The Great War: Chapter 68
The hesitant mind
The mood of the infirmary has drastically shifted since Isaac was last here. Where once the healers moved with purpose and agency, a sort of sluggishness now lingers over each and every one of them. Some scowl, as if trying to put a finger on whatever is annoying them. Others wander with glazed eyes, their minds more intriguing to them than reality.
It almost makes Isaac sad to see them in such a sorry state. After all, it’s not their faults that they’re feeling so strangely all of a sudden. And it’s not like the General can help herself, either. Simply growing pains. They’ll be back to normal soon enough. Well, as normal as they can possibly get.
He makes his own way through the infirmary, towards the back flight of stairs that leads to the Head Healer’s office. There’s no point in asking for directions if he already knows where it is. From the beings around him, he can paint himself a picture: a dim and dusty room, with a bed and a desk and chair. Though he doubts that it’s as small as the healers make it out to be in their minds.
No being pays him any attention as he bounds up the metal stairs. He knocks on the door but gets no response, despite the fact that Yumi is in there.
He twists the knob. It’s unlocked.
He lets himself in, closing the door behind him. The Head Healer is hunched over her desk, tiredness weighing down on her. She lets out a hum to acknowledge his presence as her eyes flick upwards momentarily to see what being now stands before her.
It takes her a moment to finally lift her head, staring at Isaac curiously. It takes her even longer to realize that Isaac isn’t supposed to be there.
“Stars above!” she exclaims as she jumps to her feet, awake and alert in an instant. Her muscles tense, prepared for a confrontation.
“Jae sent me,” Isaac says to her calmly. Though the Feni still eyes him with caution, her panic subsides ever so slightly.
“She never told me,” Yumi replies.
“Well, it was all a little sudden,” Isaac sighs.
Her mind is already whirling with questions, Why is he here? How does he know Jae? What’s going on?
He clears his throat, looking around the small office/living space instead. The title of General looms over him more than it ever has since he first met the king of Korodon. Back then he had been more than enthusiastic to keep his mouth shut. Everything was still so new and intriguing. And then he thought about it, let the idea marinate in his mind.
And now… here he is. His time is almost upon him. He feels it. And he doesn’t think he likes it.
The healers are already struggling with a General out of her depth. The mind is not her domain, after all, but it is his. He can’t help but fear what the beings of Korodon will think of him, let alone the other Generals themselves. To have not one but two wizards with very similar powers, only that one of them is a local and the other is an outsider from San Ovila.
“My name is Isaac,” he introduces himself, “and I…” He frowns, loosing his words. He’s never really talked to any other being about stuff like this before. What is he supposed to say to her without being too vague or scaring her with the whole truth? “I… am aware that the healers are being affected by… the new General’s unique power.”
“How do you know that?” Yumi asks, narrowing her eyes. The ears atop her head stand stiff at attention. She senses danger.
“I know many things,” Isaac answers. It doesn’t ease Yumi’s hostility.
“Perhaps too much for your own good,” the Feni comments.
“Perhaps,” Isaac nods back casually.
Frustration boils in Yumi’s mind. He doesn’t blame her for feeling that way. She’s worried about Jae, too, but it’s only been a single cycle. How could he possibly know what’s going on this quickly? What is he hiding? Is he with Cassie? Though if he was, why would she send him here of all places? Wouldn’t she already know?
Cassie. That name opens another door of knowledge. One of the Generals, and, in Yumi’s eyes, a criminal tyrant.
“I don’t mean to pry,” Isaac speaks again, raising his head ever so slightly, “but I don’t appreciate being accused as a criminal.”
A visible ripple of shock passes through Yumi’s body at his response. Her mind goes completely blank, if only for a brief moment.
Isaac, however, lets out a hopeless sigh. “I swear, I’m only here to try and help. Jae is suffering from information overload, and her fractured mind is affecting yours and the other healers as well.”
Yumi is quiet. How did he know…? Unless he’s like Jae somehow? But- No, that’s impossible! He can’t hear my thoughts, too, can he? Disgust quickly rises, followed by anger, though there is a bit of curiosity mixed in as well.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. This is the first time he’s had to apologize for prying. He… doesn’t know what to make of it. He just feels hollow.
But it’s not like he can stop. Her mind is a bright star of energy, practically calling to him to investigate. She has the presence of a leader, and certainly the attitude of an extremely stressed one. All her other worries pale in comparison to the dilemma before her, though. Not only will she have to watch herself from now on for Jae’s sake, but to find out that there’s another wizard capable of such a thing makes her feel sick. She’s scared she’ll never have a private thought to herself ever again. He can’t exactly reassure her that she will, either.
She stares at him, waiting for him to speak. She knows he’s listening now.
So what do you want?
Isaac shifts uncomfortably, breaking away from her gaze. The door isn’t that far away. He could walk out any time he wants without much resistance. If she’s going to be this uncooperative then what’s the point in trying to talk to her further?
Make up your mind, Isaac, he chides himself. You’re just going to leave her in this state?
“I just came here to talk to Jae,” he says, turning back to the Head Healer. “She recommended you herself.”
“Then why not go to the castle instead?” Yumi asks. How did you even talk to her? is her other burning question, one that she hopes she’ll learn the answer to in due time.
Isaac presses his lips together, once more finding his tongue tied. As much as he wants to speak, he can’t help but try and find ways to dance around the subject.
Yumi breaks the silence this time, taking in a deep breath to calm herself and straighten out her befuddled mind. “Would you like a chair, Isaac?”
Isaac frowns. “Excuse me?”
She stares back at him. Why waste her breath further if he can just hear her thoughts, anyway?
It’s a lot happening to her all at once. Of course she’s been a little more irritable than usual. But she’s not blind to Isaac’s discomfort, either. She’s going to try giving him a shot. First, though, she’s expecting a full explanation from him. And for that to happen, she feels, she should try and make him as comfortable as possible.
Once more, she addresses him directly, We may not be as good as Illusionists, but that doesn’t mean we’re inexperienced with the inner workings of the mind.
Finally, he capitulates.
“Yes, please,” he nods.
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