The events of the 7th of Moonstone, 1068
"My, my, my, don't you look fine today!" Dojango crooned. He entered the musty "hospital" room in his butchers smock and wearing bloody gloves, the effect entirely disconcerting to Istrath and Makrond who sat at the bedside. Vatek appeared nonplussed, his lower half strapped down to the mattress to keep it from shifting. He held a leatherbound book in front of him, one of the many from the infrequently used Library.
"I'm not sure 'fine' is the correct word," Vatek said dryly. "I've been cooped up here so long, I don't remember what the sun looks like."
"You'd want to remember?" Akroma called from the doorway. The ghoul stalked in, running a finger across the weapon rack in the corner before distastfully wiping the dust from it onto the wall.
"Yes, of course, I like working outside."
"How bizarre," Akroma said with a sniff. "How very bizarre."
"Enough of that," Dojango said. "How are you feeling?"
Vatek thought this over while Makrond and Istrath talked among themselves. After a moment, he said, "Less pain. There's a throbbing in my groin, and like, a burning, but it doesn't hurt when I move."
"Hmm, excellent. Sounds as if the bones are finally beginning to knit. That's just fine. Another season, maybe two, and you should be right as rain."
"Another SEASON!"
"Calm down, now."
"I believe I speak for all of us when I say that that's too much time. Vatek has a very important role in this fortress, and by keeping him in here, it's hindering his duties."
"My dear Makrond, I can't make him heal faster! I'm a butcher, not a surgeon." As the others stared at him, he closed his eyes and laughed quietly, "Oh, wait, I'm sorry, I mean... I'm a surgeon, not a magician. I can't just wave a wand and heal him. And I doubt it would help, as Mr. Clumsy here - what did you do again?"
"I fell down some stairs..."
"Yes, he fell down some stairs! He'll just be in here again if he's released too soon and has another one of these silly accidents. Now try to keep up your spirits. Be like Neo! He's always jovial, most likely because he's no longer on duty and can spend the afternoon playing cards with Makrond. Happiness can contribute a good deal towards recovery. Just think... positive!"