The Healer's Wife Part 6 of 7

After she had drawn her promise from her husband, she had gone door to door throughout the village, explaining to all that lived there the reasons for her husband's retirement. She had worried that the villagers would not understand, that they would come running after the first accident or illness, but her fears were unfounded. All knew that wizards paid a price for their magic, some a steep price, but they were shocked to discover the price her husband paid for his. Shocked and humbled. Never once had they thought to ask what was given, and so her husband had paid.

He had paid with sunny days and rainy, paid with childhood dreams and childhood friends. He had paid with his son's first step, his mother's smile, his father's nod. He'd paid with sunsets and sunrises, with wind in his hair, cool water on his feet. He'd paid with sorrow and pain and joy and grief, had paid with all of these, paid with all but her, had clung to her, and for a while they had been happy, enjoying what days they had left.