(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

I smiled, "Sure, go ahead, Nordom... anyway, look, I really have to be about
my business."
There was a sudden, rapid series of kliks and twangs from the crossbows in
Nordom's hands. His eyes spun and re-focued on the crossbows, holding the
right one up closer to his side, as if listening to it.
"Is everything okay?" Oh man, he really was barmy.
One of Nordom's eyes remained on the crossbow, which was klikking faintly,
and his other eye focused on me. "Query: May these ones join you on your
gurney?"
"Uh, don't you mean 'journey?'"
"Veritably. Journey, affirmed. Permission granted?"
So this was it, then. A way to gracefully leave my problems behind.
"Sure. We could always use a hand... or four."
Nordom's 'mouth' formed the bizarre semi-circle it did before, and his two
crossbows began klikking and twanging violently, almost vibrating out of his
hands. "Gratitudes! Gratefuls! Nordom and crossbows have been attached
to a larger community."
"I wouldn't be too grateful just yet. Let's move out..."
I faced Ignus, who cradled a wounded side where embers spewed forth and
sizzling black flecks hissed out like blood, "Ignus? Are you all right?"
"Ignusss... livesss..." he hissed.
"You're wounded..."
"Ignusss will prevail. He has alwaysss prevailed... your enemiesss will burn,
those who oppose my massster will weep tears of steam and melting flesh."
"You serve me well, Ignus, and I thank you. But you can't go on hurt like
this," I hesitated, "Fall-From-Grace can't heal you... she can't even touch you
without burning herself. You need to stay here and rest. We'll go on...
791