Recovery

Epis had taken to bed. He lay motionless in Maiguh's castle staring at the ceiling. Concerned with his behaviour Maiguh sent his daughter Dinetee to bring Epis food and drink. When she entered the room Epis was faintly surprised to see her, and it was then he got the story. She thanked him and pressed upon him the food Maiguh had sent. She watched as he picked at it and finally ate small bites. As he ate she came and sat beside him.

"You want something from me?" He asked her.

She did and he knew it.

"My sister Endra remains trapped in the curse you freed me from." She explained.

"I can heal her," Epis told her tonelessly, "I am the god of healing, if only I could heal my own heart." He ceased to eat and handed it back to her. "I think I should be heading back home."

She told him that her father wished him to remain with them for a few days while he regathered strength. The journey would be difficult for him she explained. She did not tell him the troubling things the enders had brought back as news.

Epis agreed with the same blankness, then turned over and stared out the window.

Later Dinetee returned with more food for him. She put it in her hands and sat down beside him again.

"Tell me about her," she asked. "I have been frozen so long I barely know anything about this world."

Epis gave her a suffering look but started to tell her about his lovely wife. He described how they had fallen in love, her voice most of all. As he spoke tears flowed from his eyes, he took the flower from his inventory and held it in his hands. Slowly it blossomed into many flowers. Dinetee took a few from his hands and weaved them together into a small band.

"She sounds very lovely," Dinetee told him, "remember her by this." She took the crown and placed it on his head. Epis reached a hand dully to touch his head and felt the delicate petals.

"I can almost sense her, but she is so far from me."

Dinetee nodded and took the plant and placed it on the window sill. Bit by bit Epis told Dinetee all his stories which she listened to with a fevered vigour. As he told the stories Epis felt lighter, he did not stop feeling sad, but he did feel stronger.

He knew she wouldn't have wanted this.

Finally he got up from his bed, stretched his limbs and walked to see Maiguh.

"I am ready to return home," he told Maiguh. "I thank you uncle for your hospitality and the kindness of your daughter. In return I offer you to heal Endra of her curse."

Maiguh smiled lightly and showed Epis to where Endra was. Dinetee trailed them quietly. Epis placed his hands on Endra and slowly she came back to life. At once she was enveloped in Dinetee's arms as she gave a cry of delight.

Maiguh left the sisters and walked Epis to the portal to take him home. "I think perhaps my daughter has taken a liking to you." He told Epis.

"I apologize uncle but my heart is frozen."

Maiguh smiled sadly.