A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) (7 page)

"There is usually a family that builds wagons for all the other Wanderer's in the area. These look to be made after the same idea as barrels, a good idea. Each family or person will pick a theme to paint their wagon. If no other person has that design then they have it painted. If someone already has that design then they change it. Each wagon will be unique." He motioned to different wagons. "If you look closely you will notice that each wagon has been customized. Learn what was done to each wagon and why. Perhaps you will discover something that you would like on your wagon." He smiled and nodded at Tulip's wagon. "I like the awning that extends off the back of her wagon. She can have a little shaded work area without having to unpack a tent."

I walked around a bit and looked at each wagon. Overall there were ten wagons. Each had different features, some for utility, some for comfort. All the people were proud of their work and showed me how each thing worked. Some even discussed what other changes they were planning on making. I realized that these wagons were their most prized possessions, constantly being redesigned and changed. I heard a loud horn ring out across the camp, which was now a group of wagons and people. Calls and cries could be heard as the animals were commanded to move forward. Wagons groaned as they started to roll down the road. I made my way carefully back to where Stain was walking.

"So, did you find out anything interesting?" Stain asked me as I joined him.

I nodded, "There is some basic things that all wagons have in common, yet each is customized and shaped by the various needs of each person or family."

He grinned, "So that means you and Raven need to consider what you will need. We could acquire a wagon and team. That way you have time to do the work it will need."

I looked at him and smiled, "That sounds reasonable." We walked a while in silence. The road we traveled was well built from stones. Walking along a smooth road was much easier than climbing through the woods. Stain was showing that he was indeed changed to a younger version of himself, there was a spring in his step as he strolled down the road. "Should we be harvesting anything along the road?" I posed this question to him after a while of walking.

He looked off to the side of the road. "I believe that most of the plants along this area are of little use to us as healers. The plants of good use have been harvested. Only the weeds stay on to grow. We will travel all day and set up a minor camp tonight. We will do this for a few days. There should be time for you to explore and possible find some plants that we can use to increase our stores."

A child ran up to Stain at that moment, "Sir, my momma needs you. She is hurt." He turned and ran back down the line of wagons as Stain and I followed. We stopped beside a red wagon decorated with flames and metal. This was the smith's wagon. A woman sat on the back of the wagon, blood dripping down her arm. "A stupid cut, I tripped and caught on a hook." The woman looked more upset about getting hurt than hurting.

Stain walked up and looked at her arm. The meat of the upper arm had been ripped open by a metal hook. The woman's expression never changed as Stain examined her. Finally he stepped back, "This is bad. I can help but the best thing will be for you to rest and allow it to heal." The woman nodded.

"Will you close it up?" She looked at the cut.

Stain nodded and pulled out his basic healers pouch. He pulled out a few items and a vial. Holding up the vial he stated, "This will clean the wound, but it burns like liquid fire."

Her eyes brightened, "I help my husband tend the fire. We will see if it burns the same."

Stain poured the clear liquid into the wound. The woman inhaled sharply at the pain yet held still. Stain gently squeezed the wound and the liquid bubbled up slightly. "Good, it has worked down into the cut. Once it dries I can close the wound. Then you will have to keep it clean and change out the bandage. I will give you the salve to put on it each time." He sat beside her and pulled out some bandages and a small crock of salve. After a bit the wound was dry and he stitched it up with small, tight stitches. "There, that should heal with a very small scar. Now, this salve will help the cut to heal and also keep it from getting angry. Keep a bandage on it to keep it clean." He finished up her arm by wrapping a bandage around her arm and tying it tightly. "Let me know if there is any change. If it looks red, swollen, or oozes then send for me. If I can not come then my apprentice will come. He can handle this with no problem." He gathered up his things and we walked back to our place in the line.

We walked for a bit before I asked any questions, "So that is the kind of thing we will be doing?"

Stain nodded, "Most injuries are minor. Cuts, broken bones, simple things. However, we will also help with illnesses, births, even death. That is the life of a healer, trying to ease the hurt and suffering." He grinned broadly. "You will learn. You already know most of the basics of healing and have learned much more since traveling with me. We will continue your training. It will be what keeps you fed and well on the road." He spent the rest of the morning talking about the various types of common issues people might have on the road. Most of the new information covered injuries that involved wagons, large hoofed animals, or camping in large groups. "You must always be prepared to establish a sick tent. No one comes near it and no food is shared. Once someone or something enters the sick tent area it does not leave until everyone is well. That prevents the rest of the camp from catching the sickness." A horn blast suddenly rang out down the wagon line. Stain looked up and smiled, "Time to eat our midday meal. Shall we join the ladies?" He walked around the wagon and almost ran into Tulip.

"Watch it old man." She teased. "Ott, water and feed your animals. Raven is dealing with mine. Stain and I will grab the food and we will make a fine picnic for a few moments." She climbed into her wagon.

I grinned and proceeded to do as she told. Tag and Evins were thankful for the water and rations. Tag as always shared a comment, "I think you need to consider that a packshell is not going to be the best animal to pull a wagon. Look around and find out all the information you can about the different things that pull wagons. There is a great many of different creatures and just as many different reasons to choose each type."

Evins tossed in his opinion, "Be sure to pay attention to the drivers also. Each person has a different driving style and that reflects on the animals."

"Thank you for that, I never considered that I would need to pick that out or what might go into that selection." I scratched both of them behind their heads, something both enjoyed. I rejoined our group just in time to sit down and eat.

"Perhaps you could share one of your stories?" Stain asked Tulip.

Tulip smiled, "Not now. This is a short stop and I am hungry. Perhaps tonight would be a better time for such story telling."

Stain nodded and ate his meal. Raven grinned at me. "Tulip has been sharing observations about wagon design and the animals to pull them. There is a lot that goes into wagons and such."

I laughed, "Stain and I have been discussing it also."

Tulip smiled, "If you plan on spending your lives in a wagon then you need to make it a home, not just a rolling tent. It needs to be yours, customized for your needs. The same goes for your team. Mine are tough little donkeys. They will pull until they give out and eat very little. Which keeps my work at a point that I can care for my team without help."

We discussed different aspects of picking out wagons and teams the rest of the break, until another horn blast rang out. Tulip stood and headed towards the front of her wagon. "Time to get moving again. Raven, time to put into practice what I taught you."

Raven hurried to the front of the wagon and it soon pulled away from Stain and me. We quickly gathered up our gear and followed the wagon. The rest of the day was a blur of walking along behind the blue swirled wagon.

***

That night we pitched our tents around the same fire as Tulip, at her insistence "You three are under my charge during the trip, we might as well share the fire as well as the road."

"How long will it be before we reach the city?" Stain asked Tulip.

She sat and thought a moment, "We will reach the main group in two more days time. Shadow's Edge is a day and a half travel from the main group." She picked up a garment and worked on a torn spot.

We each finished setting up our tents and getting the campsite ready for the evening. Raven had cooking duty tonight.

"I need to check on the smith's wife. A day of traveling can upset even a minor injury." Stain picked up his healer's bag.

"Shara got hurt?" Tulip asked in a worried voice.

"Just a cut. I had to stitch it up and apply some salve. It should heal well, I just want to be sure it is closed up tightly and healing correctly. Ott, come with me and pay attention." We walked from our campsite into the main campsite. "The wagons are always pulled up in this fashion. It helps to have the same basic layout every time. Everyone knows where to be and where to find everyone else. Also it keeps the camp tidy." We turned and walked towards the smith's campsite. Shara was tending the fire and the young child sat beside her. A massive man was working with some tools at the back of a wagon. He turned as we entered the light of the fire.

"Welcome Master Stain, Ott. Thank you for such a prompt response today." He set down a hammer and shook our hands. "I assume you came to look at Shara's arm?"

"We did. I wanted to make sure it was healing correctly after a day on the road." Stain sat down beside Shara. "How is it feeling?"

She grinned, "Much better, it itches slightly at times. I changed the bandage and applied more salve at the noon break." She held her arm out so Stain could examine it.

He unwrapped her arm and I could see that the cut was healing nicely. The bandage had a small amount of blood on it but no pus or ooze. "Good, it is healing well. Change the bandage three times a day and apply the salve. When it runs out you should be able to leave the bandage off unless it will get very dirty. Again, any change of color or discharge and summon me or Ott." He stood up. "I think it should be fine after a few weeks. Expect it to be sore and tender for a few days at the very least."

"Thanks again for taking care of my wife." The smith grinned and held out a small pouch. "Something you might find useful."

Stain hesitated to take the pouch, "I already have an agreement with Gorcy for my services."

The smith grinned even broader, "So you do. This is in appreciation for such a prompt response and for your kind manner. Many healers lack both."

Stain nodded and accepted the pouch, opening it revealed a bunch of fine metal needles lined up. "This is a great gift. Thank you."

The smith nodded, "With the way life on the road occurs I figured more needles would serve you better than me. Also you know Shara and Gena. I am Talbert. If you need anything metal we focus on that. It would be a pleasure to help you."

Stain shook his hand and then we headed back to our site. "This is a nice set of needles. We will probably need them, just as he stated. A good smith is an important person in any situation."

"They are both smiths. He works on the larger pieces. Shara works on the ones needing fine details. When they work together it is amazing to watch." Tulip was working on another damaged garment.

"They gifted us with these." Stain showed Tulip the pouch of needles.

She grinned, "Shara's work from the look. Those will last a good long while. She also makes my sewing needles, the best ones I have ever found." She held up her needle, it looked much like a miniature sword.

Stain nodded and put the pouch away, "I have seen many such needles and these are some of the finest tipped ones I have ever seen." He sat down and looked around. "So, how many people are aware of your special abilities?"

Tulip gently shook her head and grinned, "This is my family. All the adults know. The children lack some discretion so they just know I am the little, old, wise lady." She grinned at this. "There are a handful of special people throughout our larger group. I am the only one with this small group."

"Are there any other healers in the large group?" Raven posed this question as she handed out bowls of a road stew.

"Yes there are. However, I would say none are at the same level as Master Stain. We have a few healers who can deal with most issues. Having a fully trained healer in our midst will be a welcome relief." She looked closely at Stain and I. "There are a few people who have suffered long and hard that I would ask you to consider doing a true healing upon."

Stain looked surprised, "Would this not reveal our own special abilities?"

She nodded, "It would to a few. However, we can keep secrets better than most."

"Then we will consider it. Ott may have to perform the healings at the time. He is quite good at such things." Stain made this comment with a lot of humor in his voice.

"So, let's move on to lighter things. You made that last comment with a smile." Tulip pointed out, "What is the story behind such a comment and the smile?"

I blushed at Raven's chuckle. "Ott has a way of making sure that when he heals the person is truly healed. I had broken my leg just days before meeting the group on the road."

Tulip looked down at Raven's leg and then over at me. "Truly? But you do not limp."