Crowner's Justice - Five

[ismenin]

Hello! Thursday is here, and ladysunrope has gone home. Sob. Miss her already.

But here is the next part of my story. As I said in my last post, it's not so much a whodunnit - cos I think it's obvious who did do it - but how they catch 'em. I like those bits. I'm on Part Two of Book Two, so I'm forging ahead, here, and lovin' every minute. I hope you are, too.





Thanks to ladysunrope for beta. Hugs.


Part - 5


The Sheriff entered the room, followed by Annie and Mary carrying water and bowls, and strips of linen. Andrew had laughed when his wife had refused to throw away the bandages after Elijah's wound had healed. "You never know when we might have need of them, again, Andy," she had said, fixing him with her firm gaze, as she boiled them up to a gleaming whiteness in a pot on the fire

And, as Andrew was now the first to acknowledge, she had been right.

Dom stood at the foot of the bed, waiting to be told what to do, as Barebone prepared his instruments. The apothecary poured some crystals from a bottle into some water, and washing his hands in it, put the small knives and other tools into it to soak.

The liquid had a pleasant, cleanly scent, and Dom felt better, knowing a competent surgeon was in charge of the proceedings. He had been present at some desperate hackings by unskilled barber-surgeons in his time, and witnessed not a few deaths because of them. As much as he disliked his lordship, he did not wish him dead.

"It is a pity we have not four men," Barebone commented, as he wiped over Elijah's leg with a cloth soaked in the mixture from the bowl. "Another pair of hands would have been useful."

Dom made another error.

"Why do you not ask Red Cobbler to come and help? He's a likely lad..." he observed, stopping abruptly as he saw Elijah's blue eyes bore into him.

"Red does not sleep here, Sheriff. He has gone home to his mother, as he will every night - to his own bed," Elijah said, with a slight emphasis on the word own. Dom grimaced. He had best learn to keep his mouth shut in front of this man. He had the unhappy knack of angering him.

Elijah had refused the help of Annie and Mary, on the grounds that he did not wish them to witness his pain, rather than from any sense of false modesty. They had seen him naked, as they had helped to nurse him last time, after all. But he was master here, and that was how it would stay. He would not be reduced, once more, to nursery status, by fussing women whose hearts were touched by his distress.

He also refused to take any brandywine to dull the pain. He well remembered the last time a so-called healer had dug about in his leg, and the resultant crapula from the strong spirits he had been given, was worse than the pain in his leg.

Andrew had doubted that very much, but was pleased that his master took so cheerful an outlook on his situation.

Barebone directed Will and Andrew to Elijah's feet, giving them charge of one leg each, and Dom was to press upon Elijah's chest and shoulders, should he attempt to struggle to escape the torment.

Elijah put a folded linen pad into his mouth, to stop himself biting through his tongue, and nodded at Barebone to begin.

Barebone was quick, Dom gave him that. He cut, scraped, drained, and flushed out the wound in minutes. Dom well knew that a man could bleed to death very quickly - he had seen it - and he also knew there were large veins at the top of the leg, where the healer was now cutting out a fair sized piece of decaying flesh. But he knew this man's skill. He did not fear unduly for the man under his knife, although one could never be certain of the outcome of a cutting.

Elijah's eyes were squeezed tight shut, and the sweat stood out on his face as he suffered the pain. Barebone dug deep, and Dom had to press across Elijah's shoulders as the pain became unbearable. As the healer struggled to loosen and withdraw the deeply embedded fragments of the arrow, Elijah lost consciousness, and Dom rose from his position flat across the patient's chest and shoulders, and wiped the man's face with the cloth that had fallen out of his mouth.

"A good thing," Barebone said, glancing up at his patent. "It is worse than I thought." He cut another piece of dead tissue away, and scraped the bone clean. "He would not have lasted until the end of the year, at the rate at which the flesh around the fragment was mortifying," he said, quietly, pouring some lotion into the wound, washing the corruption away.

Andrew and Will exchanged horrified looks. "Will he live, now?" Andrew managed to ask. Barebone reassured them quickly. "I sincerely hope so, my friend. I have removed the fragments, and all traces of dead flesh, muscle and pus, and although he will have pain for a few days, it looks well to me. Very well."

Dom, glancing down at Elijah's leg, saw only healthy bone and tissue exposed. Barebone began stitching the wound, and soon he was wiping his patient's leg with a lotion of calendula.

"He'll do!" he said, satisfied, rinsing his hands once more before binding the wound.

"Does he take any elixir for the pain?" Barebone asked Andrew, as he worked. "It must have been severe, God preserve him."

Andrew was trembling slightly, now the danger was past, for he was very fond of his master, but he answered clearly. "No, master. He took medicaments when he was wounded at Jerusalem, for the Saracen-trained physician there who attended him, had many skills in the relief of pain. But the vile stuff..."Andrew sniffed..."he was give when he got home, only served to make him sick."

"He is a brave man to have suffered such distress without complaint - there are few who would - or could - have done so. He must have some strength in him," Barebone commented, pulling Elijah's shift down, and covering him with the sheet. "Do not disturb him to change that lower sheet until tomorrow," he said, pulling out, with consummate skill, a padded draw-sheet, deeply stained with blood, that he had placed under his patient. "He will need a new mattress, too, most likely. The blood has seeped through."

He turned to pack his bag, and pulled out a bottle sealed with wax. "Luckily for his lordship, I have the same potion here that is used by the Saracen healers. It comes in on a ship, only once a year, and I buy as much of it as I can afford, for it is the best medicine for pain I have ever known. I save a bottle of it for those poor who are dying, and cannot pay, for it costs a great deal, but I daresay his lordship will not mind the expense of it, over the next few days."

"His lordship does not mind at all, O Worker of Miracles," a throaty voice croaked from the depths of the bed.

Even Dom smiled. "You had better not allow his Grace, the Bishop, hear you say so, my lord - he firmly believes all miracles are solely within his own province," said Dom, hoping his deep dislike for the bishop did not show.

Elijah managed a small smile. "Thank you for your help, Sheriff. I am sorry if I hurt you, wriggling so."

"Not at all, my lord," Dom replied, mendaciously, for Elijah had struck him more than once, in his distress. He prepared to leave with the apothecary. "I trust you will have a good night's sleep."

"I shall, if I take Master Barebone's concoction,"Elijah said, closing his eyes once more. "Just three drops, Andy, if you please."

"Give him six, and do not argue tonight, my lord - and do not give it undiluted," Barebone admonished the servant. "In a little brandywine is best. I shall return tomorrow."

"Thank you, Master Apothecary. It shall be as you say, for I do believe you have saved my life. I feel it within me so I thank you."

Barebone grinned - it was only the truth, after all. "A pleasure, my lord. Until tomorrow, then. Rest well," and Dom, echoing the sentiment, followed Barebone down the stairs, into the hall.

Will came after them, and offered wine and refreshments to the two men. They both accepted, and sat by the fire, drinking a very potable wine, and nibbling on marchpane fancies.

"I came to find you as well as to see the coroner, John," Dom revealed, coughing around a crumb that had gone down the wrong way. He dislodged it with a gulp of wine, and continued.

"I was called away to a deathbed - a natural one, this time - old Hengist; and by the time I got back, you had been to see Ben once more. I wanted to know - what is his condition?"

John Barebone refilled his glass before answering. "He was much torn, Dom. I have packed the wound, and think he will do very well, once the anguish lessens. Whoever had him, used him very roughly. He could not fail to have known he was doing damage, but it did not stop him, the bastard."

Dom's hands were trembling. "I saw the blood of course, but I did not know of the damage. I will catch the villain, I swear it, and he shall hang for it!" He drank another glass of wine, and sat back in the chair.

"Ben will mend, but it may be some time before he is trustful of men. I had him moved to that small set of rooms next to yours, out of the common area. He seemed calmer, then, because he would be near you. Of course, the boy is frightened but he trusts you, Dom, that is one good thing.

I left the doorwarden's wife there, to sit with him. She and her sister will take turns, one by day and one by night. They are competent nurses, and sensible women.. I suggested a penny a day each, which they gladly accepted. I know you now have the money to pay for them. Wuffa told me of your good fortune."

Dom remembered the purse of money he had been sent, blessed the giver again, and smiled at his friend. "I do have sufficient funds, John, from a Good Samaritan and I endorse all the arrangements you have made for Ben's comfort."

"He had asked for the company of a dog belonging to the doorwarden's family. He is particularly fond of the animal," Dom continued. "and the hound was lying on the bed when I left.
It even bared its teeth at me when I went in, and growled. I doubt if anyone will come near Ben unwanted, whilst that beast is in the room."

Barebone nodded. "An excellent plan, Dom. Now I must go. I promised to visit Widow Flagsheet with a composer before I went home, and I am tired after the surgery. These things always leave me drained of strength. Do not fret his lordship, Dom. Leave him to rest. Tomorrow evening, perhaps, will be soon enough for your questions."

He got up to leave, and Dom also rose and flung on his cloak.

Barebone turned, outside the door, as a thought struck him. "The Bishop will expect de Woode at the cathedral tomorrow, as it is the Sabbath. I shall tell him how things are, so no-one thinks his lordship impious. You know how particular Boniface is about prominent city figures attending mass regularly."

"Bugger Boniface!" Dom said, with heat. "I only attend mass when I can no longer avoid it. I hate the man, and his false piety.
I wanted to see if de Woode had had any further thoughts about Ben's attacker, that was all. It can wait. He is a strange little man, is he not? Cold-hearted, too - but I acknowledge he is clever - he has an excellent mind."

John Barebone cast his friend a cynical glance, as he turned to leave him. "He is not as cold as you seem to think, Dominic, I promise you. I know that for a fact. I will see Ben in the morning. Sleep well! I give ye god-den!"

Dom returned the wish, and shrugged at his friend's receding back.

Whatever it was that John had seen in the man, it certainly eluded him.


*****


Elijah slept all night through, and woke in the morning with a raging thirst, in pain, but with no headache, for which he was profoundly grateful.

Andrew had slept beside his bed, and was awake and up as soon as his master stirred. Elijah drank two mazers full of small beer, but refused food until later. His leg was still very painful, so he consented to take three drops of Barebone's elixir, and felt the immediate benefit of it.

Red came, for no-one had told him that Sunday was free, and he stayed to help Andrew with Elijah. "My Mam has gone to take her sister one of the pennies I got from you yesterday," the boy disclosed, with a grin. "She's a widow, like Mam, and will be glad of it. So there's nothing to do at home."


There was a list of instructions for Astin that Elijah had written out the day before, on the table downstairs, and Red picked it up, and stared at it, bemused. "They're just little squiggles!" he complained, sitting down to breakfast with some eagerness. "How anyone can tell what they say is a mystery to me!"

Will put a plate of cold mutton in front of him. "If you want to learn, I could teach you," he offered, as the boy stuffed a handful of meat into his mouth. "Yes, and teach you how to behave at table, too, you rapscallion!"

Swallowing with difficulty, Red said he would like that. "I could be of help to his lordship, then, couldn't I? If I could read and write?"

"No time like the present," Will said, smiling. "Eat up, and we'll get started.''

Elijah was inclined to sleep, and when the apothecary came, as the breakfast was being cleared, he told Red not to worry his master by chatting, but to find something useful to do.

So began Red's education.


*****


Dom spent an indifferent night, and was up and out, just after dawn, checking on reported cattle raiders in the countryside nearby. For some reason, he still felt wary concerning Ben's safety, and had ordered a guard to be stationed outside his door. The attacker did it, once - he could try again, he thought, as he went back upstairs to his office.

He ate a breakfast of cheese and bread, and, as he heard the cathedral bells sounding for Tierce, he went to the new rooms in which Ben had been placed, and, entering, stopped dead on the threshold.

Ben's bedroom furniture had consisted, before this day, of a bed and a bucket - nothing else. Dom looked about him, his mouth half open. There was a comfortable bed, with white linen sheets upon it, and warm woollen blankets. There was a superior piss-pot under the bed - and a dog upon it that bared its teeth at him again.

There were two braziers, burning peat and coals, two comfortable chairs with embroidered cushions on them, upon one of which the nurse was sitting, and a small table and chest. On the stone-clad floor lay a huge fur-skin rug.

Dom closed his mouth. Walking over to the bed, he saw that Ben was awake, and the lad looked at him, sleepily, but did not speak. Dom saw by his eyes that the boy had been given Barebone's precious elixir, and that was best.

"You will be safe here, Ben. The door is guarded, and the women will tend to you. Send if you need me. I shall come again, later," he said, softly.

"Thank you," Ben's mouth moved, but no words came out, and he closed his eyes, and drifted again, his hand clutched fast in the dog's thick pelt.

The guard at the door was as much at a loss as was Dom. "I dunno who they was, Sheriff, what brought the stuff, and that's a fact. Master Barebone brought them in, early this morning, for you do know we was told not to let anyone in, like - but I knew that didn't mean 'im, or anyone 'e brought, sir. Did we do wrong?"

Dom shook his head, smiling, and went to his office, and spent a lonely morning writing reports. When he heard the bells for Sext, three hours later, he was so bored with his own company, he was in half a mind to go to church after all, and find John, and ask about the identity of Ben's benefactor.

Then he bethought himself of having to stand and listen for an hour to Boniface's pious platitudes and rantings against the sins of the flesh. It rankled - the memory of the Bishop's brothel still clear in his mind - and he decided against it.

Half a mind is what you have, if you find the thought of listening to that old barrel of lard a greater pleasure than your own company, Dom Mortain. He laughed, in spite of himself, and decided to visit his lordship instead.

He reasoned, as he walked along, that Elijah must be feeling better by now. He might be glad of a friendly face to take his mind off the pain.

Dom stopped outside de Woode's front door, appalled at his own stupidity. The man did not regard his as a friendly face, though, did he? Well, it was too late, now, to turn back. If the coroner threw him out, there were worse things that could happen. He had an excuse for calling - he would tell him of the good fortune that had come to Ben.

"It's the Sheriff, my lord, if you would see him," Andrew said, putting another soft, duck-down pillow behind his master's back.

Elijah was in pain, but he had slept well all morning, and now, after sending Red off with Barebone, to see how Ben did and to take him a fine tart that Annie had made, he was heartily sick of his own company. He liked to be up and doing things, not languishing in bed like a sickly maiden aunt.

He wrinkled his nose. "He's a boor, and an idiot, but he'll have to do, in lieu of anyone better," Elijah pronounced, to the amusement of his man. "I have been reading Will's report of the inquest, and a thought has come to me. I can discuss it with him, at least. Send him up. And then tell Will and Mary to go to church - you can't all be seen to be tending the sick."

Dom crept into the room as if he would find Elijah asleep. "How do you do, my lord? Do I find you rested?"

Elijah managed a smile. Really! How does the buffoon think I do, after having my leg sliced open yesterday?

"I am well, I thank you. Please sit down, Sheriff," Elijah pointed to a chair beside the bed, and Dom saw the inquest report resting upon it.

"May I?" he asked, picking up the parchment.

"By all means. I wonder if you will notice what I did, after reading it."

Dom quickly read it through. There was nothing he did not know written there, merely a report of the proceedings and findings, and a list of Master Flagsheet's clothing and effects.

"What was it you noticed, crowner? I see nothing amiss."

Elijah shifted slightly in the bed, moving his leg into a more comfortable position. "It is in the list of clothing, or rather - it is not there. Scan it again, if you will."

Dom shook his head, and Elijah sighed. Really, the man is as thick as honey!

He enlightened him. "As you know, we found the knife that killed Flagsheet - his own knife - in Gropecunt Lane."

Dom waited.

"But there was no sheath for the knife with his clothing," Elijah announced.

Dom's eyebrows rose. He thought of knife sheaths. Most of them had loops which slid onto a belt, already worn. Some were separate belts, but the man had been very fat - too fat for two belts.

"I asked Master Flagsheet's son this morning, when he called, which sort his father wore, and he always wore one attached with a loop on his main belt. So the knife - and its sheath - had to be removed when the belt was not on him. Odd. Where did he remove the belt?"

"It could have been when he was with a harlot, of course," Dom mused. "Given where the knife was found, after all."

Elijah gestured to some wine, and Dom poured out two cups, as Elijah spoke. "But does it not seem odd to you that the knife, and its sheath, were removed? Why not just the knife? Why was the sheath taken? Why not leave it there, on the belt? The killer or killers made no effort to hide the knife, after all. It was not as if he meant to keep it. Red found it in the street easily enough. Flagsheet was wearing the belt, when he was found - but was he wearing it when he was killed? A conundrum."

Dom had not thought of that. "Do you think the whores should be questioned, after all, my lord?"

Elijah nodded. "I do. But I cannot go, today, and any leads may be lost if we wait until I am more recovered." He was angered that his own weakness compelled him to ask this man, of all men, for help. However, he knew he had to do it. Few others had the authority to demand entrance to the stewes.

He had no option. "Will you go, Sheriff, in my stead? May I impose upon you to do so?" he said, anger that he was forced to ask boiling like acid in his gut

Dom blushed as he thought of visiting a place, as an officer of the law, that he went to for comfort at other times. He knew most of the girls, after all. Would that prove a hindrance, or a help? Could not the crowner wait until he could go himself? But he felt he should help for after all the man was discommoded. It was not as if he had anything better to do.

"Certainly! I will go now, and return and report to you, later, if that is agreeable to you," he said, not even attempting to keep the reluctance from his voice. This man had to learn that Dom Mortain was not to be imposed upon, nor ordered about, by anyone.

"Indeed, I thank you, sir," Elijah replied, with more grace than truth, noting the tone of the Sheriff's voice with displeasure. "If I am asleep, when you return, you must not hesitate to disturb me."

Dom's flush deepened, as there was an edge of sarcasm to the man's voice, so he bowed himself out of the room in haste, determined under no circumstances to bother the man if he was asleep.

He passed Astin the steward, on the stairs. The man stood aside to let him pass, and Dom detected a slight reserve about the man, that he was at a loss to define. However, there was no time to think of that now because he had a whore-house to visit!

*****

The outside of the building was shabby, and ill-kempt, but the structure was sound enough, and the girls inside were clean, being inspected weekly by the town Bailiff, and his men, whose task it was to see that all the city's whores were free of disease.
There were a few other brothels further down the street, but this was the cleanest, and the most friendly, and did not attempt, like some others, to break the law by selling its customers alcoholic beverages.

Agnes let him into the house without asking what it was Dom wanted. She assumed that he was there for a woman, and took him in to the room where several painted whores sat on a bench waiting for customers. None were wearing the red wig that harlots habitually wore out of doors, nor the green-sleeved gowns that were their badge of office, as there was no doubt inside this house about their profession.

Dom coughed nervously. "I am not here for pleasure, Agnes, but on business. Coroner's business," he said as the stewes-keeper glared at him, suspiciously.

"A fine thing to be disturbing my girls on the Sabbath day, indeed Sheriff!" she spat at him, folding her well-muscled arms across her generous bosom. Dom had no doubt that she would attempt to throw him out, if she felt she needed to, but he had no intention of returning to the crowner to tell him he had been evicted by a woman, so he glared back at her.

"Well, Agnes, they hardly look as if they are ready for sleep, or to visit church!" Dom answered acerbically. "I have questions to ask, and it is either me, whom you know, or the new crowner, whom you do not. Which will it be?"

Agnes gave in, and flopped on the bench next to her girls. "Go on, then, but make it quick, will you? The men will be coming in soon, on their way home from church. His holier-than-thou Grace, the bishop, among 'em. He likes to collect his rent in person, and takes a girl at the same time. The pig always wants it for free, too, so the girl loses out."

Dom's lips pressed together. Another reason to dislike the man.

"Was Archerus Flagsheet a customer, here, Agnes? The dead Guild-Master?" Dom asked, watching the girls' faces carefully for any tell-tale expressions.

But Agnes shook her head, relieved. "No, Dom, I swear he was not - and never has been, I promise you," she said, firmly.

Dom wondered if he should tell them that the knife was found outside, then decided against it. It might hamper the search if it were known.

Agnes and the girls revealed that several prominent citizens used the place, and did not hesitate to name them, after he promised complete discretion, and to tell no-one what they had revealed concerning their patrons, except Elijah de Woode. Dom felt that they would have told him if Flagsheet had been there. There was no point in them hiding it, after all. He determined to return to the coroner as soon as may be. Better to say, now, that there was no news, than to add to the man's hopes.

Then he caught the eye of the saucy minx, Elva, who winked at him, and he decided to delay his departure. After all, it was many weeks since he had been able to afford to come here, and he had two pence to spare, now he had no food to buy, did he not?


******


It was three hours later when Dom returned to the coroner's house, happy and satisfied. He had enjoyed an hour with Elva, which relieved the congestion in his loins, if it had not touched his heart. No woman, had, in fact, succeeded in attaching the Sheriff, not even the better-born demoiselles of the city, and it was not for want of them trying. But Dom had never met a woman for whom he felt enough to surrender his valuable freedom, so he remained a single man.

He had then gone to check on things at the keep, for he certainly was in no rush to report immediately to his lordship as if he were his servant.

When he went back to the crowner's house, Red had returned from his visit to Ben, and was sitting by the table, his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth, as he laboriously copied the letters and numbers Will had written on the parchment.

Dom examined it with interest. So few people, even amongst the gentry, could read and write, and it was astonishing to discover several servants in one household, who could do so.

Will, correcting one of Red's mistakes, smiled at Dom's remark. "We were brought up with Lord Elijah, Sheriff, on the same estates in Kent. Our father was his father's bailiff, and we were put to the tutor with Lord Elijah because, his father said, the young lad would learn quicker if he had companions to compete against him. He did, too!"

Red had managed to copy his name, even though he had not yet recognised the letters, and could write the numbers from one to ten, although the Roman numerals confused him. Will taught him to count to five, using four vertical lines scored through with one diagonal.

"It'll all come, lad. One day, it'll be like a candle lighting in your head, and you'll see it, I promise."

Red looked up from his scratching. "Is that how it was with you?"

Will nodded. "It was. Now get on with your task - the Sheriff has come to see his lordship, not listen to your prattle. You're to go up, sir."

Elijah was asleep when Dom looked in through the door - or, at least, was pretending sleep - Dom was not quite sure.

"Tell him I'll return tomorrow," Dom whispered, from the doorway, to Andrew, who was folding clothes on a chest.

Unfortunately, Dom had not completely closed the chamber door behind him.

"Thank God for that! I cannot stomach the boorish oaf twice in one day!" Dom heard the relief in Elijah's voice, as he made for the stairs.

Dom frowned, mightily angered. Damned insolent knave! I help him - twice, in two days - and still he insults me! Well, we shall see who comes off best of the encounter, in the end! I shall not forget his rudeness, so easily, that I swear!

Ignoring both Red's and Will's farewells, he stormed out, slamming the street door hard behind him as he left.

Comments

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Thanks to Barebone's skill Elijah should survive. The description of the surgery made me wince for him, poor man! Dom and he seemed to be getting along better, but from Elijah comment at the end everything's back to square one :-/

Ben's on the mend, thank goodness, and recuperating in some well-deserved luxury and I bet I know who's behind that ;-)

The name of the street where the murder weapon was found made me chuckle and the fact that Dom *delayed his departure* from the whorehouse for an hour with Elva...

It's good to see that Red is being given some education. He seems a willing pupil.

Thanks very much to you and LSR for another intriguing chapter. Sorry she's gone already. No wonder you are missing her, she's a good friend to you :-)
XXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I do have good friends and I'm very happy to count you amongst them, my love. I just wish I'd been feeling better when you were here - but, there's always next time, I hope.

Glad you like it! Hugs. xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Awww that's lovely, thanks! It was a pity you weren't feeling well when we were there. Hope it's not too long before we can visit again and that we find you in better health, then :-)

Hugs back. XXX

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

“relieved the congestion in his loins”

lol! That’s a nice way of putting it. ;-)

I can’t help but feel bad for poor Dom! He can do nothing right in Eiljah’s eyes.

“Dom remembered the purse of money he had been sent, blessed the giver again, and smiled at his friend.”

*giggle* I can’t wait until he finds out the despicable Elijah was his benefactor.

Perhaps it is not a whodunit, but I confess, I don’t know who it was who did it. Although, the Bishop may be a candidate, and I wonder if the same person hurt Ben?

I like how you use words that seem more like words used at the time, like the person who took a ‘composure’ or Saracen’s ‘potion’, to mention but a couple.

While I was dismayed over Elijah’s surgery, I am glad you weren’t more graphic in the description. I don’t know how people in earlier times could bare the pain of being cut on. Yikes! I’m glad we have better medications now.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, often they died of the pain, not the surgery, in those days - if the dirt didn't get them! No need for graphics if Lighe is lying there biting on a pad, it's BAD!

I try not to make it too olde worlde, but I do like a flavour of the times to creep in, yes I do.

It'll be a while until Dom's congested loins get relieved by Lighe - but not TOO long! Giggles. Part 15, in fact. :) xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

"It'll be a while until Dom's congested loins get relieved by Lighe"

That puts a whole new slant on the term decongestant! : D

Edit: BTW, I noted how clean the surgeon was, how careful he was to wash his hands in a special solution, and the maids to boil the cloths used for bandages. That was not typical of the day, I don't think. It wasn't until later that there was an understanding of what germs are, right? I guess this surgeon had a gift of foresight, thank goodness!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

No, such cleanliness was not common at the time. The concept of germs is very late 19th early 20th century. But Barebone has his reasons! Winks. :D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, that surgery was terrible to contemplate. Poor Elijah. I felt so sorry for him. It seemed he and Dom might be warming to each other a little, but then things went right back to being tense and difficult. Such proud men, they both need a good talking to. Of course, who's going to do that to the sheriff and the cororner? Excellent chapter, Issi.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! They'll both melt, soon, my love. I can't have them not loving each other for very long - just me! xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

I really love this story `tis fab. I thought the guys were getting on better, then Dom overhears Elijah oh ah :) Elijah is so generous to everyone too, I hope Dom will thank him later on when he finds out.
I remember the name of the road you told us about when we were in London and I thought that Rabbit Row was a charming name, then you mentioned G.C. Lane, the place of the whores.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I wish I knew where it was, and what it's called, now. Bet it isn't a bit like the old name, eh? Giggles. :D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Oh, that surgery! You were right when you said that Elijah wouldn't have any brandy to numb the pain. What a brave soul! I couldn't have stood it. At least Barebones was thoughtful enough to keep everything as clean as possible.

I agree with Prim about your use of some of the language of the day to keep us in mind of the period. I love it. You use just enough without the language becoming baffling. "...relieved the congestion in his loins" is wonderfully colorful. Heee!

I hate that Dom overheard Elijah's "boorish oaf" at the end. More bad feelings between them. Please make it better soon, Issi! :D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Don't worry - both of them get to like each other really soon. Bless. We can't have them being at odds, nonono!

And there is a reason why they are being so awful to each other. Winks. ;D xxx

[cat-luvs-guysx2.livejournal.com]

Well, it is good that Elijah fared well with the surgery, that Ben is going to be well, that Red is reading and that Dom has relieved his congestion. ;D
I do so enjoy the animosity between Dom and Elijah; makes the tense that much more tangible. Finally caught up and looking forward to more. :D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Bless the DomLijah. May it live long and prosper. :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I was awake at 4:30 am and looked...you had it up. I read it in like I was starved for water. It was FANTASTIC. Elijah dealing with this pain. Oh MG! the dead flesh being taken out. eeeewwwwwww...so gross. Thinking he was walking around with his flesh dying and he would die also was horrible. I am thinking Elijah owes Dom one hell of an apology. He is being condiscending with Dom. Maybe it is a chemistry that is there he doesn't understand...but for right now, Dom can't do anything right. I loved how Barebones insinuated that there is much more to Elijah and kindnesses. Then all that comfort and protection given to Ben...and Dom doesn't think about it enough to understand it is from Elijah. He does seem very Dense. Now, poor drugged Elijah who lets it rip from his mouth, is not going to understand how Dom is acting even more the ass as he is hurt and being more difficult. I DO LOVE THIS.
I love Elijah's incredible strength. Never letting on to anyone how horrible his pain was (as his flesh was dying...ewwww again)
I love this. I am so happy you are giving 2 a week. Its heaven. Love you and LSR hugs xoxooxox v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, Master Barebone has dug out all the yucky bits, and Lighe's leg is improving by the moment, thank goodness.

Both men have their reason for behaving as they are - and, although they don't know it yet - it's the same reason! Bless them!

I hope that two parts a week will be good for everyone - I can see it pleases YOU! ;D xxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

excellent Ru - this is shaping up so well and I love marchpane! I was demonstrating it on Wednesday and explaining to those who would listen how it was made and the enormous costs involved.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yup, marchpane was so much more than marzipan is today! My Nana used to make it, like soft shortbread, only with sultanas - cos I love sultanas. Sigh. The old days! Do you know that in this story, some years Elijah spent as much as £20 on food? He had money to burn! Glad you like it! :D xxx

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Very interesting, keep it up :)

Dom doesn't yet have a clue about the real subliminal reason why Elijah pisses him so much, does he?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Nope. Elijah knows, of course - but Dom hasn't a clue - yet. Well, he has a clue, he's just not realised it! Bless him! :D xxx

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Elijah knows he feels attraction to Dom? I was under the impression they're both kind of clueless, even though Elijah is obviously the one who has had homosexual relations before.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not long to part 14, after all! ;D xxx