I was almost in a stupor, at peace with myself and all the world, wretched, yet acquiescing in my wretchedness, not rebellious nor recalcitrant.
This semi-stupor gradually wore off, my half-consciousness between long sleeps growing less and less blurred, my faculties more alive, my personality emerging.
When I came entirely to myself I found Tanno seated by my bed.
"You're all right now, Caius," he said, "I have kept away till Galen said you were well enough for me to talk to you." "Galen ?" I repeated, "have I been as ill as all that ?" "Not ill," Tanno disclaimed, "merely bruised.

You are certainly a portent in a fight.

I never saw you fight before, never saw you practice at really serious fencing, never heard anybody speak of you as an expert, or as a fighter.

But I take oath I never saw a man handle a stave as you did.

You were quicker than lightning, you seemed in ten places at once, you were as reckless as a Fury and as effectual as a thunderbolt.