Jayr left Von's room at a quick pace. As he passed the main study of his way to the outside door, he knocked. Once he heard the corresponding, "enter" from inside, he stuck his head inside. He noted the elderly man pouring over an ancient tome which occupied over half of the large walnut desk.
"Master Whitehair," giving the master healer a curious look while motioning to the enormous book. "His majesty has ordered I send a message to the white council to obtain access for the Grotto of the Gods for young Von. Upon my return, I would appreciate the chance to speak with you about the elixir and other matters."
The hall master looked up from his reading and with a slight nod stated, "I understand. Finish your business. I shall be here until the evening bells."
Knowing he would be permitted to speak with Godfrey later, Jayr exited the Hall of Healers. He looked at the two horses hitched to the porch before mounted the shorter chestnut stallion. He flicked his wrist sending out a tiny bit of mana creating a small swirl of wind to the reigns wrapped about the post causing them to fall loose and fly back to his hand.
Putting his hand to his mount's withers, he sent a thought to the into its brain. We have a task, Mustard, I need to get into the pigeon post within the keep, the sooner, the better. The horse, Mustard, was used to his master speaking to him this way. As they maintained contact, he felt a surge of strength entering his body, his eyes sharpened to better track where he was headed, and his hearing could now detect a fly several yards away. With his newfound strength, his master felt light as a child, so he picked up speed using his enhanced senses to keep clear of the other people and creatures which might obstruct his path.
As this was not a keep Mustard was familiar with, upon reaching the gatehouse to the keep's town, Mustard paused for a moment to allow his master to ask directions. He waited impatiently until from his back, Jayr asked of the footmen, "might I know the location of the pigeon post?"
The pikeman on the right spoke loudly in an odd accent, "The nobles use t' one in the east tower of t' inner courtyard. If yer lookin' for the common pigeons, Head t' gatehouse an' turn past t' Broken Mug. T' nex' building holds t' pigeons."
Did you understand him?
Mustard nodded and proceeded through the barbican into Blackstone city. Taking his bearings along the walls, without any additional nudging, he made his way toward to inner gatehouse to the keep proper. He passed several interesting pubs and a stable filled with young mares eating what smelled to be fresh oats and brown mustard seed, his favorite, he noted this location in his mind.
Before we go back down, you should get a meal from the place with the pig on the sign. It smells good there. They have a stable for me as well with fresh oats. Mustard sent his thoughts through Jayr's link, omitting the fact there was brown mustard.
You just had feed at the hall. Are you hungry again already? Jayr inquired. Suddenly a feeling of embarrassment came to Jayr's mind, and he decided to let his faithful steed continue carrying him to his destination. Picturing in his head an overweight chestnut horse, he sent his thoughts: I will consider your advice.
I only look out for you. If you are hungry, you tend to be brutish and you haven't eaten since breakfast. The horse admonished.
Knowing the bit and bridle were only for show, provided he could make some sort of contact between his body and Mustard's, he shook his head in disbelief. He had never been cruel to the horse, nor has he used spurs or whip. Once he had sent his strength and enhanced Mustard, he was as intelligent as any human and could comprehend several languages. Letting the horse know where he wanted to go, then discovering directions was enough for the horse to take him there. This communication was one of the perks of being a healer of both men and animals. Having touched an animal, he could sooth or enhance it with his mana, just like a human. This also allowed him to communicate through the same touch. Brutish indeed.
Mustard returned the mental equivalent of a laugh. He'd been with Jayr for four years now, since Jayr rescued him from a goblin warband near falls keep. Originally, he belonged to one of the royal knights who lost his life to a log trap missed by the scouts. While Jayr was a strong healer, healing a decapitated body was still beyond his abilities.
Arriving at the tower, the guards bowed as they recognized the crown on his whites. "Master healer, we thank you for gracing our presence." Both guards at the base of the tower recognized the description and regalia of the king's own healer as the red-headed healer's appearance was known throughout the kingdom.
Nodding, he dismounted and entered the tower disrupting a card game taking place on the ground level. Seeing the crown, the knight facing the door jumped up from the table, the table tilted and cards and coppers flew everywhere, yet no one said a word until Jayr was up the steps to the second level out of view.
Reaching the second level, and continuing on past the beds, up a second and then a third set of stairs, he reached the roost for the doves. The soldier present looked at the uniform in awe while Jayr ignored him, grabbed a cage with two large doves at random. Removing the first from its cage, he imparted a portion of his mana into it. The bird's appearance grew as did its wingspan, nearly doubling. Giving it explicit directions to its destination and a clear image of the woman to whom it should deliver its message. He imparted into its memory the giving of King Garret's permission for the boy, Von Zupan, son of Lady Maude Zupan to enter the Grotto of the Gods. He added his own thoughts to the bird's mind requesting directions and permission of the healers to conduct the young man thereto. He then imparted additional mana into the bird making it even stronger, faster, and wiser than any potential bird of prey which might be in the area. Lastly, he stored additional mana into a metallic band covered in runes and placed it upon its leg above the foot. After asking the dove to repeat everything back to him, and noting it was perfect, he released the pigeon to the air where it swiftly flapped its wings and gained altitude.
As he began the same procedure on the backup dove, the keeper of the birds, finally spoke. "Sir, these birds are for nobles only. They can only fly to certain destinations, and you have grabbed two going with nothing in common. How many rings will you be sending?"
Not looking at the keeper as he completed his work with the dove, he responded, "do you not recognize the symbol of his majesty, King Garret? I am First Healer, Jayr Elderson. Any expense occurred by me will be borne by the crown. Does it matter the number of birds I use?"
Looking abashed, the keeper shook his head. "No, but with the number of people arriving for the festival, we had to travel to gather enough birds to be able to send back daily messages for the various villages throughout the duchy and its neighbors. I am certain the crown will pay us, but the disappointed nobles may get upset if we cannot send word of the success of their children or themselves in the upcoming trials and tournaments."
Releasing the second dove, with the ring around its leg, Jayr looked to the keeper. These messages were sent directly from the king himself. If the additional doves need to be retrieved, I suggest you send someone for them. I believe two hawks should pay for the use of these two?"
Receiving the two silver coins, the pigeoneer bowed. "Yes, milord healer, two hawks are more than enough for the king. I shall call for a transporter first thing in the morning. May I inquire how long these two will be gone?" The keeper stated, hoping for a swift return and added profit.
"You may inquire of the king on the morrow, if you desire. If he answers you, you will know." With this Jayr left down the stairs leaving the pigeoneer's mouth agape. Upon reaching the ground floor, instead of a game of cards, the knights were meticulously sharpening their weapons or polishing their armor hoping in his haste the king's representative might have missed their earlier endeavor. He hadn't, but he knew how boring watch was for those not actively on the tower or at the door. He could forgive them. On a different day, he might have considered joining them, and possibly not reading their minds.