He awoke to daylight, and a splitting headache. Sitting up in his bed, he clamped his hands to the sides of his skull in an attempt to ease the thundering pain. A groan lifted from his throat, and he tried to ask anyone who might have been nearby for water. His throat was so dry that the only sound he could manage was a hacking wheeze.

“He's up!" Algra's voice called from nearby.

Though he couldn't see anything more than fuzzy blobs just then, several more figures soon swept inside the tent. Each time they did the sun poured in between the canvas flaps of his tent and half blinded him. The bright light seemed to make the stabbing sensation in his skull burn hotter each time it flashed.

Rather than requesting water, he reached out to where a jug of the stuff was usually kept. A pale figure swept around the bed and helpfully filled a cup to give to him. The cool Liquid felt incredible against his dry lips, and even after several gulps his throat still didn't feel right. Another cup was offered once the first was gone, and by the end of that one he'd started to feel somewhat Like a human being again.

“Look at me. Look here," Valise commanded as she turned his head to face her. "Follow my fingertips."

He did as he was told as she waved her fingers before his eyes to test their focus. A note of relief followed in her expression.

“How do you feel?"

“Like I've just been fucked by an elephant," he croaked the words out and went for another cup of water. "What the hell happened?"

“You don't remember?" Algra's tone was sharp.

“Last thing I knew, I was... Aaaargh!" He dropped the cup in his hand to lunge his head forward to once again press his hands over his ears.

It seemed Like he was trying to keep his head from exploding.

The moment he had tried to recall what had happened, the memories flooded back almost immediately in painful flashes. When he had worn the ring, the world made so much more sense. He'd been aware of almost everything around him down to the last minute detail. Now his mind was trying to recall those memories and they were proving far too overwhelming for him to process properly without the ring to assist him.

The cup was swiftly replaced by a Large empty bucket placed beneath his head. He vaguely wondered what in the hell such a thing might be for, shortly before he vomited into it. Oh. Well that explained that then.

Once he was finished, some more fresh water was put into his hand and much to his relief the sharp pains in his skull dulled to heavy thuds every few seconds. It was far from pleasant, but at least he felt Like his head was once again his own. Much like waking from a dream, the overly detailed memories of putting on the ring and everything that happened thereafter began to fade. He was left with a few scraps that he was able to piece together

"Is Janette alright?" he asked.

“She's recovering better than you are." Algra growled.

“Am I going to be alright?" he addressed the question to Valise.

"I believe so. Although I wouldn't make any plans for the next few weeks. What you did? I had thought it to be impossible. The powers that shift as Life becomes death are far too great for even the most potent mages to wield. Bringing someone back like that?" She shook her head, still clearly disbelieving.

“I've never even heard of it happening in the old legends.“

He felt something else then, a slight hint of smug satisfaction that pulsed across the room. Looking for the source, he saw the ring resting upon a blue pillow atop the table. It glinted independently of the sunlight. No one else in the room seemed to have noticed the feeling, but it was strong enough that Gregory couldn't merely dismiss it.