Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (best interesting books to read txt) 📕

and mumbling for the last hour. Nobody’s really woken yet, though.” Cooper replied, “Start heating up a pot of soup with some of the preserved vegetables, salted fish and rice. The smell should wake most of them but make sure all of them eat, even if it’s only broth. In case Mister Ysel asks, I should be back in a couple hours.”

Cooper was careful to merge with the growing numbers of merchants and customers as he made his way into the Trade Quarter. He kept his ears tuned, listening for any indication that the breakout at the quarry had become public knowledge. He heard nothing but the sounds of normal morning commerce.  He entered an apothecary’s shop that was at least partly owned by the Guild. The owner looked nervous as Cooper pushed his cloak back over his shoulders. Cooper spoke, “I’m not here for collections. I’m here to make a purchase.” The apothecary had a small stack of slate boards, each about the size of a floor tile, and stubby sticks of chalk that he used to write out customer orders. Cooper wrote out his order and slid it to the proprietor, while adding, “I’m also in need of a Talented healer. I’d prefer someone from outside the University, as long as they’re skilled enough to handle several patients at one time.” The apothecary paused. The old man appeared noticeably unnerved. Cooper even considered recommending a tonic for the man, but figured the condition would abate as soon as Cooper left his establishment. As the man rummaged through boxes and shelves he managed, in a shaky voice, to reply, “There’s another apothecary a few blocks away. He got a new apprentice a few months ago who’s supposed to be a skilled healer. Ever since then, he’s almost putting me out of business. I’ve even lowered my prices and the customers are still going to him!” The old man placed a bundle on the counter, “There’s your order, young man.” Cooper laid a small stack of coins on the counter and he took the bundle. The owner looked at the coins and then at Cooper, “You’re paying?” Cooper grinned, “Of course. I wouldn’t want you to go out of business on my account. We’ve our interests to protect, after all.” He drew his cloak about himself again and he walked toward the door, “Which apothecary was that, sir? With the new apprentice?” The old man was still looking at the stack of coins, as if wondering whether it was safe to touch them. His head snapped up and he cleared his throat noisily, “Cleor’s. On this same street, about three blocks toward the river.” Cooper nodded, “I know the place.” He pulled the door open and called back, “Thank you.” The man was nowhere in sight, and neither were the coins.

He made a few other stops along the way to pick up items he knew would be needed. Once he reached the door to Cleor’s, he could see that there were already a few customers inside. Economically, this was a good thing. The Guild owned a significant percentage of this shop, as well. Cooper stepped to one side of the shop. The owner was tending to one of the clients when he glanced up and Cooper caught his eye. The owner went pale and he stopped speaking in mid-sentence, “Now for the afternoon dosa-” The customer followed the owner’s gaze and froze in place, managing to stammer, “I-I ca-can come back l-later.” Cooper hadn’t wanted to create a scene. He assured everyone, “Please conduct your business. I’m not here to interrupt anything. I’m just here to satisfy my curiosity.” The owner looked remarkably relieved, and replied, “How may we help?” Cooper pointed behind the man, “I'm here to speak with your healer. I’ll just step back there and you can continue your business with your clients.” A mixture of dread and panic crossed the owner’s face, but it passed quickly to be replaced by an expression of defeated acceptance as he nodded, “Please go ahead, young sir.”

Cooper stepped through and allowed his eyes to adjust for a moment. The only light in the workspace was reflected sunlight from the open stairwell leading to the family rooms upstairs and a few short candles on the ends of the work table. Cooper’s eyes came to rest on the slim figure bent over a collection of vials and beakers. There was no mistaking, despite the threadbare robes and the unkempt hair… It was Miss Camilla.

Chapter 11

Cooper’s heart surged up into his throat and he couldn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. He thought, “This changes everything.” He silently slipped forward and stood just behind her to the left and whispered, “Don’t shout. Don’t call out my name.” She froze and he continued, “It’s good to see you, Miss.” She spun around in her seat, her eyes wide. As her gaze settled on him she looked almost tearful as she recognized him. In the next fraction of a second her face reflected an entire myriad of emotions as she relived the last few months and then settled on relief and joy as she swept her arms around him and gathered him into a hug, “Coo- uh, Kinsman! Oh, what a sight you are! And you’re alive! And free!” Cooper returned the hug, assuming that she wanted the additional assurance that he was actually here, and replied, “Not just free, miss. Active. There’s much to be done. We need you.” Miss Camilla broke the embrace and held him at arm’s length, “We?” He winked, “Yes, and I don’t mean the royal ‘we’, either. We have several members in need of a skilled healer. Dire need, in fact… And Balat has a broken arm.” She appeared flustered for a moment as she processed all this new information. She managed to ask, “Where?” He smiled, “I’ll take you there now. I need to get back anyway before Mister