"Wounded as you are, Lord, flight would rip, and tear, and cripple you." Best he knew now just how very bad his life could get if he did not mind her. "And then you will be a teacher, or a stone runner for all your years." What better way to ensure the rider of a bronze took care? Bronze riders died in threadfall or they chose to retire to a calmer life.

They did not do well having said choice taken from them.

She waited at the end of the baths, holding a hand out to steady him as he rose. "You will sleep after this, lord, and that will be soothing as well. You may have fellis juice and numbweed now." The better to stitch and bandage him without overly much wincing.