Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Seventy-one

            The physicians gathered around the stretcher as soon as it came through the clinic gate. They watched Healer Park assess his son's injuries. The junior who had gone with the team spoke quickly. Healer Park nodded his thanks then signaled to have the tourniquet loosened for a few moments.

"Do we have any extra fine needles left?" he asked. An assistant came running with the reserve kit. "Alright. Let's get the field cleaned up. Healer Bang, you have the most experience with this type of repair. See if you can save the boy's leg." He gave Junseo's hand a quick squeeze then walked away.

The apprentices looked shocked. A senior healer noticed so came over to explain, "Don't think Healer Park is being cold. He just knows when emotions might get in the way of what must be done."

"Can you even imagine if you had to amputate your son's leg?" One of the apprentices choked.

"Exactly," the senior answered then sent the apprentices back to their regular duties. There were still many patients to tend.

Cuts, bruises, and broken bones were the most common injuries in the quake's aftermath. One apprentice observed how the loudest complaints tended to come from the least injured. His fellows frowned and shook their heads. It was bad form to talk in front of patients so even if they secretly agreed they would never say it aloud. They were just grateful the extra pair of guards were still there to help keep the line in order. They were all too busy to notice the small party of visitors huddled in the corner by the front gate.

"You need to tell them," In-Yeon pleaded, "They don't know me but if you ask."

"Just what am I supposed to say? Send a runner. Our seer thinks Junseo needs all of his crystals." Scout Jia frowned.

"Why not? It's the truth. Just talk with Healer Park. He will understand." In-Yeon looked close to tears. He had just woken from a vision of a bone saw being readied for use. "Junseo needs the dragon's help but he can't reach her from here. Not on his own."

San Jin did not need to listen to more. He gestured for a guard to help him up and went to find Healer Park himself. He ignored the complaints from the patients he cut ahead and introduced himself to Junseo's father. At first, he was met with gratitude but then a bit of incredulity.

"Scout Jia explained you are here to help him recruit and you headed today's search."

"It was a joint effort made possible by a special connection between your son and our youngest trainee. I know Junseo had trouble with his resonances, so I have to ask if you know where he stored the rest of his crystals? The thing is, we think he needs their strength. Can you send a runner?"

"No need. He kept them here at the clinic. If you think they will help. They didn't before. Quite the opposite." Healer Park frowned.

"It should be easy enough to tell if they are working. Please try before they take his leg."

"If it needs to come off there is no reason to delay," Healer Park looked pained.

"A minute or two won't matter. Isn't it worth a chance, even if it is a small one?" San Jin was prepared to beg but Healer Park handed over a plain ebony case.

He jotted a quick note to send with San Jin and explained, "I don't want to rattle the team. They have to know they have my complete trust to make the hard decisions." Healer Park then motioned for an assistant to lead San Jin to the makeshift operating theatre.

Healer Bang frowned deeply when he saw the young man approaching. "We can't have more contamination in this field," he declared gruffly.

"If it would help, I can raise a cleansing barrier." San Jin waited for the man's nod before leaning into his emerald's energy. He was still tired from his earlier efforts but managed to anchor the field. Then he approached the table where Junseo rested. He decided to put all the colored stones into place before adding the clear boosters so slid the torque with its pure sapphire up his friend's arm before easing the ruby ring into place.

He stood back after he tied the rest of the bands around Junseo's wrists then looked around for the belt In-Yeon had brought to the cavern. He was surprised by its weight when he picked it up from the counter and laid it carefully across Junseo's chest. The chips in the belt's design rippled then all the clear crystals on Junseo's wrists started to brighten.

San Jin stepped back, shielding his eyes. He heard a deep chime and the ground rumbled. A pearly fog pooled under the table, rising inextricably to hide the patient from view. San Jin breathed a sigh of relief. He remembered vague dreams about the dragon's breath and felt certain she had come to aide one of her favorites.

"What have you done boy?" Healer Bang asked pointing the end of the bone saw at San Jin.

"I think restoring his stones gave Junseo enough strength to call for help. That is what it looks like but I am not sure. Have you ever seen dragon's breath before?"

The whole surgical team backed away shaking their heads. Healer Bang looked from San Jin to the table where his patient was wrapped in a dense cloud and back again. "Not possible. I have treated Junseo since he first showed up with a diaper rash. It's just not possible and especially not this far from the capital."

San Jin did not argue with the man. He just found a clear spot on the floor and crouched down. He rested his head on his arms and listened to the faint music he remembered from one of his dreams. He felt a touch of gentle warmth and drifted off.

Healer Bang shook his head then turned to his team. "Not a word. Do you understand?" he looked each one in the eye. Then he looked back to where his patient was still shrouded from view. He shrugged and went looking for an explanation from the boy's father.