Wanted by the Viking by Joanna Davis Page B

seven days now and her bones ached from being rattled on the rough road. This part of the coast was less populated and she'd found no one in need of care. Nor any place worth stopping at.
                  Until now.
                  If she was honest, she'd had this location in mind all along, even without the Viking hoard at her back. She could feel them there all week, sometimes just a few hours behind. Once she'd hidden just in time as a fast rider came galloping down the road.
                  It was dangerous for a woman to be on the road by herself. Foolhardy even. For a healer such as herself it was a necessary risk. She'd been lucky thus far, but she knew she would run into trouble eventually. Then again, there were some perks…
                  She sipped the cold ale she'd been given by the wily Innkeeper who had set up his establishment on the hill over looking the hot springs.  As usual, she had no need for coin, but easing the head pain of the inn keepers wife had afforded her free food and lodging for as long as she cared to stay. Fine wine, a full belly and a soft bed. They even provided her with a new red cloak and soft flaxen gown.
                  The poor woman had been hidden away in a dark room, moaning and vomiting. Apparently she'd been having the spells since she was a child. They came and went without any discernible reason.
                  Kendra gave her a powder to mix into broth when she felt the pains coming on. It was a combination of dried white willow bark, garlic root and wormwood. She was to sip the healing broth and rest until the pains passed. In the three days since she'd been here, the woman had already circumvented an attack, earning Kendra her loyalty and friendship.
                  She rose from the hot springs and wrapped herself in the soft woolen cloth provided. She luxuriated in smoothing her prized lavender scented almond oil over her skin and dressed in the clean white shift and dark blue dress they had gifted her with. Her other garments were being laundered by the servants at the inn.
                  Slipping her bare feet into her soft leather boots, Kendra walked back to the inn, nodding to the servant who had been posted there to assure she was not disturbed during her bath. Once inside, she climbed the stairs to find her bed turned down and a fresh flagon of ale resting on the table by the merrily crackling fire.
                  Oh yes, she could get used to this.
                  The soft bed was calling her name so she lay down, pulling the covers up to her chin. The underside of the thatch roof was visible above her as she stared up, wondering which way she could go next.
                  The thought of leaving this place filled her with a feeling of sadness.
                  She had to admit to herself, she was weary.
                  Perhaps it was time to find a home base. She could tend to the local people instead of traveling far and wide. She could even train another healer to assist further off.
                  As long as it was near these delightful hot springs!
                  Her Grandmother had lived near a spring, though nowhere near as plentiful. It had made cool clear water bubble up in a small stone basin between three mighty oaks. The pristine water was right there, but only if you knew where to look for it.
                  Elswyth had known all the places to look in the forest for hidden things. Her own daughter had died from an ague that she'd been able to stop. But she had been able to save three year old Kendra from the illness. Elswyth had raised the little girl as her own.
                  As a result, Kendra remembered nothing of her own mother. She was lucky though as Elswyth had more than made up for any lack of mothering. Kendra had always known that