The Farmer's Wife #014

The woman had not cried long when she slumped back down on her bedroll, apparently asleep.

Matthias ran his hand over his head and sighed at the bristles he felt. Collecting a few things from his pack, he went outside into the cold morning air.

The diligent loggers had dug a well a little away from the cabin, though it was more a deep, wood-reinforced hole in the ground than anything else. The wooden well-cover was rotten and crumbling, but Matthias did not need the water to drink.

Down into the hole went the tin pail; up it was hauled to the surface, water splashing from its sides. Matthias dipped a finger in the bucket and winced. The water was icy cold. He opened the flask of Anat's preparation and poured some into the water; with a little encouragement it quickly foamed up. He flicked his straight-razor open and set to work.

When he had finished, washed his now-smooth head and emptied the bucket, he went back inside. All three of the Brothers were awake; none of them looked as though they had had a restful night's sleep.

Thanos looked up as he entered, and gave a small nod of approval at Matthias' clean-shaven head. Matthias stood in front of the three and bowed, greeting each of them in turn.

Anat went to wake the woman, and Matthias gestured to Valdis, calling him aside.

"What is it, Matthias? I must prepare for the day's journey."

"I am sorry, Brother, but there is something I must speak of."

Valdis looked at him curiously. "What is it?"

"The... The woman, I have a... bad feeling about her."

Valdis raised an eyebrow. "A bad feeling? Surely we have taught you better than that. Come, what have you noticed?"

Matthias nodded deferentially. "I have spoken to her twice now. Her mood changes at the slightest provocation, and at times she speaks with words that do not seem to be her own."

Valdis nodded. "You think she is deceiving us?"

Matthias was surprised at the trust Valdis placed in his judgement. "I-... I do not think so, Brother. Her child has been Taken, of that much I am certain. But I believe there is something else that we do not know."

Another nod. The Purgator looked at him until he continued.

"She is not a shadow herself. She has not tried to harm any of us. But that wound on her hand... she will not let Brother Anat see to it. She will not even show it to him."

"Yes. That has concerned me as well. But unless she is a shadow herself, which she is not, any concern about her intentions fall to Brother Thanos to address, not to I." The dismay Matthias felt at the thought of a prolonged discussion with Thanos must have shown on his face, because Valdis smiled slightly to himself and continued, "I will speak to him of this, but not yet. He is not a man to be readily troubled, and we have nothing certain to give him. Watch her closely, Matthias, and tell me what you see. I will do the same."

Matthias nodded with relief. "Yes, Brother."

"Now go, collect your things. It is almost day; we must leave soon."

Matthias walked across to where he had slept. He returned to his satchel what he had removed, pulled the leather strap onto his shoulder, and walked out into the grey dawn light.