by B. T. Narro
“Is Aliana’s father still around?”
“He’s interested in Aliana and helps when he can, but we aren’t together.”
I felt like I should warn Gwen that Leon was not usually like this. Or was he, and he was only different with his students? I didn’t know anymore.
Should I bring it up with Aliana? I wasn’t sure she’d want to know. I doubted anything would happen between Leon and Gwen. Leon was too busy for any kind of relationship. Wasn’t he?
I felt like I didn’t even know Leon anymore. Shouldn’t he go back to the castle? He was probably needed by my peers.
Eventually, I decided it was none of my business. I had a habit of feeling responsible for people I was not responsible for. This was not up to me.
Soon a middle-aged woman entered who Quincy greeted.
“Pamela, how are you today?”
Pamela…I knew this woman, unless it was someone else with the same name. She didn’t look well, unfortunately. She had bags under her eyes and stood at a slouch.
“Worse, I’m afraid,” she said. “I’ve come for more medicine.”
“Excuse me,” I interjected. “Do you happen to be the mother of Greda?”
“Yes, and you are?”
“Greda may have spoken of me. I’m Jon Oklar.”
“I…I don’t want any trouble.” She backed toward the door.
I was confused. Maybe she was sick to the point of delirium? I could already feel something wrong about her even being a few feet away.
“It’s fine,” I tried to tell her. “I can help you.”
“No, stay away.” She backed out of the small place.
Leon came out from the other room. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t want anything to do with Jon,” Pamela said. She turned to leave.
“Pamela,” Quincy said. “Why are you scared of Jon?”
“I don’t…I can’t. I’m sorry.” She started to walk off.
I then realized why she was afraid. Greda had figured out that someone had poisoned her mother and taken Greda’s place in her shop. Under an illusion to appear like Greda, this powerful sorcerer had tricked me into taking an essence of dteria in hopes it would alter my mana so that I would cast a spell with the corruptive magical art. I’m sure it was the illusionist’s hope that I would be hooked afterward, as had probably happened to many people. The spell gave the caster a feeling of euphoria and confidence, though it diminished with each cast, urging them to cast more and more powerful spells.
Now it was clear this sorcerer had been Cason. He had interceded in the arrest of Shaw and Jacob using the same illusion. But Pamela and Greda should not be afraid of interacting with me now that everything was out in the open. Judging by how sick Greda’s mother looked, I might be the only one who could help her.
I walked out after her. “Let me talk with you a moment. I can explain.”
“Stay away!” she yelled and picked up speed.
“You’re not in danger.”
“Just stay back!” She darted away from me.
She did not appear as though she should be running, so the last thing I wanted was to cause her more distress. I stayed put in hopes of pacifying her.
Unfortunately, she only picked up more speed. I thought about going after her, but Leon came up to me.
“What was that about?”
“She thinks someone like Cason might hurt her or her daughter for interacting with me. He has already. Remember?”
“Right. So it was Cason who poisoned her after all?”
“It had to be.”
“Then she’s probably not just sick.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You should find out for yourself. Go after her before you lose her.”
She was quite far ahead by then. I sprinted to catch up.
It didn’t take long for her to notice me. She ran faster, but there was no way she was going to outrun me even with her head start.
“Please stop!” she yelled.
“I just want to help you.”
She fled into the Enchanted Devices shop where I had met Greda and closed the door before I arrived. I figured she’d locked it, and I didn’t want to scare her even worse, so I went to the window rather than try to break in.
“Just listen,” I said.
“Go away!” She shut the curtain.
“Mother?” I heard Greda ask from within. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Jon. I think he means to do harm.”
“I of course do not!” I insisted. I looked around to see that a few people were staring nervously. “Everything’s fine,” I told them.
“Get away from my shop and don’t come back!” Pamela ordered. “We want nothing to do with you.”
An older gentleman walked up to me. “Come on, lad. It’s best not to get the guards involved.”
“Pamela, and you sir, listen. I am a sorcerer of the king. I was just at Quincy’s where I was healing people with sorcery.”
“You work for the king?” Greda asked.
“Yes,” I said. “I withheld it from you for your protection, but now my enemies know the truth about me so there’s no reason to keep anything from the two of you.”
The gentleman tapped on the window. “I think he’s telling the truth. He doesn’t seem too deranged, like one of them dark mages.”
“Even if it is the truth,” Pamela said, “that’s even more reason for you to leave.”
“Mother, he can heal you! I’m letting him in.”
“The king’s enemies will use us against him again! Stop!”
“You’re not thinking clearly,” Greda said. “You need his help.” I heard Greda unlock the door. “I will lock it again as soon as he enters if that will make you feel better.”
“Yes,” Pamela wheezed.
I walked in slowly as Pamela backed into the opposite corner of the small shop. Greda closed and locked the door behind me.
“Pamela, listen to me,” I said. “I’ve learned how to heal with sorcery. I don’t know what’s wrong with you right now, but I’m sure I will be able to figure it out and get rid of it if you just let me.”
She stared at me for a while.
“I trust him, Mother,” Greda said. “I think you should, too. He might be our only chance of you getting better.”
Eventually, Pamela started toward me. “I’ve never recovered fully from the poisoning.”
I could hear the pain in her voice. This period of her life had been miserable. I’m sure Quincy had done what he could, but something else was at play here. I could feel it strongly as I got close.
“Tell me about the incident,” I said.
“I was in a crowd at the market. I felt something prick me on my arm.” She rubbed her hand over her left arm. “There’s no mark anymore, but it was black for a while. I didn’t see who did it. Immediately I didn’t feel well. I woke up at Quincy’s not long after.”
“What does it feel like now?” I had to figure out where to pinpoint my healing, or perhaps I needed to somehow cover her whole body with my mana to better search for it. From what I could tell so far, there seemed to be something inside of her that did not belong. I didn’t know if it was still poison after all this time or if it was something else.
“I feel sick and weak. I have a pain in my chest that comes and goes. But the worst part is that I feel like something has control over my body. It’s difficult to explain. I feel like it could make me pass out without warning.”
“Have you?”
“Not since the first time.”
“Let me investigate this pain in your chest.” I lifted my hands up in front of her. There did seem to be something deep within her chest. I almost had the sense that it was hiding from me. I had to get closer to reach it.
“This is a little awkward,” I said, “but can I put my hands on you?”
“I might be suspicious if it was my daughter. Yes, of course you can. It is not awkward at all.”
&
nbsp; I touched her shoulders and shut my eyes. I pushed out my mana from my hands. I wasn’t sure how far it could reach within her body. This strange entity seemed to be near her heart or perhaps even within it, and it was difficult to get my mana there from her shoulders.
No, I couldn’t reach it. I moved my hands to her collarbone. I was certain now that something wasn’t right. It was akin to feeling sick, but this message was relayed to me from Pamela by my mana.
I could almost reach it. I moved my hands a little lower. I knew Pamela said this was not awkward, but it still felt that way to me.
“Uh, Jon,” Greda said.
“It’s fine,” Pamela said. “If it’s necessary.”
“I can almost reach it.”
“It?” Greda asked. “What is it?”
“I don’t know.”
I pushed my mana down to her chest. Get to it, I demanded. I was not yet casting the Heal spell. I didn’t want to exert myself until it was time.
“I need to figure out what I’m dealing with to know how to get rid of it,” I said.
“God,” Pamela murmured worriedly.
“It’s going to be fine,” Greda said.
I suddenly felt it as I jumped back and opened my eyes. Like grabbing a rodent and not realizing what I had grabbed until after, I was appalled at what I’d felt. This thing within her was alive, lashing out at me.
“What’s wrong?” Greda asked me.
Pamela looked pale as a sweat broke out across her forehead.
“Are you going to faint?” I had to ask to know if I should catch her.
“Perhaps.”
There was a tense moment as Greda and I held Pamela’s arms, but soon she seemed more herself again.
“It attacked me,” Pamela explained.
“No, it attacked me,” I corrected. “Greda, can you get your mother a chair?”
“Yes, of course.”
She went into the back room and came back with a chair. Pamela sat down tiredly.
“I don’t want to alarm you,” I explained, “but I think this is a curse.”
“A curse?” Greda asked as Pamela looked as if she might faint again.
“I can get rid of it,” I assured her. “And you will feel better.” I wasn’t completely confident. I had never dealt with something like this before. But that was not what she should hear right now.
I wasn’t even sure it was a curse, but it made the most sense. She had been pricked before she’d fallen unconscious. Then we found out later that a sorcerer was involved. Sorcerers used curses, not poisons, especially sorcerers experienced in dteria.
“This is likely to hurt,” I explained. “But that just means it’s working.”
“Oh gods.” She gripped her daughter’s hand. “Please get rid of it. Please.”
I readied the spell like readying a snap of my fingers. As with all spells, it was a matter of splitting my single source of mana into three different frequencies. I thought maybe I could catch the curse by surprise, casting Heal and then locating it again with my mana that was now vibrating at three different frequencies.
It worked. I felt my mana latch on to the curse as I closed my eyes and envisioned a battle between dark and light.
Pamela grunted and nearly fell out of the chair as I held my hand over her chest. “Stay still!” I demanded. I almost lost connection with my mana, which would’ve ended the spell abruptly.
Pamela cried out in obvious agony. The healing spell drained my stamina faster than sprinting. I could feel life from the curse, some fear at being found but mostly aggression in its worst form. It had been mostly dormant in Pamela’s body, waiting for a signal from its master. But now that it had been found, it fought on its own.
My mana battled back. My healing spell was extremely powerful, but so was the curse. It tried to destroy my mana, but my mana was like my breath. Something within me created it, and there was always more.
I almost ran out of strength, and the curse was still fighting back strong. I didn’t know what else I could do besides keep up the spell as I pinpointed my thoughts on destroying it. I was about to give up when I finally felt the curse begin to wither.
My mana broke through the curse’s defenses and suddenly shattered the thing. It happened so violently, I feared I might’ve damaged Pamela in the process.
Panting, I opened my eyes and readied myself to catch her, but she stopped groaning. She looked at me, then at Greda, the color returning to her face.
A smile grew from her lips.
CHAPTER TEN
Pamela put her hand over her chest. Her breathing slowed. I was still catching my breath.
“Mother?” Greda asked.
She stood from the chair slowly. “It’s gone.”
“Thank god!” Greda embraced her mother as they both wept.
I let them have a moment as I recovered. Leon was right. I should’ve been doing this as soon as I taught myself the spell. I supposed I was a healer now, in addition to a battle wizard. I would enjoy getting used to it.
“What do I owe you?” Pamela asked me.
“No charge. It’s on behalf of the king.”
“No, you have to accept some form of payment,” Pamela said.
“I have plenty of coin. I’m just happy to help.”
Greda nearly knocked me over as she threw her arms around me. “Thank you, Jon. Thank you so much! I have been so worried about my mother.” She started to cry again. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am.” She pecked my cheek a few times, then squeezed me even tighter.
I needed her to stop or I would start crying as well, because it reminded me of how worried I had been about my father.
“I’m glad,” I said as I choked down tears.
“Pamela?” Leon asked. He stood outside looking in through the window. I didn’t know how long he’d been there. “Will you open the door?” he asked.
“Is that you Leon?” She quickly opened the door.
“It is. It’s been a long time.”
“My god, you haven’t aged a year.”
“You look wonderful now, much better than just earlier.”
“You were at Quincy’s? I’m sorry I didn’t notice you. I’ve been nearly out of my mind with worry recently.”
“Did Jon get rid of that curse for you?”
So he did know what it was. I was glad. I had many questions, as I’m sure Pamela and Greda did as well.
“How did you know I was cursed?” Pamela asked.
“A guess,” Leon said. “It’s time to go back to the castle, Jon.”
I had almost forgotten I would only be out healing for a couple of hours. But what if someone else needed help like Pamela had?
I reminded myself that someone did need help. The king. He had to protect his kingdom, and I was one of the people entrusted to do that. I had to go back and train my offensive spell.
“Can you answer something first, Leon?” Pamela asked.
“Certainly.”
“Who was it who cursed me? And why did they do it?”
“We don’t know who it was, but we will find out.” Leon spoke so confidently that I started to wonder if it was true that Cason had not done it. “Their reasoning was not to hurt you or your daughter but to corrupt Jon. We do know who the illusionist is, and we will have him captured or killed soon enough.”
Greda spoke, “All of my mother’s suffering was just so the illusionist could give Jon that one stone?”
“I’m sorry to say that it was.”
“So the stone really was an essence of dteria?” Greda asked.
“Yes,” Leon confirmed. “But Jon did not allow it to alter his mana long enough for him to cast a spell of dteria. This should all be over now for the two of you. Come on, Jon.”
“Wait,” Greda said. “Could whoever cursed my mother have removed the curse later?”
“Easily,” Leon said.
“Then why didn’t they?” she asked as she balled a fist.
Leon looked apol
ogetic. “This is a powerful witch, warlock, or some other type of sorcerer who doesn’t care about anyone else. They used you and your mother to get to Jon, but you don’t have to worry about that any longer.”
“Why not?” Pamela asked. “What has changed?”
“They’ve surely realized by now that Jon cannot be corrupted.” Leon looked at me. “He can only be stopped physically.” He glanced at Pamela. “That is why Jon and I must be leaving. Whoever cursed you must now know that his curse has been removed. He might be on his way to see who did it. I suggest you take the day off.”
I gave Leon a look, silently asking if this was true. His eyes darted toward me for a moment before shifting back. I thought I noticed a slight nod of his head, but I wasn’t sure.
“Can we go with you to the castle?” Greda asked.
“You would be safer staying away from us,” Leon said. “I promise our enemies have no interest in your family.”
“I see,” Greda said. “Mother? You are feeling better?”
“Much better. Let’s go home, Greda.”
Greda nodded, but then she stepped up to me and hugged me again. “Thank you so much, Jon. I really hope to see you again when you are safe.”
“We’ll be fine,” Leon answered for me as I parted from her. “I’m sure you’ll see him soon.”
“Take care,” I told Greda
She rose up and kissed me on my cheek as I was about to turn, this time holding her lips there.
“Thank you,” she murmured when she parted, her face red.
“You’re welcome.” I followed Leon out as Greda and her mother stayed back to close their shop for the day.
We headed toward the castle. As soon as we were far enough away, I asked Leon, “How much of what you said is true?”
“All of it.”
So that meant someone really could be coming here to find out who had destroyed the curse. I didn’t feel endangered, though, not with Leon here. During the battle in the forest, I had seen some of what he could do. I imagined he would be able to stand up to Cason or whoever else might’ve set the curse.
“You really think it was someone besides Cason who cursed Pamela?”
