two months and twenty-some days. that was how long ago his leg had broken, and the majority of the time he had been within dawnbreak. the bone had knit well but his age had demanded another month. still he hobbled to and fro, resting where necessary, pursuing small ventures here and there.
today he meant to swim, even if he must paddle in the shallows like a child. unpleasantly icy, water along a white ridge lapped at his ankles. he limped deeper into the stream, jaw tensed against both the cold and a swear.
his ankle began to throb, but suetonius grimly persevered.