Book One – Chapter 19

Deltington assisted at his side. He fixed compresses on the limb above and below the break. He also managed the frame construction that held the leg, putting pads where the metal bit too close into the skin, and repeatedly adjusting or simply holding onto it. By now, it had grown into a lattice of rods and struts that framed the leg like a complex kyrthic exoskeleton, surrounded by a cage of metal. With its weight and bracing, it held the limb straight and aloft even when Deltington stepped away to check the human’s face and chest, to readjust her straps, or to gather more instruments for Bubs.

Between them there was scarcely a word. Yu did not hear, but sometimes saw their mouths move. That was odd in itself. Normally, it was the other way around; Yu heard people talk even when their lips did not move. From what he saw, a few muted words and gestures were enough to carry command and response. Bubs gave the signs and Deltington followed, just like now. As he pulled another splinter free, Bubs uttered a few words. Deltington answered by flushing the cavity with a stream of clear liquid pressed from a leather bladder. The fluid washed across raw tissue, carrying clotted blood into the basin below. The sound did not reach Yu either. He was glad about that.

Meanwhile, Bubs laid his instruments aside. He put them all on the tray with the other used ones, then pushed it away. The gesture felt final, even more so when he stepped off his stool. It seemed like they were done, with Deltington doing the last clean up. Yu felt a slackening in his own body. He did not understand the process, but surely, that was the end of it. At last.

Back on the ground, now at eye-level with the surgery table, Bubs turned, though not towards his patient or tools, but towards the —

Yu ducked. He hurried off his stool and then pulled it aside from the door with quick jerks of his talons. The legs scraped the stone in spite his effort to keep silent. Out of the way, with the stool and himself pressed into the corner behind the door, he froze, listening to the silence he no longer trusted.

  .

      .
  

    . 

Nothing happened.

The door stayed shut.

    .   

     .

 .

Eventually, claw by claw, he nudged the stool back into place and got up again.