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Jevies, Lian's energy levels had dimmed a little.
"His name is Canin," Maurek offered when the injured man didn't speak.
"Hi, Canin. I'm a touch healer. It might hurt a bit but I'm going to make your wounds disappear. Nod if
you agree to allow my healing." Lian hated to heal someone without his or her approval but in this
case he'd make an exception.
The man wouldn't survive without immediate intervention.
The nod when it came, slow yet steady, spurred Lian into action. Placing his hands lightly on Canin's
stomach Lian closed his eyes. He always found it easier if he could block out the world and focus on
the one he needed to heal. With his magic, Lian visualized Canin and sank his healing powers into the
other man. The smell of rot faded away, replaced by the scent of fresh blood. The wounds needed to
be free of infection before healing could begin. He didn't want to trap diseased flesh inside healthy
tissue, it could cause complications.
"You look to drain him of his essence before you heal him," Maurek growled.
"Quiet." Lian didn't need distractions as he focused on putting back together the man he'd been forced
to take apart in order to heal his wounds.
Rarely had Lian been called for such a large task. He mostly healed smaller injuries; broken bones,
cuts, and once, before now, a sword wound. His bosses liked to keep Lian around for research, not
healing. They always claimed machines did better than magic in fixing large amounts of damage.
Here, there were no machines, at least not that he'd seen or had access to.
Lian lifted his hands and cleared his mind. Sparkles twinkled at the edge of his vision telling him he'd
already expended too much energy. Canin still needed to be cured, however, and Lian couldn't stop.
"Heal," Lian murmured.
Red flames burst from his hands. Maurek let out a shout of surprise behind him.
"Goddess have mercy," Maurek vowed.
Lian focused on his patient and blocked out all outside noise. Goddesses oversaw every sentient
planet. On his home world where most people were self-healers, a man who could heal with his
touch had little value. When his abilities began to make themselves known, a goddess had visited
Lian and told him one day he would find a place where he would be valued for his abilities. Lian still
searched for that place. Somehow he doubted the goddess had been thinking of the dragon grounds.
Canin let out a scream when healing fires seared his wounds from the inside out. Lian knew from
talking to previous patients that the flames didn't really hurt. Fear more than pain filled the injured.
Only after his inner sight told him the man no longer had open sores or any contamination did Lian
pull the back magic into his body.
Opening his eyes, Lian met Canin's expression of wonder. "You should be fine now. The rest of your
wounds will heal on their own." Lian always stopped a bit early for serious wounds and gave the
body a chance to catch up and finish the job.
"You have the goddess's right hand," the soldier whispered, a common expression across several
worlds. To be the goddess's right hand was to have a divine gift.
Lian stood up and patted Canin on the shoulder. He concentrated on not passing out. It took effort.
"Rest a few more days to regain your strength and you should be fine."
"You saved me," Canin whispered. "I would've died."
Lian nodded. "Possibly." He didn't know of any way to sugarcoat it and didn't feel the need to try.
"Make sure to take it easy the next few days. Your wounds are healed, but you'll still be tender."
He turned his attention to Maurek. "If you'll excuse me I need to get to the medic center. They'll be
expecting me about now." He pulled out a business card with a wellpracticed motion. "Here's my
com number. Call me if Canin has a relapse or if you need my help with anything else."
Lian bit back words of reproof regarding Canin's health. If Maurek's words were true, asking for a
healer wouldn't have resulted in any assistance. The fact someone had obviously put out a call for a
medic proved someone had an optimistic streak the dragon master didn't. Lian would definitely be
reporting Bourne's actions to the medical governing board. Part of the code of ethics included a vow
to help all who crossed their path whenever possible. To completely deny help to a group of people
because you disliked them went against the code all professional healers were supposed to abide by.
Maurek guided Lian back across the dragon sands and to a row of hovercabs. "I'll pay to have you
taken to the medic building."
Lian started to protest but Maurek cut him off. "Don't argue. You did us a favor and saved two of my
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