Paul Kater - Bactine

Daniel grinned. It was long ago that he had heard such language and it was surprisingly refreshing. “And a good day to you too, Seigner Barker,” he joked. “Please don’t make me laugh, that still hurts.”

Tomlin pulled up a chair. “Now tell me again. You were not really making sense on the box. You said pirates?”

Daniel nodded and told him the longer version.

His friend stared at him. “And they brought you here for that kind of fun, right? Aren’t you the lucky one.” Tomlin shook his head. “And when are you leaving?”

Daniel shrugged carefully. “I don’t know. They have not told me when I am released from this place. I’d love to get out on the ship again, but I know it’s not time for me yet.”

“The ship.” Tomlin got to his feet and paced the room while keeping his eyes on Daniel. “The ship? You got all ripped up, wrapped up in that Glandrine stuff they have here, you’re obviously still in plenty of pain, and you want to get your hiney back on that boat?” He stopped his pacing. “Are you out of your bloody mind? If it were up to me I’d get the next carriage to Embarcado and hightail it out of here.”

“Perhaps. But it is not up to you, Tomlin.” Daniel grimaced as he reached for his glass of water. “It’s up to me, and I want to get back to the ship.”

Tomlin grinned and calmed down. The talk became more peaceful. When he had to leave again, he said: “Let me know when you get home again, Daniel. I’ll come and pick you up. You should meet my family.”

Daniel promised he would to that and thanked his old friend for coming by. He really was pleased with the visit.

Two days of getting up and exercising later the nurses told him that he was declared well and fit, and that by the afternoon he was allowed to return home. After lunch, someone delivered a package, which turned out to be a brand new set of clothes. The card attached stated that it was a gift from Seigner Clelem Dandra ko Galem. He got dressed, surprised about the gift as well as his, once again, new body. He did not understand why someone went through such effort to keep him alive.

There was a modest knock on the door.

“Please come in.”

Daniel almost fell back on the bed when he saw Gaguran Slindris enter. “Mr. Zacharias. Ah. I see the attire that the Seigner sent over is satisfactory. He has asked me to see to it that you reach your home in safety. Are you ready to leave?”

Daniel had nothing to take along but his ring and his hydger. The things he had been wearing when the problems began had been torn from him in the hospital. “I am ready, sir. And I do appreciate the concern from the Seigner and you.”

“The Seigner was very worried, Mr. Zacharias.”

That statement told Daniel something.

As he followed Gaguran out the room, there were several of the nurses waiting in the hall. They had been taking care of him and wished him all the best in regaining his health again. Daniel thanked them and promised to look after himself.

Outside, a carriage was already waiting, so the two men could get in and ride off quickly. The journey to Daniel’s building passed mostly in silence, as Gaguran did not respond to most of Daniel’s remarks. If he did it was with a nod or a single word.

“Do take care, Mr. Zacharias.” The mouse said it as a formality, not as something he had actually put his heart in.

Daniel nodded and then watched the carriage roll off. He went into his apartment, sat on a chair and stared out the window. He wondered where Rhonda was. And why she had left without saying goodbye.

Krrrrrr… Krrrrrrrr…

Daniel grabbed the hydger and saw Ulaman’s call sign. “Ulaman, best skipper of the planet, good morning.”

“Daniel, you are becoming a lazy heap. Are you still in your bed?”

“Looks like it, yes,” Daniel grinned.

Ulaman made a sound that conveyed disapproval. “The sun is already out. How are you feeling?”

“Not too bad. Still sore in places where the new skin takes longer to heal. Why, is something the matter?”

“Not really. The crew wants to know how you are. It would be good if you could come to the ship and talk to them. They worry about you. I told them they are wimps but they made me call you anyway.”

Daniel did not grin, but he knew Ulaman was hiding his own concern. Had the crew been there, he’d have heard it. “I will come to the harbour tomorrow, okay? A friend comes over today to pick me up and visit his family. Mr. Barker, I told you about him?”

“Yes, I remember. Well, I am glad that… the crew will be glad if you can come over tomorrow. There is nothing like smelling the water to get you back on your feet, Daniel. And let me know if you cannot come after all.”

“Certainly, skipper. I’ll let you know. But I am rather certain I can show up.”

“Good, Daniel. Now get up, man!” The big face grinned before the screen went grey.

Daniel laughed, winced as there was a sting from his belly, and dropped the hydger on the bed. “Ouch. Still no laughing today, Mr. Zacharias.” He got up and showered. He worshipped the shower since the surgery: it made his new skin soft and supple and chased the little pains away for a long time.

He got dressed and waited for his friend to show up, spending the time reading.

“Daniel? Are you in there?” The question was followed by a careful tap on the door. Tomlin grinned as Daniel let him in. “You look less bad today,” he stated. “Ready to go?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be. I am curious to see where you are living, Tomlin.”

The trip to Tomlin’s house did not take very long. It was located in one of the better neighbourhoods of Skarak.

Tomlin pointed out several places of interest and historical fame as they came past them. The carriage took them up into the mountainous area, where almost every residence had a magnificent outlook over the town, the harbour and the sea. Daniel had never been up there, so he was astounded by the view.

“We’re here, Daniel,” Tomlin said as the carriage slowed down. “Prepare yourself to be invaded by my offspring.”

After exiting the carriage, they stood in front of what in this area was an average sized house. Remarkable was the small building in front of it that Tomlin walked up to. He used his ring to open the door and let Daniel in. “Welcome to my humble home.”

It turned out to be far from humble. The small building turned out to be a sort of reception area and it had a wardrobe. From there, they walked through a short transparent tunnel that brought them into the actual house. Tomlin’s wife was a very friendly woman, and the offspring-based invasion Tomlin had warned Daniel for did not happen. Clearly the children, two boys and a girl, had been instructed very well about Daniel’s condition. They were very careful and, Daniel found, polite beyond limits.

He had a really nice day out with the Barker family, and when Tomlin took him back home in the evening, Daniel was yawning.

“My friend,” Tomlin grinned, “I think you have lost the ability to stay sober while drinking.”

It certainly felt so, Daniel had to admit. “Thank you for today, Tomlin. I really appreciate it. It was great to see where you live. You did the right thing, staying here. You have a lovely family.”

“I know. And thank you for the compliments. I’ll carry them on. Stay well, and in touch.” After shaking hands, Tomlin ordered the carriage to take him home again.

Daniel dragged himself to his apartment, could barely be bothered to hang up his suit and crashed into bed. He was out before his head had actually touched down on the pillow.

The next morning, Daniel was awake quite early, compared to the days before. After the relieving shower, which seemed less needed today, he dressed and went out for breakfast. It felt good, and he was pleased about that. It told him he was definitely on the mend.