“Yes, Master Colm,” Kaelyn said, as she gathered her wallet, basket, and a light jacket. The day was pleasant but the weather was changeable today and it didn't do for a healer, even an apprentice healer, to be caught getting sick when it was preventable.

Master Colm's other apprentice, Daisy, looked up from her workbench, where she had been diligently preparing herbs and placing them on a drying rack. Her eyes were full of barely-disguised hope. “Oh, is Kaelyn going into town today? I hadn't realized it was a market day. And it's so nice out today...” Daisy trailed off, her hands still, eyes fixed on Colm.

The master healer laughed gently, and with his own eyes full of mock seriousness said “I suspect Kaelyn might have her hands full with everything we need this week. Perhaps you could assist her, Daisy?” Daisy laughed, a little at her own transparency and also in gratitude for her master's kind understanding. “Well, if you think Kaelyn will be so burdened down I'll go help her.” She stood and hugged Colm from behind, arms around his shoulders for a moment as she stood behind him. “Thank you, Master. We won't be too long” She said as she ran off to gather her things.

“You may as well sit back down, Kaelyn, I suspect Daisy will be busy for a few minutes.”

Kaelyn nodded and sat, smiling.

“How are you getting along with the others in town, Kaelyn?” Colm asked.

“It's very nice here, Master!”

“It is indeed, but that's not what I asked.” Kaelyn looked down.

“Everyone is very kind, Master.”

“But you get overshadowed by Daisy from time to time in town,” Colm said, a statement, not a question. Kaelyn looked up at him, slightly surprised, but she shouldn't have been.

“Well...yes, Master. It's not that Daisy tries to—well, overshadow me, like you said—of course. She's the sweetest friend in the world. And it isn't that the others in town are deliberately excluding me...it's just...they have all known each other for so long. They can tell an entire joke in two words because they all know each other so well.” Colm nodded.

Just then his wife came in.

“Kaelyn dear, based on the fact that Daisy is doing her hair up I'm guessing the two of you are headed into town for a bit of shopping. Can you grab me a few things as well?”

“Of course, Mama,” Kaelyn said, and accepted the list. Colm's wife Marion was the heart of the Healer's home, and had been “Mama” to a score of apprentices before Kaelyn and Daisy. Many of them still wrote to her or sent her gifts during the holidays.

“You're such a sweet one, Kaelyn dear,” Mama said and patted the younger woman on the shoulder affectionately. “Something tells me you'll be done shopping a bit before Daisy is, so go ahead and hire a runner to bring everything home and enjoy yourself a bit.” She pressed an extra coin into Kaelyn's hand. Kaelyn looked nervously at Colm. Before either could say anything Mama said “Now now, old man, we can afford it and the girl deserves some time to be something other than an apprentice.” Colm looked at his wife and smiled. “Well, when Mama has spoken... Hire the runner, and enjoy yourself for a bit.”

“Thank you, Mama, and thank you, Master Colm,” Kaelyn replied.

Walking into town with Daisy was always enjoyable. For all of her half-expressed concerns about being overshadowed, Kaelyn really did enjoy her fellow apprentice's company. Looking at them side by side, no one would mistake Kaelyn and Daisy as sisters, but they both had that stamp of “healer” on them, although they carried it in different ways.

Daisy was a little taller, had wider shoulders, and a natural athleticism that hadn't been dulled by her long hours of apprenticeship. During the summer months Daisy's face and hands were tan as she was fond of spending hours searching for needed herbs and roots out in the forests and fields, although during the winter her complexion would pale to almost match her hair.

She had long blond hair that was usually done in a sensible braid to keep it out of her way while she worked, but on market days she put some thought and time into her hair. She loved her namesake flower and would often weave it into small crowns for herself and Kaelyn.

Kaelyn's smile was gentler than Daisy's, but just as ready. She was more likely to listen than to speak, but her gentle heart and deep empathy had made her a welcome sight whenever a healer was needed. If Kaelyn was less likely to strike up a conversation in the street, she was more likely to remember your birthday and surprise you with a small remembrance that was suited both to your needs and personality. Her brown hair was shorter than Daisy's, but had a richness and depth of color that was striking in candle light or sunlight.

Both young women carried that air of “healer” though. A healer takes other people seriously, and studies deeply. A healer balances thought with action, and also balances thought with empathy. A healer's magic comes from deep focus, care and attention to detail. Colm was an excellent master, and his calming and assuring bedside manner was evident in his apprentices. When you were under their care you were the center of their world, regardless of personal concerns or other conditions. It would be easy, in many situations, to dismiss Daisy as the giddier of the two, flightier and less serious, but to do so would be a mistake.

They walked in friendly silence for a while, the sun warm and breeze cool.

“Do you think we will be allowed to Sojourn together, next year?” Daisy asked.

“I don't know; would you like to?” Kaelyn asked.

“I think so! And wouldn't that be such a great honor for Master Colm, to have two of his Apprentices gain their Master's Cowls at the same time?”

Kaelyn found herself quietly re-thinking her friend again. Shameful as it was to admit it, even internally, Kaelyn hadn't really been thinking about how her progress as a Healer would reflect on her master. But where others saw flightiness, this was where Kaelyn realized Daisy was her strongest: she thought of others all the time, her attention was permanently outwards.

“I heard that Master Colm made himself a gray cowl instead of white when he achieved Mastery,” Kaelyn said and Daisy laughed.

“I think that might be Mama's favorite secret to tell us Apprentices. She told me the same. I might copy him; it would be fitting, after all.” Daisy replied.

“Speaking of Mama, let me see that list she gave you,” Daisy said and looked it over.

“Hmmm, looks like we need to go to the general store, the herbalists, the cloth store, and the wizards. Tell you what, I'll let you go to the wizards if you also take the general store,” Daisy said, smiling impishly.

“What? Why...why would I want to go to the wizard?” Kaelyn said, blushing a little.

“Oh, no reason! I'm sure Mason won't even be there today.” Daisy said and giggled. Kaelyn giggled as well and said, “Well, if you really want to go to the fabric store I guess I can go talk to Mason.” Kaelyn smiled and gently pushed her friend to the side.

The air carried a slight tang of the sea even this far inland. Strand wasn't a large town, indeed it had long been a simple fishing village until an enterprising citizen had spent some time building a deeper harbor, and a modest but prosperous shipping company that operated out of Strand Harbor. Strand was often called a “training city” due to the high number of young professionals in town, and the accordingly large number of apprentices as each master in their craft sought to build their reputation by training up a new generation. Colm lived just a short way out of town, closer than most farmers, but far enough from the bustle of the town square to feel peaceful and rustic. Still, young people wanted to spend time with others their age, no matter how kindly their masters.

Once they reached the town square they were greeted by several people. Daisy may be more outgoing than Kaelyn but it was a close contest. A small community like Strand was tightly knit out of necessity and both young women were well liked.

“Daisy, Let's meet back at the Fountain when we're done. Mama gave me money to hire a Runner, so we'll load everything up there and send the Runner back, then we can stay at the Fountain for a bit when we're done.”

“Oh, Mama was feeling generous today! Okay, I'll see you in an hour or so. Say hi to Mason for me!” Daisy said and headed off to complete her errands.

“Maybe I will, maybe I won't,” Kaelyn said, smiling quietly to herself as she headed to the wizard's workshop.

As she walked the short distance she thought about what wizards did. She hadn't ever really understood their craft, not really. Healing is...well, natural. Certain herbs and roots and preparations are good for people, that was just obvious. And of course the skill of the Healer counted, it took effort and focus to perform the preparations and remember the rituals. But wizard art was altogether different. Master Colm had explained that all kinds of “art”, as he called it, came from the exchange, and recited his favorite little poem, the one he had taught to every Apprentice that had been in his care:

For an act to have power It must also have cost; There must be something selected And something else lost.

And Kaelyn and Daisy had listened politely, that first day, but hadn't understood until weeks later. A lazily prepared charm did no good. Sloppily minced or dried herbs lost their potency. There was more to “the art” than just which leaves or which mixtures; that was just cooking. The art of healing required something of the healer, it required time, effort, and attention. And Kaelyn had started to understand that the other “arts” were similar.

#Chapter

His workshop had been crowded with things he felt were “occult” or “arcane” but which looked, to Kaelyn's eye, to mostly be props. Nobody really needs a skull with a candle on it to do their art, and even when she was younger Kaelyn suspected that if you took that skull into good light it would be obvious how artificial it was. In contrast the local wizard kept her workshop clean and pleasant. The workbenches were often covered in complex glassware, or the floor might be sketched out with arcane symbols in pursuit of some new spell, but these would be temporary measures. Soon the chalk or salt diagrams were swept up and the floor scrubbed, glassware was cleaned and stored, and overall the workshop felt orderly and well kept.

A small bell rang when she entered. Kaelyn found herself hoping that Mason was working the shop and then willed herself to breathe slower, to not blush. She was here for business, not to socialize. As she waited for someone to answer the bell she looked around the room. One wall had a series of shallow pans made of various metals, she thought she could see copper, gold, and possibly silver, but if it was silver it was cleaned regularly, as it shone brightly alongside its less corruptible siblings.

She smiled when Mason opened the door to the living quarters and entered the shop.

“Hello, Miss Kaelyn,” Mason said. He was a full head taller than her, and two years older, with a short black beard that he kept neatly trimmed and active green eyes under heavy brows. Kaelyn reflected yet again how his appearance matched his name more than his trade; he was built for outdoor work, but had chosen wizardry instead.

“Hello Mason! And I've told you, I'm just Kaelyn.”

Mason smiled slightly. “Yes, miss.”

She giggled and said “I need a few fire marble. Master Colm feels our current one is about to evaporate; I guess it is two years old.”

Mason frowned slightly. “Two years? My Magister's spells shouldn't wear out that quickly, unless it's being used very heavily...” He trailed off, reaching under the counter and pulling out a small metal box.

“Oh, the Master and Mama do share it. Master uses it in our work during the day and Mama uses it in the kitchen when we're not using it. We've never had any trouble with it, I assure you.”

Mason nodded. “That might account for it.” He opened the lid of the box, and revealed a bright glass bead, swirling with coruscating lines of gold and orange. With a small touch of pride he said, “I enchanted this one myself, and I feel that it's pretty solid work. Magister was pleased. But it's still an apprentice piece, so if you want I can give you one that the Magister enchanted, or you could have this one at a discount...” Mason said never quite making eye contact with Kaelyn.

“If you feel it's good we would be happy to pay the regular rate, Mason. Your word, and your Master's—”

“Magister's“

”—and your Magister's word are good enough for me. What's the difference? Why 'Magister' instead of 'Master'?”

“A Magister is a teacher,” Mason said. “They aren't just a wizard who has mastered the craft, they have also worked to be good at teaching the craft.” Mason said, making eye contact for the first time. “And Magister Sonja has been teaching for as long as I've been alive. Wizardry takes a long time to learn, and sometimes Master wizards forget that not everyone is as wise as they are. It takes a special kind of person to be good at both performing wizardry and also teaching it.” Mason's pride in his Magister's ability was evident on his face as he spoke. Until he got to the end and realized how much he had been talking. He looked down again suddenly and started wrapping the fire marble, still in its box, in brown paper like a regular parcel.

“That's fascinating! I hadn't ever thought about the difference between being able to do something and being able to teach something,” Kaelyn said. Mason nodded.

“Are you hoping to become a Magister as well, someday?” She added and he looked startled, then smiled. “I don't know; I'm just trying to get to a point where Magister thinks I'm competent to go Sojourning. I'll worry about mastery when I get there. But what about you, Mi—Kaelyn? Do Healers have a special rank for teachers?”

“Oh, no, I think every Master Healer is expected to teach new Healers; it's part of the job description. A Healer accrues honor as their former apprentices grow in the art. Master Colm is one of the best, though, or so I hear. I'm hoping that I can start Sojourning next year, Daisy thinks we should Sojourn together.” Kaelyn said.

Mason looked startled. “Really? She thinks...you...you and I should Sojourn—oh. Oh! You meant she thinks you and she should...oh I see.” He looked flustered and Kaelyn again forced herself to breathe slowly and not to blush. She giggled instead. “That would be something, wouldn't it?” she felt just a little victorious when Mason blushed at that.

“How much for the fire marble?” She asked, taking out her wallet, still smiling in what she hoped was a friendly way.

“Fifteen...”

“And is that the regular price?”

“Ah—–”

“I'm guessing the Magister would charge me twenty,” Kaelyn said and counted out the coins.

“You're quick,” Mason said, putting the money away in his strong box. Kaelyn put the marble in her bag and was about to ask Mason more about wizardry when the shop door opened again. A young boy ran in. Kaelyn recognized him as Eric, the son of the dry goods merchant.

“Miss Kaelyn! Come quickly! Brant was lifting a crate down from a high shelf and it fell on him! We need you now!”

#Chapter

“I don't know, Miss. I just heard a crash and was sent to find a healer. Someone said you were at the wizards, but nobody I talked to knew where Miss Daisy was, so I ran to find you.”

“Well done, Eric, thank you,” Kaelyn said, walking quickly, digging through her bag, finding what herbs she had prepared. Something falling on you could be anything from minor bruising to a broken bone to a concussion...she mostly had mild pain relief and a few strengthening spells that might hold a bone in place until it could be treated...she hoped it would be enough. They arrived to find a crowd gathered around the dry goods store, which wasn't surprising. News travels fast in small towns. People stepped aside silently as Kaelyn walked to the shop; getting in the way of a healer simply wasn't done. Kaelyn resolved her face into her “serious but confident” look, one that she had learned well from Colm. Being calm was half the battle.

But she didn't need it. When she got inside she found Daisy, wearing a very similar look, helping Brant the shop boy sit up.

Brant was a year younger than Kaelyn and Daisy, but looked younger still due to his slight frame. He had pale skin with some young-looking freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks, and a shock of wild red hair that was unruly at the best of times, but entirely out of control at the moment.

“Oh, good, they found you, Kaelyn. I happened to be close when I heard the commotion, but Eric was too fast for anyone to catch him, it seems,” Daisy said with a smile at Eric, who beamed with pride.

“I'm glad you were so close Daisy! Is everything okay?”

“Well...nothing's broken...” Daisy said, resting her hand on Brant's forehead, and still talking. “I checked both with an aura crystal and cursory movement tests once it was safe. I feel...there's a possible injury in his brain, will you confirm, Kaelyn? It seems the crate hit his head.”

Kaelyn nodded and knelt on Brant's other side. His green eyes were fixed on Daisy's face and his expression was...unsettling. Kaelyn had heard of the injured finding themselves attracted to those who assist them...

Kaelyn rested her hand on Brant's forehead and quietly recited a clarifying spell under her breath. With her eyes closed she could feel...or see...it wasn't clear which sense was involved...the movement of life inside Brant. For the most part it was jumpy, unsettled, the result of any shock or fear. But there was a pulsing, disjointed spot in his head. It was minor, and didn't seem to be threatening any major systems. She probed it gently, testing for pain, and there was an element of pain there, but it seemed to be something...else, something she couldn't identify. At length she opened her eyes.

“How do you feel, Brant?” She asked?

“I'm..I'm fine, Miss,” Brant said quietly, glancing only briefly at Kaelyn as he spoke, then returning his gaze to Daisy as she packed up her bag, professionally stowing her charms and herbs.

“Do you have willow fine in your pack, Kaelyn?” Daisy asked.

“Yes, one moment.”

Daisy asked Eric for a glass of water and Kaelyn measured a small spoonful of willow powder into a small silver thimble, held it as she repeated the words of pain relief until she felt its powers activate. When she was done Eric was standing by, holding the glass of water. Kaelyn poured the powder into the glass, and asked if they had any honey in the shop. Eric nodded and broke a small piece off of a comb. Kaelyn mixed the honey into the water, commenting how honey helped with the willow's effectiveness. Which was true, after a fashion. Getting the injured to drink the entire thing helped it be more effective. She then handed the glass to Brant.

“Thank you, Miss Kaelyn, and Miss Daisy,” he said, drinking the entire thing in one long draft. He stood carefully, with both apprentice healers helping him get to his feet. “We'll tell Master Colm what we saw today, and he may ask you to come visit the house, but I think you're okay.” Daisy said, brushing Brant's back and straightening his collar. “For now, just be more careful, take good care of yourself, and maybe take it easier today. Eric, how much do we owe for the honey?”

“Oh, nothing! You were helping our shop, it is less than the least we can do...do...should we pay...” Eric stuttered. Daisy stopped him. “Of course not! We are here to help, and I'm glad we were both close, and very glad that it wasn't more serious. In fact, we have a few things we need here...if you could help us, Eric?” Daisy said, pulling Mama's list out of her bag.

“I'm fine to handle it, Daisy, Miss,” Brant said, taking the list from her with a shade too much eagerness. “It would be my honor. And we'll send it by runner, we just got a new batch from the druids...” Brant looked over the list. “This will come to...sixty five, even.” Daisy nodded and counted out coins.

“Mama sent me with money for a runner,” Kaelyn said, but Brant shook his head. “Again, it's the least we can do. I'll cover it myself, make sure it works correctly.” He pulled a runner out of the back room, an odd wooden device that looked like a basket crossed with a spider; eight wooden legs holding up a wooden basket. Runners were convenient, strong, and could be used as firewood when the enchantment wore off. Brant started gathering items from Mama's list and piling them carefully into the runner.

“Well...okay, if you're sure...” Kaelyn said. Brant nodded. “Go ahead, I'll send this along.”

“Okay then. Thank you, Brant,” Daisy said and led Kaelyn outside.

As the two healers walked across the town square to the Fountain, the town's more popular inn, Kaelyn motioned to Daisy that they should talk for a moment.

“What do you make of what you saw in Brant's head? That wasn't like any internal injury I've ever seen.”

Daisy waited until they had a respectful bubble of space around them so she could talk freely. “I don't know either, Kay, but Master will know. He didn't seem very physically injured at all, the crate wasn't that heavy that fell on him, and he didn't have any real bruises. But our work is done, and we got a free runner out of it; so Mama will be pleased. Now, let's go see who is at the Fountain!”

#Chapter

Ellis, Strand's young new priest, walked in and looked around with a quiet air. Kaelyn hadn't spent all that much time in Ellis' company, and wasn't particularly eager to rectify that tonight, but it seemed that Ellis was looking for company and came and sat at the table next to Kaelyn.

“Healer Kaelyn, it's nice to see you.”

“Hello Ellis.”

He ordered and took off his frock, laying it aside between them. “How fare your studies with Master Colm?” He asked.

“Quite well. Daisy and I are learning much, and I look forward to the day when I can start to serve others in a broader capacity. Colm is a good master.”

“Ah, that is excellent. Healers provide such a needful service, almost as great as the Divine Service. Which...I believe you have missed these past few weeks?”

“Ah, there it is,” Kaelyn thought. “It does appear that way, doesn't it? I'm sure I'll make it this week, Ellis.”

Ellis didn't directly reply. “You seem to be a person of great potential, Kaelyn. Have you ever considered joining the Priesthood?”

“Ah, that is quite direct. But, honestly, no. I am quite happy in my role taking care of the physical bodies of my neighbors.”

“The two are not incompatible. Many priests are good healers and vice versa.”

“That is true...” Kaelyn started, but Ellis seemed to have more to say.

“In fact, Brother Maynard of Aelem started his career as a healer, much like yourself, when he found that infusing the power of his Faith, and of course the power of the Divine, into his healing practices, he was able to increase his abilities greatly.”

Kaelyn wondered briefly if this lecture had been prepared for her specifically or if he was able to come up with these on the fly.

“I of course find faith to be a great comfort and help, and look to the Divine for guidance as do we all,” Kaelyn said, and found that she meant it, to a degree. Perhaps not to the degree that Ellis did, but her faith was extant.

But it wasn't quite enough, it appeared.

“I think you could do great good in the Church, Kaelyn. I think you will find that what you are doing now, working with herbs and roots, is a pale comparison to the true strength of focused faith and will. Your labors would not be replaced, only increased, if you were to spend more time on contemplation of divinity.”

“Thank you, Ellis, I will remember that,” Kaelyn said, eating quicker. Presently she saw Daisy. “If you'll excuse me,” she said and rose, walked calmly to her friend and said “Daisy, we were just leaving,” Daisy saw her look, saw Ellis, and nodded. Patting a new longshoreman on the arm she said, “it has been so nice talking with you!” and left with Kaelyn.

“Thank you, Daisy. Who was that?”

“John? He's been in town a few days now, came in on a merchantman but wants to stay on land for a while he said. He seems nice!”

“I'm sure he does.”

“Don't be like that. We can't all moon around the wizard's apprentice! You should be grateful for John!” Daisy laughed.

They walked past the dry goods merchant just as Brant emerged, leading the runner. “It should be to your house before you,” he said as it took off down the trail with magical determination.

“Thank you, Brant!” Daisy said smiling brightly. Brant just nodded and went back inside.

“That was good timing...or he was waiting...” Kaelyn said and Daisy shook her head fondly.

“Wow, you are in a mood today.” Daisy said and laughed.

The sun was setting behind them, over the ocean, and the sky ahead was flaring up in golds and reds as the sunset painted the clouds and the mountains. The light all around seemed more golden than normal, richer and somehow nostalgic. A breeze shook the aspens and they whispered their secrets, dropping leaves like floating coins as the young healers passed. They walked, now talking quietly of very little, now in silence, until they arrived home, the cool air putting color in their cheeks as they entered the kitchen and put away their things.

“Mama, Kaelyn got you a special fire marble made by the best apprentice in the world!” Daisy sang out and Mama laughed.

“So Sonja is letting Mason enchant his own fire marbles is she? Well well, he must be coming along in his art.” Colm said as Kaelyn glared at her friend. “Well, we can leave our current one in the kitchen full time now, and use the new one in our workshop and maybe get some more time out of the old one. And what's this?” He asked as Kaelyn handed him some coins. Daisy told their master about Brant's injury and his insistence that he cover the cost of the runner that had brought their wares home.

“How interesting. Tell me more about this sore spot you sensed. Daisy, you first, then Kaelyn.”

“Well, master, it felt...red? And it was pulsing, but it felt out of rhythm with Brant's heartbeat. Slower, I think... Would you agree, Kaelyn?”

“Not yet, not yet, she'll answer next. What else?”

“Um, it didn't feel like a physical ailment, and the healing energies didn't seem to be swarming to it... In fact, I couldn't really detect any injury to his body at all.”

Colm sat back. “I see. Okay, Kaelyn, what can you add?”

“Well...Like Daisy said, it seemed to have a rhythm to it, and, I know you tell us to observe without interpreting, but it felt...sullen. The pulse to it was slower than Brant's, longer waves.”

“Don't doubt your insights, either of you. If you sensed that it was 'sullen' there is something in you that identified it that way. Perhaps I will check in on young Brant when next I go into town. But now, ladies, let's help Mama with dinner.”

Dinner was as always a joyful affair. Sometimes Colm and Mama's children who lived nearby would visit, but tonight it was just the four of them. Colm told old stories that made the apprentices laugh, Mama smiled tolerantly at stories she'd heard a hundred times. After a brief lull Daisy turned to Kaelyn and said, “you know, I don't think you've ever told me why you decided to be a healer.”

“Nor you, which is surprising,” Kaelyn replied.

“I asked first!”

Kaelyn shifted a little and said. “Well, I don't know that I ever decided, exactly. My mother tells it that I was always tending to things; even before I could speak I would watch her in the garden and learned to pick the weeds and keep the plants alive. As my siblings came I spent a lot of time just caring for them, and I guess I started showing some knack for keeping them alive as well. The local healer, Master Davis, said that he thought he should charge double for visits to our house, once for the cure and again for the fact that when I watched him prepare a cure I could usually prepare it myself the next day. It all just seemed so...natural, so simple. So when it came time for me to choose a profession I naturally chose healing.”

“Davis was a good student,” Colm said and Mama smiled. “And a kind boy,” she added. “He met his wife just before he came to us, and used to write her the longest letters. He's the only apprentice Colm ever had to teach to make his own paper and ink, he went through it so quickly.”

“But what about you, Daisy? How did you find your way into the healer's art?” Kaelyn asked.

“Oh, it's not anything that magical; I got hurt a lot when I was young, and spent a lot of time with the healer. Master Anna is also very kind, and she would joke that she spent half her time in the forests near our town looking for herbs and half looking for me, and so she might as well train me to look for the herbs myself. I loved her cabin, it was always so interesting and full of that amazing scent that you only get in a healer's hut. Which...I now know is mostly basil and cedar, but at the time I thought it was what magic smelled like,” Daisy laughed as she finished.

“Oddly enough, Anna wasn't one of my apprentices,” Colm said, “She was an apprentice of my first apprentice. Goodness I'm getting up there in years.”

Mama stood and kissed her husband on the forehead. “That you are, old man. So let's get you to bed sooner so you stick around longer. Ladies, will you clean up?”

“Of course, Mama,” Kaelyn said and started clearing dishes. As they cleaned Daisy and Kaelyn spoke little, it was an easy chore and Daisy had learned that her new friend didn't always need to fill the silences. But as they were putting out the candles she asked, “have you seen that runner? It should have disenchanted and I wanted to stock the firebox.”

“No, I haven't. It was brand new, maybe it headed back to town.”

“I'm sure that's it. Well, good night, Kaelyn.”

“Good night Daisy. Sleep well!”

#Chapter

“Kay, will you go tell Daisy it's time for breakfast? It's not like her to sleep in this late,”

“Of course, Mama.” Kaelyn said and headed up the stairs to Daisy's room. She knocked but there was no answer. After a second knock she pushed the door open. Daisy's bed was made and her nightgown folded neatly across the back of the chair standing next to her bed.

“She must be out gathering this morning,” Kaelyn said. “She's not in her room at any rate.” “How odd. She didn't tell me she was going out early, perhaps she went out very early.” Mama said and served breakfast.

While Daisy's absence was noticed at breakfast, it was a matter of concern when it was time to start work. Colm hadn't been told she was leaving either. Colm and his apprentice tried to work for an hour in the morning but it was obvious that they weren't going to get much done that day. Finally Colm said, “Let's go into town, and see if our wandering flower has wandered down there. I'll tell Mama that we're going, unlike Daisy, and perhaps she can talk to some of the other families out here.” Kaelyn nodded and waited outside for her master to emerge.

“Where did Daisy go when you were in town yesterday?” Colm asked. Kaelyn listed all of the stops she knew about, mentioning Brant again and then remembering Daisy's brief discussion with John the longshoreman.

They arrived in town, the presence of the master healer was enough to warrant some discussion, but Colm handled it well.

“It appears my other apprentice took it upon herself to get some early chores in, and is a bit tardy in returning. Also I came to follow up with the young man who was injured in the dry good store yesterday,” Colm said, affably and cheerfully, giving the impression that this was nothing more than youthful forgetfulness, and a visit with a perfectly normal explanation.

But such pretense can only hold out for so long against the collective imaginations of an entire town. Interest seemed to peak when it was discovered that Brant, too, was missing. But speculation rose to a fever pitch when John was found to be equally absent. That the pretty young apprentice healer might wander off with a boy or a longshoreman was interesting, but the flights of fancy about duels and love triangles and revenge that swirled around Kaelyn and her master soon took on a life of their own. Kaelyn heard sources affirm that they had seen Daisy leaving town the night before in the presence of one or the other of these young men, despite Kaelyn's repeated protestations that Daisy had eaten dinner at home, and had walked there in Kaelyn's company and none other.

Others suggested that Daisy had left in the presence of one young man, hotly pursued by the other. Suddenly the sleepy town of Strand was the scene of a wild romance, a maudlin play of passions that grew more heated with each retelling. So it was somewhat of a disappointment when John came rowing around the headland, whistling quietly to himself as he brought in a haul from his early morning fishing trip.

Then things got even more surreal. Though Brant and Daisy had never spent any significant amount of time together, the wild romances were tempered slightly, not dispelled, by the appearance of the supposed other man. Suddenly it was common knowledge that the healer and the shop boy were prone to secret liaisons. Kaelyn tried to refute these, for a time, although it was like holding back the tide. The general consensus wasn't just that the two had effectively eloped, but that it was a good match. Overall the town seemed to wish the young new couple well.

Watching Kaelyn's face through all these discussions, watching her try to do her best work as they visited home after home that told them fantastic new stories about her closest friend in Strand, Colm finally suggested to Kaelyn that they walk out into the woods for a bit, to gather a few necessary ingredients for a specific against fall allergies.

They walked to a small clearing where a stream pooled, on its way to the sea. Sunlight played on the ripples in the stream as Colm settled himself on a stump that had been cut and left there for this very purpose.

“Now then, Kaelyn. We've heard what everyone else in town thinks. Why don't you tell me what you think happened to Daisy.”

“Master, I...I don't think she left with Brant. They've never been close, she's never even really noticed him all that much. I mean, more than we notice every person. She's been polite to him, but to think that she would suddenly run off with him, without telling you, or me, or Mama, it...it makes no sense.”

Colm nodded, moving slowly, as he often did when considering his next move carefully. “In Strand, right now, honest and good people are remaking Daisy's reputation. Yesterday she was a kind, outgoing, friendly girl, but was also respected. She was known to be serious when needed, to be close with other's secrets as befits a Healer, strong as a boy her age, and wiser than one might expect of a woman so young. But now she is turning into a giddy, easily persuaded thing, silly and somewhat short-sighted, having fallen in love with a shop boy and desiring to marry him immediately.” Colm was silent for a moment, looking into to the water but deeper into his own mind.

Well, spontaneous, or seemingly spontaneous elopement does happen, of course. To my certain knowledge there are two settled and respectable families in town that were started when two young people disappeared for a season and returned wed and with child. But Kaelyn, the other apprentice healer, feels that this isn't the story we're seeing played out. Kaelyn, who has been trained to observe, to consider, to know people, feels that this story doesn't work.”

Kaelyn felt, suddenly, that Colm was looking at her heart. He hadn't asked a question but she felt a response was needed.

“Master...I also know what they will say if I object any more. They will say that Kaelyn, the shorter, less-blond of the two pretty apprentices is jealous that her stunning friend is the center of such a lovely story. They will say that Kaelyn's jealousy drove her to invent plots and conspiracies, and the thousand and one conspiracies they themselves invented will be attributed to me.”

Colm laughed gently at this. “As I said, quite the observer. Okay then. Know that your master knows your heart better than that, and has heard the genesis of these thousand stories, and knows that it wasn't with you. Tell me what you think.”

“Master Colm, I honestly don't know. I don't think she ran off with Brant, she has too much respect for you, and for herself, to do such a thing. She is happy but not flighty, not inconsiderate.”

“Do you suspect Brant may have taken her against her will?” Colm asked, quietly, face serious.

“Master...to make such an accusation...”

“You are not accusing, Kay. You are suspecting.”

“Perhaps their disappearances are coincidental, like John this morning...”

“But what do you suspect?” Colm asked again.

“I...I suspect Brant was involved, and that Daisy...didn't accompany him by choice.”

Colm again nodded quietly. “Tell me about Brant. I've seen him, of course. But tell me more. Draw him for me in words.”

“Well, he's pale, freckled, red hair that never quite seems under control, green-gray eyes. He's not very tall, in fact he's a little shorter than me. Or perhaps he is taller than he seems; he tends to walk like he's trying to take up less space. He's skinny, almost scrawny.”

“If here were to try to overpower Daisy...” Colm began and his apprentice laughed.

“Forgive me master, but first, he would never be able to do such a thing, and second, he'd never be able to think about doing such a thing. There was a look in his eyes yesterday, when he looked at Daisy. He...he seemed to think she was...special...deserving of great respect...” Kaelyn faltered, fear suddenly clutching her heart. She had taken Brant's look for mere infatuation, but sometimes infatuation led to other emotions.

“Master...Daisy went to bed the same time as I did last night, after you and Mama, after we cleaned the kitchen. Surely we would have noticed if Brant was in the cottage; or we would have heard if he had tried to get into her room...” Kaelyn was near tears.

“Calm yourself, We need to be calm to help Daisy. Besides, think for a moment. You said yourself that Daisy's bed was made and her nightgown on a chair. This doesn't suggest she was snatched from her bed, unless it was the most polite and orderly kidnapping ever. We don't yet have all the facts, and the answer may be less traumatic than we are imagining. But I want you to know that I believe you. I confess that I would be unsurprised if a young woman ran off with a young man. But if you say Daisy didn't do that then I think you are right.”

Colm stood up and stretched his back for a moment before stooping at the stream to drink a little of the cold water, and to splash some on his face. “Let's head home. Mama is waiting for us and I think there are things we need to do there.”

#Chapter

She obediently followed him into the familiar room. The smells of basil and cedar, the smells that Daisy had called “the scent of magic” suddenly impressed themselves upon her again and she realized how much she missed her friend. “This is somewhat unorthodox, but there is precedent,” Colm was saying as he unlocked and opened a large trunk behind his workbench. “I know of at least three occasions where this process was followed,” he said, searching through the trunk. “Ah, here it is.”

He turned to Kaelyn, holding a small hand scythe. “Admittedly, we borrowed this from the druids, as our healing art grew out of their natural magics.” The scythe glittered like liquid silver in the candlelight.

“This was bestowed upon me by my master at the start of my Sojourn. I cared for it, used it, learned about it and from it, and returned it to him when I applied for mastery. It is a mark of no small honor that he chose me to carry it forward when he left the art some two decades ago.”

“Master Colm...am I to leave you? I...I don't know that I'm ready to start my Sojourn, especially now...”

“Ah, now we come to the abnormal thing. Kaelyn, I bestow upon you the rank of Sojourner, but I also give you a special Sojourn.

“You have sworn to protect those in your care, as a healer you can have no other or higher oath. I place Daisy in your care. Your Sojourn is to find her and ensure that she is cared for. Take then the symbol of the healers, the scythe.”

Kaelyn again felt like crying. She wasn't ready, she didn't want to be ready. Master Colm noticed this and his face softened as she accepted the scythe.

“But, given the special nature of this Sojourn, it is perhaps prudent that you stay close to Daisy's last known location. Therefore, Sojourner Kaelyn, I offer you shelter under my roof, as any healer would offer their support to a Sojourner.”

It took Kaelyn a moment to understand the import of her master's words, and she laughed with relief when she did, then composed herself before answering.

“I thank you, Master Colm, for letting me take shelter with you as I embark on my sojourn. I'm sure my master will also be pleased when I inform of your hospitality at the end of my sojourn.”

Colm laughed softly and patted Kaelyn's hand.

Mama opened the door, holding something in her other hand. “Congratulations, of a sort, Kaelyn dear.” She said, holding up her burden. It was a long cloak, made of a soft and supple material, not the rough cloak her master often wore of the more traditional cloak and cowl healers often wore when traveling to mark their profession.

“It's dove gray, of course, as you studied under Master Colm,” Mama said as she motioned for Kaelyn to stand up and fastened the cloak across the younger woman's shoulders. Kaelyn looked slightly quizzical and Mama laughed. “We give you all the clues, but you apprentices never seem to think that one through.” Mama hugged Kaelyn close and said, “Okay, well, Sojourner, you are ready. But be ready tomorrow. Sleep tonight. We knew you would make your Sojourn early; would that it were under happier circumstances. You've got a lot to do, and you'll be doing it with just a cloak and a scythe. But we have faith in you.”

“One last word, Kaelyn. The scythe is sharp, yes, but do not dishonor it by using it in violence.”

“Master Colm...I would never...” Kaelyn began but Colm just held up his hands. “I know, I know. But now you know as well.”

And like all very special moments, this one passed, and they went into the kitchen to eat dinner as they had done every night. They spoke of normal things and tried not to think too hard about where Daisy was or why. As Mama had said, there was time for that tomorrow.

#Chapter

But...after breakfast. Somewhat self-consciously Kaelyn put on her new cloak and told Colm, “Master, I believe I should learn more about Brant, so I'm heading back into town...if that's okay...” She hadn't meant to ask permission, that wasn't how it was done, she wasn't an apprentice any more. But just telling Master Colm what she was doing, it seemed disrespectful.

“That seems like a good place to start, Sojourner.” Colm said. “I wish you good luck.” He smiled. “You know that you don't need to ask permission any more, but you don't want to be disrespectful. Trust me to know you better than that, my friend. Follow your intuition, and ask me for advice, but not permission.” “Thank you, Master Colm,” Kaelyn said and headed outside. She wondered how obvious her new rank would be to others in town; those who have seen Colm's apprentices would know why she was wearing a dove gray cloak...Suddenly she was very self-conscious.

But also determined. This was important, this was Daisy. She stood up straight, and walked into town with confidence. She was a Sojourner Healer now, capital letters and all.

A few glances were cast her direction as she walked into the town square, but she had one target in mind right now. Heading straight for the dry goods store, she smiled at people she knew...and realized something. This wasn't hard, these weren't strangers. This was still “her town” even if she was promoted now or whatever.

She found Eric tending the shop when she entered. “Hello Eric, how are things today?”

“Good, Miss. What can I do for you today?”

“I'm concerned for Brant, and wondering where he went, wondering if he was fully healthy,” She said, all of that actually true, although not entirely accurate as far as her motives were concerned. “Could I see his bedroom? Perhaps there are some hints there.”

“Well, I guess that would be all right, Miss Kaelyn, if you think it will help.”

“Honestly, Eric, I don't know if it will or not, but I'm doing my best.” Eric seemed to consider this and nodded. He led her to Brant's small bedroom above the shop. It was a typical hired hand type of room: a bed that was meant to outlast a thousand tenants, a nightstand built of raw wood, a dresser that had been in the home as long as the home had been there. “Thank you, Eric. I suspect I will be down shortly,” Kaelyn said and unfastened her cloak, laying it carefully over a chair. Eric took her meaning and left her to it.

So. Now she had access to Brant's room and no idea what she was looking for. But she had a nagging thought. That...sullen spot in his mind. That was something. She had no idea how to find an emotion in a room...but maybe this was the point of the Sojourn: to use your skills in new ways. She closed her eyes, and let the feelings of the room soak into her mind.

Being a healer gives you a different view of the world. Healers know more about people than “nice girls” should know; there are few realities of the human condition that stay hidden for long. This room was...was permeated with the feelings of being a teenage boy. And it almost made her cry as she felt what it must be like to be Brant. Fear, desire, curiosity, these were similar to her own feelings, but with a harder, more urgent edge. Kaelyn was considered reticent when in comparison to Daisy, but Brant...Brant had been cut off almost entirely. She sat delicately on the chair, feeling her cloak with one hand, eyes still closed.

In the dark, the smallest amount of light eventually makes an impression. And so it was with Kaelyn's senses as she sat there, eyes closed. Slowly she became aware of a red...spot in the direction of the foot of the bed. As she sat still it grew in her mind, a sullen...yes, it was the same feeling. A sullen red spot. She opened her eyes and walked to the bed. Then, glad that Eric had left the room, lay full on the floor, looking under the bed. Yes, there it was. A book. She pulled it out and put it in her satchel, worried that it might destroy the energies she had worked so hard to instill in her herbs. But it couldn't be helped. She needed somewhere to focus and read. And she had an idea where she might go.

She put her cloak back on and headed down the stairs. “Thank you, Eric. Tell me, was Brant studying anything beyond the mercantile profession when he lived with you?”

“Um, I don't know what you mean, Miss. He never went to any classes if that's your meaning.”

“That's good to know. What did he do in his free time?”

“Well, sometimes he would go out into the woods, but so does anyone. He spent a lot of time alone in his room. Ma said that weren't healthy for a young man, but Dad said Brant was his own man and to leave him be.”

“Hmmm... Well, thank you again, Eric. Oh, by the way, when Brant sent a runner out to Colm's cottage...did it return that night?”

Eric looked at her like she was speaking crazy. “Um...runners don't usually return, Miss. You should have used it for firewood, I would think.”

Kaelyn smiled gently. “That's good advice. Thank you again, Eric.” She said and left the building, heading to the edge of town, to a place that might be able to help her with understanding why a book would feel...ugh, she needed a new word, sullen.

Or maybe she just wanted to see Mason again.

The bell over the door rang as Kaelyn entered the wizard's workshop. Mason was bent over a workbench, heavy book in front of him on a stand, while Sonja carefully measured some powder into a wide, flat dish made of glass. Sonja looked up from her work and turned to face Kaelyn.

“So, the apprentice...no, the Sojourner comes again. Have you so impressed Colm so quickly? That's no small feat, girl. And what can the arcane arts do for the natural?” Sonja's voice was a low, clear alto, powerful and untarnished for all of her apparent age. So too were her eyes sharp and clear.

It would be pointless to dissemble even a little here. Kaelyn pulled the book from her satchel.

“I know that objects can have energies, beyond their inherent materials, and while our art doesn't use books, but I know that yours does. This book seems to have a...negative energy. I'd like to know more about it.”

Sonja was opening a small cupboard before Kaelyn had stopped speaking and pulled out a small device that looked like a pince-nez made of ruby. She looked at the book in Kaelyn's hand and...froze. No exclamation, nothing so amateur. But every part of her indicated that this was suddenly very important. Keeping her voice impassive she said, “Mason, this would be a valuable learning opportunity for you. Come, observe through the spectroscope, and give me your impressions. Sojourner, would you please set the book on the workbench...not just there...here, between these sigils.” She said, all business.

Kaelyn set the book down on a section of the workbench that was made of a different wood...it looked like oak, and each corner had sigils picked out in inlaid gold. The four sigils shone briefly as she set the book down.

Mason took the pince-nez from his magister and came to look at the book. He had yet to learn his teacher's self control, and the look of shock that crossed his face was quite obvious.

“Have a seat, Sojourner.” Sonja said, and Mason silently brought a chair over for Kaelyn.

“Perhaps you had better explain; this requires some context, I think.”

Kaelyn nodded and explained briefly about the disappearance of Daisy and Brant. Mason nodded but Sonja listened intently. “I see...honestly I hadn't thought about that. Apprentices disappear all the time. Can't be helped. But you saw more. Go on.”

So Kaelyn explained about the runner, and Daisy's meticulously neat room, and her own fears, and Colm's charge. Finding the right pace for Sonja was frustrating; some parts of the story were met with “of course of course, what else?” While other points that Kaelyn had thought minor were scrutinized, and Kaelyn often felt that she had somehow given a wrong answer.

”...And then I brought the book here, I figured your workshop would be safest place, should it be...malevolent.”

Sonja nodded. “Sensible. Marion taught you sense, or you've always been sensible. Don't know; haven't really paid you much attention yet. Might have to now.” Kaelyn had absolutely no idea what to make of that.

Sonja stood and paced the length of the workshop. Kaelyn looked to Mason for any advice, but his alert eyes were focused on the older woman. After her second circuit of the room Sonja came and stood in front of Kaelyn. Even seated, Kaelyn was almost as tall as the Magister.

“Sensible decisions should be rewarded. You are free to use the secure bench. Don't move the book, it's safe where it is. You can come here at any time. We can answer questions, Mason can help you if you need his help. But this is your responsibility, Sojourner. So said your Master, I won't gainsay.”

And then she stood there, bright eyes focused on Kaelyn's face. Another test.

“You've never seen this book before, but...something about it, something you saw through your device...told you something. Something you didn't expect.”

“True.”

“But it fit something else you already knew about.”

“Also true.”

“What did you learn? Can I use your device to learn the same thing, or does it require proficiency with your art?”

Sonja smiled a thin, tight smile. “Good question. You wouldn't understand what you saw, not without training. Mason understood. Mason, tell the Sojourner what you saw.”

Mason nodded, and looked at the ceiling to focus his thoughts. “There is an aura...an 'energy' as you say, around that book. It's powerful, in a way beyond the normal power of words. The energy is negative, again you were right. We have seen evidence of a...similar energy being practiced, some days ago. We have been researching it, because it's not something you want in your town.”

“Are you being elusive on purpose,” Kaelyn asked. “What is being practiced?”

“Can you read, Sojourner?” Asked Sonja.

“Of course.”

“Then read the book you have brought us. We are not being elusive, we just want your unbiased opinion. Form an opinion, then ask again.” Sonja said, then looked around. “Lunchtime, I think. I'll go eat. You are free to stay here, come and go as you please, just close the door when you leave. Good luck, Sojourner.”

#Chapter

Embracing Chaos

Being a new system of Magic

Kaelyn gasped quietly. “Chaos magic? That's not supposed to be possible...” She said under her breath. Magic operated by cause and effect; the more pronounced the effect you wanted, the more work you had to put into the cause.

She considered asking Mason what wizards knew of Chaos magic, but decided to forge on ahead without help at least for a little. The author of this book had bad handwriting, and a certain unpredictability when it came to capitalization, but seemed ironically well organized for someone trying to base magic on chaos. The second and third pages were taken up with a table of contents. Kaelyn scanned the chapter titles and was less and less comfortable with each one:

1. The great Lie of Order
2. Balance and re-Direction
3. The many Uses Of the Blood
4. On conversing with The Agents of chaos
5. The Redirection of Cost
6. Spells AND Rituals
7. Index

Okay, the Index didn't make her particularly uncomfortable. She suspected she understood the first chapter already; albeit from the other side. Order sustained the universe, without it there was no guarantee that day would follow night or that eating would sate hunger. So a person who sought chaos would see this as an externally-applied tyranny... Kaelyn suspected she knew the type. So instead she skipped to chapter 2.

At present the elemental Chaos inherent in AND underpinning the universe has been trapped behind, or Beneath, the veneer of order, and those who seek to Free Chaos must therefore have some understanding of that Veneer. Order demands that effect have a Cause, that Reactions stem from Actions. At present we must abide by this Constraint. However, there is a Loop Hole that can be used, for the true student of the Chaotic Nature. The price that is Paid for each desired outcome can be REDIRECTED to another sentient being, Will He or Nil He.

In this Innovation, the Practitioner acts as a catalyst or conduit and through them the power of Chaos flows and is Shaped to their Will...

It went on like that. Kaelyn skipped ahead to the next chapter, but was only able to read a little bit. Not that she was squeamish; a healer deals with blood all the time, of course. But this was the opposite of her art. A healer knows about blood to return it to its true purpose, to clean it and encourage it to clean the body. To a healer, blood is an ally, indeed it's almost sacred; its the symbol of the body's ability to self regulate.

This was a perversion of all of that. Discussions of how blood could be an agent of decay, descriptions of using blood to mark things, to mark one's self, to seal dark pacts by mingling blood. Kaelyn was about to skip to the next section when she felt a small tab on one page, deeper in. Someone had folded a small scrap of paper around one of the pages. Kaelyn turned to that page, which was in the “Spells AND Rituals” section. And her heart froze.

The Summoning Of Sacrifice

If you would summon a Greater Devil, more is Required, for the DARK Lords do not respond to the lives of mere animals. Though the process be Repugnant to Lesser Minds, it is in FACT quite simple. A SACRIFICE of a maiden of marriageable age, but as yet Unwed, in a basic Pentaform Sigil, if performed at the Dark of Moon, will Bind the Will of a Dark Lord to yours...

“Mason....Mason? Where are you? Oh. Mason, come look at this,” Kaelyn said, shaking. She stepped aside to let the apprentice wizard read.

His face grew serious, and determined. She admired that; instead of being scared he became focused, and she found his determination bolstering her own.

“This page was marked...and this book came from under Brant's bed, in his quarters above the dry goods store. Mason...I'm worried about Daisy.”

Mason just nodded and looked at Kaelyn, then stopped to do some mental arithmetic. “The next new moon is... Well, it was just full moon two days ago. So we have twelve days.” Kaelyn nodded uncertainly, it wasn't something she had much attended to. “If you say so.”

“Should I go get the Magister?” Mason asked. He stood and was halfway to the door that led to the living quarters.

“Not...no, not yet. I think we can figure this out. We have a pretty good idea of what...I think it's obvious that it's Brant now... We know what Brant is thinking...and we have time to find him. Tell me, Mason...if words have power, am I in danger of...tainted notes? If I take notes on what I've learned from this book, are those notes also evil? I don't...that is, healing magic doesn't really work this way.”

“No, it's down to your intent as you write. Whoever wrote this was studying the forbidden art, and this was their record of that. This is evil because of its intent. It has nothing to do with the Divine, or even with the Natural.”

Kaelyn noticed once again that Mason's diffidence and lack of self-confidence disappeared when he was in his element. He answered questions clearly and directly; she suspected that was from Sonja. It was also fun to watch, especially when he realized he was doing it and stopped doing it.

Which happened...now. “Um, anyway, so no, your notes should be perfectly safe. Also we will keep the workshop safe, if you want to bring Master Colm here to verify.”

Kaelyn considered that. She would like her Master— that is, former master's— opinion, but she wanted to have her own ideas first. She felt that was what he was expecting of her. Then she got confused, trying to decide if she was just doing what she thought he wanted, or if she was doing what she actually thought was right, then she couldn't decide if a just-starting-out Sojourner could do anything other than what they had been taught by their master, and if independence came with time and practice. Then she stood up and took a breath.

“I think I need to take a walk for a bit. Will I be able to get back in? Do you lock the workshop?”

“We do, Sojourner—”

“Mason. I can't tell your Magister what to do, but if you start referring to me as 'Sojourner' I might go crazy. I need someone to just sees me as me, not as a title or a rank or whatever. Please just call me Kaelyn. Or 'Kay'. Kay works well.”

“Very well, Kaelyn. Um. As I was saying, we do lock up. There are some expensive and possibly harmful things in this workshop, even before you brought that book. But I can give you the password.”

“Oh, it's not a key?”

“Well, we are wizards,” Mason said, smiling a little. “He leaned down and whispered the password in Kaelyn's ear and she hoped he didn't notice the goosebumps that formed across her neck and scalp as he did.

“I'll remember that...thank you, Mason.”

And she headed out into town. She needed more help, and she needed some time to think without all these distractions.

Well, just one distraction, but he was very tall.

#Chapter

Kaelyn had always been orderly, careful, and disciplined. Now she felt like there were no more real orders, and she had to make it all up herself.

She realized she had been navigating based on the steeple of the church, of course. It was the tallest building in town, on a hill as well. Perhaps Ellis would have some advice about going up against a demon worshipper.

But asking Ellis for help directly was to invite another amazing lecture. Kaelyn could just ask for information...but that would also lead to a lecture. Well, she could handle getting lectured for a while if she needed to.

The chapel was always open, day or night, to offer sanctuary to any soul that felt the need to commune with the Divine. Kaelyn walked in and found Ellis sitting in a pew, looking up at a stained glass window. The window showed a scene of water lilies, jewel-toned greens floating in sapphire blue, the light scattered around on the pews near Ellis, and on his face. One of the things that had impressed Kaelyn when she first came to Strand was that the church, when they commissioned a stained glass window, hadn't chosen a scene from Scripture as was customary, but had instead selected a peaceful, calm image from nature.

Ellis looked around when he heard Kaelyn's footsteps.

“Miss Kaelyn, or rather, Sojourner Kaelyn, I should say. I take it congratulations are in order?”

“Ah, perhaps, Ellis. And just Kaelyn is fine, just as you have always resisted the use of your title. But I do thank you. Ellis, I have some questions, and I suspect they come closest to your purview.”

“The Church exists to answer questions, Kaelyn. Ask and ye shall receive.”

“Right, yes. Um. So, you know that healers are charged to keep certain things confidential, as we are privy to information that people may not want to be made public?”

“Of course. We are under similar charge. Am I to understand that you are reminding me of your oath so that I don't ask for names as I answer your questions?”

Kaelyn just nodded. “Thank you for understanding. Ellis, I need to know more about the...I don't really even know what to call them. The spheres of power. The Divine is a source of great power. But there is an opposite, is there not? The Diabolic? The Demonic? I don't really know what to call it.”

“That is a heavy topic. I will ask no questions, nor will I ask that you commend the soul of your patient to me. But let me try to understand your need. Are you seeking a way to break the hold of the Diabolic? Are you seeking to understand Order and Chaos more generally?”

“What... Order and Chaos? How do those enter into it?”

“Ah, perhaps that isn't taught as part of the Healer's art. Order and Chaos are the wellsprings of power, although only one is actually powerful, the other is counterfeit, faked. Order is the power that makes things. The light from the sun provides energy that allows plants to grow. Plants are eaten by animals, or by humans, who in turn build and create. Order dictates that the seasons follow one another in their regular order. The Divine is the ultimate expression of the power of Order.”

Ellis stood, perhaps without thinking about it, and walked back and forth in front of and below the stained glass window.

“The opposite, if such it can be called, is Chaos. For two things to be opposites they must be of the same type but differ in every other way. So it is with Order and Chaos. They are both sources, as you say, of power. But where order builds, Chaos can only destroy. Where order tends to greater glory, Chaos tends to confusion and ignominy. The Diabolic is the ultimate expression of Chaos. Where the Divine is all powerful, the Diabolic has no real power, only the ability to lie. The Divine offers power when we follow the rules laid out for access to power, the Diabolic pretends to offer power for free, hiding the true cost.”

“The principle of Exchange,” Kaelyn said. “Nothing for nothing, something for something. Each art has its cost associated with the practice of that art.”

Ellis nodded. “In the Church we hold that all arts ultimately spring from the Divine, save one. Thus each art is held to the principle of exchange, for it is the Divine's will that we each learn to grow and increase through the expenditure of our time and effort.”

“But followers of the Diabolic...”

Ellis made a face. “I don't know that such followers exist, not truly. But the Church teaches us how to recognize those who would tend that way. They seek to offset the price for power. They think that the cost can be paid by another, often, indeed always, against that person's will. There has been only one time when any price was paid by another, and that full willingly.

“I'll be blunt, Kaelyn. This is an ugly topic and unsavory, but I sense your desire is not for the tawdry, but to aid some unfortunate...and perhaps I can guess who. The Diabolic teaches a twisted version of sacrifice. Instead of sacrificing my own time, as I do in the service of the Divine, as you do in the preparation and administration of your cures, The Diabolic teaches that you sacrifice another being. Their lifeblood, to power your despicable arts. But again, this is a lie.”

Kaelyn nodded as Ellis stopped speaking. She looked up into the window. The sun had moved, and the blue and green light was scattered over Kaelyn's lap now, bright, scintillating gems with no physical presence. Ellis had part of the puzzle, there was something to what he had told her. But there was more, there was something still missing.

“Thank you, Ellis. I appreciate your honestly, your answers.”

“You are welcome, Kaelyn. I hope you find...what you are looking for.” He said and turned away, heading back to his office. “Wait, what do you think I'm looking for?” Kaelyn asked. Ellis stopped and turned to face her again, a little smile on his face.

“People often think that I must be in my own world up here on this hill, coming into town but rarely, focusing on my prayers and observances. They forget that what I hear, up here, is every secret they need to express. They forget that wounded souls come up here, and in my quiet, safe church, I see all those wounds. They forget that a good priest sees more of vice than of virtue, just as a good healer sees more of sickness than of health.”

Ellis turned back to face the window. “I wouldn't for the world slow you down. But know that he can no more harm her soul than he could turn the sun into the moon. But I suspect you have more...physical concerns. Souls are my business, saving the body...that's your Sojourn. And I will pray for your success.” Ellis said and walked quietly away.

#Chapter

And learning a lesson in humility. Her life had been filled with the knowledge that someday she would be an apprentice healer, then rise to Sojourner, then, someday, to Master. She had spent the day among others who have similar arcs in their art, people who knew what a gray cloak meant on a healer. And now she was spending her time among people who didn't. A few of the people she visited were obviously worried about her getting her “fine new cloak” dirty on their dirt floors, but nobody called her “Sojourner” or anything other than “Miss”. For all the time and effort she put into her studies and the pride she felt at being a Sojourner now, she realized that in the eyes of people who actually need a healer, she was just the younger healer. She was a source of hope, regardless of rank, and they would look to her for as long as she was able to deliver results. A healer who didn't help people was a failure no matter what her master said.

So she helped the sailor who had cut his arm and pretended not to hear the colorful language he used. She taught a poor fishing family that lived near the docks how to boil rags to sterilize them for use as bandages, and how sterile bandages changed frequently helped speed healing. She cleaned wounds, performed minor healing rituals, repaired plague catchers, and did all the little, mundane, often unpleasant things that made you a healer. And this was also part of the puzzle, something that fit alongside what Ellis had told her. There was something right about doing the ugly parts of the job, the boring and unpleasant and repetitive parts. There was no shortcut, and it seemed like Diabolic magic wanted a shortcut all too badly.

And so after the sun had set she made her way back to Colm's cottage, washed her hands and face thoroughly, and helped Mama set the table. They talked about things happening in Strand. Mama was excellent at teaching young healers what is and isn't appropriate information to pass on to anyone else, and gently corrected apprentices who told her things they ought not. Kaelyn and Daisy had thought they were circumspect until the hundredth time Mama told them “that's between you and your patient, dear, nobody else.”

So that evening Kaelyn only brought up topics that would be public knowledge; who was walking out with whom, how far along young Anna Taylor was with her first baby, and a little bit about seeing Mason and Sonja. Kaelyn realized too late that she had put the apprentice before the master but Mama just smiled.

“Sonja is the only person in town who calls you 'Marion' instead of 'Mama', why is that?”

Mama laughed. “She certainly isn't, dear. And that's partially because we're close in age; partially because she's never been one of Colm's apprentices, partially because she believes in the power of names. Did you know that ancient wizards would hide their true names, fearing that knowing a person's name would give you power over them? That practice has gone out of style now, as it seems that fully owning your own name is the way to claim that power, if there is any true power in it.”

Kaelyn paused for a moment. “Mama, We are all of us just as much your apprentices as the master's. You teach so much, and so directly,” Kaelyn stopped, not sure how to put the rest into words. The older woman just smiled.

“Aren't you sweet to say it, dear? Thank you, Kaelyn, for the compliment. It might be half true; Colm and I teach how to be a couple, how to live with mutual respect, love, and consideration. All principles which would hold regardless of what craft you or your spouse might follow. Neither of us look down on the other, both of us work together regardless of the work being done, and overall things work out. The principle of exchanges is a real part of human relationships as well.

“Mind you there might be a few extra wrinkles between, say, a wizard and a healer, but I suspect that they would work those out in time.”

“Mama!” Kaelyn said and laughed while blushing.

“You could do worse, Kay. Just don't get married before you get Daisy back, that's all. She'd be furious.”

Kaelyn laughed a little, but the thought of trapped Daisy sobered her quickly. “I think I can guarantee that, at least. Is Colm coming in for dinner? I need to talk with him.”

“He'll be back shortly. Go change, Kay. It's never a good idea to come to the table wearing clothes that have been out visiting.”

“Yes Mama.” Kaelyn said.

#Chapter