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In the infirmary Kassia is hooked up to various machines and monitors. The medics had gotten her breathing again in short order, but now the doctors were monitoring everything with scrutiny. In the bed, the princess looked small and pale, her war games attire gone and replaced with a simple white hospital-style gown. It seemed to swallow her nearly whole.

"We're monitoring the swelling in her brain, my king," the attending doctor said with concern in his voice. "But there isn't much more I can tell you. We hope that when the swelling goes down we will know more, but you must understand that it is possible that she will never wake up."

Kassia lay perfectly still, unmoving. Meanwhile, in her mind, she woke up on a dry, gritty beach of sorts parched by blazing heat.

"Daddy?"