Warprize

a moment as one man tried to grind them against a piece of wood with his bootheel. “Will that not affect the taste?”
    He nodded without looking up. “Aye. It will add flavor.”
    Eventually there was no noise at all, and I looked over to see the men in fierce contemplation of the metal pot the tinker had given me, hovering over one of the braziers of hot coals. I just shook my head and continued my work. Before long, an odd aroma filled the tent. Odd, but pleasant. Finally, the last one was done. I went over to where Joden sat by Simus, and dropped down next to him. I dragged my satchel along, and started to re-pack everything in it. I was almost done when Joden nudged me, and I looked up to see Rafe standing before me, a mug of something steaming in his hand.
    “We want you to have the first taste.” Rafe looked proudly at me as he handed me the mug. The rest of the tent was watching me, all eyes bright. I took the mug in one hand.
    “You would not try to poison an innocent young healer, would you?” I looked suspiciously at Rafe, who stared back as innocent as a lamb.
    “No.” Rafe looked very serious. “On my honor.” Then his grin flashed. “I would not waste kavage that way.”
    Everyone in the tent started laughing, and a few pounded on Rafe’s back for his jest. Taking a deep breath, I put the mug to my lips and sipped.
    Once again the tent exploded in laughter as my face screwed up in disgust. I managed to swallow, but it was a near thing. The liquid was hot, thick and bitter.
    Joden patted me on the back as the rest of the tent started to share in the pot and make plans for another one. “Most prefer it with some milk and honey to take away the bitter.”
    “Yes! That’s right.” I looked around for my other purchases. “Kier told me that. So I brought some with me.”
    The silence in the tent was immediate and thick. I froze under all those eyes drilling into me. And a voice, thin and weak, arose from the pallet that lay beside me.
    “Kier? You spoke to Kier?” Simus struggled to sit up.
    Joden and Prest reached out and pushed him down. I handed the milk and the honey to Rafe, who took it without comment. I turned back to Simus.
    “I met a man in the market this morning who told me that the kavage was taken with milk or honey.” I was suddenly very thankful that there were two guards inside the tent with me. Two guards that were looking very nervous. One caught my eye and I gave him a smile. They relaxed a little. Joden made a gesture, and the rest of the tent started to break up, talking and drinking from their mugs. He helped Simus to sit up and Rafe came over to help. He brought with him a mug, and Simus’s hand emerged from the blankets, weak and shaky, but latched onto the mug like a desperate man. Joden looked at me. “A man with eyes like blue flames?” I nodded. “Did he send any message?”
    I returned the gaze. “He wanted to. I refused.”
    Joden’s eyes narrowed. Simus watched me over the brim of his mug as Rafe helped him drink from it. I did not back down. “I am a healer of any in need of my services. But I am not a…” I could not think of the word for ‘traitor’. “I am not an oath-breaker. I have an oath as a healer, but also to my king. Any rescue attempt this Kier tries will be without my aid.”
    The minute my mouth closed, I winced. Joden, Rafe, and Simus relaxed, I could feel the tension leave them when they heard my words. I had probably just delivered the very message Kier wanted them to have anyway. I flushed again.
    Simus sighed. “This kavage is terrible. Who made it?”
    Rafe coughed.
    “I should have known.” He looked up at Joden. “How long?”
    “Two days.” Joden replied. “You were brought in with a bad wound and fever.” Simus raised an eyebrow at that, and gave Joden a long look. Joden looked away, as if ashamed, but continued on. “
    Lara here treated you, and the wound does well. I do not think you will lose the leg.”
    Even more tension left Simus’s body at that news. He took another sip from his mug. “Any news?”
    Joden shook his head. “I have had none.”
    Simus looked at me and raised both eyebrows. I saw no harm. “All I know is that the Warlord arrived about midday to talk peace.”
    Simus thought about that. “You are wrong, little healer. The Warlord is here to talk surrender.”
     

 

     
     

Chapter 3
     
    As I walked back to the castle that night along the garden path, I felt strangely invigorated.