Gabriel exhaled slowly, letting the last of the trembling leave his hands. The red from his pulsing irises settled into their usual crimson.
The door creaked open.
Hanitz returned with two steaming plates balanced on one arm, the scent of salted pork filling the room before he even crossed into the hall.
"Eat," the giant grumbled. "Before you pass out on my floor again."
Gabriel didn't argue. He lowered himself into the nearest chair. Hanitz sat opposite, the wood from the chair creaked as the giant placed his weight on it. Neither spoke. Only the faint clatter of plates and the crackling from the hearth sounded out.
"You look less dead," Hanitz muttered, as the softness in the giant's eyes didn't reach his voice.
Gabriel snatched at the food like an angry wolf. His body had been deprived of it for days.
"You're eating the same way you used to after training."
Gabriel looked up mid-mouthful.
"You didn't train me." The muffled sound spilling out.
