Healer's Apprentice

  “What were you thinking of doing?” I asked, and Job explained their plan. Wheels started turning in my head. Turning to Job, I asked, “Do you have a chessboard?”

  I woke when Adam entered my room and opened the curtains. Sitting up, I rubbed my bleary eyes and yawned. A quick glance at the window told me that it was well past sunrise. “What is it?” I asked, yawing again.

  “The king has another audience this morning,” Adam replied. He glanced at me, and his eyes went wide. “If that happened because of a fall into a fireplace, then I am a monkey’s uncle.”

  I glanced down at my bare chest, then shrugged. “It was a big fireplace.” I stood and pulled on the pair of pants I wore yesterday, then rifled through the wardrobe. Adam eyed the dark gray shirt I pulled out, shaking his head. After pulling it on, I asked, “What?”

  Adam smiled. “I was about to suggest that you wear the turquoise.”

  “No way. I would stick out like a sour thumb.”

  “Don’t you want people to notice you?”

  “Nope,” I said, pulling on my boots and gloves. “When people do notice me, they tend to stare. And I don’t like it when they stare.”

  I left Adam gawking after me and navigated the halls to the audience chamber. Larpsen was already there, and he sniffed at me disdainfully as I took a seat next to him. “You’re late.”

  I chose not to reply to this, watching the king instead. He seemed to be in a bad mood, and I hid a smile. King Daveen waited until the lords were seated, then stood and said, “The rebels struck last night, killing my brother.” He pointed to someone in the crowd. “And it was done in your town, Lord Sarsen. What have you to say for yourself?”

  Katarina did her job well, I thought, pleased.

  The fat man with the walrus mustache stood, his doughy face pale. “Your Majesty, I destroyed the rebels! You are mistaken!”

  The king eyed him coldly, then addressed the guards. “Lock him up. He will be executed in the evening.”

  Guards surrounded Sarsen and dragged him, weeping, out the door. I once again hid a smile, glancing at my sister. Ella looked sick. I glanced at Evin, not surprised to see satisfaction on his face, although he quickly assumed a blank expression.

  For the rest of the audience, the lords were subdued. They meekly agreed to everything the king suggested. When it was done, I stretched, then once again followed Evin when he exited. He wandered through the corridors and eventually ended up outside. Evin walked through the gardens, idly trailing his fingers along the flower petals.

  I cleared my throat loudly, and Evin turned. He studied me, then sighed. “Thank you for not sneaking up on me.”

  I shrugged, wandering closer. “I decided that I had better not make you scream again.”

  Evin smiled ruefully. “Thanks. Why do you keep following me, anyway?”

  Studying a rose, I said, “I like you. You haven’t been corrupted by your own power.”

  With a snort, Evin said, “I hardly have any. My estate is the smallest out of all the other estates, and I am just a fly on the wall in audiences.”

  “I’m willing to bet that you are kind to your people.”

  Evin scowled. “Whether I am or not is not any of your concern, mister, I-don’t-know-your-name, and you—“

  “My name is Chance,” I said, interrupting him with a smile. “And if I were you, I would duck.” Evin frowned, opening his mouth to say something. I pointed at the ground. “Down.”

  With confusion written all over his face, Evin crouched At that same instant, a crossbow bolt whizzed over his head and thunked into a tree several yards away. Evin glanced around in alarm, rubbing his head. “What was that?”

  “That,” I said, “was an assassin hired by one of the lords who resent you. I can’t remember his name. It is quite safe now to stand. The assassin has been apprehended.”

  Evin straightened slowly. “How do you know?” Shouts came from the castle walls, and Evin winced. “I guess that’s how. But how did you know about the assassin? Who are you?”

  I smiled, turning to walk back to the castle. “Come.”

  Chapter Five

  I led Evin to my room. Once inside, I locked the door and turned to the young lord. “I knew about the assassin because I have some friends who keep tabs on the assassins in the city.”

  Evin’s eyes narrowed. “And who are these so-called friends?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that,” I said with a smile.

  “Can you answer my other question? About who you are?”

  I shrugged, wandering over to a table with a chessboard on it. “Do you know what piece is the strongest in the game of chess?”

  Evin let out a frustrated growl, marching over to stand next to me. “You haven’t answered my question.” I raised a brow at him, and he sighed, reaching over to pick up the queen piece. “The queen is the strongest.”

  I shook my head. “No, it is not.” Evin raised a brow, and I said, “The pawn is the strongest. There are many pawns, and if they get to the other side, they can turn into the rook, the bishop, the knight, or the queen. They are not weak at all, although many people think that. The weakest piece is the king, but I am assuming you already know that.”

  Evin frowned at me. “And your point is?”

  With a shrug, I said, “Nothing, really. I just wanted to show that to you.”

  Evin was quiet for a moment, then said, “You are really strange.”

  “Aren’t we all?” I asked with a smile.

  “You still haven’t answered my question.”

  “I am the healer’s apprentice.” I tilted my head slightly. “Does that answer your question?”

  “No. I already knew that.”

  “I am very unlucky, if you can’t tell. I was severely burned several years ago. My parents were brutally murdered, and my sister thinks I am dead. If the king knew who I am, he would not hesitate to kill me.”

  Evin frowned, pondering this. “Are you a rebel?” he finally asked. I didn’t say anything, and he hurried to add, “I won’t tell anyone if you are; I admire them. They have a lot of courage.”

  I shook my head. “No, I am not a rebel.” Smiling crookedly, I said, “I don’t have their courage.” Seeing the uncertainty in Evin’s eyes, I added, “That doesn’t mean I like the king.”

  Evin studied me, then said, “I think I might actually like you someday.”

  I opened my mouth to reply, but there was a knock on the door. Gesturing for Evin to hide, I opened the door and was confronted by a scowling Larpsen. “Yes?”

  “The rebels have struck again,” Larpsen said. “Many people are injured. We are needed.”

  Stepping out the door, I said, “Lead the way.” As I followed the pompous healer, I heard the door open and quiet footsteps moving away as Evin made his escape.

  *

  “Do you have anything good to give me, or it this a waste of my time?”

  “I…I overheard him talking to that foolish lord you are always complaining about. He talked about chess pieces; which were strongest and weakest.”

  There was the sound of flesh striking flesh and a cry of pain, then the man growled, “You waste my time.”

  “No, no. Listen to me!” the informant pleaded. “He then said that he was burned several years ago, and his parents were killed. He says that his sister thinks he is dead, and that you would kill him if you knew who he was.” He started speaking faster. “The lord asked if he was a rebel, and he said that he wasn’t, but that he didn’t like you, either. Please, please, Sire! Don’t hurt Emily. I have told you all I know!”

  “So? I can still hurt her if I want to. I think there is something else you aren’t telling me.”

  The informant hesitated, then whispered, “He said that his real name isn’t Chance.”

  A cruel smiled twisted the king’s lips. “Just as I thought. Keep bringing me more in
formation, and Emily will not be hurt.”

  “Oh, thank you, Sire. All praises to your name.”

  *

  I stitched a man’s torn leg closed, ignoring his groans. When I was done, I wrapped a bandage around it and moved to the next person. He was struggling to breathe, blood pouring down his bare chest from a stab wound. As I watched, he took one last, bubbling breath and died.

  Shaking my head, I moved to the next patient, a young girl with a nasty cut on her cheek. Her eyes went wide as she saw me, and she whimpered as I crouched next to her.

  A hand tentatively touched my shoulder, and I turned to see the queen. She smiled. “Let me do this one.”

  I nodded and moved to the next patient. Both of his legs were broken below the knee. Fortunately, he was unconscious. I straightened his legs and put splints on them, then glanced around. Larpsen was almost finished with the last person, and my sister and the queen were comforting the girl. After wiping blood off my hands, I pulled on my gloves and stood.

  Walking over to Larpsen, I asked, “How many did we lose?”

  Larpsen cast a calculating eye over everyone in the room. “Seven, if I remember right.”

  I nodded and exited the room. The attack had almost ended in failure, but Katarina had completed her mission. The deaths were unfortunate; the rebels would have to be more careful in the future.

  On my way back to my room, I was stopped by the king. He smiled at me and clasped my shoulder in a friendly manner. “Good work today, Chance. You and Larpsen are truly masters at your craft.”

  I shrugged. “Not really. We lost seven.”

  “But you saved most of them,” Daveen said with another smile. “That is what counts.” He squeezed my shoulder, then walked on down the corridor.

  I gazed after him, frowning slightly. “You’re lying,” I muttered before going to my room.

  *

  The king entered his room several hours later, shooing off the servants that instantly flocked to his side. He walked to his bed and sat, lacing his fingers. The man who called himself Chance was a mystery indeed; one that he was going to solve.

  “Sire,” a servant said, handing him a folded piece of paper. “The healer’s apprentice dropped this off.”

  The king frowned, opening the paper. He quickly scanned it, then glanced up at the servant. “A scarred man dropped this off?” The servant nodded and withdrew, and the king pursed his lips thoughtfully.

  *

  “Adam.”

  Adam turned, his shoulders hunching. “Yes, good sir?”

  I raised a hand and beckoned. “Come here.” After hesitating, Adam walked over, looking fearful. I smiled reassuringly at him. “You don’t have to be scared of me. I am not going to hurt you. And call me Chance. All this ‘good sir’ stuff is making me feel old.”

  Adam smiled tentatively. “Okay…Chance.”

  I nodded approvingly. “That’s better. Now, I am itching for a game of chess. Do you know how to play?” Adam rolled his eyes, and I said, “I guess that means you don’t. Come here.”

  *

  Behind the hidden door to his apprentice’s quarters, Larpsen snorted softly as he listened to “Chance” explaining the game to the servant. “You must know by now that your every word reaches the king’s ear,” he murmured. “My poor, foolish apprentice.”

  Shaking his head, Larpsen straightened and walked down the passageway to report.

  *

  Evin was on his way to Chance’s room when Larpsen hurried past. Stopping, Evin turned to watch him go, frowning. Then, with a shrug, he continued on his way. He knocked lightly on the door and entered.

  After spotting the chess game, Evin smiled and shook his head, saying, “Are you going to infect everyone in the castle with that game?”

  Chance looked up and grinned, his black hair flopping over his brow. “I can try. Have a seat. I was just teaching Adam how to play.”

  Evin rolled his eyes. Gesturing to Adam, he said, “See what I mean? You are infecting everyone; even the servants!” After sitting, he said, “I just passed Larpsen. Was he in here?”

  Chance frowned, looking up at Evin. “No.”

  Adam glanced from Evin to Chance. “Good sir…The master healer has been spying on you. I see him sometimes when I am cleaning in here. I think he is reporting to the king.”

  Chance frowned again, looking alarmed. “What will he do?”

  Evin shrugged. “Depends on what Larpsen has overheard, and what he tells the king. The king won’t act unless he is certain of his own success. When he does act, it tends to be violent and swift.”

  Adam smiled, putting a hand on Chance’s arm. “Don’t worry, good sir. It will be all right.”

  Chance sighed, looking pleadingly up to the heavens. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”

  Evin smiled at his tone, but watched the servant. He was very good at sniffing out rats, and he smelled one now.

  Chapter Six

  I splinted a soldier’s broken leg, then sat back as two other soldiers picked up the stretcher he was laying on and carried their groaning comrade off the practice field.

  “He was foolish. He wasn’t guarding his legs.”

  I turned to see Evin, and smiled as I stood. “Yes. At least this will teach him. Hopefully.”

  Evin grinned. “If he doesn’t learn, he is either a fool, or just stupid.”

  Gesturing to the sword around his waist, I asked, “Do you know how to use that?”

  Evin flushed with embarrassment. “Err…Not yet; at least, not very well.”

  With a shrug, I said, “That is better than me. I don’t know how to use one at all.” Tilting my head, I added, “Maybe you could teach me?”

  “No, I wouldn’t even try,” he replied. “I’m not good at all. But you can come with me to my lessons.”

  I smiled. “Who is your teacher?”

  “The healer.”

  I frowned. “He knows swordplay?”

  Nodding emphatically, Evin said, “Who would’ve thought it? He is one of the best swordsmen that I have seen. He can face several men at once, and win with ease.”

  My brows rose. “Really? It seems that I should come with you. Will Larpsen be all right with that?”

  Evin shrugged, then grinned. “I don’t see why not. Come on. We’ll get you a sword, and you can learn it with me.”

  “Why do you seem so happy about that?” I asked as I followed him.

  Evin glanced at me, his hand dipping into a barrel that held practice swords. “Larpsen is a strict teacher. He isn’t proud at all. It is like he is an entirely different person. I would like someone to suffer along with me.” He handed me a practice sword, grabbing one for himself as well. “Come on; I don’t want to be late.”

  Evin led me to an empty part of the practice grounds where Larpsen stood, impatiently tapping his toe. He cast a measuring glance at me, his eyes narrowed. “It seems that you have found a stray pup, Evin. Let’s see what he is made of.”

  I frowned in confusion, then had to hurry and block the sword stroke Larpsen aimed at my head with his practice sword. The block was clumsy, then I had to deflect another swing. Again, my block was clumsy, and Larpsen snorted, lowering his sword. “You might have talent. Take off your shirt.”

  I frowned. “Take off my shirt?”

  Larpsen gestured impatiently. “Come on; off with it. We wouldn’t want you to overheat, now would we? You too, Evin.”

  Still, I hesitated, and Larpsen’s eyes acquired a dangerous glint. I hurried and stripped off my shirt, revealing my muscular torso with the terrible scars. Glaring at Larpsen, I asked, “Happy?”

  Larpsen nodded, then stepped forward to finger some of the scars on my chest. I knocked his hand away, scowling. “Are you going to start, or should I leave?”

  Larpsen clucked his tongue, shaking his head. “Such impatience. Patience is a virtue,
you know.”

  I forced my temper down with an effort and asked in a reasonable tone, “Are you going to teach us or not?”

  A ghost of a smile touched Larpsen’s lips. “Of course. Evin! Show me what you learned yesterday.”

  Evin nodded, balancing on the balls of his feet. His practice sword was swung a little unsteadily in an overhand cut, then a side hand and backhand. Larpsen nodded approvingly. “Good job. You will need to perfect those swings, however. Go over to those poles and attack one.”

  Evin nodded and walked off, leaving me alone with Larpsen. I watched the warrior healer warily, but he merely walked around me. He then showed me different sword strokes before telling me to go up on my toes and repeat them. I did so with a little more success than Evin, and Larpsen nodded approvingly.

  Before I could register the movement, Larpsen’s wooden sword was whistling toward me and I felt a sharp pain on my bare shoulder. I hissed, then skipped back out of range, watching Larpsen. He studied me for a moment, then moved forward with deceptively smooth, swift steps that brought him within striking distance. I blocked his authoritative strokes awkwardly, my arm growing numb.

  After a quick succession of hammer blows, Larpsen simply battered the sword from my weakened grasp. Seeing him raising the sword for another blow, I dove into a forward roll, scooping up my practice sword as I came upright.

  My breathing was coming in harsh gasps, and the sword trembled in my grasp. Larpsen just watched me, however, until I lowered the sword. “Good job,” he said. “That was pretty good for someone who has never held a sword before.”

  I shrugged, still watching him warily. “I have been trained with daggers and in unarmed combat.”

  Larpsen raised a brow. “You have? Well, no wonder you are so good with the sword. Show me what you know with the dagger. And unarmed fighting.”

  “Why?”

  Again, he raised a brow. “Because I would like to see if I can teach you anything else. And don’t use that tone with me.” He pulled a dagger from his boot, holding it out to me hilt first.

  I took it, holding it in my right hand. Dropping into a crouch, I moved forward on the balls of my feet, cutting the air with the dagger in complex patterns. Spinning, I flipped the dagger, caught it by the blade, and hurled it at a target a few yards away. It flashed through the air before slamming into the target, hilt quivering.