Zebious was an unusual boy. Born of Snow blood, he carried a power, but he’d been abandoned on the streets of Mud Gate at age six. Hunger made him a thief, and survival had taught him to trust his own judgment long before he learned to trust anyone else. But most curious about the small boy was his ability to smell sickness and death. Just passing a man on the streets, he’d pause and watch, sensing the churning blight within another.
Cycles later, Zeb had become a healer, yet not by the rules of Nohar or the realms to which he belonged. They had refused him. But little had changed. He didn’t give a rat’s arse what was done. A man was a man, and if this was his fate, he’d grab it by the heels.
Stubbornly independent, he questioned kings, challenged the Protector, and had little patience for ancient secrets when people were dying beyond the walls.
He had once stolen to survive. Now survival had taken on another meaning.
Survive to eat. Survive to save his king.
Prince Odo: The Mud Gate Origin
Long before he became a healer, Zebus attacked a boy for his fine leather boots, hoping to trade them for food. He had no notion that his victim was Prince Odo, heir to the throne—or that their violent encounter would change both their lives.
Read what happens on the desperate streets of Mud Gate.
Read Prince Odo: The Mud Gate Origin —
Again, I say it. Throw me a reason. It can’t be all, save the dragon boy, hatch the dead, or open some old door everyone fights over.” He stood, holding his tunic and scratching his armpit, and she sighed.
“Any healer would find answers in The Chambers.”
“Cures?”
“Things you will bow to.”
“Cures then?”
“Better than cures.”
He threw up his hands. “Why not lead with that?” He fell to one knee, laughing, and held the towel. “Get on with it then.”
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