A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga) (42 page)

By the time they reached the dilapidated buildings of Green Street, all of the smiles had diminished. Cold stares from the inhabitants drove the students into a tighter knot around Maddi. They passed barely-dressed prostitutes leaning in doorways, one or two trying to get the attention of the male students. The boys recoiled in nervous fear. Maddi also noticed one or two darker figures watching from farther back in the alleyways.

She addressed the entire class, huddled in the shade of the cracked, gray buildings. “This is where the little girl Tanya lived. Some of you remember her from the first day of Healing class. Some of you have seen her since on campus.” She looked up, gesturing toward the surrounding structures. “Many other children live down here, some treated far worse than Tanya. They are used as prostitutes, or sold into servitude.” Looking at the doctors in particular, Maddi focused on each one of those in her group with opened Talent. “Many die of sickness. Feel the disease around you.”

Embracing her Talent, Maddi sensed that the plague had worsened. It leaped from denizen to denizen, marking hundreds with its curse. Of the thousands of lives crammed into just a few blocks down in the vale between hills, the residue of disease blackened nearly half. A look of shock appeared on the faces of both doctors, Darilla’s touched with a bit more disgust.

One of the younger girls in the class – one who had found her Talent – raised a trembling hand. Her eyes blinked away tears. “Is there nothing that can be done?”

Maddi breathed deeply, even though she inhaled the stench of sewer and rot into her lungs. With a calm expression covering her features, Maddi gazed at the students. Doctor Gramm’s smile widened. Her eyes searched the buildings all around, and Maddi knew she still embraced her Talent.

“Only what we are willing to do, Denielle.” Maddi lifted a hand toward Tanya’s old tenement. “Let’s begin here.”

M
addi did not intend what began there. Every day afterward, she came down to the slums of Daynon, starting with those in the shadow of Jalanine Hill, gradually working her way through the city. At first, only Denielle, Ami, and a few of the more compassionate students came. Doctor Gramm often assisted, too.

As the days passed, others got wind of Maddi’s mission, and she greeted both Talented and ordinary healers who wished to join her. Over two dozen faculty and students moved through the slums. A squad of city watchmen assigned to the college volunteered to provide security. Even Tanya helped, carrying water and supplies.

“Briscoe left because he heard you were coming back,” she told Maddi on the third day, while wrapping a clean bandage over an old man’s festering wound, caused by fall working at the docks. “I think you scared him off.”

Maddi still taught her herbology class, though most of the students had joined her mission. Only Darby and Doctor Darilla abstained. Both men were consistently contrarian in class, but Maddi dealt with it all in stride. After her lecture, she headed directly down into the slums, and soon the immaterial concerns of two over-privileged men disappeared next to the pain of the suffering she witnessed.

Five days curing disease from the area surrounding Green Street, as well as healing the other wounds brought on by poverty and a harsh life, left Maddi wondering if she would ever be clean again. She knelt over a washbasin, scrubbing the blood that clung under her fingernails. Tossing the brush into the pinkish-gray water, Maddi lifted her hand to wipe the sweat beading on her brow. The water ran along her forearm and under the rolled up sleeves of her blood-streaked blouse. The trickle felt cool her against skin warmed by late summer sun.

A familiar voice called out from behind her. “What have you done to my college?”

Maddi turned to see the Lord Doctor Marten standing with his hands on his hips. A wry smile curved on his mouth instead of the dour frown Maddi expected. He reached out a hand to help her to her feet, heedless of the blood or any other soil on her hands.

“Students come down here, rather than go to class.” The Lord Doctor wagged his finger at her. “Even my teachers have missed faculty meetings to follow this
mission
of yours. School resources – bandages and medicines and the like – have all been used.” He squinted at her. “Tell me, Miss Conaleon, when were you going to invite me to join you?”

With a gasp of surprise, Maddi squeezed his hand. “You would join us down here?”

The Lord Doctor laughed, an out of place sound in the dreary backwaters of Daynon. “Not just me. I have committed the entire faculty and student body to this endeavor for the next four weeks.” He smiled, his handsome face filled with wonder. “You have got me thinking, Miss Conaleon. Practical application is what we need more of at the College.” He looked around. “This may not be exactly what I might have thought up, but it will do quite well.”

Marten waved at a large group of gray-cloaked guards. “I also kept my promise about mentioning the sickness in council. The mayor has granted two companies of watchmen to aid us.” He pointed at the semi-collapsed building behind her. “They are also commissioned to demolish any dangerous buildings – to burn out those infested with plague.”

Not sure what to say, Maddi watched the city guards fan out. Their captain walked over to stand not far from the Lord Doctor, clearly awaiting his command. Behind the soldiers, dozens of teachers, doctors, and students milled about, uncertain what to do with themselves.

Maddi’s stomach turned with nerves. She looked at Marten. “I think you’ve just made more work for me than I wanted.”

The doctor laughed again. “Welcome to leadership.”

W
eeks passed, and autumn edged toward winter. Maddi and her mission spread throughout the city. Almost all the students, and a great number of the teachers, joined in with gusto. Maddi formed teams of doctors and students, each member with a different specialty. She matched up those with Talent with those who knew sewing and poultices. They spread throughout the five hills of the city, and as they spread, so did rumor of the woman who led them.

Doctor Marten wiped sweat from his smooth brow with a clean rag. He no longer wore the robes of a doctor and teacher, rather simple breeches and cotton shirt. The open laces at the top showed a smooth, muscular chest Maddi worked hard not to notice. Tanya stood just a few yards away, watching workers tear out the walls of her old tenement.

“Dozens of buildings have been marked for destruction.” Marten tucked the rag into his belt. “The mayor has commissioned new tenements be built for those displaced.” He grinned. “His Honor is always looking for a way to endear himself to the people. It looks as if you have given him the perfect opportunity.”

Maddi’s eyes fixed on Tanya as the girl watched them demolish her old home. “Good. I feared for what would happen to everyone who lost their homes to the disease. Without shelter, they would just get sick again.”

Stepping closer behind Maddi, Marten spoke low. “You have made friends in many places, as well as a few enemies. Have you heard the name the people call you?”

Lifegiver.
“I’ve heard. It’s silly.”

The doctor delivered a golden chuckle. “Ah, Maddi. Never underestimate the good will of the people. Kings spend lifetimes trying to gain what you have earned in just a couple of months.”

Maddi waved her hand in dismissal. “I don’t want it.” She tapped Tanya, who turned as if awakened from a dream. “Come on, sweetie. The sun is almost down. We are done for today.” Tanya reached up and took Maddi’s outstretched hand.

Marten cleared his throat. “I do have some good news for the both of you.”

Maddi turned her head to see the doctor’s smile showing bright, straight teeth. “What is that?”

He sauntered closer, his hand behind his back. “It is inappropriate for a teacher, especially one whom the people are calling Lifegiver, to be housed in the dormitory.” He held up a key. “The college owns houses for visiting teachers from far lands. I have commissioned one for you.” Marten’s eyes shifted to the little redhead. “Both of you.”

Maddi took the key with a nod, uncertain what to say. “Thank you.”

The Lord Doctor placed his hand on her shoulder. “If there is any other aid I can provide you, do not hesitate to ask.”

Early the next morning, Maddi set down her rucksack, her gaze drifting over the wide central room of the house. “Why don’t you stay here with us? It has three bedrooms.”

Ami looked about, her eyes lingering on the kitchen and bath at the rear. “Do you mean it?”

Nodding her head with vigor, Maddi reached out her hand. “Absolutely. We can always use a friend here. The extra room is larger than our dorm, and it’s even furnished.”

Ami grabbed Maddi’s fingers. “Then I will – if it won’t get you in trouble.”

Maddi laughed. “I’m not too worried about the Lord Doctor.” She squeezed Ami’s palm. “He’s like putty in my hand.”

Laughing together, they unpacked Maddi’s few things. The sun peeked through the window.

“Fiery Hells,” Maddi cursed as she realized the hour. “I have to get to Orange Street, and it’s halfway across the city.”

Ami stood with a book from the sack still in hand. “Why not have the people of the city come to you? You’re the one being hospitable.”

Stopping in her tracks, Maddi looked at her friend. “You may have an idea.” She resumed her march out the door. “There is someone who promised to help me if I needed it...”

Before the sun climbed over the buildings of Daynon, Maddi stood in the Lord Doctor’s office.

“I want to build a hospital – a free clinic for the poor and working people of the city.” Maddi stared across the mahogany desk at Marten. “You could make it happen.”

He frowned, leaning forward and resting his chin on a fist. “And just what would make you think that?”

Maddi threw up her hands. “You are the Lord Doctor of the Kingdom of Gannon! You sit upon the High Council. You speak to the mayor often, and even the king – or so I suppose.” She paused and narrowed her gaze. “Perhaps you aren’t as powerful as I thought.”

Marten sat up straight, a ridge of anger flashing on his brow before he wiped it away. “I will bring it up in council. Money is tighter in this kingdom than you might imagine.” He shifted back, reclining into the leather with a soft creak. “And what of your new home? Does it meet with your approval?” A soft smile crept onto his face. “I believe I chose the appropriate one.”

Nodding, Maddi drug a finger along the desk. It felt warm and smooth. “It is quite lovely. Thank you. Tanya is beside herself with joy. She has never had her own room, much less a house for her family.” She set one hip on the edge of the desk. “My roommate Ami has joined us, to help me care properly for Tanya – if that is alright with your Lordship?”

She noticed his eyes dart toward her hip, snug in the breeches she wore while leading her mission within the city. He immediately refocused on her face.

“That should be fine, if slightly irregular.” Marten laughed his baritone chuckle. “Of course, everything at this college has been irregular since your arrival. You appear to be handling your class well, too. I have heard comments from teachers and students alike on your vast knowledge of herbs and potions.”

Maddi snorted. “Do you have any idea how many have asked me if I can make a love potion? Men and women both. It’s insane.”

The Lord Doctor raised a dark eyebrow. “Can you?”

“You too!” Maddi threw up her hands and stalked from the room.