When Fenrin finally woke up, he did so with a growl. "Where am I?"

Jayln sighed, hoping this wasn't going to be a new habit. She put down the second book Matius had brought her, giving her a soft look before being whisked away to do the tasks of the Third Apprentice.

"You're safe in Aziron. No one is going to hurt you."

Fenrin slowly managed to turn his head. As his eyes focused on her and the bars between them his eyes narrowed. "Jayln? Haven't we done this before?"

"You have no idea," Jayln muttered under her breath but then stood up, unlocked the door, and stepped inside before saying more audibly, "I'm going to be straight with you, Fenrin. You're a wreck."

Fenrin chuckled and Jayln's heart leapt at how normal it sounded. "Thanks, I noticed. How long have I been here?"

"Ten days."

"Wasn't there someone else too?" His brows furrowed and Jayln answered quickly, not wanting him to delve too deeply into memories.

"Yes, his name's Matius, one of the Arch Mage's apprentices. He got rid of any lingering curses of Niv."

Fenrin's face grew dark at the name and his hands closed into fists. "That's why..." He grunted, his body clenching and Jayln pushed him down.

"Whoa there. Easy, you've barely eaten anything in days."

Fenrin growled again, "Help me up then."

Realizing how much Fenrin needed this, Jayln reached down and he grabbed her arms as she pulled him to a sitting position, his mangled back against the wall.

He went pale and closed his eyes for a moment as the world spun, then with a shaky voice asked, "Bring any food?"

Jayln called out in the hall for someone. Fa'raz popped in and at Jayln's request disappeared to wherever food was conjured up in the Arch Mage's tower. For now, there was still some bread from the day before. The edges were hard, but Jayln pulled it apart, handing the soft center to Fenrin who took it with a shaky hand and pained face.

After swallowing the bread and accepting some more water from Jayln, Fenrin licked his lips. "Aziron, huh? I never liked mages."

Jayln gave a dry smile. "They aren't so bad. They saved both our lives, you know."

Fenrin grunted. "Probably don't like having me around, mages are always the jumpy sort." He nodded to the bars and Jayln bit her lip.

"It's not that, well maybe it is a bit. You weren't exactly...sane when we found you." A shadow crossed Fenrin's face and Jayln touched his arm. "But don't worry about that. Like I said, Matius helped fix things."

Fenrin opened his mouth and then closed it. He reached up to touch his forehead and Jayln intercepted his hand, patting it. "Just focus on getting back to your feet."

Matius appeared with a whoosh. "I heard someone was up and ready for lunch!" He gave Fenrin a smile who returned it with a suspicious glare.

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"I know you," he said slowly and Matius's smile turned a bit nervous before he carefully set the plate of food next to Fenrin.

"I wouldn't think about it too much right now. Your head's been through a lot. I'm Matius by the way."

"Matius." The name was heavy as it rolled off Fenrin's tongue but with an encouraging nod from Jayln, he took the offered bowl of soup and tried to eat it. His hands shook but when Jayln reached out to help, he growled at her.

With determination, Fenrin kept eating, hot soup splashing occasionally onto his lap but he managed to get most of it down. He handed the empty bowl to Jayln and with a shuddering breath asked, "So, what now?"

Matius quickly stepped up. "Now we get you back on your feet. I want to focus on your physical recovery. One step at a time, say...walking from here to there?" The mage pointed from one wall of the cell to the other.

Fenrin began to move and Jayln considered stopping him. He slid off the cot, trying to standing. He was only about half way up when his legs collapsed and he crashed to the floor. Jayln yelped and Matius rushed over.

Fenrin's hand reached up and grabbed Matius's arm like a vice. "Don't move," he said behind clenched teeth.

"Yeah, okay," Matius squeaked, wincing as Fenrin's hand dug into his arm.

Slowly, Fenrin pulled himself up, his breathing becoming ragged and face twisting in pain. Jayln moved to help but stopped when she saw his eyes. They were wavering between determination and fear. She held herself back as he managed to stand and lower himself again onto the cot, hand still clenching Matius's arm.

"Right, well one step at a time like I said." Matius moved his arm and Fenrin looked at him absently before letting go.

"I feel..." Fenrin started quietly.

"Yes?" Matius leaned in eagerly.

"...like shit."

Jayln snorted and Matius's smile wavered, "Ah well, that's understandable. We were able to heal your wounds but there’s lingering damage from being untreated for so long. Your muscles especially were torn more then anyone had seen, A result of extended exhaustion and adrenaline. It's going to take time to recover. But," he placed a hand gently on Fenrin's shoulder, who flinched a bit at the contact, "recover you shall."

Jayln watched Fenrin tense, but nevertheless he nodded. "How long...how long since we got to the valley?"

Guilt twisted in Jayln’s stomach, but she answered softly, "Almost three months."

“Three months,” Fenrin mouthed the words and then closed his eyes leaning against the wall. "Doesn't feel like three months. Gods, I'm tired."

Matius gave Jayln a side glance. "Sleep is a good idea. I can give you something to help you rest if you'd like."

Fenrin peeked one eye open and gave Jayln a questioning look. "He's not going to poison me, is he?"

Jayln chuckled at Matius's offended gape and shook her head. "No, you can trust Matius, I promise."

Fenrin's eyes glanced quickly at the cell bars before closing again. "Promise..."

By all appearances he was asleep but Matius still fetched some tea with sleeping herbs and left it by his cot.

"I should probably stay here just in case," Jayln said fretfully as the two glanced at the sleeping man. Matius pulled her arm and they slipped into the hall as he shut the door.

"He seems to be recovering, but we have to consider that a relapse is possible. This isn't exactly a hospital."

Jayln frowned. "You don't mean we should keep him locked in that cell?"

Matius sighed and took her hand. "I just don't want anyone getting hurt if something sets him off. What if he goes berserk and catches someone like Fa'raz before snapping out of it? You and I might be able to handle him, but we can't just let him wonder about."

"But being in the cell is probably what would trigger a relapse!” Jayln pulled her hand away. “Didn't you see the way he eyed those bars? You know how much of his memories were focused on being trapped, how is he supposed to recover in there?"

Matius rubbed his chin. "Good point. Well that gives us really only one option. He's got to be moved somewhere else, somewhere without a lot of people. Until we can come up with a plan, I can at least illusion away the bars. It's not my speciality but I think I can manage."

"But where will we take him?"

They both glanced back at the door, neither having an answer.