Fade reacted violently, body suddenly arching up, drawn as tightly as one of Bernard's hunting bows. He stayed that way for a moment, then subsided into the tub again and started coughing, a wet and fitful sound.
Isana's heart leapt up as the slave breathed again.
The healer frowned more intently, and Isana saw the water begin to stir in the tub, as it did when she worked her own healing furycraft, though only for a moment. Then the healer grimaced and lifted her hands from Fade's head. She moved around the tub and lifted his wounded hand. She unbound the kerchief wrapped around it and leaned down, sniffing. She drew her head away in a sharp little motion, turning her face away from the injury, then lowered his hand into the water.
"What is it?" Isana asked.
"Garic-oil poisoning," the young woman said.
"What's that?" Isana asked.
"Many weapon merchants in the southland preserve their weapons with an oil mixture that includes a tincture made from the oil in the hides of garim lizards."
"And it's poisonous?" Isana asked.
"Not always intentionally. But if the oil isn't mixed correctly, or if it's left out too long, the garic oil turns. Goes rotten. If it's on a weapon that inflicts a wound, the rot gets into the blood." She shook her head and rose. "I'm very sorry."
Isana blinked. "But... you healed him. He's breathing."
"For now," the healer said quietly. "Your friend is a metalcrafter, I take it?"
"Yes."
"Wounded during the attacks?"
"Defending me," Isana said quietly. "An arrow. It struck his hand."
The healer shook her head. "He must have been suppressing the discomfort. If he'd gotten to a healer within the hour, perhaps..."
Isana stared at her in disbelief. "What will happen?"
"Fever. Disorientation. Pain. Eventual loss of consciousness." The young healer grimaced. "It isn't quick. Days. But if he has family, you should send for them." She looked up at Isana, her dark eyes steady and sad. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.
Isana shook her head slowly. "Is there nothing to be done?"
"It has been healed, betimes. But it takes days, and most who try it die with the victim."
"You are not able to attempt it?" Isana asked.
The healer was still for a moment, then said, "I will not."
"Great furies," Isana breathed quietly. "Why not?"
"Legions march on my father's city, Steadholder. Battle will be joined. Men will be wounded and needed to return to the fight. If I'm attempting to heal him, it will mean the deaths of dozens or hundreds of my father's legionares. " She shook her head. "My duty is clear."
"You're Cereus's daughter?" Isana asked.
The young healer smiled a little, though there was little joy or life in it, and dipped her head into a small bow. "Aye. Cereus Felia Veradis, Steadholder."
"Veradis," Isana said. She looked at the wounded man. "Thank you for helping him."
"Don't thank me," Veradis said.
"May I ask a favor of you?" Isana said.
The young woman nodded her head once.
"I would like a healing tub brought in here, please."
Veradis's eyebrows rose. "Steadholder, I am told your healing skills are impressive, but you are in no condition to attempt such a crafting."
"I believe I am a better judge of such things than you," Isana said quietly.
"My experience suggests that you aren't," Veradis said in a practical tone. "He is important to you. You aren't thinking clearly."
"That, too, is something only I can judge." She returned Veradis's gaze steadily. "Will you do me the favor, lady?"
Veradis studied her for a long moment. Then she said, "I will."
"Thank you, " Isana said quietly.
"In the morning," Veradis said. "After you have slept. I will return and instruct you in the method. You will not worsen his chances with a few hours' delay."
Isana pressed her lips together in frustration, but then nodded. "Thank you."
Veradis nodded back and turned to leave. She paused by the door. "I'll send in a cot, and make sure there's an attendant near your door." She paused, just outside the room, and asked, "He is your protector?"
"Yes," Isana said quietly.
"Then I ask you to consider one thing before you begin. Should you die attempting to heal him, you will render his death meaningless. He will have sacrificed his life for his lady for nothing."
"I am not his lady," Isana said quietly.
"Yet you will risk your own life for him?"
"I will not stand by and watch him die."
Veradis smiled for just a second, and for an instant looked her age, young and lively. "I understand, Steadholder. Good luck."
Chapter 21
Max looked blankly at Tavi for a second, then asked, "Are you insane?"
"This isn't complicated," Tavi told Max. "Take this hammer and break my crowbegotten leg."
It was hard to tell in the wan light of predawn, but Tavi thought he saw his friend turn a bit green. Around them were the sounds of the First Aleran preparing to march. Centurions bellowed. Fish apologized. Veterans complained. Outside the walls, the camp followers, too, were preparing to march.
"Tavi," Max protested. "Look, there's got to be some other way."
Tavi lowered his voice. "If there is, tell me. I can't use the furies in the road for myself or my horse, I can't ride in a wagon without looking awfully suspicious, and I sure as crows can't keep pace on my own for more than an hour or three. A broken leg takes days to heal up well enough to march on it."
Max sighed. "You're insane."
"Insane?" Tavi asked. "Have you got a better idea, Max? Because if you do, this would be a good time to share it with me."
Max let out an exasperated sound, muttering several choice curses under his breath. "Bribery," he said finally. "You grease the right palms, you can get out of almost anything. It's the Legion way."
"You can loan me some money, then?"
Max scowled. "Not right now. I lost it all to Marcus at a card game two nights ago."
"Well done. "
Max's scowl deepened. "Where's your money?"
"I've been buying baths every night, remember? They aren't cheap."
"Oh."
Tavi slapped the handle of a small smithy's hammer into Max's hand. "Lower leg. We'll tell the medicos that a horse spooked and rolled a wagon wheel over it."