Page 10 of The Physician's Barbarian
I’d been speaking with the woman about the needs of the clan when I realized all eyes were on me. I glanced at Godr and the blond who hovered beside him, taking in their expressions. They looked… confused.
“What?” I asked, frowning at them.
Godr started speaking, but I had no clue what he was saying. I shot a look at the blond man, who thankfully translated for me.
“He’s asking how you became a tribute. I don’t think we’ve ever had a tribute with such an important job before. Why would your town give you up?”
Ah. I should’ve expected that line of questioning. “I volunteered.”
I didn’t want to tell them I was trying to protect my sister. I didn’t want to piss them off by insulting them, nor did I want them to think they could trade me for a female instead. She was going to marry Beau and live a happy life. I wasn’t going to let my father win.
They seemed surprised by my answer, which was fair. Had it been any other circumstance, there was no way I’d give up my job or my life to come here. My son especially. He was the only part of all this that I truly regretted. But I didn’t want them dwelling on it. I was here, and they needed to think there was no one else available. At least not until Evelyn was married and safe from being forced to take my place. The plan I’d set in place after I volunteered for that to happen would be finished in a day or so if they’d followed my instructions.
It’d been a challenge to set up. Thankfully, with our father so distracted by his attempts to stop the mayor from accepting my volunteering, I had the space to plan. I’d asked Evelyn to keep Sebastian away from the town square when the barbarians arrived and father was distracted. It gave her the excuse to get out while he wasn’t paying attention to her. Together, she and Sebastian should have joined Beau and left while the town was distracted with my ordeal, escaping to the town Beau’s aunt lived in where they could marry quickly and no longer be at risk of my father’s wrath. If all went to plan, they’d be married by now.
“Well, that’s, uh… That’s great. I’m glad you’re here. Once you’ve settled a little more, I’d love to pick your brain. I’m Zoya, by the way. The clan healer. And the little blond over there is Finn, our clan scribe.” The woman offered her hand, giving a firm shake, her free hand gesturing to the blond man.
“Ambrose,” I replied, shaking her hand.
I realized I was still kneeling beside Godr and pushed to my feet, offering him a hand to help him up. He grimaced as he did, favoring his side a little, but from what I could tell, nothing was broken. He’d heal. And if it bothered him too much, I could make a tonic to ease the pain with the right supplies. I wasn’t sure what the clan had for me to use, but I knew most medicinal plants and their uses. I should be able to figure it out.
Finn and Godr started talking again in the barbarian language, way too fast for me to even pick up any words Godr might have taught me the night before. I turned back to Zoya.
“I was worried they wouldn’t let me continue my work. If I can be useful, I’d be glad to help.”
“Well, there are a few elders I’ve been worried about, but I think it might be better for you to have a lesson with Finn first, get your feet under you. Nothing is urgent for the time being,” she explained.
I pursed my lips with a frown. “While I’m sure language lessons are important, I don’t think they’re more important than the health of others. If you’d be willing to translate, I can check on them now and catch up on language lessons later.”
She looked contemplative, nodding her head slowly. “I think I can get permission for that. We’ll speak with Orthorr. He’s the clan leader.”
Her gaze flicked over my shoulder and when she spoke again, it was in the barbarian language. Godr looked surprised, but it was Finn’s concerned frown that caught my attention.
“What?”
“I know the healers always need help, but I worry about you missing out on lessons too. I explain a lot about the clan and how things work here, and I don’t want you to?—”
I put my hand up to stop him. “I assure you, I’m fine. I volunteered to be here. I’m not naïve as to what that means. And I’d rather spend my time helping others than letting them suffer while I learn the language. I’m sure I’ll learn it in time.” I gave my attention back to Zoya. “Whenever you’re ready.”
GODR
I watched as Zoya led my tribute away, debating on whether or not to follow them. It was my job to protect him, but he was also a healer and seemed more capable than the other tributes I’d met in the past. Even the male tributes had been frightened when they first arrived. All except Simon. And Ambrose didn’t strike me as being like Simon. After last night, I wondered if he was more like Einar’s bondmate. Matthew had volunteered as well, and had accepted the clan life more easily than other tributes had.
“Do you need to go with him?” Finn asked beside me. When I looked down at him, he seemed concerned as he watched Ambrose walk away.
Deciding not to get in his way, I shook my head. “No. He’ll be fine with Zoya. How are you, my brother?”
Finn flushed, a pleased smile overtaking his face. He hadn’t had a good relationship with his blood brothers even before he was brought here, and I nearly lost our friendship with a prank early on. Being seen as his brother was hard won, and it brought him joy whenever I called him as such. I liked to remind him whenever I could that he had a brother who cared for him.
“I’m good. I, uh… I was hoping you could help me think up some ideas, though. The anniversary of when I bonded with Rath is coming up, and I want to do something special.”
I hummed, leading him over to where most of the horses were grazing. He grabbed his favorite stool and a brush, smiling brightly as a stallion came over for a brush without him having to coax them. The horses knew Finn was a gentle spirit and treated him as such. He was a welcome visitor in the pasture.
“What have you come up with so far?”
He blew out a breath, and from the look on his face, not much had occurred to him yet. It was sweet that he wanted to mark the occasion, though.
“Did you do something last year?”
