infection from the fracture. I worked up my nerve as I felt the magic building up in my hand.
I was dimly aware of Levent and the others looming over the scene, but I tried not to think about it. The last thing I needed was to be aware of just how many eyes were watching me. I kept counting, reaching zero much too quickly for my liking.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed on the misplaced bone with all my strength until it snapped back into place. The half-blood thrashed, his cry of pain still audible through the cloth in his mouth, but after a second it was over. I stepped back and let the others tie the splint to his leg, trying to get my heartbeat to slow down.
I sat on the ground and watched them in silence. Levent stayed standing, arms crossed, until we were able to leave.
It was a slow trip back to the beach. Rio was carried by the other crewmembers, and this time Bolivar led the march. I hung back, walking beside Levent, who strangely avoided much attention after the fight. I noticed that he had managed to keep his weapons, too. It made me glad to know that he was not tied up anymore.
“Thanks,” I said offhandedly, which rewarded me with an eyebrow quirk from the dragon-kin. He had torn off a bit of his cloak and was using it to stanch the flow of blood. It was proving unsuccessful.
“For what?” he asked with a tone of suspicion.
“For saving my butt back there.” It was hard to put into one sentence how much he had done for me. I was happy enough that he did not run away in the first place, but now I owed my life to him again.
Levent grunted apathetically, but I might have caught a glimpse of a smirk before he turned away. I found myself smiling despite everything. It was surprising how safe I felt with the dragon-kin by my side.
I found myself enjoying the return journey in the long boats much more than the initial ride. Though I knew I would have to perform another difficult healing once we returned to the Lady Theatus, I did not dwell on it. I delighted in slipping my fingers into the water and feeling the waves slap against my palm. This was probably what it was supposed to feel like after a near-death experience. There were a lot of those happening lately.
Once we reached the ship, I followed the men who carried Rio. As we