This was no ordinary fever or congestion, Robb thought, and his face pinched as he watched the young man struggle to draw breath.

"Have you been to consult a healer... a doctor?" The word still felt odd on his tongue. "To the hospital?" He'd never had the occasion to go there himself, but last he heard, it was regularly staffed.

"I can help you there, if you'd like." The not-dog was prancing in agitation at his feet, but whether it was a warning or simple worry the stranger, Robb couldn't have begun to guess.