The Path of Giants by B.T. Narro (year 7 reading list .TXT) 📗

my mana peruse through the young man’s stomach and surrounding organs once again. It finally knew what to do.

“All right, this is going to hurt worse than anything you’ve ever felt,” I warned him.

“Take my hand,” Kataleya told the young man.

He nodded as he curled his lips inward.

I healed, pouring my strength into the spell as it was the only way to get the job done. I could feel my mana changing the nature of his body, restoring it to how it used to be before there was so much damage—that is, to a system like mine.

I didn’t want to stop until the spell was over, but it took too much out of me. I had to pause and catch my breath several times.

After a few long minutes, I had eliminated the last of the severe illness that my mana could find. There had been so much, I was worried I might’ve missed a little and that it might come back. I searched a few more times, but I found nothing. I was barely on my feet by the end of it.

Both of us were panting when I told him, “It’s done.”

“Are you sure?” he asked in a shaky voice, finally releasing his grip on Kataleya’s hand.

“You’re all better.”

He put his hand over his stomach, then looked up with an expression of utter shock. He slowly stood up straight. Then he began to weep.

“I haven’t felt hunger in months,” he choked out. “I can’t tell you how good it feels.”

“He is cured!” Whitley announced, prompting applause. It wasn’t a moment before they finished that he added, “The healer that I have called here will now heal the rest of your issues.”

There was another round of applause.

I might’ve bristled at Whitley taking credit, but he was the one who was going to be taxing these people, after all. Those taxes would then be handed over to the king. I supposed it did make sense for them to feel gratitude toward him.

That didn’t mean I had to like it, though.

At least the young man seemed to appreciate what I had done, really appreciate it, as he shook my hand and continued to weep. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I think I owe you my life.”

I could tell he wanted to embrace me, so I opened my arms. He practically fell into me and squeezed me with weak arms. It felt like hugging a skeleton.

“Eat well, and you’ll soon get your strength back,” I told him. “You deserve it.”

“Thank you so much,” he cried. “I owe you everything.”

We parted. I had no doubt that he would’ve perished, but I told him the truth. “You don’t owe me anything. In fact, you helped me learn something about my own mana just now. So thank you as well.”

He composed himself enough to bow. “You’re too kind.”

When he left, Kataleya came at my side and asked, “What happened? I’ve never seen you take that long to heal anyone.”

It was true. Even severely broken bones had been easier to mend.

“I think mana is a lot more receptive to our thoughts than I first realized. I’ll have to think about it more later and let you know.”

She nodded as she understood what I was trying to politely tell her. There were plenty more people waiting to be healed.

The rest of the cases were easy to determine and resolve. I healed most people in under a minute, and soon I was done.

“Are there any others coming from outside villages?” I asked Whitley.

He made a face.

Oh that’s right. “My lord.”

“No, that’s everyone. Your task is done. If you require anything from me, you are to let Kataleya know, and one of my servants will see to your request. You are also free to return to the castle whenever you wish, or you can stay the night and leave in the morning.”

I wasn’t going to leave before I had the red diamond back in my possession. “I would prefer to stay, my lord.”

“That is fine, however I do expect you to leave before noon tomorrow. Kataleya has a guest coming.”

“Who, Father?” Kataleya asked.

“Trevor.”

“Oh.”

Her father smiled but stopped when he saw Kataleya refusing to join him. “What’s the matter?” he asked with obvious worry.

“Nothing,” she said. “I just wasn’t expecting him so soon. He sent word?”

“Yes. You should be prepared for a proposal finally. Make sure you look your best.”

“I will,” she said indifferently.

Now I was even more eager to get my hands back on the red diamond, and perhaps I would be leaving sooner than tomorrow morning. I tried to convey this to Kataleya with a look. She gave me a small nod.

All those I had healed had left by then. We started to head back to the mansion, but soon we were interrupted by one of Whitley’s uniformed servants running toward us, a grave look on his face.

“My lord,” he said. “It’s your cousin. He’s on his way.”

“How do you know?”

“One of your scouts sent a missive. He should arrive this evening.”

“What else?’

“My lord?”

Whitley appeared irritated. “Is he coming with anyone?”

The servant looked at the note frantically, but Whitley snatched it out of his hands. “He’s riding alone?” Whitley asked as he read the small scroll. “This doesn’t make sense.” Then he turned to us. “Come on. I have a lot of work to do before the evening.”

“We will catch up to you,” Kataleya said.

Her father had lowered eyebrows. “Kataleya, you are to stay by my side right now.”

“Yes, Father,” she said with a bowed head.

We walked briskly back toward the mansion.

I could think of many reasons why Kataleya might want to speak with me alone. The reason I hoped for the most was that she had a plan to recover the red diamond sooner rather than later. Another possible reason was because she wanted to tell me something about her soon-approaching proposal. I didn’t need to hear anything about that. In fact, it was probably better if I didn’t. I was generally strong-willed, but Kataleya could probably undo