18
DAMAGED WINGS
That evening, after politely refusing the king's offer to have them stay at the palace, Ramble, Hogwash and Hokum made their way back to 'The Dancing Donkey' to mull over everything they'd heard that day.
Ramble was exhausted, and sank gratefully into one of the common room's spacious armchairs. Though he hadn't realised at the time, the magic he'd used to free the king from his curse had been enormous, and had strained his body as much as if he'd spent a week doing physical labour.
'I'll be fine after food and a good night's rest. Don't worry,' he told the Earth Elves after they'd asked if he wanted them to fetch a healer. 'Tomorrow morning I'll be as—'
He was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps, and as he peered around the armchair's vast side, he saw the
