Page 10 of Shameless

Selena had seen mummies in museums with faces in a better state of preservation than this one. Except for the eyes. Piercing blue eyes bored into hers. Keen. Sharp. Sparkling with life.

“My name…my name is Selena Reston,” she stammered. “I’m…”

“I know who you are, dear, You’re the Earther who saved my Haldor’s life. Please, come and sit by the fire. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Can I offer you a cup of tea?”

“I’d like that.” Selena took a seat on one of the cushioned wooden chairs. The old lady went to a cupboard and took down two earthenware mugs. She reached up and broke a sprig from one of the bundles of herbs hanging from the rafters, crumbled it between her gnarled fingers, and divided the handful of gray-green leaves and dried flowers between the two mugs. Carrying them to the fire, she filled the mugs from an iron kettle sitting on the hot stones lining the hearth and handed one to Selena.

“Let it steep for a bit before you drink it, dear. It’s my own blend, from herbs I grow here in the palace garden. I hope you like it.”

Selena took advantage of the moment to look around. The room was small, made even smaller by all the items crammed into it. Jars lined the shelves on one whole wall, bearing labels of common herbs interspersed with substances she’d never heard of.

Another wall held a row of wooden cupboards, all of them decorated with fanciful designs. Viking longboats battling sea serpents. Depictions of Norse gods and goddesses, some intertwined in blatantly erotic poses. Flowers, trees, animals – only about half of which Selena could name. Every flat surface in the room was crowded with wooden figurines, pewter plates, pottery.

And everywhere, a riot of color. Bright-yellow curtains at the one small window, gaily patterned rugs layered one over another on the stone floor. Pillows piled on every chair and bench, some solid blocks of color, some a patchwork of fabric scraps.

Ingrid saw her taking it all in and chuckled. “A bit much, I know. But people bring me gifts. They’ve put so much time and effort into making them, I can’t bear to hurt their feelings by not having them on display the next time they drop by. And all this color…well, being surrounded by it brightens the gray days.”

“It’s…” Selena paused, lost for words. “It’s wonderful!”

“It’s love, child.” Ingrid smiled, and the wrinkles, the silver hair disappeared. Selena saw only the beautiful woman she’d once been. “I never feel old or alone, surrounded by symbols of love from people whose lives are a bit better because of me. Now – tell me. How are you finding life here on Gadolinium?”

Skillfully, the old woman drew her into conversation. Selena found herself talking about missing her work, her difficulties adapting to the harsh climate. Everything except the problems in her relationship with Haldor.

Finally, she stopped to take another sip from her half-empty cup. “I’m sorry, Ingrid. I didn’t mean to go on like that. I came here to offer my services. Talia thought I might be of help to you in your healing practice. I told her I’m not sure how much use I’d be.” She waved a hand at the jars and dried bundles. “I know nothing of these natural remedies. My work has always been done with machines.”

“Your machines are truly wondrous. I’ve seen Haldor. You restored him to youthful vigor, mended his broken body. Our people have much to gain from such knowledge.” Ingrid took the mug from her hand. “Your tea must be cold by now. Let me get you another cup. This time I’ll add a few drops of honey.”

She refilled the mug, poured in a thick stream of the golden liquid, and handed it to Selena then watched carefully as she drank. “Are you feeling any better now, dear?”

Selena considered the question, swirling the leaves around in the bottom of her mug before she answered. “Yes, I guess I am.”

Ingrid nodded. “Sometimes the only skill a healer needs is the ability to listen. That – and the right blend of tea. Those tiny yellow flowers I mixed in? They restore a feeling of well-being. A cup of that tea every morning will go a long way toward banishing the darkness in your mind that comes with the darkness outside.”

She shook her head and made a tsking sound. “Haldor should have brought you here right away. It’s hard to go from warmth and sunshine to these gray days. Sometimes our bodies need a little help. I like to think those tiny flowers hold precious yellow rays of sunlight. When we drink them in, they carry that light and warmth into our souls.”

“And the honey?”

Ingrid winked. “That’s to make nasty medicine taste better, so people will take it.”

Selena laughed then stopped, surprised. “I haven’t laughed in a long time. I forgot how good it feels.”

“Laughter is important too. Talking, laughter, and a cup of tea shared with a friend. Healing the soul is just as important as healing the body. Sometimes even more so.” She gave Selena a shrewd glance. “I’m guessing that having someone who looked like you to nurse him back to health went a long way toward speeding Haldor’s recovery. Gave him a reason to get strong again.”

Selena smiled shyly. “Hewashighly motivated. Caring for him was a challenge sometimes. He wasn’t very good at following instructions.”

Ingrid nodded. “Always headstrong. That’s my boy. Makes up his mind to do something and charges ahead full on.” She sighed. “He can be so intent on keeping somebody from toppling off a cliff he doesn’t realize he’s stomping on their toes the whole time.”

Ingrid got painfully to her feet. “I’ve kept you here long enough, child. They’ll be expecting you in the great hall soon for dinner. Come back tomorrow morning, at first light. I have a busy day ahead of me, and Princess Talia is right. I can certainly use your help.”

Chapter Six

The days flew by.

Every morning Selena reported to Ingrid’s quarters while it was still dark. She spent the first hour learning about the various herbs and other substances in the sealed jars, some of them dubious looking. One jar held a crushed-up brownish mass that smelled especially noxious. She swore she’d seen what looked like an insect leg in the scoopful Ingrid mixed into a flask before handing it to one of her patients.

One it was light outside, people arrived in an unending stream. Burns and sprains and cuts were treated with various potions then gently wrapped in bandages. Those with sore throats and coughs and children who came in crying with one hand covering an ear got a big spoonful of honey, each with a different blend of crushed herbs stirred in.

And after their treatment, everyone got a cup of tea and time to sit by the fire and chat. Often a sick child ended up dozing in their mama’s lap. Selena couldn’t count the number of times she’d heard a grateful mother say “This is the first real rest my little one has gotten in days. And it’s the first time I’ve had a few moments without the ceaseless crying – not to mention the pleasure of having another adult to talk to!”

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