16

“That’s the way,” Jakob said encouragingly.

Kenric ignored the man and kept his focus on sending the trickle of mana he had managed to corral in his right palm. It had taken a lot of effort to do that. He felt the mana move from his right hand and flow through his upper body into his left arm. The trickle of mana dissolved.

“Blast!” Kenric exclaimed. Jakob just looked at him questioningly. “I could feel it move from my right hand into my left arm. Then it just disappeared or faded into nothing.”

I can feel the mana in me, and that’s the furthest I’ve gotten, but the mana just doesn’t want to do what I want it to do! Kenric thought.

“You’re focusing too hard,” Elisaria said from where she was reading a book. “Jakob, you don’t mind if I help, do you?”

“Not at all. I’ve been trying to explain this to Kenric for two days,” the senior healer replied. He smiled to take the sting out of his comment. “You did well by learning to sense mana so quickly, but learning to control it is a different thing entirely.”

“And evidently a lot harder to do,” Kenric complained.

“What did you do to learn to sense mana?” Elisaria asked Kenric. She wasn’t looking up from her book.

“I thought of Catalina as a mountain and her mana as a river flowing into the patient. Then it felt like a cool, gentle breeze was blowing against me,” Kenric answered.

“That’s another reason why I told Kenric to imagine his mana as a river that was dammed and allow only a stream out of the dam and then to imagine it in a trench and direct it where he wants it to go,” Jakob said.

“I’ve been trying to do that, but it’s like the mana has a mind of its own,” Kenric replied.

“That’s part of the problem,” Elisaria said. The two men gave her questioning looks. “Humans always want to control everything when there are some things that are just uncontrollable. For example, can you control a river?”

“Yes,” Jakob answered. “You build a dam and block it. Then you can control the flow.”

“That only works if there’s high enough walls on each side of the river which to anchor your dam,” Elisaria countered.

“What about beavers?” Kenric asked, interrupting her. “They don’t need high walls.”

“True,” Elisaria admitted, a smile on her face. “But what happens behind their dams?”

“The land floods and becomes a pond or lake,” Kenric answered. Elisaria’s smile got bigger. “I see your point. Water behind dams is still not controlled even with blockages.”

“But Kenric’s mana didn’t flood and scatter. It dried up as if there wasn’t enough to fill the trench,” Jakob said. Then he smacked his forehead. “Kenric’s imagined dam is blocking too much of the mana flow.”

“So, what should I do?” Kenric asked, looking back and forth between the other two healers.

“I’m not sure,’ Jakob replied. “The dam and trench were how I was taught, and that method has worked for others I’ve trained.”

“Jakob, you didn’t train Elisaria or Catalina, did you?” Kenric asked.

“No dear boy,” Elisaria laughed. “Jakob isn’t that old.”

“Thanks. That makes me feel better,” Jakob laughed. “I’ve trained Fiora and Virgil though. Gomes was trained by my instructor.”

“Ah,” Kenric replied.

“Kenric, close your eyes and try thinking of your mana as the wind as you think about your hand being whole. You don’t want the wind to be strong like in a storm nor can you direct it. You want it to be a gentle breeze that starts in your right hand and flows through or over your body to your left hand,” Elisaria explained. Jakob started to object but stopped when Elisaria held up a hand. “You can only feel the breeze. It feels good against the cut.”

Kenric did as the older elf said. This is way easier than imagining a river and trying to dam it up and controlling the flow of water. Everyone has felt light breezes on their skin before after all.

Kenric felt a gentle warmth spread over him from his right to his left. Then he felt a soothing coolness touch his palm. He gasped and looked at his palm. The cut was healed. There wasn’t even a scab.

You have learned Lesser Heal.

“Congratulations,” Elisaria and Jakob said together.

“Thank you,” Kenric replied as he dismissed the notice. “Now what?”

“Now you get to keep practicing after getting something to eat,” Jakob replied. “Your body needs more energy, and your mana needs time to recover.”

Kenric nodded. “I am suddenly feeling hungry.”

Elisaria pointed at the knife Jakob had used to cut Kenric’s palm. “Keep cutting different body parts and healing them after eating a snack. Once you’ve leveled the spell a time or two, we’ll move you onto learning how to diagnose problems with your mana.”

“Why didn’t we do that before cutting my hand and teaching me the spell?” Kenric asked.

“Because you can see a cut and know what the problem is,” Jakob answered. “The same for a broken bone.”

“Kenric should learn how to heal one of those before learning to diagnose issues,” Elisaria pointed out.

“Wait! That means you’re going to break one of my bones,” Kenric said. That’s going to hurt!

“Yep,” Jakob agreed. “And yeah, it’s going to hurt. But we’re here to help if you need it.”

“Isn’t there another way?” Kenric asked.

“No. As we’ve told you before, you know your body better than others,” Jakob said.

“And it’s going to hurt a lot,” Elisaria added, giving Kenric a sympathetic smile.

17

“Here, drink this,” Catalina said, holding out a mug to Kenric.

“What is it?” Kenric hissed through the pain. I can’t believe Gomes broke my leg with a thought!

“It’s a tea made from ginseng and willow. It’ll help with the pain so you can focus,” Gomes said.

“I hate you Gomes,” Kenric replied.

“No, you don’t. That’s the pain talking,” the other man retorted, winking at him. “If you were into men and I wasn’t in a long-term loving relationship with Jakob, I would make this up to you later.”

“Cut out the flirting, Gomes,” Catalina said. “Kenric, take this before I pour it over your head.”

“As you’ve been told, we’ll teach you these herbal remedies in time,” Elisaria said as Kenric took the mug and sipped it. “Drink it all.”

“Just don’t expect it to magically fix you,” Catalina said with a grin plastered on her face. “Herbial remedies help, and over time can solve some ailments like colds, but broken bones are another matter entirely.”

Figures, Kenric thought. Still, he drank the cup of tea. “Ugh. That’s not good at all.”

“That’s how you know it works,” Gomes said. Kenric shook his head and flipped him off. “Learn that one on the battlefield?”

“No. I learned it when I was a child from some of the adults I grew up around,” Kenric answered. “How long does it take for the tea to start working?”

“Depends on the person, but usually a few minutes,” Elisaria said. “It will dull and sooth the pain. Your healing magic will fix the rest.”

“You said that before,” Kenric pointed out.

“I thought you could use the reminder,” she replied.

Kenric laughed. “Laughing makes my leg hurt.”

“It’s a broken thigh bone. What did you expect?” Catalina said.

“Sunshine, rainbows, puppies, and unicorns,” Kenric answered. He grinned until it became another grimace of pain.

“Look at that!” Gomes exclaimed. “Kenric does have a sense of humor.”

“Not much of one,” Catalina muttered.

“Ease off him,” Elisaria said. “Kenric may be noble born but hasn’t been one for a long time and has been through a long rough patch. He needs our support just as any other patient and trainee does.”

“It’s alright. Catalina can and probably will take digs at me all the time. I’ve got thick enough skin to take it, Kenric said.

“And a hard enough head,” Catalina added. Kenric laughed and agreed.

“Let’s get Kenric started on the diagnostic spell,” Gomes suggested. The others agreed, especially Kenric. “The spell is simple really. You’re going to use your mana to ‘see’ what is wrong.”

“You are doing this on your own body, which will make it easier since nobody knows one’s body like they do,” Catalina added. “Remember, this spell is all about intent just like any other.”

“If all magic is intent, then it should be easy to learn how to make fireballs and such,” Kenric muttered.

“Offensive magic is easier to learn when you understand the basics. That’s one of those dirty little secrets that every mage and healer knows but generally doesn’t talk about. It’s so much easier to learn other forms of magic once you learn one,” Gomes said. “And that’s what the oaths are partially for. It keeps you from going down that road of learning them all and doing what you want.”

“Was there some powerful mage in the past that did just that?” Kenric asked.

“Augustin, who founded the Kingdom of Augusta,” Elisaria answered.

Huh. I should have known that but all the history books I can remember reading as a child said were that Augustin was a great king. None mentioned that he had been a mage.

“You can read about that in history books. Now focus on the task at hand unless you want to keep your broken leg,” Gomes said.

“Right,” Kenric replied. He focused his mind on what he wanted to do and imagined his mana as a gentle breeze again. Instead of his hand, he imagined the breeze blowing ‘south’ toward his leg. Kenric smiled a moment later. “My bone is broken in half in one place.”

You have leaned Medical Diagnostic

“Nicely done,” Elisaria said. The other two healers congratulated him as well as Kenric dismissed the notice. Elisaria had a knowing smile on her face. “Did you imagine your mana as the wind again?”

“I did,” Kenric answered. “It was easy to do.”

“You must have some elven blood somewhere in your family history,” Elisaria said. “Using the wind as a learning concept is an elven technique that comes easy to those with elf blood in their veins.”

Kenric didn’t say anything, but he did look thoughtful.

“With the way nobles are so protective of their bloodlines?” Catalina scoffed. Elisaria nodded.

“It’s possible even though the portraits of my grandparents and great grandparents were human looking. I know my father always claimed to be full blooded human. I’m not sure about my mother since she died when I was a child,” Kenric said with a shrug of his shoulders. “I was always told undesirable things and deeds are hidden away and not talked about ever, even to family so they are forgotten.”

“There’s probably some inbreeding in your bloodline too,” Catalina said. Kenric shrugged.

It’s possible and there’s nothing I can do about it.

“Anyway,” Gomes said. “Heal your leg, Kenric.”

Kenric nodded. It took him a couple of tries, but he was able to heal his leg completely. He collapsed back in the bed exhausted.

“I don’t think I used that much mana. Or at least I don’t feel that way, but why am I suddenly so exhausted?” Kenric asked.

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“You most likely used more of your mana that you thought you did,” Catalina replied. She shrugged. “It happens when you’re learning.”

“Plus, you were healing yourself,” Gomes said. “Even magical healing using mana only takes a toll on the body.”

“That is one reason we normally put people in a healing sleep to heal broken bones and other bad injuries,” Elisaria added. “You’ll learn that spell and Greater Heal after you show proficiency with Lesser Heal and the diagnostic spell.”

I feel like I keep getting told different things, Kenric thought. The others stood and started filing out of the room.

“Rest and practice the diagnostic spell on yourself for the rest of the day,” Elisaria said. “Someone will bring you something to eat in a little while unless you feel up to joining us in the dining hall. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll be teamed with one of us in the clinic.”

“Am I ready for that?” Kenric nervously asked.

“Probably not, but we like throwing trainees into the deep end,” Elisaria answered. She winked. “You’ll either sink or swim.”

“Right…”

“Personally, I think you’ll swim just fine. I have that feeling,” Elisaria said. She smiled and left the room.

This is what I wanted. I’ll do the best I can, Kenric thought. He smiled. I healed my broken leg!

18

“You’ve done well for the most part these last couple of weeks,” Jakob told Kenric after he had finished with his last patient.

“Thanks. What do you mean for the most part?” Kenric replied, wiping his hands on a towel. He grimaced. There was still blood on them.

“Your bedside manner needs to get better,” the senior healer answered.

“Have you gotten complaints?” Kenric asked. These people complain too much, and I’ve kept my temper in check.

“There’s been a couple,” Jakob admitted.

“I haven’t cussed anyone out or refused to heal them,” Kenric said.

“The complaints have been that you’re too blunt and don’t seem to care as much as the person feels you should.”

“I’ve met a few healers in my life that are a lot blunter than I’ve been with my patients,” Kenric said. “And one of them works here!”

“And people expect it from Catalina at this point. She’s been here for years,” Jakob replied. “But you are young and new.”

“I’m not as young as Fiora and Virgil,” Kenric pointed out.

“True and nobody expects you to be that excitable and enthusiastic. They come to be healed and understand we don’t get paid as much here as a healer does that is hired by the nobility, mercenary companies, or merchant caravans, so they’re forgiving on some things,” Jakob said. “But they do still expect us to be compassionate and sympathetic.”

“I’ll try,” Kenric said. And I will. But working with the public has shown me that I’ll be better off working for a merc company or a merchant caravan. That reminds me that I hadn’t considered my future other than learning to be a healer and showing my thanks to Jakob and the others. I need to start making plans.

“That’s all I ask,” Jakob said, pulling Kenric from his thoughts. “So, have you leveled up yet?”

“Not my class level, but I have gotten the diagnostic spell, and Lesser Healing up to level 2,” Kenric answered. “Mana Sense doesn’t seem to level though.”

“It doesn’t since it’s more of a traditional skill than a spell. You’ll always just sense mana the same way and the sense never gets stronger or weaker,” Jakob replied. “You’re making good progress. Let me know when you get Medical Diagnostic and Lesser Healing to level 5. We’ll teach you Healing Sleep and Greater Healing then. You should also be at least level 2 by that point.”

“Alright.”

“In the meantime, it’s time to teach you one of the best utility spells.”

“What’s that?” Kenric asked.

“Cleanse,” Jakob answered with a huge grin on his face.

“I’ve been so jealous of seeing you and the others use that spell,” Kenric said. “Having to clean blood and other fluids by hand is not fun.”

“No, it’s not. That said, it teaches you humility,” the senior healer said.

“If you say so,” Kenric replied. Jakob laughed. “Are you ready to learn the spell?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Do the breeze thing you do or whatever but imagine that your hands are clean.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” Jakob replied, nodding his head. “Magic is all about intent.”

“Alright,” Kenric said. He did as he had been told. Kenric felt the mana flow through and over him. Kenric’s skin felt different. He glanced down at his hands. “They’re clean!”

You have learned Cleanse.

“So are your clothes and the rest of you,” Jakob laughed. “You learned that quicker than I thought you would.”

“It was easy,” Kenric said, shrugging his shoulders. He dismissed the notice. “Does this spell level?”

“No. The key to Cleanse is learning to target it on just what you want to clean.”

“And that can take some time,” Kenric concluded. Jakob nodded.

“Most healers can use a targeted Cleanse 20 to 30 times before draining their mana,” Jakob advised.

“So, don’t just constantly use it until I learn to target the spell,” Kenric guessed.

“Exactly. “Even then, you won’t want to abuse it,” Jakob agreed. “And while it works great, don’t think of it as a replacement for a bath. People will think you’re weird if you do.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cleanse removes all smells, good and bad.”

“I get what you’re saying. People are used to scents,” Kenric replied. Jakob nodded again. “Hunters would love this spell though.”

“Yeah, they would,” Jakob laughed. “Come on. Let’s go get some lunch.”

*

“That was good,” Kenric said, praising the meal.

“Virgil and I thank you for the compliment,” Fiora said with a smile on her face as Virgil nodded and continued to eat. “We put our best efforts into cooking.”

“Kenric, can you cook?” Gomes asked.

“No. I never learned how,” Kenric answered.

“Truly?” Virgil asked.

“Yes,” Kenric replied with a nod. “There was always someone to cook for me growing up and I lived at inns or the company barracks where there were others paid to cook when I… left my father’s lands.”

“You need to learn,” Catalina said.

“I agree,” Jakob said. “Being able to feed yourself or others is an important thing.”

“We can teach you,” Elisaria said.

“Oh joy,” Kenric muttered. “More lessons.”

The others laughed.

“But until you learn, you can wash the dishes after each meal unless you’re on shift in the clinic,” Catalina said. Jakob nodded his approval.

“Can I use Cleanse?” Kenric asked.

“Once you can target the spell. Until then, you can use soap and hot water,” Jakob replied.

“We all use Cleanse,” Virgil mock whispered.

“That’s cheating!” Kenric objected. The others laughed and he joined them.

19

“You’re bored,” Gomes said as he finished chopping up the onions.

“Yeah. Yeah, I am,” Kenric sighed as he started peeling another potato. “It’s been two years since I became a healer and I’m happy but…”

“You crave more than just healing cuts, viruses, and the occasional missing limb,” the other healer said. “Or you at least want a change of scenery.”

“The latter more than anything else,” Kenric agreed. “I’ve had enough fighting and excitement in my life already.”

“Losing a hand tends to do that to a person,” Elisaria said. The other healers except for Jakob were watching Kenric and Gomes prep for a beef stew.

“That is very true,” Kenric agreed. “Would one of you stir the beef in the pot?”

“You’re just so stupid it took you over another decade to realize that fact,” Catalina quipped. Kenric shrugged while the others laughed.

“Kenric isn’t that stupid,” Fiora protested as she stirred the meat.

“I don’t know,” Virgil replied. “He did work as a mercenary for years after losing his hand.”

“To be fair, I was drunk most of that time,” Kenric said. “And thank you, Fiora.”

“You’re welcome,” Fiora replied.

“Kenric, that makes your decision-making process even worse,” Catalina said, dismissively.

“I agree,” Kenric admitted. “I’ve made a lot of stupid mistakes over the years.”

“Is that why you became a healer?” Virgil asked. “You wanted some sort of redemption or something?”

“Becoming a healer seemed like the right thing to do at the time and offered me a way of repaying those that had helped me,” Kenric said after thinking over things. “Redemption is one way of looking at it.”

Jakob entered the kitchen. He looked frustrated.

“What’s eating you? It’s not Kenric’s cooking, is it?” Gomes asked his husband. “We know Kenric isn’t the best cook, but he’s become passable.”

“No. It’s not Kenric’s attempt at beef stew that’s bothering me,” Jakob answered, shaking his head.

“Is it that merchant again?” Catalina asked.

“Yes. Nathaniel Norwood refuses to take no for an answer,” Jakob replied.

“What does he want?” Fiora asked.

“To hire one of us to accompany his caravan into Carolina,” Jakob answered. “You and Virgil are too inexperienced and young, Catalina, Elisaria, Gomes, and I are happy here.”

“So are we. We’re city kids,” Virgil interrupted. Jakob nodded.

“I don’t want to speak for you Kenric, but you’re still learning and seem happy enough here,” Jakob said.

“He’s not happy,” Gomes said. “He’s bored.”

“Thanks Gomes,” Kenric said.

“You’re welcome,” Gomes replied.

“Kenric also knows just as much about healing as one can for being so knew to the craft,” Elisaria said. “He wouldn’t be a bad choice to go with a caravan. Plus, it would be good experience.”

“He has caught up to us in everything but herbal remedies and wards,” Fiora said. She grinned. “Oh, I forgot his bedside manner still isn’t as good as ours.”

“He’s improved because Kenric has taken our shifts in the clinic a few times,” Virgil said. “We also still cook better than he does too.”

“Trying to get rid of me?” Kenric asked as he washed the vegetables one more time.

“No,” Catalina said. “We’re presenting you with a choice though. The clinic doesn’t really need seven healers after all.”

The clinic isn’t busy enough for six either except for a couple times of the year, but the others are all couples and I’m not involved with anyone, Kenric thought. Breaking up couples wouldn’t be good though. Plus, I do want a change of scenery. Going on the road with a caravan would give me that.

“Is traveling with a caravan something you would be interested in Kenric?” Jakob asked as Kenric added the vegetables to the stew.

“Yeah, I think so,” Kenric answered after giving it a little more thought as he added some water to the stew pot and stirred the contents. “But I’m not ready. I still have so much to learn about herbal remedies.”

“We can provide you with a book or two that would take care of your lack of herbal knowledge,” Elisaria said.

“We can also teach you how to cast wards,” Gomes said. “If you’re going to travel, you’re going to need to know how to cast them.”

“Kenric, I’ll write a message and send it to Nathaniel if you want,” Jakob said. “You can at least meet with him and see if the fit is right for you.”

“Make sure he provides you with a wagon,” Catalina advised. “That merchant can afford it.”

“Ask for at least 2000 silvers along with the wagon and meals,” Gomes added.

“Make sure he provides high quality food,” Virgil suggested. “A cook probably wouldn’t hurt either.”

They all laughed.

“See if he’s willing to provide your herbal ingredients,” Fiora said. “If you use any, it’ll most likely be in service to the caravan, so you shouldn’t have to pay for them.”

“A dedicated guard would be good to have too,” Jakob said.

“Yeah,” Kenric said. “Bandits do tend to hit healers if they can be identified.”

“You’ll also need to give yourself a surname for the contract,” Elisaria stated. “While the system is perfectly happy with just first names, the legal types aren’t. I would suggest using curer, mender, or some other term that means healer.”

“Sounds like you four have done something similar before,” Kenric said.

“We have,” Catalina replied. “And the youngsters offered sound suggestions too.”

“All of you have given me sound advice. Thank you,” Kenric said.

“You’re welcome,” the others chorused. The clinic doorbell chimed. Virgil and Fiora went to see who it was. The others left Kenric to cook and think things over.

20

Nathaniel Norwood is a dwarf. That surprises me. Every traveling merchant I’ve seen has been human. Still the dwarves need merchants just like everyone else. So, why shouldn’t they have traveling merchants too? Kenric thought. He schooled his features so Nathaniel wouldn’t see his surprise and walked over to the merchant’s table.

“You’re Kenric?” Nathaniel asked, looking up from his lunch. Unlike a lot of his folk, Nathaniel had a long, braided blonde beard. He was also a bit on the skinny side for his race.

“I’m Kenric Mender,” Kenric answered. I like my chosen surname.

“Nathaniel Norwood,” Nathaniel said. “Take a seat.”

“Thank you,” Kenric replied, sitting in a chair across from the merchant.

“Would you like a drink or some food?” Nathaniel asked, waiving to a server. “Glenn’s food is quite good.”

“A cup of peppermint tea please,” Kenric said as the server arrived. The boy nodded.

“Is that all?” Nathaniel asked. Kenric nodded. “I’ll have a slice of apple pie for desert and a mug of yaupon tea.”

“Would you like me to take those empties away?” the server asked. The merchant nodded and the server picked up the empty dishes. “I’ll be right back with the yaupon tea, tea, and pie.”

“I’m going to cut to the chase, if that’s alright with you,” the merchant said.

“Sure. That’s one of the things I’ve always admired about your people,” Kenric replied. “In my experience, dwarves are forthright and expect the same in return.”

“That’s true,” Nathaniel agreed. “We also reward as has been earned.”

“I’ve learned that the hard way,” Kenric said. On more than one occasion too.

“Here’s your peppermint tea,” the server said, interrupting them. He placed their orders in front of them. “And here’s your apple pie and yaupon tea. Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No. I’ll flag you down if we want something else,” Nathaniel said. The server nodded and left them. He tried the pie. “Hmmm. Fantastic!”

“Bad for the waistline though,” Kenric said. He sipped his tea and then added some honey to it.

“Only if you don’t work it off,” Nathaniel laughed. He sipped his yaupon tea as Kenric tried his tea again. “Right. I need a healer because my last one decided he didn’t want to go into Carolina again. He had also said something about a family emergency, but I think that was hogwash.”

“Jakob did say you were looking to hire because your old healer quit. Though he didn’t say why he quit.”

“It really doesn’t matter why. What matters is that he did.”

“True,” Kenric agreed. “As you’re aware, the journey into Carolina isn’t the safest. Where exactly are you going to? Asheville?”

“Ever been to Wilkesboro?” Nathaniel asked. Kenric shook his head. The merchant pulled out a map and spread it on the table. He pointed to a name on the map. “Wilkesboro is the gateway to the Appalachians from the Carolina side of the border. It’ll take about a week to get there because we’ll stop at Boone and a couple of other little towns and villages along the way.”

“Coming directly back?”

“No. We’ll loop down to Hickory, then to Asheville, and finally back here. The whole trip will take a month or little less than that depending on travel conditions and any monster and bandit attacks,” Nathaniel answered, tracing his route on the map.

“I’ve made similar trips when I was a mercenary,” Kenric said. “Just never that far east.”

“You were a merc?”

“Until I let my bad habits get the best of me,” Kenric answered. He explained about his wenching and drinking problems as well as briefly about his desire not to fight any longer. “I haven’t had anything stronger to drink than a single cup of watered down wine in over two years. I’m willing to take this trip with you as a trial run if we can come to an agreement.”

“I appreciate the honesty,” Nathaniel said. “I know you healers swear an oath not to do harm, but do you think you could defend yourself if needed?”

“Yes, though I’d prefer to let others do that, so I don’t get in their way.”

“Makes sense. So, you’d want a dedicated guard or two.”

“Yes.”

“I suppose you want me buying any ingredients you need for poultices and the tinctures too.”

“Yes. They would be used in service of your caravan after all.”

“So, ingredients, and a guard or two in addition to your pay,” Nathaniel said. “I’ll pay you 1000 silvers.”

“I would also need a wagon or horse, good food or a stipend to buy my own food and cooking utensils, a few mana crystals, and at least 3000 silvers,” Kenric said. His eyes are bugging out of his head. He barely kept from laughing. “Any ingredients and the crystals I don’t use, are yours to do with as you please.”

“We have a cook, and she insists on providing the best for us. I wouldn’t have that any other way either. That means you can forget about a stipend or having your own food,” Nathaniel replied. “I agree about the crystals though. If you ran out of mana after an attack, things could get bad. So, I’ll provide those too.”

“That works for me.”

“I’ll provide a vardo for your use. That’s a wagon with a bed and a few other comforts in it. It’s the same sort of wagon that me and the other merchants and guards use,” Nathaniel explained. Kenric nodded. “Yours won’t have all the enchantments though.”

“Fair enough. It’s not like the summers here get too hot.”

“True. As for your pay, I’ll go up to 1400 silvers.”

“I see we’re wasting each other’s time,” Kenric said. He stood. “I thank you for the tea and meeting.”

“Sit down,” Nathaniel said. “I’m a merchant. We haggle and you’re not as experienced as some of the other healers.”

“I’m the only one willing to travel with you and you’re desperate,” Kenric countered, sitting back down. Unless he hires a merc, but he doesn’t seem keen on that idea. “I’m assuming you have your own guards and haven’t hired a merc company.”

“True. It’s usually cheaper in the long run to have your own guards and healers. They’re also more loyal.”

“Then this is a simple case of supply and demand,” Kenric said. “You have a demand and I have the supply.”

Nathaniel scowled and then threw his head back laughing. Once he finished, he said, “Aye, you made a good point. I’ll pay 2000 silvers.”

Dare I? Kenric thought. “Make it 2500 and I want 1000 up front so I can buy traveling clothes and other needs”

“2000 and not a silver more.”

“2500 and I’ll set a ward around the camp,” Kenric countered. “Every third night I’ll set a greater ward that will heal our aches and pains as well as protect the camp.”

Nathaniel grinned. “You truly know that spell?”

“I do,” Kenric replied. He smiled. I have him!

“Then we have a deal,” the merchant said, extending a hand. Kenric shook it. Nathaniel grinned wider. “Now we just need to sign a contract and I’ll pay you the upfront fee.”

Crap! I could have gotten more.