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her daughter, she’d failed. She’d prayed daily for death for herself, yet had instead seen her daughter injured in the fashion that had ended her husband’s life. Her despair and grief became complete.
    Will sent cheerful Empathic Energy into her, and she regained focus. “Let’s go take care of your daughter, ma’am.”
    The woman simply nodded and followed him, but not before closing the door. She did not fear theft; she feared finding another severed head inside.
    She finally found her voice. “Where are you taking her? I have no money.”
    Will smiled. “Don’t worry about that.”
    “I don’t take charity, sir.”
    “The money will never touch your hands, ma’am. I will not allow a child I can help to suffer for lack of funds.”
    She opened her mouth to protest again, and then simply nodded. Her tears, for the first time in a week, were tears of joy, grateful for the compassion of a stranger.
    Will tuned in on Eva’s harp-like Energy sound, weaving through the complex maze of buildings as if he’d lived in the city his entire life, and the child’s mother hovered close, glancing at the unconscious girl. “Is she still...?”
    “She’s alive,” Will said. “She’ll be fine. I’ve heard of a very good doctor who will help her feel better in no time.”
    They finally approached the small pod of doctors dispensing medical care in one of the few open spaces within the city not designated as markets or training areas for the knights. Will spotted the platinum-blond hair over the masses, and was reminded once more that Eva was a woman of exceptional height. He strode toward her, projecting a thought her way. Coming to visit, doctor. The woman with me knows only that I’ve heard of you.
    Making friends already, Will? Very impressive.
    Will and the mother approached Eva. “Excuse me, ma’am?”
    Eva turned, frowning as she spotted the young girl in Will’s arms. “What happened to your daughter, sir?”
    Will smiled. “She’s not my daughter, ma’am. Her mother is here, though.” He nodded to the woman hovering nearby, amused at the woman’s awe of Eva. “She was struck on the head with a wooden sword swung by one of the knights, and... well, she’s got a nasty bruise on her head as a result, I’m afraid.”
    Eva sighed. “Let’s put her down on the table, and I’ll take a look.” She motioned to the table behind her, and Will deposited the girl there, taking great care to protect her already-damaged head. Will could detect Eva’s Energy trickling into the girl, aiding and encouraging the healing process.
    Eva stooped to check on her patient, analyzing the well-formed and colorful lump decorating the side of the girl’s head. “We mostly need to help control the pain she’ll experience when she wakes up,” Eva said to the mother. “I don’t think you’ll find any permanent damage has occurred, but we certainly don’t want her to suffer while her body heals. I have medications that can provide that pain relief, but they aren’t cheap.”
    The woman hung her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t...”
    “Make sure she has enough,” Will said. “I don’t want to check on her in a few days and find she’s feeling any pain that’s not necessary.” He leaned closer to Eva. “How much?”
    “A gold coin,” she whispered. “I assume you don’t want her to know?”
    He nodded.
    “Swing by later; your credit is good with me, sir.” He stifled a chuckle.
    “Let me have my assistant collect the medicine, then, and show you how to prepare and apply it,” Eva said, directing her attention to the girl’s mother. She glanced around. “Hope? Can you help prepare a bundle of medicines for this woman and her daughter?”
    Hope emerged from the crowd, pausing only briefly as she caught sight of Will. She quickly recovered, remembering that they’d never met in this town, and hurried to Eva’s side. “Of course,” she replied. “What does she need?”
    Eva explained the proper