Three months or so have passed since Ewar was first given responsibility for the 'children', as Martel refers to them; if Ewar were to recount the conversation, he'd probably judiciously edit what was actually said to him ('make sure the children don't do anything miserably stupid while my back is turned') out of both tactfulness and loyalty.

It hasn't been a very taxing duty, but it's hard to say whether that's about to get better or worse when Martel amends his orders to 'I'm recovered enough, go and fetch her'. Ewar carries the message with him with his Lord's seal, and Martel occupies himself with his books while he waits.

He's not fully healed, and he doesn't have the range of movement without pain that he'd quite like- but it'll do. He's always chafed at idleness, and he suspects Magda has waited more than long enough.