Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan Read Free Book Online Page A

Master of Healing. He’s the greatest healer in the Empire. They say he can stop pain just by moving his hands over a person, that he can even do major surgery, and his patients feel nothing. He teaches that skill to his disciples at the Citadel. I’d give everything to be one of them.”
    â€œHevron says you’re his best student. I heard him discussing you with one of the other tutors.”
    â€œHevron’s always telling me I’m too soft. You must have been mistaken.”
    â€œI may be half blind and beautiful, but I’m not deaf.”
    Gabriel continued working in silence, acutely aware of the great healer at the other end of the ward. With all his heart he wished he could meet him. He stole another glance behind him and realized that the Grand Master had gone. Sighing, he turned to Edyth again and began taking another row of stitches from her cheek. Shortly Hevron arrived and watched in silence as Gabriel finished his task. Then the youth stepped aside, and the tutor unbandaged the wounded hands. The bandages were foul with green pus, and stank. When the hands were revealed Gabriel stepped back, unable to conceal his horror.
    Hevron examined the hands carefully, then said, with compassion and regret, “I’m afraid we have to amputate, Edyth. Gangrene has set in. It will spread unless it’s totally removed. If it’s not dealt with now, eventually you’ll lose your arms and suffer a lot more pain than you’re in now. I’ll remove just the three affected fingers on your left hand. As for your right . . . Well, I’m sorry, but that will have to come off at the wrist.”
    â€œWhen are you going to do it?” asked Edyth in a flat voice, her face expressionless.
    â€œWe’ll give you something for pain, and do it in an hour,” said Hevron.
    â€œWill Gabriel help?”
    â€œNaturally. He’s my best assistant, and we’ll be as quick as possible. Bring a strong decoction of valerian, Gabriel, and give it to her. Stay with her till it takes effect, then come and get me.”
    They both left, and Edyth lay back, her eyes closed, her dour face more twisted than ever in her efforts not to weep. Shortly Gabriel returned. With infinite gentleness he lifted her head and pressed a goblet to her lips, but she grumbled and spat as the bitter potion went down her throat, and she cursed him as he lay her down again.
    â€œNo wonder half your patients die,” she growled, “when you give them that kind of muck to drink.”
    â€œYou’re not going to die, Edyth.”
    â€œMight as well. Can’t earn my keep, with no hands.” She turned her face away and told him in coarse language to leave. He stayed where he was, smoothing back her hair and stroking the agonized furrows on her brow. She felt him slip something beneath her blanket.
    â€œI hope that’s not money,” she hissed. “I don’t want your pity.”
    â€œIt’s my knife.”
    â€œHow thoughtful. I’ll be able to slit my throat.”
    â€œIt’s to sell. The handle is silver, and the stone an emerald. It’s antique, very valuable, so don’t let anyone offer you less than a thousand hasaries for it. You’ll be able to rent a room somewhere, and have enough for food for a few months. You might find someone to share the room—free rent, in return for looking after you.”
    â€œDamned fool,” she muttered, weeping at last. “More money than sense.”
    â€œYou’re probably right,” he said, smiling.
    It was late in the afternoon when Gabriel went home. The day was still hot, and he walked slowly. Suddenly he remembered that Hevron had wanted to see him again, but he had forgotten in the busyness of comforting Edyth after her ordeal, and washing her, and giving her some broth. It was too late now to visit the tutor, so Gabriel resolved to see him first thing in the morning.
    The marketplace