Frederick stared at the ceiling, blinking a bit. It was his childhood bedroom. He hadn't slept in this room very much in recent years, between his time at the Naval Academy and his time at sea. Perhaps he wasn't really here. This didn't quite feel like one of the many nightmares he'd had, but he wasn't quite sure if things were quite right.
"Good. You're finally awake." It was the family's doctor. Was this a dream, or not?
"I suppose I am," Frederick groaned.
"You've been out for a while," the doctor said without elaboration.
"How long has it been?"