The Path of Giants, B.T. Narro [the speed reading book .TXT] 📗

soon after arriving in Dorrinthal. They said they would return for another trade. The king seemed to be very happy with how the first trade in history had gone between humans and krepps, though I wasn’t informed as to what exactly had been traded with the savage creatures. All the king told us was that preparations needed to be made before any of us would be informed.

My task that sent me out of the castle was different than everyone else’s. Given my ability to heal, and especially given the king’s need for coin, I had spent the last few weeks visiting cities and towns all around Lycast. I offered my healing services to everyone free of charge, though it was also my mission to prepare people to give coin to the tax collectors who were to come soon after me. My healing of their injuries and sickness had no relation to the taxes they would have to pay; this I made clear. The amount they paid was purely based on what they had to give. The massive amount of coin Valinox had taken from the castle had not been recovered. This was the beginning of the collection of a crisis tax.

We were at war with Rohaer, and their king, Frederick Garlin. We needed coin to fight them. The people had to understand this. We couldn’t let Rohaer take over Lycast. Dteria would run rampant.

Most everyone I had spoken to so far about this seemed to be cautiously cooperative. I hoped the tax collectors coming after me wouldn’t have too hard of a time.

Kataleya was actually supposed to go with me to each town. I had really looked forward to spending time alone with her. I would keep to my promise not to pursue her, but I knew she saw me in a certain way. If she was to initiate something, I certainly wouldn’t refuse her.

But then I found out that Kataleya had suggested to the king that she visit each town a couple days ahead of me on our route around Lycast. She convinced him that it was better this way.

Her task was to provide each town with an abundance of water, as we were having a dry winter in most parts around the capital. She convinced the king that by going ahead of me, she could spread the word that a healer would be coming soon after her. Everyone who required healing would then be ready for me by the time I arrived. A place would be designated, a system set. I wouldn’t need to go around the town gathering everyone, potentially missing someone in dire need of my service.

I knew she came up with this suggestion because she didn’t want to be alone with me for a prolonged period of time. I confronted her about this, reminding her that I’d promised I wouldn’t pursue her.

“It’s not you making an advance on me that I’m worried about,” she told me. “It’s the other way around.”

Kataleya Yorn still planned to marry this Trevor something-or-other, a man from a noble family. That relationship would provide great power to the Yorns, but what really twisted my heart was that she liked him, in addition to all of that.

After she had gone so far as to persuade the king to allow her to go ahead of me, I had finally decided it was time to completely let go of Kataleya. There was not a single scenario I could think of that would end with us together, so it was better to avoid the pain.

I had been traveling, alone, for weeks now and had begun circling back toward the capital. There were only a few other places to visit. I did have to admit to myself that Kataleya’s plan worked out well. It would’ve been difficult to find everyone who needed treatment if she hadn’t prepared the townspeople before my arrival.

It was lonely on the road with just my horse. Sometimes I found myself itching for some kind of action, like encountering a couple of thieves who thought they could take advantage of me. I knew it was foolish to wish for anything dangerous, but I couldn’t help it. It felt like a long time since I had used either sword or sorcery on anyone, and I knew there were people deserving out there.

The people I met in each town I visited had been very kind to me. I had even received a number of marriage propositions, most from fathers of unwed girls. It was surprising at first, but then I reminded myself that I was a sorcerer of the king, a healer, and presumed to be rich. I had earned a fair amount of coin from the king, but I was nowhere near as rich as, say, Trevor.

I always let down these fathers easy, explaining that I was in no position to marry at this time and that it was nothing personal about their family or the girl specifically, as some were inclined to take offense. I had been offered a number of gifts as well in exchange for my healing, all of which I refused as politely as I could. I did take up a few people on their offer of food and lodging, however, and I had enjoyed a variety of dishes and seen many places I never would’ve seen if it wasn’t for this task. For that, I was thankful.

Nearing the end of this long trip, I was currently looking forward to only two things. Returning to the castle, for one. But before that, I would visit Livea, the city of Kataleya’s family where her father was lord. I expected I would stay in Kataleya’s mansion and meet her family. I knew I shouldn’t get my hopes up. In fact, I had promised myself I wouldn’t. But I couldn’t help looking forward to seeing her again and learning about where she grew up.

There was just one small town to visit first, Granlo. It was the hometown of Remi, our fire