The Pogrom of Mages: The Healers of Glastamear: Volume One by Charles Williamson

mental damage he suffered. Unless I use powerful spells, his dreams are terrifying; they wake him screaming. I don’t know any way of fixing his mind. You’re his friend and might be able to help him in time. He needs both a friend and a purpose. When he’s better, I think he should help you in your quest.”
    No magic Michael knew would protect him from a sword, and Jim was the best swordsman he had ever met. He would be a great companion, but that was for the future when he was well.
    Michael hid his invisible rope ladder and other things he didn’t need for the trip under a floorboard in the rented warehouse, and he gather the group to finalize their plans. Herb would go alone and sail the oyster boat to the beach directly in front of the warehouse. While he loaded the pots of olive oil and fishing gear, Agnes, Gail, and Michael would help Jim onto the boat. All but Herb would remain invisible until the boat was far from the city.
    That night after midnight, they got Jim on board. Michael enchanted the ruby necklace with the still water spell and gave it to Agnes to pass on to Diana if she made it to Rock Point. He watched them sail across the unnaturally still bay and past the breakwater before he returned to his room at the inn.

Chapter 16
     
    Michael enjoyed a relaxing breakfast, said goodbye to the innkeeper, over-tipped the chambermaid, and explained to everyone that he had business in Briarton but expected to return to the inn next month.
    He left by the eastern gate; there was a long line waiting to pass even though it was early morning. Two priests stood next to the guards asking question of everyone leaving the city. Michael explained his business trip to Briarton and showed his letter of recommendation from Arthur of Stone Lane. He was allowed to pass with a nod. He rode for five thousand paces on the eastern road before crossing through the farmland to pick up the north road to Snowport.
    Once he was away from the city, he cast detect all manna to reveal any manna within a five thousand paces circle. There were no healers within his range. He changed clothes in a fallow oat field putting on a simple black traveling shirt and pants. He replaced his ornate dagger with a simple steel one. As it got cooler he added the black waterproof cape to his nondescript outfit.
    He rode along Snowport Road greeting everyone he passed while trying not to make any impression on them. A few hours before dark, he moved off the road to camp for the night. He re-cast his manna detection spell with all of his power and saw the manna of two healers and two fire mages six or seven thousand paces north along the highway. He rode on at a gallop until he was near the manna signs. He pulled off into an apple orchard and tied up his horses. He cast transparency on himself and proceeded on foot until he was across the road from an inn.
    The two fire mages were inside the inn, but the healers he wanted to rescue were chained to a tree outside the inn. He watched as people took turns throwing eggs, filth, and rocks at the helpless healers. They gave the guards a copper for each chance to throw five items. By midnight all but two temple guards had gone inside and the healers, covered in filth and left on the near freezing ground, were asleep, their arms still chained to the tree.
    Michael put both guards to sleep in the way he’d done in the temple at Northport. Both healers were young men about his age, but he didn’t recognize them. He woke the first with his hand over his mouth. “Quiet. I’m here to help you escape.”
    The healer nodded without speaking. He seemed uncertain if the voice was part of a dream until Michael used a spell to unlock the manacles. Using the same process Michael freed the other healer, and put rings on each and hung a chain around their necks. He led them across the road and was several hundred paces away from the inn before he spoke in a whisper.
    “The rings will hide your manna from the priests and the