Mea Culpa wrote:

>  It appeared Jemalas finally got the message, as he started to mumble
> a spell while Zarth and I where trying ( again) to walk down the
> stairs, when all of a sudden I got bombarded by a sound so painful to
> the ears, that I felt blood running down my cheeks and I promptly
> fainted.

Another job for the heroic protector. Seeing Mea falter, Zarth rushed to
catch her, and held her in his strong arms. Glancing at Jemalas, he
silently wondered why everything he did had to be such a big show...
Zarth had always believed in efficiency. If something could be done
swift and simple, then that's the way he did it. Bringing pain and
discomfort to your surroundings made unnecessary enemies, and enemies
had always been something Zarth had believed in keeping to a minimum. He
hadn't always been to good at that, though, but the theory was sound.

Jemalas was leaving, and even though he wasn't sorry to see him go, it
was a painful departure. Zarth grimaced against the pain, turned his
back on Jemalas, and carried Mea inside. The noise was less deafening
inside, and the pain subsided. Zarth carried Mea to her bedroom, and
placed her on her bed. He carefully covered her with blankets, and
prepared some hot stew and some herbal drinks. His cooking was a much
unpracticed skill, but it would have to do.

He sat by Mea's bed, and wiped her forehead with a damp cloth. He
couldn't help but smile. She was so lovely where she was sleeping
soundly next to him. At last they would have some peace. Maybe they'd
head back to Menevia, it didn't matter. As long as she was fine, and he
stayed with her. Mea started to regain consciousness, and stirred in her
bed, groaning slightly. Zarth couldn't help but remembering the sight of
Mea covered in chains. He shook his head and wondered why he kept seeing
that.......

Tarald - The Lord of Smeg

You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on