When Ezon concluded his work, Justin's shoulder throbbed from the trauma, but most of the pain had melted away. He tried to move the arm. Still nothing. Still numb from the shoulder down.

"The infection is cleansed," said Ezon. "So far as I can tell, your blood is not poisoned. You should recover."

"Why can't I move it?" asked Justin.

Ezon considered. "If you do not know, then it is not my place to tell you." And with that, he shuffled over to join Kallorn at the ...