Chapter 109 Getting Up part 6 (1/2)

Finishing his third bowl of stew, Jack was about to help himself to a fourth when Urien's voice spoke behind him.

”I don't know how the hell you're standing right now, but I gotta say, I'm honestly pretty impressed.” He said.

Jack turned to see the older brother appraising him, his arms crossed. He was, for the first time since they'd met, not wearing armor. The light tunic he was wearing was parted halfway down the front, and layers of bandages, some stained with blood, peered out through the opening.

Jack laughed uncomfortably. ”It's a benefit of being a sorcerer. I heal incredibly fast.”

Urien's face showed no expression, which increased Jack's discomfort. After staring at him emotionless for several long moments, Urien's face finally relaxed.

”Well, thank the Maker for that, then. That leg wound of yours would have killed a lesser man.” He said. ”You're really lucky to be alive.”

”More than I'm aware of, I'm sure.” Jack replied as he scooped another ladle of steaming soup into the wooden bowl in his hand. Once it was filled, he turned to Urien and asked ”So, the last I remember, I had just killed the gnoll I was fighting, then passed out. What happened after that? How did we end up winning?”

Urien walked over to the cauldron and began serving himself some stew.

”Honestly, the best I can figure, it ended not long after you went down. That one you were fighting was apparently some sort of leader, because as soon as he fell, the rest of them started to break. And a good thing too, because up to that point we were losing. Once the two of you both went down and the tide started to turn, Farien and I, with the help of your companion Rose and some of our better fighters were able to chase the rest off. We pursued them for nearly a mile, and managed to cut the last down before it could cross the Shimmerwind.” He said.

”The Shimmerwind? Is that the river north of here?” Jack asked.

”It is. Though I'm surprised you know that.” Urien said.