The Eyes of a Doll (The World of Shijuren Book 2) by Rob Howell Page A

until you do.”
    I smiled. “No, I haven’t, and I have no doubt you are correct.”
    “Yes, Cosmas is one of the Helpers, and he and his twin brother Damian were physicians. We get help from those who serve Cosmas when we deal with broken bones.”
    I nodded, remembering that each of the Helpers had their own particular focus.
    “I will help pay whatever is needed.”
    “Those who serve Cosmas will not accept money in return.”
    I raised my eyebrows.
    “I send over food as a donation. That they will accept, but not pay for service.”
    “That’s good of them.”
    “That is their way.”
    “I didn’t get the sense that those of Panteleimon would turn down payment.”
    “Each Helper is different.”
    I nodded.
    “In any case,” she continued, “I think we’ll have Honker’s ribs mending soon, and I’ve salved his bruises and cuts. He won’t be fully healthy for a while, but at least he’ll be mending.”
    “Good.”
    “It’s not your fault, Edward.”
    “No, it’s not. I can’t help feeling somewhat responsible for him, though.”
    “You’re not so bad a man, for an outlander,” she teased.
    “And you’re not so bad a woman, for an Imperial.”
    We laughed.
    “We’ll be needing lunch soon, and I wanted to check and see if I could help while they’re studying scrolls.”
    “Breakfast in your case, I’m thinking.”
    I laughed. “Yes.”
    “Well, you’re not to be touching my kitchen. I’ll have something out to you and the rest soon.”
    “Thank you.”
    “No, dear, thank you.”
    I left to find Ragnar. He was standing outside the Faerie’s stable door, looking up and down the Fourth Serpent, idly tapping a large stick in one hand. He wore the baldric with his sheathed broadsword as well.
    He had clearly passed on to the neighbors that, at the very least, something was happening, and a number of other men and older boys lounged around the street, clearly on alert.
    “Ragnar.”
    “Yes, me boy?”
    “Zoe says Harald will be alright soon enough.”
    “I’m to be knowin’ that, but it’s to be bein’ nice of you to be sayin’.”
    “You’re waiting on the rest of Honk’s family aren’t you?”
    “You’re not to be bein’ as stupid as you look, me boy.”
    I smiled.
    “Let me get my sword, and I’ll go check.”
    He nodded.
    Before I left, I told the others that lunch was coming soon and that I needed to make sure Honker’s family was safe.
    I did not have far to go. Just before the Fifth Serpent, I saw the large mass of neighbors, warded by Sebastijan’s thugs, start down Medusa’s Way. In their midst I saw Soraya and their older daughter. I assumed Ludmilja was in their midst, hidden from view.
    That assumption was quickly confirmed when Ludmilja came running out of the crowd to hug me, with Nadja held with a firm grasp.
    “Nadja’s friend!”
    I laughed. “Yes, and we are going back to the Faerie for a long party.”
    Ludmilja squealed and grabbed my right hand with the one not holding Nadja.
    I let Honker’s neighbors encircle us, and we walked back to the Faerie.
    I was not sure what I would do if I had to use my sword, but I could not let go of Ludmilja’s hand for the moment. Fortunately, we arrived at the front door before I needed to answer that question.
    Ragnar ushered them in, only pausing to give me a small wink as he saw Ludmilja and me holding hands.
    Once inside I kneeled down to Ludmilja. “Take Nadja and go play with your family. I have to talk with my friends over there.”
    She pouted for a moment but soon nodded and went with her mother.
    “You’ll make a great father,” laughed Sebastijan. His men echoed his laughter. He pointed them to the table nearest the door, following that with a gesture to Ragnar, who nodded in return.
    He turned back to me. “In fact, you should go sit with Nadja and Honker for a while.”
    I looked at Sebastijan with an eyebrow raised.
    “Zvono, Kapric, and I still have work to do. You’ll just get in the