Camber the Heretic Read Free Page B

part of his work was essentially done. His patient might be a little stiff for a few days, but that was small price, indeed, to pay for the outrage which had been done to his body. He did not think that Earl Gregory would begrudge that small discomfort. Now he must try to discover the reason for the rest of Gregory’s symptoms.
    As he raised his head and let his eyes refocus on the visual world, Evaine caught his attention.
    â€œI think I’ve found why he was so uncontrolled,” she said, running the fingers of one hand lightly along Gregory’s skull just behind the left ear. “He’s got a knot here, hidden in his hair. I think he did get kicked. There’s a slight abrasion. You’d better take a look.”
    Frowning, Rhys moved his hands to the man’s head and probed, his eyes glazing lightly in his concentration. After a moment, he nodded.
    â€œThere’s swelling inside the skull, as well as outside. That could well account for his behavior. I’ll see what I can do.”
    Again he sank into trance, his eyes closing, and this time the questing was much more draining, the Healing more demanding. He had far more difficulty visualizing what should be inside the skull, and he kept getting tangled in Gregory’s sedated thoughts.
    But there was relief in his eyes as he emerged from this second Healing, and he allowed himself a soft but satisfied sigh as he straightened and stretched.
    â€œHmmm, I wouldn’t want to do that every day, but I think he’s going to be all right now. You can let him come to. The drug should be just about out of his system. After a good night’s normal sleep, he ought to be fine.”
    â€œWith a bit of a headache, I should imagine,” Evaine replied, easing out of the controls she had been maintaining. “Can he have some wine?”
    â€œCertainly. He’s going to want something to eat, too. He needs energy, after what he’s been through.”
    With a final glance at her charge, Evaine went to the door and ordered food and drink to be brought, for the previous wine had been a victim of Gregory’s crockery-smashing. By the time Gregory’s pale eyes were flickering open, she had managed to get a servant to clean up the mess and was ready at his head with a cup of warm milk laced with spirits stronger than wine. Raising him with an arm under his shoulders and head, Evaine put the cup to his lips and let him drink; she and Rhys watched with approval as his look of bewilderment diminished and he appeared to reorient to his surroundings.
    â€œRhys,” the earl murmured, focusing first on the Healer’s red hair, then on his face. He blinked several times, trying to put things into perspective. “What are you—how did I get here? I was riding that—oh.…”
    â€œThat’s right.” Rhys nodded. “You’re starting to remember. You got thrown and kicked, and you’re lucky to be alive. Your son sent to the king for a Healer, and the king sent me to put you back together.” He smiled reassuringly. “I must say, you didn’t seem very eager to have me work on you, though. You were throwing things around the room and making a terrible scene.”
    â€œYou mean, I fought you?” Shock and embarrassment flashed across the earl’s narrow face. “I used my powers? Rhys, I am sorry. I—”
    He froze for just an instant, a look of increasing consternation growing in his eyes as he turned his mind inward—a look which quickly changed to one of incredulity and fear.
    â€œRhys? I can’t sense you, Rhys!” Like a drowning man, he reached out blindly and grasped the Healer’s arm. “What’s happened? What have you done to me?” His other hand went to his temple in alarm.
    â€œRhys, I can’t See you with my mind!”
    â€œWhat!”
    In an instant reflex, Rhys sent his mind out in quest, almost recoiling in horror and