Alec slowly regained consciousness. His vision was still blurry, but he was able to draw the outline of the ceiling above him. He tried to stand up, but every movement made his muscles to protest in pain. "Arrgh", he groaned in pain.
"Stay put, otherwise you might damage your body", the old man said as he walked inside the room. There was a cup in his hand filled with something. Alec changed his focus and looked at his surroundings. Alec counted three large lanterns situated at a determined corner of the room.
Not too far from him was a fireplace burning with a golden yellow glow. The fire contributed to the warmness and lighting of the room. It appeared that electricity didn't reach this remote area.
The old man crouched and ask Alec to open his mouth. Then he poured the contents of the cup into his mouth. Alec expected the solution to be bitter, but it turned out to be sweet, unusually sweet. "What did you give me?" Alec asked warily and struggled to sit up, ignoring the pain.
