The transport wagon appears one morning with Luthan, who has a request to attend an accident victim. Ursula returns with it to Foti Lane, where the patient is found with several broken bones. After taking the victim back to the Clinic and doing what she can, Luthan has some surprising news for Ursula.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

110 - Emergency Call

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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The following morning during breakfast the rain suddenly ceased for a short while. Ursula estimated that it might only have been for around five minutes or so. She raised an eyebrow at Hanida, who was pouring herself some more pel.

"Something puzzles you, Ursula?"

"The rain has stopped! I thought it just carried on for the whole time."

The healer shrugged. "Sometimes it does, Ursula, other times it seems to vary considerably from the downpours we have already had to brief periods like now."

Hanida gestured towards the window with an upturned palm, where it promptly began raining again.

"As you see, merely a brief respite from the never-ending downpour. Those who go about the city attending to any damage will take advantage of such periods of little or no rain since it means their work will be easier and less dangerous."

"I see. Thank you for that explanation. Where I come from we do have rainy periods but nothing like what you get here, so I did not know what to expect. I admit to being impressed by the preparations you all make but I suppose there is no alternative, is there?"

"It is what we of Joth know, Ursula. You have traveled along the Valley, do the other lands not do something similar?"

"We have only been a part of the way so I would not care to claim extensive knowledge, but everywhere we did call at had precautions. The striking thing, to my mind, was that each country appears to have different ideas how to do it."

"Ah? Mayhap we would find that of interest, by your leave. I do not think that many of us have ventured beyond the river to other lands. Master Dibenar, you would be the most likely to have done so, I deem."

"Me? It is true that I have been upriver as far as Forguland but that is all, Mistress. Forguland itself is built over an outcrop of rock so I believe that it would be above the highest water level most of the time."

"Indeed? I thought that everywhere between the Walls was flat, which was why it flooded each year."

Ursula cleared her throat. "Forguland is unusual, Hanida. Most places we have visited are flat enough that they will flood at this time of year. The other two I can recall which were not built to be flooded are Fanir and Bibek, Fanir is a little distance from the river, towards their uplands, I believe, and Bibek is where the Faral joins the Sirrel. That city is built halfway up the side of the opening in the Wall there."

"Do you tell me? I have learned something else new!" Hanida put down her mug and looked around. "Have we all finished? Then I desire some help to clear the table, by your leave."

"I'll help this time," Ursula offered, standing. "We do the Tai Chi now every morning but my body needs some more movement, exercise, to keep it going."

"As you say. There are always chores to do but that is not the same, is it? Walking the streets of Joth to find my next patient is true exercise, I deem."

It was while Ursula was loading the last of the plates and mugs onto one of the Clinic's two trays that Bennet turned from looking out the window.

"Mistress, the wagon comes!"

She moved to join Bennet and peered out to find the covered wagon which had brought them being carefully reversed into their space outside. Somebody must have opened the big doors since it was slowly backed into the building beneath them and vanished. Ursula immediately went to the rear to find Hanida.

"What is it? Did you drop something?"

"The wagon has arrived, Hanida. They have backed it into the lower floor so expect visitors."

Hanida wiped her hands and moved to the top of the lower ramp, to a shelf which held a line of lanterns. Down below could be heard voices which echoed indistinctly up to them. She lit two lanterns, gave one to Ursula, and then beckoned her to follow down the ramp. A yellow-clad figure stood waiting at the bottom, the water up to their calves.

"Mistress Hanida, Mistress Ursula, good morning to you." The voice was male and slightly familiar.

"Good morning, Master..?"

"I ask your pardon, Mistresses," he said, "I am Count Luthan."

He took off his cape and undid and removed his bonnet but undressed no further. Before he could say any more, a face looked out over the tailgate of the wagon and waved as the two women continued to walk down. She appeared to be only wearing the smock from her waterproofs.

"Good morning, Mistress!"

"Tyra! Good morning. It is good to see you again. What is happening?"

"Ahem! Our journey here is to request immediate assistance," Luthan interrupted. "There has been an accident in Foti Lane and we consider that the injured man is too badly hurt to be brought here in the wagon in his present state. My request is for one of you to come back with us and attend him."

Hanida asked, "What happened to him?"

"He was endeavoring to repair a roof leak caused by the strike to the Dock Gate and slipped off the tiles. Unfortunately he did not fall into Foti Lane itself but at the back, hitting an outbuilding before he fell into the water."

"Ouch." Hanida looked at Ursula. "Do you want to go? Your people are there, if you decide to rejoin them I would not object. Our two patients are recovering well, they need only care as they walk now, and Her Highness is well enough to return with you. What say you?"

By now those who had been pulling the wagon had waded around it to join those at the bottom of the ramp. In the dim light, and their identical outfits, most could not be identified but several had reddish beards and one face was black. Ursula gave them a nod and a wave.

"I could go," she agreed, "but to return us to Foti Lane is not so simple, Hanida. If Her Highness goes then everyone who came with her should return as well, and if we do that then it means all our chests and bags need to be packed ready to go in the wagon. Can we afford to wait that long?"

"Of course not, Ursula. The man needs treatment immediately, especially if he has fallen so far. My Lord, I assume that he is in a safe place now?"

"He is, Mistress, some of the fisherfolk saved him from drowning and he is on a skate beneath one of their dwellings. But he appears to us as though he has broken several bones, some in his chest."

"I'll go now," Ursula decided. She thought rapidly.

I do not have much here and Bennet can pack my chest for me if necessary. If Eriana comes then her things need packing, but so will chests and bags of Bennet, Vellana, Matta, Ketko and Kaldar.

We'd have to come back here to bring patient, assuming I can stabilize him enough, so others and their chests could be collected then. But that would leave Hanida alone here with no help except Dibenar and Mordon.

...Unless patient's condition is such that I'd have to come back here to operate on him or to provide Hanida with specific advice.

Oh... and Eriana wanted to bring Beresan back with her! Which would presumably mean that Mordon would come as well. Another complication.

Hanida saw Ursula's hesitation. "Some problem, Ursula?"

"Yes. If we all go then you'll be left here with only Master Dibenar and Mistress Larna. Will you be happy if there is just the three of you?"

"You suggest that Lord Beresan would be going with your people? He is not yet fit enough to travel."

"Her Highness wanted to bring him with us, see if he could be of any use to the company. I would be there to look after him but if you think he should remain here then I will not object."

Hanida considered then shrugged. "It is what I expected before the Rains began, Ursula, and then you arrived and those with you. I will think on the matter while you are away. Go, you have a patient to attend."

"If I go I'll attempt to get him into a state where he can be brought back here by wagon. While that happens everyone else will have to pack their chests and bags and be ready to leave whenever I do come back." Ursula turned. "I assume the weather is such that you can do this journey again, My Lord?"

Luthan answered, "The water is tiring to wade through but we can manage, Mistress. It is not so far. You will note that the wagon is pulled by Her Highness's men, if it is deemed too much strain for them to make another journey I doubt not that more of her men will step forward to replace them."

"Very well." Ursula looked at the gap between the edge of the ramp and the back of the wagon. "Do I need to put on my wet weather gear?"

"We have a plank you can use to get into the wagon without getting wet here but you will need your gear at the other end, I regret. There is no covered space there large enough to admit the wagon and your patient is further away in any event."

"Ah, okay. I need to go back up and collect my healer's basket and bag. Hanida, can you find my wet weather gear from all these others," she gestured at the line of yellow attire which hung from pegs all the way up the side of the ramp, "and hand it to Tyra, please? I can put it on as we go along, that will save some time."

"Of course, Ursula."

Ursula found Eriana and Bennet at the top of the ramp when she arrived.

"There is a patient at Foti Lane who requires immediate attention, Highness. I'm going immediately to deal with him but the wagon will probably come back here with him once I can make him safe enough to travel." Eriana nodded. "That means that you could return to your men then along with everyone else who is here but you will have to make sure all our chests are packed ready by the time the wagon comes back. There is not much of mine that needs packing, Bennet could do that for me while I'm away."

Eriana nodded again. "It is time we went back to the company, find out what they have all been doing." A frown. "What of the other healer? Shall she be left here all by herself?"

"I understand that Master Dibenar and Mistress Larna will probably stay here until she can walk properly. I do not know if Hanida will let Lord Beresan go with you or make him wait until his leg is healed more. Beyond that I do not know. Perhaps someone should take turns keeping her company once the merchant and his wife can be sent home."

"Aye. I will give it some thought, Ursula."

"Thank you, Highness. Now I must go and fetch my basket and bag."

On the upper floor Ursula retrieved her basket and bag, making sure that the latter contained a few feminine essentials in case of need. These were brought back down to the end of the lower ramp. She saw that the tailgate had been lowered and a sturdy plank stretched from the dry edge of the ramp up to the bed of the wagon.

Luthan stretched out a hand. "If you would hand me those, Mistress."

She gave the basket and bag to him and he waded across the gap to hand them to Tyra, before returning to Ursula and holding out his hand again.

"If you would ascend the plank, Mistress. My hand will help you keep your balance."

She had wondered how she could do it but holding a steady hand made the crossing trouble free. She gained the wagon bed to receive a helping hand and a relieved smile from Tyra.

"Greetings, Mistress! I am so glad to be by your side again."

"Good morning, Tyra. I forgot to ask, are we going to Foti Lane?"

"Of course, Mistress! That is where Numo is, awaiting a healer to come and attend him."

"You know him? Of course you do, that was a stupid question."

"Maybe, Mistress. You know very few who live in Foti Lane but of course that is, was, my home and I know all who live there. Numo is one of Father's friends, also a fisherman, and both go out into the river to provide for their families."

The plank was removed and Tyra helped pull it into the wagon before the tailgate was swung up and locked into position. Luthan called in, "Ladies, if you would hold onto something as we leave, I would not wish to see either of you fall."

There was some conversation from the front and then a sudden jolt as the wagon eased itself out of the building and into the rain. Ursula and Tyra found facing seats as the wagon turned and made its way to the avenue which led to the Dock Gate. The rain sounded on the wagon roof but they could hear themselves speak without trouble.

"Is everything all right at home?"

"Yes, Mistress, we all know what must needs be done when the Rains arrive." Tyra smiled. "Of course, in other years we did not have Her Highness's men with us so life was much quieter."

"Have they been giving you any trouble? All those extra mouths to feed - big appetites as well."

"They have been no trouble at all, Mistress. In fact they have been of some help to the families with whom they are lodged. Lord Luthan knew that the Visund was coming and arranged for extra supplies to be stored in our houses so we will not go short of food... unless the Rains run too long, of course, but then everyone will be in the same position. What of yourself, Mistress? Have you managed in the Clinic? I know it had not been finished when I last went there with you."

"They are using the Clinic but I don't know if they have needed to do anything serious yet. Most of it seems finished but there are some small parts left to do - or that I forgot to mention when we were there before, like curtains to give the cubicles some privacy when required. At the moment there are just two patients there, one with a twisted ankle and the other with a gashed calf. Hanida says she can look after them until they are fit to leave."

"I have met Mistress Hanida before. I know her, she attended Mother once when she cut her hand preparing fish for our evening meal. Ah, what of Her Highness? Is she well again?"

"Hmm. Mostly, Tyra. She seems to recognize everyone and remembers most of her past but there are still gaps. We think it would be better if she is back with her men, that should help the rest of her memory return."

"But she did not return with you now."

"No, because I have to go and attend this new patient. If we can get him into the wagon, we will take him back to the Clinic. While the wagon is away, Her Highness and the others will be busy packing their chests and mine so that they can come back with us the next time."

"Ah, as you say. It would take time packing the chests, I deem, and Numo cannot wait."

"Exactly. Can you help me get into that wet weather gear, please?"

"Of course, Mistress. I must make myself ready afterwards, it seems to me the rain is becoming heavier than before."

First came the waterproof boots, which caused Ursula to wonder how much use they would be. Calf-deep water was almost to the top of the boots and Foti Lane was closer to the Docks... Everybody else must have been getting wet so she just shrugged. Then came the 'smock', which had straps over the shoulders and a wide skirt to just below the knee. Over her head Tyra pulled the bonnet and tied it off, this had a sturdy peak in front to keep the rain out of the wearer's eyes. Last of all the hooded cape was lowered over head and shoulders, falling to her waist. This kept her upper parts dry, kept her bonnet in place and permitted her arms and hands complete freedom.

Then Ursula turned and helped Tyra complete her own waterproof outfit. This was none too soon as the wagon came to a jolting halt and was then turned and reversed partway into Foti Lane. Since the tarpaulins had not been lowered this time, Ursula was startled by the view.

Across the end of the lane a net had been hung, reaching down into the water. Near each end of the lane a covered walkway had been fashioned, reaching from one balcony to the other, enabling the whole street to visit one other without getting wet. Almost all the inhabitants, including their guests, were gathered together near the middle of one balcony and were staring through the rain at a ground-floor space under one of the houses on the other side.

Men came around both sides of the wagon. Two of them undid the tailgate and lowered it. Somebody handed Luthan a wet bundle and he passed it up to Tyra, who happened to be closest.

"Mistress Ursula's basket and bag must needs be wrapped to keep the water out," he explained. "If you would wrap those items someone will bring them with us to the patient, making sure to keep them upright."

Ursula looked at the bundle of yellow fabric. "How do we do that, Tyra?"

"It is something we do whenever we must needs keep something dry, Mistress, though I do not recall having to do it with a basket before. If you would let me attend the matter."

There were two large pieces of waxed cloth. Tyra laid one out flat on the floor and expertly wrapped the basket in such a way that it was protected but the handle could still be used with care through the material. The bag was easier to do. Both items were handed down to Luthan, who gave them to a yellow-clad figure who was obviously Toshi. He grinned up at the pair.

"Mistress, if you and your assistant would now climb out," Luthan requested. "I regret that you are likely to get your legs and feet wet, there is no other way at this time of year."

"If I may go first, Mistress."

Tyra swung herself out and down, then turned to hold up a helping hand. Ursula took it and cautiously climbed down. The water came about halfway up her calves and she thought that she could keep her legs and feet dry if she was careful walking through the water.

"Do we have to wade all the way to the patient?" she asked the person she assumed to be Luthan. "What about that netting? What is that for?"

"The netting is to stop the children being washed away, Mistress," he replied. "They spend most of their time running, climbing and jumping about along the balconies and lines you can see. If a small child should fall in the water it is possible they could be washed out through the Dock gate and be lost. As for your patient, once beyond the net there will be a... do you know what a skate is?"

"Yes, we contracted one to help bring some of our luggage here as the ship became overloaded."

"Ah, I remember. Inside the city, then, we may use small versions of a skate which are really just rafts with extra bouyancy. There are some beyond the nets we may use and the patient is already on one yonder."

"I see. Let us go, then."

It was possible to go around the outside of the stairs and reach the netted-off part of the lane by using a triangular gap between the stairs and the first house. Luthan unhooked the netting there and they waded through, those who had pulled the wagon mostly climbing the stairs instead. Beyond, four fishermen held a skate steady while Ursula climbed cautiously on. They then pulled and pushed the contraption through the water, the gallery crowd watching every move.

Reaching the undercroft of the dwelling which held the patient, the group waded inside. Enough lanterns had been hung from the rafters to give a reasonable light. Three of the small vessels were there, two were little more than rafts. The patient was aboard the third. Several fishermen were there as well as two others, Karan was aboard a raft while a woman was on the stairway leading up.

The women on the stairway spoke. "You are Mistress Ursula? I am Nefia, Numo's wife. He has certainly broken his right arm and we believe that some of the ribs that side might also be broken. He complains of pain in his right knee, we are not sure if anything is broken or just bruised."

Karan added, "Mistress, his pain was such that we must needs give him some of the green stuff to help, though we know we must be careful with it." He explained, "Though I have done much to help these folk with minor problems I do not yet have a basket or bag of my own. You know that I came away with only what I was wearing."

"That is true and I apologize, Karan. We should have fitted you out at Bibek if not before. Have you examined the patient?"

"Only enough to learn that he is not bleeding anywhere, Mistress. An accident of this kind is beyond my present abilities."

Ursula assessed the situation. Numo was lying on his back on the skate while three men held it steady. He appeared to be awake but barely so. None of the men were wearing waterproofs.

The green stuff makes my job a little easier, but if we have to move him out he is going to get very wet.

"Thank you both, the green stuff will certainly help." She leaned over his upper body. "I am Healer Ursula. Can you hear me?"

"Tsss! Aye, I can, Mistress," the man groaned. "It hurts my chest to speak."

"How? Everywhere or just one side? The right side?"

"Ahhh. The right. Where I fell on it."

"Rest now, I will do what I can for you." She turned to the others. "Did anyone see what happened?"

There were shakes of the head. One replied, "No, Mistress, we were this side and he fell out the back here. If I may show you?"

"Please. If I can work out what happened it may make it easier for me to know what to treat and how."

Tyra helped Ursula off the skate and one of the men waded towards and through the back door. Ursula and Tyra followed slowly. Beyond was a back alley matching the one on the other side they had used to avoid Mathenar. There was a sturdy brick wall about the same height she was and, in the yard on the other side, an outbuilding with a pitched roof. She looked up and immediately regretted it, the rain hitting her full in the face.

"Walk this way a little, Mistress," Tyra suggested.

The change in viewpoint meant that she could more easily see what had happened. Numo had tumbled off the peak of his own roof and fallen outwards onto the ridge of the outbuilding, landing with his right arm underneath his body. He had then fallen again onto the wall before landing in the water in the alley.

If it had not been for that water, he'd probably be dead now. They must have gotten to him quickly enough to stop him from drowning, though.

She turned to go inside. "I've seen enough. Now I must do something for the patient."

Standing beside the patient she told him, "I will give you something stronger to make your pain less. It may send you to sleep but do not think that you are dying."

"Unh. Aye, Mistress. Please."

With the basket on one of the rafts she took out the anoteris root and a small beaker. Looking at it she considered.

Nothing is clean enough. I need fresh water... plenty outside.

"Tyra, can you take this outside and fill it about halfway with rain water? I want stuff that is falling, not what you can scoop up from below."

Tyra nodded. "You want clean water, Mistress, not what we have been paddling in... and everything else. Aye, it should not take long."

As Tyra went outside Ursula turned to Luthan. "My Lord, to take Numo to the Clinic we'll need to make sure that he does not move about during the journey, so I want to strap him gently to a board if possible. Is there something available like the plank in the wagon we can use?"

Luthan considered but it was one of the fishermen who answered. "Mistress, surely, we can find something suitable for your needs. If I may ask what you will use to keep him still?"

"Strips of cloth to wrap around the board and hold him down, maybe some small rolls of cloth as padding to keep his head, arms and legs steady. And maybe four lengths of firewood to use as splints if required."

He thought for a moment, then said, "Aye, Mistress, that we can do." He looked at the other fishermen and received nods. "Padding, could you use rolled-up nets for padding? That may be easier for us to spare than any of our attire or bedding."

"I suppose so. Oh! You'll have it all back once we get the patient to the Clinic. I don't want to deprive you of your valuable belongings."

"As you say, Mistress."

The fisherman turned and held a short conversation with the others before all of them moved out of the undercroft to gather materials. Tyra returned with the water and Ursula made up a potion which, with difficulty, she managed to feed into Numo. She turned to Luthan.

"Can we reverse the wagon back to here?" she asked him. "Otherwise he is going to get very wet."

Luthan gave her a half-smile. "Mistress, he is already wet. We all are, it is the Rains."

She looked around and realized the truth of the remark.

He added, "Surely, Mistress, we can bring the wagon closer. To take him out in that," he indicated, where the downpour had increased, "would not be pleasant. I will make the arrangements."

Luthan departed. Ursula asked Tyra, "Does this kind of accident happen often?"

Tyra thought, then replied, "I can only remember someone falling from a roof twice before, Mistress. The men usually fix ropes to keep themselves safe, I do not know why Numo did not, but I do not know what he was doing."

Nefia was still there, watching, and spoke up. "Mistress, it was my fault. The roof had been damaged by a large stone when the lightning struck the Dock Gate and we have had water coming in ever since. I regret that I nagged him and made him go out and do something, the water was making everything in the house damp and moldy. I do not know why he did not ask his friends for help as they usually do for one another."

"Oh. I think it would have been too dangerous to have gone out before he did, Mistress. The roofs of these houses are a long way up and those tiles must be very slippery. Only he will be able to tell us why he went by himself. Is the hole still there?"

Nefia shook her head. "No, Mistress, the Norsemen came straight away when they heard of the accident and some of them went up onto the roof to see why he fell. They have stretched a tarpaulin over the hole, it is what we usually do."

"And that will last until the Rains end? Good. Now we must see if I can make repairs to your husband."

"Ah, if I may come to the Clinic when you take him? I may be able to help with some of the lesser tasks there may be."

"Mistress, I would have asked you to come anyway. It is what seems to be happening in the Clinic when a patient comes, usually a wife, husband, servant or close friend attends them. At the moment the Clinic can be a lonely place, your husband will want your company." Ursula thought of something. "Do you have children?"

"Aye, Mistress, two boys and a girl. I do not know -"

Tyra broke in. "Nefia, the other families will take in your three as we have always done. Be at ease, they will be well looked after, I know from my own experience. They will think it a great adventure."

"Ah, thank you, Tyra, my husband's injuries have made me forget how we of Foti Lane look out for one another." She had a thought. "I had better go above and make some arrangements, then. I should be back before the wagon comes to take him away." She retreated up the stairway.

Ursula turned to her patient, who had now closed his eyes as the potion took effect. She began gently exploring his arm and chest with her fingers attempting to assess the damage, explaining to Karan what she was doing step by step. Numo's upper right arm appeared to be broken in two places, she was not sure if they were clean breaks or there would be fragments. The right side of his chest showed the start of bruising and it was likely that at least one rib, possibly more, was cracked or broken.

She then checked his lower arms and hands before turning her attention to his legs. His right knee looked swollen compared to the left and the range of motion appeared more limited. It had obviously been banged about on the way down. It looked like just a sprain, but she knew that vital ligaments could have been torn or broken and they might prove the most life-limiting of all to someone whose life depended on agility in a small boat.

Cruciate ligaments, hamstrings, kneecap, tendons. I have no means of scanning any of them for problems. I do not want to open him up just to find that there is nothing wrong but a sprain, but...

The alternative is that I let that heal as it is but possibly leave him with limited mobility. Tough choice.

I will do what I can. It is why I am here.

Remembering her protocol, she then turned her attention to the rest of his body, first examining Numo's skull for any signs of fracture or bruising, then moving down to his neck, shoulders and lower trunk before briefly checking hands and fingers, ankles, feet and toes.

It could have been worse, a broken toe, a cracked vertebra... unfortunate things can happen on the way down to people who fall.

Soon enough the fishermen appeared with cloth strips, wood for splints and tightly rolled-up netting. Since nothing could yet be done, everyone stood around until Luthan appeared with two locals, each of which held the end of a gangplank which was of course dripping wet. She looked askance at the laths nailed across it to provide footing when boarding or leaving a vessel.

"We went to the warehouse for this," he explained to her. "If it is turned over the other side should be smooth and less wet. I am assured it will fit inside the wagon."

First Ursula arranged the injured arm and splinted it, shoulder to wrist to keep everything stable, then strapped it loosely to Numo's side. He was then carefully slid across onto the gangplank which had been inverted, mopped and swabbed dry. Then, while the men held everything in place, she and Karan secured the patient to the gangplank before stepping back.

Meanwhile the wagon had been carefully backed up as close to the undercroft as it could get. A square of tarpaulin was draped over the patient and he was carefully lifted into the back of the wagon before it was removed. Nefia came down the stairs with a cloth bundle in each hand, these were taken and put in the wagon. She was now wearing her own waterproofs and was helped to the wagon and assisted inside.

"Tyra, Karan, are you coming? I intend to return here today with the wagon once we have treated our patient, but it maybe a bell or two, it may not be until this afternoon. I may need both of you to help and I'm sure Foti Lane will survive without us until then."

Karan nodded. "As you wish, Mistress. Is it far?"

"Three streets, that is all. With the rain as it is now it could be waded if necessary."

"As you say."

He cautiously slid off the skate and waded across to the wagon, to be helped in. Tyra followed him and willing hands helped Ursula in behind them. The tailgate was raised and secured and the wagon was soon on its way back out into the city.

The rain seemed to be heavier than before but that didn't appear to bother the team of pullers. Perhaps they felt that it was important to get the injured man to the Clinic as soon as possible and worry about the consequences later. For whatever reason, the journey appeared to Ursula to be quicker than the previous ones. As before, the wagon was backed into the loading bay and right up to the ramp. The tailgate was dropped, the gangplank was deployed and those who could walk out did so.

Again as before, Luthan offered a hand to those disembarking, though he looked obviously tired from the effort of pulling the wagon three times in a short period. Hanida, Eriana and Bennet had met them at the bottom of the ramp and assisted everyone to remove their waterproofs and hang them up to drip, while some of the less fatigued pullers began lifting the gangplank with the patient on it out of the wagon.

"Where to, Mistress?"

Ursula gestured. "Right to the top, please, both ramps. Take it steady. You'll find a big chamber at the back with a table where we'll attend to the patient."

"As you command, Mistress."

Eriana asked, "If we may assist in some way, Ursula?"

Ursula had already considered what would happen when they reached the Clinic, so replied, "Please, Highness, but nothing to do with the patient. The men who have now pulled the wagon three ways must be exhausted so need to relax a little while we others do whatever needs to be done. Someone could make enough pel for all and I believe there may be a few pastries left in the kitchen. If anyone is still hungry then start on the fruit supplies, we can replenish from Foti Lane if necessary. Hanida, is that acceptable?"

"Aye, Ursula, it is what I would have suggested. If I may know who has arrived with you."

"Oh, of course. This is Tyra, she is my personal assistant and companion, you met her briefly when I arrived. Karan is a healer whom I could describe as my journeyman, I'll tell you his story later if I may. And this is Nefia, wife of the patient who is named Numo."

"Ah. Greetings to all of you. If I may ask about the patient?"

"Yes, but we had better follow the men up to the operating theater." The group suited action to words and began to climb up to the middle floor, followed more slowly by the rest of the pullers. "His upper right arm is broken in at least two places and it was underneath him when he fell onto the ridge of an outbuilding so it appears that he may have one or more broken ribs. Both wounds may require some intervention from us. In addition his right knee is swollen, I do not know how much damage there is."

"You are confident that you can do something for this man?"

"Yes, though it is less than I might have been able to do elsewhere. It should be enough to get him back to a near-normal life once he has recovered."

"Then you should manage the treatment, I deem. I will assist, of course, but I suspect that I will only be learning whatever you do today. Who else should we need?"

"If we have enough sets of scrubs then I would like Karan and Tyra to join us. Is that acceptable?"

"Scrubs? Oh, aye, I know what you mean. We have looked at them but not really understood when they should be used or why they are necessary. I believe we found five sets on the shelf."

"That's good!" They had reached the middle floor and were walking around to the upper ramp. "Ah, Mistress Nefia, I suggest that you go into that room there and find yourself a chair for now. We might be doing things you would prefer not to see."

Nefia looked nervous. "As you wish, Mistress."

"Someone should be making pel shortly, they will bring you a mug. That reminds me, Tyra?"

"Mistress?"

Ursula gestured to the rear. "Go into the kitchen, find a medium sized pot and begin boiling some water. What comes out of the pipe is tank water, it should be good enough for our purposes. Once it is boiled, start another pot and bring the first one upstairs to the theater."

"As you wish, Mistress."

Ursula, Hanida and Karan began climbing the upper ramp, reached the top and walked into the theater. Waiting there were three Norsemen and somebody who must have been a well-built fisherman.

"Thank you, gentlemen. If you would wait here a moment or two while we untie the patient, then you can take the board and wrappings away for us."

The three healers made short work of undoing the various wrappings, handing them to the waiting men to be returned to their owners in Foti Lane. A very careful shuffling moved Numo from the board to the operating table and then the men were told to go below and have a drink and rest.

"He sleeps deeply, Ursula. What have you given him?"

"Um, Karan gave him some of the kredis leaves, that must have been, what, two bells ago?"

Karan answered, "Aye, Mistress, about that, as the wagon was leaving the first time, he was in sufficient pain and I had nothing else."

As an aside to Hanida, Ursula explained, "We rescued Karan from a bad teacher and had to smuggle him out of Yod, so he has no basket of his own nor any of the usual contents."

"Yod? He is a Yodan?"

"He was, Hanida. He is going to Palarand with the rest of us and will probably stay there. Where was I? Oh, yes, when I arrived I gave the patient two spoonfuls of anoteris. That would have been... half a bell ago? Three quarters?"

"Ah, as you say. So... he will be asleep for maybe two bells more, maybe a little less. Can you do what you need to before he wakes?"

"I think so, yes. Now, where are those scrubs?"

* * *

The four 'theater staff' staggered into the Common Room, all still wearing their scrubs. The garments all had minor traces of blood on them but only what a bystander might expect to see after a healer had done their job. Eriana stood and began to fill four mugs which she handed to the four before indicating seats.

"If you may find somewhere to rest. How is your patient?"

Ursula answered, "He's fine, Highness, or he will be once his bones knit together and he can go out fishing again. The boys have moved him down to one of the cubicles and he will probably wake soon. Mistress Nefia?"

Numo's wife sat erect. "Aye, Mistress?"

"You can go and sit by your husband if you wish. We may need your help to fetch him some lunch soon and probably to feed him with it."

Nefia stood quickly and gave a small bob. "Oh, thank you, Mistresses! I do not know what we would have done if his injuries could not have been attended so promptly. Thank you!"

She walked rapidly out of the door. Everyone else found seats and relaxed, some gratefully.

Hanida blew out a breath. "Well! Ursula, I think I learned more during that bell than I was taught during my whole time as a healer! Maker, such a difference, such an improvement to our ways of treating folk! Now I understand what you said before, that all your folk spend so long learning things before they may begin to work."

"And yet," Ursula replied, "I, too, have learned much during my time here. I am particularly impressed by the different herbal lore I have learned during my travels. I am certain that the future will be a combination of both our methods, used whenever appropriate."

"Indeed, Ursula. We are grateful that you appeared on our banks when you did."

"I owe a lot to Joth, Hanida, and this is just a small way of balancing the..." books? No. "...scales."

Hanida turned slightly. "And Master Karan, when I first saw you I was concerned, in Joth almost every healer is a woman and I wondered what use you might be. Yet you were one of the team and did as well as any woman might. It shows that my fears were unfounded, you will make a good healer by the time you finish your service."

Karan blushed. "Thank you, Mistress. In, ah, where I come from all healers are men and they guard their knowledge jealously. When I first met Mistress Ursula I was astounded at her knowledge and experience and I knew that my previous mentor would never permit me to learn the same from him. I decided immediately that I must needs abandon him and follow the Mistress if at all possible. In the days that followed I knew that I had made the right decision."

"Ah? I remember the word smuggle being used earlier. There is a tale to be told there, I deem, but perhaps not today. Ursula, what are your plans now? Shall you stay or will you go back to Foti Lane?"

"That depends, Hanida. Do you think that you can handle Numo's various wounds and dressings or would you prefer my help?"

"Now he is properly plastered and bandaged I can probably manage, Ursula."

"Then, by your leave, I would like to go back to Foti Lane, at least for a while. Apart from my work as a healer I actually have other responsibilities and there are people I have to talk to. Is that going to be a problem? It is not so far and someone could probably take or bring a message if there is trouble."

"I can manage. If you recall, it was what I expected when the Rains began and before you and your people arrived. I will be sorry to see you depart but I do know you have other matters to deal with and, as you say, you will not be far if I need help."

"Thank you, Hanida." Ursula turned to Luthan, who looked half asleep. "My Lord, have you thought about our return journey yet? You obviously all need to recover so I do not want to press you, just get an idea of when we will be leaving. We'll need to pack our gear into the wagon."

"Um." Luthan stirred and glanced at Hanida. "If the Mistress can provide us lunch then we will all be the better for it, I deem. Now the patient is here we may return when convenient, there is no need for haste."

Ursula looked at Hanida, who nodded. "Done, then. We'll have lunch before we return."

* * *

Bennet peered dubiously into the back of the wagon in the inadequate lantern light.

"Highness, there is not much room left inside. Should one of us wait, perhaps, until next time?"

Everybody was wearing their waterproofs and standing either on the lower ramp or in the water in the lower level. The chests had been brought down and packed into the wagon, the problem was the number of people needing to be transported back to Foti Lane. Some space had been saved by lashing the two gangplanks to either side of the wagon, outside, but what remained would still be a squash for the short journey.

Eriana turned to Luthan for guidance but the several journeys he had already made, pulling the wagon, had taken their toll. Even she could judge that it would be folly to have him guide their return journey in his present state.

"My Lord, if I may ask you to travel inside the wagon this time. You are too exhausted to risk on another journey, short though it may be. I will take your place at the bars."

That woke Luthan up. "Highness? But you cannot! You are a -"

"I am a what, My Lord? Know you that I was brought here because my mind was injured, not my body. I have loafed here these several days and now desire to work off some of the energy I feel brimming inside. Did you not know that I have rowed the Visund alongside my men? When it has been needful we have all pulled, aye, even Ursula there. I am sure the men will guide us back to my crew, have no fear that we will become lost in the city. Now. Shall you ride inside before you fall asleep where you stand?"

Since Eriana was as tall as Luthan, if not quite as broad in the shoulder, he studied her figure before nodding in acceptance.

"I will do it, Highness. Thank you."

"Then let everyone get aboard and away from this place. We have tarried here long enough, I deem."

The passengers were helped to climb inside. Ursula, Tyra, Matta and Kaldar sat on one side facing Luthan, Karan, Bennet and Vellana. The tailgate was raised and locked into position before the pullers went around to the front. There was a jolt as the wagon began to move, they were pulled outside and there was a pause while the big double doors were closed and secured behind them. Then they set off again into the city and towards the docks.

Ursula faced Luthan, so she asked him, "My Lord, I suppose that you have been away from the Mansion all this time?"

"Aye, Mistress, that is so."

"Were you caught by the Rains as we were or was this something more organized?"

"I volunteered, Mistress. Of course Father would not have sent Math, and I thought it wise that someone known to Her Highness and her men was there to organize your arrival, and so it proved. Why do you ask?"

"Just curiosity, My Lord. I did not know how such matters were arranged in Joth. Mathenar? Was that because of me?"

"Only partly, Mistress." There was a long pause. "Know you that there was a special conclave of the nobles while you were away and it was for my father to declare that, because of various indiscretions since he has returned to Joth, my brother Mathenar has been removed from the line of succession."

"What!"

"Aye, Mistress." Luthan sagged back against the wagon side, his smile bitter. "I had, the same day, removed myself from the succession, since I do not think I have the ability to rule somewhere like Joth. In many respects I am better than Math but in others I do not attain what my father should expect from an heir.

"Thus, since Sherin of Thorn is married to my aunt Tiedra, it has been decided that her eldest child, my cousin Faniset, will become Duchess when my father eventually goes to his pyre. Mathenar and I have both been disinherited."