He did. And Arvid was right — this time the pain, at least until he passed out again, was much, much worse.
Coming to, this time, was like waking from a nightmare, only to find that reality was far more terrifying. He sat up slowly, only as far as his elbows, and found that Arvid or one of the Abaryanites had placed him back on the bench again. His gummy, cold breeches prompted the humiliating awareness that in this last attempt to leave his cell via the Vastness he had fouled himself. He stripped then off, circumspectly lying on his back, and threw them away in the farthest corner. Gunnar did not try to stand up because he knew, this time, his legs would not hold him.
Arvid spoke from his position just outside the bars, saying gently, “I expect you would like an explanation. It is quite
