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A.R.Yngve DARC AGES Book Three _________________________ |
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Chapter 27
Eye-Leg, now bed-ridden and under the constant care of Shara, understood very little of how she had changed. All she knew was that during a long sleep, her old twisted body had been transformed into a normal, beautiful one. The thick veins in her face were beginning to shrink as the blood pressure changed, and Mechao gave her skin a treatment that would reduce the veins even more. Her thoughts were affected by vague stirrings, bursts of unfamiliar sensations, all induced by the new body, its fresh chemistry and unused muscles. The brace which held her head steadily to her neck was a nuisance, but hardly more so than the lifelong strain of her previous deformed existence. Her mind, stimulated by Shara's reading lessons, used ever more words to think with -- experiences and objects were named and given meaning, where there had previously been only mystery and fear. Eye-Leg's mind began to grow with the new challenges. Such as eating with her mouth -- she hated having to wear the falseteeth... The day after the breakthrough with Virus B, Eye-Leg was approached again by Mechao and Darc. She expressed no fear, when Mechao sat down by her bed and examined her health. Once he had finished his examination, Mechao told them: "She is recovering well, so far. There is no sign of Plague symptoms in her new body... yet. The virus exists in every cell of her head, from since she was born, but it simply never expressed itself there. Maybe it never will. We could yet choose to postpone the final cure." Darc looked to Shara, who took hold of Eye-Leg's hand. The girl responded by clasping Shara's palm -- she was quickly learning to use her new limbs, and might soon be able to walk again. Eye-Leg smiled hopefully at them both. Her new falseteeth, though too white to be entirely credible, made her smile look more mature. "Ask her," Shara said gravely. "She understands." Darc looked into the Leper girl's gray eyes. They seemed much brighter, more comprehending now; she met his gaze with an almost frightening intensity. He also noticed that her head had not been shaved for a long time -- her scalp hair was growing back, pale and beautiful, but yet very short as it sprouted between the clamps and braces that fixed head to body. Gently, he explained to her: "Eye-Leg... don't move your head. I just want to ask an important question. Blink with one eye for 'yes', and blink with both eyes for 'no'. Do you understand?" She blinked one eye -- hard. "Do you know who this man is?" He pointed to Mechao. She blinked a resolute "Yes". "Good girl. Mechao has helped us make you better. Has Shara told you about the Plague, and why the Plague caused you to be sick?" Eye-Leg hesitated, then blinked with one eye again. "But you are not completely free of this Plague yet. We must make a final change in you. When that is done, you will never be sick with the Plague again. Then anyone can touch you and not be afraid." The girl frowned suddenly; the DNA tattoo on her forehead seemed to writhe with tension. "Claaww!" she shouted in loud alarm, stunning everyone. Eye-Leg's hand shot out and clutched Darc's arm hard. The fingers of her other hand bent inward, cringing as if in pain. "Claww," she wailed, turning her eyes to her claw-like gesture. She was trying to create an impression the Leper chief's deformed hand. Then, a few moments later, she let the hand fan out, fingers straight and normal again. "Claaw," she added in a calmer tone. And she stared demandingly at Darc, not losing her grip of his wrist. He understood, and nodded. "Yes, Eye-Leg. We will help Claw get better too. I swear. We can give him a new hand." She released him and sank back on her bed, exhausted. Shara pushed the others away from the girl. "But she didn't answer my question," Darc said, rubbing his sore wrist. "Yes she did, and you know it," replied Shara. "You heard her, Mechao. Do it." And Mechao began the treatment that would replace and renew all control genes in Eye-Leg's body -- every last one, until there was no doubt. |
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Meijji's and Dohan's honeymoon had been undisturbed so far; the dreaded attack from Castilia had not yet happened. The stone pavillion at the top of the mansion was their home, where they spent their nights in private, making plans for the future and making love.
That night, as they had just put out the candlelights and lay together in bed, Dohan suddenly asked his wife: "Are you with child, Meijji?" Meijji stirred in the darkness, and her reply sounded insecure: "No... no. Not yet." She moved over and put her hand on his chest. "Do you think we should have a child yet?" she asked. After a minute's hesitation, he said: "I would want a son, and a daughter... and I want them to grow up without living in fear. These are not the best times." Meijji remembered the ancient stories of sailors abandoning pregnant mothers on the islands. The thought frightened her, and she tried to hide it. "We don't have to form a family right now, Dohan. We are young, we can wait a year or two. Besides... my parents told us once, that if a woman gets pregnant during a war, is frightened or in ill health before giving birth, her children will be born weak and sickly." "They may be right... I think I heard similar warnings when I grew up." Dohan recalled Andon Pasko, the almost invisible member of his family; a persistent rumor had it that he was born after some terrible troubles within the Pasko clan. It had never occurred to Dohan until now, that Andon was now a member of Dohan's own family by right of marriage. Would he claim the rule in Dohan's absence, in spite of his feeble character? "What's wrong?" Meijji asked, nudging closer to her husband. "I was thinking of home." He fell silent again, then added with suppressed emotion: "I must go back and face them. And I want you to come with me." "One day we shall. But in triumph, not with our heads bent down. Darc and my father will see to that. They can work miracles together, just you wait and see." "I know. What they did with that Leper girl... I have never seen a doctor do such wonders before. Imagine, that they could change the entire world. One day, there will be no Lepers. Perhaps no closed cities... perhaps even no more wars." Meijji giggled, and asked: "If we saw an end to all wars, what would you do for a living?" The young warrior tried to imagine a world of total peace for a few moments. He failed. Then, he kissed Meijji's face to make her forget the question. She returned his kisses with increasing passion, and they embraced. The two never seemed to grow tired in each other's company. |
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