Page 9 of Of Blood & Stone

Elnok didn’t have time to reply as she left, aiding her fellow nurses as they fought to maintain the peace in the infirmary.

“I think she’s rather fond of you,” Orym said with a small grin.

“Her consistent threats are certainly charming.” Elnok smirked.

“She doesn’t talk much until you show up, you know.”

“And you don’t seem to notice the way she can’t take her eyes off of you.”

He grinned, more blood sliding down his chin. “I suppose I’m quite the looker at the moment, aren’t I?”

Elnok scoffed, ignoring the way his chest tightened. It’d only been three weeks since their stay at a nearby village, staking out an expensive jeweler and enacting one of their best, most elaborate heists in years. They’d ate well those next few days and drank like royals, wearing one of the crowns they kept for themselves.

The next morning, Orym vomited blood.

“But you’re serious?” Orym continued, “You sent a letter to Vutror? For medicine?”

“I did.”

“So you’re telling me they’re docking a ship that carries a medicine coveted byeveryonein response to a common villager’s request?”

“I can bequiteconvincing.”

Orym fell silent, his smile fading as his eyes turned to the ceiling.

“If you go on that ship, Elnok, I’m going to kill you.”

“That would certainly put a damper on things,” Elnok replied.

“You can’t risk being recognized.”

“And you can’t die.”

They stared at one another for a long moment.

“I’ll recover,” Orym said, his body too sick for him to lift his head, “I’m young—we’reyoung—a mere twenty-six years of age.And besides, there are people in here who are faring far worse than me. They need the medicine.”

“There’s no recovery from the sickness without medicine, Orym. I don’t care how optimistic you are. And I can’t get enough for everyone, so if I give it away to one person, then more will want it and?—”

“You don’t understand what this is like,” Orym snapped.

Elnok dropped his hand from his shoulder.

“Gods, just… listen to me for one fucking moment before you get yourself killed, alright?” Orym continued, “This sickness has had me for only two weeks, and it’s been nothing short of torturous. Others have been in this pain for months; I can’t take the medicine in good conscience.” He stared at Elnok with steely eyes, “Even if you bring it to me, I’ll refuse it.”

Elnok flared his nostrils. Damn his friend and his high morals.

“Damn my high morals,” Orym said with a sly smile, “That’s what you’re thinking, innit?”

“You really are a worthless thief, and an even worse fisherman,” Elnok replied. He knew any further argument wouldn’t get them anywhere. His friend had made his decision, and Elnok hated and loved him for it all the same.

“You surpass the master and what do I get? Insults,” he said with a wink.

Orym shut his eyes and feigned a snore as Yenna made her way back to the cot. Elnok restrained himself from slapping his friend in the face as he caught her stare, her hips swaying to and fro as she crouched down next to them.

“Sang him to sleep again?” she inquired, a mischievousness in her tone. The infirmary was back to its usual lull. “Perhaps we should hire you, if you weren’t such a bothersome fool.”

“I’m afraid my earnings would take a real dive if I switched occupations,” Elnok replied.

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