Chapter 7: Clash of Ideals
Day 4
Cliff
DAYBREAK arrived, the sun rose high into the sky, then set once more. All the while, Cliff persisted in repairing Gandolf’s arms without rest. He worked alone in Akizu Company’s garage, munching on the rye bread Akizu brought him.
Cliff had succeeded in attaching the two iron arms to Gandolf’s torso overnight. He meticulously inscribed the Engrave Incantations into the arms with his fingertip.
The skin wore off his fingers and blood oozed from the exposed flesh, smearing onto the iron arms. Strangely enough, his coursing adrenaline washed away the pain and exhaustion weighing on him.
He inscribed the Engrave Incantations over and over again, testing it just as many times. The arms didn’t move. Still, Cliff didn’t lose heart.
You think I’d give up now? I’ve been doing this for years without ever throwin’ in the towel!
Another night would soon arrive. Cliff kept his restless heart in check and started on his hundredth Engrave Incantation.
✦ ✦ ✦
Erie
EMBALMING fluids flowed through the tubes piercing Heath’s skin and coursed throughout his body. Getz confirmed the fluid bag had emptied before slowly removing the cannula by applying delicate pressure to the puncture site. He then stitched the opening and exhaled a long, tired breath.
“Heath’s embalmment procedure is now finished. I’m glad we were able to treat him before the decaying process progressed.”
The ashen color of Heath’s face that had been growing worse with each passing day returned to a healthier white. The embalmment procedure worked.
“Thank you for even going as far as taking the day off from school to treat him… I am truly grateful to you, Professor Getz,” Erie thanked him from the bottom of her heart. Getz had spent the better half of the day performing the surgical procedure on Heath.
“I haven’t done much to deserve your thanks. By the way, I wanted to ask you about what you will be doing next. I assume you’ll be off searching for Jair again after this?”
“Of course I will. I can’t let him run amok out there.”
“Wait, before you go… There’s something troubling me that I would like to take care of first. You said Lovel Sinclair was apprehended by the Church, correct?”
“Yes, she was… Is there something important concerning her?” Erie asked.
“…There’s something I wish to discuss with the lecturer Navarov about her,” Getz said, putting his hand to his chin in contemplation.
“You want to speak with Mister Navarov? About what exactly?”
“He has served as the dormitory custodian for many years. He should have plenty of information on the students, and beyond that…”
“What’s beyond that?”
“…Never mind. I will discuss it with him directly. Navarov could be hiding some vital information, depending on the situation.” Getz pulled his coat over his shoulders. “I’ll head to the dormitory. Look after the clinic for me.”
“I’ll go with you!”
“You can’t!” His stern tone made Erie instinctively bite her tongue. “Head Island is crawling with Rabbis. Heath will be disposed of as an Illegal Golem if you get discovered. I’ll be right back, so wait here for me like a good girl.”
He left the room. Erie apprehensively stared at the door he closed behind him.