Yerwey’s eyes were wide, and his lips rounded in an ‘o’ as understanding dawned. “And you …” he trailed off.

Rezkin leaned back in his chair. “I am something else,” he said as he unceremoniously dropped an unsheathed Bladesunder onto the desk with a clunk.

“A Sword Bearer,” Yerwey sputtered. The young healer’s eyes were riveted on the shiny, color-swirled blade. A high squeal and hiss sounded loudly from somewhere in the room, and it eventually drew his attention from the fantastical sword. “Oh!” he called as his grabbed a thick pad and pulled the screeching kettle from the flame. He held the kettle as he glanced back toward the Sheyalin, but the stranger had already withdrawn the magnificent weapon.

Glancing down, Yerwey realized he needed to finish pouring the tea. He filled a second cup as well and brought it to the young sword bearer. The man’s face was flushed, and perspiration gathered at his brow. “I, uh, I guess I should check your injuries.”

Rezkin was relieved to see that the man was going to finally cooperate. He appreciated that the healer lived by a moral code, but he did not care for the fact that it had delayed his own healing. “My left shoulder was dislocated, I have at least one broken rib on the left side, and my left tibia is fractured. I might also have fluid in my lungs.”

As the young man came around to check Rezkin’s injuries he remarked, “You did not get fluid in your lungs repairing a roof.”

“No, after I was injured, I went for a swim,” Rezkin replied.

“Of course you did,” the healer muttered as he began the healing process.

Chapter 20

The morning had been quiet. Frisha had not left her room, and Lady Adelina ordered the young lady’s meals to be delivered to her quarters. Rezkin had not been around in the morning for their usual training, so a couple of hours after the midday meal, Tam and Rezkin found themselves training on the back lawn. Rezkin took Pride for a brisk ride around the perimeter several times so that the spirited stallion could get some exercise. No one knew that Rezkin had been out with the horse all night, although the Stable Master Finnian might have noticed. If he had, the man had said nothing.

In the late afternoon, Finnian strode into the stables announcing that a guest had arrived. Captain Jimson was not expected until closer to the dinner hour since he had duties until they left for the tournament. Unfortunately, with all the drama the night before, the would-be travelers had not had the opportunity to discuss their travel arrangements. Tam and Rezkin made their way into the house only to hear Lady Adelina fussing over someone.