“Is it going to help me get Allyra out safely? Because if not, it can wait till we’re safe – right now I need to concentrate on what I’m going to do here.”
His brother nodded and pulled him into a hug. “Stay safe – I’ll do everything I can to help you and Allyra get out.” He whispered.
Rob turned to the Cleaners and nodded. They snapped to attention in perfect synchronicity and stepped to either side of Rob, walking him into the pale sunshine outside. Rob glanced back just before he stepped through the doors and gave him a sharp nod.
Jamie hesitated briefly, then walked over to Jason. “Where are we going?”
“Follow me.” Jason replied shortly, turning on his heel and walking away quickly – Jamie had to hurry to keep up.
There was something unknowable about Marcus’ assistant. Jason was the type that was able to keep his thoughts to himself. Natural male prejudice meant that Jamie found it difficult to like Jason. What was it about elegant and sophisticated men that made them hard to trust? And as Marcus’ assistant, Jason was someone he would have to be careful around.
“A moment please, Jason.” High Master Zhuang emerged from the Great Hall behind them and halted their progress. “I think Mr. Thiessen would like to see Miss Warden before he joins other Trial participants. Perhaps you can collect Mr. Thiessen in thirty minutes from the medical suite.”
Jason inclined his head. “Of course High Master Zhuang.” He replied politely and unemotionally before walking away.
Jamie turned to the Earth High Master, surprised. “Thank you, High Master Zhuang, this is very kind of you.”
“Please, we only use our formal titles within the confines of the Council, and perhaps with our younger students. Call me Mike.” High Master Zhuang replied, waving away Jamie’s gratitude.
“Mike – of course, thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“Really, no thanks are necessary. Allyra is being held within the Medical Suite under the Great Hall. Follow me.”
“In the dungeons?”
Mike grimaced, “Not precisely in the dungeons, but close. It’s a precaution – the protections are easier to maintain down there and there’s less of a risk to my medical team.”
“Your medical team?” Jamie asked surprised, surely the Elemental College had its own medical experts.
“Yes, we brought in my medical team from the Earth College. As you know, the best medical experts are often Terras and I insisted that we look after Allyra. Considering the dangers within the Between, I believed that she might need significant assistance.” Mike glanced at Jamie, “You’re surprised, I guess you’re wondering why I didn’t vote to allow Allyra to go into the Trials.”
Jamie nodded, “I guess I’m struggling to understand why you would be so concerned about her safety…”
“It’s ok – you can say it. You want to know why I would want to help her, when I voted to have her imprisoned, which I’m guessing you consider equivalent to a death sentence.”
Jamie nodded silently.
“I’m a doctor myself, and before I took up the position of High Master of the Terra College I was a practicing doctor – not just to the rich Gifted, but to anyone who needed my help. I’ve seen suffering up close, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. And as to why I voted to have her imprisoned – as a doctor, I believe that the safety of the masses is always the first consideration, and that belief is only reinforced by my position within the Council, where our decisions must ensure the safety of all the Gifted. When, or if Allyra returns, we need to ensure that we keep the general population safe. I believe in quarantining a patient, at the expense of his or her freedom rather than risking exposure to the masses – do you understand?”
“I guess so – it’s just… Well I guess it’s more personal for me.”
“I’m afraid it’s always personal for someone. I try to be impartial – but I am sorry about what’s happening to Allyra.”
Jamie nodded, “Thanks.”
They arrived outside a set of wooden doors with two Cleaners standing guard outside and Jamie briefly wondered if they ever got uncomfortable wearing those silver masks.
Mike turned to one of them, “Please allow Mr. Thiessen access to the room whenever he requires.”
“We have orders…”
“No, Miss Warden is my patient, and I would like Mr. Thiessen to have access to her.”
The Cleaner dipped his head, “Of course, High Master Zhuang.”
They passed into the room, the walls were still the black granite like the cell he and Rob had been held in, but that was where the resemblance ended. This room was more like a hospital room, big and airy and well lit. In the center of it was a large white bed with Allyra lost within the bed sheets.
She looked tiny in the hospital bed – the sheets were over-starched and pulled up to her chest, making her look even smaller. Her face was unbearably pale and terribly still. The only indication she was still alive was the steady beeping of the heart monitor to which she was attached.
Jamie sat down unthinkingly and took her hand gently. The shape of it was so familiar. His mind started to wander to the countless times he’d held her hand: as they walking on the beach, as she cried at a sad movie, as they danced…
Mike was speaking quietly to a doctor in the room and then walked back over to Jamie. “She’s stable, there haven’t been any incidents recently. Take your time – remember Jason will be outside waiting to escort you to the other participants.”
Jamie couldn’t take his eyes off Allyra and he nodded absently. He felt Mike’s hand on his shoulder and looked up. The Earth High Master hesitated, “High Master Radebe warned you – and he was right. I know you want everything to be same when she gets back, but we can’t really even imagine the horrors in the
