She placed a worn, larger bowl over the flames, pouring water in to boil. As the steam began to rise, Kaya cleaned the fish with quick, practiced motions. This was the only meat they had right now—thin, fragile, but enough.
Fish is good for strength, she thought grimly. And right now, he needs all of it.
Kaya fetched cold water into a bowl, then eased Veer down onto the ground. She dipped a small, smooth cloth into the water, wrung it out, and pressed it gently against his burning forehead. The fever was climbing too fast—if she didn't bring it down, it could turn into something far worse.
She kept at it, replacing the compress whenever it grew warm. On the other side of the cave, the fish simmered in the pot, the broth slowly taking on the scent of herbs and the faint sharpness of spices she had scavenged.
