The Lifesaving Power: Goldenfields and Stronghold Read Online Free PDF

man. “This fellow doesn’t deserve your care, but I admire your kindness, so I’ll help you,” he said as he easily raised the body in his arms, and followed Alec to the stables. “You’re staying in here?” he asked in surprise.
    Alec shrugged sheepishly, slightly embarrassed now to let this man see how tight his finances were, that he had to sleep with the animals. “It’s got a roof, and the straw’s better than the ground.”
    “ A fighter like you can earn the coins for better than this, young as you are,” the burly man said. He followed Alec’s direction and lifted the injured man up to the hay loft.
    “ I’m hoping to get a job tomorrow,” Alec explained.
    “ You’re a fighter, and a trained medic; there’s only one place that combines those skills. Were you from Goldenfields before Bondell?”
    “ Yes,” Alec replied simply.
    “ Shouldn’t you be going back to help the Duke? He’d welcome more fighters with what he’s facing,” the former antagonist persisted in questioning Alec.
    The question stung. “I hope to get back the soon, but just not yet. Are you a recruiter for Goldenfields?” Alec asked.
    “ My name’s Parlton,” the man replied. “I’m no recruiter, just from the Duchy and a supporter of the Duke.”
    “ I’ll take it from here,” Alec said, wanting the encounter to be over. “He reached over and touched Parlton’s lip, letting a small trickle of healing power affect the swollen flesh. “Sorry about that,” he added as Parlton pulled his head back in surprise from the unexpected motion.
    “ You’ve handled yourself well tonight, youngster,” Parlton said. “Good luck, and I hope we don’t meet so badly next time,” he added before he was on his way.
    Alec sat in the straw and looked at the prone form next to him. He didn’t know what he’d do with the injured man once he was on the ship headed down river tomorrow, but he could at least provide sound care for the man tonight. He sent a new stream of healing power into the man, then rose and climbed down the ladder to tend to his horse, brushing the animal and reflecting on the patience Walnut had shown throughout their long journey together since leaving Bondell weeks before.
    That night he dripped water down the throat of the injured man, prayed for healing and used his healing powers more to make the man sleep and recover, and then fell asleep himself.
    Alec awoke in the morning as sunrise brightened the loft. He gathered his thoughts and then decided to make another effort to use his spiritual ingenaire powers to soften the heart of the injured man. In his brief contact before, Alec had sensed hatred for everything around him; as he let himself make contact with the man he tried to infuse a sense of God’s love for the world and for all men. Without training Alec couldn’t be sure if he had any impact, but he felt better for trying. Alec next aimed more healing power at the man’s face.
    As the morning passed, Alec grew impatient. Consum had told him to be early to the docks, and already Alec felt late, not to mention he now realized he wasn’t likely to have time to get to the bank to pick up the money he needed. He woke the man and explained to him that his eyes had been injured, then asked if he had any family in Redwater who could look after him for a day or two. The voice that came from the bandaged head was groggy, and Alec knew the man didn’t fully understand what was happening, and apparently didn’t remember what had happened the night before. The man’s uncle Pytor lived nearby though, so Alec slowly guided the man down the ladder from the loft, and put him in Walnut’s saddle, then led him to the home of Uncle Pytor, left him with a servant along with directions on how to treat the wounds, and swiftly headed back towards the river, hopeful that he was about to resume his journey towards Stronghold.
    At the gate to the dockyard he was allowed to enter without question after he explained