The Great Hearts by David Oliver

Author:David Oliver [Oliver, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-16T04:00:00+00:00

PART II

IMP(ISITION)

~

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

RECOVERY

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I WOKE UP IN A blindingly well lit room, a sparse and spartan space decorated with white sheets and populated by sleeping figures. As my eyes adjusted to the bright light I heard a gasp and hurried footfall. Seconds later several figures crashed into the room, practically sprinting to my side and gushing that I was awake.

This was extremely confusing as to the best of my knowledge I hadn’t been sleeping.

Had I?

The confusion must have shown on my face as Kyle and Tyrgan slowed down their rushed speech and drew back giving me some space.

“What happened?” I said, my voice quiet and strained as if I hadn’t used it for some time. “Where am I?”

“The second question first I think,” replied Tyrgan. He paused as if judging what to say before continuing, “You’re in the capital.”

“The capital?!”

“Correct.”

I looked at him flabbergasted. Anderal, the capital, was a two week trip from Forgoth, and only then using a series of fresh horse relays. With a horse and cart it would take closer to three. Slowly the realisation crept into my brain.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked, dreading the answer.

“Sixteen days,” replied Kyle in a low voice.

My mind whirled. Sixteen days! It seemed like no time had passed between the fight with Rya and now. The fight with Rya… in a flash it came back to me, Cassius lying on the ground, Ella’s hands covered in blood.

I shot up, grimacing at a pain in my shoulder. It was encased in bandages and I decided now was not the time to explore the damage. “Where is Cassius? How is he?” I splurted. Tyrgan and Kyle shared a look.

“Not great,” Tyrgan replied. “He lost a lot of blood.” At the look on my face he raised a hand, forestalling any interruption. “But that has been solved. The hospital you’re both in is the best in the Empire; it is said that even if you are brought here on the brink of death the surgeons and doctors can keep you alive.”

“Okay,” I responded, “in that case why the long faces at the mention of Cassius?”

Kyle breathed out heavily. “Can you stand?”

I nodded.

Leaning slightly on Kyle we walked down the hallway to another room. This one seemed to contain only two people, one patient and a visitor. Ella looked up as I entered, lacklustre eyes resting on my face as I rushed to Cassius’ side. She smiled grimly as I gasped in horror. Black lines extended up past his neck, seemingly following the veins in his skin. I moved aside the cover and saw that the hole in his leg was a black mass.

“The leg isn’t healing,” Kyle’s voice said from behind me. He walked over to put a hand on Ella’s shoulder. “After this length of time there should have been some sign of improvement but so far nothing.”

Ella whimpered and my heart broke a little more at the sound.

“How?” I asked. “How am I not the same as Cassius?”

“Seya,” said Simone, walking in through the door.

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