The Mages' Winter of Death: The Healers of Glastamear: Volume Two (3 page)

Chapter 2

They walked the four blocks to the Governor’s Palace, an ornate white marble building with dramatic fountains and scores of statues along the front facade. It was six stories high and had enough rooms for hundreds of people to spend the night. They followed the gaily-dressed crowd, many of whom had dressed in even more outlandish costumes than they had chosen, to the entrance to a brightly lit glass-walled ballroom.

They introduced themselves to those nearby as they stood in line to be announced before entering the enormous ballroom. The aristocrats seemed friendly, and everyone they met already knew about the newlyweds’ recent move to the top floor of the Southport Hospital Luxury Apartments. One after another, the line moved into the ballroom with the announcement of their long series of impressive titles. When it was Michael’s and Diana’s turn, the announcement was simple, “the merchant Michael Son-of-William and his lovely wife Diana.” Michael felt immediately and totally out of place, but they moved into the reception line to be introduced to their hosts, Lord and Lady Griffin, Governor Jonathan Talton and his wife Millie, and High Priest Orvis Simon and his wife Susan.

Lady Griffin was gracious. “Welcome my dears to your first ball. Diana, you are such a lovely ornament to this winter’s season. Every man will follow you with his eyes, and every wife will be jealous of those stares. Michael and Diana, your apartment project is the talk of everyone this season. They are likely to try to reserve an apartment even though business is never discussed at these events. Just smile and ask them to come see you at home. I hear you’ve taken a whole floor for yourselves. The views from the tenth floor must be astonishing.”

When Michael and Diana were introduced to the governor, the highest crown official in the south said, “I want to personally thank you both for the apothecary shops you’ve opened. They’ve prevented the white pneumonia from taking hold here, and the government and church are both grateful. Merchants often learn of things first. I’d like to discuss what you know of the plague in the rest of Glastamear. Find me after the dancing begins, the high priest and I will meet you in that quiet alcove by the great seal.”

High Priest Simon greeted them saying, “Bless you both in Perry’s name for all you’ve done to keep us free of the plague.”

Susan Simon said to Diana, “My dear, you must join me and a few other ladies for lunch after the weekly Perry’s Service. We’re organizing a group that will help the refugees from the north, and we’d love for you to be involved.”

They moved on toward a table where Timothy and Carolyn, their partners in the apartment project, were seated. They were introduced to many other people in the first half hour, but then the music began. Diana and Michael took part in the first general dance, a joyous folk reel of the south, before they went to the alcove where the governor and high priest wanted to discuss something with them. Many guests noticed that when they entered the governor’s box, servants closed the heavy purple velvet curtains to give them privacy. Their social status jumped in that instant.

Governor Talton motioned for them to take seats. A servant poured wine for everyone. The governor spoke first. “Thank you for coming. I’m sure you would both rather be dancing, but I’m looking for more information about what is happening in the rest of Glastamear. Merchants have contacts in every city, and are often the first to know things, even before governors.”

“My Lord Governor,” Michael replied, “the stories are grim. I have heard that hundreds are waiting at the provincial border in the Green Mountains to get into Southport Province. The City of Broken Arrow is in terrible shape with uncollected bodies in the streets. The hamlet of Swamp Ford now has thousands of refugees without nearly enough food and shelter. The small towns of Marigold Meadows, Azure Falls and Oxbow Narrows all need help with food for refugees who have fled the cities farther north. It is winter, and they also need shelter from the cold in the inland towns. I know little of the large inland cities, but I was told that Northport is a disaster with many thousands dead.

Diana said, “Michael and I are willing to donate one thousand crowns to purchase food and supplies, but with the travel restrictions we would have no way to deliver it.”

High Priest Simon said, “The church will match your generous donation, Diana, and I’m certain the governor will as well, but if we send this aid, can we keep the returning wagon drivers from bringing this plague back with them.”

Diana answered, “I suggest that we send several apothecary wagons that can take the cure with the supply wagons. The apothecaries can administer the bitter formula to everyone returning before they reach the border and also give it quickly to anyone feeling sick along the way. We have prospered from the apothecary shops here in Southport, and I’m sure we could donate the supplies and wagons as well as our cash donation for food and shelter supplies.”

High Priest Simon looked directly at Governor Talton and said, “Jonathan, only you can approve this travel exception. You know that King Richard will be isolated in Min Hollow for the winter, and you can’t possibly get his approval. My friend, you know this is the appropriate course of action. You must give your official approval. I promise the local church will support your decision.”

“How can I deny you Orvis? You speak for the Holy Church of Perry Ascendant, and if one merchant is this generous, others will help as well. We’ve had great harvests this year. We can’t sit on a surplus while our neighbors starve. Michael, will you take charge of the project and ask your friend Timothy to handle the supply purchases? You have three thousand crowns to start, but I will provide forty wagons and their drivers for the effort and a hundred soldiers to guard the caravans, but I’d rather keep things quiet for now. Prices will go up if merchants realize how much we intend to purchase.”

“I will gladly take charge of the efforts My Lord. Diana can manage our business interests here while I take the supplies north. She’s smarter than I am so I expect we’ll prosper with me gone. I’ll try and have the first shipment moving in less than a week, and I’ll ask Timothy to quietly begin the food purchases tomorrow. Every barrel will say ‘gift of Governor Talton and High Priest Simon of Southport’. That should discourage pilferage and win us some goodwill with our neighbors.”

Both men smiled at the thought, and Diana and Michael took their leave to rejoin the dance. Diana was in great demand as a dance partner, and her card was filled within minutes. Michael, on the other hand, had time to discuss the project with Timothy and Carolyn. They spent most of the rest of the party discussing what to purchase and how to do it without attracting too much attention.

Once Diana and Michael were home, they invited the Oxbow brothers and Jim Neville to a meeting to discuss how to proceed. Jacob, Roger, and Jim were also healers. The two older brothers, Peter and Gregory were not. The five men were officially Michael’s guards, but in reality they were all old friends from the days before the pogrom killed nearly nine out of every ten healers. They would travel with him using spells to detect anyone with the white pneumonia and cure them by secretly casting
clear lungs.
All five friends were excited to go on an adventure, but there was a problem.

The Oxbow brothers were from one of the small towns they would visit, and had been condemned to death in the city of Broken Arrow. They would be recognized in both places on their route. After a discussion, they decided that the eagle helmets of their armor would be strong enough disguises in Broken Arrow, but they should be very careful in the small town where they had grown up. Oxbow Narrows had only a hundred people before the refugees arrived, and old friends would certainly recognize them.

Diana was reluctant to let Michael take the risk. “I don’t know why you need to go personally, my love. You could manage the deliveries from here in Southport.”

Michael took her hand and kissed it. “I’ll miss you too, my sweet Diana, but I need to see what is happening directly. My gifts are needed; you know we’re committed to rescuing the children with healing manna that the church has abducted. I’m the only person who can use the magic needed to detect them at a distance. I’ll fly home to you whenever I can, but I’ll contact you with mage thought-talk every night.”

Michael Elf-Blood had a unique skill known to others mostly through ancient legends, mage thought-talk. In the Old Kingdom stories, elves could talk to others they knew throughout the enormous expanse of the star cloud merely by using their minds. Michael could do the same with people he knew well. Lady Barbara of Southport was the senior healer at the refuge of Dragon Crag, and Lord Hampton was the Master of the Healers’ Guild leading the refugees at Rock Port. He thought of both, and after considerable effort and great concentration he was able to communicate his plan.

Lord Hampton explained his perspective. “Michael, have you thought about what our situation will be if the Red Dragon’s prediction of the invasion from the three eastern kingdoms does occur in the spring? What if they destroy the capital of Min Hollow, kill King Richard, and unseat the Most Holy Son of Perry Ascendant?”

“They are evil men, good riddance, but I’ll be sorry for the deaths of all the innocents,” Michael thought.

Lord Hampton explained, “Michael, I’ve spent much of my life studying the history of men on Home under the star Blue Haven and the even older history brought by the elves from a thousand other planets. We have a terrible government in King Richard the Vengeful and Steven the Fifteenth. The only times in history that have been worse are the periods when there was no government. Anarchy is the most dangerous condition for humans. We must build up good men like the Southport leadership and High Priest Carson in Swamp Ford so they can take the role of leaders if Min Hollow does fall. If they take Min Hollow, we also need to keep the three kingdoms from coming down from the Mountains of Min and ravishing the rest of Glastamear. Those kingdoms are built on slave labor, and everyone captured in war is automatically a slave for life as are their children and all their descendants. We must support leaders that can defend the citizens of Glastamear as well as govern justly.”

Lady Barbara contributed her thoughts. “We should look to the coastal cities first. Already Snowport and Southport are in good shape. I think we must do more to help Northport. Even if there is chaos in inland provinces, the coastal trade and fishing can keep these cities fed. I agree with Lord Hampton’s decision to rebuild the guild on these two remote islands, but the older of us will have no more children. On Dragon Crag, we have eleven healers who are past the age of childbearing. If they are willing to provide secret healers to the province of Northport, I will go with them. They can spread out from there along the Snowport Road and south along the Southport Road. Before winter ends, we can have the coastal areas clear of the disease by using the fake apothecary cure while casting
clear lungs
.”

Michael agreed but saw a problem. “Before the pass to Min Hollow was closed for the winter, King Richard forbad travel by Royal Edict. There are roadblocks along all the main roads.”

Lady Barbara explained, “That’s the reason to work first in the coastal areas. We can drop the healers off using the
Silver Trident
. They can land at night and make their way into town. I can supply each one with enough gold from what is left on Dragon Crag to open their apothecary shops. I will lead the group that stays in Northport.”

Before the night was over, they had agreed on a plan, and Michael was excited about the chance to get back to healing those in need.

Chapter 3

The following night, Michael and Jim walked across the south causeway to a secluded section of beach where Jim had left the pallet of food and canvas intended for Swamp Ford. On the way, Michael updated Jim on the plan to put healers ashore along the coast and to send food and supplies by land to the settlements of Marigold Meadows, Azure Falls, Oxbow Narrows, as well as Swamp Ford.

“There is no way you’re traveling on these wagons without the Oxbow brothers and me along to keep you out of trouble. I’m still a healer too, and I also want the chance to do some good for a change.”

“I wouldn’t go without you and the brothers, but there will be a hundred soldiers along to take care of any brigands and such. There shouldn’t be much danger.”

“Michael, I know you too well to believe that. You attract trouble like I attract bite-flies. At least tonight, I’ll get to see my brother.”

The pallet weighed about as much as two heavy draft horses. It was bound together with a cargo net. Jim jumped onto the top of the stack and held onto the top of the net.

“This will be my first time flying. I’m excited and a little scared,” he explained.

Jim had been horribly tortured in the interrogation rooms below the Great Temple at Northport. He was just now recovering his full strength, but even now he was one of the strongest men that Michael knew. Michael still worried that he might fall off and insisted that he put a rope around his waist for extra protection.

The past autumn, Michael had learned the earth magic spell
dwarfish strength
and the forest magic spell
alter form
. He cast the spells reducing the weight of the cargo with Jim attached to about the weight of a spring lamb and transforming his own form into that of a Giant Ki Eagle with extraordinary strength.  He lifted the pallet with his claws and flew towards the northeast and the village of Swamp Ford. Little Brother Moon was visible, but the other three moons were not up, making it a very dark night.

Within an hour, Michael was flying above Swamp Ford looking for anyplace to put the pallet down without being seen. He cast
night surgery
to improve his vision, but he could still find no unoccupied area to put down his supplies without having them sink into the muddy swamp.

He set the pallet on a currently unoccupied section of the stone-paved road south of town. The load of supplies was big enough to block the whole narrow raised roadway. The smell of the swamp was strong and bite-flies were everywhere. Michael converted back to his normal self and spoke with Jim about the dilemma.

“Jim, it looks like every piece of dry land is occupied with refugees. I’d guess there must be three thousand of them by now. Walk into town and find your brother. The last time I visited he had a room at the only inn. I’ll see if I can do something to make more dry land for future growth, and then you can help High Priest Carson figure out how to get these supplies into town. Tell folks that the delivery was dropped off and the wagon headed back to Southport, and promise that more deliveries will be made within the next two weeks.”

Michael cast the water spell
shell skin
on both of them to keep the bite-flies at bay and to prevent snakebites. They made a makeshift torch from a stick and some canvas, which Michael lit with a fire mage spell. Jim headed off toward the village and Michael again took to the air to scout the area. Although it was only clear from an aerial perspective, the whole area seemed to be a giant basin with the Green Mountains on the south and southwest the Blacksmith Hills forming the rest of the bowl. Michael found a waterfall that seemed to be the main drainage for the whole swamp. It fed into the White River, which flowed on to the sea south of Marigold Meadows.

After considering his options for a few minutes, Michael used the earth spell
excavate
to remove rock to a depth of three paces from the waterfall. He also made a deeper channel in the stream leading to the falls. The flow instantly became much more substantial. Michael expected that within a few weeks, the water table would be about three paces lower, and the amount of dry land would eventually at least double. By spring there might be hundreds of areas of new dry land to plant, creating good foundations for the many new farms needed to support the larger Swamp Ford population.

The action was a small one that might make a large difference to Swamp Ford in the long run. Michael wondered if he was wise enough to make that kind of permanent change to the environment. Much of the kingdom of Glastamear was changed by the elves to make a better home for their human offspring, but he had none of their wisdom or experience.

He flew back to where he’d left the pallet on the only causeway that led through the swampy waters into the town of Swamp Ford. From a distance, he saw the lights of many torches. He landed well out of sight of the townspeople who had come to move the supplies into town. After changing into his black traveling clothing, he approached the group.

Jim spoke first. “Hi Michael. Did you find a good spot to graze the horses?”

Of course, they had no horses, but clearly Jim had told a tale, explaining that the wagon had unloaded here and headed back to Southport. He must have claimed they would return by horse. Michael replied, “I found a dry enough spot for them to graze. I see you brought men to take the goods into town.”

John came from the crowd and embraced Michael and said, “Old friend, you came with supplies at the perfect time. We were getting desperate for food. The common kitchen has been reduced to serving swamp rats and bitter greens. Disgusting food, but all we had until you arrived.”

“John, my friend, I’m glad we came when needed. There will be more wagons crossing the Green Mountains soon with both food and construction supplies so you can make better housing. We brought only some canvas on this load.”

High Priest Carson stepped from the crowd. He was dressed in work clothes like everyone else, and Michael had not noticed him. “Michael Son-of-William, again you come to the aid of the needy. Surely you are blessed by Perry for your generosity.”

“My Lord High Priest, I didn’t notice you without your purple vestments and miter. Well met. I hope you’re well.”

“Ah Michael, my vestments would be rags if I wore them to move barrels of cornmeal and salt pork, but by morning we shall have a feast at the common kitchen for everyone to enjoy. Jim tells me your business ventures prosper in Southport, and that you have taken a young wife who is the talk of the city because of her beauty.”

“I am a fortunate man My Lord.”

“But I should warn you that there are many brigands around the swamp. Your horses might not be safe. Most of these brigands are former refugees at Swamp Ford who John asked to leave because they tried to take advantage of the weak. John has become our unofficial mayor. Of Course, we have no horses left in the village because rations have been so short, so maybe hiding them was prescient.”

“I think they’re well hidden for now, but I plan to return to Southport immediately. Jim, will you join me or would you rather spend a few weeks with your brother until we return with the other wagons.”

“If you don’t mind traveling alone, I haven’t spent time with John in years. I’ll stay.”

“Well my friends, I’ll leave now and take Jim’s horse with me, since horses might be too much of a temptation in Swamp Ford at the moment. I can catch up with the wagon before it gets to the Green Mountains. I’ll bid you farewell until three weeks from now. It was nice to see you healthy and busy in your new assignment My Lord. I promise to return with more gifts sponsored by Governor Talton and High Priest Simon. They are sending aid to their neighbors to the north who have taken in so many refugees. Governor Talton made a waiver from the crown’s travel restrictions to send these provisions.”

After Michael’s goodbyes, he walked into the darkness and transformed into a Giant Ki Eagle and was back in his apartment in Southport in time for breakfast.