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Chapter 12

I gave a prolonged sigh, at which there was another chuckle.

“Feeling better?”

I smiled and nodded, still with my eyes closed. “Yes, thank-you!” And then I slipped gratefully off to sleep.

* * * *

When I awoke, it was to acute pain again. I groaned in dismay at this realization, trying to determine in my confusion whether it might at least be lessacute. It wasn’t long, however, before I felt the damp cloth on my face and neck. I opened my eyes this time, and looking up saw a large man with a heavy five o’clock shadow standing over me.

I tried to smile, but made something that was more of a wince. The man’s face was solemn and I wondered vaguely if this was someone new. I remembered the chuckling of the previous person and that didn’t seem to fit this guy. When he spoke, however, I did recognize the voice.

“The pain,” he said. “It is bad?”