She looked at him in shock, "How do you know that?"

"Your clothes are a dead giveaway," he said. "No one wears those kinds of dresses around here. From what I hear, the only place where those would fit in would be at a Duke's Court somewhere."

"You're very knowledgeable for someone who lives in a small village," she mused. "I suspect you've travelled a little."

"Not as much as you might think," he said.

"How is it," she asked, "that you wear such crude clothing and yet have gold around your neck?"

He instinctively reached for his torc to find it missing. "Where is it?" he asked in a moment of panic.

"Don't worry," she said, "it's right here on the dresser. I took it off to make it easier to bandage you."

"You bandaged me? I thought a healer did."

"No, he hasn't arrived yet, he had other patients to visit first. I also took the liberty of acquiring you some new clothes, I'm sorry to say my spell badly damaged your old ones." She took his tunic from the back of the chair, holding it up before him. The holes in the chest were clearly visible.

He looked at them in wonder, "I'm lucky to be alive."

"I noticed you carry an axe," she said. "A strange weapon to carry in a city, isn't it? I thought most men carried swords."

"Not where I'm from," he said, "we use axes and spears."

"A sword is more lethal," she noted.

"Yes, but an axe is more versatile, you can't very well chop wood with a sword."

"Can't you?" she said. "I wouldn't know, I've never had to chop wood. I suppose it makes sense, though."

"What doesn't make sense," offered Athgar, "are those shoes you're wearing. They won't last long around here."

She looked down at the dress shoes that adorned her feet. "I suppose you're right," she said, "but I left my last place in a bit of a rush. I'm waiting for a few new pairs to be made."

A knock at the door drew their attention.

"It's Brother Ambrose," called a voice. “You sent for a healer?"

"Yes," replied Natalia, "just a moment." She turned her attention back to Athgar. "Now, you just lie still and please don't tell him I did that to you, it might prove troublesome to both of us. The town guard is already upset with me for killing one of my attackers."

She moved to the door, opening it to reveal a Holy Brother in the customary brown cassock of his order.

"Please, Father, come in."

"I am a Brother," he replied, quickly looking about the room, "not a Holy Father, but the mistake is forgivable. Is this the patient?"

"It is," she said. "This is Athgar, an acquaintance of mine."