137 Contact

"Can't sleep either?"

Stoneheart's voice was weary as he sat down next to Arran, and from the way he moved, it was obvious that his injuries were hindering him.

Arran shrugged. "We'll be departing soon enough, anyway," he said. "How are your injuries?"

"Not too bad," Stoneheart replied, picking at one of his bandages. "That food of yours helped, too. How did you get so much food with Natural Essence, anyway?"

"Just a bit of luck," Arran said, unwilling to elaborate.

"You seem to have a lot of that." As Stoneheart spoke, Arran thought he could hear some bitterness in the tall novice's voice.

"I've had my share of luck," Arran agreed, "both good and bad."

"I could do with some of the former," Stoneheart said dejectedly. "Ever since I crossed the border, it's been one disaster after another. I never thought it would be like this."