Revelations

You look carefully around the room. The walls seem made of wood, the bed you are in is cast iron. White curtains wave as a breeze enters the room from outside, carrying along with it the smells of the forest, and also of gunpowder. You see nothing directly indicating the time, or place.

As the nurse approaches, you study her. She is wearing a v-shaped white hat, that has curtains on the sides that hide her face. She is carrying a tray and her hands are unseen. She is completely clothed in shades of white, the style seems to indicate a religious order.

"Where am I? how Long have I been here?", you croak, your voice still a bit gravel-laden.

The nurse gasps to hear your voice and lifts her head. The curtains fall away from her face and you see the remarkable features of her feline nature. She is most certainly a cat of some sort, probably a tabby.

"Pardon moi, monsieur!" she exclaims, her voice carrying touches of meows along with the French. She sets her tray down on a stool near your bed. Before you can say another word she flees the room.


You rub your eyes and face, noticing several days growth on your already full beard. Your mouth tastes distinctively like horse manure.

Another cat-nurse enters the room followed by the first. This one is wearing a black robe, with white hat.

"Pardon my charge's failure, sir, she is quite unaccustomed to speaking to patients. Few here ever recover from their wounds... especially none as severe as yours!" She moves quickly to your bedside and touches your head. Her English, though accented, is quite good.

"Why does it smell like a battle, yet you seem so calm?" You ask her.

"The battle is far from here," she replies, "yet is so grave that the smells carry a long distance... I'm sure you're very hungry, if you feel up to it we can provide you sustenance of your choice downstairs."