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Fiath was the nickname I had as a child. It meant, “Curious One” in the Titan language. Few people knew I had that name. Certainly nobody here.
“Well, Fiath, you had a lucky escape,” Hazel said, jotting my name on a document. “If you took just a little longer to reach us, I’m not sure you would still be alive.”
Join the club. Nobody thinks I’m alive. Everyone believes the emperor is dead.
“Your name is Hazel?” I said.
“It is.”
It was as beautiful as she was.
“Where are you from?” I said.
“A little out of the way planet called Earth,” she said.
Earth. The name rang a bell but I couldn’t place it. Must have been one of the outer quadrant planets.
“How is the patient in the next bed?” I said.
“Better,” Hazel said. “Thanks to you. Without that adrenaline shot, he would probably still be unconscious.”
“I didn’t do anything. You saved him.”
“It was your sacrifice that saved him.”
It was the first time I’d ever done something good for a Titan citizen. Oh, I’d signed decrees and made laws, helped them live a little easier, but I’d never helped a Titan directly like that before.
It felt good.
That familiar streak of pain bolted up my back.
“Will I ever fully recover?” I said.
Hazel looked uncomfortable and clutched her clipboard close to her chest. She looked me over head to foot. What surprised me was she didn’t flinch. I was not a pretty picture.
“Back on my home planet?” she said. “I would have said no. Even with all the surgeries in the world, you would never look the same again. But we’re not on my home planet. And you’re not human. You’re a Titan. You have an ability to heal that I’ve never seen before. So, can you return to the way you once were? It’s possible. But could you also be left with scars? Yes. That’s also possible. I’ve sent for some special ointment Titans use that will be applied to your wounds frequently. It should help with healing.”
What she was referring to was a common herb called Healer’s Touch. It was as old as Titans themselves.
“Is there any news about the Changelings?” I said.
My throat had turned hoarse and dry.
Hazel handed me a glass of water.
“Yes, some,” she said. “According to the news, they attacked without mercy and have successfully taken over much of the empire. Still, some Titans are fighting back. I guess it’s in your nature.”
She had a warm smile. I couldn’t think of a better face to welcome me each time I awoke in this place.
“And… I have some bad news for you,” she said. “There are reports the emperor has died. There’s no sign of his body, so many are praying he’s still alive somewhere.”
“What do you think?” I said. “Is he still alive?”
“I think it’s good that they have hope,” she said. “Titans put a lot of faith in him. It would destroy them to think he’s been stripped from them.”
Perhaps one day, I thought idly, if I could make a full recovery, I could lead the Titans in a revolt against the evil Changelings. It was hard to imagine who they might rally around if it wasn’t the emperor.
I eased back down, suddenly feeling very lethargic. My body shuddered with the pain and it took hold.
