A Warrior's Redemption (The Warrior Kind)

I felt very weird to say the least, "How long has it been since the battle?" I asked, my voice sounding rusty.

"Three weeks."

Just then the doctor brushed past Thaddeus. I recognized him as the one who had stitched me up once before.

"Well this is certainly better! Well done Thaddeus for whatever you've been up to, but now it's time for you to rest." The doctor said turning to Thaddeus.

Thaddeus protested strongly, but the doctor held his ground.

"It's alright grandfather. I'll be here when you get up. I promise." I said, as I cut through Thaddeus's protests.

His eyes met mine and he gave up the fight and left the room grumbling, as he went towards his quarters. I smiled slightly as I listened to his colorful grumbling, as he retreated down the hall outside my room.

The old doctor got my attention once more, "How about some food Roric?"

The word food hit me like a war hammer. My stomach constricted sharply in pain, as my body screamed out its need for nourishment at me loud and clear.

I sat up in the bed stiffly feeling like what it must be like to be an old man.

The old doctor laughed, "Nurse would you bring us some broth please?"

Seeing my expression he laughed again, "I know you could probably eat a whole cow, but it's best to start out slow."

I progressed rapidly over the next two days and I felt that I could handle more so I walked to the stables. I entered into the stable barn and walked down the hallway until I came to Flin's stable.

It was empty!

Panicking my mind jumped to the conclusion that Flin was dead and they hadn't told me for fear of upsetting me. A snort sounded from the far end of the stable barn and I turned to see a man let go of Flin.

Flin bolted across the barn and barely stopped in time to keep from knocking me over backwards into the stable door. He threw his head over my shoulder and I hugged his neck for a moment.

"I missed you boy. The dream world I've been riding in would have been a lot better with you under me."

I stepped back patting his shoulder. The man who had been walking him had come up to us. It was Rolf.

He looked a little gray and thin in the face just as I probably did. I noticed the empty sleeve pinned to his side. My eyes rose to his and his gaze shifted a little away as if somehow embarrassed. I stepped forward and put my arms around him pulling him close not saying anything. He resisted me for a moment and then his remaining arm closed tightly around me and we stayed like that for a while.