CAPTAIN OF HIS SOUL
by Marcher (gama39@austarmetro.com.au)
PG13
Chapter 7 ~ Faultless Misfortune
Furborough shuffled his way into the Legion's camp with the sole intent of heading directly to his tent. The walk from the hospital was an ardous one and the rise in his body temperature had resulted in a continuation of the heavy bleeding from his nose. With his head tilted skyward, each step was blind and excruciating. He held the blood soaked towel to his face, applying minimal pressure to avoid more pain than necessary, while his free hand wrapped firmly across his bruised ribs.
As he awkwardly pursued his path, a handful of Legionnaire's hedged his way but made little effort to hide their amusement. However when Furborough tripped over a tent peg landing flat on his chest, the snickering from his comrades became a raucous, collective guffaw. The arm which had carefully rested against his face hit the ground elbow first, delivering a severe blow to his already broken feature. The soldier rolled onto his back clamoring with pain while clutching both hands to the towel, as if applying pressure to his injury would somehow contain the throbbing in his head! The jeering continued at his expense, although he was aware that one jocular voice in particular was becoming louder, approaching slowly until it stopped directly above him. Furborough narrowly opened his watering eyes and squinted against the setting sun until the silhouetted body stood between him and the red glow. Still laughing heartily, Neil Waters extended a helping hand and lifted his friend to his feet. For a moment, pride prevented the injured man from accepting any further assistance from the young Private and he took several unassisted, staggering steps, almost falling again save for Waters' quick response in steadying him. Furborough muttered his gratitude, begrudgingly allowing the lad to guide him the remainder of the way.
"Bar fight?" Neil Waters perched himself on the opposite cot to Furborough's, handing him a bowl of water and a clean towel.
The Legionnaire discarded his stained cloth in favour of the fresh one, dunking it into the bowl and squeezing the excess from it. Just before placing the cool towel to his face, Furborough fixed an angry glare on Waters, answering in an insinuating tone, "No!" then briefly sighed at the ease brought by the moisture against his face. Laying himself back onto the cot, he lifted the towel and studied it before addressing his companion in accusation. "It was O'Connell!" Waters' spread his arms in innocence as Furborough continued with suspicion, "If I find out you told him I was back in Cairo, I swear..."
"I didnt' say a word to him! Ask the others!"
"Yeah." Furborough looked into the young man's face, unable to read his expression through bloodshot eyes. "If you're lying to me, you'll pay on both counts!"
"No! I swear!"
"Well, he jumped me after we left the poker table yesterday. The prat won't get very far though...Arrgh!" he laughed, unintentionally causing his face to ache again "Left my calling card with him. With any luck, he's in more pain than me right now!"
~~~
The first rays of the morning sun were beginning to frame the drapes of her bedroom window, but Evelyn had been awake for hours. Or so it seemed. She hadn't bothered to look at the side-table clock since awaking in darkness with the most peculiar feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was no pain to speak of and she couldn't even say she felt unwell, just peculiar. Each time she raised her head from the pillow the feeling of faintness returned, so she just lay there quietly. Wondering.
Rick snored contentedly beside her and she didn't have the heart to wake him. The pangs of guilt for when she pinched his stab wound still haunted her and in all honesty, Evelyn felt quite silly waking him just to say she felt a little offish, especially as she knew full well the best remedy was exactly what she was doing...lying still and quiet.
Alex began to shuffle beneath his sheets. However reluctant Evelyn was to disturb her sleeping husband, this event signalled the tranquility was about to be shattered anyway.
~~~
Ross Campbell shut the front passenger door of his car and proceeded to walk around to the driver's side, grateful for the few seconds of relief from Carnahan's endless moaning. He wondered if his sister was of the same disposition, but dismissed the thought immediately. Knowing O'Connell as he did, he knew the man wouldn't saddle himself with a nagging wife. As he slid behind the driver's wheel, he threw a scornful look at his fellow Englishman and Jonathan instantly ceased his ramblings. "That's much better." Campbell smiled through his teeth. "It's a luvly mornin', so why don't we just enjoy the ride."
~~~
"No, no darling!" Evelyn reached forward to prevent Alex from jumping onto his father, but failed. The toddler landed his full weight onto Rick's stomach bringing him abruptly awake. Rick groaned with the impact, instinctively catching the child in mid air before he brought his knees down on him once more.
Slightly winded, he layed Alex down next to him and held him firmly in an effort to calm him. "Not the best way to wake your old man, you know." Evelyn was giggling and he looked at her with still blurred vision, "Yeah, ha ha. I notice he's not jumping on you."
"I'm sorry." She offered, still laughing. "I did try." Taking her son's hand as she sat, Evelyn coaxed him to follow her. "Come on, Mummy will get you breakfast." To her dismay, her head began to spin as quickly as she put weight onto her feet and she collapsed back onto the bed.
"Hey, hey." Rick whispered, lifting her chin to look at her. "Dizzy again?"
Evelyn nodded, "But I'll be alright in a minute, I just need to get my balance."
"Like hell! Stay where you are! Ross is bringing Jonathan back this morning and he can check you over while he's here."
"Oh Rick! There's really no need! It's just me being all out of sorts with the baby, that's all. There's nothing he can do." Her protest stopped short when she tried again to get up and felt the illness flush over her.
"Yeah, it looks like it to" Sometimes she really hated that 'know all' tone his voice could adopt, but right now she couldn't bring herself to argue with him. She pulled her legs up onto the bed while he held the covers back for her and she relaxed into the pillows. Her comfort was short lived however, and she jerked her head up on hearing her husband's exclamation, "What's wrong with your feet!"
Looking down at her swollen ankles, Evelyn indeed had to wonder herself. Be that as it may, Rick was making enough fuss for the both of them and she simply brushed his concern aside, "Oh nothing. It's normal for my ankles to swell a little. Especially considering I'm so far along."
"A little! They look like camel's knees!"
Agast, Evelyn withdrew her feet from Rick's hands and scolded him. "Don't be rude!" Then decided to sport with him. "Neither should you speak disrepectfully of devout souls."
Really, Rick should have known better, but it was against his nature not to react. "What?"
"Old Camel Knees." Evelyn perked, lifting herself upright against the bedhead. "Some just call him James The Just, but either way, he was an extremely pious man. Spent a good part of his life praying, hence his nickname. His knees became swollen and calloused..."
"Okay, I get the picture! Wouldn't really say that applies to you, though." He dropped the covers over her legs and pulled himself out of the bed. "I'll see to Alex, you stay there."
Evelyn lay back against the pillows watching her son scramble after his hobbling father, wondering how on earth Rick was going to manage the morning routine. She didn't have to wait long for her answer. Within minutes Rick poked his head around the bedroom door and inquired sheepishly. "What does he eat again?"
She couldn't help resuming her teasing. "Honestly, you call yourself his father! You really need to pay more attention, you know."
Rick curled one side of his mouth, ignoring her game. "So, you gonna tell me?"
"You really don't know, do you?"
He pushed the door open fully, leaned himself against the frame and sighed heavily. "Look, I know how to build you a proper shelter in a sand storm! I know how to set the points on your brother's car! Hell, I even know that 380 and .38 caliber ammunition is often interchangeable in center fire handguns! But I have absolutely no idea what goes into that goo you dish up for Alex every morning!"
She stared momentarily, eyes wide. "Toast will be fine." Rick pulled the door over and retreated with what she could only describe as a smug look of satisfaction and she couldn't resist calling behind him, "For me as well!"
~~~
On hearing her son's excited squeals from the next room, Evelyn could happily assume that Jonathan had arrived home at last. She placed her tray on the bed beside her, quietly dreading when Rick would no doubt lead Dr. Campbell in for what was going to be a thorough examination. She was hard pressed to accept the fuss that Rick was making over all this, but decided it would probably be for the best if she went along with it, and hoped it would put his mind to rest. At least this way she would be able to get on with the normal day-to-day of her life.
~~~
Rick glanced at his watch, uneasy about the time it was taking Ross to come up with a diagnosis on his wife. He and Jonathan had been talking for close on an hour without any news from the other room, but at least it afforded Rick the time to answer his brother- in-law's questions on why he was 'left to rot' as Jonathan put it; and fill him in on his encounter with Furborough.
"We're certainly going to be a fine pair if Evie needs any urgent attention, aren't we?" Jonathan leaned back, exhaling heavily as he gripped the arms-ends of his chair, nodding his head towards Rick's leg. "Lucky for you his aim wasn't a tad higher."
"Hmph!" O'Connell gingerly stretched his injured leg, grimacing slightly then allowing it to relax. "Keep it under your hat, alright? Evie thinks the whole thing is over." Jonathan questioned him with a look. "I haven't told her this guy's out roaming the streets and probably looking to settle the score."
"Ah, I see. I know the type...probably a little too well, I'm afraid."
As Jonathan finished speaking, the bedroom door clicked open revealing the stout frame of Dr.Campbell. Rick immediately moved to rise from his chair and his old friend waved a hand at him to remain seated. "Stay where ya are, Yank!" He pulled the door behind him and made his way to join Rick and Jonathan. "The last thing anyone needs is you fallin' flat on ya face again!"
Jonathan pointed at Rick and laughed, completely unperturbed by the American's unamused smirk,
"Yeah, whatever." O'Connell raised his eyes to Ross, ignoring Jonathan's enjoyment at such a revelation. "How is she?"
The doctor dragged a chair closer and seated himself next to Rick, whose eyes darkened on witnessing such a serious expression on the Yorkshireman's face. "She's not well, O'Connell. Ever heard of a thing called Toxemia?"
Rick shook his head and Jonathan spoke, leaning forward, "Yes, I have! Don't know exactly what it is, mind you. But I've heard women brandishing that word about where babies are concerned."
Campbell raised a hand to hush Evelyn's brother and continued earnestly. "Swollen ankles. High blood pressure. That's why she's been fainting. Baby's not getting all it needs and there's a damn high risk it will be born early and underweight. Bad thing all round, that's f'sure." Rick sat, staring. Unsure of saying anything. He shot a glance at Jonathan who responded as equally dismayed. "Oh, it gets worse!" Campbell continued, in his usual blunt manner. "She's confined to bed from this moment to keep her the blood pressure under control." He eyed the American directly and repeated himself. "From this moment, O'Connell! This is a nasty business and there's not a helluva lot we can do about it. If she's up and about she could go into seizure...and then you've lost the both of 'em."
Rick took a double take on Ross' last comment and replied acidly, "Thanks for taking the gentle, bedside manner approach! Howd'ya give Evelyn the news?!"
"Oh! Gimme some sorta credit, man!" Campbell threw himself back against his chair. "But she's an arguementative little woman, isn't she? In the end I hadta be just as straightforward." The doctor stood to leave, this time allowing O'Connell to rise and escort him to the door. "I can't make meself plainer than I already 'ave. Look after 'er." He slapped Rick on the shoulder, then leaned in to whisper. "An' go easy on the, you know. She's in no fit state. " he winked, enjoying the midly embarrassed look on his friend's face. "An' neither are you!" he chuckled.
As he shut the door behind his friend, a thud from the bedroom caused Jonathan to stand and head towards his sister's room; and Rick to shove his head into the hall and shout for Ross to come back.
They found Evelyn lying in heap on the mat, gasping and clutching her stomach.
"Get 'er up off that floor and back into the bed!" Ordered Campbell. Rick obeyed, stuggling as he did so. "Argh! Move aside, man!" The American refused, totally ignoring both the doctor's frustrated command and the seering pain in his leg, slowly managing to lift his wife carefully back onto the comfort of the mattress.
"Alright, O'Connell! Now will ya move outta the bloody way!"
Rick gave room to Ross and made his way around the bed to sit beside her, while Jonathan took the toddler's hand and stood silently at the foot of the bed. Evelyn was shaken and perspiring, saying nothing at all.
"What were you doing?" Rick breathed against her cheek.
"Nothing. I just needed to use....Ugh!" She held her hand hard against the baby and grunted at the pain.
Ross looked over to Jonathan, then O'Connell and gave a weighty sigh. "Both of ya are t'do exactly as I say, when I say it! No arguements! No interuptions! And definately no offerin' up of any of ya own ideas! Understand!"
Neither of them answered, they merely looked at each other then again at Evelyn as she began to relax at the end of the contraction.
"Well, I'll take that as a yes! Now let's get this baby here alive!"
end chapter
A/N: AJMackey, Nora, Eviefan, Ruse, MBooker and Mommints...thank you. I'm glad to see everyone is enjoying my Ross, he's really fun to write and I like Rick having a friend from the past. See, he wasn't just a boring old mercenary after all. I'm becoming quite attached to Furborough too! I have plans for that boy! ;-)
by Marcher (gama39@austarmetro.com.au)
PG13
Chapter 7 ~ Faultless Misfortune
Furborough shuffled his way into the Legion's camp with the sole intent of heading directly to his tent. The walk from the hospital was an ardous one and the rise in his body temperature had resulted in a continuation of the heavy bleeding from his nose. With his head tilted skyward, each step was blind and excruciating. He held the blood soaked towel to his face, applying minimal pressure to avoid more pain than necessary, while his free hand wrapped firmly across his bruised ribs.
As he awkwardly pursued his path, a handful of Legionnaire's hedged his way but made little effort to hide their amusement. However when Furborough tripped over a tent peg landing flat on his chest, the snickering from his comrades became a raucous, collective guffaw. The arm which had carefully rested against his face hit the ground elbow first, delivering a severe blow to his already broken feature. The soldier rolled onto his back clamoring with pain while clutching both hands to the towel, as if applying pressure to his injury would somehow contain the throbbing in his head! The jeering continued at his expense, although he was aware that one jocular voice in particular was becoming louder, approaching slowly until it stopped directly above him. Furborough narrowly opened his watering eyes and squinted against the setting sun until the silhouetted body stood between him and the red glow. Still laughing heartily, Neil Waters extended a helping hand and lifted his friend to his feet. For a moment, pride prevented the injured man from accepting any further assistance from the young Private and he took several unassisted, staggering steps, almost falling again save for Waters' quick response in steadying him. Furborough muttered his gratitude, begrudgingly allowing the lad to guide him the remainder of the way.
"Bar fight?" Neil Waters perched himself on the opposite cot to Furborough's, handing him a bowl of water and a clean towel.
The Legionnaire discarded his stained cloth in favour of the fresh one, dunking it into the bowl and squeezing the excess from it. Just before placing the cool towel to his face, Furborough fixed an angry glare on Waters, answering in an insinuating tone, "No!" then briefly sighed at the ease brought by the moisture against his face. Laying himself back onto the cot, he lifted the towel and studied it before addressing his companion in accusation. "It was O'Connell!" Waters' spread his arms in innocence as Furborough continued with suspicion, "If I find out you told him I was back in Cairo, I swear..."
"I didnt' say a word to him! Ask the others!"
"Yeah." Furborough looked into the young man's face, unable to read his expression through bloodshot eyes. "If you're lying to me, you'll pay on both counts!"
"No! I swear!"
"Well, he jumped me after we left the poker table yesterday. The prat won't get very far though...Arrgh!" he laughed, unintentionally causing his face to ache again "Left my calling card with him. With any luck, he's in more pain than me right now!"
~~~
The first rays of the morning sun were beginning to frame the drapes of her bedroom window, but Evelyn had been awake for hours. Or so it seemed. She hadn't bothered to look at the side-table clock since awaking in darkness with the most peculiar feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was no pain to speak of and she couldn't even say she felt unwell, just peculiar. Each time she raised her head from the pillow the feeling of faintness returned, so she just lay there quietly. Wondering.
Rick snored contentedly beside her and she didn't have the heart to wake him. The pangs of guilt for when she pinched his stab wound still haunted her and in all honesty, Evelyn felt quite silly waking him just to say she felt a little offish, especially as she knew full well the best remedy was exactly what she was doing...lying still and quiet.
Alex began to shuffle beneath his sheets. However reluctant Evelyn was to disturb her sleeping husband, this event signalled the tranquility was about to be shattered anyway.
~~~
Ross Campbell shut the front passenger door of his car and proceeded to walk around to the driver's side, grateful for the few seconds of relief from Carnahan's endless moaning. He wondered if his sister was of the same disposition, but dismissed the thought immediately. Knowing O'Connell as he did, he knew the man wouldn't saddle himself with a nagging wife. As he slid behind the driver's wheel, he threw a scornful look at his fellow Englishman and Jonathan instantly ceased his ramblings. "That's much better." Campbell smiled through his teeth. "It's a luvly mornin', so why don't we just enjoy the ride."
~~~
"No, no darling!" Evelyn reached forward to prevent Alex from jumping onto his father, but failed. The toddler landed his full weight onto Rick's stomach bringing him abruptly awake. Rick groaned with the impact, instinctively catching the child in mid air before he brought his knees down on him once more.
Slightly winded, he layed Alex down next to him and held him firmly in an effort to calm him. "Not the best way to wake your old man, you know." Evelyn was giggling and he looked at her with still blurred vision, "Yeah, ha ha. I notice he's not jumping on you."
"I'm sorry." She offered, still laughing. "I did try." Taking her son's hand as she sat, Evelyn coaxed him to follow her. "Come on, Mummy will get you breakfast." To her dismay, her head began to spin as quickly as she put weight onto her feet and she collapsed back onto the bed.
"Hey, hey." Rick whispered, lifting her chin to look at her. "Dizzy again?"
Evelyn nodded, "But I'll be alright in a minute, I just need to get my balance."
"Like hell! Stay where you are! Ross is bringing Jonathan back this morning and he can check you over while he's here."
"Oh Rick! There's really no need! It's just me being all out of sorts with the baby, that's all. There's nothing he can do." Her protest stopped short when she tried again to get up and felt the illness flush over her.
"Yeah, it looks like it to" Sometimes she really hated that 'know all' tone his voice could adopt, but right now she couldn't bring herself to argue with him. She pulled her legs up onto the bed while he held the covers back for her and she relaxed into the pillows. Her comfort was short lived however, and she jerked her head up on hearing her husband's exclamation, "What's wrong with your feet!"
Looking down at her swollen ankles, Evelyn indeed had to wonder herself. Be that as it may, Rick was making enough fuss for the both of them and she simply brushed his concern aside, "Oh nothing. It's normal for my ankles to swell a little. Especially considering I'm so far along."
"A little! They look like camel's knees!"
Agast, Evelyn withdrew her feet from Rick's hands and scolded him. "Don't be rude!" Then decided to sport with him. "Neither should you speak disrepectfully of devout souls."
Really, Rick should have known better, but it was against his nature not to react. "What?"
"Old Camel Knees." Evelyn perked, lifting herself upright against the bedhead. "Some just call him James The Just, but either way, he was an extremely pious man. Spent a good part of his life praying, hence his nickname. His knees became swollen and calloused..."
"Okay, I get the picture! Wouldn't really say that applies to you, though." He dropped the covers over her legs and pulled himself out of the bed. "I'll see to Alex, you stay there."
Evelyn lay back against the pillows watching her son scramble after his hobbling father, wondering how on earth Rick was going to manage the morning routine. She didn't have to wait long for her answer. Within minutes Rick poked his head around the bedroom door and inquired sheepishly. "What does he eat again?"
She couldn't help resuming her teasing. "Honestly, you call yourself his father! You really need to pay more attention, you know."
Rick curled one side of his mouth, ignoring her game. "So, you gonna tell me?"
"You really don't know, do you?"
He pushed the door open fully, leaned himself against the frame and sighed heavily. "Look, I know how to build you a proper shelter in a sand storm! I know how to set the points on your brother's car! Hell, I even know that 380 and .38 caliber ammunition is often interchangeable in center fire handguns! But I have absolutely no idea what goes into that goo you dish up for Alex every morning!"
She stared momentarily, eyes wide. "Toast will be fine." Rick pulled the door over and retreated with what she could only describe as a smug look of satisfaction and she couldn't resist calling behind him, "For me as well!"
~~~
On hearing her son's excited squeals from the next room, Evelyn could happily assume that Jonathan had arrived home at last. She placed her tray on the bed beside her, quietly dreading when Rick would no doubt lead Dr. Campbell in for what was going to be a thorough examination. She was hard pressed to accept the fuss that Rick was making over all this, but decided it would probably be for the best if she went along with it, and hoped it would put his mind to rest. At least this way she would be able to get on with the normal day-to-day of her life.
~~~
Rick glanced at his watch, uneasy about the time it was taking Ross to come up with a diagnosis on his wife. He and Jonathan had been talking for close on an hour without any news from the other room, but at least it afforded Rick the time to answer his brother- in-law's questions on why he was 'left to rot' as Jonathan put it; and fill him in on his encounter with Furborough.
"We're certainly going to be a fine pair if Evie needs any urgent attention, aren't we?" Jonathan leaned back, exhaling heavily as he gripped the arms-ends of his chair, nodding his head towards Rick's leg. "Lucky for you his aim wasn't a tad higher."
"Hmph!" O'Connell gingerly stretched his injured leg, grimacing slightly then allowing it to relax. "Keep it under your hat, alright? Evie thinks the whole thing is over." Jonathan questioned him with a look. "I haven't told her this guy's out roaming the streets and probably looking to settle the score."
"Ah, I see. I know the type...probably a little too well, I'm afraid."
As Jonathan finished speaking, the bedroom door clicked open revealing the stout frame of Dr.Campbell. Rick immediately moved to rise from his chair and his old friend waved a hand at him to remain seated. "Stay where ya are, Yank!" He pulled the door behind him and made his way to join Rick and Jonathan. "The last thing anyone needs is you fallin' flat on ya face again!"
Jonathan pointed at Rick and laughed, completely unperturbed by the American's unamused smirk,
"Yeah, whatever." O'Connell raised his eyes to Ross, ignoring Jonathan's enjoyment at such a revelation. "How is she?"
The doctor dragged a chair closer and seated himself next to Rick, whose eyes darkened on witnessing such a serious expression on the Yorkshireman's face. "She's not well, O'Connell. Ever heard of a thing called Toxemia?"
Rick shook his head and Jonathan spoke, leaning forward, "Yes, I have! Don't know exactly what it is, mind you. But I've heard women brandishing that word about where babies are concerned."
Campbell raised a hand to hush Evelyn's brother and continued earnestly. "Swollen ankles. High blood pressure. That's why she's been fainting. Baby's not getting all it needs and there's a damn high risk it will be born early and underweight. Bad thing all round, that's f'sure." Rick sat, staring. Unsure of saying anything. He shot a glance at Jonathan who responded as equally dismayed. "Oh, it gets worse!" Campbell continued, in his usual blunt manner. "She's confined to bed from this moment to keep her the blood pressure under control." He eyed the American directly and repeated himself. "From this moment, O'Connell! This is a nasty business and there's not a helluva lot we can do about it. If she's up and about she could go into seizure...and then you've lost the both of 'em."
Rick took a double take on Ross' last comment and replied acidly, "Thanks for taking the gentle, bedside manner approach! Howd'ya give Evelyn the news?!"
"Oh! Gimme some sorta credit, man!" Campbell threw himself back against his chair. "But she's an arguementative little woman, isn't she? In the end I hadta be just as straightforward." The doctor stood to leave, this time allowing O'Connell to rise and escort him to the door. "I can't make meself plainer than I already 'ave. Look after 'er." He slapped Rick on the shoulder, then leaned in to whisper. "An' go easy on the, you know. She's in no fit state. " he winked, enjoying the midly embarrassed look on his friend's face. "An' neither are you!" he chuckled.
As he shut the door behind his friend, a thud from the bedroom caused Jonathan to stand and head towards his sister's room; and Rick to shove his head into the hall and shout for Ross to come back.
They found Evelyn lying in heap on the mat, gasping and clutching her stomach.
"Get 'er up off that floor and back into the bed!" Ordered Campbell. Rick obeyed, stuggling as he did so. "Argh! Move aside, man!" The American refused, totally ignoring both the doctor's frustrated command and the seering pain in his leg, slowly managing to lift his wife carefully back onto the comfort of the mattress.
"Alright, O'Connell! Now will ya move outta the bloody way!"
Rick gave room to Ross and made his way around the bed to sit beside her, while Jonathan took the toddler's hand and stood silently at the foot of the bed. Evelyn was shaken and perspiring, saying nothing at all.
"What were you doing?" Rick breathed against her cheek.
"Nothing. I just needed to use....Ugh!" She held her hand hard against the baby and grunted at the pain.
Ross looked over to Jonathan, then O'Connell and gave a weighty sigh. "Both of ya are t'do exactly as I say, when I say it! No arguements! No interuptions! And definately no offerin' up of any of ya own ideas! Understand!"
Neither of them answered, they merely looked at each other then again at Evelyn as she began to relax at the end of the contraction.
"Well, I'll take that as a yes! Now let's get this baby here alive!"
end chapter
A/N: AJMackey, Nora, Eviefan, Ruse, MBooker and Mommints...thank you. I'm glad to see everyone is enjoying my Ross, he's really fun to write and I like Rick having a friend from the past. See, he wasn't just a boring old mercenary after all. I'm becoming quite attached to Furborough too! I have plans for that boy! ;-)