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[a_rare_benedictine]

"Does the wound pain you much?" Cadfael asks softly, walking with Olivier among the trees.

Comments

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier withdraws his hand from where it rests over his left breast, not realising he was holding the healing cut. "It is not deep, it will heal." He tries to sound better healed than he feels.

[a_rare_benedictine]

"Oh, no doubt of that", is the brisk response. "With proper care, it certainly will... but it's fresh yet."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Indeed it is. And still aches when I move wrong." He confesses, shifting his shoulder to adjust the cloth over the wound and the healing ointment in it.

[a_rare_benedictine]

"Then when the circumstances allow, you must rest", Cadfael says firmly. "And permit the young lady to take care of you."

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier glances sideways and blushes slightly, showing under his dark colouring. "I would not wish to trouble her with such things. She has suffered enough."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"I hardly think it could be counted as suffering." He might be teasing, just a bit. "Perhaps it might even be a welcome diversion from past troubles."

[equal_of_any_man]

He blushes just a slight shade darker. "I... I do not believe it would be...prudent to avail myself of her assistance in such an intimate way just yet."

He's still working up the nerve to speak to her uncle of his feelings towards Ermina.

[a_rare_benedictine]

"She has a strong will, that one", Cadfael says, not without approval. "You may find the decision made for you."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Indeed she is." He answers fervently, "But, I wish to do these things correctly, to have her uncle's blessing before I-" His voice catches, getting ahead of himself.

[a_rare_benedictine]

"Before you take her to wife?" he finishes. "Olivier, I doubt you need fear his refusal. He has already raised you to high honour, has he not?"

[equal_of_any_man]

He shakes his head. "He has held me in honour but... she is a high born lady, landed and of a noble line. I am... not."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"You are a knight", he says gently. "Others before you have risen as high."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Ambitions men perhaps, like Evrard Boterel. Those who value on rank and position. I would be glad just to settle and learn the ways of this new land."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"And so you shall", he says with confidence. "Remember that Ermina does not want Evrard Boterel, now she knows him well."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Indeed." Olivier lowers his eyes, "Not now his true nature has been revealed."

He walks slowly at the brother's side, lost in distant thought. He picks sweet camomile flowers as they pass, tucking them absently into his pouch for later.

[a_rare_benedictine]

Cadfael glances sideways at him.

"To make a tea?"

[equal_of_any_man]

He smiles, realising what he was going. "Indeed. I find the tea very soothing."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"Perhaps a future as an apothecary lies ahead of you, when your fighting days are done."

He certainly has the instinct for it, from both parents if only he knew.

[equal_of_any_man]

"Perhaps. I hope I have the makings of a farmer too. The lands my lord has are not vast and still in danger from the warring cousins but he sees of the future and of land I might care for in his name." He ducks his head, letting the dark curls fall over his face. "My mother would have loved England. The soil is so rich and the land so green."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"Then you must take your piece of it", Cadfael says with gentle warmth, "and keep it in her name."

[equal_of_any_man]

"When time and the whims of kings and empresses permit." He smiles again, a little sadly. "Perhaps there will be a wall in the sun where I can plant jasmine in her honour. It was always her favourite."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"If one is not already there, then you could make one. To be a climbing frame for plants is as good a purpose for a wall as any."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Indeed. I hope, when things are settled, I might plant a garden as fair as yours."

[a_rare_benedictine]

"Come and visit it again", he suggests, "when the civil war is over, and take back cuttings."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Do you believe it will end soon?" He asks curiously. He is new to the politics of England but already he has seen the manage it has done to the land.