Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 16: The Final Recovery

The final remains discovered are only about an hour away, not much farther than the previous two. They come across a field of what appears to be stone, with skinny, bare trees that have branches reaching in jagged patterns. Marlina had taken a long-worn shield amongst the scattered weapons across the area as a makeshift tombstone. 

Securing a cloth to the branches to provide shade, it seems this set of remains hasn't been in the wasteland as long as the other two, as their clothing is still in decent condition. The remains belong to a male in his twenties, and his attire is Urushian, specifically from the Earth Potreros. He is also missing his right hand. Based on the polishing tools found and a satchel of tree fragments, it appears that he was a jeweler, likely involved in extracting gems. 

"If you happen to have an answer, are trees made of rocks normal?" Marlina asks.

Elek shakes his head. "No, they are not. It has baffled me for years. This isn't the first time we've seen these, but I honestly cannot discern their creation. Even Tessa doesn't have an answer, but she has seen these pieces be used as rare currency in Urush before when she traveled with her family." 

After Elek discovers dozens of small holes in the right radius and ulna, he inspects the base of the tree and finds a hole full of mammalian quills. Elek carefully picks up one that is easily accessible, being cautious not to prick himself.

"What do you think happened to him?" Marlina inquires.

"If I had to guess, this tree was likely home to a group of recently born dralzi, rodent-like creatures, which this man disturbed, and he was paralyzed by their poisonous quills while defending themselves. They might have claimed his hand as a meal before escaping to a safer place." Elek picks up a twig and reaches deeper into the hole, uncovering a wholly decomposed hand beneath the pile of quills. 

Finally, after loading the last set of remains and a well-wrapped cylinder of dralzi quills, they take a moment to rest, feeding the braxl in preparation for the long journey back. Since Elek wanted to return before nightfall, he aimed to cover as much ground as possible during the hours-long journey. To avoid overheating and exhausting the braxl, he planned a quick break in a cave between the locations of the first and second remains. 

As he jots down new notes on his map about the locations of the remains, Marlina sits beside him and gradually deciphers his scribbles. In just the past few days, Marlina has learned a great deal about the desert from Elek. Metal or not, there seem to be deadly dangers, even for someone as resilient as she is. Now, she regrets having dismissed the offer for a copy of that newsletter before coming here.

"You wouldn't happen to have the Lodestar Chronicle with you? I'd hate to keep bothering you with questions all the time," Marlina says. 

Initially, her inquiry seems random, but it quickly becomes clear to him why she would ask, since she intends to journey across the rest of the desert to the Colonies. Considering what she has gone through and how the remains they are about to transport met their fates out here, it would benefit her to gain more knowledge. She may not be human, but that doesn't mean she can't assist someone less resilient than she is if she encounters them. At this point, Aurea will ensure Marlina doesn't trek across the desert on foot again and will arrange for her to travel with the twins the next time they deliver to the Colonies.

"I have the latest issue. We try to keep the most up-to-date information on our person when we travel through the wastes. I've wondered if you think someone could be searching for you."

"What do you mean?"

Elek isn't sure how revealing his true thoughts about her will impact her, but it's clear that she isn't human and must have come from somewhere. Nevertheless, the seed she possesses appears to be the only link between her and her creator. "As someone from the Colonies, known to dabble in all sorts of things, you remind me of a Construct that Colonials create as personal attendants. Artificial life designed as a tool for those who created it."