Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 23: Finding Even Ground

After Marlina extinguishes the lights in the tavern, she leaves and wanders the halls, letting the conversations replay in her mind. The night is so quiet that she can only hear her metallic footsteps on the floor. As she ponders, she hears a chirping sound. Turning toward the noise, she discovers the braxl with the cloth tied to it. Its head peeks out from the entrance to the den where the other braxl reside, flicking its tongue as if it is seeking her.

Marlina smiles and taps her toe against the floor before stepping toward it until it finds her. Slowly emerging from the den, it nudges its nose against her arm.

"Good evening, my friend." It seems to want attention, so she rubs her forearms against the top of its head and under its chin. "I'm sorry, I have no snacks for you."

With the braxl shifting behind her, it uses its tail to help her sit on its lower back, resting its head in her lap to encourage her to keep scratching.

Marlina, being thorough, kept her smile. "It's a shame you might leave and not return. Regardless, you should have a name, but what should I call you?" She ponders for a moment. Thinking back on the Urushian child she spoke of with Mordecai, she recalls her name. "I think I'll call you Lexi."

Of course, not understanding her, the braxl is more interested in her pampering and continues to chirp.

"I'm glad you feel comfortable around me, even if it's from me spoiling you."

Though Marlina doesn't hear anything, Lexi does, as its ears shift around before hurrying back into the den with her still on its back. Its tail wraps around her to keep her still while the other braxl, now awake, also listen. After a few moments, they sniff the air and sit up, with Neterion carrying a bucket of food for the braxl, thick gloves covering his arms up to the elbows to protect him from their barbed tongues.

He silently feeds them rotting vegetables for several moments, not taking his eyes off his hands. "I'm sorry for tackling you earlier and for calling you an idiot and a loudmouth. If it makes you feel any better, I'll likely end up with a few bruises from how solid you are." His tone is softer since Natalia had given him an earful about his attitude all night.

Marlina can tell what he is doing, but still feels a bit bitter about it. "You've been rather rude to me, so perhaps those bruises are somewhat deserved."

Neterion glances at her, his lips shifting slightly as he nods in agreement. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that, too."

Marlina smiles softly, seemingly pleased with his effort to be civil. "I can forgive you because you saved my life. I only ask that we start off on a better foot from now on."

If she had hands, she would have reached out to shake his hand, but he also has gloves covered in maggots and rotted vegetables, so they settle for a nod.

"Deal." He shifts his attention to feeding the braxl while they await their turns. "So, how much did you manage to hear?"

"More than I desired."

"He wants to go after Latos, doesn't he?"

Marlina nods.

Neterion scoffs. "There's no way Mordecai will get into that city, even if he makes it to the Colonies. Even Natalia has to pretend to be Tessa for her chronicle. But that prince is there, and now Mordecai won't stop until he gets through to him. He can't do it alone but doesn't want our help."

"He tried to ask Sir Elek, but doing so would put him in great danger, which Miss Tessa would not allow. She insisted on pursuing another course of action. Concerning Sir Mordecai's reluctance about your involvement, I believe he fears it might lead to harm."

"It's too late for that. I have my own bone to pick with that prick. And Latos isn't the only one I have business with." As Neterion speaks, Marlina can't help but gaze at his scars with sympathy. Neterion then notices Marlina and feels uncomfortable with her staring. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Latos gave you those scars, didn't he?"

Neterion sighs, his scowl softening as he holds out a handful of food to Lexi. "I guess it's not a big secret where these came from. Did Mordecai tell you?"

"There were hints about that. I'm sorry, but I was caught. Mordecai spoke to me after the conversation."

Neterion lets out a light groan. "So it looks like we'll have extra drills tomorrow. He probably wouldn't have known if I hadn't tackled you and made all that noise. You did your best, I guess."

Once Lexi finishes eating, it curls its body to sleep while Marlina and Neterion leave to let it rest. "I'll let Natalia know what was said. I'm going to get some sleep since Mordecai will be running us ragged. Good night." Neterion puts away the bucket and gloves, then heads to the barracks. Leaving Marlina alone, she went to Natalia's perch at the top of the outpost, where she could gaze at the stars for a while.

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Before the sun rises, Marlina hears voices below. Peering from her perch, she sees Mordecai and the twins standing in the courtyard, dressed in their uniforms. If Marlina hadn't known their relationship, she would only guess they were fellow soldiers based on how they stood. A sharp whistle from Mordecai prompts the twins to cycle through drills and exercises alongside him, just as Marlina has seen him do every morning.

As they transition from one basic drill to another, Marlina makes her way down for a better view, observing Mordecai perform these drills alone. By the time they reach the final drill, Marlina will have reached one of the outpost's upper-story windows to observe. Things have changed since Mordecai did these alone. Once the exercises are completed, they start to warm up and begin sparring hand-to-hand.

It soon became apparent how easily Neterion tackled and pinned Marlina the night before. They didn't hesitate to lock each other in their grips by any means necessary. Watching them pry or slide out of their holds makes her wonder if she can learn to defend herself that effectively. She wishes she had the skills they possess in certain situations in Urush; it certainly would have been helpful.

As Marlina studies their movements, she occasionally shifts her body similarly and hears a giggle behind her. Turning around, she finds Tessa awake earlier than usual. Although she wears her typical gentle smile, her eyes appear to sag from a lack of sleep.

"Oh, Miss Tessa, I didn't see you there. Good morning," Marlina says as she bows to her.

"Good morning, hun. Could you help me today? I want to start preparing the field for our crops and plant seeds."

Marlina doesn't know anything about farming, but she can't refuse to lend a hand. "Of course, Miss Tessa, I'll help with whatever you need."