No wonder it looked as though it had healed poorly; a sour wound that deep never quite healed right, werebear or not.

Not for the first time the Medicine Seller wished he'd been with the other man; good medicine was a luxury few could afford, but he would have happily provided.

"You mentioned O'Driscoll when we were camping. One of the many gangs that roam the region, yes?"

He got in, a bit gingerly at first, but as his body adapted to the hot water, he let out a pleased sigh. Oh, it had been months since he'd had anything but a luke-warm wash, and the heat felt exquisite.

With one hand on Arthur's knee, the other stroked idly along his leg as he soaked in the warmth.