Kael
Maelis made me walk to the end of the room and back.
I had hoped the examination would involve sitting.
"Again," she said.
I went again.
The roughness in my chest remained, but it had not worsened overnight. My pulse settled after the short walk. The local clinician compared the new reading with the one taken before sleep, then checked my hand.
Only after that did they confirm the limited clearance.
The operation. The assigned route. A direct return to observation.
"Any change in breathing, you report it," Maelis said.
"I know."
"I would prefer a report to an impressive collapse."
"I'll aim for a disappointing morning."
She handed me the clean face covering.
I fitted it while she watched. One edge caught against my cheek. She made me loosen it and start again.
"You'll be wearing it while moving. Check it now."
I turned my head both ways, then took another breath.
Still rough. Still possible.
