Beldren lost count of the days. A slave brought them water now and then, but no food. Though he told Mabel that Patrick might die, he couldn't get medical aid for him past the bloodletting. He knew from the medical journals he'd been force-fed that many physicians swore by the method, only it didn't seem to help. Patrick's face oozed puss and maggots. Initially he replied when spoken to but, after what was surely a couple of days, he stopped responding.
The sisters came and went. While Mabel was there Beldren tried to pull himself together, to concentrate, to use everything his uncle had taught him. He complimented her, commented that Ismene didn't seem to appreciate her, that clearly she was put upon and being held back by her sister's overbearing attitude.
In return she let details s
