Chapter LXIX

Summary

• The protagonist wakes up next to Diago, an ailing alupi (a creature of some kind) and feels concern for its wounds before it disappears into the forest.
• The protagonist deals with his own injuries, including a bite on his arm and cuts on his forearm. He contemplates about a mysterious helper who assisted in his escape.
• The protagonist takes a swim in the river, builds a fire, and cleans cloths around his injuries, despite his concerns about being seen. He also discovers the tracking device with almost all the stones reattached.
• He meets up with companions Callidus and Aequa. Aequa forcefully insists on cleaning and bandaging his bite wound. They discuss various aspects of their strategy for an event called the Iudicium.
• Aequa discovers that the protagonist's wound looks infected and recommends medical attention at their earliest convenience.
• Callidus wins a bet to be the one to take their group's trackers ahead while Aequa and the protagonist ambush a team in the Iudicium event. They bid him farewell as he leaves.