The Healers: The Sage Seed Chronicles, #2

By Holly Barbo

A virulent disease sweeps through the budding civilization on the planet Ose. As people are dropping like flies, the healers’ guild is not making headway in finding a cure.

Just as every hope seems lost, young Ree comes into her sage powers. Despite having to fight the disapproval from those who think her too young and inexperienced, she comes up with a cure from unusual natural sources.

The race is on to get ahead of the epidemic. Time is tight, and a swindler’s ‘miracle cure’ makes matters worse.

With Ree and the healers’ lives in danger, is the whole planet doomed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paper Gold Publishing OLD
• Release date: Apr 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524233266

Holly Barbo

Holly's world is shaped by her love of family, the beauty of the nature and an irrepressible curiosity that frequently has her turning over rocks and questioning what she finds. This sometimes sends the reader down a rabbit hole into an alternate view of the world than what they expected. Holly’s mind can be an interesting place. To get the latest news just subscribe to Holly's newsletter. The button is on the right of the page.: http://hollybarbo-books.com

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Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank my sisters: Sally Zobel for being my reader/pre-editor as well as giving me plot feedback, and Diane Bagley for working through the second level of edits. Their help was invaluable.

DESCRIPTION

There are no monsters on Ose. People can be monstrous enough.

A virulent disease sweeps through the budding civilization on the planet Ose. As people are dropping like flies, the healers’ guild is not making headway in finding a cure.

Just as every hope seems lost, young Ree comes into her sage powers. Despite having to fight the disapproval from those who think her too young and inexperienced, she comes up with a cure from unusual natural sources.

The race is on to get ahead of the epidemic. Time is tight, and a swindler’s miracle cure makes matters worse.

With Ree and the healers’ lives in danger, is the whole planet doomed?

Map of Ose

Map of Ose

Chapter 1

The Assessment

There was a soft onshore breeze that brought the tang of the sea to the high bluff. The grassy knoll overlooked the valley, and the high ridge separated it from the ocean. A cat-like creature emerged from the shadows and the grasses at the top of the hill as if he were an illusion of the morning light. His ear tufts twitched as another just like him, and without a whisper of sound, appeared beside a nearby rock and moved to his side. Greer sat on her haunches looking out over the valley as Raow stood beside her. Their coloring shifted and blended as the zephyr moved through their fur, making them almost indistinguishable from the landscape.

When at last she spoke, her words were heard only in his mind.

It is good to see that the place of impact has been discovered by the humans.

Raow made an almost inaudible sound in his throat. Honored elder, your ability for understatement is legendary. When the asteroid hit here, centuries ago in their years, it was not investigated by the humans. They were having too much difficulty just trying to survive the resulting climate change to do any exploring.

She turned to glance at him before both turned and watched the activity in the valley below. The long span of years had softened the edges of the impact crater where the asteroid had broken apart, chunks of the space rock bouncing across the landscape. The area was now level grasslands, ringed by hills and pock-marked by a small lake, marsh and hot springs. There were dunes on the inland side of the valley, which merged with the grassy verge at the forest edge. The two animals studied the valley and new structures on the flat plain that bordered the mineral springs. Some of the buildings were complete, while others had just been started. The breeze played across the creatures, tickling the fur on their ears while bringing sounds from the activity on the plain.

The male spoke again. When the founding colonists arrived, I was pleased to see them because they quieted our planet, but was concerned because the landmass is limited and can only sustain a smaller population. Too many people would result in famine and disease.

The older cat glanced at her companion and shook her head. The Ancients counseled them on that real possibility before they left their home world. It was part of the eco-sensitive culture that was written into their charter. She resumed her perusal of the valley. The colonists have taken the caution to heart. The population grows very little, Raow.

After another few minutes watching the activity below, the younger cat nodded toward the valley. I like this place. It is unique in our world.

When he paused, Greer interjected, Come on, Raow. I am curious to know why you asked me here.

Raow made a soft, fluid sound that conveyed feline laughter. He continued as if she hadn’t spoken, wanting to express things in his own way. Perhaps our world had to heal and develop the fascinating ecosystem of the mineral lake and hot springs from the impact crater. That takes time. But yes, I too am pleased that some have settled here. Let’s go into the crater.

He stood with fluid grace and, within a few steps, disappeared from the hilltop. The older enigmatic cat followed in his energy wake, her coloring shifting as she moved, before she, too, was gone.

A moment later, both were on the valley floor by the mineral lake. The optically unique quality of their fur blended with the reeds and grasses at the water’s edge. Raow glanced at the cat beside him. What do your senses tell you? I don’t need anything specific.

Greer closed her eyes, focusing on all of the various stimuli that she could glean from their world, and in particular from this place. In the ocean just beyond this place, there is a bad tide in the archipelago, but the ottols are aware of it and are staying clear … Mountain elk are moving and spreading out for their summer grazing … The human society here still needs to work out some difficulties, but that is the nature of the people. Fewer are living on Obsidian Island. One of the old ones just died and was buried. The sage population is in a state of change as one nears the end of his life here… She opened her eyes and looked at Raow for a long moment before she finished her thought. And there is a young sage that will soon be coming awake to her skills.

She paused before asking, How much did you want? There are some small ripples that I sense will cause the sage population some trouble in the near future, and bigger ripples, then waves, of disturbance in the centuries to come.

Raow closed his eyes and brushed the ruff on her head with his own. Thank you, Greer. I appreciate your gift — my skill in this area does not compare to your own. There were some things I sensed, but clairvoyance is difficult to decipher for me. It is stronger and more certain with you. You have given me the confirmation I was seeking. That is enough. I know how it tires you.

They could hear voices approaching but did not move, confident in their near-invisibility. Two sets of golden eyes watched as a pair of women carrying gathering baskets walked past. They looked to be mother and daughter, judging by their resemblance to each other. Both had dark brown hair, high cheek bones and similar slender builds. When the two humans were out of sight, Raow and Greer stood and turned toward the thicker grass.

Greer paused. You are welcome to my inner sight anytime. May your steps be blessed. With a nod, she turned an unseen corner and was gone.

Raow looked after her thoughtfully before he gazed over his shoulder at the settlement. What he had perceived from his clairvoyance was both unexpected and unprecedented. It would alter lives — including his own. He shook his head at his thoughts as he took a step toward the marsh and vanished.

Chapter 2

A Place of Healing

Miric and Ree hung the last of their gathered herbs in the expanded still-room. Drying plants scented the air. The work benches were cluttered, with a couple of mortar and pestles near cutting blocks, and the shelves were full of capped and labeled jars.

The area surrounding Mineral Lake and the hot springs was abundant in items that could be dried or distilled for their healing properties. It was so rich, in fact, that they didn’t have enough room in the first structure they had built. The last few months had been very busy as they settled into the impact valley and harvested what each season brought them.

Miric’s husband, Peth, had found the site quite by accident two years before, when his fishing boat, the Eclipsed Moon, had been blown off course in a storm. He and his nineteen-year-old son, Jacob, were in the Fishers’ Guild based out of Yerra. Their vessel had worked the western waters ever since Peth had built and launched it after receiving his journeyman’s rating. Now, Jacob was his partner on the boat.

On that day, the Eclipsed Moon had been heading home when a rough squall had blown up without warning, pushing them up onto the beach, stranding them until the high tide came in. After checking their beached vessel for damage, the two blond fishermen had moved up the hill and back against the woods for shelter, waiting out the storm and the low tide. Through the wind-tossed branches, they noticed the glimmer of a lake. When the storm died down they still had hours to wait until the tide came in, so they decided to look around the unfamiliar area.

As the two men approached the glittering tarn, they could tell that it was a high salinity lake, as it had a metallic smell, but was rich in nutrients because there was abundant water fowl. The place was teeming with wildlife. As they moved around the grassy area, they made other interesting discoveries. Jacob found a good sized mineral hot spring and excitedly called his father, who hurried to his son’s side. Kneeling, they dipped their fingers in the water. As Peth tasted a few drops, he grinned up at his son and they exchanged a look, each eager to see more.

Beyond the marsh, Peth spotted the dunes. There were sand dunes near Yerra too, but these had a different look and smell to them. They gathered samples of the dune sand in their empty lunch bag and the mineral lake water in their glass water jar. As they returned to the fishing vessel, they walked the beach looking for a site to build a dock. During the entire time they were wrestling their boat back into the ocean with the help of the rising tide, their conversation was animated with plans.

When the two got back to their little cottage near Yerra, their news gathered a lot of excitement. Peth set the water sample for Miric to test on the table before he took off his coat and hung it on the hook by the door.

Jacob was impatient to tell his mother about what they had found. Running his hands through his wavy hair and scrubbing the sea salt from his face, he was talking before he could finish his ablutions. Mom, you should have seen this place. It has everything. There are hot mineral springs separate from the lake. There’s a marsh with reeds and plenty of the plants you collect. And a different type of grass stalk that resembles a cattail except that it isn’t… and the birds, Mom, the birds. There are so many.

Just as Ree brought dinner to the table, Jacob turned to her, knowing her affinity with birds and animals, continuing with the information. Sis, there are all kinds of ducks, coots, grebes and such. You should have seen all of the little sandpipers and killdeer running around. Pelicans, kestrels and hawks are so abundant. We gave Mom a water sample so she could check the minerals, but it didn’t seem to be harming the birds.

Peth laughed and slapped a restraining hand on Jacob’s shoulder. Sit down and eat, son. We can fill them in over dinner. I think we’ll be taking the whole family on a short trip.

Geoff, an older version of Jacob, opened the door letting in a whiff of sea-flavored air. He had apprenticed with the Glass Guild, earning his journeyman’s badge three years before. Where are we going? Geoff asked as he closed the door and hung up his coat. He paused, taking in the air of excitement in the room. What’s up?

His father repeated the news, with Jacob filling in details. Peth added, With all of the minerals around there, the sand dunes were very fine grained and had a different look and smell. The stuff seems sort of powdery and a little whiter than the dunes here. I brought you a bag of it. I thought that you could fire it in your crucible to see if it did anything special when you made glass. There is a geothermal vent near the mineral lake that could be tapped for energy, and it has a good site for a windmill, as well. Perhaps you could have a hot shop there. He shrugged. It’s worth a thought.

A few days later, at dinner, Geoff turned to his family. I’d like to see your site. I am interested. The sand is a fine quality for making glass, and the minerals that are inherent in that sample give a beautiful pigment. I have been experimenting with the supply you gave me and I can get colors ranging in the blue, violet and amethyst range. I think, as I have a chance to analyze the sand in the area, I could get a few more colors. When are you planning the family excursion?

That’s how it all had started. Two years later, the family was living and thriving at Mineral Springs. They had erected several buildings. The family home was completed, as well as a still-room building for Miric and a hot shop structure for Geoff’s glass making. Miric also had a longhouse sort of structure for the ill patients who came to use the water’s healing powers. There were also some small guest cabins.

Miric, a herbalist and skilled healer, had been experimenting with the medicinal virtues of the lake, the hot springs and the wide range of plants in the area. Ree was apprenticed to her mother, learning about plants and their uses from her. The seventeen-year-old had a real aptitude for the vocation. Where her brothers were tall, broad-shouldered and blond like their father, Ree took after their mother’s side of the family, with calm hazel eyes and average height. She was an intelligent young woman with a warm smile.

Geoff lived in the large family home and worked in his hot shop, making glass items for customers, for guild trade and for his mother’s medicinal products. Although the salt they collected by evaporation was a great source of income for the family, Geoff wanted to contribute more through the natural richness of the place. He intended to improve their ability to refine some of the other chemical elements in the sand. Today, he was working on separating out some of the minerals, through sifting, distilling, using the differing metal densities, magnetism and heat. Since Ree had helped her mother with the distillation process for making herbal remedies many times, she was assisting him.

News of Mineral Lake’s attributes was spreading across the region. Because of the endeavors of the family who had settled there, it was developing a reputation as a health spa. Most visitors would take a boat up the coast or walk up the beach from Yerra. That is why, on this day, it was so surprising for the siblings working in the hot shop to see an older couple emerge from the woods at the edge of the Crystalline Mountains to the east. It was unexpected that anyone would come from that direction. They certainly hadn’t come from Yerra.

Geoff went to alert Miric while Ree approached the oncoming pair. With a warm smile, she greeted them. Welcome to Mineral Lake and Hot Springs. I’m Ree. You’ve taken a difficult trail to get to us. Come in and sit down.

The old couple returned her smile as they accepted her outstretched hands. The man appeared to be in his late-eighth decade, or perhaps a little older, with thick, straight white hair. I’m Rafe, he said. We took the journey in stages. We know of many trails in the mountains, so we didn’t need to scale any peaks, but the offer of a chair sounds wonderful. His smile was warm and his grey eyes twinkled at Ree as he eased down in the proffered seat.

His companion chuckled. She looked to be at least a decade younger than Rafe. Her curly, white hair was accented with light, almost peach-colored strands. Hello, Ree. It’s nice to meet you. My name is Catri. We live almost due east of here, by a bend in the Macater River. We heard of your family and this place and wanted to see it for ourselves. I am of the Herbal Guild. Rafe is of the Miners’ Guild. We would love to visit for a spell and perhaps partake of some of your excellent water treatments.

As Miric hurried over, she heard the older woman’s statement. Just as Ree had done, she extended her hand in greeting. Welcome, Rafe. Welcome, Catri. It is good to have you here. Your journey to get to us must have been challenging. Catri, I have heard your name in the guild. You are quite learned and highly respected in our craft. Rafe, you are not known to me. But being of the Miners’ Guild, you might be fascinated by some of the interesting minerals we have found here. My son, Geoff, is in the Glass Guild, and he has been working on separating some of the chemical elements found in the sand. He wants to have more control over the colors. I find his glass very pleasing as it is. But with your background, perhaps you could discuss some techniques with him?

Rafe looked up at the young man who had followed his mother over. His face lit up and he gave a laugh. Geoff, I would enjoy swapping information with you. May I see some of your glass pieces?

The young glassmaker’s face split into a big grin. He gave a short nod and dashed to his studio for some of his creations, returning in a moment’s time with some beautifully crafted amethyst and blue glass. As Rafe examined Geoff’s vessels, the two became engrossed in a spirited discussion about minerals.

Catri drew Miric and Ree away from the men and spoke in soft tones, We would like to stay here for a little while if you have the room. Rafe is fascinated with minerals and geology. He has seen much of our world, and this unique geologic area has captured his very active mind. Rafe has looked forward to this trip. In a way, it is his final journey. He’s weak… She paused, struggling with her emotions before finishing her sentence. …And he’s dying. He has a heart condition as well as a disease of the blood. There is no cure. He wanted to come here to partake of your mineral-rich waters. They will ease his aches. He has lived a very full life. A very long life. He can be of help, sharing his vast knowledge and advising Geoff about minerals. This would make him happy.

Miric and Ree exclaimed in distress when they heard of Rafe’s prognosis. Miric clasped Catri’s hand. Of course, you can stay in one of our guest cabins. You are very welcome here. You two can rest and enjoy the spa and the wildlife. Should Rafe wish to be more active, I know that Geoff would enjoy conversations with him. Just look at the way they have connected and began to talk of chemicals. She smiled as she looked over at the two men with their heads bent over the glassware, absorbed in conversation. Rafe seems tired and a little frail, but I wouldn’t have guessed that he was near death. I’m so sorry to hear that. She looked into the old woman’s solemn eyes. And Catri, if you would like to be more active during your visit here, I have a request. Your reputation precedes you. You’re more than just a member of the Herbal Guild; you also have a Healiocrist badge. Both Ree and I would love to have the opportunity to learn from you, if you would be willing to share some of your knowledge with us. We all can work together in our still room.

Catri responded to Miric and Ree’s request with the seriousness it deserved. As you know, in our field, we have herbal remedies that healers are taught to blend to aid in healing. She paused and nodded to Miric in acknowledgment of the woman’s skills and accomplishments before continuing, But the making of medicines is something that the guild regulates tightly, since a slight miscalculation in the process can be fatal. Yes, I am a Healiocrist and am authorized to teach some of these skills to others to qualify them as apprentice journeymen in the preparation of specific remedies and medicines. I would enjoy passing on my knowledge to you two. If I feel that you have learned these specialized techniques completely and accurately, I will submit my recommendations to our Guild Master. You will be able to use the knowledge on a trial basis until the Herbal Guild Master can come by and accredit you. If, at that time, you have improved or expanded in your knowledge, you can share your advances and refinements with her. Should something momentous come up, and the older woman gave them a small smile, you can apply to Chert in the interim, to qualify your breakthrough. She is a much respected healer in Yerra. Catri studied the two women’s expressions. You don’t mind my proposal, do you?

Ree spoke for herself and her mother when she broke into a big smile and said, No. Oh, thank you for your generous offer. We’re delighted.

Miric nodded and grasped Catri’s hand in gratitude.

The three women entered the guest cabin. It was comfortable, with simple furnishings. Catri exclaimed in delight before she turned to the mother and daughter. I would like your word that you will keep private what I am going to tell you. She started to empty her pack while waiting to hear their agreement to keep the secret. Miric looked over at her daughter, but Ree’s eyes remained on Catri.

Ree spoke first. You have my word. I sense no dishonesty in you or Rafe.

Miric blinked at her daughter’s words before a small smile crept onto her face. My daughter’s instincts are very accurate about people, and I have learned to trust them, though I, too, feel comfortable with you. Yes, you have my word.

Catri gave them a thoughtful look before she proceeded. You have heard of Timeless Ones?

Both women nodded.

Rafe is the last founder alive.

Miric’s jaw dropped at this unexpected revelation, but she recovered her composure. Ree blinked in surprise. She gave Catri a thoughtful look, but said nothing. Catri acknowledged Ree’s unspoken question with a nod. Miric was distracted, contemplating the news and did not catch the soundless exchange.

Catri resumed her dialogue. The only reason I tell you this is so you understand that he hasn’t any regrets. Each one of us lives and dies. Our energy moves naturally from one state to another. With Timeless Ones, they just live longer. In Rafe’s case, it has been about seven hundred and twenty-five years. Please treat him no differently.

She paused to gather her thoughts. I haven’t been traveling much in the last several years because of Rafe’s health, and I’m not as young as I used to be, either. In recent years, I have been perfecting techniques that have fallen out of common use. I was able to study some of the Ancients’ books and founders’ journals. Your request is fortuitous. Because the healing nature of your location will draw those sick who can travel, you will be able to help many. I think it will be important, perhaps even critical, that I share these inoculation methods with both of you, as well as the making of penicillin and some laboratory techniques that will be needed to keep our population strong. I would like to start sharing this information with you right away. This will be as good a place for me as it will be for Rafe.

Catri slipped her empty packs under the bed. Rafe and Geoff will be in conversation for some time yet. She turned and smiled, and her whole face took on a cheerfulness that was infectious. Can you show me your still room?

Chapter 3

Kinship

Over the next few weeks Miric, Ree and Catri worked together each morning. Catri had many things to share about herbs, diagnostic methods and the curing of some illnesses. Both mother and daughter absorbed the information as if they were the sea sponges that Peth sometimes brought up in his nets. Rafe sat in Geoff’s hot shop, and the two men shared ideas, enjoying each other’s company. The afternoons were spent in and around the mineral springs and lake. The young woman found that Catri had a way with the birds and animals that Ree admired and envied a little. They seemed to come up to the old woman without fear. It was a wondrous thing to witness.

One day, Ree and Catri were out gathering herbs from the marsh and the nearby woods. They had been busy picking and discussing the uses of the different plants as they came across them. Every once in a while, Ree shared a use for a plant that was new to Catri. A strong bond of affection had grown between the women, and such moments delighted both of them. They took a break and rested on a moss-covered rock in companionable silence.

Catri closed her eyes, basking in the warm sun. There were times that she felt her age. She just didn’t have the stamina that she used to have. She smiled to herself. After six hundred and seventy-five years of life, she had a right to slow down every so often. Ree had guessed that Catri was a Timeless One, like Rafe, but they hadn’t discussed it. Catri relaxed on the rock, with her eyes closed and her face tilted to the sun. The warmth felt good on her old bones.

Both she and Rafe enjoyed being here. The companionship was wonderful, and the mineral hot springs soothed as well as invigorated. They had known each other since the founding years, but hadn’t become a couple until her second century. They had been blessed with two children in their early years together, and had outlived them, as well as their grandchildren and great grandchildren. The sage seed appeared randomly in the population, only once every two or three generations, and there was no guarantee that children of sages would have that timeless life. In fact, seventeen generations had gone by since their two sons had been born. That was the hardest part of being a sage: the loss of friends and loved ones. The