“You do not appear injured,” remarked the general.

“Indeed, I am not. After the first battle with the bandits I used quite a few supplies in treating the soldiers. On the second leg of the journey, a couple of incidents resulted in injuries for my companions, the worst of which were incurred by Mistress Reaylin during the second bandit attack,” Rezkin explained.

“You provided all of these treatments yourself?” the general asked.

“Yes,” Rezkin replied. Knowing the general expected an explanation, Rezkin continued, “During my training, I worked with several healers in sort of an apprenticeship. I mastered the healing Skills of treating injuries and illness, identifying and procuring healing plants and minerals, and preparing potions, draughts, antidotes, and ointments.” Rezkin thought it prudent to leave out the fact that he was also a Poison Master. “I have no innate healing ability, however, so my abilities are limited to the mundane.”

“You are a master healer of the mundane? At nineteen?” the general asked with incredulity.

Rezkin inclined his head in affirmation. A master healer would also possess innate healing powers like Master Peider and were rare enough to be extremely costly and in high demand. In fact, many master healers did not bother to learn the mundane healing techniques if their powers were great enough. A master healer of the mundane, uncommon in itself, had all of the skills of a healer without innate powers. Few healers reached the status of master healer and were simply referred to as healers. Being a skilled master healer of the mundane could be quite lucrative.

“You have papers to prove your claim?” the general asked.

Rezkin shook his head. “I have no need of papers. Being a healer is not my purpose in life. A lack of papers will not prevent me from using the Skills when I need them.”

That was absurd. Why would someone spend years mastering such a difficult profession not to use it? The general did not believe Rezkin’s claim for a moment.

“You said you are a warrior. I have not known many healers to take up the sword. They concern themselves with healing people rather than injuring them,” the general countered.

Rezkin shrugged. “I am many things,” he said cryptically. The general was a shrewd man. He would have to be to gain the position he held. Usually, Rezkin could get around people’s suspicions by saying little, but General Marcum pressed him for answers.

Rezkin was saved from additional questions by Tam’s arrival. “Good morning,” the affable young man said with a broad smile.

“Good morning, Tam,” Rezkin replied with a smile of his own.

“Tamarin.” The general nodded in greeting.

“Frisha will be down in a moment,” Tam said. Just as he said this, Frisha shuffled through the door. Tam looked at Rezkin apologetically. “I nearly had to drag her from the bed,” he said.

“You could have slept a bit longer. You both needed the rest after the journey,” Rezkin remarked.