Levi learned from Count Andao that one of the Counts who had pursued them into the tunnel was Tess, a man he had once worked with.
Count Winter had perished in the sea of flames. The only thing recovered was a half-melted sword that proved his identity. Fortunately, Tess had survived. Unfortunately, he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Since they had worked together before, the Lord went to visit the Count, bringing a basket of apples he had swiped from Monvert.
The Count was housed in a luxurious tent. On the way, Levi even ran into other Northern Nobles who were also there to visit. They actually thanked the Lord for his gesture and managed to squeeze out smiles; the palpable exclusion he usually felt from them was gone.
Count Tess was lying on a low cot covered with a white sheet. After just one glance, the Lord couldn't bear to look any longer.
