Not That Far

Chapter 30-Lost And Found

    The next morning I had a terrible ache in my neck because I had fallen asleep with my head resting on my chest as I sat vigil by Shay's shallow breathing form. But it was worthwhile. When I did finally open my eyes he was awake and alert. Or at least alert enough to focus on me and pout like a spoiled child. (which that he was.)

    "It's about time." were the first words out of his mouth. I was so relieved I could've kissed that blindingly blond head of his.

    If he could complain he was fine, that much I knew from experience. I could still hardly believe that he was alive after what Quinti had told me. Last night he'd seemed to have been beating on death's door.

    "I've been waiting forever for you to wake up. Where are we anyway?" he craned his head from side to side, trying to see past the blankets swaddled around his head.

    "Our destination." I replied, spying Sattari enter the building a few meters away, carrying a pail of water. Calling her over, I told her the great news and couldn't help smiling like a fool as she examined Shay.

    "This..." she trailed off and was quiet for a long moment as she studied him.

    "This is what?" I asked, suddenly worried again.

    "This is amazing!" she exclaimed, gesturing to Shay who was sipping water from a plastic cup and watching her with a bemused expression in his eyes. "He shouldn't be able to speak at all, much less so clearly. We gave him enough sedatives to keep him asleep until noon so he wouldn't irritate the wound by moving and...

    "And?" I pressed, wanting to know every detail.

    "And...he seems to have improved immensely overnight. I don't even think he needs the painkillers I brought." She shook her head.

    "Assuming you could get me to take them." Shay quipped, his eyes holding a mischievous glint.

    "...This is a miracle." she breathed in wonder, still in disbelief. All I could do was whisper a prayer of a gratitude.

    "Sattari, can I talk to you for a moment, alone?" I asked after she had checked Shay's vitals and found him stable. I needed to know why she was acting so...different.

    Not once had she tried to establish a mental link or even talk to me. It confused me a great deal to be blunt. I knew she was a wonderful actress, she always had been, but there was no reason to keep up the act when the other ladies weren't present. And there was no one else in the immediate vicinity that could overhear us either. I had a bad feeling about this...

    "I-I suppose." she stammered, looking flustered.

    Getting up, I made my way over to the door that I knew to lead outside. Holding it open for her, I followed her out into the early morning light. Only I stopped short for a moment to gaze in awe at the sight before me. She, on the other hand, watched me closely as I took it all in.

    There wasn't a speck of snow on the ground. The temperature wouldn't have allowed for it even if it had fallen. It was somewhere in between fifty and sixty degrees outside, which was even more baffling. Sure, it would've been considered a cold day back on Talour, but this was as warm as it ever got on Xai.

    But this whole picture was impossible. We were too deep in the White for weather like this. And in the middle of winter too. I was more than a bit confused to say the least.

    But nevertheless I enjoy the warmth of the air. It reminded me very much of home. And just standing there with Sattari by my side made me deeply homesick. Something of that nature must've showed on my face because she spoke up.