Constantine (Daughter of War #1)

Chapter 17: Searching for Answers (Part 2)

My eyes fly open. With a jerk, I sit upright abruptly.

Too abruptly. My head crashes into another's, making the person scream and topple backwards. He clutches his head; a mop of red hair is the first colour to jump into my sight. There's only a buzzing sensation in my head, so I figure that the person has received the brunt of the sudden onslaught. I instantly scramble out of the bed to check for any injuries on him.

"Are you all right?" I crouch on the floor to level myself with Leigh, Galennus Asa's assistant boy. He's currently doubled over, reeling from the pain.

"Fine," he manages a small squeak. "Could yeh get me some ice, please? It's right o'er there in the box."

I follow his instructions like an obedient hound, walking towards the direction he pointed at. Sure enough, a box filled to the brim with ice sits beside Galennus Asa's worktable. I spot a few square pieces of cloth on the table; I scoop some of the ice up and dump it onto one of the fabric.

Cradling the ice pack in my hands like a sacred offering, I make my way back towards Leigh, who has recovered sufficiently to stop digging the heels of his palms into his forehead. I extend the pack out as an apology. Leigh receives it in mock politeness, cursing darkly under his breath.

"Ah. Squire Rutherland. I see that you've awaken." A familiar voice sounds from the entrance to the room. I look up to see the impossibly tall, wiry figure of Galennus Asa. His brassy gold hair, unexposed to illumination, appears a dark shade of brown. His dark brown eyes, on the other hand, have an interesting light in them. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." Gesturing towards Leigh, I add, "He's not."

"Nasty noggin on me head 'e gave sir," grunts the boy, who allows the ice cubes to dribble all over his hair, the cloth that used to hold them discarded on the floor.

"Just continue to apply a cold compress," says the Galennus noncommittally. Turning towards me, the wrinkles on his face deepen when he speaks, "Are you sure you're fine, Squire Rutherland?"

"Yes." My voice is firm, surely cancelling the physician of any further doubts. Strangely enough, I do feel a good deal better compared to the last time I was forced out of my vision. Perhaps if I take the initiative to step out of the 'room', I recover at a faster rate in the physical world. Suddenly remembering Abner's instructions, I ask, "Where's Squire Falkner? I need to see him immediately."

"Please, Squire Rutherland, you've only just woken up," says Galennus Asa, blocking the exit. His voice makes an attempt to be soothing, but it has just the opposite effect on me. "Take some time to recuperate. Additionally, this is the second time you've collapsed within the span of a week. In case you haven't noticed, these symptoms are worrying, especially for a Champion of your calibre. I recommend—"

"I was fighting a ghost," I growl. "Shouldn't it be normal for me to collapse right after that?"

"Perhaps. But still—"

"Where is Squire Falkner, Galennus Asa?" All patience and control escapes me. I square my shoulders, trying my best to look like a true Champion of Pst. Bronicus.

The Galennus finally relents, although not without reluctance. If I'd known any better, I'd say that he's trying to prevent me from getting out of the room, or to stop me from finding Gilbert. Or both. "As you wish, Squire Rutherland," he says coldly. "He is currently under the care of Galennus Haelen, second room on the left after you turn right down into the corridor."

"Thank you, Galennus Asa," I offer meekly, in hopes that it can quell the growing tension between us. Leaving the physician and his assistant to their own devices, I escape the room.