Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Eight - Untoxication

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Eight - Untoxication

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Eight - Untoxication

I swam out of the dark, then slid back in.

My breathing was always hard and laboured, and I felt everything pressing down around me. Heavy. Everything was heavy.

Sometimes Id swim to the surface, only to find the world nightmarish and twisted, things clawing at me, and wetness pressing down all over.

The nightmares would fade though. Someone would always come in, with light and noise to cast away the dark and droning silence. Id feel a touch, fingers and talons, feathers and whispers, and for a while the light would turn the cloying dark into something kinder.

These were my friends. I couldnt put a face to them, and their names were nothing to me, but I knew, even as I laboured to breathe and fought against the rising tide, that they were the people I loved most of all, and that they were there because they loved me too.

And then, eventually, the darkness faded back, and when I sank once more it wasnt into the oily black of nightmares, but the quiet bliss of dreamless sleep.

I awoke some time later, feeling like the day after leg-day, but everywhere at once. I blinked and brought an arm up to get the eye gunk out of my eyes. It was almost as if someone was forcing my arm back down.

Persistence in the face of common sense was always my forte though, so I managed to get my hand close to my face, then let it fall down so that I could brush the crud away.

Urgh, I said.

I hadnt felt this tired in a long time, and yet I couldnt fall asleep. I wasnt sleepy-tired, I was just exhausted. And sweaty. And I had to pee.

With natures call prodding me on, I turned to my side, then used both arms to push myself up. My legs slipped off the side of my bunk and I just kinda sat there, heart racing as if Id sprinted a hundred meters instead of just sitting up.

I closed my eyes, let the dizziness pass, then tried to get up.

Then I failed to get up.

On my second attempt, I grabbed the little end table next to my bed, conveniently bolted to the floor, then hauled myself to my feet.

I stumbled over to my cabins ensuite, and did my business with some difficulty. Then it was back to my room.

My plan was to get dressed and head out to see my friends. From the little window above my bed I knew we were over the sea and in the sky, the sky bright and cheery, but that was all. It was my job as captain to be informed and to help where I could.

Instead, I flopped onto my bed and fell right back asleep.

Someone woke me up a few hours later. Broc?

I turned my head to the side to see Awen standing above me, blonde hair glowing in the light of the setting sun just outside the window. Hmmph, I said.

Youre, um, meant to sleep with all of your body on the bed, she said. I felt something grabbing my feet. Youre kinda half-off.

Thats how I landed, I said.

Landed?

Had to use the washroom.

Oh, she said. Ah... well, okay? Can I move you? Ill tuck you in again.

I nodded into the bed, too weak to really protest as Awen shifted me around and pulled the blankets over to cover me. Thanks, I said.

No problem, Awen replied. You have a lot more energy.

I yawned, putting some doubt on that. How long has it been?

We left Needleford two days ago. You slept all day yesterday. We were worried, but Bastion knows a bit of stuff about medicine, and he gave you some antidotes. You were delirious, but it broke this morning.

Oh, I said.Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

Awen moved away, and for a moment I was worried she was leaving, but she returned with a cup and a rag. Can you drink? I can wet the rag if not.

I nodded. Can you help me sit up?

Awen pressed a hand to my head. It was warm. Were fine now, Awen said. Well let you sleep, alright?

Mm? But I have more questions.

Moron, Amaryllis said. You can ask them to an empty room then. Get some sleep.

I waved my friends goodbye, but only after Awen helped me lay back down properly and fluffed out my pillows. Shed make a great mom someday. Not that Id tell her that, I didnt want to have her be feverish too.

When I was alone, I found myself stuck between sleeping and not. Half-dreams slipping past like a haze, then disappearing with a blink and a shift. It took a lot of effort for me to actually fall asleep.

I woke up some time later when the door opened and Awen came in, this time accompanied by Bastion who was holding up a little lantern with a glowing rune within. Youre awake, the sylph said.

Yeah, I said. I think Ive been in and out.

We brought supper, Awen said.

I glanced around. The sky had darkened while I was dozing. Probably why they needed the lantern that Bastion set on a hook.

What is it? I asked.

Just soup, Awen said.

She helped me sit up again, though I didnt need it as much. I was feeling far better already.

Thanks, I said as I took the bowl she offered me and sniffed it. The soup was just shy of being hot. I held it against my sternum with one hand and chowed down with a spoon. I didnt know I was so hungry until the first few swallows were down.

Youre looking better, Bastion said.

Mmhmm, I said. Thank you, by the way.

Its nothing, Bastion said. Fighting piracy is one of my duties, as is caring for the companions I fight next to. It was the least I could do.

I nodded. He was getting so many hugs later. Thanks anyway. I took another spoonful, then licked my lips. You do training, right?

I do, he said.

Can you train me some? I nearly died on Rogers ship, and I have the impression he wasnt even trying that hard.

I suppose I could spar with you a little. Though I cant exactly teach you any techniques from my order.

Thats fine, I said. Ill owe you doubly then.

Awa, can I train too? Awen said. I dont want to be kidnapped again.

Im not sure how much training will help you in that regard, but I can give you someone to test your skill against, Bastion said.

Awen nodded, then bowed a little, as much as she could in my rather cramped room. Thank you.

We can see about that tomorrow, I said.

I think it might take you a little more than a day to recover fully.

I pouted, but that didnt seem to do much to sway Bastions opinion on the matter.

Awen smiled and absently started playing with my ears. Youll be fine, she said. Take your time. Were in no hurry, alright?

Of course we are, I said. We need to get so strong and tough that even things like nasty pirates wont be a problem for us, I said.

I look forward to seeing you reach hitherto unknown levels, Bastion said. But perhaps a little bit of patience would do you better than merely rushing along without a care.

I gave him an Amaryllis huff, but I couldnt really disagree. Fine then. Well just see. I let my spoon drop into my empty bowl. Can I have more?

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