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“YOU HAD MOST OF YOUR ribs broken, and you have bled inside. We healed all that, but now you just have to live with the pain for a while. This is something we can do little about right now,” said Math in a matter of fact voice. “You’ve slept for three days solid.” He and Jorlon looked down at Mordrak, who was in a comfortable bed. “You did well, and it was a pleasure to fight by your side.” He said this more kindly.
“Thank you,” the knight replied. “Where am I?” He looked around the walls and ceiling at the cracked plaster in this windowless room. “I sense we are in Bar-Nexus?”
“Indeed you are. In a week or so we’ll travel to your King. Astocath should have returned by then, and you will be mostly recovered. I think it a pain in the neck, highly inconvenient, when I have my own things to do.”
Mordrak groaned with physical discomfort. Breathing was clearly difficult and it was apparent that talking made him worse. “A week? That is not too bad.”
“We shall see,” replied Math.
“So where is Astocath?”
“He rushed home to see his son,” Math said with a look of disgust to Jorlon. “Happy families, eh?” His tone was sardonic. “It really will not do getting all tangled up like that. He took Tulan with him.”
“You’re not alone with your misgivings, Math. Has he a son? ... or a child?” Mordrak’s heart skipped a beat. He wondered if he would sire a son, whether he should believe the curse. He had never thought of Adriselle being a mother, and it was time he sorted out a wife for himself and, of course, get over this fear of the curse of the revenants.
“The babe is a few months old. Not yet a toddler, anyway. We assume a son.”
“The King will honour you. I am certain of it.” Mordrak coughed deeply. It was severe and could draw blood, but it did not. He hoped to recover in less than a week. His wound was really painful.
All the while, Jorlon stood staring at Mordrak with nothing to say. A bland look was on his face, although he very much enjoyed seeing Mordrak in so much discomfort. He realised how much he missed Ifhrd and nothing would bring him back. Yet, this knight was returning from the brink of death and his pain would heal. He told himself that this was just the beginning. Just the beginning.
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THE END OF THIS CHRONICLE