"Good morning, Athgar," the brother intoned, "let's have a look at you, shall we?" He sat on the side of the bed and bent down to look at the chest bandages. "This bleeding looks fresh," he observed.

"I tried to stand," said Athgar.

"I should like to remove the bandages," said Ambrose, "though I must say that whoever placed them was quite adept."

"That was me," offered Natalia, "it was part of my training."

"Oh?" the holy brother remarked. "Did you spend time with the sisters of the order?"

"No," she said, "but I was trained as a battle mage, and that included helping the wounded."

"A battle mage? I'm surprised to see you here then, I didn't know the duke employed them."

"He doesn't," she said, "I'm just passing through."

"Lucky for Athgar here," he offered. "Now sit up please, I have to unwind these to look at your wounds." He offered his hand, which Athgar took, pulling himself to a sitting position. Brother Ambrose then stood, the better to unwind the bandages. Soon, the bloody cloths were on the table, while the Holy Brother lowered his head to examine the wounds in more detail.

"It appears you have been hit with multiple small objects," he observed, "knives by the look of it. Did you see your attacker?"

"It was dark," Athgar said, "and it all happened so fast." He looked at Natalia, wondering why he had gone along with protecting her.

"Normally I’d prescribe a poultice, but the wounds appear clean and free of corruption," Brother Ambrose said. "I should think rest is the only thing you need worry about now. Change the bandages each day if you can. You'd be surprised how many warriors get gangrene from dirty bandages, it simply staggers the mind."

"Thank you, Brother Ambrose," said Natalia.

"You're quite welcome," he replied, "though I’m a little surprised you called on me. You appear to have the situation well in hand.”

“I only recently completed my training,” she explained, “and though I studied hard, I've never actually treated a live patient before.”

“Well,” continued the brother, “you’ve done an excellent job of looking after him. Would you like me to check back in a few days?"

"No, that's quite all right," she said. "I'll contact you if there's any further developments."

"Very well," the Holy Brother replied, "then I'll leave you to it." He was about to depart when he stopped himself. "I should redress the wound," he said.

"Don't trouble yourself," she said, "I'll see to it."

"Very well," he replied. "The saints be with you, Madame."

"And you, Brother Ambrose."

He left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

"Now that you have me at your mercy," said Athgar, "what is it you intend to do with me?"

Natalia blushed, "I hadn't intended to do anything with you, other than see you recovered from your wounds. What is it you'd like to do, once you're better?"