Cursors's Fury

A trio of groaning young legionares came through the door bearing a heavy healing tub, sloshing water over its edges. They plunked it down even as the young healer divested Fade of his cloak, sword belt, and boots. At a nod from her, the guards in the room lifted his limp body into the tub.

The healer knelt behind the tub and placed her hands on Fade’s head. “Step back,” she said, in a tone that suggested she said it often. The guards hastily withdrew from the tub and out of the room. At a nod from Isana, Giraldi went with them.

The healer was silent for several seconds, her head bowed, and Isana had to restrain herself from shouting for the girl to hurry. Then the air in the room began to tighten, somehow, an odd sensation, like an unseen wind pressing against Isana’s skin. The healer’s fine hairs began to lift, one by one, away from her head, as if carried in a gentle updraft, though Isana could feel no air moving. She was still for a moment, then breathed out in a murmur, and what looked like tiny flickers of lightning played over the tub.

Fade reacted violently, body suddenly arching up, drawn as tightly as one of Bernard’s hunting bows. He stayed that way for a moment, then subsided into the tub again and started coughing, a wet and fitful sound.

Isana’s heart leapt up as the slave breathed again.

The healer frowned more intently, and Isana saw the water begin to stir in the tub, as it did when she worked her own healing furycraft, though only for a moment. Then the healer grimaced and lifted her hands from Fade’s head. She moved around the tub and lifted his wounded hand. She unbound the kerchief wrapped around it and leaned down, sniffing. She drew her head away in a sharp little motion, turning her face away from the injury, then lowered his hand into the water.

“What is it?” Isana asked.

“Garic-oil poisoning,” the young woman said.

“What’s that?” Isana asked.

“Many weapon merchants in the southland preserve their weapons with an oil mixture that includes a tincture made from the oil in the hides of garim lizards.”

“And it’s poisonous?” Isana asked.

“Not always intentionally. But if the oil isn’t mixed correctly, or if it’s left out too long, the garic oil turns. Goes rotten. If it’s on a weapon that inflicts a wound, the rot gets into the blood.” She shook her head and rose. “I’m very sorry.”

Isana blinked. “But… you healed him. He’s breathing.”

“For now,” the healer said quietly. “Your friend is a metalcrafter, I take it?”

“Yes.”

“Wounded during the attacks?”

“Defending me,” Isana said quietly. “An arrow. It struck his hand.”

The healer shook her head. “He must have been suppressing the discomfort. If he’d gotten to a healer within the hour, perhaps…”

Isana stared at her in disbelief. “What will happen?”

“Fever. Disorientation. Pain. Eventual loss of consciousness.” The young healer grimaced. “It isn’t quick. Days. But if he has family, you should send for them.” She looked up at Isana, her dark eyes steady and sad. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

Isana shook her head slowly. “Is there nothing to be done?”

“It has been healed, betimes. But it takes days, and most who try it die with the victim.”

“You are not able to attempt it?” Isana asked.

The healer was still for a moment, then said, “I will not.”

“Great furies,” Isana breathed quietly. “Why not?”

“Legions march on my father’s city, Steadholder. Battle will be joined. Men will be wounded and needed to return to the fight. If I’m attempting to heal him, it will mean the deaths of dozens or hundreds of my father’s legionares. “ She shook her head. “My duty is clear.”

“You’re Cereus’s daughter?” Isana asked.

The young healer smiled a little, though there was little joy or life in it, and dipped her head into a small bow. “Aye. Cereus Felia Veradis, Steadholder.”

“Veradis,” Isana said. She looked at the wounded man. “Thank you for helping him.”

“Don’t thank me,” Veradis said.

“May I ask a favor of you?” Isana said.

The young woman nodded her head once.

“I would like a healing tub brought in here, please.”

Veradis’s eyebrows rose. “Steadholder, I am told your healing skills are impressive, but you are in no condition to attempt such a crafting.”

“I believe I am a better judge of such things than you,” Isana said quietly.

“My experience suggests that you aren’t,” Veradis said in a practical tone. “He is important to you. You aren’t thinking clearly.”

“That, too, is something only I can judge.” She returned Veradis’s gaze steadily. “Will you do me the favor, lady?”

Veradis studied her for a long moment. Then she said, “I will.”

“Thank you, “ Isana said quietly.

“In the morning,” Veradis said. “After you have slept. I will return and instruct you in the method. You will not worsen his chances with a few hours’ delay.”

Isana pressed her lips together in frustration, but then nodded. “Thank you.”