“You need to be checked out,” Era prodded at him with her nose through his blanket.

Grayson groaned, rolling over he yanked the blanket just enough to upset Era’s footing on the bed which sent the little blue dog staggering to the floor. She snorted - loudly - before jumping back onto the bed. This time, she laid across his shoulder and stuck her cool wet nose against his ear. With a wave of his hand he tried to dismiss her, “But I’ve got my healing.” he retorted.

The dog rolled her eyes, even though he couldn’t see it he knew exaclty what she was doing. Lifting the blanket from around him he laid it across her - trapping her.

From beneath the blanket the small beast stirred trying to find her way out. “Your powers are spent and you know it.” Finally finding daylight she poked her head out and glared at him. “This is something more then your healing alone can help.”

Grayson shook his head and grabbed a clean shirt from the trunk at the foot of his bed and pulled it over his bare chest. “I’m fine.” he said sturnely. The heeler dog cocked her head, eyes softening ever so slightly. “You keep saying that but even you don’t believe it.”

Pausing he stared down at his thin boney hands. They were a sickening shade of white still - almost the same shade like when he first sprung from his years long prison. Even though it had only been months this last time…

He grimaced, twisting his face. His familiars paw reached from under the blankets and looked up at him, “you need to be checked out, Grayson.”

Standing up, he rolled his shoulders and headed for the door. “I’m hungry," he said, once again avoiding the subject.

They traversed the corridor, slipping down a flight of stairs and winding his way through each hallway with almost near muscle memory. Once upon a time he’d spent a lot of time in these halls, but that felt like a whole different life. The smell of soft baked bread and chopped fresh fruits drifted towards him, he peered through the doorway to see a few cooks hustling around the counters. One was prodding something in the oven while another was slicing away at a large fruit with the finesse of a soldier. Grayson was about to walk in when he noticed a stack of trays sitting on the counter. They were just like any other trays, silver in color, circular, but what stuck out the most was the top one - it had a crack in it with a triangular chunk missing from it.

Flashes of him in the cell began whirling in his mind and he staggered backwards slightly clutching his head and attempting to massage his temples. His stomach which had been growling only moments ago was now stone heavy. His hand flat on a wall he used the momentum to push himself off and turn on his heels.

Era watched him wearily, hesitating in the door way before ultimately following. She took in a big breath to say something but he held out a finger, “don’t you say it.”

His pace turned sluggish and his feet dragged almost behind him as he kept his head down. Eventually he stopped in front of another door, looking up to see a medical symbol hanging above the frame. Neither Era nor Grayson said another word as he opened the door.

For the most part it was a quiet room, a few beds lined the walls and a couple of curtains were pulled indicating that bay was occupied and needed some privacy. Most of the people with minor injuries had already been treated, a few with more serious ones seemed to remain. Grayson was shuffling backwards when a nurse came around a corner with a new set of sheets clutched in her arms, she paused looking Grayson up and down. She didn’t say anything - she didn’t have to say anything - her sharp eyes motioned between him and an empty bed. Era nudged the back of his knee pushing him forward.

“Hurry now child, you aren’t the only one in need of care.” She said, her voice soothing but commanding. Walking forward he sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hands in his lap. The woman laid the sheets on the side table and turned to fluff his pillow. “You look like you’ve been through the ringer honey, sit back so I can assess you.”

Grayson raised a brow, “I...I’m fine really, she..” he jutted his thumb in Era’s direction, “just won't stop hassling me.”

The nurse almost laughed - almost. “Alright then, why don’t I go get you a glass of water, you can get settled before we begin.”

He didn’t say anything else, he sat there looking around the little bay he occupied, in front of him was a closed curtain. He wondered who was on the other side, who got injured while he was locked away, when he should have been there during the fight, but wasn’t there because he was a traitor. He frowned while he winced and contemplated whether or not he should leave before the nurse returned.