Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2)

by B. T. Narro

  “Sure, I’ll be fine.”

  “Just remember that you can’t heal everyone, and I mean that in more ways than one.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  A couple others came in, one with a scratch that seemed to be getting infected, and someone else with a literal pain in their neck. It was easy to heal their issues, but the man with the pain in his neck wanted to know what was causing it. Apparently, it had come and gone for several years now.

  Aliana spoke with him as I treated someone else who was in a considerable amount of pain from a dislocated finger. I finished with that man before Aliana helped the other come to the conclusion that it was the way he was sleeping. She gave him some advice, recommending he sleep so that his neck was close to straight. It seemed obvious to me, but the man was thankful for the advice, probably because it was free.

  We made sure to mention that we were the king’s sorcerers to each of these people, and we did get around to discussing the upcoming tax. Fortunately, these three were much more receptive to it than the others. All of them had a story to share of someone they knew who’d encountered a dark mage.

  Aliana was in the back room with the curtain closed when a friend of mine came in.

  “Jon!” Greda said with an excited clasp of her hands. “I was hoping I might find you here again one day.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  I thought our embrace would be quick, but she clung to me quite tightly.

  “It’s so good to see you!” she said.

  “It’s good to see you, too. I hope your mother is doing well.”

  “She is. I have come back here many times looking for you. Did Quincy tell you?”

  “He didn’t. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, never better. I really can’t thank you enough.”

  “Oh, I’m happy to help.”

  Greda had a cute face, with light blonde hair and an infectious smile. I didn’t know exactly how old she was, but she didn’t seem much younger than me.

  “I was worried the king might have you doing something dangerous,” she said.

  “He did for a time,” I replied. “But I think things will calm down for a while now. That’s why I’m able to return here to heal, but I should also mention that there might be a crisis tax in the near future. It all depends on the movement of Rohaer’s army.”

  “That is grave news. Will you be in danger?”

  Me? I didn’t understand why she wasn’t more concerned about herself or the tax I mentioned.

  “No, uh, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  “Oh, because you’ll stay out of the fight to heal others?”

  “No, I’m sure I’ll fight if needed.”

  “So you will be in danger.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I repeated. “The king has us training rigorously.”

  She seemed overly concerned as her light eyebrows bent down.

  “Really, Greda. Don’t worry about me.”

  “All right, well…” She seemed to grow nervous as she looked down for a breath. “I’ve wanted to ask you something for a while now. Would you like to, uh, take a walk with me when you are done here?” She looked up with a worried expression.

  “A walk?”

  She nodded.

  “You need me to go somewhere with you?”

  “Uh, no, it’s not that.”

  I suddenly noticed Leon covertly listening from outside, as he gave a quick peek around the doorway.

  Greda continued, “A walk, you know…with me? Are you interested?”

  Seeing how nervous she appeared, I finally got the idea that this was her way of showing her romantic interest in me.

  “Oh,” I exclaimed in shock.

  She smiled brightly.

  I tried to think of an answer. I wanted to say yes, because it was clearly important to her, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Kataleya.

  I looked Greda over a little more carefully. I had always been so busy whenever we’d met that I’d never taken the time to really see her. She was short and cute, and always friendly even after Reuben had been rude to her when we’d first met in her shop. She seemed genuinely caring, but she also did appear younger than Kataleya, as I looked more carefully. She might be sixteen, for all I knew.

  Wondering her age made me realize that I didn’t know her very well, and I didn’t think she knew me very well, either. Had I time to spare, and had my heart been open, I would’ve gladly strolled around the city with her as we got to know each other, but I just wasn’t in a good place right now.

  How was I supposed to tell her without hurting her? It didn’t help that Leon was openly staring at me with folded arms, now giving me a look as if I was stupid. There was a large sack of something sitting on the ground beside him.

  “I think you’re really cute, Greda, but I just can’t give you the time that you deserve right now. I’m not in the right place.”

  “Oh.” She looked down. “I understand. Take care,” she told the floor.

  I wanted to apologize, but she was already heading out, Leon stepping out of her way.

  “Take care,” I repeated as she disappeared.

  “You’re dumber than you look!” Leon said, hauling the sack inside. An assortment of things clattered within as he set it down rather roughly.

  “I’d rather not hear it from you,” I said, gesturing at the closed curtain and hoping he would get my hint that Aliana was listening to everything.

  “What’s wrong with you? She’s cute. You even admitted it yourself.”

  “Now’s just not the right time,” I said, hoping someone would come in who needed healing. Of course, no one did.

  “You need to learn how to relax. From the moment I met you, all you’ve cared about is training and working. Don’t you know how to take some time for yourself? Not only is she cute, but, surprisingly, she likes you! Airinold’s taint, what if you went for a little walk and made her happy? But no, it’s not the right time. There’s never a right time. You have to take the chance when it comes.”

  “I’m just not interested in her. Can you please drop it?”

  Leon leaned close to my face as if looking for something.

  “What are you doing?” I leaned away. “Stop that.”

  “Your heart’s set on someone else.”

  “Why do you even care about any of this?”

  “What do you mean why? Can’t I be interested in your well-being?”

  “I’d rather we stick to conversations about the magical arts and nothing else.”

  “Fine, fine.” Leon pulled open the curtain to the back room, but he stopped in shock as he saw Aliana facing him with a nervous look. “Aliana? You shouldn’t eavesdrop. It’s unbecoming.”

  “Am I supposed to cover my ears? You talk loudly enough for the whole street to hear you!”

  “Never mind. Did your mother return yet?”

  “She was with you last.”

  “We separated to pick up a few things. She said she would meet us back here.”

  Aliana put her hands on her hips. “Why are you so interested in my mother?”

  “We have something to discuss.”

  “What could you possibly discuss with her?”

  “For one thing, dinner.”

  “Yuck. Please don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  Incredibly uncomfortable, I walked out into the street hoping someone might want free healing. The street was completely empty, and I could hear Aliana and Leon even from out here.

  “Don’t do what you’re doing,” Aliana told him.

  “I’m just enjoying her company.”

  “Well, don’t!” Her voice was verging on shouting.

  Leon matched her level. “She’s enjoying mine as well!”

  “Please, please just stop talking about this, and stop talking to her.”

  “What is so wrong?”

  “Because she’s my mother!”

  “You’d rather some other man trea
t her to a nice dinner?”

  “Yes, actually. Any other man.”

  “Aliana, I’m insulted.”

  “That’s fine with me.”

  I thought about walking away as I listened from outside, but I had to admit I was a little curious how this was going to end.

  “You’re actually serious?” Leon asked.

  “I am.”

  “Fine, I will not pursue her if it’s so terrible for you.”

  “Good.”

  There was a silence. Figuring it was over, I went back in and sat on the stool near the entrance. Aliana had returned to organizing the back room. Leon started to leave, but he turned around.

  “You’re being very childish about this.”

  “I’m fine with that also,” Aliana said as she rearranged more jars.

  Leon returned to the front of the small building. He paced around, looking at Aliana. I didn’t know if I’d ever seen him at a loss for words.

  Eventually he stormed out.

  I heard Gwen’s voice from right outside. “Leon, you’re leaving?”

  “Yes, I must be going. I apologize.”

  “I do hope I will see you again soon.”

  I met eyes with Aliana, who was walking out of the back room to listen.

  “Unfortunately, that is unlikely,” we heard Leon say. “I don’t think I will be able to return.”

  “Oh,” she replied sadly. “Did something happen?”

  “No, I…well, yes. But I can’t discuss it. I’m sorry, Gwen. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”

  Leon re-entered. “Jon, I almost forgot. Take that sack back to the castle when you’re done here. Make sure it’s before supper. I have to pick up a few other things.”

  “All right.”

  Leon went toward Gwen as she stared at him with a hopeful look. Aliana came out to watch as Leon took Gwen’s hands.

  “Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye,” she replied.

  As Leon walked away, a tense moment passed before Gwen turned to her daughter.

  “Did you say something to him?”

  “Of course I did. He’s abrasive, annoying, and doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself.”

  “Language, Ali!”

  “I can’t believe you’re angry at me. I should be the one who’s angry. How much have I complained about Leon to you? Did you tell father everything I shared about Leon as well, or only the parts that might get me and my friends killed?”

  Gwen had her hand over her chest, hurt evident in her eyes. An old lady entered with a severe hunch. She appeared a little nervous to step into the tense atmosphere.

  “Am I at the right place?” she asked.

  “Yes,” I answered and turned to the mother and daughter, who couldn’t seem to let go of their anger as they glared at each other. “Perhaps you two would like to speak elsewhere?” I offered.

  “Come on,” Aliana said.

  Gwen followed her out.

  The old lady looked as if she might fall over if her cane was taken from her. I brought a chair over.

  “Thank you.” She squinted as she looked at my face. “Oh, you are much too young to be the healer.”

  “I am.”

  I offered her the same explanation that had become practiced by now. I was a sorcerer of the king. He loves his people. Taxes coming. She took it with skepticism, arguing that I couldn’t possibly have the skills of a real healer, but her attitude was completely changed after I put my hands on her back and let my spell do its work.

  The moment she was done groaning in pain, she started to straighten out.

  “Oh. Ohhh.” She appeared years younger as she stood up without the cane and twisted from one side to another. “My goodness. Thank you, young man. You must let me pay you something for this.”

  She took out her tiny coin purse.

  “I don’t need any coin, madam. I’m happy to help, and the king prefers it this way. Just make sure to tell others.”

  “I will.” She started to walk out.

  “Wait, wouldn’t you like me to heal the rest of your aching joints?” I had felt that a great deal of work was needed just from the quick moment my hand had been on her back.

  She looked at me as if I’d just told her I would buy her a house.

  “You can really do that?” she asked carefully, as if the wrong words might make it untrue.

  “I can, and I’m happy to,” I repeated.

  “My goodness.”

  *****

  Aliana and her mother didn’t return for a long time. Quincy did, the healer coming by just to see how much longer I would be. There were a few other errands he’d been putting off until he had more time and more coin, which the king had provided to him this day. I told him I would be leaving as soon as Aliana returned, and he stayed after that.

  I healed many more people, never encountering a problem that my mana couldn’t handle. I hoped the old lady would spread word to others as she’d said she would. There were probably many people her age who needed a fair amount of healing to feel better.

  Eventually, Aliana came back with her mother. It didn’t look as if they were getting along any better than when they left.

  “Let’s go,” Aliana told me curtly.

  The sack Leon had left behind was heavy, making me wonder if our instructor was stronger than he looked. I carefully slung it over my shoulder as we said our goodbyes to Quincy and Gwen, then started back toward the castle.

  It was nice to think of the castle as my home now, a place where I was welcomed by people I cared about. I felt that’s what I needed more than anything right now. I hoped I could cheer up Aliana because she seemed somber after her long conversation with her mother.

  “Do you mind if we talk?” I asked.

  She raised her eyebrow. “About what?”

  “About what’s troubling you.”

  “I didn’t think you wanted to hear more about that.”

  “I do if I might be able to help you feel better.”

  She showed me the hint of a smile, though it didn’t fully form. “I’m confused, I suppose. I’m frustrated with my mother for so many reasons, but she’s the only family I have. I know she does care about me. She just seems to care about herself a whole lot more. I realize I’m an adult now, but she’s always been like this.”

  Aliana paused for a long while before she went on.

  “At the same time, she’s furious with Luther for deceiving her, which I get. I feel like he’s the real enemy, and she and I should be allies. That’s just not the case, though. And why the hell is she so sad about Leon leaving?” Her voice rose in anger, but I noticed a wry smile. “I mean is there something I’m missing, Jon? It’s Leon. I don’t get it!”

  I chuckled without humor. “I figured it’s because she likes the way he looks and that he’s been nice. I don’t know why he can’t behave that way toward us. I thought he was incapable until I saw him with your mother.”

  “Right? All of this is too much at once. I don’t know what to make of any of it.”

  “Did you come to a solution about your…about Luther?”

  “What can we do? Neither of us will have any contact with him from now on. He might as well be dead.”

  There was that suspicious voice in my head again, telling me this could all be an act. Aliana and her mother could be the real traitors. I wouldn’t let go of the suspicion, but I also wouldn’t let it prevent me from helping my friend in case I was wrong.

  “I think that’s the best way to go about this,” I said. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned through losing my father, it’s to let go of negative feelings rather than focus on them. Otherwise, a cycle starts that gets harder to break. If letting go of your father will achieve this, then you should do it.”

  She nodded. “I’m going to take your advice and suggest we don’t speak about my problems anymore. So tell me something.” From the way she eyed me with a smirk, I could tell what she was going to bring up. “Who’s the girl w
ho was so interested in you?”

  “Greda, she works at Enchanted Devices. I removed the curse from her mother.”

  “Oh, yes I’ve heard of her from Eden. So why aren’t you interested in her?”

  “Well…” I couldn’t tell her the truth without betraying Kataleya. I felt like I’d left my heart in my room, and it would be gone when I came back to fetch it.

  I sighed. Maybe I would get along well with Greda for a while and it would help me get over Kat. That wasn’t a good reason, though, as I might transfer my pain to Greda if I decided it wasn’t going to work out.

  “Do you think I should be?” I asked, unsure how else to answer.

  “No, you shouldn’t be anything you are not. I was just curious.”

  I shrugged. “I just don’t have feelings for her in that way.”

  “That wouldn’t stop most boys from starting something with her, only to end it whenever they wanted.” She spoke the words so callously, I wondered if something like that had happened to Aliana.

  “I wouldn’t want to hurt her. I do care about her as a friend, like I do Callie.”

  She stared at me for a while as if judging the validity of my statement.

  “You don’t believe me?” I asked.

  “It’s my instinct to call those words lies when they come from any boy’s mouth, but I’m suppressing this instinct very hard right now, Jon, because I know you’re telling the truth. I hope you can appreciate that. Yes, I do believe you.”

  “I do appreciate that.”

  We walked in silence. I realized then that I was comfortable beside Aliana. I once had strong feelings for her, and now I was able to notice her beauty without it stirring anything in my heart. I supposed the same would happen with Kataleya eventually. It would probably just take a lot longer.

  That gave me hope that this pain would fade.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever truly apologized to you,” Aliana said.

  “For acting so cold toward me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t think you have, either.”

  She gave a laugh. “All right, well let me do so properly now.” She touched my shoulder to stop me. I set down the sack and faced her.

  But she seemed to have trouble getting started.

  “I think I want to tell you something first if you won’t share it with anyone else.”