Page 90 of The Dragon King's Assassin

“Yes, Sir.” I spun as if to jump up on the table and knocked a jar off the counter.

The jar crashed to the floor between us, shattering to pieces and spilling cotton swabs everywhere.

“Oh, shit!” I leapt back. “I'm so sorry!”

“It's fine.” The doctor held up his hands. “Just stay where you are, there's glass everywhere and even though you have shoes on, it could slice through the leather.”

“I won't move a muscle.”

“I'll find a broom. Shouldn't take me long.” He hurried away.

No problem; I wouldn't need long.

I nudged some glass out of the way, took a single step, and opened the cabinet with the potion. There were several bottles of the stuff, but I wanted to be certain I took the right one, so I grabbed the very one the doctor had, then moved one from the back to the front. Done in three seconds, I closed the cabinet, got back into position, and slipped the bottle into my jacket. A quick jerk of my foot put the debris back in place and still, I had a good thirty seconds before the doctor returned with his broom.

“Let me clear the space around your feet and then you can get on the table, out of the way for me to sweep up the rest,” he said.

“Sure.” I waited for him to sweep a spot clear, then got on the table and laid down. “I'm really sorry, Dr. Chisuren. I should be doing that.”

“Nonsense. Accidents happen. There. All done.” He left the broom leaning against a counter, guarding the pile of glass and swabs. “When the maids come by to clean later, they can handle the disposal; I just wanted it out of the way.” He stepped over and started prodding my back. “Any tenderness?”

“Nope.”

“Well, I think this is the fastest check-up I've ever done, but I can see with a single look that you're healed and if you have no internal pain, you should be fine.” He tapped my back and stepped away. “Took me longer to sweep.” He laughed.

“Thanks, Doc.” I climbed off the table. “I thought I felt good, but it's nice to have confirmation.”

“No problem. Please, let His Majesty know that I've cleared you and that the, uh, potion has worked.”

“Will do.” I hurried into my clothes, shook his hand, and headed out of the exam room with him. “Thanks again,” I said when we reached the nurse, still seated at the table, then I walked out as casually as I could.

About ten feet away from the clinic, I allowed myself to grin.

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