21
I awoke with a start at the sound of the door creaking open. The early sun of a new day shone through the single window of the spartan room. Apuleius slipped inside with Philo behind him.
"Good morning," Apuleius greeted me.
I shifted atop the bed and winced as my neck cracked. I hadn't dared move for Xander's sake, and his head now lay in my lap. "'Morning. . ." I mumbled.
The priest walked over to the bed and shook Xander's shoulder. "My Lord, you must arise soon."
Xander's eyes fluttered open and he eased himself to a seated position. "Is it time?" he wondered as he ran a hand through his messy short hair.
Apuleius nodded. "Yes, or nearly so, My Lord. Breakfast awaits, but your wounds need looking after first."
I stumbled off the bed as Apuleius went about unwrapping X
