"And leave me here to die of boredom?" A brief smile. "How is that any better?"

Arthur pushes himself up a little ways, wincing, his breath coming faster as he strains against the pain of his body. Movement makes a headache flare to life low at the back of his skull, and he closes his eyes with a sigh.

"Sit down." It's not quite snapped, but it has the ring of a kingly command. He doesn't even bother opening his eyes to see if she obeys it. "Tell me where you learned to fight."