Emblems of Power by C L Patterson

Author:C L Patterson [Patterson, C L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Smashwords
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

There was a knock at the door.

“Enter,” Mearto commanded. She said it in such a way reminded Kosai of the Captain and in other ways, not like him at all. She was tall, firm, and controlled. She laid out her words with precision and each word had an air of authority and power. But in other ways, she seemed soft, gentle, and even with the threats and insults, Kosai understood that there was a sense of genuine concern. She was just… different. It was the smell of lilac and sea salt, Kosai decided that made her different. He felt calm around her, even when she was barking orders or scolding him.

“Sorry to bother you.” It was the matron. “But there is a guest for Kosai waiting in the board room.”

“Thank you,” Mearto said. She dismissed the matron and waited until the door was shut. “Are you fit enough to walk?”

“I’ve felt worse,” Kosai said. He took a deep breath and coughed roughly, spitting up a glob of phlegm. He swallowed it, stood and hung the cloak back on the hook.

“You should wear that. You look cold and weak.”

“The pain is good for me, it will make me stronger,” Kosai said with a smile. Kosai opened the door and walked out. Mearto followed closely behind. “I’m quite alright,” he whispered to her.

“I’m not letting out in this condition without some assistance,” she said. Kosai shook his head, not to disregard her comment but to clear it from his mind. The floor spun slowly, and even though he felt cold, his face was covered in sweat. He stumbled, fell against the wall, slid down to the floor and coughed again. Mearto reached down to help him up.

“No!” Kosai said as he brushed her arm away with his. “I can do this.” Mearto folded her arms across her chest and stared at her student. Kosai pawed up the wall, regaining balance, took a few more steps and fell again, stumbling like a baby trying to walk.

“Apparently not,” she said. She grabbed Kosai under the arms and helped him to his feet. After he was on his feet, she placed one arm over her shoulders, held his left hand in hers, and tucked her right arm around his side. Kosai breathed through his nose, smelling the lilac and sea salt again. He smiled.

“Apparently not,” he agreed. Together, they walked slowly towards the board room. They stopped at the door and Kosai took another deep breath.

“Can you go in on your own?”

“I think so,” Kosai said. Slowly he opened the door and entered the room. He smiled again, seeing the Captain sitting towards the middle of the long table. The Captain stood. Kosai took a couple steps towards him before faltering. He caught himself in a chair. Holding himself up on the chair, Kosai saluted and stood as close to attention as possible while bracing himself on the chair. He noticed the cast on the Captain’s arm, but said nothing.

“Sit Kosai, you look awful,” said the Captain.

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