Yasht to the waters of the sky: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Rossi

There were wonders in Maratea. In less than twenty years the small port had exploded into the center of a revolution. Ideas had free reign, funded by trade from all corners of the world on ships that moved with no wind or oar.

There were Lords to the north that claimed the land, but they were petty and far away. A few coins kept them happy. It was a heady time, and Rossi was in his element. He found work in several workshops around the city. He was there when Starvingi cracked the alchemy of Ucha steel, when Cesamari first gleaned the secrets of flight, at Gaizbert's discovery of compressed air.

The city creaked and groaned under the pressure of expansion. Neighborhoods went up in days, tenements filled with men and women pouring in from the countryside and city-states. Drawn by tales of opportunity, fleeing the chaos of the mercenary states. They were making a new world together, breaking all the old laws. Rossi had never felt more alive. The city breathed with him, always awake, always moving. It always seemed there was another invention just over the horizon, another dream that would fix any problem. The possibilities seemed endless. No one could stand in their way.

The medical bay's beds were not soft. Rossi shifted uncomfortably as he came to. His back ached, more from the slab than the effort of dragging the captain.

The bay was empty, save a few other patients. As he woke, panic gripped Rossi. Dropping his legs over the side of the berth he tried to stand. His head swam with the exertion and he slammed back onto the cot with a loud clang. The noise brought a young man peaking out from behind a curtain on the other side of the room.

Settling onto the bed Rossi waved the medic over. "You, hey!” Rossi made an effort to remember his name but the boy came over before he could dredge it up. “Where is Captain Renau? Is he ok? How long have I been out?" The young man bowed and started to answer. Despite himself Rossi laughed, absent mindedly tapping his arm to indicate the insignia on his missing jacket, "No bowing or sirs, boy." Rossi cleared his throat and leaned foward expectantly. "Is he ok or not?"

The medic froze, "He's alive, but sir,” the boy flushed and looked away shaking his head at his mistake.

This kid is precious. If I were ten years younger. Rossi scoffed and clapped him on his shoulder. “Easy now, what's your name?”

“I'm Elger. Sorry, you're master Rossi, right? The Republican?” Rossi nodded as he looked over the man. He was mid twenties or so with sandy brown hair, soft hands, and an aquiline nose. He certainly had the look of Trosmer nobility. His accent and name sounded Imperial though. “I didn't relish having to give this news to one of them. The Trosmer I mean. I'm sure you know how it is. " Rossi buried his annoyance at the delay. To be fair, he did understand. In all likelihood better than Elger himself. Being an imperial made you an enemy to the Trosmer, but being a Republican made you an animal, beneath contempt. Elger drug his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "The doctor has taken him to a private room. They're going to have to take his leg.”

Damn it. Rossi grimaced. “What are his chances?” Elger paled slightly as Rossi's tone went cold.

“He...well...if the shock doesn't kill him, he has a good chance to make it.” He shuffled from one foot to the other nervously. “You should be ok, if you care. Just exhaustion. You've been down for about half the day. The doctor advised some bed rest and a treatment to reduce your phlegm. You're not a young man, after all."

Rossi did the best he could to hide the flash of heat in his eyes at this. “A treatment? I assume that means you intend to bleed me?”

After taking a moment to make sure Rossi was serious, Elger shook his head and laughed. “No, master Rossi. Bleeding is a thing of the past. We have medicinal treatments now to balance the humors, I assure you.”

Rossi smiled and gestured for the boy to get the medicine. As he left Rossi carefully stood and braced himself against the wall, stumbling as he headed out of the room. A light creaking came from the hull, and the light sounds of conversation drifted out of the medical bay. Rossi sighed. Well, let’s see what’s left of the bridge then.

Chapters 1-6 - https://steemit.com/story/@fromage/yasht-to-the-waters-of-the-sky-chapters-1-6

Chapter 7 - https://steemit.com/story/@fromage/yasht-to-the-waters-of-the-sky-chapter-7