Five days had passed since the lake.
Jack woke before dawn, his ribs no longer screaming when he breathed.
[Next time maybe don't let someone so strong punch you in the chest.]
The memory of that single strike made his skin prickle. He rolled his shoulders, to make sure he wasn't in any more pain.
The palace corridors were silent as a tomb, guards stationed at their posts like statues. Jack's boots made no sound on the polished marble as he made his way to his study.
Chiron's words, I'll be watching this war of yours, still burned behind his eyes with the persistence of branded memory.
Jack didn't know why, but Chiron was interested with Jack.
The key slid into the lock with a satisfying click. Reality bent around the edges, shadows deepening until they became doorways.
Darkness folded inward like a giant piece of origami. Slowly disappearing after Jack went through.
