She found her stirring stew over the cook fire.
“If you can do anything for my daughter, do it and do it quickly.”
Rizpah was astonished at the urgent request, wondering at her sudden change of heart. “What’s happened?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all has happened. I’ve tried everything I know. And Anomia . . .” She shook her head. “If you can do something, please help her.”
Rizpah was at a loss. What did Freyja think she could do that hadn’t been done? She had been praying for Marta since she had become ill, but knew telling Freyja that would bring no comfort at all. More likely it would exacerbate her worry. “I know of no cures, Lady Freyja. I’m sorry. Only the Lord heals.”
Freyja swayed, and Rizpah quickly came to her. “Atretes! Come quickly!”
Atretes came at a run from the stall he was mending. “What is it?” Seeing his mother in her arms, he shoved the gate open and strode across the room. Catching his mother up in his arms, he carried her to her bed and laid her upon it.
“Has she a fever?” Rizpah said, greatly concerned.
Atretes put his hand on her head. “No.”
Freyja’s eyelids quivered and she moaned softly. “I need to go back.”
“She’s exhausted. She needs to rest.”
“She will rest. I’ll see to it.” He looked around and saw Caleb playing with some blocks of wood he had made for him. “The boy’s fine and occupied. You see to Marta.”
Rizpah took up her shawl and went out quickly. She crossed the street and knocked at Usipi’s door. When he opened the door slightly, she was filled with compassion at the weary despair etched into his face. “May I come in?”
Usipi hesitated for a moment, scanning the street quickly before opening the door just wide enough for her to come inside. As soon as she entered, she felt the oppressiveness of their home. It was dark and filled with shadows. She sensed the presence of something malevolent within the confines of the longhouse walls. The odor of garlic made her head swim. If it was difficult for her to breathe without feeling faint, how much worse must it be for Marta and Usipi and the children?
Lord, Lord, drive out the evil I feel surrounding me. I feel devoured by eyes.
“Please remove the garlic, Usipi,” she said, taking off her shawl. “It’s overpowering.”
“It keeps evil spirits away,” he said, making no move to do her bidding. He looked worse than Freyja.
“It would drive anything away. At least allow me to open the doors and let air pass through.”
He was too tired to argue or even care about garlic. All he cared about was Marta, and he was losing her. Without a word, he went back and sat beside his wife’s bed.
Rizpah quickly opened every door and window. Light streamed in, bringing with it a welcome scent of pine and fresh air. She spoke briefly to Elsa, and the girl went out, taking little Luisa with her. Returning to Usipi, Rizpah put her hand on his shoulder. “Sleep for a while, Usipi. I’ll sit with Marta.”
“No.”
Compassion filled her. If Atretes were lying ill, she wouldn’t leave him, either. “Then lie down on the bed on the other side of her.” She helped him rise and do as she asked. He was asleep as soon as he put his head down.
Marta’s eyes opened. Rizpah smiled down at her as she put a blanket over Usipi. She came back around the bed and sat in his place. “Don’t be afraid,” she said and took Marta’s limp hand in both her own. She rubbed it, praying silently that fear would depart. After a few minutes, Marta relaxed a little, and Rizpah praised the Lord.
Rizpah rose and put her palm gently against Marta’s forehead. It was hot and dry. “Would you like a cool cup of water?”
Marta nodded.
Pouring some, Rizpah helped her sit up enough to drink it. Marta sipped a little at first and then drank deeply. She lay back weakly. “I haven’t been able to hold anything down,” she said in a weak, raspy voice.
“Then I pray this time you will.” And she did, silently.
Rizpah dampened a cloth. Marta felt all the fear ebb from her as Rizpah washed her face as gently as she would a baby. “Where are my children?”
“Derek is outside, sitting by the wall. Elsa is with Caleb. She took Luisa with her. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked if she would help Atretes watch Caleb while I’m with you.”
Marta smiled tremulously. “No, I don’t mind. She’s been pleading with me . . .” A frown flickered. Regret. Shame. She looked at Rizpah and saw no ill feelings, though she had due cause for them. “She’ll enjoy it.” Why had she listened to Anomia when she had known the moment she met Rizpah that she was kind and trustworthy?