As if on cue with the man's words the door of the house opened letting out a golden array of color into the gloom of the barnyard. Two women hustled out in a rustle of skirts. I instantly trusted both of them and handed the squalling child down to them.
They took the baby and instantly it seemed that there was order to the night. The baby still screamed, but I knew it would be all right and I felt relief wash over me.
I started to dismount only to half slide off the horse. I gripped onto the saddle horn, but two strong hands were already ushering me the rest of the way to the ground.
"Easy lad," came the voice of the farmer and I let go of the saddle. I hadn't realized that I was so tired.
The process of walking felt strange, but I resolutely headed toward the golden light still coming from the open doorway. I stepped inside and blinked as my eyes adjusted to the brighter light in the house.
I felt myself blush at the sight of one of the women breast-feeding the baby. I almost turned to leave the room, but the farmer pushed me from behind further into the house.
The second woman, who I took to be the farmer's wife, came forward and touched my chest and pulled the shreds of my shirt apart. I watched her face cringe and then she was leading me over to a chair and pushing on my shoulders to make me sit down.
I didn't like the way my legs collapsed under me at the slight insistence of her hands. I'd thought I was stronger than this.
Numbly I felt myself stripped of my upper clothes and then the woman was washing at my chest with a warm rag. Her hands were shaking. Not really wanting to look, I did anyway and in turn was shaken by what I saw.
Were those jaded gouges across my chest for real?
They had to be and yet I had not thought my injuries were so extensive. I had been so intent on just escaping. I could've died!
Feeling a little more aware, I sat up a little and gripped the sides of the chair as I began to feel the pain I had been numb to in the past few hours. In one spot I could see the white of my ribs showing. The sight of that made me queasy and I had to look away quickly.
The old farmer's face was grim as he asked, "How far from here?"
"A little better than two hours hard ride. I don't think I was followed, but I can't be sure of it."