Back From Chaos by Yvonne Hertzberger Page A

meal and could have Mikost’s arm looked at. While Brensa walked to the tent she looked around.
    “ I saw so many people returning to their shops. Some were already trying to repair damage from the fires. They were fixing broken doors and covering up the windows. People looked afraid. They kept their heads down and did not speak to each other, but the soldiers left them alone as long as they just acted normal.”
    Brensa poured fresh water over Marja’s hair as the account spilled out and began to rub a small amount of oil, scented with lavender, into it, running her fingers through it to remove some of the tangles. Then, as Marja soaked in the warm water, Brensa proceeded to carefully comb out the knots. Suddenly, she burst into tears. “Oh, my lady! I thought never to see you again.”
    Marja reached a hand up to her, saying, “Hush, Brensa. You have been very brave and you bring me much good news. We are safe together for now. The worst is over, I am certain.”
    Brensa continued to sob quietly as she finished combing. By the time Marja was ready to dry off, Brensa’s tears had also dried, and she resumed her tale.
    “ When we got to the tent, Nellis was almost fainting, and we had to hold her up. Mikost called for help, and someone, an older woman I think, found us a spot where Nellis could sit down on a mat. Then she showed me where to get three bowls of stew and a jug of water. She told Mikost to wait with Nellis and went to find someone to dress his arm. By the time I got back with the stew, he was already being tended.”
    Brensa recalled the crowded tent. People milled about, elbow to elbow, some looking lost, others with bowls and cups in their hands. The table with the food and water stood at the far end, and she had to jostle her way through the crowd. She had never seen so many people in such a small space before and feared she would not be able to find Nellis and Mikost again. When she finally reached the food table, it took some persuasion before the servers agreed to give her enough for three. They had not believed her at first, and she had begun to weep. Since she did not know how she could carry three bowls, as well as a jug of water and cups, they found a large crock and put a goodly amount in it. She tied the cups and spoons in her apron and hugged the bowl and jug close under each arm as she wormed her way back to the others.
    “ I was so relieved to find them again, my lady!” By the time she reached them, Nellis was shaking so badly Brensa had to hold the cup for her and to feed her the first several bites. By then Mikost’s arm had been bandaged, and he fed himself. Brensa ate what was left. Mikost had learned that the burn on his arm was very bad, and that it was likely the scarring would cause permanent stiffness. But he was grateful that as long as it healed clean, he would not lose it.
    “ Someone in the tent had found a cup of watered wine and brought it to Nellis. It revived her quite a bit. They said there was not much wine or ale, so Mikost and I had to make do with water.”
    While Brensa and Nellis rested, Mikost left to find out what they should do and where they could go. The news he brought back was both good and bad. The rooms that Mikost and Nellis had shared had no roof. They had been burned. But, since both Nellis and Brensa had worked at the castle as ladies to Marja, they could return there and would be put up in temporary quarters. They might have to share a room with other women, but at least they would be safe and dry. Soldiers at the castle would ask them what their duties had been and find something for them to do until permanent positions could be found. But it meant that Nellis and Mikost could not be together, a worry when she was so near her time.
    As Mikost would not be allowed past the castle gate, he and Nellis clung to each other for long moments, until Brensa convinced him that she would look after Nellis. Mikost made Brensa swear, over and over, that at the