Helen came over to immediately greet them. She hugged Alec affectionately. “So our mysterious miracle worker is still in town, and doing great things Natha tells me. How are you doing, Alec? Is all going well?” Alec told her how wonderful it was to have fallen into a routine and comfortable lifestyle, and how people were starting to come more and from farther away to seek treatment.
“I’m not surprised there are more coming, and there will be more yet as your good works speak for themselves. But you seem different in a manner I can’t put my finger on, and it’s only been little more than a month since you first walked into Annie’s home. I hope you’re happy Alec, because you certainly deserve to be,” she replied, and then excused herself to go talk to Leah who had strolled over to see the gardens below the terrace.
Natha disengaged himself from talking to his sons and came over to greet Alec next. “Healer, good to see you today. Thank you for gracing us with a visit.”
“Natha, thank you for the invitation. Leah is so happy to see your home, especially the gardens,” Alec responded. “And we’re both happy to see you and your family.”
“She’s welcome to enjoy the gardens. I’m worried that you’ll look at them and start picking things to be used as remedies and treatments,” Natha joked. “Your patient the Duke is doing very well, I’ve seen. I was invited to another one of his councils two nights ago, and there’s no telling that he was nearly dead a month ago.”
“In fact, some cynics claim that he never was really attacked, but it was all just a ploy to justify the sweep of his son’s blackguard goons,” Natha reported. That operation had gone off flawlessly, and had even been enhanced in its usefulness by emptying a couple of wards of the prison to send some incorrigible criminals in pursuit of road-building service to society.”
“Angel!” a sweet voice said behind Alec, and he turned in anticipation of seeing Annalea, who walked up and hugged him fiercely. “Angel, it’s only been a little while since I saw you, but you look different somehow. You’re not wearing yourself out are you?”
Alec assured her he was not, but wondered at the coincidence of mother and daughter both making the same observation. Could he be changing? Was the life he now led making him older or different in some fashion, he pondered? He’d certainly slipped comfortably into a routine life that made him content and happy.
Alec sipped a glass of juice as he was introduced to Natha and Helen’s two sons and their wives. Both families worked in the trading and shipping businesses Natha ran, along with a dozen or so cousins in key positions, it sounded like to Alec as the conversation flowed around him.
When they sat down to dinner, Alec found himself seated between one of the daughters-in-law, Christa, and Annalea, while Leah across the table from him was flanked by Rand and Annie’s oldest brother, Joaquin. As the courses of the meal were served, the conversation moved in a lively fashion from topic to topic, sometimes focusing on domestic and familial issues, but usually staying in society and the broader world.
“Rand, how much more printing business can you handle before you have to buy a bigger shop?” Joaquin asked.
“We’re like every printer in town; we’re growing very busy. In fact, Annie and I were talking last week about perhaps buying an empty warehouse in the coopers’ section of the city; we’d be the first to leave the printers’ street, but I’m sure we won’t be the only ones. So far no other city in the realm has the printing industry that the Duke has developed here, and people are sending us printing business from as far away as Lakeside,” Rand stated.
“I know we’ve developed special crates for books to make sure they stay dry during shipping because every other good printer in town is saying the same thing,” Drawr, the other brother chimed in.
“What are your patients talking about, Alec?” Natha asked. “Do they give you an idea of what’s on their mind?”
“Leah and I were discussing that a couple of nights ago,” Alec replied. “They complain that the price of bread has gone up, although the bakers say that it’s because the price of flour went up, and it should come down somewhat with the harvest now approaching.”
“Mostly, the ones who really like to talk mention the Duke’s expedition up the river,” Leah added. “No one remembers such a thing in many years, not since the Duke’s grand sire got into a skirmish with Red Water. They all seem to approve of the idea of the forts for protection from the Walnut Creek lacertii, and the new lands for more settlements.”
“A few of them seem to understand that Prince Airmed suffered in the turn of events, and nobody sheds any tears for him. He’s very unpopular,” Alec continued.
“Well, the reports back from the expedition on the river indicate that so far they’re starting to build a new, well-constructed road through parts of the realm where there are farms already, but where folks haven’t had an easy way to travel to and from market. Apparently there were quite a few casualties among the construction workers during the first days of construction, but less of that is happening now,” Natha reported, with a quick, significant look at Alec.
“The road-building crew should reach the end of the settled lands very soon or may have already; they’ll have another two weeks to pass occasional homesteads and cabins, folks who are virtually outside the Duchy for all practical purposes. They’ll then have another fortnight to reach the sand bars and shallows. Some will stay there to work on the canal and locks, while others are expected to push further for the construction of the outermost fort upstream. In fact, I understand that some engineers and scouts are fairly far out in front of the expedition planning the route.
“Quite a few nobles have expressed interest in acquiring estates in the region. We expect we may have a trading post established out there within a year, right Joaquin?”
“I expect we will be the first ones there unless something changes,” he replied.
After dessert was served, they returned to the terrace, where Helen and Alec went for a stroll through the garden. “Drawr’s wife Talia thinks she may be pregnant, and I wondered if you would be her physician,” Helen asked as they looked at the roses.
“It would be my pleasure to serve your family. Where does she live? I’ll stop by in a couple of days,” Alec said, a smile lighting up his face.
“She asked me to ask you for her, dear. She’s a bit shy. Go tell her you’d be willing to serve her and you can make all the arrangements directly,” Helen replied.
Just then Leah called him from the terrace, telling him that the carriage had returned. Alec reluctantly made his farewells, arranging to visit with Talia in two days time. His vision confirmed that she was pregnant. His mind wandered briefly to Annalea’s condition, and her inability to conceive, a tragic situation that broke his heart.
“Next summer you’ll have to go with us to the big estate in the country up the river. But come visit us before then anytime you’d like. Do take care of yourself, Angel,” Annalea whispered as she hugged him. “You look like you are missing something to be completely happy, and I want you to be happy.”
As they rode home Leah talked about the beauty of the home and the kindness of the people, but Alec heard with only half an ear. He sensed that Annalea had put her finger on something; he wasn’t completely satisfied. He knew that he wanted to follow and find Natalie, he still thought of her often, and Ari. But he couldn’t imagine just walking away from Leah and the many fulfilling things that were happening for him in Goldenfields. He felt roots springing from him into the soil of this land, making it a good home for him, but he wasn’t sure he was ready yet to have a home. And in that unsettled state he returned home and fell asleep.
Chapter 24 -- Alec Returns to the River
The morning after the visit to Natha’s estate, Alec was up early and on his way to blade practice as usual. Inga seemed satisfied with his rate of progress as a student, judging by the changing lessons and tactics they worked on, although she never verbally acknowledged any progress.
The
y had reached a point of using live blades with minimal padding to make the experience more realistic. That morning Alec was still distracted by the notion of following Ari and Natalie, and for the first time he wasn’t able to wholeheartedly concentrate on his lesson. Within minutes Inga threw her blade down in disgust, as he let himself be scratched for the third time.
“What in the world are you doing? Why are you here wasting your time and mine? Do I look like I want to be cutting you up before breakfast?” she asked with more asperity than he had ever heard in her voice before.
“I’m sorry Inga,” he said, “my mind is wandering and I’m confused right now about some things. Let’s start over and I’ll concentrate.”
“Alec,” she replied with more seriousness than he typically heard from the wisecracking Guard, “you can’t ever afford to be distracted when your life is on the line in a sword fight. You pay attention when you’re healing someone else, because their life is on the line. You’ve got to be just as devoted to yourself, and that means in training as much as in any real-life situation you encounter.”
“And I apologize too,” Inga added quietly a moment later in a very private tone. “We received a pigeon last night with a routine message about the river expedition. “It was routine except for the part saying that Lewis was injured by one of the inmates during the road-building activities. It didn’t indicate the seriousness of his injuries, but I still am worried and wish I could be there. When I was hurt, at least he could visit me, and after the first day he knew I had the greatest doctor in the Dominion.
“You’re right, let’s start over and try to make this day count; you’re showing decent progress so far. I don’t think you’re going to qualify for the Guard, but you’re good enough to protect yourself from any average street hacker or puffed up nobleman who fancies himself a swordsman…that’s if you practice.” And as she finished she whipped her sword up and launched into a fierce attack that forced Alec back before he could establish his defense.
“Always be ready for the unexpected, that’s one of the key rules, remember?” she said with a grin as she pressed the attack.
Two hours later they finished the exercise; both were sweating from the vigorous effort they’d thrown into their work. “Much better, Alec, maybe we will make a Guardsman out of you after all, although you seem to be much more comfortable on defense than on the attack. When you do attack, it’s almost as an incidental continuation of the defense motion you’re in,” Inga instructed her student.
“Come back tomorrow and we’ll work you out some more!”
“Inga, my prayers will be with Lewis and you. If I can do anything, let me know,” he said as he shook her hand and took his leave.
That night, as Ellen was cleaning up the dinner dishes, Alec and Leah heard a loud pounding on the front door of the shop. Alec went to check on it, surprised to see Guardsman Ellison when he opened the door. “Ellison, please come in and join us at the table in the back. What can we do for you?” Alec asked as he led his friend to the dining table.
Ellen and Hannah came out, and Ellison smiled wanly at them, waving to Hannah. “Alec, we received another pigeon report that Captain Lewis’s injuries are severe. He was attacked when his back was turned. He took a large rock to the back of the head, and has been unconscious ever since, breathing shallow, and um,” Ellison paused to try to remember the symptoms they knew, “and exhibiting a weakened heartbeat.”
“The colonel wants to know if we can beg you to go examine him for the Guard. We think we can deliver you there in about a day if you can travel light and leave immediately,” Ellison requested.
“I should go,” Alec said, seeing Leah nod yes as soon as Ellison finished. “Let me pack some things and I’ll be ready in ten minutes.” He went downstairs and looked through his medicinal stores, selecting a variety of potential ingredients he thought he might have to use. He thought hard about brain injuries, and finally decided to take a small drill and a saw and three long steel slender probes, praying that no such equipment would be needed.
At the door he hugged Ellen and Hannah goodbye quickly, pausing longer with Leah. “I can’t imagine that anything will go wrong here while I’m gone, but please send a note to Natha tomorrow letting him know that I’m gone and why, just so I know you’ll have someone to rely on if needed,” he suddenly remembered his promise to look at Helen’s daughter-in-law, Talia. “Please ask them to explain to Talia that I must miss our first appointment.”
“Alec, don’t worry about us. We’ve got friends and neighbors who will watch out for us. I will send the note to Natha, though, just as you’ve suggested, and make sure Talia knows” she replied. “Goodbye and be careful and come back as soon as you can.”
Ellison and Alec walked swiftly through the streets, down to the docks nearest the palace. A boat with eight oarsmen was waiting, as was Inga. “Oh Alec, thank you so much. I feel better already knowing you’ll be with him. After my Lewis, you and the Duke are the two men I owe the most to, and I’ve shamelessly asked you both for favors to send you on your way to save my husband. Here,” she handed him a sword, “practice with this as much as you can. Work on your patterns and forms, and invite the Guards to practice live with you.
“Be careful. I want to see both of you back alive and in one piece soon,” she said as she hugged him hurriedly at the end of her disjointed farewell speech.
Alec hopped into the boat, and met the commander, Lieutenant Hope. As soon as he was in they pulled away from the dock and set in motion, rowing against the current.
“I’m told you are a great healer being sent to the Upriver Expedition to care for an officer,” the lieutenant said politely.
“That’s what I understand too. I know the officer and he is a very good man, a member of the Duke’s Guard,” Alec replied. “How long will it take us to travel there?”
“Duck your head, sir,” the Lieutenant replied. Alec automatically complied, and heard a swishing noise above him. He looked up to see a mast being set and sails raised. “Sorry about that. Once we got out into the main channel, I wanted to take advantage of a breeze blowing our direction, for a change, to help us.”
“If this breeze favors us, we could be able to put you ashore by late morning tomorrow. If we lose the wind it will be mid-evening.”
“And you can take me directly to the camp?” Alec followed.
“We’re actually going to take you to a rendezvous, the stone that marks the usual extent of the River Patrol boundaries. The army will have an escort and horse for you there, and you’ll ride for another few hours after that,” Hope replied. He hesitated only briefly before his next comment. “I’ve got to admit that you’re quite a bit younger than I expected.”
“Most people say that,” Alec replied, now indifferent to the common observation. “I’m just blessed with a God-given talent to heal.”
Alec settled down after the Lieutenant left him to go light the warning lantern at the front of the boat. Alec watched the lights of the city shores go by, then shut his eyes to rest, and surprisingly fell into a deep slumber that lasted the night through.
He awoke at dawn to the sound of more sails being raised. “Good morning sir,” Lieutenant Hope said. Now that we can see where we’re going in the day light, we thought we’d try to take full advantage of this nice breeze we’ve got.”
Alec felt their speed increase and heard the water rippling along their hull with a higher pitch. Along the shore he still saw several homes, although they were widely spaced apart. The lieutenant offered him a meal of biscuit and ham.
Throughout the morning they traveled at a fast pace. Three hours after sunrise the breeze slackened considerably, and the oars were put into motion to make up the lost motion. The rowers, not having worked through the night, were fresh and able to maintain a good pace throughout the morning. Just past noon the lieutenant ordered movement to shore, and five minutes later they beached on a sandy shore just past a large monolith stone that rose thirty f
eet above the bluff on the shoreline. Two soldiers and six horses were waiting.
“Thank you, Lieutenant, for a swift and safe journey,” Alec said as he climbed down from the ship’s hull.
A sergeant came down to greet them. “You’re Guard Healer Alec?” he asked with some doubt in his voice.
“Yes, I am Alec, sent to heal Guard Captain Lewis,” Alec replied.
“Very good, sir. We’ll be off in a moment.”
“You arrived earlier than we expected,” the sergeant told the river lieutenant. “We only got here ourselves a half hour ago and expected to have some time to wait. Would you deliver these dispatches and letters back to the City?” he asked as his companion brought a large leather sack down to the shore.
“It will be no problem, sergeant,” Hope replied, and signaled one of his oarsmen to take command of the sack. “I’ll give the men a few minutes to stretch legs and attend to nature, and then we’ll be off.” As he motioned, the boat emptied of men eager to walk and stretch their legs for a bit.
“Farewell. Come along sir,” the sergeant said to Alec as he and his companion moved towards the horses.
Alec followed, placed his supply pack in the bags on the horse indicated for him, and swung awkwardly up into the saddle, still feeling stiff from the long ride sitting in the boat. “What are your names?” he asked.
“I’m sergeant Johan and this is recruit Simon, sir. We didn’t know how well you could ride, so we brought a couple of easy-going steeds for you.”
Alec had surreptitiously inspected the horses as he walked up to them, recalling the horses he had helped care for daily when he worked in the carnival. He agreed that he had an easy ride ahead.
“I’m not much of a horseman at all, so you planned well,” Alec responded. “Let’s start moving.”
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