“I guess you’ll just have to come join us if it bothers you too much,” I invited.
She froze and looked at Tabitha. “He is kiddin’, ain’t he?”
Tabitha shrugged. “You never know about a Stephenson man. Every one of them except for Alec has at least a few consorts.”
Poor Anne looked confused. “When we ain’t busy, you can tell me ‘bout your in-laws.” She went in to check on Tamia and make sure she had everything she needed before bedtime.
We heard Tamia’s voice demanding, “I have to have hugs and kisses from Mom and Dad first!” Tabitha and I braced ourselves and Tamia came into the room like a whirlwind. She hugged her mother and me. Emory showed up while the assault was going on and had brought a very friendly maid named Karly. She was quiet and shy, and I hoped she’d have a calming effect on Tamia.
Emory approached me. “Seth, we have some chairs set out for you and whoever you are bringing. The guards are instructed to only let a few in at a time. An announcement was made stating that you were able to heal, but it took a lot out of you and they’d have to come back if you became tired.”
I patted him on the arm, my equivalent of patting someone on the back. “Thank you, sir; now I understand why you are the man in charge of the house.” I turned to Karly. “You know where to find us if there are any problems, and don’t be afraid to call.”
She curtsied. “Of course, Your Honor, and thank you for trusting me with this assignment.”
I grinned because I repeated the same thing to everyone I worked with closely. “Please, just call me Seth and the ladies by their names. I believe that titles are clumsy when I’m working with people on a regular basis.”
Karly nodded, then she and the other two ladies rounded up Tamia. They took her into the bedroom and I turned my attention to Emory. “I had no intention of coming in and disrupting your program here. I’m sorry about all this.”
“Seth, if you remember, it was my idea for you to heal the girl. Things will work out. The girl Karly will watch the young one for you and Evette will cover on her days off. You just take care of yourself and don’t get too worn down.”
Tabitha and Anne joined us and we made our way to the courtyard. As we went down the steps, we were spotted and the noise from the road rose to an almost frightening level. I knew that much noise could trigger a riot and decided that a little awe might be helpful. I raised my hand and fired green signal sparks into the air. The spell exploded with a pretty spiderlike pattern of green light. Silence fell over the crowd and I flew twenty feet into the air so I could be seen. I amplified my voice and announced, “People of Krose, my name is Seth and I’ve been appointed Governor of this fair district. You’ve heard that I have the ability to heal some injuries. I would like to help everyone I can, but you must help me. Keep the noise to a minimum and wait your turn. I’ll work as long as I can, but I mustn’t get overly tired, as that could result in possible injury to myself. Now, listen to instructions and we’ll begin.”
I floated back down and Emory was shaking his head. “Green lights, flying and an amplified voice. You did all those things without warning me, Seth.” He laughed.
“I wanted this settled quickly and it seemed the easiest way. Do you really want me to stop for a conference every time I have to do something like that?”
He shook his head. “I was kidding. Here they come, so how do you want to do this?”
I looked at the chairs, which were set in two rows of five, facing each other. “Have them sit in the chairs and I’ll work from behind them with my hands on their shoulders. Some injuries are painful to heal and if I run into one, Anne can help restrain the patient. If it’s a strong man, a guard may have to assist. Tabitha, with her sweet, calming nature can send people in and keep the chairs full.”
We began, and most of the first people had minor injuries or scars, and a few had a fever due to something that was going around. I moved chair to chair, gently placing my hands on the neck and shoulders of the infirm, scanning them, letting healing magic flow through them and moving on.
Finally the situation I dreaded showed up. I put my hands on a girl’s shoulder and scanned her. Her right arm had been broken and healed without being set. One of the two bones in her forearm had rejoined, leaving the broken end at a forty-five degree angle. The other bone was floating free, with the two jagged ends tearing flesh any time she moved it. I called Anne over. “My magic is going to rebreak this girl’s arm to reset and heal it properly. Have someone locate a leather strap or something for her to bite on. I can heal this, but it will be painful.” I asked the girl to be patient and I’d return.
Anne went to the guardhouse and returned quickly. She’d located a leather riding quirt; she took it to the girl and explained what I’d told her. Anne nodded at me and I went back to her. I knelt down in front of the girl’s chair and she raised her head to look at me. She was an absolute beauty, or would have been if she were well fed and happy.
I smiled reassuringly. “It looks like this happened some time ago. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Your Honor, I was walking down Main Street and stepped on a loose stone. I lost my balance and fell under a loaded wagon. Luckily, it only ran over my arm. I’ve been living alone since my father died and when I was injured, I couldn’t work. The pub wouldn’t even have me as a working girl due to my deformity. I haven’t had a place to stay since then. Perhaps I could be taken on as a maid when I’m healed?”
“I’ll have you speak with Emory, my steward, after this, but I must move on. There are many people waiting. Brace yourself, lovely lady, this will hurt quite a bit.” I began running the healing magic through her and gritting my own teeth as I heard the bone grinding. She was squeezing my hand and whimpering around the leather of the quirt clenched in her teeth. When the spell had run its course, she dropped the quirt and sighed. She held her arm up, worked it back and forth and wiggled her fingers. She leaned forward, threw her arms around me and kissed me so fiercely that it made me see stars. Then she jerked away. “I’m so sorry, Your Honor! I was just overwhelmed.”
I laughed. “Don’t be sorry! I’m surely not, but now I have to know your name. I’m Seth, by the way.”
She offered an embarrassed smile. “I’m Diana, sir. Kissing you was nice, but I don’t think your wife would approve.” We looked over and Tabitha was watching us and grinning ear to ear.
I shrugged. “It looks like my wife doesn’t mind if I make new friends. I’ll call my steward and get you something to eat and a place to stay. When you recover, we’ll find you a job around the house. I’m sure there is something that you’d like to do.”
She nodded and I called out, “Emory, this young lady is going to be staying with us until she is stronger. Would you mind putting her in a room on the second floor and finding out if she needs anything?”
“Of course, Seth, I’d be happy to. Young lady, if you’ll follow me, I’ll have a maid show you to your room and attend to your needs.”
As they turned to go, Diana looked back. “Thank you, Seth. I hope to see you again soon. You saved my life.”
We continued on until after midnight healing minor injuries and illness. The line had thinned considerably and I noticed that my magic was getting lower than I liked. I guessed I still had twenty-five percent, but that was getting close to what we sibs called ‘emergency magic only’. I signaled Tabitha and she signaled the guard at the gate. Emory went out and told the people who were left that I was going to have to rest for a few days, but an announcement would be made when I would be able to work again.
Tabitha and Anne escorted me back upstairs. Out of sight of the people, I let the exhaustion take me, but Anne had no problem assisting me upstairs. We arrived and Tabitha let Karly know we were back.
I asked Karly, “Since it seems that you’re going to be assisting us as governess to Tamia, may I ask where you’re living?”
“I was living in town, but when Emory offered to let us use some of the rooms here, I too
k him up on his offer. I don’t have all my things moved yet, but I’m staying on the second floor. Three other girls have also taken up the offer.”
I smiled. “That’s good news for us. It’s nice that you’re close; I was going to offer you a room. We’ll try to keep Tamia from working you to death. Have a good night, Karly, and we’ll see you in the morning.” With a small curtsy, she left the room.
I undressed, dimmed the lights and pulled the bed curtains. Tabitha teased, “With the curtains drawn, it makes me think that there’s no need for a gown tonight.”
“My love, if I had my way about it, you would never wear a gown to bed. Would you mind snuggling with your husband tonight? Perhaps we can snuggle so closely that I disappear inside you. At least part of me might disappear.
“You don’t have to ask me twice! There’s nothing I’d like better, but I do want to hear about your comment to Anne and that girl kissing you tonight. However, that can wait, because I like your idea much more.”
“I think I’ll like doing all this healing if you’ll help with the magic rebuilding treatments!”
Chapter Nine
Every night during my recovery period we could see candles burning outside the compound gates. A couple dozen people kept a vigil, but I hoped it was just a respectful gesture. I let Emory know that I’d be ready to heal again that afternoon. Tabitha’s ‘treatments’ had worked wonders with building my spirit back to normal levels. Just before I went to the courtyard, Tabitha pulled me aside. “Seth, I gotta let ya know this, and I hope ya take it well. We’re only one spring past without the rain, but it ain’t happened to me afore. I believe the baker done added the yeast!”
I was laughing so hard by the time she took a breath I could barely stand. “Tabitha, my beautiful Halfling farm girl, do you think you could say that again in a language that I speak?”
“I’m sorry, I just forget myself and fall back into that when I get excited. I’ve missed my time of the month and that rarely happens to Halflings unless we’re pregnant! I won’t know for sure for a month, but Tamia might have a little brother or sister. I hope you’re happy about it.”
I picked her up and hugged her. “With as much effort as we’ve been putting into our bedroom games since we got married, it had to happen. I’m thrilled about it, but won’t say anything until we’re sure. Then I’ll contact my mother and let her know that we’re married and expecting. She’ll be happy too, once she gets over not being at the wedding.”
On the way downstairs, Tabitha stopped and looked at me. “You know how your father and brothers have consorts? Nobles don’t have them here. They have a similar position, but they’re called concubines. I’ve heard that the concubines of officials are very respected by the citizens. The way you were talking to Anne and the way that girl with the busted up arm kissed you, I wondered if you were thinking about consorts like back home.”
“The girl that kissed me lost her head in the moment. She was healed of a painful injury and was just happy. I admit I did see sparks, but it could have been because I was caught off guard. Flirting with Anne like that was just flirting for the sake of a blush. I doubt that Anne would ever go for that concubine thing, but if I’m honest about it, I really do like her. My father always insisted on loving someone before he’d take them as a consort. I could see myself loving a tough girl like Anne, but it wouldn’t change the way I feel about you in the slightest.”
“I know it wouldn’t change things between us. If you remember, I almost lived with Ivy, James, Star and the other girls for a year. I saw how they interacted and I could live with that. I think I’m going to look into this concubine thing some more if you don’t mind.”
“Whatever makes you happy, my love. Now we should go heal people.”
We arrived at the healing area and signaled everyone that we were ready. People started filing in, and the ones that could would bow or curtsy as they passed me. I would scan and heal, then move to the next in the line of chairs. I got the most satisfaction out of the children who were ill that were brought in. They would always talk to me as though I was one of them. Seeing them come in with a cough or fever and leave healthy and happy was all the pay I needed for this job.
The day wore on into night and we only had a few more people at the gate. My magic reserves were starting to get close to my comfort zone, but I thought that the last few would go quickly and I could go back to rebuilding. I signaled the rest to be let in and was slightly worried when I saw the last man. He was carried in on a stretcher and placed on the ground near what would be his chair. His bearers stood on either side of him and looked quite protective.
I made the rounds as usual, happy that there were mostly minor illnesses. There were a few broken fingers and other small bones, but nothing major. I moved to the last man and knelt beside him.
“Can you tell me what’s wrong with you, sir?”
He nodded but kept his head bowed. “Your Worship, I was six when I caught an illness while my parents were exploring the western wilds. It first caused my bones to get brittle and then my muscles to cramp up. My legs twisted and shortened. I don’t know if there is anything that even someone as powerful as Your Reverence can do. You understand that if there was a chance, I had to come see.”
I nodded to the man and called Anne and Tabitha over. When they arrived, I had the man’s friends come close to hear what I had to say. “I’m not sure how much I can help. I am going to give it my best effort, but it will be painful for him. Anne, you might get a damp cloth, and someone locate that quirt or something to bite on.” I looked at the man on the ground. “You do understand that this could be extremely painful?”
He replied passionately, “I do understand, Your Divinity, and I’m ready to try. If there are not positive results, we can say we gave an effort. I’m ready when you are.”
The hope in the man’s eyes blinded me to everything around me. I focused and let the magic flow. His body twisted and contorted as the magic attempted to rebuild him. Sweat flowed down his face and Anne gently mopped his brow. Tabitha was talking to him in her sweet, soothing voice, trying to calm him and ease his suffering. I watched in fascination as his legs straightened and grew. The magic was still flowing, but I could feel it slowing and hoped the man would be able to finally have a normal life.
With a start, I realized how much magic I had expended on healing this man and changed my vision to look inward, and knew no more.
I woke and opened my eyes and the world exploded. That’s when I knew I’d found the dreaded ‘rock bottom’. That happened when a wizard’s spirit bottoms out completely. I knew that with this situation I could have been out for many hours or even a few days. I slowly moved my hand to my forehead, hoping to ease the pain.
I heard Tabitha whisper, “He moved, so he’s awake. I don’t want a sound above a whisper anywhere on this floor. If I hear a door slam, someone will lose their head. His brother told me about this kind of thing and he will be hurting for days. Now go spread the word that he is awake and that everyone is to keep quiet. Since our huge balcony window is street side, you might also tell the people on vigil that he’s awake and needs quiet.”
I almost managed a smile, listening to my little farm girl giving orders and taking care of business. I knew that I’d recover eventually, but at least the house was in good hands.
The next couple of days I mostly slept through. I would wake on occasion and either Anne or Tabitha would feed me spoonsful of broth with a wooden spoon. I’d managed to tell them that the metal spoon made too much noise on my teeth.
On the morning of the third day, I opened my eyes and could see. My blurry vision was gone and the headache had tapered off to just a dull throbbing. I rolled to my right and kissed my gorgeous, competent wife. I started to roll off my side to dress for a change, and found Anne, sound asleep on my left. I gently kissed her cheek too, and slid out of the covers and off the foot of the bed. I dressed quietly and opened my bedroom door.
A very
large man instantly confronted me. He was a good six feet tall and had a powerful-looking upper body. When he saw who I was, he took a knee and spoke softly, “My Lord, it is good to see you on your feet. We’d worried that in giving others life, you’d taken you own.”
Speaking softly myself, I replied, “That is what happens when I get too caught up in what I’m doing and forget to look after myself. I haven’t seen you around before. Who are you?”
He smiled. “You have seen me before, but I wasn’t like this. I’m Noam Spiro, the man you were healing before you lost consciousness. Now, if you’ll have me, I’ve sworn to be your valet, assistant, bodyguard, or whatever position you see fit to give me. All I ask is to be fed and a dry corner to sleep in.”
I chuckled and grabbed my head. “Welcome to the family, Noam. I think we might do better than a dry corner. Have you seen Emory up and about today?”
He nodded. “I believe that he’s already in his office. Would you like me to fetch him for you?”
“I think I’ll walk down. Being in bed that long makes me want to stretch my legs. I guess you can understand that! Would you mind walking with me? I’m still a bit unstable.”
“Of course, my Lord; that would fall in the realm of bodyguard, but I’m protecting you from the stairs.”
I grinned. “I guess it would at that. I would prefer it if you’d call me Seth, since we’ll be working together. I’m not overly fond of titles.”
“Oh no, sir, I couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be right for me to address someone of your stature in the familiar!”
I looked up at him with a half smirk, half grin. “Let’s not bring stature into this, my intimidating friend.”
He laughed quietly. “I understand what you’re saying, Seth, and I’ll do as you ask.”
As we approached Emory’s office, Noam took a few quick steps, which gave him quite a lead. He knocked and gained entry to the office. I heard him talking and then I arrived. Emory was on his feet and spoke softly. “Good morning, Seth. It’s good to see you on your feet again. The entire district has been worried about you.”
Seth, A Naiad's Son (Generations of Eredwynn Book 3) Page 8
