Lily couldn’t help but be desperate to learn more about the complexities of this little family unit that Jem had built with his sister. His swift arrival at the scene of the fight confirmed to Lily that there was something darker at work here. This was a safe space for these children, yes, but it was clear that everyone was troubled in their own way. She decided that she’d ask Jem about it at a more opportune time, when he wasn’t covered in blood and trying to patch up his wards.

Maeve and Brenna returned through the creaking oak door, carrying the hot water and the cloths. Worry was still etched across their faces but they seemed to calm a little once they realised the fighting was properly over. Lily thanked them and they sat by her, one on either side.

Lily set to work soaking the cloths in the water and wiping away the dried, crusty blood that covered Glenn’s face and hair. Maeve and Brenna both took a handful of cloths each and, dampening them, they helped her clean his arms and chest while she focused on his face and neck, where the wounds were deeper, bloodier. As the three of them worked to clean Glenn, Jem stood and gestured for Cass to follow him. The boy struggled to his feet and Jem wrapped an arm around his waist, allowing Cass to lean his weight on him. They disappeared outside without another word.

Lily quietly hoped that Jem gave Cass the telling-off he deserved after brutalising Glenn so badly. Cass’s injuries were minor in comparison to Glenn’s, probably owing to the fact that Cass was twice his size, both in height and in muscle mass. Cass was built like a shire horse, slender but strong. It was no wonder he had so easily overpowered Glenn, who was a skinny, watery-eyed pine marten in both stature and appearance.

Just as Lily, Maeve, and Brenna had finished cleaning up Glenn’s wounds, Morven arrived back, out of breath. She was carrying the ointments Lily had sent her away to fetch. She rushed over, dropped them on the floor by Lily and looked around with desperate wildness in her eyes.

‘Where are Jem and Cass?’

‘Jem took him away. I don’t know where though. Why, what’s the matter?’

Morven snarled, her entire face changing from concerned to venomous. ‘I swear, if he hurts him… If he punishes him for this, I will never forgive him.’ She turned on her heel and dashed back out of the room.

Lily frowned but tried to focus on tending to Glenn. She dabbed the wounds with the copper-coloured liquid out of the first bottle, then coated them in the thick salve, before covering the worst ones in thick, tightly wrapped bandages. She worked methodically, finding peace in the familiar routine of healing. Maeve and Brenna sat and stared, fascinated by the process. She found herself almost wishing that she had more time here amongst these interesting souls so she could learn their quirks, their routines, their habits. She decided that, if she did have more time, or if she ever returned once she had rescued Alice, she would take on Maeve and Brenna as apprentices, if they were interested. They were young still, but in a few years they would be ready to help with pulling together the remedies, and their quiet determination to assist her warmed her heart.