"People like yourself are not the worst," she admitted. "You will tell me honest and true what you intend. You will lie to yourself, yes, and push yourself foolishly, but you will tell me you intend to do so and that things must be done. I would worry more should you assure me you would obey, and rest, and recover, with every intent to lie." Those were the ones that needed to be watched more.

His back, to put it lightly, was a mess. And the original thread score along his front was little better. At least she was gentle in her scrubbing, though the waters tinged pink at each swab upon his back. "And better dragonriders, Lord, where a healer may be heeded, than a woman like myself among holders or lord holders. They are...unkind."