The Power Of Radiation 26 The Church Of Time And Healing

After finally understanding what his path forward will look like Mark asks Percy to take him to the main church. Percy is extremely happy that Mark is going to try to help him and leads the way from the stone house to the Church of Time and Healing. As they make their way to the church Mark observes the many facets of the city around him. Using a very low level of radiation Mark is able to project a type of sonar giving him the opportunity to examine the world around him and practice his powers at the same time. In Mark's reality, this method would be extremely inefficient and Mark would be tired after doing this for only 20 minutes. One thing Mark is continually noticing as he examines the city are the conditions of the lower-cla.s.s people around him. The amount of disabled people and major diseases and conditions are unbelievable to someone who grew up in a mega city with almost no sickness. Mark's complexion darkens as he sees sight after sight of disabled and sick people around him. Percy on the other hand has an almost indifferent expression as his eyes are pointed straight ahead towards the church. Mark then asks him a serious question, "I thought the Healer's Guild was extremely advanced and could heal almost any injury. Why are there still so many people who have lost limbs and contracted diseases?"

Percy's eyes dull as he finally notices the many poor souls along the street that Mark has been observing. "The Healer's Guild is predominantly a business and is run by some of the richest merchant in Stone City. If someone cannot afford the cost of fixing their limb that got injured or cut off recently they can pay less money and have a cheaper method applied. This can range from amputation all the way to prosthetic limbs for those who can't afford it." Mark's eyes widen at the implications of what Percy said. "Are you telling me that the Healer's Guild could actually regrow someone's limb if they paid enough?" Percy smiles a dark smile as he explains that "Anything is possible with enough benefits given to the Healer's Guild".

Mark is amazed at the Healer's Guild's resourcefulness and power. Percy even explains about how some rumors say that their Guild Master Olaf can resurrect the dead and cure any sickness or disease with a touch. Mark is skeptical about some of these rumors but if there is even a grain of truth to these then the Healer's Guild is a real force to be reckoned with.

Percy and Mark finally arrive at the main entrance to the Church of Time and Healing and it is very crowded. Mark observes how people surround it like a marketplace but it has the long lines inherent of some government buildings. The weary faces of doctors and apprentices inside can be scarcely seen as they rush about their business with a fervor and intensity rarely seen. Upon entering the church there is a main room split down the middle. On one side of the church is a cla.s.sic church like atmosphere with a podium, benches and even some people kneeling and praying. The other side of the room is much more crowded and well used with a huge line leading up to it. That side of the room closely resembles a waiting area where some of the poorer citizens can come and seek treatment.

The waiting area is mostly row after row of chairs and the citizens who sit on them. Many of them have evident serious injuries including missing fingers, violent coughing and one person with what looks to be an arrow sticking out of his knee. All of them are waiting remarkably patiently for the doctors to come see them or to register their name at the counter at the front of the area. An old man who has seen better days mans the counter with a sense of efficiency. As Mark and Percy approach the counter through the main entrance the man nods helplessly at Percy and has a look of hope directed at Mark. Percy shakes his head in frustration to the man as the old man must think that Mark is a new doctor recruited to help the church. Mark watches all of this interaction with a sense of sadness. He looks at a board next to the front counter and examines the many prices for supplies and treatment written by the church.

The board reads different prices for anything from basic supplies to cures and treatments for many different aliments.

CHURCH OF TIME AND HEALING

BASIC SUPPLIES 1-50C

INTERMEIATE LEVEL SUPPLIES 50C-1S

ADVANCED SUPPLIES N/A

MINOR SICKNESS 1-50C

DISEASE 50C-1S

INCURABLES N/A

MINOR INJURIES 1-50C

INTERMEDIATE INJURIES 50C-1S

ADVANCED INJURIES 1S+

DISABLITIES N/A

BRAIN INJURIES N/A

After reading the simple list of possible treatments and items they are selling Mark is amazed. The sheer difference between the knowledge known by people growing up in Mark's reality compared to this medieval reality is enormous. Mark then asks a few questions to Percy. "Percy, what does the N/A mean and what are considered incurables and advanced supplies?" "It means that we either do not have the knowledge to make or buy the supplies or cures to some medical problems. The unfortunate fact is that many doctors are secretive individuals in these times and many high-ranking doctors will exclusively work with the n.o.bility and upper level merchants than to try and help poorer citizens or people who can't afford them. The Healer's Guild is the same way with all their knowledge being concentrated around their member's only teachers and libraries. This means that there are some sickness and cure that we know exist but we just don't have." Mark's eyes narrow at how blatantly wrong this system is and how much it resembles the ranking system of his world. "I bet this is done on purpose by the owners of the server to make doctors better understand their place in today's society…" Mark thought.