HONOR BOUND (The Spare Heir) by Michael G. Southwick

had been replaced with a sullen silence.  “ Not a good sign ,” Jorem thought.
    A serving maid whisked past balancing trays of food and drink in both hands.  With deft movements, she deposited a plate of food and a mug of juice in front of him.  Jorem could just imagine the disaster that would occur should he attempt such a graceful act.  For himself he found eating with his left hand almost more than he could cope with. His right hand seared with pain whenever he tried to move it.
    Jorem was just sopping up the last bits of gravy off of his plate with a piece of bread when the King stood up.  Apparently everyone was expecting this because the room fell instantly silent.  “ Really not a good sign ,” thought Jorem.  “ What else could have happened while I was reading ?”
    “We have received an invitation from the Duke of Broughbor to attend the knighting of his eldest son Pertheron.”  The King’s voice sounded tired.  “As Broughbor is some distance, we shall be leaving at first light in order to arrive in time.  My sons shall be accompanying me on this visit, along with my personal guard.”
    It looked as if the King had more to say but instead he turned and left the room.  The silence continued for a few moments, then pandemonium broke out.  Jorem was reminded of a hornet’s nest after being struck by a stick.  Everyone began rushing about and with so many people speaking at once it was impossible for anyone to be heard.  To prepare for a royal outing in just a few short hours was something Jorem couldn’t fathom.  Unless he was mistaken a lot of people would be going without sleep tonight.
    When he left the hall he meant to go to his rooms to start packing.  Instead he found himself standing at the door to Lord Andrew’s suite.  Absently he knocked on the door and waited.  When no one answered he knocked again.  Perhaps Jennifer had been called away for something.  He was just about to give up when the door slowly opened.
    Jorem was a bit startled by Jennifer’s appearance.  Her eyes were red and her cheeks puffy.  Everything about her seemed to droop.  She wouldn’t even look him in the eyes.  All of her sparkle was missing.  She didn’t even say anything, just turned around and walked back into the room.
    Jorem closed the door and followed the young girl into the sitting room.  When they got there Jennifer sat down in the corner of a couch and pulled her feet up beneath her.  She picked up a small pillow and held it tightly in her lap.  She still hadn’t looked at him and didn’t even look up when she spoke.
    “I’m not really in the mood to dance tonight.  I hope you don’t mind.”  Her voice was so quiet it was almost a whisper.
    Jorem wasn’t sure what to say.  He had never seen her like this.  “It’s okay,” he temporized.  “After the trouncing I gave your toes last week you probably need extra time to recover.”
    “You hardly ever step on my feet anymore,” she said with a slight sniff.
    She looked up at him and when their eyes met a tear trickled down her face.  She looked so miserable that Jorem couldn’t help but want to comfort her.  He had noticed that she had gotten quieter over the last few weeks, but he had thought she was just very busy.
    They sat there in silence for a while and finally Jorem decided to ask.  “So, do you want to talk about it?”
    “He said that I’m useless.”  The last words came out in a sob.
    “Who said that and why would he say such a terrible thing?”  Jorem’s anger surprised both of them.  “I mean, you’re a healer.  What you can do is amazing.”
    “That’s just it,” she choked out between sobs, “I’m not a healer.  I’m just a trainee, and Healer Devonne says I’m no good.”
    “Did Healer Rellen ever say that?” Jorem asked. 
    Jen sniffed and hugged the pillow a little tighter.  “No, but I had the problem even then.  Healer Rellen always said it would work itself out, but it