Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Worried over the hound, she went in search of Slayer after leaving the kitten in the kitchen. Euniss and her workers had taken a fancy to Angel, to Sky’s great relief, so she felt comfortable leaving the kitten there at times.
No one paid her any mind as she walked through the village except Glynis. She smiled and nodded at her now and so did Oona, though the woman prevented her daughter from approaching her. But at least it was a start. She spotted Slayer talking with two warriors when a woman’s screams brought her to an abrupt halt.
Seeing her husband rushing off, she followed in his direction and again came to an abrupt halt not far behind him.
Some people stood frozen, too frightened to move, women clutched their children, and men shielded their wives with their bodies, and all stared at the wolfhound who stood on one of the paths that wound through the village.
“Fane, back in the pen, now!” Slayer ordered with a fierceness that would have anyone obeying him.
Sky approached slowly to peer around her husband and saw that it was the wolfhound who refused the bone. He stood there growling softly. She was able to get a better look at him. He was ill, drooling profusely and unsteady on his feet. He was looking for someone to help him. She didn’t hesitate, she ran around her husband, keeping a wide birth so he could not reach out and stop her.
“Sky!” Slayer yelled, thinking his strong command would be enough to stop her. It wasn’t.
Gasps rushed through the crowd when Sky reached the hound and crouched down next to him.
“You’re ill. Let me help you,” she said, softly and eased her hand out gently to cup his face. He collapsed against her, forcing her to plop on her bottom, and his head dropped to rest in her lap.
Slayer had not waited, he followed her and was at her side. He crouched down next to her.
“He is ill and looking for help,” Sky said, then called out, “Are any of the other hounds ill?”
“Nay,” someone shouted. “They are fine, though they pace the pen and whine.”
“They are worried for their friend,” she said and ran her hand gently over him. “He trembles slightly and drools excessively.” She had seen such symptoms in a few animals in the forest and had watched them eat something that forced them to empty their stomach. She knew what must be done and turned her head to look at Slayer. “I must force him to empty his stomach. Something inside him is making him ill.”
“How can you make him do that?” Slayer asked, seeing how the hound kept himself close to Sky as if he instinctively knew she would help him.
“There are plants that can force one to empty his stomach, but that takes time and I fear if we wait, he might perish.”
Anger sparked in Slayer’s eyes. “Are you saying the hound was poisoned?”
“Twice now I have offered him bones and he has refused them, and he appears worse than when I only saw him a brief time ago. He ingested something and he needs to purge it.”
Slayer’s anger flared learning she had visited the hounds when he had warned her not to but now was not the time to debate it. “Do what is necessary to save Fane. He is my best hound, though a stubborn one.”
Sky caught the annoyance in his eyes at her for not staying away from the hounds though concern as well. His annoyance would have to wait. Her only concern now was for Fane.
“I must stick my fingers down his throat as far as I can to force him to empty his stomach.”
“Absolutely not. He will bite your fingers off,” Slayer warned.
“He is too ill, and he knows I mean him no harm.”
“I will do it,” Slayer insisted.
“Nay, your hand is too large,” she said and lifted Fane’s head off her lap. “I am going to help you. You must trust me, Fane.”
Slayer could have sworn the hound’s eyes pleaded for her help.
Sky spoke softly to the hound, letting him know repeatedly as she soothingly stroked along the top of his head that she would never harm him, that he was safe with her.
Slayer understood that she was earning his trust and confidence with her soothing words and comforting strokes, and he offered what little help he could. “I will spread his mouth for you.” He did not wait for her to agree, he gently spread the hound’s mouth open.
Sky was as quick as she could be about it, the hound not making a fuss as if he understood it was what he needed. She withdrew her hand and he continued to gag until he turned his head away from her to release a bit of what was in his stomach.