The light from the window showed strong and bright and led Claire to believe it was late afternoon. The murmur of voices by the door was the reason she woke up. Never could she remember having to pee so badly. Trying to think, the last time she recalled doing such a thing was in the woods before the attack, and that couldn’t be good. This thought brought to mind questions about the care given to her while unconscious. Quickly, she decided never to ask. As she sat up, the pain, masked by the dizziness, caused her to stumble from the bed. “What is wrong with you, get back into that bed now!” Aliana’s voice boomed through her aching head. “Not so loud, please.” She was unable to say more as the other woman ran from the open door to wrap Claire in a gentle hug. “My poor, cousin. How you must hurt. Do you ken you have my thanks for bringing Hagan home to me? For saving Cerwyn and us all? “Aliana sobbed and drowned out the ability to say more.
