Von felt completely foolish. "I was sparring with my best friend Mon, and I don't know what happened. Everything was fine, then every time I tried to attack her, something happened, A tree branch got in the way, or I tripped over a root, or my sword got caught or bounced off one of the limbs or trunks. It was the most humiliating fight ever. Somehow, I could defend myself just fine, but when I attacked, all I could do was clobber myself. I had the worst luck ever."
"Has this happened to you before?" asked Tyia.
"No. Me and Mon are usually on the same side against the other boys. We always win, but both times I fought against Mon, I get all clumsy. I can't seem to pay attention, my mind wanders and I slip on the wet grass, or I see her long wavy amazing mane and don't watch my step, then trip on a small hole or hill of dirt or roots, or my own two feet. Maybe I just don't want to actually want to hit her, and my body reacts to it. She is my best friend."
"Possibly. Perhaps you are a Fate Spinner and cause yourself bad luck around people you care about so you don't injure them then save your good luck for later. You do seem to have a slight aura of mana about you, slightly less than mine, but you are still young yet. You also seem to have some small affinity for magic probably not enough to become a full mage, but enough to cause some bad luck or maybe even a healer's aid." With this, Tyia gave Von a smile.
Von suddenly looked hopeful. "Does that mean you can teach me to use my mana to heal myself faster? I will do anything you say."
"Right now, you need to get some rest. It takes time to learn to use mana to heal yourself. First you have to understand your body and be able to concentrate on the smallest things inside it. It is very slow going at first, but you do have some potential. Maybe in a few days we can see if you can heal part of your scratches. For now, let's get you back to sleep and let your body work its natural healing," she said giving Von some hope. "Here, drink this," she said handing him a cup of a warm foul-smelling liquid.
I took it and suddenly remembered having had it before held my nose with my left hand gulping it down quickly. While I lay there, I pondered how many parts my body might have, and how difficult it would be to get them to do what I wanted. I only had a week to get back to full health and vigor, and I refuse to miss the knight's test. I could not wait another year. As these thoughts were going through my mind, my eyes were getting heavy.
I didn't even realize I had drifted off to sleep until later. Upon waking, the light was dim, but I heard Master Whitehair's voice speaking to someone. "I will see if he's awake. If he is, you can speak with him. If not, you can sit quietly beside him. If he wakes, fine. If not, don't wake him. The draught we give him speeds his body's ability to repair itself, but it works best while he sleeps."
"I understand," came the soft girlish voice from beyond the doorway. "I will let him continue to sleep."
I heard Mon's voice and tried to sit up. My head went light causing me to flop back against the straw pillow. "I'm awake," I croaked. My throat was a little sore, and I needed a drink, but I was feeling quite woozy. Still, I was glad to see Monica. It was the first good thing since their battle. "Let her in."
"Von!" She exclaimed. Running to my side, she gave me started squeezing me in a large hug. At least my chest didn't hurt. "I've come by every day, but you've been asleep. They said you were awake the day before yesterday, but they had to give you a healing draught because your head isn't quite healed enough for you to sit up yet."
"Day before yesterday? What day is it? How long have I been here?" I tried to sit up again but I was shaky and unsteady. Monica tried to help, but Master Whitehair came in and set my head back to the pillow.
"Don't get up yet. You need to get rid of the unsteadiness before trying to sit," Master Whitehair stated firmly. "If your head doesn't heal right, it may take weeks. You are making progress, but it will probably be another day or two before you get your balance back."
Monica glared at Von. "Don't make yourself worse. Healers always put their patients first. They hafta. You want to get well, don't you?"
"I want to take the knight's test and become a page. To do that, I need to get out of bed and be able to fight in a week."
Monica looked at him carefully knowing he would be upset. She whispered, "five days. It's been over eight days since they brought you here. Our fight was eight and a half days ago. The test begins in five days, but with all the kids from the keep who turned seven, and all the pages and squires who hope to show off their skills and knowledge, not counting those from the surrounding villages, it will probably take two days for the tests to be complete. There are also a number of knights who will attempt to compete at the tournament for a better ranking the first day, so you may get an extra day, but no one knows yet."
I was completely demoralized. I couldn't even sit up yet, but now, I had less than five days to register and prepare for the test which would make me a knight. If I didn't take it this year, I would have to wait until next year and be so old, I wouldn't get into a good house, maybe no noble would even look at me. "Mon, can you see if there's a healing wizard in the visitors who come to watch? I need one to help me get better in time."
Monica nodded. "I can look. I don't know what to look for, but I can ask around and look. I already feel bad because if I hadn't agreed to practice with you, you wouldn't be here."
"I know my mom will be back in time for the test, even though she can't train me. Maybe she can help, or maybe she can afford a strong restoration potion, so I can take the test. As a champion knight, she makes a good amount of money. Can you ask her when she gets home?" It was worth a shot I thought.
She nodded, "Her letter said she would be here with the duke. I will ask when they arrive. Since the duke is coming, maybe they will have a stronger healer, or one of those healing wizards with them. Surely the duchy would have access to one, wouldn't they? They have at least one of every other type of wizard: fire wizards, water wizards, air wizards, weather wizards, earth wizards, diviners, animal wizards, mental wizards, everything. Maybe they will bring one of them, or an alchemist with them who can help too." Monica started to get excited for the possibility of seeing magic and the excitement started to rub off onto me. So far, except for one illusionist years ago at the baron's ascension, and a circus wizard long ago. I hadn't had any contact with real magic.
"I hope so! That would be perfect if there was a healing wizard and an alchemist. They could heal me and make me stronger for the test! You're the best Mon! Maybe one of the other types of wizards can do some healing, too. Can't animal wizards heal animals? I remember when the circus came through, they had one who helped keep the animals healthy. Maybe they can do people too! Will there be a circus this week too?" Suddenly I felt hopeful for the first time in days.
Monica looked at Healer Whitehair with large hope-filled eyes. "Do you think there will be any of those this year? Von is like a brother to me."
"I don't know, young miss Cooper. I've been so busy with Von these last few days, I haven't asked around. Perhaps one of the other shopkeepers might know or one of the innkeepers. For now, we should probably let Von rest a bit more." He began to nudge Monica toward the doorway. As they passed through into the entryway filled with vials and jars, he leaned down closely and whispered, "I know he wants to participate this year, but his head is still swollen. Tyia and I have tried to help him heal, but it will be a few days before we expect him to get out of bed with help, let alone him having the possibility of walking as far as the parade grounds. I don't think this year is in the stars for him."
Monica looked upset, but whispered back, "I know I will find someone who can help. I'm good at that. I'll ask all the other kids to help, and they can ask around too. If there's anyone who can help, someone will know. They will surely tell one of us who it might be. I'll also ask the innkeepers to listen for rumors of other healers who can help you with Von. This means everything to him. I have my future as a cooper, but Von has always wanted to be a knight. If I can help him I will."
"I understand. I hope you find something for him just to help him feel better." With these words, he gently edged Monica through the outer door into the streets, closing it behind her.
Walking back into my room, he banked added a couple of small logs next to the fire, then poured a cup of something from the pot above it. Giving it a sniff, he wrinkled his nose and nodded. "You will need more rest, Von." He passed the cup of healing draught to Von. "Soon, you won't need this, but for now, it helps."
I took the foul-smelling cup and once again holding my nose, gulped it down. I returned the cup to the healer and felt elated about getting to see Monica. I could hear the light wind blowing through the window as an added bonus, it carried the scent of cooking meat and fresh baked bread into my room. Thinking about the possibilities of getting more help and even better, still being able to take the test this year my mind began to say prayers to every deity I knew who might bring healing. I was still thinking about this as I noticed I had shut my eyes. My final thought before falling asleep was the possibility of being chosen by the duke to be his page. These thoughts filled my dreams.