give my apologies to you and ask for your pardon,” Kira replied. She hoped her desperation wasn’t obvious. “I’m a stranger here. I did not know that Holders in this region laid claim to the forests as well as the tilled lands.”
    “I claim what is my birthright,” he said in a harsh voice.
    “I meant no offense, Lord Holder.” Kira nodded in a gesture of respect.
    “In this holding we do not use that title,” he snapped. “You will call me Holder Tem. But do not call me Lord.” His voice changed almost to a whisper.
    Kira nodded again. “Holder Tem, I have nothing to bargain with, yet I would still ask for shelter and aid, as a traveler in need. At least, for the chance to mend my mount’s wounds.”
    “I see no mount,” he said, suspicion in his voice.
    “My horse is in the forest. Lame. I didn’t want to walk him farther without knowing I would be able to tend to his injury.”
    Holder Tem set his jaw. His eyes darkened to a deep indigo. “I would not let it be said that Tem Hold refused a traveler in need, especially on the eve of Fall Turn,” he said in a cool voice.
    Kira was startled. Was it truly the eve of Fall Turn? She hadn’t realized how many days had passed since her escape.
    “You may bring the animal here,” he continued, “though you will have to tend him yourself. My stable master has gone to market, and we have no healer in this hold for man nor beast.” There was sadness in his voice.
    “Thank you, Holder Tem,” Kira said. “I believe I can manage. Know that I am in your debt and will seek to repay you in some way.”
    “I’ll send for the stable master’s apprentice to help bring in your horse,” the Holder offered.
    “It may take some time for me to return with him and I would not want to keep the apprentice from his work. There are, however, a few items that might make the trek here easier, if you would allow it.”
    “Harl,” the holder called. “Harl!” he yelled again, and a young boy came running across the courtyard.
    “Sir?” he said. He was out of breath and wisps of straw clung in his tawny hair.
    “Sleeping again?” the holder asked sternly.
    “No, sir. I was cleaning the stalls just as Master Jarret instructed me.”
    “Yes, of course,” The holder seemed unconvinced. “See to the needs of our guest. She will need a stall for her horse tonight.” He gave Kira a final sharp look. “And bring her what she needs to tend to the animal.” He turned on his heel and headed back toward the main building. The mastiff growled and the holder called over his shoulder, “Come, Cadge!” The dog sniffed the air in Kira’s direction before padding after the man.
    The stable boy led Kira across the yard and into a supply room adjacent to the main stable. She gathered some strips of cloth to bind Trad’s leg and a small bag of oats to use as a lure. The boy, Harl, watched with obvious curiosity. Then she gave Harl instructions to boil a pot of water, add basil, alum, meadow mint and chamomile, and let it steep.
    “But where shall I get these things?” he asked her.
    “Do you have a cook in this hold?”
    “We have a fine cook,” he boasted, puffing out his chest. “Her name is Brilissa.”
    “Then go and ask Brilissa,” Kira said, giving the boy an encouraging smile. “Those are common herbs, often used in cooking and preserving. A cook as fine as yours will have them on hand. I’ll return as soon as I can.” She went out through the main