Dark Healer (An Empire Falls Book 1)

by Harry Leighton

“If you’re a mage, why use surgery?” Daeholf said.

  “Ah. Limits on his power?” Trimas said.

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” Daeholf said.

  “That’s good news anyway,” Trimas said.

  “Unless it is just easier that way,” Alia said.

  Jonas looked at Alia. “Go on,” he said.

  “Well why use magic to cut someone open when a knife does it easily?”

  “But why cut someone open if you can just use magic?” Zedek said.

  “I don’t know. But we can tell that he did. All I’m saying is that it’s dangerous to jump to conclusions when none of us know that much about magic.”

  “You’ve got a good one here,” Trimas said to Jonas.

  Jonas smiled.

  “What we do know is that he’s using a combination of magic and surgery,” Daeholf said. “His history is in surgery so maybe it’s his starting point and makes the process easier. Given that we can still see scarring on his, um, projects suggests that there may be limits to his power. Which I want to believe.”

  “Why?” Zedek said distantly, still considering.

  “Because if his power is unlimited, the best thing we can all do is run. Run far, hide, and hope we never cross his path again.”

  Alia nodded.

  “So what do we do?” Trimas said.

  “It’s clear we’re dealing with a mage. Which terrifies me. But there are signs that there may be limits to his power. Which gives me some hope.”

  “Hunting mages is dangerous,” Jonas said. “You sure you want in?”

  “You’re still going after him after seeing this?” Alia said.

  “Yes. Alone if necessary.”

  “Someone has to guard your back,” Alia said. “I’m in.”

  “I have unfinished business with him,” Daeholf said quietly. “I’m in.”

  “We’re in then,” Trimas said and Zedek nodded.

  “We’re going to lose the sun soon,” Jonas said, “and I don’t think we should stay here.”

  “What do you propose?” Trimas said.

  “We’ve got rooms at an inn in town. It’s maybe five miles away so we can make it before dark on the horses.”

  “Rooms?” Alia said.

  “You can share with me, they can take your room.”

  “Oh. Great,” Alia said.

  “We’ll find something,” Daeholf said.

  “Inns are full, you’ll struggle. Besides if any ‘altered’ come after us it’ll probably be a good idea to be close.”

  “Yes,” Zedek said.

  “Oh, you find anything useful in the papers?” Jonas said.

  “Possibly. Probably,” Alia said. “I want to spend a bit more time looking.”

  “Not here though.”

  “No, not here.”

  “I’ll gather it up,” Trimas said.

  “Horses,” Zedek said. “Where’s mine gone?”

  “Over there in the weeds,” Daeholf said.

  “Slipped his tie?”

  “Looks like it. Didn’t go far though.”

  “Probably just saw something he wanted to eat,” Zedek sighed.

  “Let’s be going then,” Jonas said.

  *****

  Two of them were dead, that was sure. That wasn’t the main problem — it was annoying to make more, certainly, but that was just a matter of time and resources.

  The main problems were the who, the how and the where. When he’d included the bit of himself in each of his creations to help control them it had also given him the unexpected ability to know when they died. He’d discovered this before, quite by accident, when one had been run over by a cart outside his base of operations at the time.

  There had been few deaths since then and all had been close enough to him to investigate personally. All he could tell was that two men died. The feeling was fainter than before so that suggested they were some distance away. But as to who? He really needed to start paying more attention to names.

  There was also the danger that they had still been near one of his operating theatres and compromised the position.

  He needed more information.

  “Kane, come here,” he said to one of his men nearby, one name that he knew at least.

  “Yes, boss?” the man said, walking over, eyes low. Maybe he’d made this one too subservient.

  “How many groups do we have out at the moment?”

  “A good number, sir.”

  That wasn’t going to help. Marlen thought about it for a moment. It was unlikely any of his men had gone off-mission and got involved in a random fight — and if they had, the chances of one of them dying was small. Two would have been ridiculous. That meant that whichever group it was had come up against serious opposition. Which meant they would have had to have attracted the attention of serious opposition. He started to have a bad feeling.

  “Have the group from Fulton reported back yet?”

  “No sir.”

  “How long are they overdue?”

  “Not very long, we were expecting them in tonight but there was a lot to transport.”

  After the debacle with the farmers, Marlen thought. That sort of thing was likely to draw the sort of attention that would get some of his men killed. He cursed. He should have overseen the clearout and removal himself.

  He needed to find out how bad this was.

  “You were a thief weren’t you, Kane?”

  “Not any more, sir, grateful to you for healing me, all behind me now, sir,” Kane said quickly.

  “Indeed. Though you still have some skills that might be useful.”

  “Something you want me to steal?”

  “No, but you’re good at not being seen. I need you to go over to Fulton and find out what happened.”

  “You not expecting them in sir?”

  “Two of them are dead. The other two should make their way back here eventually but I need more information quickly. Find out if anyone is asking around about us too.”

  “On it,” Kane said, nodding and rushing off.

  Recruiting criminals did have its uses and their fear of him did inspire loyalty. Working with men like Kane was uncomfortable though and he regretted the necessity. They were one step up from some of his soldiers though. Some of them seemed to enjoy fighting just too much and he wondered whether he’d tinkered with them a bit too far. Still, if it proved that someone was after him he had the means to stop them, permanently.

  *****

  “Innkeeper was a bit surly,” Zedek said later when he Daeholf and Trimas were in Alia’s vacated room.

  “He’s not making any more money out of his extra guests.”

  “We could give him something?”

  “We’re not that well off, and besides, I think Jonas might be offended after his glare got us in here.”

  “Alia seemed a little disappointed to be losing her room,” Zedek said.

  “Maybe you and Daeholf should have shared with Jonas and I could have come in here with her,” Trimas said with a grin.

  “Would you like to suggest that to Jonas?” Daeholf said.

  “Ah, on reflection, no. I think this will work out best.”

  “There’s only one bed,” Zedek said.

  “We’ll be taking turns watching anyway.”

  “We will?” Trimas said.

  “After what happened today, I think it’s a good idea.”

  “That still only accounts for two of us,” Trimas said.

  “There’s the floor. Or is that too good for his highness?” Daeholf said with a smile.

  “I was thinking I might see if any other guests wanted some company,” Trimas said, grinning.

  Daeholf and Zedek both sighed.

  “So should we be getting ourselves licensed as Bounty Hunters?” Zedek said suddenly.

  “What for?” Trimas said. Daeholf looked at them, curious.

  “Well it seems to be what we’re doing at the moment with our new companions,” Zedek said.
>
  “I guess so. But still, why licensed?”

  “Because otherwise we’re just vigilantes.”

  “I suppose technically I’m a deserter and an outlaw,” Daeholf said. “He’s a fugitive,” he added, indicating Trimas. “And, well, you’re an illegal immigrant? I think those all trump vigilante.”

  “Thanks for that,” Trimas said with a frown at Daeholf. “But still, I don’t think we should be announcing ourselves to the authorities.”

  “Not exactly what I meant,” Zedek said.

  “What did you mean then?” Trimas said.

  “I think it might give us a veneer of respectability and authority. And might even prove necessary if we are to pursue this as a career since we have few ways of making money. Other than robbing corpses, which you know I don’t like doing.”

  “You cut two of them up earlier…” Trimas said.

  “That was necessary and I didn’t enjoy it.”

  “You’ve clearly been thinking about this,” Daeholf said. “It’s not a bad idea.”

  “How did you plan to go about it?” Trimas said to Zedek.

  “Our new companions should be able to help. Jonas is training Alia up to get her licensed,” Zedek said.

  “We’ve not known them long enough to start asking for favours like that,” Trimas said.

  “Not yet, no. But who knows where the future will take us?” Zedek said.

  “Dinner hopefully,” Daeholf said.

  “Yeah, time we were going to meet the others,” Trimas said.

  *****

  “I assume we’ll be doing watches, rather than sharing the bed,” Alia said to Jonas.

  “Ah, yes,” Jonas said.

  “So which am I taking?”

  “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to sleep tonight,”

  “That’s unlike you.”

  “I’ve seen a lot of things today I’d rather not have. Sleep will be difficult.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine. Just need some time to think.”

  “What about our new friends?”

  “Friends?”

  “Well, companions then. You don’t trust them?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. They did save our lives and I’m grateful for that. But we don’t know them.”

  “Yet.”

  “Yet. They’ll be useful to have around but best keep an eye on them. We’ve got no way of checking their story.”

  “You old cynic.”

  “I don’t trust people easily. It’s served me pretty well over the years.”

  “It’s also probably why you’re not retired with a family.”

  Jonas glowered at her.

  “Okay, too far.”

  Jonas sighed. “You’re probably right though.”

  “So what about them? You like them enough to give them my room.”

  “You still sore about that? We’ve shared loads of times in the past.”

  “I was hoping for some sleep tonight. You snore.”

  “Not as loudly as you.”

  Alia stared at him.

  “I’ve learned to live with it,” Jonas said, smiling.

  “So… about our new companions?”

  “They seem genuine. And they’re certainly competent. Two of them at least were soldiers, not sure about Zedek. Something a bit odd about him, can’t quite put my finger on it, something nagging at me.”

  “He seems nice enough. Probably just his comfort with cutting up bodies to see what’s inside them.”

  “Could be that,” Jonas conceded.

  “We’ll keep an eye on them though, like you said. You’re normally right,”

  “Normally?”

  “Okay, always right, boss.”

  “That’s better.”

  “So, time for dinner? For me anyway. You’ve spent the afternoon looking at people’s insides.”

  “I could eat.”

  “You disgust me. Boss.” Alia grinned.

  Jonas sighed. “Comes with the job. Need to be practical.”

  “You keep saying that.”

  “It’s true.”

  “I suppose I’ll get there eventually.”

  “Dinner. Let’s go get the others.”

  *****

  The five of them sat at a table in the corner of the main room of the inn.

  “Innkeeper seems afraid of you,” Daeholf said.

  Jonas sighed and then nodded.

  “I’m sure this is his best ale. Hardly watered down.”

  “I normally prefer not to draw attention but he was being stubborn over the rooms.”

  “About that, Trimas had a suggestion.”

  “Oh?” Jonas said with a hint of a smile.

  “It was, ah, about watches tonight,” Trimas said, improvising.

  “What did you have in mind?” Jonas said.

  “We were planning to take it in turns. Maybe we could share watches or something?”

  “We’ve got it covered,” Jonas said, “but thanks for the offer.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll get some more ale then,” Trimas said. He stood up, picked up the pitcher and managed to seemingly accidentally clonk Daeholf on the head with it as he walked past on his way to the bar. “Oops,” Trimas said as he did.

  Jonas raised an eyebrow but was still smiling.

  “Don’t ask,” Zedek said.

  Daeholf rubbed his head and sighed. “I suppose I had that coming,” he muttered.

  Alia grinned.

  Trimas returned with a full pitcher. Daeholf ducked as he passed but Trimas came nowhere near.

  “This one is full,” he said. “Need to be careful with it. Top anyone up?”

  “Not me,” Daeholf said. “I’ve had enough.”

  Jonas looked at him curiously but said nothing.

  Alia looked at the tables around them. Following the ‘debate’ between Jonas and the innkeeper, people were giving them a reasonably wide berth. “All clear,” she said.

  “So what did we find?”

  “Shipping docket. Locations are coded though now that I’ve looked at it more closely,” Alia said.

  “Useless then?” Daeholf said.

  “There’s no map locations but I do have an idea,” Alia said.

  “A way to decode them?” Zedek said.

  “We picked up some documents from someone we think was an associate of our target.”

  “Documents?” Daeholf said

  “Shipping dockets, as it happens.”

  “Ah…” Jonas looked at Alia and nodded to himself, a hint of pride on his face.

  “So by comparing them we should be able to get an idea of where he operates from?”

  “I hope so, yes.”

  “Good. How long is that going to take?”

  “I don’t know. Tomorrow maybe? There’s quite a lot of papers. Might go quicker with some help.”

  “That’s my area,” Zedek said, “I’d be happy to help.”

  “Okay,” Jonas said. “The rest of us could spend the day asking around locally. The base we found is close enough that someone might know something.”

  “If we’re going to be staying for a day or so, I think we’ll want a bigger room with a little more privacy,” Daeholf said. “I didn’t see any coaches in the stables and there seems to be a bigger room over the annex at the back. Maybe we could persuade the innkeeper to upgrade us tomorrow?”

  “Can do, but I think we’re drawing a little too much attention here now. I don’t think we should stay here for too long.”

  “Attention?” Trimas said, a serious look on his face.

  “We work best quietly,” Jonas said. “There’s no way of knowing if our target has anyone watching and I don’t want him to know anyone is after him sooner than necessary.”

  “Ah, that sort of attention,” Trimas said.

  “You hiding or something?” Jonas said casually.

  “Disgruntled husband,” Trimas said automatically. “Didn’t know she was married.”

 
; “Price on your head?” Jonas said, lips smiling though there was a hint of something else in his eyes. Alia caught it but no one else did.

  “Doubt it. Would just rather he didn’t catch up with me.”

  “Ah, you’ll be safe with us,” Jonas said, still smiling. “I know a little about disgruntled husbands.”

  “Oh?” Trimas said as Alia rolled her eyes.

  “We were all young once.”

  “Please don’t get him started,” Alia said.

  “I’d like to hear it,” Trimas said.

  “Well there was this one girl over in…”

  Alia sighed. “I’ll go make myself useful sweet-talking the innkeeper, try to make us a bit less memorable as a group.”

  *****

  “You sure you don’t want me to take a watch?” Alia said to Jonas in their room later.

  “No. A lot happened today that I need to think about. I’m not tired anyway.”

  “You sure? It’s not like you.”

  “You’ve only known me a couple of years remember. I used to skip nights on the job all the time.”

  “You’re older now.”

  Jonas raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m not criticising,” Alia added hastily, “it’s just that it’s been a big day and we’re all worn down a bit and we all need to be fresh if we have to fight any more of those altered.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Something you’re not telling me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Oh.” Alia looked faintly hurt.

  “Don’t be like that. You’re learning fast but you don’t need to know everything I’ve ever seen or done. It’ll just be a distraction.”

  “Oh. I suppose so.”

  “Suppose?”

  “You’re right, boss.”

  “Get some sleep. Like you said, big day.”

  “Okay,” Alia said reluctantly, laying down and making herself comfortable on the bed.

  Jonas noticed that once again she did so fully dressed. Inwardly he sighed. Not because he wanted anything from her. He was easily old enough to be her father. Probably grandfather. He hoped that she was just being prepared in case of trouble but that in itself was troubling. What had he done to her? What sort of life would she have had if he hadn’t taken her on as his apprentice? Would she be married with children on the way? Probably not. She had her reasons for wanting this life. Events in her past had turned her hard in some ways.