A sneer spread across Tereid’s face. “Well, what do you know. It’s the oathbreaking wizard and his lying apprentice. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Please tell Ozor I need to speak with Nalini.” Elkan met his hostile stare levelly.
“Why should I do anything for a blasted traitor? We haven’t forgotten who turned us over to be captured and dragged to Elathir in chains. How many of us would be dead now if we hadn’t escaped? Ozor would sooner slit your throat than let you anywhere near—”
A hand fell on his shoulder. Ozor’s voice was hearty, though he eyed Tobi’s curled lip and bared teeth warily. “Let them in, Tereid. Come, friends, there’s no need to dwell on old grudges. This is a new land and a new life. Surely we can forget the past and start fresh, to everyone’s advantage.”
Elkan’s voice was cold. “I haven’t forgotten anything you’ve done, Ozor. But I have no authority to hold you responsible for your crimes. And I have urgent business with Nalini Oba. I’ll observe a truce if you will.”
Ozor didn’t move from the center of the opening. “Nalini’s a busy woman. People pay well for her time. Why should I let you keep her from her work?”
Elkan’s fingers tightened on Tobi’s head. “The Mother won’t allow us to harm you unless you pose a direct threat to us, but she’ll let us use her power to force you to stand aside.”
Josiah reached for Sar, hoping Ozor would defy Elkan’s challenge. He’d like nothing better than to freeze the bandit leader motionless and shove his helpless body out of their way. Would Sar be willing to pin him flat to the ground?
Ozor, however, was smart enough to know when he couldn’t win. He stepped to the side and held the curtain back for the wizards to pass. “If you insist. I’m warning you, Nalini won’t be happy. She loves a good surgery and hates distractions. But that’s your problem, not mine.”
Elkan brushed past him. Josiah hurried to keep up. Behind him he heard Nirel’s voice. “I’m going with them, Ozor.”
Josiah slowed, ready to step in if Ozor gave her any trouble. The trader sounded annoyed. “Where have you been the past few days? We’ve hardly seen you. Your father’s getting testy.”
“Keeping the Matriarch happy, like I’m supposed to. Now that she’s got her wizards she doesn’t need us any more, and her memory is short.”
Josiah paused. Ahead, Elkan disappeared around a pile of scrap lumber and cloth.
Ozor didn’t sound convinced. “I hear you’ve been helping the wizards. Don’t forget they’re our competition. The more people they heal, the fewer come to us.”
“It’s not like my help makes much of a difference. The Matriarch is pleased with the work they’re doing. The more I’m involved with it, the more she’ll favor me.”
Josiah frowned. Why was Nirel lying to Ozor? The Matriarch tolerated their work, but she’d rather they spent their days relaxing in luxury in her palace. Every evening she made cutting remarks to that effect.
“Just don’t get any clever ideas about deserting us and taking up with them. I know your Ramunnan sweetheart practically eats out of their hands. Don’t get so carried away with do-gooding you end up stuck with one of their animals.”
Nirel’s voice was fervent. “Believe me, Ozor, that’s the last thing I want.”
Obviously Ozor would be furious if she admitted she’d become a de facto member of the Wizards’ Guild, high on the list of those Elkan suspected the Mother would soon offer a familiar. She had to mislead him about her true purpose.
But if Josiah didn’t know better, he’d have sworn she was telling the truth.
A moment later she ducked through the curtain and beckoned to him. “Come on. Nalini’s room is this way.”
He followed. Her attitude was so normal he couldn’t voice his doubts. She led him through a maze of curtains and stored materials to where a series of rooms had been walled off with fabric. Nalini had the biggest. Bright lanterns shone on a cot and a table where Nalini was laying out her instruments.
Elkan addressed Davon, who was standing beside the cot where Mila sat. “Please, just let us take a look and make sure the diagnosis is correct. We can show Nalini exactly how the tooth is lying, so she won’t have to cut more than necessary. Surely that wouldn’t be against your laws. Not as long as we only observe and do no actual healing.”
“I’m sorry.” Davon really did sound regretful. “For your Lady’s power to enter the body in any way is an unforgivable offense against the Lord of Justice.”
“Are you sure? Perhaps you could consult with one of your authorities, get an official—”
“I’m an Elder of the Faith, son. I’m sure.” Davon’s tone brooked no argument.
Elkan ran a hand through his hair. “Nalini, have you done surgery like this before?”
She didn’t look up from her preparations. “Many times.”
“Are you aware that this kind of infection can get into the blood, even damage the heart—”
“I have medicine to prevent that.”
“How effective is it?”
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business. Mila is my patient, not yours.”
Elkan turned to Mila. “Even if Nalini is able to remove the tooth, you’ll suffer many more days of pain before it fully heals. The bone of your jaw may be so damaged it will never grow back without the Mother’s power to encourage it. Are you certain you don’t want our help?”
Mila swallowed. Her eyes went to her father, then fell. She nodded.
Elkan rounded on Davon. “May I speak with Mila privately? She’s an adult; the decision is hers, not yours.”
When Davon looked at Mila, Josiah saw his certainty fall away. His face looked much older, worn down by cares beyond bearing. “Yes. You’re right.”
He knelt before his daughter and took her hands in his. “Mila, you know I love you. Make whatever decision you must. If you choose to leave the Faith, to allow them to heal you… I understand why. I’ll rejoice to know you’re free from pain at last. I’ll cast you out, I’ll have to, but not because I want to. Only because the Lord of Justice commands it.”
Tears in her eyes, she nodded. Davon rose and strode from the room. Josiah backed up to give him room to pass, but he made no sign of acknowledgment, only gazed straight ahead.
Elkan took a deep breath, then knelt before Mila just as Davon had. “Say the word and we’ll make the pain stop.”
She closed her eyes. Her hand went to her jaw and pressed hard against the angry red swelling.
Elkan went on. “I’ll help you find a place to live if your family won’t take you back. What hold does your father’s faith have on you? Has it ever brought you anything but suffering? Once you learn about the Mother you’ll want to follow her. I’ve seen her, I’ve talked with her. I know she’ll welcome you with joy.”
Mila’s fists clenched and her eyes opened. She moved her jaw as little as possible, and her voice was hoarse, but there was no doubt in it. “I’m twenty-two, wizard. I stood my trials at fourteen and passed them. Since then it hasn’t been my father’s faith, but my own. I reject the Lady’s temptation and hold firm to the Lord of Justice.”
Elkan regarded her for a long moment, then reluctantly nodded. He rose and stepped back. “Nalini, may I observe the surgery? And my apprentice, too? I swear we won’t interfere.”
Nalini shrugged. “As long as you’re quiet and don’t get in my light.”
“Mila, do you mind?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Swear you won’t try to heal me. Even if I’m dying.”
“I won’t. I promise. Josiah?”
He didn’t like it, but it wasn’t as if Sar would agree to violate Mila’s clearly expressed and obviously freely chosen wishes. And he burned with curiosity to see Nalini operate. “I promise, too.”
“All right.” Mila sagged as if she was too tired to support the weight of her body any more.
“Lay down. I’m ready to begin.” Nalini dripped a dark liquid from a bottle ont
o an orange sponge. She eyed Elkan. “Make yourself useful and hold this. Stand back, the rest of you.”
Nirel hadn’t been included in the permission to stay, but she backed against the curtain wall beside Josiah. Elkan took the sponge and positioned it as Nalini directed over Mila’s mouth and nose. Nalini chatted as she worked, apparently enjoying having a knowledgeable and appreciative audience. “Breathe deeply. That’s right.” She wrinkled her nose. “I could get better sponges in Giroda. The ones the fishermen here bring in are smaller and not as soft. They work, but as soon as I get the chance I’m ordering some imported.”
She positioned a chair next to the cot by Mila’s head and a small table next to it. She moved a tray full of instruments to the table and selected a short length of wood carved into a rounded fork at each end. “Is she well out? Mila?” She pinched the skin on the back of Mila’s hand, hard, but the girl didn’t even twitch. “Good. Move the sponge for a moment.” Elkan complied, and Nalini used the wooden device to wedge Mina’s mouth open. “Give her another dose. This is going to go much quicker with your assistance. Once I start working, I’ll pause every minute or so and you let her breathe more of the vitriol. Move it out of my way when I give the word.”
Elkan murmured his understanding. Tobi yawned and sprawled at his feet. Josiah edged sideways until he could see into Mila’s mouth. Nalini placed small pieces of sponge to hold Mila’s tongue and lips out of the way.
When all was prepared Nalini picked up a knife with a slender handle and short blade. She had Elkan give Mila a good long dose of the sleeping drug, then nodded. “Now.” Elkan moved the sponge out of the way. Nalini bent over Mila’s mouth and sliced into her gum with a confident stroke.
Blood obscured Josiah’s view of what Nalini was doing, even though she flushed it away frequently with water from a glass bottle with a narrow spout. She traded out her knife for a series of other instruments, miniature saws and chisels. Occasionally she used a bit of mirror on a stick to get a better view. After a while she picked up a pair of sturdy pliers and attempted to grip the tooth. Her failure was accompanied by cursing and more sawing and chipping at the bone, then further fruitless attempts.
Elkan stayed quiet, watching intently and following Nalini’s instructions to the letter. Nirel shifted occasionally, but seemed to be equally interested. Josiah found the process absorbing at first, but as it dragged on he began to get restless. He toyed with the idea of asking Sar to open a small window to give him a better view, but the donkey was drowsing, eyes shut and one hoof cocked up. It was just as well. He’d probably get even more frustrated watching without being able to do anything.
Finally Nalini applied the pliers yet again. This time she climbed to her feet, wiggled the pliers back and forth, and tugged with increasing force. With a muffled pop the tooth came free. Nalini gave a pleased exclamation and held it up, signaling Elkan to replace the sponge while she examined it.
“Good. All the roots are intact.” She displayed it to Elkan, who nodded. She set it aside and picked up a needle prepared with dark thread. “This won’t take long.”
Sure enough, her deft fingers placed the stitches swiftly. After cutting the thread she placed folded squares of white linen over the incision site, then removed the sponges and brace and allowed Mila’s mouth to close. She rose, stretched, and brought Elkan a metal bucket. He dropped the vitriol sponge into it.
“She’ll wake up in a few minutes.” Nalini gathered her instruments and took them to the table. She selected several dark glass bottles and began pouring small amounts into a cup.
Elkan came to watch her. “What are you using?”
Nalini gestured to the various bottles. “This one’s poppy syrup, for pain. Willow bark tincture, also for pain, and it will reduce the swelling as well. Tincture of goldenseal, garlic, and several other herbs, to prevent infection.”
“You prepare them yourself?”
“Of course.” Nalini seemed affronted. “I was an apothecary long before I took up surgery.”
“I’d be interested in watching you sometime. How is it done?”
Nalini gave Elkan a sharp look. “Still trying to steal my secrets?
He spread his hands. “Just curious.”
She snorted. “Right. Basic tincture-making is no secret. It involves using alcohol to extract the healing essences of plants. The skill lies in properly preparing the plants, controlling the concentration, temperature and acidity, and other things it takes years to master. I doubt you’ve got the time or desire to learn.”
He inclined his head. “You’re right. I defer to your skill in these matters. You’re obviously a master of your craft. But I’m fascinated to see what’s possible.”
Nalini shrugged, but looked pleased.
Elkan moved a little closer to her. “I’m sorry we got off to a bad start the other day. I’ve considered what you said, and I concede it’s only fair for you and your colleagues to profit from your skill and hard work. But I still believe both of us could benefit from a collaboration. I’ve got a proposal for you, if you’re willing to consider it.”
She eyed him skeptically, then rolled her eyes. “What do you want?”
“Tomorrow morning the ships sail for Tevenar with the Matriarch’s payment. After that my friend Gevan Navorre will be released from his ambassadorial duties and will resume his research at the University. I’ve asked him to undertake a project for me. He’ll be using his knowledge of light and lenses to construct a device that will magnify small objects. Even things too small to be seen with the human eye.”
Josiah could tell Nalini saw the potential of that. Her interest sharpened. “Hmm.”
“Already with a simple preliminary lens I’ve observed structures in blood and bone that no wizard has ever seen. Did you know that there are disk-shaped bodies within the bloodstream? In the lungs they absorb some substance from the air, which they then carry to every other part of the body. There’s a certain disease—it’s rare in Tevenar but I’ve already seen several cases here—which causes children to become pale and weak, and usually die before they’re ten years old. Do you know it?”
Nalini nodded. Behind her, Mila stirred. Nalini went to her side. “Lie still a bit longer. You might feel the need to vomit, but try not to if you can manage it. We don’t want to irritate the wound. Just bite down gently on the dressing and wait until the urge passes.”
Mila made a muffled sound of assent. Nalini sat down beside her and placed a bowl discreetly on her lap. She glanced back at Elkan. “I’m familiar with that disease. We have it in Giroda, though it’s rare there as well.”
Elkan kept an eye on Mila as he continued. “It’s inborn, so the Mother’s power can’t cure it. We’ve always known the problem was in the blood, and we’re able to help it work somewhat better, but it’s seldom enough. Yesterday when I encountered a child with the disease, I had Gevan let me use his lens. I could clearly see that in the girl’s blood many of the disks were warped into a crescent shape. I could feel with the Mother’s power that they weren’t able to carry air the way the normal structures could.”
Nalini was trying to maintain an unimpressed attitude, but Josiah could tell Elkan had succeeded in capturing her attention. “Did being able to see the problem let you correct it?
Elkan’s shoulders drooped a fraction. “No. The malformed structures couldn’t be reshaped by the Mother’s power. I tried speeding as many as I could to the end of their natural lifespans, and that seemed to help the child some, but I expect her body will continue to produce new ones. But if Gevan is able to create a device that allows us to examine them more clearly, perhaps we’ll be able to discover a way the Mother’s power can affect them. Or some medicine that can help. Wizards have always known that the better you understand the body, how it works normally and how it can go wrong, the more likely you are to be able to find ways to fix any problems.”
“I agree with you there.” Nalini tensed as Mila blinked and swallowed, then relaxed as sh
e settled. “So what does this have to do with me?”
“I’m going to have Josiah work with Gevan for a few hours each morning. I think I can spare him that long. He and Sar will use the Mother’s power to observe in conjunction with any device Gevan makes. They’ll push the limits of what wizardry can do. I’d like you to join them. Your expertise in healing will be the perfect complement to their skills.”
Josiah could practically see the gears turning in Nalini’s head. He jumped in to offer more persuasion. “One of the first things we’re going to do is try to figure out a way to treat diabetes.”
Nalini’s brow creased. “The sugar sickness? It’s hopeless. With the right diet you can keep them alive for a few weeks or months, but they always die in the end. When I diagnose a case I offer an overdose of vitriol, to spare them pointless suffering.”
Josiah felt sick, but Elkan nodded grimly. “The Mother’s power can stop the disease from progressing, but only if it’s caught early enough and only with daily treatments. We know there’s a certain substance, we know where in the body it’s produced, we know that the part of the body that makes it dies and can’t be renewed. I’m hoping you can find some medicine to either stop it from dying, or to take the place of the substance and have the same effect.”
“Hmm.” For all her studied nonchalance, Josiah could tell Nalini was nearly as excited at the prospect as he was.
“Just a few hours each morning. That’s all I’m asking.” Elkan took a deep breath. “I will personally make sure you’re paid a generous salary for your time. Whether or not your work produces any results.”
Nalini snorted. “Where will the money come from, wizard? I was under the impression you refuse to be paid for your work, and I don’t think you brought bags of gold with you from Tevenar.”
Elkan dropped his gaze to where Tobi remained sprawled on the floor. She blinked sleepily and met his eyes. He stared at her as he spoke. “I’m going to ask the Matriarch to make good on her offer of a reward, as soon as a pregnancy is confirmed. I’m going to prevail on her gratitude for everything she’ll give me.”
Beyond the Boundary Stones (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 3) Page 22
