Talia pulled the thin summer blanket up to her shoulders.
The pain that had briefly subsided returned with renewed ferocity.
Her skin felt as though it were sizzling.
She shifted restlessly and swallowed her groans.
Finally, fleeing from the agony, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Near sunset, a plump mage arrived to cast restorative magic.
Talia silently accepted his treatment.
The touch of others disgusted her.
But she no longer possessed the strength to resist.
“I'll light an incense that dulls sensation. It should ease the pain considerably.”
Apparently he had heard that she had refused the medicine.
The mage placed a small censer near the entrance and lit it.
The stale scent quickly filled the carriage.
Talia was about to tell him not to waste his time.
Then she felt the tension gradually draining from her nerves.
Her shoulders relaxed.
The pain piercing her bones slowly receded.
Her consciousness began to blur.
The herbs clearly carried a sleeping effect as well.
She welcomed the drowsiness that swept over her.
Unfortunately, the sleep did not last.
Before long, the pain began growing fierce once more.
Groaning softly, Talia woke and struggled to open her eyes.
She would have to summon the mage and order him to burn more incense.
Rubbing her throbbing head, she slowly pushed herself upright.
Then suddenly—
Her breath caught.
Talia's pupils widened as she stared into the thick darkness surrounding her.
She did not know what had startled her.
Yet something had.