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As the days pass, Kragus gradually recovers his strength, the Healer permits some light exercise to prevent any further deterioration in the movement of his left arm. The wound itself has not become infected but the lost body mass and the tightening of the skin which surrounds the vivid red scar, the legacy of the searing, makes movement difficult without pain. "Blasted Healers...", Kragus grates aloud to no-one in particular ."Why don't they listen to people who know about wounds. As soon as the wound is healed you begin to exercise as hard as you can to rebuild the strength and the tone." He raises again the bag of sand and soil, held tightly in his left hand.... groaning as the stabs of pain radiate from both shoulder and chest. The sweat rolls down his forehead, dripping from the end of his oft-broken nose. Both the Healer and Eder are pleased with the veteran's progress, for different reasons and measuring by different standards. The Healer charts the progress by the health of the skin, the pulse and testing the temperature of his patient. Eder reaches a similar conclusion but based not on science but on the increasing vehemence and range of the Captain's complaints. " This room is a prison ...release me !!" ......... " No" " Can't I eat anything but bread and this ..... tharlarion piss broth !" " I will speak to the kitchens." " Do you know how boring it is, sitting here watching these same damned walls ?" " They are pleasant walls." " Why does no-one tell me what is happening out in the world ?" " What could you do about it, if they did ?" " Eder, stop being so smug and patronising, do you hear me ?" " Yes, Captain." " Stop calling me that! " " Yes, Captain." " By the way, Captain .. Tarnsman to Ubar's Initiate Three....your Home Stone is taken. " The only thing that seems to retain any interest for Kragus is the story told by Eder, he fires questions like arrows, but is also able to add some of his own knowledge, furnishing yet more proof, if it was needed that Ornoth had it right and that the Assassin's conclusions about the structure of the conspiracy are largely correct. One evening Kragus asks Eder to visit him, and motions to a stool as the Warrior enters the room. Twisting into the dim light of a tallow candle, Kragus reads.......peering closely at the paper. >From Tikarl, Merchant of Ar : To All Captains of Guards or Caravans in service to me : " Vigilance, my Captains. I have further instructions for you. I wish to learn the whereabouts of a certain fellow who has recently betrayed my trust. He is slight built, fair of hair and thin-faced. At my petition he has been declared outcast from the Guild of Assassins, for failure to discharge a contract to my satisfaction, for theft by false pretences, and worse for breaking an oath of service to his Brotherhood. His location and circumstances are currently unknown but he was last heard of disguising himself as a mercenary sword for hire. He may be scarred following recent burns from a fire in Thentis in which he destroyed a valuable Agent of mine. Take no action yourselves, send word if you discover him, direct to me by the fastest method at your disposal. He will be dealt with by his peers." Kragus folds the paper ...... " It goes on to list the merchants through whom a coded message may be relayed." Eder looks at Kragus........ " There will be a reward....I expect, Captain." " I expect so." " Quite a high reward, I should think." " Probably. You are a fugitive now, a hunted man. You will never get close enough to any Ubars or Administrators to present your evidence. Burn the papers, lie low, even disappear. This will blow over in time. " " You are likely right, Captain. You know I will not hide. Do you plan to collect the reward ?" " No, lad. Do you plan to ensure my silence ?. It is your life we discuss." " I will not kill you, Captain. You are not fit for travel yet. You will not know where I have gone." " There is another way..." " Is there .........Captain ?" " Yes .... stop calling me Captain and help me pack my gear. I know when I am fit to travel. " " And just where do you propose we should go ?" " Away from here, you need a protector of sorts to keep you out of harm's way ......now hurry, as they say, the longest step on any journey is the first step. Let us visit some of these Merchants on this list, and see what that might produce. Personally, I have always thought it best to hide in plain sight. "To avoid attention, attracts attention..." You may discover that you need me, after all I will not be restricted by the bounty placed on your life, I understand the plot. I can present your case to those for whom it would be of interest. " " As you wish. It seems I have little choice except to agree, Captain." " Stop calling me that .." " Calling you Captain ? ...................Yes, Captain." Eder grins and reaches for the empty saddlebags. Kragus levers himself from his cot.
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