Wizard's Blood [Part Two] by Bob Blink

face.
    Each of the family threw a look in Ronoran’s direction, and in some cases a quick nod, but the focus was mostly on the arrival of Morin, who hadn’t been expected for some days yet. It took a bit of time for the large group to gather and then be introduced to Ronoran. Interest picked up when Morin announced Ronoran was a friend of Jolan. Even more interest was raised when Morin said that he’d had a drink with Jolan less than two weeks before, and that he was now a mage in good standing with the College in Angon. Ronoran winced a bit at this, since their status was somewhat undetermined at the moment, but didn’t think it wise to say anything about those troubles.
     
     
    “ Are you sure this is safe?” asked Ingari when Morin explained what he wanted to try.
    “ Jolan and Ronoran tell me the ring saved one of their friends who was very badly wounded. It uses the power, but it is designed to help. You’ve got to try Ingari,” Morin pleaded. “You know that without help you haven’t much of a chance anymore. None of the doctors know what to do.”
    Ingari looked at her husband of thirty-two years and sighed. She didn’t like the power, never had, but her illness was weighing heavily on him. If there was a chance, any chance, she had to try. Besides, she would like to be rid of the constant discomfort. It was actually pain of late, not just a heaviness inside, that made her tired.”
    “ Okay,” she said finally.
    Ronoran looked at Morin and when he nodded he moved over and sat beside her on the couch. He wanted to tell her he’d never done this before, but decided that wouldn’t help her uneasiness.
    “ Just give me your hand,” he said. “All I need is to make contact for the ring to work.”
    Slowly she held out her hand, and Ronoran took it gently between his own. At first he thought nothing was going to happen, but then the stone began to glow more brightly and the light seemed to flow from the stone and over and around Ingari’s arm. It looked as if it disappeared into her, and suddenly her eyes grew wide.
    “ Does it hurt?” asked Morin concerned.
    She shook her head from side to side.
    It took almost a minute, the glow almost painfully bright at times. The light seemed to pulse as it performed whatever miracles it was about, and then it suddenly began to dim, the light pulling back into the stone, which returned to its more standard faint glow.
    Both Morin and Ronoran looked anxiously at Ingari.
    “ The pain is gone,” she said in wonder. She reached under her blouse and felt. “The swelling is gone too.”
    Ronoran let loose of her hand and allowed her to stand. She stood erect as opposed to the slight bend she had been displaying since they had arrived. Whatever pain had caused her to crouch had now dissipated. She looked years younger already.
    Ingari reached for Morin and gave him a hug. When Ronoran stood he received one as well, which embarrassed him mightily.
    As the women rushed off to prepare dinner, Morin looked at Ronoran and the ring.
    “ Thank you,” he said sincerely. “I don’t think she would have lasted through the winter.”
    Ronoran nodded but said. “You were the one who found the ring in the first place. It is only fitting that it was able to help you. As Jolan said, the user is only a conduit. I had nothing to do with what happened.”
    “ Do you realize how much good that ring could do on the battlefield. How many lives could be saved?”
    Ronoran shook his head.
    “ I don’t know if Jolan knows, but I suspect he must. The ring is limited. I could sense it as it worked. It can help, but used constantly as it would in a hospital or on the battlefield, would consume it. It needs time to recharge, and should be used sparingly when there is a real need.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Morin, Ingari, and Ronoran waited outside the gate of the estate in Carta. They had already delivered the load with apologies for the lateness, and now waited for permission to enter the