"He can mend your legs," Saliman blurted out. "Completely. You'll be able towalk-or run-if you wish."

Now it was Jubal's turn to blink in astonishment, as he absently shoved one ofthe goats aside. "You? You're a wizard? You don't look like any of the magiciansI've seen in town."

"It's a humble order," the man replied, fussing with his threadbare robe, "and,then again, living with the goats does not encourage the finery my town-dwellingcolleagues are so proud of."

"Then, these are your goats?" Jubal shot a dark look at Saliman.

"I use them in my magics," the Lizerene explained, "and they provide me withsustenance. As I said: it-"

"I know," Jubal repeated, "it's a humble order. Just answer one question: isSaliman right? Can you heal my legs?"

"Well-I can't say for sure until I've examined the wounds, but I've beensuccessful in many cases."

"Enough. Begin your examination. And, Saliman-get these damn goats out of thehut!"

By the time Saliman had gotten the animals into the yard the Lizerene had thebandages off and was probing Jubal's legs. It was the first time the slaver hadseen the wounds and his stomach rebelled at the sight of the damage.

"Not good... not good at all," the magician mumbled. "Far worse than I wastold. See here-the infection's almost halfway up the thigh."

"Can you heal them?" Jubal demanded, still not looking at the wounds.

"It will be costly," the Lizerene told him, "and with no guarantee of completesuccess."

"I knew that before I sent for you," the slaver snarled. "Your profession alwayscharges high and never guarantees their work. No sellsword would stay alive ifhe demanded a sorcerer's terms."

The wizard looked up from his examination. His expression had gone hard. "Iwasn't speaking of my fee," he corrected his patient, "but of the strain to yourbody and mind. What is more it is your strength, and not mine which willdetermine the extent of your recovery. Strength of muscle and of spirit. If Iand others have fallen short in our healings it is because most arrogantwarriors have greater egos than skills and are also lacking-" he caught himselfand turned again to the wounds. "Forgive me, my lord, sometimes being of a'humble order' is wearing on the nerves."

"Don't apologize, man," Jubal laughed. "For the first time I begin to have somefaith in your ability to do what you promise. What is your name?"

"Vertan, my lord."

"And I am Jubal-not 'my lord,' " the slave told him. "Very well, Vertan. Ifstrength is what's needed then between the two of us we should be able to renewmy legs."

"How much strain to the mind and body?" Saliman asked from the doorway.

Jubal glared at his aide, annoyed by the interruption, but Vertan had alreadyturned to face , Saliman and did not see.

"A fine question," the Lizerene agreed. "To grasp the answer you must firstunderstand the process." He was in his own element now, and his nervousnessmelted away. "There will be two parts to the healing. The first is relativelysimple, but it will take some time. It involves drawing out the infection, thepoisons, from the wounds. The true test lies in the second phase of the healing.There is damage here, extensive damage-and to the bones themselves. To mend bonetakes time, more time that I'd venture, m'lord Jubal wishes to invest. I wouldtherefore accelerate the body processes, thereby shortening the time required.While in this state you will consume and pass food at an incredible rate-for thebody needs fuel for the healing. What would normally require days will transpirein hours; the processes of months compacted into weeks."

"Have you ever used this technique before?" Saliman asked.

"Oh, yes," Vertan assured him. "m fact, you know one of my patients. It was Iwho healed Balustrus. Of course, that was back in the capital before he changedhis name."

"Balustrus," Jubal scowled, an image of the crippled metal-master flashing inhis mind.

"I know what you're thinking," the Lizerene injected hastily, "but I have donemuch to perfect my skills since then. I was surprised, though, that herecommended me. At the time he was not at all pleased with the results of mywork."

"I see," the slaver murmured. He shot a look at Saliman who nodded slightly,acknowledging that the metal-master would have to be investigated more closely."But, if I follow your program twill be able to use my legs-normally?"

"Oh yes," Vertan assured him confidently. "The key factor is exercise. Balustrusremained abed throughout the process, so his joints fused together. If you havethe strength and will to work your legs constantly you should regain fullmobility."

"Do that for me and I'll pay you double your fee, however large, withoutquestion or complaint. When can you begin?"

"As soon as your man there takes his leave of our company," the sorcerer said.

"What?" Saliman exclaimed, rising to his feet. "You said nothing about-"

"I'm saying it now," Vertan cut him short. "Our methods are generally known, butour techniques are guarded. If one undisciplined in our order were to learn themand then attempt to duplicate our efforts without complete understanding of thesigns and dangers, the results would be not only disastrous but demeaning to ourhumble order. No-one but the patient may witness what I propose to do. The lawsof our order are most strict about this."

"Let it pass, Saliman," Jubal ordered. "I had other plans for you. I get nopleasure or support from having others see me in this weakened condition-evenyou. If I am to rebuild my force I will need two things: my normal physicalhealth, intact; and current information of happenings in Sanctuary. The healingis my task; one you cannot help me with. But, for the information I must relyon you, as I have so many times in the past." He turned to the Lizerene. "Howlong will your healing take?"

The healer shrugged. "The time is not exact. Perhaps two months."

Jubal spoke again to Saliman. "Return to town and don't come back for threemonths. You have access to most of our hidden funds; use them and live well.Anyone hunting hawkmasks will not think to look among the wealthy.

"That hunting should serve as a weeding to test the fitness of our remainingswords. Learn their whereabouts and watch them-but let none know I'm stillalive. After three months we'll meet and decide who is to be included in the neworganization."

"If you are as wealthy as your words," Vertan interjected cautiously, "might Imake an additional suggestion?" Jubal cocked an eyebrow, but indicated thewizard should continue. "There are several wizards in Sanctuary who have thepower to ferret out your location. If I were to provide a list of their namesand estimates of their bribe-price, you could insure your safety during thehealing process by paying them not to find you."

Saliman snorted. "That way they'll take our money and still sell their servicesto the first hunter that asks. How trustworthy do you really think yourcolleagues are, healer?"

"No more or less trustworthy than a sell-sword," the Lizerene countered. "Everyperson has weaknesses, though some are weaker than others. While a few might beunscrupulous enough to accept double-service at least you can eliminate thedanger from the honest practitioners."

"See that it's done," Jubal instructed Saliman. "There're two other things I'llwant when you return. Find Hakiem and let him accompany you to witness myrecovery-"

"The storyteller? Why?"

"He has amused us with his tales in the past," Jubal smiled, "as well asproviding occasional bits of timely information. Sharing this story with himwill guarantee that all will hear of my return to power."