18.
"Will you not come this afternoon?"
"Not I," said General Star, "duty calls. But I'm sure your mother will be here."
"Good!" the boy said, nodding his head to his parents. They both returned his parting and left. A few moments later Morn entered the room. When North saw him he was startled. There were metal braces in his mouth and light braces on his wings, and he was wrapped in tight bandages around his chest.
"You said you weren't hurt!" cried North. "What's all this?"
"I told you, a few broken teeth and bruises," said his friend. "Plus it seems several pulled muscles and tendons. The doctor was furious. He said I almost pulled my wings out of their sockets!"
"You could have been killed! You should have let go of me sooner!"
"If I had," Morn added, "You would have been dead."
"You're right," agreed North, "I owe you my life. That was a really bad accident."
"It was no accident! That other tried to kill you. He was diving straight for you with his feet when I called out, but when you turned he missed and struck you with his head. It broke his neck. I've already called in The Lord's Guard to investigate."
"But who?" North gasped. "Why would anyone want to kill me?"
"Sometimes when a person does extremely well at anything, there are those that become afraid of him for one reason or another. You are already a champion among our people. Because of your victory in The Games, your name is a household word. I have even heard it said that there are already females waiting for you to become a reasonable age. Jealousy," explained Morn, "is the lowest of emotions, and jealous beings do things without reason or mercy. You have an enemy. Perhaps a relative of one of those you beat in The Games, or someone who feels you will be a threat to his position, or that of one of his sons."
"And you think," asked North, "this is why someone died? These are the reasons for the extinction of such a young life?"
"I fear it is so," was the answer, "but here is your breakfast."
North turned from his friend and saw that a young nurse had entered the room carrying a tray.
"I will leave you now," Morn put in, "so you may eat in peace. Do not worry of this. I will see to it that the investigation of this is properly carried out, though I doubt much of anything can be learned. Someone bold enough to attempt anything like this usually has enough sense to cover their tracks very well. I will see you later."
Morn turned and left the room. Timidly the young nurse came forward.
"Your breakfast sir," she said, smiling at the young man.