Matt wasn’t well enough to attend Milo’s “Send Off” and had to settle for third hand reports of the event, apparently the whole settlement turned out to pay their respects to a very brave warrior who had given his life for the sake of the community. He had no family of his own, warrior class don’t but the entire community compensated for that, to them he was one of their own - kin. Seven days had passed since Matt had gained full consciousness and he was itching to get back to duty. The bed that had helped him regain his strength was now his prison. He hated being inside at the best of times but this was ten times worse and if he didn’t get up and out soon he swore he’d go mad.
This particular morning he received visitors in the persons of both Marc and Gwen, unaware that they had visited him every day since returning from the mountain.
‘So, how’s the impatient patient today?’ Were Gwen’s first words to him.
‘How long have I been here, in bed?’ Were his first words to anyone.
‘As long as necessary,’ Responded Gwen.
‘He never was the most patient one,’ was Marc’s contribution.
‘You can get up but only for light duties, understand?’
‘Good enough,’ said Matt as he began putting his shirt on.
‘You will allow us to retreat some before you carry on dressing I hope?’
‘Oh, excuse me, Gwen, I was just keen on getting up off this damn bed, if you’ll pardon my language.’
‘Come on Marc, we’ll leave grumpy to get dressed.’
Whilst dressing Matt took account of his scars, which were numerous and though they were healing well they would serve to remind him of just how close he’s come to joining his comrade Milo and, being the survivor, he felt a touch of guilt because he knew he should have died too. The odds were totally against them. Once fully dressed he joined his visitors in the kitchen where a hot cuppa awaited him, which he gladly welcomed.
‘So,’ he asked, ‘tell me what happened, only I was busy at the time.’
Gwen and Marc spent the next hour explaining to him what transpired on the mountain and when they'd finished he sat back in his chair and fell silent. After a moment or two he looked up at Gwen and asked, ‘So tell me, who or what are the Puka?’
‘Enough for now, you’re still convalescing. You’ve been through a great deal and need to rest.’
‘Gwen, I know I’ve been through a great deal, we all have but, you did promise to tell us about the Puka so tell us, please.
