It only took a few minutes for the white horse to come back into view, followed by a chestnut horse with a pump, older man in the saddle. Teryn stepped forward, as Master Ariel dismounted. GG took Maria's hand from around his back and helped her off the horse before he swung down. She raced inside, then the older man took his satchel followed. GG took both horses around back to brush them down, and Teryn followed the others into the house.
"Philip!" Maria cried, crouching next to him. He was lying on Jezebel's lap near the fire, while she ran her fingers through his sweat-drenched hair.
Master Ariel looked at Teryn. "The boy told me it was a horse accident?" He asked, to which Teryn gave a brief nod. The less the man knew, the safer he'd be. He knelt next to Philip, mixing a few herbs together into a yellow cream. Unwrapping the makeshift bandage Jezebel had applied, Master Ariel frowned. The bone stuck out of the man's leg, worse than the healer had ever seen.
Teryn came back with a bottle of whiskey, giving it to Philip, who took a large drink. He knew from Master Ariel's face what needed to be done, so he took a thin block of wood and touched Jezebel's shoulder. "Get Lizzie out of the house," he whispered. Teryn switched spots with the woman, and Maria looked away squeamishly. As soon as Jezebel and Lizzie left, Teryn looked at the man lying on his lap. "Philip, this is going to hurt like nothing you've ever felt, but you're going to be fine."
The older man took a razor-sharp knife and easily cut away excess skin. Philip winced, but it wasn't too bad. "Open your mouth, son," Master Ariel said, frowning and putting on his gloves.
Philip took another drink, then opened his mouth. Teryn placed the block in his mouth, and Philip closed his mouth on it. Master Ariel put one hand under Philip's leg and the other on the bone. In a swift movement...
*SNAP!*
Philip bit down and screamed, but passed out from the pain. Maria shook with her hands over her ears. Master Ariel looked at Teryn with a nod. "That's a normal reaction to the pain," he said. "Don't judge him too harshly." Teryn smiled slightly, shaking his head. Master Ariel applied the cream onto the wound and dressed it properly. "He'll be fine in a few weeks. Don't let him put too much stress on it, or he'll do permanent damage."