Seneca's Command by Gilbert M. Stack

Author:Gilbert M. Stack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military, magic, battle, war, rome, high fantasy, legion

Chapter Thirteen

Healing Magic

“Lie down on this table, Prefect,” Enfermera Tecla ordered.

Marcus eyed the door that had been turned into a makeshift table and looked back at the old woman who had somehow taken over responsibility for his care. An hour had passed since their earlier meeting—an hour he had spent dozing in the uncomfortable chair while Tecla apparently prepared his treatment.

The walk from the house where he’d met with Physician Tomás had been shockingly difficult. He was so weak! His boots felt like they were made of lead and it took great concentration to keep from dragging them on the ground. At the same time he needed to hold his head erect, keep his spine straight and give no other sign to the men that anything at all was wrong with their commanding officer.

He stepped up next to the makeshift table hoping that the Enfermera could truly help him.

“Clothes, Prefect! You will need to be naked!” the old woman snapped.

Marcus realized for the first time that he had never put his shirt back on after the earlier examination. That meant his breast plate was also in the other building. That meant he was unprepared to fight if the camp should be attacked.

“Clothes, Prefect!” Enfermera Tecla slapped his bare back with her hand.

The door to the building opened and Maga Dulce entered, followed quickly by Physician Tomás carrying a foul-smelling paste in a ceramic bowl.

“Clothes!” Tecla demanded for the third time and Marcus sat down on the edge of the table. His back creaked painfully, but not so badly as his knee as he lifted his foot and pulled off his boot.

“What’s the plan, Enfermera?” he asked.

“We are going to try weaken the curse by purifying your body,” the old woman explained. When Marcus had trouble lifting his other foot she moved closer to him, grabbed hold of the boot, and quickly pulled it free. “Now finish taking your clothes off and lay down on the table on your stomach.”

Marcus got back on his feet to remove his pants, catching Physician Tomás’ eye as he did so.

“I’m not convinced that Sacerdote Pío has cursed you,” the older man said. “On the other hand, the course of treatment my sister recommends is a solid course of purification of the body which I believe can only help you regardless of the cause of your infirmity.”

He gestured at Marcus to get back on the table. “In general, healing magic is quite symbolic. I believe that helping your body purify itself of worldly poisons may also help to counteract the magical contagion corrupting your flesh.”

“I don’t want to go into sleep,” Marcus told him. “We’re at war! The enemy could return at any time. I need to be able to command my men.”

“Prefect,” Maga Dulce interjected. “You can command no one now. Let the physicians do their work. I have heard the plan in detail. In a few hours they will wake you for the final stage of their ritual. In the meantime, let your body rest and recover its strength.

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