An amused smile crept through Gallus expression upon the mention of his father. That soon faded to suppressed sadness again when he was reminded of Irenya

Gallus gave a series of small nods. "I'll hold you to that, champion. Don't think I won't." Gallus clapped Meesei on the shoulder and stepped back. "Stay strong."

Gallus looked like he was on the brink of breaking down as he turned around and stepped to leave. He stopped before he reached the threshold of the tent and spoke with his back to the others. "You two take good care of the champion, understand?"

"We are," Sabine said. She neither halted her work nor eluded to Gallus' moment of weakness in the slightest.

Satisfied, Gallus pushed the tent flap aside and walked out of view.

[hr]
Janius had his arms around Kaleeth as he stared up at the ceiling of their tent. He must have been laying still for at least half an hour at this point. His mind just couldn't settle to sleep. He turned to his side for the fifth time tonight and accidentally disturbed one of Kaleeth's wounds to the point of eliciting a wince from her.

"Sorry," Janius said as he stopped his movement immediately. "Are you getting any sleep?"