Kayden skipped into the house, seemingly unconcerned with the events that had the adults all in an uproar. She flashed her uncle a bright smile as she reached for the first aid kit beside him. "I need to borrow, this please. Edward has a scratch I need to tend to."

Marrathew grunted his consent, his concentration on tying the bandages securely about Witch Hazel's arm while breathing as little as possible. Even Kayden, far more use to the young woman's potions and brews, had to wrinkle her nose at the strong scent. "Bring it back when you're done," Marrathew instructed through his teeth.

Kayden considered Hazel's arm with a curious expression. "Have you found a way to mend flesh yet, Witch Hazel?"

Hazel shook her head and let out a silent frustrated sigh. She had been working on a mixture of some sort that would heal wounds completely-or even at all. She was not above experimenting on herself, nor John's men who had displeased him. She would patch them up as needed, but she'd also feed them odd mixtures or slather upon her latest formulas. It was the cost of John's displeasure after a careless fight. So far she'd only lost one that may have been a direct result of her ideas, though many had sworn to lick their own wounds clean before allowing her to dribble anything new into their cuts again. She, though alone in her belief, was mostly positive that Askar hadn't lost use of his hand because of what she'd coated his wrist in, but from the sword that nearly took it off.

Already her mind was buzzing with her thoughts on this latest experiment. It stung like a firewasp, but alcohol usually had that effect. She had hoped the icemint would help to sooth the burn, though it did not seem to be having much luck. The turmeric and honey lent the scent of the mixture a pleasant undertone, though it was a false perfume that failed to mask the more pungent ingredients. 'I should add limestone next time,' her thoughts were distracted as she stood up to follow her young charge. John would not forgive her for abandoning her position, no matter what her excuse might be. 'And I think I will change up what I stir the pot with. Something with a more soothing nature. I'll do some research into that when I get home.'

"Kay." Marrathew's strong voice called after the two of them, his tone falsely happy. "After you take care of Edward, will you come speak with me? I'd like to know if your daddy told you anything about his plans today." Hazel narrowed her eyes at him, already frustrated with her silence. She would need to find a way to warn Kayden that this was a trap. Marrathew just smiled back at her. She could only delay his questions for so long.

Astute Kayden gave her uncle a polite smile and dipped her head in agreement. "I will come sit with you after I tend to Edward, Uncle. Papa says it's most important to see that our family and friends are taken care of. I don't want to let him down!"

~~~~

Ribbon's tail flew as she smelled her mistress. She loved Sara, but right now her good boy needed her more. She wuffed softly again and nuzzled at his back. The gentle prod was all that Jake needed to fly to his feet and fling his arms around his grandmother. "Gramammie!"

Sara folded the sobbing Jake gently into her chest. She planted a kiss on the top of his head, stroking and soothing him gently. She desperately wanted to get into that tree to ensure Caleb was alive and to take out everyone that had caused him this harm, but right now her little boy was much more important. "Hush, Jakey. It's alright. I'm here."

Jake smeared snot across her shirt as he buried in deeper. His words rushed out in a jumble as he struggled to tell her all his thoughts at once. "I knew Edward would get you, they'd grabbed me and had a knife at my throat, it hurts so bad, but Caleb was so brave and he fought them, and I wasn't strong enough to do that, I know you're probably so disappointed I wasn't good enough, I didn't mean to be captured, and Uncle John said they had to let us go, but Caleb fought him too, and he made them release me, but I didn't help anyone, I just ran away, and I'm a coward but I was so afraid and it hurt and I didn't want to die like papa!"

Ribbon shoved herself into Jake's ribs again. She whined loudly. Why was he still distressed? Mistress was here to take care of him now. He should be happy again. What could she do to make him happy? Slowly Jake's fingers began to work her ear again as he noticed her insistent prodding. Ribbon's tail flew. Jake drew in a long, trembling breath and slowly relaxed. His grandmother was here to make everything alright, he trusted her to handle the situation. She'd keep them all safe.