Chapter 8: Doctor Samuel Johnston
The burning pain in Demenik's ribs woke him up. Instinct told him not to try and breathe too deeply and so he did his best to draw shallow breaths. He opened his eyes. Each inhalation was a little deeper than the last. On his fourth breath, the pain became excruciating. "I guess it could be worse." The sentence sounded blurred and the right side of his lip felt thick as he spoke.
"It could be," a man's voice said from beside him, "but not much worse without you being dead."
Demenik turned towards the voice and pain blossomed in his neck muscles, the sensation making him gasp and cough. A hand touched his chest and rested there until he regained control of his lungs.
"Best if you don't try and move." A man moved into Demenik's view. He was a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and a thin growth of stubble. "What's your name, son?"
"Where am I?"
"The trade quarter."
Where the baker lives. I'm not among friends here. "They call me Jonathan."
"You don't live in the quarter, do you?"
"No."
"Didn't think so. I know everyone that lives here. Where you from?"
Demenik remained silent.
"Well, Jonathan, you're one lucky boy. Most hurt as bad as you would've died."
"You a doctor?"
"I am."
"I have no money."
"That's not true, is it?" An old tanned hand with thin skin appeared in front of Demenik's face. Pinched between the first and second finger was a silver coin. "Found this tucked into your waist. Strange that the thugs who attacked you didn't take it."
"It is."
"How many jumped you?"
"I don't remember."
"The Keeper said he chased off five of'em."
"The Keeper brought me to you?"
The doctor laughed. "'Course not. A merchant brought you here, but apparently the Keeper was nearby. Claimed that he heard a commotion and, when he came to investigate, saw five criminals beating on you. The Keeper chased them off but couldn't catch them. When he returned, a merchant was already bringing you to me."
"Sounds believable."
"Not terribly original or detailed, but any less detail would sound suspicious, wouldn't it?"
He doesn't believe the Keeper. Doesn't matter. This man can't protect me. "I have to go."
"You're smart enough not to try and sit up as you said that."
"I didn't say I could go, only that I have to."
The doctor chuckled. "Your mind is sharp. Clothes are not the best, but you're not a street dweller, at least. Tell me what part of the city you live in and I will send for your parents."
"I can't."
"You're a runaway from the country, then." The doctor sighed and peered into Demenik's eyes. "Follow my finger, please." He moved his finger back and forth a couple times in front of each eye and then leaned back. "I suppose there is no other option but to let you rest here until you can stand."
"How long will that take?"
"Couple days."
Demenik closed his eyes and did some quick math. There is enough food in the alley to last the others that long. I will miss my meeting with the vendor, though. I don't want to ruin my relationship with him and he is counting on me. "Can you deliver a message for me?"
The doctor looked at the boy and nodded. "I'm not in the courier business, but I do my best to help my patients heal without stress. I don't leave this quarter, so if you want it delivered outside, I will need to hire someone."
"I need it taken to the docks. The tanner's place."
"That's not far out of this district. I am known in that area."
"Good, because I need you to take a note along with the coin."
The doctor considered the request and nodded. "Give me the note and I will see to it."
"I will need to borrow paper and pencil to compose it."
"You can read and write? Where did you learn those skills?"
Demenik shook his head.
"You're a mysterious one." The doctor moved to a desk and returned with a scrap of paper and pencil. Demenik sat up with the doctor's assistance and wrote with the paper against his lap.
Arkell,
I apologize for missing our rendezvous, but circumstances out of my control prevented me. Please take your payment and add an additional ten percent for the late payment. If you could return the change to the doctor I would be most grateful. I will see you next week at the same time for a fresh order.
Demenik
The small effort to write the note taxed Demenik. He handed the note to the doctor, who took it and read it. "I know Arkell. He is an honourable man who sells only the best quality food. The tanner is his brother-in-law."
Demenik nodded. "Is there time today to take the note, or must it wait until tomorrow?"
The doctor read the note and looked back at Demenik. "What do you want to do with the food you are paying him for?"
"Let him keep it. I can't carry it away in my current state."
"Then why pay for it?"
"Because that is our arrangement."
"But you are not able to use what you are buying."
"That isn't Arkell's problem. I will need his food next week. If I don't honour my obligation to him then how can I expect him to be there for me next week?"
"Loyalty. Not a common trait in the people of today's world."
"All the more reason for those who possess it to hold onto the value tightly."
The doctor laughed and shook his head. "You are an intriguing boy, Jonathan."
"It's Demenik. Now that I must involve you in my personal life, I need to trust you."
"I will not betray that trust, Demenik."
If I'm lucky, you won't. "I believe you, Doctor . . ."
"Johnston. Doctor Samuel Johnston." The doctor folded the coin into the letter so that Demenik could see. "I will take this now. You get some sleep. I will bring you back the change. By the time you wake up, I should be back."
Demenik's eyes were becoming heavy. "The change is yours, Doctor. For your care and assistance."
"Nonsense."
"I insist."
Doctor Johnston smiled. "When you are up and walking you can try to force the money on me."
Demenik nodded and let sleep take him.
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