No charges to heal an adventurer!

"Quinton, how did you get the injury on your left hip?" Alan asked with a wry smile on his face.

"What !!!!? How do you ....!!!!?"

"I can make out a slight limp that you so desperately try to hide from others. Will you let me examin you?"

Baffled, Quinton stood staring at Alan for a long time.

Quinton was not the only one who was staring. Everyone else were staring, but, at Quinton. Surprise clearly visible on their faces.

Quinton sighed loudly, "You are right young man. I was rescuing a few kids from human traffickers and which on the mission I was trampled under the horse's hooves. My Hip and thigh bones were broken in several places, but thanks to our Duke's support, I was able to recover so much. He spend more than 500 gold for my healing. Even though I was an unknown adventurer for him, when everyone else including my blood relatives closed their door on my face."

" Unfortunately my joint cannot be repaired completely. I have to suffer the pain. No, I have to go through the hell when I lay back on the bed to sleep. It's been years since I slept peacefully." There were tears in Quinton's eye when he ended his story. Not only him but his acquaintance and even the Duke's guard looked sorrowful. Kristina also had tears in her eyes.

"Would you like to sleep well tonight?" Alan smiled warmly and walked near to Quinton and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I would definitely want to, however a full nights sleep in peace is just a dream for me now. I wanted to end this miserablelife but I had not yet met the promise made to myself to serve the Duke for 5 years for the kindness I had received from him....."

In his sadness, Quinton didn't noticed that Alan had examined him in a few seconds and had already started to heal him. People around him noticed the green glow on Quinton's body in awe.

After a few seconds, Alan patted Quinton's shoulder and smiled. "You can sleep well tonight. Your injury is completely healed Quinton."

"Ah, What!!!?" Quinton came back to his senses and looked around and at Alan in surprised, then when he tried to move his leg at an angle to feel the reminder he would usually feel. A reminder of his Injury, he felt... Nothing!!!

No pain at all... He smiled like a small child. Jumped a few times and then executed a few kicks flawlessly then hugged Alan crying.

Thank you, Sir. You must be a master healer. No A Grandmaster Healer. Yes, that explains how you healed me so quickly and effortlessly. Thank you sir. Thank you very much. At last I can sleep a whole night without pain after 3 years." He cried harder and knelt down infront of Alan.

Alan pulled him up, patted his back and got onto his horse, when Quinton asked him. " Sir, may I know your name? What is the fee I need to pay for the treatment?"

"My name is Alan, and for the adventurers, my treatment is alway free. I will be in the city for a few days, if there are any adventurers who genuinely need healing, let me know and I will heal them."

"Where can I find you sir, Alan?"

"He will be in the castle. You can meet him there." Kristina smiled fondly at Alan. After that, they all moved forward.

" Everyone, don't let the news that I am a healer slip out for now. "

They reached the castle after riding for another half an hour. Even in the dull fading light Alan could make out that the castle itself looked similar to Duke Emberheart's castle from outside. However the front yard and garden was bigger and the size of the castle itself was slightly smaller but well fortified.

The gate was opened as soon as they saw the retinue coming towards the castle.

The Duke himself was waiting at the entrance, looking worried. When he saw the carriage enter the gate he sighed in relief.

Kristina got out of the carriage and ran towards her father with a wide smile. "Father, I got the Wood Betony and it's more than a 100 year old one!."

The middle aged tall and sturdy man's face split in two. "Thank goodness. What a great news my child, what a great news. But, why were you delayed by a day? I was waiting for you since yesterday night. But I received the news of your arrival from the guard only a few minutes back." The relief on his face after seeing his daughter was palpable.

We were delayed initially by an unexpected thunderstorm. Then we had to stay an extra night inside the forest. I will explain everything later father.

"And this is Alan. Thank to him, we were able to come out of the forest safely."

The Duke turned his gaze towards the tall, sturdy and handsome young man. Then he nodded his head with a smile. Thank you young man. I am truely greatfull for your help. Unfortunately we have to hurry to treat my wife. Please stay inside for a while. I will talk to you later. Captain Gregory please take our guest to the informal meeting room and inform maids to serve him some refreshments."

When the Duke tride to turn around, Alan spoke. " Your grace, if you don't mind, can I accompany you to see how the healers administer the healing. As a student of healing myself, I would like to watch and learn."

" But...."

Before the Duke could say anything, " Father let him accompany us, he won't disturb anyone." Kristina pleaded to her father.

Alright, this way. The Duke, started to walk inside followed by Kristina and Alan.