Chapter 70

　　After three months, Kal was released from the medical facility. He was still weak and quickly exhausted after a few minutes of exertion or a short walk, but he was deemed stable enough to leave.

　　To his frustration, his left hand still spasmed randomly, making it difficult to use.

　　On the day of his release, Amelia met him in his room, this time wearing a thick coat, plain pants and winter boots. The weather had changed over the last few weeks, and winter had come to the facility, the green lawns covered in a thick layer of white.

　　Whatever clothing he had arrived in had long since been discarded, and his wardrobe consisted of things Amelia had tailored for him. Rather than his usual uniform, Kal wore a black wool coat over a plain, long-sleeved white shirt and black cotton pants. When the Empress entered his room, he was tying the laces of his new winter boots.

　　They had become comfortable around each other over the past few months. Their relationship was similar to the one Kal had with his Grandmother. Amelia was kind and thoughtful, and incredibly intelligent. Kal suspected she was equal to the Emperor in that regard, although her skills lay in a different area.

　　"Ready?" The Empress asked. Kal nodded, carefully standing, and waiting for his legs to steady before following her out. Her entourage had been left behind today, leaving the pair in blissful solitude.

　　The Empress`s presence had been a regular occurrence over the past year and a half. The staff bowed or nodded politely at them as they walked the halls. Passing through the entrance, Kal drew a deep breath of fresh, Terran air.

　　The wind was cold, well below freezing, while the sun was bright overhead. The snow shimmered in the sun, and tiny ice crystals reflected the light off the front lawns. Shielding his eyes with his hand, Kal could see mountains in the distance, their white tops visible.

　　A hovercar waited for them, the driver wearing an Imperial Guard uniform as he waited patiently for them to board. Shining black and sleek, the doors opened silently as Kal and Amelia entered the luxurious interior. Sealed within, the temperature was comfortable, and Kal loosened the buttons of his coat.

　　As they travelled, the Empress talked about some of the news from the Imperial Net. Sports, entertainment shows, even gossip, Amelia was knowledgeable of a variety of topics, leaving Kal to wonder if she spent all her days studying or seeking information.

　　The hovercar passed over snow-covered farmland and frozen rivers and lakes until they were flying over the mountains, the landscape a sight to behold to the recently bedridden Kal. He marvelled at the countryside, pristine under the Emperor`s care.

　　"We`re here," Amelia said, pointing out the window to their destination. The car slowed as it descended, giving Kal a view of their objective.

　　It was a cabin, although calling it such a simple term diminished its magnificence. Modern and stylish, it was nestled on a mountainside, a walking trail leading through the forest to its doorstep. Just past it was a lake, its surface frozen and snow-covered.

　　Further away, a cluster of buildings had steam rising from them, and Kal could see pools of warm spring water heated by the geothermal energy rising from beneath the mountain.

　　"I thought I would be going to the palace?" Kal asked in confusion. Amelia had mentioned his training and duties on Terra, and he was under the assumption that he would be living with the other nobles at the palace.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　"You still need time to heal, Kalen. Your body is progressing, but your mind needs rest and solitude." Amelia replied as the hovercar settled on the ground in front of the cabin. Exiting, Kal felt the temperature keenly. It was much colder here than at the medical facility.

　　But the air was fresh and clean, and with the hovercar`s silence, nothing could be heard except for the wind whistling through the evergreens and the snow blowing across the ground.

　　"Besides, if you come to the palace, you won`t be able to enjoy your birthday gift." Amelia continued, drawing her scarf closer around her neck as she walked through the snow toward the doorway. Behind, the driver followed closely in case the Empress needed assistance on the treacherous ground.

　　"Gift?" Kal asked. He hadn`t been aware that it was his birthday. It hadn`t been important for years, his parents never mentioned it, and he had been busy since leaving stasis to notice or care about its passing.

　　"This," Amelia replied, waving at the building and the surrounding area.

　　"You`re gifting me land on Terra?" Kal asked, astonished. Kal followed behind the Empress, looking in awe at the comfortable interior of the building. Everything on Terra belonged to the royal family. Even a noble would be shocked to own a piece of humanity`s homeland.

　　It wasn`t luxurious or opulent. Its furnishings were plainer and functional, precisely as Kal preferred. Thick rugs covered the floor, and a fire crackled merrily in the large fireplace. Grateful to be out of the cold, Kal took off his jacket, slinging the item across one of the chairs in the living room.

　　"Of course, it`s your five hundred and twenty-second birthday, quite the milestone. How does it feel to be over half a millennium old?" Amelia asked.

　　"I feel every year of it," Kal said wearily. The trip, combined with the cold and the short walk through the snow, had exhausted him. Smiling, she patted him on the shoulder as he settled into the cabin, leaving him alone.

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　　Kal spent his time walking the mountain trails, enjoying the crisp winter air. His body was slowly growing stronger, but the effect on his mental health was the most noticeable. Since he had left the rejuvenation chamber, he had been having terrible dreams and night terrors.

　　It had become so bad at the medical facility that the staff would post someone by his bedside at night to calm him down. But after a few weeks in his mountain retreat, they had subsided. He often dreamed of Atlas or the terrible visions that plagued him, but he could sleep through them now.

　　When he grew too cold or tired from his walks, he visited the hot springs in the rear of the grounds. This was where the true healing would take place. The warm water soothed his mind and body, leaving him exhausted but feeling better for it.

　　The best part of leaving the hospital was that he could communicate with Caledon again, as long as the calls were short. After the initial week, he made his first call home in nearly a year and a half.

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　　Samuel waited impatiently for the others to file into the conference room, all but tapping his foot. Next to him, Miranda grinned at his behaviour. Of all of them, the Imperial Herald seemed the most aloof, but she knew that he was keen to check in with Kal.

　　They all worried about his health, despite the regular updates Samuel was receiving, but today would be the first time they saw him face to face.

　　Merrick Tan was the last to enter the room. The man was wholly changed since Kal had been injured. His indulgences in vice were years ago, his body healthy and mind focused on gathering wealth for the Baron and Caledon.

　　And his gains were significant. The vault under the Palace brimmed with riches, and a small portion went to Tan himself for his efforts as a broker.` Wearing a well-fitted suit, the former banker was eager to see Kal again. He had a list of new investments he wanted the Baron to review.

　　Samuel frowned at the Datapad Tan brought with him. He had warned him that there would be no business discussed today. They would take it slow. With a huff, he ignored Tan, taking his place at the head of the table.

　　Next to him, Miranda tapped the display, sending out the communication request to distant Terra. Rounding out the group was Talha, Tamara, Elric and Sylla. Next to the governor was David Rowe, the administrator of Luna City.

　　"Remember, we keep things light. No business, no reminders of more difficult` times. The doctors have warned that Kalen may be in a fragile state of mind. They have worked a miracle to revive him, but he needs time." Samuel warned, focusing on Tan momentarily before looking at the others.

　　Seeing them all nod, he turned his attention to the display.