Clockworks Chronicles of Zahn

6) And the Clockworks Tick On

Dr Saba finished putting her magical implements and other medical tools away as her nurse left the room with the dirty dressings and other sundry supplies. She then looked Cooper’s way, while he changed behind the modesty barrier, and said, “Well it seems a small piece of the black sword’s crystal has broken off into your wound and that is why it’s not healing like the rest of your wounds.”

“Can you remove it?”

“I believe so. But it will take time and not a little bit of time at that, as well as some high level magical intervention.”

“Well I don’t have time right now.”

“Well you better make the time because it appears to be working its way deeper into you and when it gets to your heart or brain…” she shrugged.

“Alright, I’ll get to it as soon as I can. How long do you think I have?”

She shrugged and said, “A month, maybe two. Or it could find a main blood vessel and then it would only be a question of minutes. I can’t tell you for sure. What I was able to do was cast a spell to slow it down. How successful it will be the gods only know.”

Cooper smiled and said, “Well I have the highest confidence in you doc.”

“I wish I shared your confidence Cal. This black crystal doesn’t act like most magical artifacts. You said Mr. Alexander boasted it was made from the same crystal meteor the Glass Darkly was made from, didn’t you?”

“Yes, he did. What does that have to do with it?”

“Well, from what I have been able to decern about the Glass Darkly is the meteor that spawned it was from a different universe. Quite possibly your universe. This would explain much about how it and this sword don’t operate by the same rules as other magical items.”

“Well, as far as I know, there is no real magic in my original universe.”

“Hmm, interesting. You say there is. How about was?”

“Only legends. Stories and such.”

Dr Saba shrugged and said, “Well it could have something to do with this meteor. I’ll do some more research and I’ll also prepare for the procedure, but you mustn’t take too long to have it done.”

“I won’t doc.”

Dr. Saba thought about it some more and decided how to voice what was bothering her the most and said, “Please Cal. Remember you are now a dad and I don’t think those girls deserve another disappointment this big in their lives.”

Cooper just nodded grimly as he finished buttoning up his uniform collar.

At the Steam and Whistle, Elsie was showing Ehawee and Batty how to cook one of her signature dishes when a woman entered the bar dressed in brownish green goucho pants, matching vest and a white silk top. She wore on her head a brownish green silk kerchief but one could see a few strands of her hair peeking out the sides and they were black with gray streaks. On her nose she wore a pair of square, smoke colored glasses.

She eased up to the bar and said in a smoky Slavic accent, “Vodka. Your best.”

Elsie smiled and poured the woman a shot from a red bottle, “That’ll be one Talon dearie.”

The woman dropped a sovereign coin on the bar and slammed back the drink. Then she made a motion for a refill.

Elsie poured her another drink then placed the bottle next to her.

Elsie was thinking, ‘Wow, a big spender’. However, she then noticed Both Batty and Ehawee were looking at the woman with obvious trepidation.

“These girls are smart. I expect nothing less from the daughters of Colonel Calvin Cooper.”

Suddenly, alarm bells went off in Elsie’s mind and she felt this woman was a threat so she said, “Girls, go in the back now!” Then she turned to the woman and said, “Finish your drink and go!”

“Not very hospitable of you. You must be Cooper’s concubine. For that I understand your worries.”

“I am his fiancé and you have just outstayed your welcome here.”

The woman shrugged and said, “Tell Colonel Cooper Tara James was here to see him. Tell him I will be seeing him again and he will have the opportunity to pay for death of Povlo Myslyvets.” She grabbed the red bottle and left the bar.