Pain and Sleep

Agony got a tight hold of my body. My broken arm and leg felt like they were getting cooked in boiling oil. My cells were screaming at my brain, the fingers on my hand twitching uncontrollably. Like worms they spun and turned back and forth, the bones inside breaking apart and rejoining again. Tears flooded my eyes like earlier this day, the vision of the people passing the streets getting blurry. They were all staring at me. Whether it was because I was emitting a green glow or because I screamed like Zurok himself got a hold on me, I didn't now. All I knew at this very moment was the definition of pain as it filled out my whole world.

And from one moment to the next, it was gone.

"Done"

Kammarabal looked me up and down, before turning to Ophelia that had covered her ears. As he spoke she lowered her hands to listen.

"The Suspension will work for about a month, maybe more, maybe less. I expect immediate payment."

I needed a few seconds to process what I was feeling. The pain came and went so fast my brain already began to doubt it ever existed. Ophelia blessed the man with an almost angelic smile.

"We will send the money as we agreed upon."

"Any chance I can get paid in dragon scales? One would already be enough to cover…"

"We will send the money as we agreed upon."

The face of the man morphed into an even more grotesque form. His frown seemed as if someone had crumbled up his face. Without another word he turned around and vanished into a crowd of people that already had lost interest in me. Ophelias eyes wandered towards me.

"Everything alright?", she asked. A look of pity laid on her face as she saw that mine was covered in snot and tears.

"I...am...not...sure?"

My voice was husky. From her sleeves the woman produced a handkerchief and held it out to me.

"You should clean yourself."

I did as she had told me. As I wanted to give the hankie back she moved a step back and waved her hands dismissively.

"You can keep that. Also we booked also we booked a bed for you and your companion in an inn right around the corner. You should probably lie down and rest."

Ophelia was right. My legs were shaking my throat sore and my eyes-lids were itching closer to each other, despite my heart still hammering in my chest. I agreed with a single not. It was sad that I wouldn't get to see Venosa and Ahchul messing a little more, but for today I really had to lie down.

"Lead the way", I said, my shoulders hanging, my voice croaky.