Hajin sucked in another careful breath for the physician, feeling the bandage pull where yesterday's strain pressed on older bruises. Palace treatment dulled the ache without erasing it, and another fat purse did nothing to make his ribs less breakable.
Juna stood beside the chair with her arms folded, watching him like a guard watches a pickpocket.
"Reconnaissance, if you must," the physician said, tapping the bandaged side with two dry fingers, "keep an exit close, and come straight back if your breathing or movement gets worse."
"Easy look around, in and out, back before anybody has to drag me home." Hajin tugged his shirt down over the bandage and flashed his most trustworthy smile.
"You said that about the sewer," Juna grumbled.
"And I came back from the sewer, didn't I?"
Her ear flicked toward him in a way that promised a full lecture later, with interest.
---
