章 16: Chapter 16: Duel, Part 2

Rath sat down and sighed—and looked up as a guard uniform came into view. He looked up at the healer, who handed him a small tin. "What…"

Pressing the tin into his hands, the healer said, "Use this around your eyes to help with the redness and swelling. Not too much, and it will tingle a bit, but it should help speed the healing process."

"I can't accept—"

"Oh, that's enough. Stop arguing with a healer and do as you're told." The healer winked, then strode off before Rath could say anything more. He sighed again, but twisted open the tin, cautiously lifting it to his nose, braced for unpleasantness. But it smelled faintly sweet, and looked something between fresh cream and soft butter. He gingerly dabbed a fingertip in it and rubbed some of it carefully around his sore eyes.