by John Migacz
CHAPTER 68
A bright sun rose the next morning over a quiet town. Only a few hardier souls were still celebrating. Few people greeted Balthus and Adrianna as they walked to the infirmary. Most were still sleeping off the night’s libations.
They entered the ward and Adrianna stared. The room, which overflowed yesterday, was less than a quarter full now. Dieya was bent over a patient lying on a bed near the door. He stood up, arched his back and stretched.
“Dieya,” said Balthus, “have you been up all night? You should get some rest. Let us take over.”
“It’s not necessary,” he said. “All here have been attended to.” He waved his hand to the patients still remaining. “These men need more rest but they will all recover. The ones that I healed last night were able to leave under their own power.” He smiled. “I think the best medicine was the sound of raucous revelers. The ambulatory ones didn’t want to miss the celebration. I healed one man of an axe wound and he left. Two hours later, I healed the same man of a broken leg he received when he fell off a table he was dancing on.” Dieya shook his head.
“Do we need the men any longer?” asked Balthus. “I would like to get them paid off and out of town before we put any further burden on the townsfolk.”
“Good idea. Let us announce that we will be paying off the men today and consider their service at an end. That should send the farmers home in time for the late planting.”
“Do we have the coin for that?”
Dieya chuckled. “We will. I should have it here by midday, now that I can dim again.”
Balthus went in search of Captain Queekal. He found him with his men in the large tavern they had been using as their headquarters.
“Balthus, Adrianna!” shouted Queekal from a corner table in the rear of the common room. He motioned them over. It was hard to hear over the din. The party was either still going on from last night or starting anew. “Is it true?” he asked as they joined him at his table. “I heard that we were being paid and released today.”
Balthus poured drinks for himself and Adrianna. “Yes, everyone will be paid today in full. But if you have no other pressing engagements, I do have another job for you.”
Queekal smiled. “That would depend. If it is anything like this last one, you can keep it.”
Balthus returned the smile. “No, this one should be easy. We need someone to escort the wounded back to their homes. It might be slow going, but it will be good pay for little work. You and your cutthroats are heading back anyway, I gather.”
Queekal emptied his cup and nodded. “I’m sure we can come to an agreeable price. To tell you the truth,” he glanced at Adrianna, “and that’s only ’cause I’m drunk,” he looked back to Balthus, “I’d have done it anyway, but a little more gold never hurts.”
Balthus stood and held out a hand to Adrianna. “Good. Then we’ll see you in the pay line.” They waved goodbye and walked out to the street.
“Remember last night’s conversation?” asked Adrianna.
Balthus nodded.
“Well, I’ve thought it over,” said Adrianna, “and I think you are correct.” She twined her arm through his. “When the time is right, I will follow your lead.”
Balthus smiled and squeezed her arm. “Then there’s nothing left to do here but pack up and get out.”