It is light outside when Siff wakes up again. Though she can’t be sure of how long she has been recovering, her side feels remarkably better. Examining herself she finds fresh bandages on her side. She doesn’t have the courage to take them off and see the damage, but there is no blood on them, which is encouraging. She decides to attempt moving and manages to roll over to the edge of the bed and sit up. She is a little dizzy, but puts that up to being in bed for…how many days? Last time she woke up it was three. It could be anything now. How come she hasn’t been retrieved? What must be happening back on the ship? It’s suddenly terrifying thinking of the possibilities. Has the rebellion been successful? Has it failed? Is the war still ongoing? Has whoever knew she was down here been killed? Are they biding their time for some reason? Will she ever be safe down here? Has revealing who she is to the Chosen Ones jeopardized the mission? Siff forces herself to stand up. The pain pulls her thoughts back to the reality of the moment. Time to figure out where I am.

She puts on the tunic that’s been left for her on a wooden chair. Different from the one she wore on the way down. Probably ruined with blood. The bandages still look clean though: whatever they did to treat her seems to have worked really well. Almost as well as a med-bed, and they don’t have near the technology she is used to.

The floor feels strange on her bare feet. Textured and soft. She can’t quite figure out what has made it, but the same texture is on the walls she uses to steady herself. A simple hanging leather curtain separates her room from the living area. She pushes it aside to see the small home empty. Their is a table and some chairs, with a rest area built into the wall. She sees it is the same texture as the rest of the floors, with some cushions laid around for comfort. Sun shines through the window, it is a beautiful day outside. Siff limps to the sill and watches the wind blow wild grass in textured patterns across nearby fields. Far different from the manicured gardens she is used to seeing. The door is open a crack and she gently pushes it until the breeze fills her senses with wonderful scents and fresh, free air. It smells different. Earthy rather than pumped through vents. She takes a deep breath and winces a little as her ribs expand. She smiles as she exhales. What a beautiful place.

Siff steps onto a cool stone path that splits leading one way to a dirt road, or another around the back of the dwelling she has been staying in. She spreads her toes and moves her feet to feel the texture under her, a smile covers her face as she hugs herself. Can this really be it? What a beautiful place. Siff hears voices talking around the back of the home and decides to make her presence known.

As she follows the stone path she admires the natural feel of the place. The outside of the home is covered in wild grass and smells amazing. She comes into sight of Lucas and the doctor who drop their gardening tools and run smiling toward her, “Hey look at you! You’re up! That’s great news! I’ll head into town and let the elders know. My name is Lucas, and this is Esken. He’s been responsible for your well-being. I knew I had to get you to him when you were beyond my help; he’s a fantastic doctor.”

Esken holds out his hand, Siff gingerly shakes it and smiles, “Thanks…for everything.”

“Don’t mention it. You responded very well to treatment, and I am so glad to see you up and moving about. How are you feeling?”

“A little tender and tired. But pretty good, thanks.”

“You must be hungry as well, you’ve been on a minimal diet the last few days. Let me fix you something to eat. Lucas, you’d better run and let the elders know.”

“Oh right! Of course.” He puts his hand gently on her arm and looks Siff in the eyes, “I’ll be right back.” He smiles and then takes off on a run across the grass to the road.

Esken leads her back inside where he sits her on the rest area and makes sure she is comfortable. He brings her a cup of water before heading to the stove to prepare some food from the fresh vegetables he must have just picked from the garden. He looks to be in his forties, but very healthy and with a gentle demeanor. A very kind man, Siff decides, though also very quiet: he hasn’t spoken a word since they came inside. Perhaps it’s for the best, there’s certainly going to be an interrogation later. But there is one question that is burning on Siff’s mind, even in her weakened state it baffles her that no-one has come to retrieve her yet. She has to know, “How long have I been here?”

Esken raises an eyebrow as he looks over from his cooking, “Dear, you’ve been my guest for the better part of three days. It was just a few hours ago the elders were here. Now here, have some vegetable stew and get some of your energy back.”

Siff receives a wooden bowl filled with carrots and potatoes, and takes a sip off her spoon. She can’t believe how good it tastes. The only thing stopping her from devouring it is the heat from being fresh off the fire. Oh my god I need more of this.

Three days. Three days after being shot. What is going on?