Corruption Rent: Day 10

Word Count: 66,002

Summary of Events:
Chapter 21:
After they returned from battling for the day Le Suides flogged Étienne with fifty six lashes, along with washing his wounds with salt and vinegar four times. Agathe watched in horror while Étienne fought off unconsciousness, being as he was terrified of dying.
Chapter 22:
Agathe used her apron and her petticoats to bandaged Étienne's back. After five days of sleep Étienne woke up and told Agathe that life wasn't worth living, even though she tried desperately to encourage him. Agathe then wondered how to inspire Étienne with hope.

Excerpt of the Day:
"As soon as the fetter was opened, Chevalier de Versant's arm dropped limply. Agathe's eyes widened in terror. No. He couldn't bread. The other arm was unbound and Chevalier de Versant's body collapsed to the ground with all the life of a child's cloth doll.
The two big men took Chevalier de Versant up, one holding his arms, one holding his legs. The braider unlocked the wagon door and opened it while the two big men climbed up inside and set Chevalier de Versant down.
Agathe looked at the men with wide eyes. They were going to leave him here? One of the men looked at her very seriously. His gaze seemed to communicate that Chevalier de Versant was alive.
As soon as the soldiers left and the wagon was locked Agathe took off her apron. She put it against Chevalier de Versant's back, grimacing as it quickly became soaked through with blood.
Gently she rolled him over and crossed her apron ties across his chest, tying them to the opposing corners of her apron. Then, grateful the Wouest-Suides had fallen asleep during the long, drawn out flogging, Agathe tore strips off her petticoats, the longer and wider the better, and wrapped them around Chevalier de Versant.
Now Agathe had to admit that she was grateful she'd been denied the ability to remove her extra winter petticoats. With much effort she managed to tear more large squares out of one of the layers and wrapped them around Chevalier de Versant until his chest was bound like he was wearing tight-fitting armour of pure white.
Carefully Agathe put her fingers on Chevalier de Versant's neck. She could feel a rather weak throbbing beneath her fingers. Then she noticed that Chevalier de Versant was breathing. His chest rising and falling slowly.
Agathe felt relieved. She bowed her head down and rested her nose against Chevalier de Versant's cheek. Closing her eyes, she relaxed, breathing deeply, relieved that he was alive, not that she was entirely sure why."