It took a little bit before some of the townsfolk came over, but eventually they did. One by one, they came over and asked questions. They asked if the gods were angry, and he assured them that the gods loved them, and watched over them, and had even helped bring an end to the Elar invasion by defeating the demons that led them.
"The Elar were tricked, just like some of you might have been. There was a demon leading them that told convincing lies. But he has been defeated. The gods can help win the war in the rest of the world, and they can help heal the sick and help your crops grow again."
Suddenly there was a woman holding a young girl, only a few years old. The mother explained that the girl had been injured when the Elar first came, and that her wound was not healing.
The next thing he knew, he was healing it, giving them a demonstration that the gods were still there to look out for them. The wound went away, and the child laughed and the mother sobbed gratefully.
Then there were other sick and hurt being brought in. The innkeeper warned the people to give the strangers room, but Marus told them to come. Everyone he healed smiled. It seemed so long since he had seen joyful smiles. For so long it had seemed that healing had been a grim task, and he thought of Ullden, who he had healed several times. Each time Ullden had given him a grim smile, knowing he would be wounded yet again. He wondered if maybe Ullden had known all along what the final outcome would be.
He tended to the little town as best he could. After a while, the little inn room was packed as tightly as it could be. Marus found himself standing on a chair, giving his own little sermon to the town. Some of them came with books clutched tight to their chest--books they had secreted away from the Elar.
"You have the books," he finished. "Read them a little tonight, and maybe a little every day. Teach them to your children. Tomorrow I have been asked to pray for those who are no longer here. I would ask those of you who wish to attend to gather after breakfast. For tonight, go home and rest and sleep well. Go, and walk with grace and health and wisdom and strength, for the Gods walk with you."
