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Sharmila or I have been with Dervish the whole ti him A cot has been set up in a corner of the roo there

Dervish has flickered into consciousness a couple of ti or showed signs of recognition His doctors aren’t sure what state his brain is in They don’t think he suffered serious e, but they can’t say for certain until he recovers If he recovers

Sharmila has discussed the situation with her fellow Disciples She considered going straight after the Lambs, but we’re still not absolutely certain they were behind the attack And even if they are directly involved, we don’t knoho they’re working with or e o after them Better to wait for Beranabus

I don’tThis is the calm before the storm I’m sure the peace won’t last We’ll soon have all the action we could wish for, and er to leave the confines of ain, having seen the terrors of the wide blue yonder, I’d probably stay at home and keep my head down Not the most heroic of responses, but I never wanted to be a hero I’d much rather lead an ordinary life Normal people don’t kno lucky—how blessed—they are

Shar to her every word You’re supposed to do that with people who are comatose Doctors say it can help, and even if it doesn’t, it can’t do any harm

I’ve tried speaking to Dervish, but what can I say? I don’t want to tell him about Bill-E—that period of our relationship is over—but we don’t have much else in common I’ve shared some of my previous life, described the rath where I lived, my people, our customs But I don’t kno interested Dervish is in ancient history I worry, if he can hear, that I’ him

Shar Dervish of their adventures in the deer She recalls their encounter with Lord Loss, Kernel surprising the s, the loss of Nadia Moore—ould later resurface as the treacherous Juni Swan I’ve heardrestless

r />“Do you s?” I interrupt

“Not at all,” Sharave o, so we could keep in touch Mobile phones aren’t allowed inside the hospital

Kealan is on duty with three other guards outside the rooh they just stand and stare at the corridor all the tiame of cards

“Maybe later,” I smile, “if you’re still here”

“Where else would I be?” he chuckles wryly Kealan’s the only guard who looks unsuited to his job I’ot into thisa medic Maybe the army trained him and he has to serve a nu on

I stroll through the various levels and wards of the hospital I know the building well by this stage and ive me treats and make small talk if they’re not busy It’s been quiet here since I caood luck omen I’m even allowed into areas which would normally be off-limits, like the maternity ward on the second floor It’scute, wrinkled babies, gazing into their innocent eyes, most the colour of a clear blue sky

But I head in a different direction on this foray, winding my way up to the roof I’ve been stuck inside all day I need fresh air I’ when one lands I’d love to go up in one, but I suspect even good luck oet to hitch rides in hospital helicopters

It’s evening An overcast, patchy sky I spend a long ti clouds My old teacher, Banba, thought you could read signs of the future in the move fro else to do, I like to try