Page 61 of The Healing Dragon
“If you have questions, have you tried,” he pauses for effect, then adds, “to ask?”
What did I expect by asking a serious question to this tool?
His smart ass answer deserves the swing I throw his way. His defenses are down, which is why my blow lands. Roman bends over as the air leaves his stomach.
“Good one, brother,” I say, patting his back. “I have somewhere to be now.”
I head out of the training grounds towards my room with a beat on my step. The stress that had plagued me only hours ago seems to have mellowed. I can't say it's fully gone, but it doesn't overwhelm me to the same extent.
I look around my bedroom suite when I step inside but I know I won’t find Janelle in here. It's far too early for her to be here already. I shouldn't seek her out but I know nomatter how much I fight it I will end up waiting for her at night.
I make quick work of showering and changing to fresh clothes. Last night Brandon assigned me a task. At first I was annoyed at the request since it requires me to leave the castle for most of the day for the foreseeable future but I will be back every night.
After careful deliberation, Brandon decided not to ask leaders of different forest creatures directly about Duelo. I am hopeful that is the right decision. We know their nature, and their alliance to Duelo feels careless. Duelo knows I was at his keep the night of his meeting, but I doubt he told any of his allies about my presence.
Searching to see if these individuals are on their own won’t be hard to find if we ask the right people. I’m glad Brandon gave me the job. It gives me something to occupy my thoughts outside the castle walls. It's time to go hunting.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
JANELLE
Ihand Isabel Amy Bee’s note and see her hesitation to even take the piece of paper. She reads it a few times, given the amount of time she stares at the words. There are not that many words altogether.
“I will have this ready by lunchtime. Do you mind dropping off the new basket?” She asks me in a soft tone.
I think that if I said no, she would cry. I nod instead and give her a reassuring smile. There are a lot of things to fear in this world, and Amy Bee doesn’t seem to be one of them. I have no idea what Isabel has done to land on the medic’s bad side, but a little part of me is glad I’m not the only one with problems. Even perfect little Isabel has them.
The morning goes by fast and soon enough, it’s time to deliver the basket. Isabel has a system in which baskets only need to be delivered once a week. Since I delivered most yesterday, I only have Amy Bee’s delivery today.
The clinic is quiet as I approach. The majority of the staff can be found in the dining hall at this time. I knock lightly on the entrance when I don’t see Amy Bee right away. She sticksher head out of one of the observation rooms and gestures at me to wait for her at her desk. I do.
“Well, would you look at this,” Pad says, entering the clinic behind me. “Two days in a row.”
“How are you, Pad?” I smile at the old man.
He pats the sides of his stomach. “Not going hungry. That’s for sure. Did you eat today?”
“About to.” It’s a half lie. I plan on finding food after I’m done with Matias and Santiago.
“Oh hey Pad,” Amy Bee greets him, finally joining us.
She reaches for the basket and inspects all the different herbs inside. “Everything looks to be here.”
“Is one of those for me?” Pad asks.
Amy Bee nods and gives him a smile. “How are your hands doing?”
“Well,” he pulls his hand up and they are shaking. “The shakes are back. It makes cooking so much harder.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I take a closer look at his hands.
“Arthritis.” He looks at his shaking hands like he is trying to will them to stop, but to no avail. “Magic can heal and cure only so much. The toll of the body is something out of the range of power.” The laughter he lets out is hollow. “I suppose we would all live forever otherwise.”
This is the first time I noticed the tightness in his eyes that wasn’t there yesterday.
Amy Bee pulls one bag and hands it to him. “This will make you feel better instantly. I can’t apologize enough for making you wait a single day longer.”
She was furious with Isabel because she forgot the bags used for medical pain. Looking at the strain in Pad, it’s no wonder why Amy Bee was so upset. She knew what the day would be for him without them.
