Healer's Touch Ch. 13

"It's beautiful. I didn't know that you liked Japanese culture."

"Well, I've never visited Japan but I met a Japanese man while training with my Condocefacio. Their culture is very astounding."

"Condocefacio?" Kat asked.

"Ah...I guess the closest translation would be maybe a mentor or trainer? The Vindexicis Warrior class assigns an older warrior to work with the new members."

"Really?"

"Yes, now why where you lurking outside my window?" Charlie asked as he stopped right in front of her.

"I was thinking and more than thinking. I was trying to prepare myself."

"You often climb out on the ledges of my castle to think?" his voice filled with disbelief. "And what do you mean prepare yourself? For what?

"Well, it is the one place that most don't look for me. Do you realize that I can not even bathe in peace. The minute I sink into a relaxing bath, some maid or servant raps on my bathroom door telling me I must hurry because I am going to be late."

"Such is the life of a royal, Kat." Charlie said softly as he led her over to the plush pillows that were laid in front of the fireplace. He motioned her to sit, before he lowered himself to one of them.

"I didn't ask to be a royal, Charlie. I was simply told that I was going to be one whether I wanted it be or not." Kat sighed as she sank into the soft silk of the pillow.

"This is not what I had planned either. But like I've told you, sweetheart, a male Venusian has no control of who his chosen is. He simply recognizes her and then claims her."

"So what happens is the woman doesn't want to be his "chosen"? Does she have any say in it?"

"If the male experiences the signs of being near his chosen, the woman feels those same signs also. Nature has never given a pair of chosens without it working both ways."

"Really?"

"Yes. In our case, once I reached my majority, you started dreaming about me. Fate decided that we were to be together and crossed time and space to make it so. And believe me Fate is definitely not a a force of nature or a 'person' you want to piss off."

"Did you dream about me before I came here?"

"I had one dream just before I met you, Katrina. And believe me I wanted no part of that dream or of you."

"I know your wife had just died. I wonder why I dreamt of you when I was a child but you never once dreamed of me."

"I don't know. Possibly because I've never accepted my power into my body." he said as he stared into the fire.

"Is there a reason, other than your late wife, why you haven't accepted it yet? It is a strong power because even I can feel it."

He nodded before looking over at her.

"One thing you will learn about me, Kat, is that my word is my bond. If I promise or swear an oath on something, I don't go back. I swore that I wouldn't go through the ritual until my i>Condocefacio was present."

"What happened?" she asked softly.

"He went into exile with his daughter. She was my mother's first student. When she started to abuse her power, Deanna's father banished her to Earth after stripping her of her healing powers."

"How sad. Why would a healer abuse their powers? It goes against everything that is truly "healing."

"Such is life, sometimes, Kitty-kat. Why does a man steal or murder? It is hard to explain. We can only deal with the aftermath. This is something that you will have to expect to deal with when you sit beside me. It will be one of our duties."

"I wish some one would have told me that, when I applied for this job," she groused good-naturedly.

Charles couldn't help but chuckle at her. She had such a unique take on things. Her attitude was something that he didn't see often since he became King. She treated him as if he were just another man.

"So when will your i>Condocefacio return?" she asked as she laid back on the pillow.

"He won't. That's why I won't ever complete the ritual, Katrina. I swore an oath and I won't go back on it."

"That's kind of harsh, Charlie. I wouldn't think that he would want you to deny that part of you forever and it is such a special part too."

"It is something that I wouldn't expect you to understand, Katrina. It has to do with honor and tradition."

"I understand honor and tradition, Charlie. More than you can ever guess. If you knew more about me, you would realize that." She looked over at the file and picked it up.

"What's that?" he asked, for such an innocent looking folder, he had a feeling it would change everything between them.

"Something your mother gave me. She's rather put out with you about it, I don't mind saying. But in your shoes I can't blame you. You are expected to trust me when you don't even know me. I can't say that didn't hurt when I found out you asked him to get you my file rather than asking me about my history. Well here it is...here's the report that you asked Dean to gather for you." She handed him the folder. She faced him as she handed it to him and then turned away.

"Yet you're giving it to me?" Charlie asked a frown on his face as he accepted the folder.

"There are things in that folder, Charlie, that I will never discuss with anyone – not even you. There are a few things in there that I will explain but only once. You will find out Charlie that I am a criminal on Earth. No amount of digging will tell you of my crime. Supposedly it was expunged from my record when I turned eighteen."

Charlie laughed before looking over at her.

"I can't imagine you being a criminal, Katrina. You are too honest for your own good to be a criminal." he laughed.

"If you will stop, I will tell you what happened. If not, I'll just let you come to your own conclusions, your highness." Kat's voice turned more than frosty.

Charlie sobered quickly at her words. He had been trying for weeks to get her to open up to him. Now that she was trying to be honest he was laughing at her. He realized he was close to losing her.

"Fine. Please explain." he said as he schooled his expression into one of utmost seriousness.

"When I was in first grade, a friend of mine fell and severely broke her arm. I've been able to heal since I was very little. Instead of waiting for a teacher to come and call for medical help, I healed her. In doing so, I broke the "No power law." It states that no child can wield power while attending school. Since I healed her on the playground during recess, I broke the law. The school had to report me to the state. I was expelled from school."

"For healing another child?" Charlie asked, disbelief written all over his face.

"Yes. I broke the law, Charlie. I was charged with using my power irresponsibly. I was convicted of it. I was sentenced to a mandatory term of ten years at a vocational school." She laughed bitterly.

"Vocational school? But you were a child?"

"I was sent to ITS. It was dressed up to be a fancy school but it was no better than a prison. I busted my ass and graduated early so that when my sentence was up, I was a free woman. I made sure that I could never be accused of breaking that law again." Kat finished as she turned to stare at the flames.

"Kitty-kat, what happened in that school?" he finally asked.

"That is one of the things that I will never talk about, Charlie. It's in the past. Just leave it there. Suffice to say I survived. I've been honed in the fires of hell ...Charles. Don't let my small physical appearance deceive you. I am not as fragile as I look. If you ever doing something like this again, I won't get mad."

"You won't?" he asked as she stood.

"No. I'll simply get even. And I'll make you wish that you never met me. You've had your one mistake, Charlie. You won't get another." She turned to leave.

"Oh, no, you don't," he growled as he grabbed one of her ankles and yanked her down on top of his lap. "You are going to explain yourself, Katrina. What gives you the right to give me ultimatums?"

"Let me go, Charlie." she said between gritted teeth.

"We're going to finish this discussion and then I expect to hear an apology."

"An apology?" she asked, the shock evident in her voice.

"Yes. You are new to our traditions and culture, Hellcat but you are going to learn something right here and now. Don't ever give your chosen an ultimatum."

"Really," she said dryly. "And what happens if I do?"

"I'll spank your ass!" he growled as he squeezed one of her butt cheeks to emphasize his point.

"So is this a chosen thing or a King Charles's thing?" she asked as she squirmed on his lap. A low growl came from his chest before he stilled her movements on him with his powerful arms.

"It doesn't matter whose thing it is, Hellcat. It is dangerous for you either way. Now apologize!"

"No. I won't apologize for being honest with you. I'm giving you my trust, Charlie. For better or worse. I hope that you are smart enough to take my words seriously. I don't give second chances. I may end up bonded to you but it doesn't mean I have to be happy or make you happy."

"Really. I think you are going to find out a few things about being a chosen, Katrina. What happens to one of us, happens to the other. So be aware that any mischief that you decide to visit upon my head will return in ten-fold to you. You think that this bonding is merely physical. Remember the bonding is also of the mind and magic."

"Oh yeah, your words before were about bonding physically, mentally and magically. How pray tell, Charlie are you going to bond with me magically when you won't accept your own power?"

Now that was the million dollar question, he thought as he stared into the flames. She stared with him in the empty silence.

* * * * * *

The next day, when Kat arrived in to start her lessons with Arianna, she was surprised when she saw that the healer was obviously dressed to leave the castle.

"Where are we going?" Kat asked after Arianna told her to gather her healer's things quickly as it was an emergency .

"We've been requested at the clinic. It seems the healer's there have run across something that they think might be of Earthly origin."

"Really? I thought everyone that came to Venus had to have certain shots and medical clearance before they are allowed to step foot on Venus."

"Yes, they are. Let's go see, maybe it's something and then again maybe it's nothing." Arianna ushered Kat out of the room.

* * * * * *

When they arrived at the clinic, they were met by a team of relieved healers. Ivan Cronstic, the head healer lead them down the hall to one of the observation rooms.

"Thank you for coming so quickly Healer Arianna. I'm glad that Queen Katrina was able to come with you."

"No problem. I hope that I will be able to help." Kat said as after she donned the medical garments that were the norm for the clinic. She had stopped fighting the fact that Areserician society already saw her as Charlie's chosen. In fact she had finally become accustomed to Ivan and others calling her 'Your Highness'. Finally gowned and gloved they entered the observation room.

Upon entering the large room, she saw that there were several beds arranged in dormitory style against the wall. Three of the beds held children, two held teenaged wizards, and two held adults.

"This is the Kronski family. They all came in yesterday complaining of a fever. We would have just released them after administering a fever reduction spell but these unusual sores covered the skin of every member of the whole family – it is something that we have never seen before."

Kat walked over to the children. She sat down on the edge of the bed that held a small girl that looked to be about four years of age. Her eyes were fever bright and she couldn't help but squirm around.

"Hi, sweetheart. My name is Kat. What's your name?" Kat asked softly.

"Azul," came the soft response.

* * * * * *

Charles stood behind the two-way mirror and watched as his chosen talked to the little girl. He could hear the gentle murmurs of her voice. He couldn't tell exactly what she was saying to the little girl but the little girl seemed to relax and become more comfortable.

"I wonder what she's saying to her," King Mica said as he watched Kat help the girl sit up.

"I don't know. But she seems to have a natural affinity with children."

* * * * * *

"Okay, sweetheart. I just want to look at your sores." She coaxed the girl into a sitting position before reaching back and unfastening the gown that hung on the little girls' frame. She smiled reassuringly at the girl as she took stock of the sores that were scattered across the girl's torso. They were about the size of dimes and looked as if they had a blister in the middle of most of them.

"Azul, do they itch?" she asked the girl.

"Uh-huh. Real bad!" the girl answered as she squirmed once more.

"Okay honey, I want you to lay back here and relax. I'll be right back."

She stood and rejoined Arianna and Ivan. Arianna just finished examining the adults.

"So what do you think?" Arianna asked as she removed her gloves.

"Do you have access to medical text book?" Kat asked as she removed her gloves.

"An Earthling medical text?" Ivan clarified.

"Yes."

"Yes, in my office."

* * * * * *

Charles joined Kat as she sat down in front of the computer.

"What do you think it is, Hellcat?" he asked.

"I think it is a childhood disease that we nearly eradicated on Earth. I just need to verify it."

"Your highness, two more families have just been brought in with the same symptoms." Ivan said as he popped his head around the door.

"Isolate them." Kat said without looking up. Charlie smiled. She evidently assumed that Ivan had been speaking to her. Good, he thought, she's already accepted her role in Areseric.

"Right away." Ivan agreed as he left the room.

"Ah-ha. Just as I thought." Kat said triumphantly.

"What is it, Hellcat?"

"I was right. We need to see if we can get the vaccine from Earth. King Mica, do you think you can request the vaccine from the world disease center on Earth?"

"Of course, Kat. Just tell me what I need to ask for," King Mica grabbed paper and pen off the desk.

"We need the chicken pox vaccine. I don't know how it got into your world but I assume that you have no diseases such as these. It is a very contagious virus and it causes high fevers and these blistering sores. It is also worse in adults than it is in children."

"No, most of our diseases are of the mental kind. We do have some issues with certain drugs. Raz-ice being the worse of the bunch."

"What is this chicken pox?" Charlie asked

"It is usually a childhood disease on Earth. It is quite relatively harmless to children. But it can strike adults. In children, it causes itching and the child will run a fever for the first couple of days. Rarely does it cause complications -- but in adults it is totally different. It is much more dangerous and there are many complications."

"And this vaccine will cure it?"

"No, once the person has contracted it, you simply keep them comfortable and let it run it's course. Do you have calamine lotion?"

"What kind of lotion?" Charlie asked.

"It's pink lotion that helps with the itchiness."

"Not that I know of." Charlie looked at his mother. She shook her head.

"Then I suggest that you order a lot of that too." Kat said to Mica.

"Then why am I ordering the vaccine?"

"Because chicken pox is highly contagious. The vaccine is to prevent any other people from getting it."

"Oh." King Mica replied before hurrying off to call the disease center.

* * * * * *

Gracie was astride the zephti when she felt the cramps start in her lower back. She reached back and rubbed her back.

"What's wrong, Princess." Philip asked as he noticed her rubbing.

"My back hurts," she said as the pain traveled from her lower back around to her stomach. Then she felt pressure. She cried out as her womb contracted and then her water trickled down her legs.

"Rand!" she cried out.

"Oh shit. Princess Gracie!" Philip ran to her side and pulled her gently from the zephti and lowered her to the ground.

* * * * * *

Rand stilled as he heard Gracie's mental cry. She was much closer this time.

Where are you sweetheart? What's wrong?

The babies are coming! I need you!

Tell me where you are!

At the top of the next dune, you will be able to see us, your highness. Philip's voice rang through his mind. Come quickly.

Rand urged the zephti into a gallop. When he crested the next dune, he saw two zephtis milling around and two people. One was lying on the ground while the other worked frantically around her.

He galloped down the hill and was off the zephti before it even stopped. He rushed to Gracie's side, shoving Philip out of his way.

"Rand," she whispered in relief.

"Foolish woman. You just had to follow me into the desert. You should be at home with an accomplished healer at your side." He scolded as he folded her in his arms.

"If you wouldn't have run off without me..." she returned before falling silent as another contraction hit her.

"As for you," Rand growled as he turned on Philip. He grabbed him and shook him hard.

"Now is not the time, your highness. Your wife is going to be bringing those babies into the world and it's going to happen now. So lets deal with that first. It is happening here and now! "

"What the hell do I know about delivering babies!" Rand growled grabbing the other wizard by his shirtfront again. He lifted the smaller man off his feet.

"Nothing, I assume. But I do know how to deliver babies. Step back, your highness, and let me help her. Afterwards you can do what you want with me. Just let me make sure your babies are born safely." Philip said as he tried to reason with the extremely irate prince. "I have a first aid kit and some blankets. I can help her!"

"Rand, please," Gracie pleaded.

"Fine, help her. BUT if anything happens to my wife or children, you won't make it out of this desert alive." he growled as he released him.

"I understand." Philip sighed with relief before dropping down on his knees between Gracie's legs. "Now let's see about bringing these babies into the world."