Ivor became aware of the world slowly.
At first, there was only stillness. The rough texture of bark pressed against his back. The faint sway of leaves above him. The cool morning air resting against his skin.
Then he opened his eyes.
Light filtered gently through the canopy, softer than the harsh brightness of the previous day. It took him a few seconds to understand what he was seeing. Morning had already settled over the Scar. He had not simply rested. He had slept through the entire night.
He remained still for a moment longer, waiting for the pain.
It did not come.
Carefully, he shifted his arm. His muscles obeyed him without resistance. The crushing pressure that had tormented him behind his eyes was gone. The tightness in his chest had loosened. Even the deep aches that had settled into his body the previous day had receded into something distant and manageable.
He sat up slowly, testing himself.
