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Show "They mean to harm her," mumbled Phrapp, querulously. He turned over painfully and mumbled unintelligibly into his pillow*. Jothra reached out a hand and patted the big man's shoulder until he quieted.. "I fain would forget all about it," he went on, absently patting the big man beside him. "I would fain forget it happened at all. But- seest thou?-it could happen again." Janni, who had been watching the thick, muscular young king so tenderly calming Phrapp, was much touched, as all women are touched when strong men choose not to use their strength to bully some wight smaller or weaker than themselves, as they could well do, but rather to be gentle and nurturing like women-a gratitude born of relief perhaps, at an unexpected boon. It renders the females full silly at times. Janni smiled at the young king and said softly, "Mayhap 'twould help, worthy sir, to...talk it out of thee." "Aye," seconded Dr'Anya. Brandon began ladling out bowls of stew to pass around whilst Nell bustled about with thin shakes of ironwood she was using as makeshift trays. Belinda, who looked especially interested in what the King was saying, walked casually over to sit at the end of the king's pallet. The gallant Jothra sighed again, withdrew his hand from Phrapp's shoulder, and rested back against his pillows. "'Twas like this," he began. "Thou knowest well of hoofworm?" "Aye," said Janni fervently, and took a bowl of stew from Brandon and a spoon and tray from Nell. "Well, the Four Kingdoms had a fair bout of it these past two 302 |