Not getting an answer and only half-expecting one, she turned to the man at Anala's bedside. He looked to be about Jules' age -- a very tired, overtaxed Jules. Carefully she laid an arm across Anala and touched his hand gently. Bloodshot eyes met hers and he seemed to notice her presence for the first time.
"Who are you?" he croaked.
"Ghia. I'm a friend of Anala's." he nodded and retreated back into himself. "And you?" she prompted, hoping to get him talking.
"Stout-Heart," he said automatically. "Lares Stout-Heart. I'm her paxman," he said as an afterthought.
That's new, she thought, but made no comment. "Well, Lares, can you tell me what made this wound?" Of course, I can read it in your mind -- but the words don't make much sense.
His eyes flickered to his belt, where Ghia saw a st
