The Passing Of An Age

Bonaparte awoke to impenetrable darkness and the sound of a drumbeat off in the distance. He reasoned that he must have fallen asleep, as his last memory was of the bright morning sunlight piercing the window of his lodgings and illuminating the scene in his bedroom. Dr Francesco Antommarchi was attentive as usual, busily administering to his needs; the British Governor of the Island, Hudson Lowe, was seated in the throne-like red chair by the door, looking grave and apparently waiting; whilst General Count Henri Bertrand and the Marquis Charles de Montholon stood close by his bed whispering in an animated fashion and casting frequent glances at their Emperor. He was surprised to have slept through the usual afternoon rain showers that seemed to pound on the rooftop like falling cannonballs, and even more taken aback that he had not been awakened for lunch or dinner. He blinked a number of times, but his eyes could not penetrate the gloom. He attempted to throw back the smothering blankets that seemed to hold him tight, but found that his movements were restricted. Confused, he opened his mouth to shout for assistance but no words issued. He felt panic rise within him, but refused to surrender to it, just as he had refused to cede ground to it time and time again throughout his life, that wrecker of armies and the worst of enemies. Had he been drugged and bound? It would certainly account for his long sleep and his current lack of mobility. But, if it were so, then where was he? He focused on his surroundings; it was very warm- so he must still be in the tropics; that mysterious drumbeat had increased its tempo somewhat, and now he could feel rhythmic vibrations regularly flowing through his body. Could he be on a ship? Had he been smuggled off St Helena? Had his followers stormed the island prison and rescued him from captivity? Again, the vibrations coursed through him, lasting noticeably longer this time. He attempted to reconsider his recollections of that final morning, but found he had trouble remembering any of the details. What had the Doctor said to him before he lost consciousness? And what was the name of the Governor? The drum was beating very quickly now, and the vibrations had once more increased in intensity, shaking him and causing his body to shudder. He felt an involuntary shift in his position and as a result his movement became even more restricted. He pushed out with his arms, but they were locked in place. He tried to control his fear, to remind himself that he was the Emperor of the ? He did not know! What was happening? His memories seemed beyond him, or somehow ‘behind’ him. He could not think, could not make a decision, could not remember...His name. Panic again advanced and for the first time broke through. He reacted in the only way that was left to him, and as he came into the light of a new dawn, he cried.