A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) by Matthew Mitchell Page B

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