Dragons envoy, p.10
Dragon's Envoy, page 10
"Anyway, according to my sources you'll be named the King's healing mage right enough. Which I might add, also comes with a healthy compensation."
I shrugged. "As long as I don't have to hang around the castle all day doing nothing."
"Now that part I don't know. Unless he travels somewhere, then you'll accompany him."
I nodded, "I image that's true." I didn't mention how the King and I already came to know each other. He'd probably find out sooner or later anyway.
With his meal finished, he said, "Well, I'm off, if you ever need to get in touch with me, have a message sent by Jake, the innkeeper."
I nodded.
He knocked on the table nodding to me, then left.
I stayed a while longer enjoying my ale and thinking on what he'd said about me being named 'King's healing mage'. Of course, the 'compensation' part of the conversation was not lost on me.
When I got back to the mill it was fully night. "If those repairmen are to be here in the morning, then It's time for you first lesson in earth magic," Em said.
I nodded. Let’s go down to the lower level and see what we have. This was the first time I’d been down here, and the knee-deep water surprised me.
"Go over to the far wall." I felt her on my shoulder as I waded over to the wall. "Put your hand on the wall and concentrate on it like you do when you examine a wounded person." I closed my eyes and concentrated. All I felt was stones. "Take your time, sense like you would a deep wound." I took a deep breath, taking my time, I tried again.
Slowly at first, I could sense a change in the way the rock felt. I focused deeper and the differences in stone, dirt, living rock, and water became clear. "Good," Em said. "Now focus on the living bed rock, you see it?” she asked.
Yes, I answered.
"Ok, the first thing we need to do is raise the bedrock up under the mills foundation."
OK, how do we do that?
"Well, you ask it of course." I felt the smile in her voice. "Ok, that's just a term, meaning don't try to force it. You coax it along, feel my magic as I work."
I rode along with her as she worked coaxing the bedrock up to support the mills foundation.
"Now you do it," she said.
I nodded and repeated what I felt her do. She was much faster, but I was getting the bedrock to raise. I felt her nodding approval. We continued to raise the foundation back up in place, then asked the stone walls to return to their positions and hold together. That done we asked the water to return to the river.
"Not bad for your first time, you might make a dragon mage... in 10 or 12 years," she said chuckling.
I had to laugh.
"Ok, let's get some sleep, we used a lot of power moving that bedrock."
Yeah, I am kind of tired, I thought. I was asleep as soon as I laid down.
* * *
I was up at sunrise and broke my fast by eating enough for two people. Using a lot of mage power always had that effect on me. I was sitting in the open doorway drinking hot tea when Keefer, and ten of his lads came walking up.
He knuckled his forehead and said, "Good morning Sir Mage."
"Good morning," I said raising.
"I know you weren't expecting 11 of us but we decided we'd work and get paid like six and divide the pay, so we'd all make a portion.''
I shook my head. "No," I said, seeing shoulders slump. "No Keefer, I'll pay a man a day's wage for a day's work.” That brought heads and shoulders back up.
"Ya won't be sorry, Sir Mage," Keefer said. "Let's get to work lads."
And I wasn't. Keefer's lads worked like there was no tomorrow. I had to make them stop for lunch, and as soon as they had eaten, they were right back at it.
Mine and Em's stone and foundation restoration had made repairing the timber easier, but I still had to buy replacement wood to make up for what the water had ruined. Another improvement Em and I made was to turn the wooden gear mechanisms into spelled iron wood. The grinding stones we spelled to retain its hardness, and sharpness. We'd do the same to the water wheel when it was finished. That done, the mill's parts would last a hundred years without replacement.
“Master Keefer, how did you hurt your leg?" I asked, looking into it.
"Was fixing a mast during a storm, mast shifted pinning me leg."
I concentrated on it and repaired the damage and healed it. "That should feel better," I said.
He flexed his knee and leg wide eyed. "Lord above. It feels new, it does. Thank you, Sir Mage.
"You are welcome, Master Keefer. Consider the healing as part of you pay."
He nodded, though I could tell he was a bit choked up.
* * *
A week into the project the previous owner showed up. "Thank you for coming Master Miller," I said greeting him.
"Thank you for offering me the opportunity Sir Mage."
"What do you think?" I asked as we looked down at the repaired foundation and walls.
"I wish you'd been here five years ago Sir Mage. But what's done is done. What we have is the here and now. What are you offering?"
"You manage the mill and bakery. After expenses, we split the profits 50/50."
"Can I use my family to work the mill and bakery?"
"Who you hire is up to you, Master Miller."
He nodded, "and if I take the position can we, my family and I, move back into the mill's living quarters?"
That brought me up short, I had not considered that possibility. "Let them have it," Em said. "We'll find or build better."
I nodded, "Yes. You take the over managing the mill and bakery, you and your family can live here."
He nodded, "Then if you'll have me, I'll gladly come manage your mill, and bakery, Sir Mage.
Chapter 11
I was breaking my fast when the King's messenger arrived. "The King requires your presence at the castle," he announced. I took that to mean right now.
"Master Keefer, keep working, I'll be back."
"Yes, Sir Mage."
"I'm ready," I said to the messenger and followed him to the castle.
"This should be interesting," Em said.
As long as it doesn't become exciting, I answered. When we arrived, I was taken to the King's office instead of the throne room. The guards, seeing us approach knocked on the door.
"Come," came the answer from inside. The guard opened the door and the messenger stepped aside for me to enter alone.
Oh great, into the lion's den alone.
"Not true, you have me, and together we are a match for anything in this kingdom." That made me feel better. I just hoped it was true.
I approached the King's desk and took a knee.
"Sire," I said.
"Sir David Slinger," he said coming around his desk. "Rise let me look at you." I stood, meeting his eyes. He was shorter than I remembered. "Five years has turned you into a strong young man. Well met, my young friend," he said grasping my shoulders.
"Thank you, sire."
"This is my son Claudus, the crowned Prince." We were about the same age, and build. I held more muscle, but he wasn't a soft lay-about either.
"Your highness," I said bowing.
He nodded in return. "Sir mage." He was a younger version of his father, but thinner.
"Come, sit by the fire with me." I followed him and took the offered chair. "They tell me you've been busy since you've arrived in the capital. You've met and healed one of the leaders of the thieves guild. Turned the tables on my thieving Chamberlain, restoring the west side mill, and putting it back into operation." My eyebrows climbed as he ran down the list. He laughed at my expression. "Good for you."
I started to answer but he waved me off.
"The thieves guild has it's uses, and I've known about that thieving Rucker for years. I keep him around because he runs a good estate and isn't too greedy. Now, as to why I summoned you to the capital. Simply put, I'm selfish. And as King I can afford to be." My eyebrows rose again. and he smiled.
"Honestly you are the best healing mage to be found and believe me I've looked. After that close call where you saved my life, I started looking. There are no other mage healers with your talent, which is still growing. I need you here to keep me healthy and when the need arises heal me. You'll be well rewarded, and as the King's healing mage every noble within three kingdoms will want you to see them. And they will pay through the nose for the privilege. Now don't worry, I don't expect you to babysit me. Just be there when I need you. I also imagine foreign kingdom's dignitaries will visit for a chance to be healed. Which will help in negotiations. I'm sure they'll be generous as well. To put it bluntly, you going to be a very rich man."
I smiled at the thought. I know money’s not everything, but it's second, or third at the very least.
"Since you've given your home away to your miller, you'll be needing a new one. Do you want me to pick one for you, or would you like to do that?"
"Let's choose our own," Em said.
"If you don't mind sire, I'd like to choose it."
He nodded. "I thought you might. You also have an account set up at the kingdom's bank with 5000 gold in it. The crown will also buy whatever house you choose. Within reason of course," he said smiling.
I returned his smile. "Thank you, sire."
"Now to business, I want you to check me to make sure I'm in good health."
I concentrated on him. "Do you have any pains or reoccurring sicknesses?"
"Not really, but my shoulders bother me when the weather changes."
I looked at them with my dragon sight. “The joints show ware and some damage, probably from swords and shield work," I said. “I healed the damage and cleaned debris from the joints. That should feel better."
He moved his arms and rolled his shoulders smiling. "Much better," he said nodding. "Thank you. Now go find a place to live but keep the guard captain apprised of where you are."
I stood, bowing. "Yes, Your Highness," I answered and left.
* * *
As I walked back toward the mill, I was thinking about what the King had said.
"What did you learn from that meeting?" Em asked.
The King uses the thief’s guild as spies. He's using my perceived love of money to buy my loyalty, or at least cooperation. He plans to use me and my healing ability to every advantage he can. He will, if needed, hold the fact that he bought our house over our heads. I am a means to an end, nothing more. So, we play his game, but keep an escape plan ready just in case.
I felt her mental nod.
Now we start looking for a house that will suit our needs, I mused.
"Let's go to church," Em said. I frowned. "The church’s bell towers have the best view of the city. From there we'll see what location will work best for us."
I nodded and turned toward the city center where the church stood.
* * *
Standing in the bell tower we could see the entire city, both sides of the river, the quarry, and the boat yards. "We should try to stay close to the river, for multiple escape routes." Em said.
Not too big or showy, but not too small, I said scanning the river side of the city.
"Defensible, stone structure, possibly a stone wall. Stables?"
I nodded. Not in the northwest, that’s the noble's quarter. Which leaves the southeast part of the city, I said to her, looking that direction. My dragon sight focused on houses in that area. Nothing that fit our needs stood out. I turned to look northeast, which was the direction of the mill.
"Let's go walk the area, see it from ground level," Em said.
I nodded. In dragon merge, I jumped from the tower and glided toward the northeast. I enjoyed the feel of the freedom of flying. I landed gently on a tall roof, then dropped down on a side street. We spent the rest of the morning walking the area. We found nothing that suited our needs. We wound up at the Riverside Inn for lunch.
I sat at what I considered 'my' table and ordered. A thought struck me, and I asked Missy to have Jake come over when he had a few minutes. He came over as soon as she told him.
"Is there a problem Sir Mage?" Jake asked.
I shook my head. "Not at all, I just wanted to ask a question. Have a seat."
He nodded, sitting down.
"I'm looking for a place to live, but I'm looking for some specific things," I said running down my list of needs.
He listened, nodding. When I finished laying out what I was looking for, he sat thinking. "You might want to look at the old Lark house. It has most of the things you are looking for. It was one of the original mansions here in the capital. To tell the truth I fancied buying it and turning it into a large inn and eatery. But the old stone building needs to much work, and I could never afford to do it."
"Who owns it?"
"As far as I know, the Lark family still owns it. They live on their country estate south of the city."
"How do I find the Lark house?"
"Four streets north, then east to the river. You'll know it when you see it."
"Thank you, I'll go take a look." He nodded and returned to his business.
* * *
Jake was right, I knew it when I saw it. It wasn't in the best part of the city, but not the worst. I opened the main gate enough to go in and walk the grounds. The walled estate sat right on the river, with steps that led down to its own stone boat dock. The main house was a four-story stone structure, surrounded by wide grounds. The grounds were overgrown from years of neglect. There was also a guest house, and stables behind the main house. The guest house's main room was a sitting area with a fire place, a dining area, and office corner, and two bedrooms. The stables had ten stalls and room for three coaches, or wagons. The main house's first floor was the receiving hall, parlor, library, dining room, and kitchen in the back. The estate as a whole needed a lot of work, but it had potential.
What do you think? I asked Em.
"This will do nicely," she answered. "The stone and foundation repairs will not be a problem, and Master Keefer can handle the carpentry repairs. It's in a good location, and the ground is good for tunneling and below ground work."
"Tunneling?"
"Yes, we'll join the city drainage system, like the passageway in the castle. Then we can move about the city in secret. That will also give us more escape routes if ever we need one."
I nodded, "So now we need to visit the Lark family and see what it will take to get the place."
* * *
I rose early, went to the livery for my horse, and rode out to the Lark's country estate. It was nice to be out of the city for a ride. As I neared the Lark estate, I met a rider heading toward the city galloping his horse like the devil himself was chasing him.
I reined up at the main house and a groomsman took my horse. The major domo waited for me at the door. I decided to use my official title, hoping it would put me on better footing with the Larks.
"My name is David Slinger, I'm the King's healing mage," I began.
"Oh thank goodness," the majordomo said. "Please follow me, I'll take you straight in.” I frowned, and followed him into the house, and up the stairs.
"My lord, the healing mage has arrived," he called ahead.
A man stepped out the bedroom doorway. "Quickly, quickly,” he said, pushing me into the bedroom.
As soon as I stepped into the room, I felt a wrongness. The same wrongness I’d felt five years ago when I was called upon to heal the King. There was an elderly lady lying abed. She was laboring to breath and was in distress.
"Open the window to let fresh air in," I said. They moved to do as I said. I looked inside her to find the problem and found several. She had fluid in her lungs from a bad heart, clogged arteries, and worn-out joints. Old age was the cause of most of it. "Help me sit her up," I said moving to her side. We sat her up placing pillows behind her to support her back. She began to breathe a little easier.
I saw the poultice around her neck and recognized its dark feel. I used my knife and cut its cord, then stuck the poultice bag and tossed it into the fireplace. The fire consumed it right away, giving off a thick black smoke. With the poultice removed, her breathing improved and she became more relaxed.
"What was that?" the man, who I assumed was a Lark family member and probably her son, asked.
"Dark magic," I answered.
"What?"
I nodded. "Who gave it to her?"
"A local healer from one of the churches."
"Well, I'd not go to that church any longer," I said concentrating on the old lady. I removed the fluid from her lungs so she could breathe more easily. I healed the torn and worn heart muscle and cleared the clogs in her arteries.
"Not too fast," Em said, "slow and steady."
I nodded, cleaning and healed the rest of her organs. finally, I cleaned and healed her joints. When finished, I felt tired, so put my head down on my folded hands and rested. It made me smile that everyone always assumed I was praying.
I woke when I felt a hand on my head. I raised to look into the hazy eyes of the old lady. "Thank you for your prayers. I feel much better. As a matter of fact, I feel wonderful.
"I’m glad to hear it. Perhaps I can help your eyes as well," I said healing her eyes.
"Oh my," she said blinking looking around the room. She looked back at me and said, "You're a mage healer."
I nodded. "My name is David Slinger, Mage Healer to the King."
"What was wrong with me? Other than old age," she asked smiling.
"The biggest thing was a dark magic poultice someone put on you. I removed and destroyed it. While I was at it, I healed your failing heart, lungs, arteries, and joints. Oh, and your eyes," I said smiling.
She frowned. "Did you say mage healer to the King?"
I nodded. "I did."
"My son sent for you?"
"To be honest, I was just arriving to speak to you on another matter as they were sending for a healer. They assumed I was the healer they had sent for."
"Mother! You're awake."
She raised an eyebrow. "Obviously." I hid my smile. "Thomas, do you know who this is?"
