From Sand to Nand

Chapter Eight

It had been four days since 41 additional survivors of the Elevation arrived ashore. If not for the rain, they would have been delirious from heat exhaustion and thirst. The daily precipitation provided them with just enough water to survive three days out at sea, but they were still in bad shape and terribly famished.

Hundreds of volunteers had rushed to the shoreline where they managed to usher in the lifeboats as they approached. One by one, they supplied water and aid to the men, women, and children. Some family members had recognized their lost loved ones and couldn't help but smother their relatives. In one case, an entire family had been reunited, having suffered no casualties. For others, it was like a second wave of mourning as they were filled in on the losses their family had also suffered.

The lifeboats had been separated from the co-captains' power boat just after departing from the Elevation. After the storm passed, some people aboard had been injured, drowned, or dead. A few had been resuscitated, while others were retrieved from the water but were too far gone to save. Exactly 30 bodies were placed in the last boat and strung along for the first day. The growing, rotting stench and the difficult weather led to a group vote to let the deceased drift away into the sea by the end of the third day. The storms hit daily, just as the boats could barely make out the vivid peak of the island's mountains. As everyone tried to paddle north to shore, the currents threw the boats backwards toward the south, but the ocean was much less harsh than it had been the day the ship sank. Everyone aboard also collected the rainwater, which sustained them enough to barely fight dehydration.

Captain Royce was secretly at ease to have heard the tale. Since his arrival on the island a week ago, there were an estimated 90 people missing. By this story's account, 71 had been recovered either dead or alive, leaving him to believe that while some had perished, the remaining losses were mostly his co-captains, the second Arms Master Banks, and their crews. Nearly all lives had been accounted for.

One hut had been appointed the 'Medical Unit' from the day it was built. A person had been recovering from an internal brain hemorrhage and another died days earlier from dehydration resulting from a coma. No one had thought to provide him water intravenously. It was a mistake and a terrible lapse in judgement on part of the medical professionals. His body was taken and disposed of at the funeral site. The arrival of more people in need of medical care prompted the captain to seize two additional, adjacent huts and designate them for the eight medical professionals to work. They didn't have much to provide high-quality treatments, but they improvised together, allowing them to more effectively care for the injured.

Two of the medical staff were familiar with natural plant remedies and were directed to collect any materials that may have proved medicinally useful. A handful of others had also presented the personnel with ways to treat illness using natural resources. Some had packed teas, oils, and other useful items they willingly gave the nurses and doctors.

Surprisingly, only a select few of the survivors who recently arrived on lifeboats needed any further medical attention besides shaded rest, food, and water. Of those who remained, their most severe conditions ranged from heat stroke to vertigo.

Pei kept a considerable watch over the newcomers. He even brought a few inquisitors up to speed on the progress the community had made in their absence. Despite his limited knowledge of medicinal plants, Pei managed to set plans in motion for a stone medical center. The workers were instructed to design and build tables and equipment according to the specifications outlined by the medical staff.

"When it's finished," Pei instructed the workers, "come and see me for your next project."

"Excuse me, Pei?" The young man turned to address the lady responsible for keeping track of resources.