Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 3: The Denizens of the Desert

Once they were following the edge of the lake, Marlina could see in the distance what looked to be civilization nearby that they were heading towards. There would be patches of grass that gradually become larger and larger, and soon the most plant life that Marlina had seen in days littered all around from cacti with bloomed flowers to shrubs to palm trees which the man who operated the sled weaved with ease. Up ahead, Marlina only saw a few large structures, at least in comparison to the towns and cities she passed through while traveling across Urush. The structures had dome-like roofs painted in bright shades of blue, yellow, and red. The walls encompassing the structures were also decorated with the same colors to make it easier to see.

Marlina checked her arms and body to ensure her condition had not worsened. The several gaps that were now in her form hadn't gotten larger. But still, this had never happened to her. As far as she was aware, she believed she couldn't be 'harmed'. Over the past few years, there had been plenty of times when she discovered she didn't have the same limits as those with flesh. She can't drown, once when stumbling into a deep, rushing river and eventually climbing out of the water once she had reached shore. She's also been mauled by wildlife a few times before today, mistaken for a meal that would provide no sustenance. And of course, having not eaten one meal or needed a drop of water to survive.

From what she has observed with people, it's unfortunate and sometimes devastating to lose their body parts. There was only one time when something of that nature had happened to her. It was during a storm when a tree was struck by lightning, a large part of it falling onto Marlina and pinning one of her arms beneath it. It wasn't until a few days later that she had managed to relieve herself of her arm while attempting to free herself. It did not hurt, and there was no worry of blood loss. Once she freed her disembodied arm from beneath the tree, it reattached with ease. And so her panic came from the fact that her hands did not detach from her, they disintegrated with no clear reason as to why. There was also how her hands had changed their form like that. That had never happened before either. Hopefully whoever she was being brought to for aid had any knowledge of what manner of creature she was, for she has failed to find any like her so far.

Drawing closer to the main gate, three individuals stood outside the entryway. The tallest of the trio was a male, wearing a leather tunic, and long blue cloth sleeves. From a distance, he could easily be mistaken as blonde. But upon closer inspection, his roots were black and his hair was bleached. With half of his pale face covered by his hair, the visible eye had a monocle resting over it.

The other male of the group, an Urushian was easily spotted with his crimson-shaded hair. His uniform, which seemed to resemble the garb Marlina's rescuers had, was disheveled due to haste. He held a scimitar in one hand and reins guiding another lizard steed in the other. One would soon notice the eyepatch covering his left eye, some scarring peeking from beneath the cover.

Then there was the third, which was a woman, who had no trouble being distinguished from the other two. Of anything that could be different from the others, it was the long braided white hair. The woman had the darkest tone of skin that Marlina had ever seen. It was a shade of gray, which Marlina had never seen on anyone she had encountered thus far. And with the flowing sleeveless cloak of icy blue and white she wore and her authoritative stance, gave her a sense of nobility. She also held a staff that seemed too short compared to most staves Marlina had seen. Once the sled came to a stop, the woman in the sled with Marlina would help her out of it, the man jumping off but watching Marlina closely as she was led towards the trio.

"Natashia, is everything alright?" The noblewoman would ask the one who guided Marlina. Her voice certainly carried a calmness to it, despite the circumstances. Now granted, Marlina's current condition was readily apparent to her. But what made her ask that question was that there wasn't an atmosphere of panic and perhaps more shock and uncertainty. There also was no blood that would be part of the scenario which usually happens with amputation. So she had opted to not rouse panic and waited calmly for her answer.

"We got to her in time and slayed the hekoska, but I think she's injured so we're going to take her to Tessa." The one named Natashia was about to pass them with Marlina when the taller gentleman with the monocle placed his hand on her shoulder.

Marlina looked up to him and guessed he had to be at least 6 feet tall. She could have sworn there was a grimace in his expression, like he had smelled something foul, him leaning back a little. "Allow me, I am somewhat medically inclined. And daylight hours are becoming scarce to transport these remains. The recipients are anticipating the exchange in two days, and the hekoska will be troublesome enough with that one's scent all over both of you." His demeanor and manner of speech showed he was more of the scholarly type, and his lanky and lean frame further exemplified this. His gaze then shifted to a simply crafted coffin near the main gate of the outpost along with some small supply crates. Seems Marlina had impeded this task that involved whatever was contained in that coffin, which Marlina learned what those were for during her travels. And the thought put her at some unease.

The older male with the eyepatch then took his moment to speak up, to the man with the monocle. "They might have to wait longer than that, Elek. The other hekoska gets one whiff of the blood from that carcass so close to here, I'm going to need Neterion and Natashia here to make sure they don't get too close to the walls. It's unlikely, but they've been pretty restless lately and rather not risk that with having two of us away." Upon closer inspection of the older male, plenty of scars could be seen peeking out from beneath his uniform at his neck and arms. One looked like a scar from being burned, some looked like slashes from a blade. This made Marlina wonder what other markings were being concealed beneath his clothing. It would also be noted that his scimitar and the sheath on his hip were exquisitely designed, such marvels of craftsmanship bestowed upon respected soldiers.

There was a moment of silence, the two men looking at the noblewoman, whose expression showed she was weighing the risk and reward. "We are growing in need of supplies. The payment from this return will help us acquire those things to be brought back. I am confident that we can begin to grow crops once we obtain that volcanic soil and seeds from Volkaunus. Neterion and Natashia will have to make headway immediately." While Natashia had made a gesture like a salute, Marlina's male rescuer one would guess was the one called Neterion would show some disgruntlement; agreeing with the one that had the eyepatch, but not speaking up. The noblewoman then looked at the taller man named Elek, she gestured with her hand toward Marlina. "Elek, please escort her to your mate and tend to her." Then she looked at the man with the eyepatch. "I have little doubt that we cannot make do with just our strength, Mordecai. Please have your sled and mount prepared for battle."

Seeming everyone had gotten their orders, they would begin to go about their tasks. Neterion and Natashia would work together to load the coffin and supplies into the sled while Elek approached Marlina. "Please come with me." Mordecai would linger with Aurea just a little longer, seeming he had something to discuss with her. At the moment, Marlina is still taking in the situation. As she followed Elek through the main gate, she'd look back at the noblewoman as she stood at the gate and looked out towards the lake where the outpost rested by the coast.