"How can they use such names and not be humble?

I have sat silent' angry at what they uttered.

The dead bequeathed them life; the dead have said

What these can only memorize and mumble."

- Siegfried Sassoon, "Grandeur of Ghosts"

*****

Soundtrack of the chapter: Born to be King by Phil Rey

Beautiful blend by Raj

****

Chapter Twenty: Physician Silverbird

Cady helped Jasper administer the potion to the fallen Oracles.

"Only one drop per person. Too less and too much is lethal."

She nodded. Cady inserted the dropper into one of the vials Jasper had handed her and proceeded to drip a drop of the potion into the mouth of the fallen Oracles. They worked in grim silence, moving silently from body to body.

"I don't think it is working." Cady pinched the nose of the Oracle before her, slumped in a most awkward position with his arms folded beneath him.

Jasper motioned at the woman before him with the dropper he held. "Patience. It takes time for the potion to settle in. Mandrake poison isn't honey."

When they were done with the Oracles in the hall, Jasper moved over to Raphine Sanguinis, who was still muttering gibberish under his breath. His closed eyes twitched frantically as if he was having a nightmare.

Jasper shook his head and propped the High Priest on his knee with care before he prised his mouth open with two fingers. Slowly and precisely, a drop of the sapphire blue liquid splashed into his mouth and vanished. He kicked away the debris scattered around them before he laid the man on the floor.

Just as the Raphine's head touched the floor, a low and guttural moan echoed from the door. Oracles began to sit up, most of them massaging their heads and looking around, dazed and disoriented.

A woman rose from the broken tables and crockery, her old hands trembling as they reached out to the walls for support. She was still recognizable even with her disheveled hair and ripped robes, something Cady had never seen her in.

Mistress Silver limped her way toward the trio, her eyes narrowed.

"Cadence Gates, well I never," she said, before it turned into a fit of wild coughing, tearing at her frail frame. "Did you destroy the Mandrake? Are you the one who saved us all?"

Cady shook her head and pointed at Jasper, who looked shocked.

"No, he did."

Jasper's hands twitched at his sides as Mistress Silver appraised him with her steely eyes. "Who is this young Starlet?"

He bowed his classical bow. "Jasper Silverbird, Oracle and physician of the Darkling Woods, at your service."

The Mistress' eyebrows knitted together so tight, they formed a perfect straight line in her forehead.

"I thought I knew all Healers and Physicians in the Starlet realms. I guess I must have missed a few," said the Mistress. "Was it you who broke the Mandrake's thrall?"

He bobbed his head and gestured at Cady. "She came down to me for help when it happened. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even know about this."

The Mistress started to speak, but her words were cut off when the stirring of the remaining Oracles caught her attention.

"Work first, talk later," she said. "What was it that you used to cure us?"

Jasper pressed another of the vials into her calloused palms. "One drop per person. No more, no less."

Mistress Silver popped the cork and sniffed at its contents. "Strange concoction you have here. I may not be a master of herbs, but I can tell you have some talent. And the Hall of Games needs your kind of talent."

Jasper shifted his weight to the other foot, his face a weird shade of gray the moment the Mistress mentioned the Hall of Games.

"My home is in the Darkling Woods. I prefer not to move too far away from my birth lands."

The Mistress wasn't easily dissuaded. "How about here? The Darkling Woods grow around the Hall of Spirits."

"I don't think his honor the High Priest would like a rogue Physician here."

A third moan sounded. This time, it came from behind Jasper. Raphine Sanguinis' eyes opened, and he sat up.

Mistress Silver grinned, her old eyes twinkling. "Once Raphine sees that you've saved his butt, you're going to roll in honor and glory, boy."

******

Cady forced Jasper into a new and heavy set of white Oracle robes, despite his continuous protests and threats.

"It's your day of glory. Just bask in it. I thought you liked fame and attention."

Jasper tugged at the sleeve of the silken robe. "This is the very reason I wanted to stay away from the Hall of Oracles!" he yelped.

She pinched him in the waist again and felt him jerk.

"Fifteen minutes and the Appointing ceremony will be over. If you hate the Hall of Spirits, why on earth did you take up Raphine's offer?!"

Jasper stopped struggling and looked sheepish. "Well, uhm, the Hall is stocked with more herbs and ingredients a Physician can ever dream of. It's conflicting. You'll never understand."

Cady then tightened the cord that went around Jasper's waist without warning, causing him to wheeze.

"Stars alive, woman! Care to be gentler with a man?"

His statement was so ludicrous she couldn't stop the snort that came out of her.

"No." She gave him another shove to the door and grabbed him by the sleeve, so he wouldn't go bounding down the other direction and rip off the robes.

Jasper allowed himself to be dragged down the corridors and toward the still under renovation main hall. Two Healers who happened to be outstation when the attack happened greeted him with deep bows of respect.

"Master Silverbird, it is an honor to have you in the Hall of Spirits."

He blinked hard. "Please don't call me master."

"Of course, Master Silverbird." The first Healer with an overgrown beard gave him another hasty bow. "Now, we shall escort you into the hall where you shall receive the belt of the highest Physician ranking."

"Please, no more belts," he groaned before shooting Cady a murderous look. She whistled and gave him a wink, making a yanking motion with both of her hands. Jasper's eye twitched, but before he could snap at Cady, strong arms wrapped around his shoulders and the Healers pushed him into the hall. He stumbled, but he caught himself and readjusted his robes.

Cady slipped into the hall and plopped into a seat next to a couple senior Oracles. They gave her a withering look, but said nothing.

She could tell that Jasper was bewildered, for his shoulders were all tensed and his lips drawn tight. His eyes darted about the hall, probably taking in the numerous rows overflowing with Oracles and Starlets from the other Halls, as well as those with a fierce authority in Starlet lands. The sheer number of people in the room would be enough to make a beast claw its way in someone's stomach.

The vast amount of people was no wonder, for the only casualties during the attack were the Healers, totaling up to twenty-three. The rest recovered from their morbid ordeal in a couple of days under intensive care by Jasper.

Her attention fell back to the High Priest standing on the raised platform. His throne was removed to be replaced by hanging golden satin banners, as well as a long table filled with a few shiny objects-a golden mortar and pestle, a silver chord which would serve as the belt of authority and finally, a little dagger.

The Healers gave Jasper, who was still motionless, a massive shove in the back, sending him kneeling forward before he regained balance midway. He walked his way toward Raphine with his head held high, the gentle breeze ruffling his dark curls.

She wondered how it would feel to thread her fingers through those silky strands of hair, tossing about like waves on a stormy sea. Suddenly, she was back in the river outside Jasper's hut. His sweet woody scent floated back to her. She shivered as the residual feeling of his powerful arms pressing her against him.

The loud blare of horns shook her out of her thoughts, rudely. From across the room where Eli sat, thin and frail, he caught her eye with his own tired and sunken ones. A smile blossomed from his lips, bringing some life into his pale cheeks. Cady's heart flopped in her chest. He looked frightful. His hair was a disheveled mess and in just two days since his last attack, his hair had started to fall out in chunks, and he lost the ability to even stand. Jasper's seal on the curse broke far too soon, and he was still searching for more ways to combat the disease.

She returned him the sweetest smile she could muster.

Jasper halted before Raphine Sanguinis. The High Priest, although tired and looking more forlorn than usual, had a bright smile on his face. He lifted the silver chord and held it up high, basking it in the golden sunlight filtering into the hall, touching every soul with its heavenly grace.

"Merry Meet, children of the Stars. Today, we have gathered here to witness a miracle blessed upon us by the skies. Two days ago, we were attacked by a force in which we believe to be traitorous Starlets seduced by the shadows. But, the Stars have sent help our way. This man you see before me: is our savior."

Raphine gestured elaborately at Jasper, his large sleeves billowing. He attempted a bow, which turned out awkward.

"With his great Physician skills and gifts from our Lady Nala, he has saved us from the blasphemous work of the attackers. The Hall of Spirits is thankful for such a talented man. Master Silverbird has agreed to join the Hall and serve as a Master Physician. He will now work alongside with Elijah Sanguinis in which I believe both will contribute immensely to the Hall."

"Jasper Silverbird of the Darkling Woods, I now present to you the belt of a Master Physician. Will you uphold the vows of a Master and swear to help every person in need?"

The nervous look on Jasper's face faded into a steely, determined look. "I do."

"Will you give aid to every Starlet, no matter whom and where, with the best of your abilities?"

Once again, Jasper's answer was firm and positive.

Raphine wound the shimmering cord around his waist and looped a small knot when the ends met.

"The Hall of Spirits welcomes its new Master Physician!"

The entire Hall and members of its sister Halls rose to greet Jasper who was eventually swallowed by a cheering cloud. Raphine Sanguinis melted back into the darkness, probably sitting down and taking a rest.

Cady couldn't get through the throng of people congratulating Jasper, so she sat on her spot whilst the two senior Oracles beside her giggled when they caught sight of Jasper and left to join the party.

From where she sat, she was directly before Eli, a corner facing a corner. Eli's head was bowed, and his right scrunched up on his lap while the other gripped the hand rail of his wheelchair so tight, his hand was shivering. It could be a trick of the light, for when she moved her head, she saw a drop of tear glisten on the cheek of Eli Sanguinis.

*****

A/N

A rather slow but heartfelt chapter! Poor Eli, even Jasper can't hold the curse down for long. But now Jasper is a Master Physician, perhaps he can figure out a way to help Eli. 

The banter between Cady and Jasper was sooo fun to write, they're just so funny!

Starting from next chapter, things will start rolling into action. I can't wait to post them! ( well of course, I still have to stick with my schedule ;))

Milkshakes,

Stef