The Earl continued, “Now in the manner of the Healer’s guild culpability in orchestrating the unjust duel between a level 16 Duelist and an unclassed level 1. Due to Jaster’s admission both during and after the duel, I find the Healer’s guild is at fault. They owe recompense to both Viscount Corville and to Young Master Trevor of House Tierre. Grandmaster Yuri of House Viwren, what do you offer in recompense?” The Earl was concise and left no wriggle room for the Grandmaster.

  “Earl, I would know what the Viscount Corville and Young Master Trevor would consider to be adequate recompense.”

  I had been wondering where Jaster had gotten a poisoned knife. It was not something a noble would normally carry. Poison being frowned upon and all. During the conference, I noticed that the Grandmaster Yuri looked too smug after my agreement with the Viscount. So, I held up a finger indicating that I had a question, before the Viscount answered. “My Lord Earl, before I respond to the Grandmaster, may I ask who supplied the knife used in the fight to Jaster? If it is unknown, may we find out? It did not appear to be a knife owned by a noble as it was very poorly made. The knife had poison on its blade, and that is not something I believe a noble like Jaster would have on his person.” I watched the Grandmaster flinch when I asked about the knife’s origins. I suspected foul play and wanted to check up on Jaster as soon as possible.

  “You bring up a good point. Since Jaster is resting in a guest room, we will go and ask him.” Earl Donnert replied.

  “I am an old man and don’t see a need for my presence in your questioning of Jaster. With your permission, my lord, I will remain here until you return,” the Grandmaster said.

  Now that set off my suspicion flag. Who wouldn’t be eager to find out where the poisoned knife came from? Nobody. No one unless you already knew. The Healer’s Guild was up to this to their neck, including the Grandmaster.

  “Stay then, Grandmaster. We will return shortly.” The Earl said as he stood up and moved to the door.

  With that, the rest of us moved to the guest room containing Jaster. There were already a couple of Healers at Jaster’s bedside. As soon as I entered, I cast diagnose on Jaster. The status poisoned leaped out to me. Necrotic poison designed to kill and kill painfully. Damn, I knew something wasn’t right, but poison again. “Jaster has been poisoned, please move aside.” As I forcefully moved between Jaster and the healers, I purposely blocked them from doing further harm to him. “Jaster has been given a necrotic poison and will die from it soon, unless I cure it. Viscount, do I have your permission to cure him and further Heaven’s Heal his wounds.”

  “Do it, save my son.” I heard.

  “A lot of damage has already been done, but if I act immediately, he can be saved.” I cast Cure All as I spoke. While I cast Cure All, one of the Healers drew his knife. He was preparing to attack me, when the Viscount grabbed him and threw him against a wall. I could hear bones breaking at his impact. Damn, the Viscount was a lot quicker and stronger than he appeared. This must be what Ruberm meant when he said the Viscount was powerful. The Healer slumped to the ground, still alive but unconscious. The Viscount moved towards the other Healer, who immediately raised his hands in surrender and dropping to his knees. “I don’t know that person, he was here when I got here.” The Healer shrieked then dropped to his knees, signaling surrender. The Viscount searched the unconscious Healer, pulling out more knives and other weapons. This was obviously not a Healer, but an assassin. While I continued to work on Jaster, the Viscount tied up the assassin, and he was not gentle about it. His anger showed on his face and in his actions.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Cure All finished casting and I did another diagnosis. Busted ribs, massive necrotic damage to his heart, liver and most of his lower body, but the poison was gone. I could trace the necrotic damage to his legs. When I removed the covers, everyone was shocked to see the necrotic damage. Black veins covered his legs and groin, and shooting up toward his stomach. The damage was severe. Left alone, Jaster would die and die painfully. The Viscount deflated, knowing nothing could save his son from such damage. The poison was fast acting and Jaster’s body showed it. Even now, the black veins were pulsing evilly. Hell, this was even worse than the Earl. “I will start healing Jaster. It will take a lot of my energy, and I will be very vulnerable while I do it. Viscount, please continue to protect me while I attempt to save Jaster’s life?” I didn’t wait for their reply but began to minister to Jaster. “This is gonna hurt”, I thought to myself.

  Guards had already arrived because of the earlier attack from the Healer. However, I was too preoccupied to notice. I cast Heaven’s Heal on his heart first, then I cast it again because of the extreme damage to it. Finally, after a third Heaven’s Heal, the heart was functioning perfectly. I heard scuffling in the background but paid it no attention. I had a patient to save. Next, I healed his lungs, which were slightly damage and only took one Heaven’s Heal. Diagnose next to identify my next target. I healed the rest of his organs one by one, liver spleen, kidneys, stomach, and intestines. They had all been compromised but were now healed. I was tired by this time. If I stopped now, Jaster would live, but he would basically be a cripple from the remaining necrotic damage. His legs would not support his weight, and he would never walk again. I wasn’t going to let that happen. I would not be defeated. Five more Heaven’s Heals to get rid of the remaining necrotic damage. This was even more than the Earl healing. Next, I healed his bones with a single Heaven’s Heal.

  Finally, I attempted to replace his hand with a new one. At first, I encountered resistance, which was new. It was like something was preventing me from touching him with my spell. I pushed harder and harder, until I overcame the resistance. It popped like a soap bubble and I had access. Under my continual Heaven’s Healing efforts, his hand started to reform, slower than normal, but still progressing. First came the bones, then the nerves. Followed by the muscles, and finally the skin. I was so engrossed in my efforts that I had shutout the world around me, marveling in the spell itself and it shape. A notification reminder started flashing in the corner of my vision, but I ignored it. This was the first time I actually saw the spell construct. It was fascinating. I could not only see it functionality, but I could see where I could improve it, making it better. Finally, the hand was healed, with one exception. There were no fingernails. But I was done, I couldn’t do more, as I felt very lightheaded. Jaster was healed, but still weak. He would need plenty of rest, maybe gloves to cover his fingers, but before I could turn around and say as much to the Viscount, the floor reached up and sucker punched me … again, and I fell into darkness … again.