I’m not “startled.” I’m sardonic — but that’s not here.

My characters don’t heal as fast as some others, nor to they bravely hold their peace when they’re hurting.

Men who are sick or damaged but who insist on “carrying their load” or whatever it is just get in the way.  Go lie down someplace and heal, if ever, before returning to the fray.  After all, in real sword battles, there was only a thin front line actually hacking at each other; behind the line, most of the fighting forces of both sides was resting, bleeding, getting the dead out of the way, drinking or eating.  Men don’t have endurance; it’s why in ballet they’re saved for the fancy occasional leap or hoisting of ballerinas, while the women chug along by the half hour in the background.

I can’t say this to women; if women stepped back when they’re sick, nobody would get fed or their diapers changed. Imagine women downing tools the world over….